Encoding and decoding traffic information using encoding fields

Abstract

A method for identifying traffic information includes receiving traffic data including a first identifier, information that is encoded, and information corresponding to a field indicative of an encoding scheme. The first identifier enables a determination of a type of information that is included within the received traffic data. The method also includes determining a type of information included within the received traffic data based on the first identifier and determining encoding information based on the field indicative of an encoding scheme included in the received traffic data only if the first identifier enables a determination that the received traffic data includes a field indicative of an encoding scheme. The method further includes identifying the information that is encoded based on the determined encoding information.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for processing traffic data at a terminal that includes a receiver and decoder, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a receiver, traffic information; and   decoding, at a decoder, the received traffic information,   wherein the traffic information includes a traffic message comprising a message management container, an event container and a location container,   wherein the management container includes message identifier (MID) identifying the traffic massage and a version number of the traffic message,   wherein the location container includes location information related to a link,   wherein the event container has multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of classes,   wherein highest class of the event container includes a congestion and travel time (CTT) component and an additional information component, all of which are respectively allocated different identifiers,   wherein the CTT component has lower class including an average speed component, a travel time component and a traffic flow component, all of which are respectively allocated different identifiers,   wherein the additional information component includes a language code and additional information.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the message management container further includes a message generation time element indicating point of the traffic message generation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the message management container further includes a date and time element. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the location component includes a link identifier identifying the link and a descriptor element related to the link. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for processing traffic data, the apparatus comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive traffic information; and   a decoder configured to decode the received traffic information,   wherein the traffic information includes a traffic message comprising a message management container, an event container and a location container,   wherein the management container includes message identifier (MID) identifying the traffic massage and a version number of the traffic message,   wherein the location container includes location information related to a link,   wherein the event container has multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of classes,   wherein highest class of the event container includes a congestion and travel time (CTT) component and an additional information component, all of which are respectively allocated different identifiers,   wherein the CTT component has lower class including an average speed component, a travel time component and a traffic flow component, all of which are respectively allocated different identifiers,   wherein the additional information component includes a language code and additional information.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the message management container further includes a message generation time element indicating point of the traffic message generation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the message management container further includes a date and time element. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the location component includes a link identifier identifying the link and a descriptor element related to the link.