Google Inc. v. Traffic Information LLC

Filing 52

Brief Plaintiff's Opening Claim Construction Brief. Filed by Google Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E part1, # 6 Exhibit E part 2, # 7 Exhibit E part 3, # 8 Exhibit E part 4, # 9 Exhibit E part 5, # 10 Exhibit F part 1, # 11 Exhibit F part 2, # 12 Exhibit G, # 13 Exhibit H) (Markley, Julia)

Google Inc. v. Traffic Information LLC

Doc. 52 Att. 3

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United States Patent
DeKock et al.

No.: US 6'785'6A6 82 *Aug. 31,2004 1+1 Date of Patent:
(ro) Patent

(54) (76)

SYSTEM FOR PROVIDTNG TRAFFTC INFORMATION Inventors: Bruce W. DeKock, 8850 SW. 71* P1., Portland, OR (US) 97223; Kevin L. Russell, 2910 SW. Collins Ct., Portland, OR (US) 97219; Richard J. Qian, 2844 NW. 44'h Ave., Camas, WA (US)
98607

(56)
5,492,117 5,539,645

References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

(*

) Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the teqm of ihis patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21)

Appl. No.: 101367,162
Filed:

(n)
(6s)

Feb. 13, 2003

3/1995 Zjderhand A 7/1996 MandhYan et al. A 1/1997 Olivaetal. 5.594.432 A 9/1997 Pietzsch et al. 5,6'73.039 A 6/1998 Smith, Jr. et al. 5,'7'14,827 A 9/1998 Albrecht et al. 5.812.069 A 1?1998 Peterson 5,845,227 A 3/1999 Fastenrath 5,a89,477 A 7/1999 Jones et al. 5-926.173 A 9/1999 Fan et al. 5.959.577 A 11/1999 l-appenbusch et al5,9a2,29a A 11/1999 Akutsu et al. 5,9U,374 A 11/1999 Wsterlage et al. 5,98'737'7 A 6,197,94$ A 8/2000 Grimm 11/2000 Alewine et al. 6.150.961 A * ILPU]0 Nakatani .................... 70l/ll7 6,151,550 A 6,466,862 Bl * |O|2OU DeKock et al. ............. 70l/ll7 6,514,548 B2 + 6nOO3 DeKock et al. ....'....'... 7O1/11'7

Prior Publication Data
US 200310225516

*

ciLed by examiner

AI

Dec. 4,24O3

Primary Examiner--Marthe Y. Marc-Coleman

Q4) Auorney, Agent,
McClung, & Stenzel, (s7)

Related U.S. Application Data

IIP

or Firm-1hernoff,

Vilhauer,

(63)

Continuation of application No. 10/218,85Q filed on Aug. 13,2N2, now Pat. No.6,574,548, which is a continuation of application No. 091550,476, filed on Apr. 14, 200Q now Pat. No. 6,466,862, which is a continuation of application No. 09,452,156, filed on Jul. 12, 1999. now Pat. No.
6,573,942.

ABSTRACT
a

A system for providing traffic information to

plurality of

(60)

Provisional application No. 60/130,399, filed on Apr. -t9, 1999, provisional application No. 60/166,86& Iiled on Nov. 22,1999, and provisional application No. 60/189,913, filed on Mar. 16" 2000. GO1S si00

(51) Int. Ct.7 (52)
U.S. CI. .....................

...
ll8,

70llll7;70rlIt8
70llLI9,2O8,
214; 34O1995.I3, 995.L34;349120fi.1

mobile users connected to a network. The system comprises a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the transmitter transmitling the signal. A receiver receives the signals fiom the traffic monitors. Acomputer system is connected to the receiver and is further connected to tbe network' The computer system in response to a request signal received from one of the users transmits in response thereto information representative of the signals transmitted by the traffic monitoring units. Altemative systems for gathering traffic

(58) Field of Search ...........
'7OI12OI, 2IO,

information are disclosed.
23 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets

2r9, lI7 ,

Exhibit C Page 1 of29
Dockets.Justia.com

LJ,S. Patent

Aug.3L,2004

Sheet 1 of 14

us

6,7850606 82

USER

STATION

COMPUTER SYSTEM

USER

STATION

FIG.

1

FIG. 2

Exhibit C Page 2 of 29

IJ.S. Patent

Aug.31,2fi)4

Sheet 2 of 14

us

6,785,646 B2

45-50 40-45 35-40 30-35 25-30 20-25

rnph mph mph mph mph

mph
TEXT

7- B0

I

MESSAGE

Capitol Highway
I

FIG.

3

Exhibit C Page 3 of 29

IJ.S,

Patent

Aug.31,2004

Sheet 3 of 14

us 6,785,646

B2

/-{ ()
\--l

70

7o.-r

t

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S

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r\ \--l

FIG. 4

Exhibit C Page 4of29

IJ.S. Patent

Aug.31,2ffi4

Sheet 4 of 14

us 6,785,606 82

PROCESSOR

FIG.

5

Exhibit C Page 5 of 29

LJ.S. Patent

Aug.31,2004

Sheet 5 of 14

us

6,785,606 82

FIG.6

Exhibit C Page 6 of 29

LJ.S. Patent

Aug.31,2{X)4

Sheet 6

of14

us

6,785,606 B2

'l,,t

ttt
F'IG. 7
Exhibit C Page 7 of 29

LJ,S. Patent

Aug.31,2004

Sheet 7 of 14

us

6,785,606 82

5a\

140\
WRECK

55-60 50-55 45-50 40-45 35-40 30-35

mph mph mph mph mph mph

FIG.

8

Exhibit C Page 8 of 29

IJ.S. Patent

Aug.31,2004

Sheet 8 of 14

us

6,785,606 82

ESTIMATE CAMERA MOTION ESTIMATE
\rEHTCLE

MOTION ESTIMATE TRAFFIC SPEED AND
CONGESTION

TRACK MOTION BLOBS
ESTIMATE TRAFFIC SPEED AND CONGESTION
OUTPUT TRAFFIC SPEED AND CONGESTION

OUTPI'T ESTIMATED SPEED AND
CONGESTION

F'IG. 9

FIG.

1O

Exhibit C Page 9 of 29

LJ.S. Patent

Aug.31,2fi)4

Sheet 9 of 14

us

6,785,606 82

l

a2OA

l--l [FIG.
11
Exhibit C Page 10 of29

LJ.S.

Patent

Aug.31,2fi)4

Sheet 10 of

14

US 6,785,606 B2

LOCATION LAT/LONG
201

ROAD INTERSTATE LOCAT
BYPASS

DIRBCTTON
0"

VELOCITY
55 MPH 20 MPH STOPPED

45'54'36"N/
37"32'.12"8

242 203 204 205 206
207

27"

EAST NW

RESIDENTIAL

FIG.

T2

Exhibit C Page 11 of29

LJ.S. Patent

Aug.31,2004

Sheet 11 of14

us 6,785,606 82

5a\

+

N

(SUBSTANTIAI.LY CENTERED)

55-60 50-55 45-50 40-45 35-40 30-35

mph mph mph mph mph

mth

FIG.

13

Exhibit C Page 12of29

LJ.S.

Patent

Aug.31,2004

Sheet 12 of

14

US 6,785,6A6 B2

5a\

+

N

ffiI;l,ililll I
40-45 moh

ffitrtr_!"nii

FIG.

T4

Exhibit C Page 13 of29

U.S.

Patent

Aug.31,2004

Sheet 13 of

14

US 6,785,60682

5a\

wf

55-60 mph 50-55 mph 45-50 mph 40-45 mph 35-40 mph 30-35 mph

FIG. 15

Exhibit C Page 14of29

[I.S. Patent

Aug.31,2fi)4

Sheet 14 of 14

us

6,785,606 B2

trErEltrtr
SPEAKER

FIG.

T6

Exhibit C Page 15 of 29

us
1 SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TRAFFIC

6,785,606 B2
2
petson commuting in a car, the system displays trafic information for many areas not of interest to the commuter. In addition, these types of systems require large area. Thus, for
a 5

INFORMATION This application is a Continuation of U.S. application No. 1,021,8,850, flledAug. I3,2W2, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,548; which additionally is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/550,476, flled onApr. I4,2ffiO,now

manipulation by the commuter to flnd the relevant traffic information. For example, wbile the map may allow the commuter to zoom in on a particular area, the user must provide inputs lo the system to instruct the system to zoom in on a particular are a. However, a commuter who is actively U.S. Pat- No.6,466,862; which additionally is a Continuadriving cannot operate a computer and drive at the same tion of U.S. application Ser. No. 091352,156, fi1ed Jul. 12, time. In addition, these systems may rely on manual entry of 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,942: which claims the beneflt r0 data received from subjective tramc reports and/or traffic of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/130,399 fled Apr. sensors. Thus this method may additionally suffer from 19, 1999; U-S. Provisional Application No. 60/166,868 filed added cost due to manual labor, incorrect entry of data, and Nov. 22, 1999; and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No- 60i189, slow response to quickly changing traffic conditions. 913 frled Mar. 16.2000. Fan et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,959,577, disclose a system for processing position and travel related informaiion through a BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION data processing station on a data network. In particular, Fan et al. teach the use of a GPS receiver to obtain a measured present invention relates to a system for providing The oosition flx of a mobile unit. The measured position fix is traffic information, and more particularly a system for proieported to the data processing station wbich associates the viding traffic information to a plurality of mobile users 2a reported position with a map of the area. Typically, the connected to a measured position of the mobile unit is marked and identiCommuters have a need for information relating to the fled by a marker on the map. The area map is then stored in congestion and traffic which they may encounter on a the data processing station and made available for access by commute over a road, a highway, or a freeway. authorized monitor units or mobile unils. An authorized Unfortunately, the prior art methods of providing traffic unit may request a specific area map. This permits "" monitor ". information to commuters do not allow commuters to evalushipping companies to monitor the location oftheir fleet and ate the extent to which there is congestion on a highway on permits the mobile units to identify their current location in whicb the commuter may wish to travel. relation to a map, which is particularly suited for the One known method of providing trafEc information mnapplication of navigation to a particular destination. In sists of radio reports. A radio station may broadcast traffic ao addition, Fan et al. teach that the measured position data reports, such as from a helicopter that monitors traffic transmitted from the mobile units may be used to calculate conditions over portions of a freeway. Unfortunately, these .the speeds at which the vehicles travel. The collective speed reports are usually intermittent in nature. Accordingly, to data from the mobile units is then available for use by the hear the report, the commuter must be listening to the radio monitor units, such as those at the shipping company, to station at the time the report is being broadcast on the radio. a, route the vehicles away from traffic congestions and diverFurther, the extent of the information provided is severely sions. In this manner, the dispatcher at the sbipping limiled to broad generalizations. For example, the informacompany, to which Fan et al. teaches the data is available to, tion provided during the broadcast may be limited to the area may use the collective speed data to decide which vehicles being currently viewed by the reporter, or the information to contact in order to reroute them. may be based on a previous view at a prior time ofanother 40 Westerlage et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,097377 and5,987,177, portion of the freeway. Some broadcasts may include muldisclose a system for determining an expected time of arrival tiple observers of different portions of the freeway, yet these of a vehicle equipped with a mobile unit. systems also provide incomplete information relating to Zijderhand, U.S. Pat. No.5,4O2,7I7, discloses a metbod overall traffic pattems. In addition, the information provided of collecting kaffic information to determine an originis vague, subjctive, and usually limited to broad generali- u, destination matrice without infringing upon the privacy of ties relating to traffic flow. the users. Another known traffic information system is provided by Mandhyan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,645, is related to television broadcasls. In these systems, television stations monitoring movement of traffic along predetermined routes, may mount video cameras pointed at certain portions of a where individual moving elements can move with a high freeway, or may broadcast video images from a helicopter. 59 degree of discretion as to speed except when congestion, The television station may periodically broadcast traffic accident or the like limit speeds. Mandhyan et al. uses the reports and include in the traffic report a view of different deployment ofcalibrant vehicles for collecting and reporting portions of the freeway from the video cameras. Again, this information which describes vehicle speeds actually being system provides little useftrl information to a commuter. The experienced along the routes of interest wbere the data are commuter must be watching the broadcast at the time the 55 processed statistically as a function of the time of day. The information is being transmitted. However, by the time the output provides baseline data against which observations at commuter actually gets into his vehicle and enters a potena particular time, category weather, event, and location can tially congesled area, the traffic may have changed. Further, be compared, to identify the existence of abnormal the information provided is limited to those areas where the conditions, and to quantify the abnormality. To determine traffic is being monitored and may consist of stale infomta- 60 abnormal conditions, Mandhyan et al. teach the use ofprobe tion. Often the video image is limited to a small portion of vehicles. In particular, Mandbyan et al. is applicable to the road, and shows traffic flowing in a single direction. monitoring the flow of motor vebicles along roads which are Yet another method to provide traffic iplpor-ution is to subject to delays of sufficient frequency and severity that provide a website that is accessjble using tbe Internel that correction action or dissemination o[ informalion announccontains trafic information. While these types of systems 65 ing a delay are economically desirable. Unfortunately, the have the advantage of providing more up to date use ofprobe vehicles may bc expensive and the relevancy of information, these systems typically provide a map for a the data is limited to the availability of the probe vehicles.
Ser.

network.

Exhibit C Page 16 of 29

us
3

6,785,606 82 4

traveling data may include vehicle pass time or vehicle pass time and speed. The data providing devices laid on the road include a receiver for receiving tbe traveling data from the vehicle and a transmitter for sending other passing vehicles devices are personal or desktop computers, network 5 the traveling data. A control center oommunicating through computers, set-top boxes, or intelligent televisions. The user the data providing devices laid on the road can use the interface includes a road map showing a plurality of road received traffic data from the vehicles to predict the occursegments that a user can interactively select. Vehicular speed rence of 1raffic congestion based on the pass time and speed information is provided to the system from traffic sensors of a vehicle. It is assumed that at a certain point, vehicles monitoring the traffic. In addition, the user interface has a ,o were traveling smoothly at a certain time and the speed of road image area that changes as the user selects different each vehicle has decreased drastically at the next time. In road segments to show recent images of a cunently selected this case it is expected that traffic congestion will occur in road segment. Unforfunately, the system taught by Lappenthe vicinity of that point. Therefore, smooth travel can be busch et al. is complicated to operate and requires significant achieved by, for example, communicating to each vehicle user interaction to provide relevant data, which is suitable ,. data etc. indicating bypasses in order not to worsen tramc for such "stationary" traditional computing devices. congestion. Therefore, a vehicle operator can gain knowlSmith, Jr. et a1., U.S. Pat. No.5,774,821,disclose a system edge of the travel-ing state of a vehicle which has already to alleviate the need for sophisticated route guidance passed over that point and adjust travel considering traffic systems, where the commuter has a positioning system as flow. well as a map database in a car. A central facility receives 26 While all of the above systems provide some degree of and stores currenl tralTic information for preselected comtraffic information for a commuter, nevertheless the above muter routes from various current traffic information systems do not provide an efficient method of collecting and sources, such as local police authorities, toll-way authorities, presenting objective traffic information to a commuter. What spotters, or sensors deployed on the road ways to detect is desired, therefore, is a system for providing traffic infortraflfic flow. To acbieve the elimination of sophislicated route 25 mation which allows a commuter to obtain information at guidance systems a portable device receives a travel time any time desired by the commuter, that provides information only for preselected commuter routes from the central relating to a plurality of points along a road, that provides facility. In this manner, Smitb, Jr. et al. teach that each user information relating to different traffic levels, that provides receives only the traffic information that js relevant to the information that is particularly relevant to the commuter, user's preselected commuler routes. If desired, the prese- 30 and that provides the information in an easily uirderstood lected commuter routes may be presented as a set of route format that may be easily utilized by a commuter while segments, where each of the segments is coded to indicate driving. commut time. In respons, the user may choose an alterl-appenbusch et a1., U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,298, disclose a traffic information system having sewers that makes traffic data, images, and video clips available to a user interface on client devices. Lappenbusch et al. envision that the client

native route known by him that is different from any
preselected commuter routes. Smith, Jr. et al. further suggest that a GPS enabled portable unit for transmitting a present position of the portable device to the central facility such that the central facility uses each present position to calcu35

BRIEF SUMMARY OF TTIE INTVENTION The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a system for providing traffic information to a plurality of users connected to a network. In a lirst aspect the present invention provides a system comprised of a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the

late at least a portion of the curent travel information. By

matching multiple positions

of the portable device with

40

known positions on the preselected route and measuring the time between two consecutive matched positions the central transmitter transmitting the signal. The system also includes facility can obtain up-to-the minute tramc information to be a receiver that receives the sigtals from the traffic monitors. used in broadcasting future travel times to other users of preselected commuter routes. Unfortunately, the system 45 A computer system is connected to the receiver and is also connected to the network. The computer system, in response taught by Smith, Jr. et al. requires the user to deflne a set of to a request signal received from one of the users, transmitrs preselected commuter routes for each route to be traveled, in response thereto information representative of the signals which may be difficult if the user is unfamiliar wittr the area. transmitted by the traffic monitors. In addition, Smith, Jr. et al. teach that the user should select alternative routes that are known to the user, presumably if 50 In a second separate aspect of the invention, a system the commute time of the preselected commuter routes are provides traffic information to a plurality of users connected too long, which is dificult if the user is not already familiar to a network. Traffic is detected at each of a pluralily of with the area. locations along a road and a signal is generated at each of the locations representative of the traffic at each of the locations. Pietzsch et a1., U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,039, disclose a system for dynamic monitoring of the total traffic in a stretch of road 55 Each of the signals is transmitted from each of the pluralily equipped with monitoring and information-provision of locations to a receiver. These signals are sent from the

system, as well as wamings to drivers, and hence the possibility of regulating the traffic. The system does not
require that the vehicles be equipped with appropriate sensors and transmitting equipment. Akulsu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,374, disclose a vebicle
60

receiver to a computer system. The computer system

traveling guidance system that includes data providing
devices laid on a road and a vehicle. The vehicle includes a data transmitter for sending a data providing device traveling data of tbe vehicle when the vehicle passes over the vicinity of the dala providing device and a data receiver for

65

receiving data sent from the data providing device. The

receives a request from one of the users for traffic information. In response to the request, the computer system lransmits information representative of the traffic at each of the plurality of locations to the user. In a third separate aspect of the invention, a system provides trafEc information to a plurality of users connected to a network, Tbe system comprises a plurality of mobile user stdtions, each mobile user station being associated with the display, a global positioning system receiver and a communicating device to allow each of the mobile user

e"r,iOii C Page 17 of29

us
5

6,785,606 82
6
FIG. 12 is a combined map and traffic information database representative of the road system depicted in FIG. 11. FIG- 13 is an exemplary embodiment of a centered

stations to send and receive signals. A computer system is interconnected with another communicating device in the network. The computer system is capable of sending and receiving signals to the mobile user stations using the other communicating device in the nelwork. The computer system maintains a map database and a traffic information database. The traffic information database contains information represenlalive of traffic data at a plurality of locations. At least one of the mobile user stations provides a request to the cqmpuler system for information together wilh the respective geographic location of the mobile user station. In response to the request, the computer syslem provides to the mobile user station information representalive of selected portions of the map database and selected portions of the traffic information database based on the respective geographic location of the requesting mobile user station. The mobile user station then displays graphically on the display information representative of selected portions of the map database and selected portions of the traffic information

s

10

display. FIG. 14 is an exemplary embodiment of an offset display. FIC. 1.5 is an exemplary embodiment of a look ahead display. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a mobile user station having altemative mechanisms for inputting commands to the user slalion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elemenls, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the system 1-0 for providing traffic information to a plurality of user stations 52 connected to a network 50. A plurality of traffic monitors 20 are arranged at spaced apart locations 20 measure traffic database. 20 along a road 12. The traffic monitors information by detecting the speed (velocity) or frequency The traffic information database may be derived from of vehicles traveling along the road (freeway or highway) information obtained from stationary traffic monitors, 12. For example, in one embodimenl, the traffic monitors 20 mobile user stations. or a combination thereof. The mobile may delect the speed of individual vehicles 14 traveling user station allows traffic information to be displayed in a road 12. Altematively, the traffic monitors 20 may variety of manners. The display can also show graphically z5 along the measure the frequency with which the individual vehicles 14 the location of the car on the display. The user may select pass specified points along the road 12. among different modes for displaying traffic information on FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of an exemplary the display. embodiment of a trafFc monitor 20. The traffic monitor 20 The various aspects of the present invention have one or has a deteclor 22 for measuring or otherwise sensing traffic. more of the following advantages. The present invention FIG. 2 shows two different embodiments 22Aatd22B of a allows a commuter to obtain traffic information at any time; detector 22. -Iirle debcnr 22 may be any type of measuring witbout waiting for a report to be broadcast. The present device which is capable of measuring or otherwise sensing invention also allows detailed information relating to traffic traffic and generating a signal representative of or capable of conditions based on measurements of the traffic, such as the being used 10 dtermine the traffic conditions. For example, average vehicular speed or traffic density, to be supplied for the detector 22 could measure the average speed of the a pluralily of locations along a road. The invention also vebicles (cars or trucks) 14 at localions along the road 12, or allows the convenient display of information in a readily it muld measure the individual speed (velocities) of each understood form to the user, such as a graphical display. The vehicle 14. The detector 22 may detect vehicle frequencS foregoing and other features and advantages ofthe invention that is, the frequency at which vehicles pass a certain point, will be more readily understood upon consideration of the or may measure trafrc flow, consisting of the number of following detailed description of the invention, taken in vehicles pa^ssing a cerlain point for a unit of time (e.g., conjunction with the accompanying drawings. vehicles per second). The detector 22 may use any suitable technique to measure traffic conditions (data). For example, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI"IE SEVERAL +s in one embodiment, the detector 22A could employ radio VIEWS OF TIIE DRAWINGS waves, light waves (optical or infrared), microwaves, sound FIG. I shows a schematic of an exemplarv embodiment of waves, analog signals, digital signals, doppler shifts, or any a system for provid.ing traffic information. other type ofsystem to measure traffic conditions (data). In FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of an exemplary one embodiment, the detector 22A uses a transmitted beam traffic monitor. s0 to measure the velocity of the vehicles 14 passing along the FIG. 3 shows an exemplary display for a user station. road 12, such as with a commercial radar gun or speed detector commonly used by police. Altematively, the detecFIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an exemplary emboditor 22A may detect when cars having magnetic lags or ment of a mobile user unit of the present invention. markers pass. The detector 22Amay either detect signals FIG.5 is a partial electrical schematic for a traffic monitor ss reflected from the vehicle or signals transmitted by the of FIG. 2. vehicles. FIG. 6 is an alternative exemplary display. The traffic monitor 20 is shown with an alternative FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment 22B consisting of one or more pressure sensiembodiment of a series of trafEc monitors along a road. tive detectors which extends across lhe road 12. Preferably FIG. 8 shows another exemplary display ibr a user station. eo two spaced apart detectors are positioned at a predetermined FIG. 9 is a flow chart for a method of processing video spacing to make the velocity determination readily availdata to yield traffic information. able. The pressure sensitive detector 228 detects when a FIG. L0 is a flow chart for an altemative method of vehicle passes over the detector 228. Such a pressure processing video data to yield traffic information. sensitive detector may be used alone or in combinalion with FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a road system ss deteclor 22Ato measure the frequency or speed (velocity) of having trafEc sensors and vehicles at different locations the traffic passing along the road'12. Likewise, the detector alons the road. 22Amay be used alone or in combination with the detctor

Exhibit C Page 18of29

us
7

6,785,606 B2
8
camera calibration based on the input video of the road and the physical measurements of certain markings on the road. Then the algorithm (1) takes a number of frames from the input video; (2) computes optical flow; (3) estimates camera motion which may be caused by wind, etc., (4) estimates independent vehicle motion after compensating the camera motion; (5) estimates traffic speed based on the averaged vehicle motion and the camera parameters obtained from the camera calibration step; estimates road congestion by counting the number of independent motion components; and (6) oulputs the estimated speed and congestion results.

22B to measure the frequency or speed (velocity) of the
traflic passing along the road 12. Alternatively, detector 228 could be a wire loop buried in the road to measure changing magnetic fields as vehicles pa,ss over the loop. T\e deteclor 22 may measure traffic conditions in a single lane of a freeway or road, or may measure average traffic information across several lanes. The derector 22 could also be embedded in each lane of a road or freeway such as with a pressure sensitive detector 228. Alternatively, individual detectors could be embedded in a roadway which would sense signals or conditions generated by passing vehicles. For example, each vehicle could include a magnet or could ioclude a signaling device which would be detected by the delector, which could be an electromagnetic sensor or a signal receiver.

s

r0

The second algorithm is based on motion blob tracking

and its bock .liagram is shown

in FIG. 1.0. First,

the

algorithm performs camera calibration based on the input 15 video of the road and the physical measurements ofcertain Referring to FIG. 5, the trafic monitors 20 may also markings on the road. The algorithm (1) takes a number of include a processor and a memory for collecting, processing, frames from ft6 input video; (2) estimates camera motion; and storing traffic information provided by the detector 22.

(3) detects indepentent motion blobs after compensating the The traffic monitor 20 preferably further includes a transcamera motion; (4) tracks motion blobs; (5) eslimates traffic mitter 26 for transmitting the traffic information collected by 20 speed based on the averaged blob molion and the camera the detector 22. The transmitter 26 may be any type of parameters obtained from the camera calibration step; estidevice capable of transmitting or otherwise providing data in mates road congestion by counting the number of indepeneither digital or analog form, either through the air or dent motion blobs; and (6) outputs the estimated speed and through a conduclor. For example, the transmitter could be congestion results. a digital or analog cellular transmitter, a radio transmitter, a 2s Traffic monitor 20 further includes a power supply 24. microwave transmitter, or a transmitter connected to a wire, The power supply 24 is preferably a battery, or may altersuch as a coaxial cable or a telephone line. The transmitter natively be a power line, such as a 12 or 120 volt power line' 26 is shown as transmitting the signals through the air to a The traffic monitor 20 is shown with an optional solar power receiver 30. Altematively, the transmitter 26 could transmit power the data to an intermediate receiver before being transmitted ^^ supply 28. The power supply 24 ot 28 provides the to the receiver 30. For example, several trafHc alooi1ot" 2O 'u necessarv for lhe detectors 22Aandlor 22B, rhe transmitter 26, and any other electronics, such as a compuler system could transmit traffic information in a daisy chain manner and/or video camera. from one end of a road 12 to the last traffc monitor 20 at the The receiver 30 receives the signals from the traffic other end of the road before being transmitted to receiver 30. To facilitate this lype of transmission most traffic monitors .. monitors 20 and/or video cameras 29. The receiver 30 may 20 would require a receiver. Alternatively, one or more "" be any device capable of receiving information (data) such as in either an analog or a digital form. For example, the traffic monitors 20 could transmit data to olher traffic monireceiver 30 may be a digital or analog cellular receiver, a tors 20, which in turn transmit the data to the receiver 30. In standard phone, a radio receiver, an antenna, or a data port order to conserve power, the transmitter 26 and the detectors 22 preferably transmit and sense information periodically ,^ capable of receiving analog or digital information, such as -" that lransmitted pursuant lo a data prolocol. rather than continuously. Further, the traffic information generated by the detector 22 is preferably averaged, or The receiver 30 receives the information from the traffic otherwise statistically modifled, over a period of time so as monitors 20 and/or video cameras 29 and passes that inforto limit the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and mation to a computer system 40. The computer system 40 increase its accuracy. 45 preferably includes a processor (such as a general purpose processor, ASIC, DSP, etc.), a clock, a power supply, and a In one embodiment, the trafnc monitoring unit 20 may further include a video camera 29. The video camera 29 is memory. The computer system 40 preferably has a port 42, also connected to the transmitter 26, so that the transmitter or any t)?e of inierconnection, lo interconnect the computer 26 may transmit signals corresponding to the image sensed system 40 with the network 50. Preferably, the computer by the video camera 29.Alternatively, the traffic monitors 20 50 system 40 includes information reprsentative of the road 12 may be replaced by video cameras 29. Multiple images may along which the traffic monitors 20 are located, such as a be obtained by a video camera and the speed of the vehicles map database. The computer system 40 receives the traffic 14 determined based on image analysis of multiple frames information transmitted by the respective traffic monitors from the video camera(s). 20. The information transmitled by the trafrc monitors 20 One prefened type of monitor 20 utilizes signals from a 55 includes the location or identification of each particular traffic monitor 20 together with the data representative of the digital video camera to provide the traffic information. traffic data provided by the detector 22 and/or video camera Traffic-related information may be obtained by analyzing 29 at each traffic monitor 2O.Tbe computer system 40 may the video sequences from the monitoring video cameras 29.

manipulate the traffic information in some manner, as The information may include how fast the traffic moves and how congested the road is. The speed of the trafrc may be 60 necessary, so as to provide average speeds or other statistical data. In the event of video, the computer system 40 may derived by measuring the speed ofvehicles in the video. The process the images to determine the speed of vehicles. AIso, degree of congestion may be estimated by counting the the video may be provided. Alternatively; the user stations number of vehicles in the video. Ttris invention provides two may pro@ss the traffic information. algorithms for eslimating traffic speed and road congestion based on video input. 6s In one embodiment, both the receiver 26 of the traffic The first algorithm is based on optical flow and its flow monitors and the transmitter30 of computer system are each diagram is shown in FIG. 9. First, the algorithm performs capable of receiving and transmitting data. This allows for

Exhibit C Page 19 of 29

us
9

6,785,646 B2

t0
at intervals. Such signals may be either transmitted directly to the receiver 30, or may be transmitled througb other tramc

monitors 20. The receiver 30 receives the signals received by the various traffic monitors 20 and passes these signals to monitor 20 to facilitate collection of traffic data. For 5 the computer system 40. 'ltre computer system 40 receives example, the video camera 29 could be remotely positioned the data from the traffic monitors 20. The computer systrem to view a traffic lane of interest. may calculate or process the traffic information for the users, as necessary. Il is not necessary for the traffic monitors 20 to Traffic information may be provided to users in any suitable manner, such as the examples that follow. A user calculate traffc data, if desired. In response to a request from station 52 is connected to the network 50. Preferably, the ,n a us,er statioo 52, the computer system 40 provides the tramc informalion over the network 50 to the user station 52. user station 52 includes a graphic display unit 54 (see FIG. 3). For example, the user station 52 may be a standard The system 10 has many advantages. It allows a user to personal computer with a display monitor 54. The ntwork receive contemporaneous traffic information from a plurality 50 is preferably the Internet. However, the network 50 could of locations. It al1ows the user to obtain immediate inforalso be a local area network or any other type of ilosed or ,. mation rather. than waiting for the broadcast of information open network, or could also be the telephone network. The at specified times. Further, the amount of information prouser station 52 sends a signal over the network 50 to the vided by the system is far superior to that provided by any computer system 40 requesting traffic information. In other traffic reporting system. A user can obtain immediate response to receiving a request from the user station 52, the and contemporaneous traffic conditions, such as avrage computer system 40 transmits traffic information represen- ,o vehicular speed, trafrc flow, or vehicle frequency, for a tative of the traffic information collected by the various plurality of locations along a road. Where traffic monitors traffic monitors 20 to the requesting user station 52. The are provided along several different roads, a commuter may computer system 40 may transmit average speeds detected then select among the various alternative routes, depending by each of the ftamc monitors 20 at each of their respective on the 1raffic conditions for each road. The system also does locations. The traffic information may be presented to the ,, no1 rely on the manual input of information, and thus user as a web page. The computer system may send traffic provides information more accurately and more quickly. It information corresponding to only some of the traffic monialso eliminates subjective descriptions of traffic information tors. The user may select which portions of the road 12 are by providing measured data representative of traffic condiof interest, and the compuler system 40 may transmit traffic tions. information corresponding to that portion of the road In one embodiment, the computer system 40 also receives 30 FIG. 3 shows an exemplary display 54 displaying the the signals generated by the video camerus29 at the respectrafrc information provided by the computer system 40. The tive traffic monitors 20. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary display computer system 40 provides data from its memory which is 54 in which a video image 129 is provided. In this representative of the road 12, such as data from a map embodiment, the user may select from which traffc monidatabase, which is displayed as a road 112 on the display 54. 35 toring unit 20 the video image 129 is to be received from. The computer system 40 also provides traffic information For example, a user could initially select to view the image collected by each, or a selected set, of the respective traffic generated by the video camera at a first location, and then monitors 20 which is displayed in portions lI4all4d later view the image transmitted by another video camera and/or the trafrc information derived from individual mobile 29, preferut:ly at another traffic monitor 24, at a different user stations having a global positioning system locator as 4s location. described in detail below. In the exemplary display shown in The system 10 preferably further includes the ability to FIG. 3, the portions l74a-ll4d display different colors or send messages about road conditions. FIG.3 shows such an patterns representative of average vehicle speeds (for exemplary message 130 in text format- The computer system example, in miles per hour) along difierent portions of the 40 is capable of storing data messages and transmitting the roadlI2. Ofcourse, the display may display other types of a5 data messages with the traffic inforrnation. The data mesinformation, such as traffic flow (vehicles per second) or sages would indicate items of particular interest to the vehicle frequency. The display 54 may include information commuter. For example, the text message 130 could indicate in either graphical or text format to indicate the portion of that there was an accident at a particular location or the road displayed, such as localion of milepost markers or milepost, that construction was occurring at another location place names so or milepost, or that highway conditions were particularly While the display 54 shows one format for displaying the severe and that altemative routes should be selected. The information, other formats for presenting the information system 10 could provide multiple messages through which may likewise be used, as desired. It is not necessary to lhe user could scroll so as to receive different messages in provide a graphical represntation of the road 12. Instead, addition to the traffic information received from the various information could be provided in a textual manner, such as, 55 traffic monitors 20. In another embodiment, the user station for example, mile post locations for each of the ramc 52 includes a voice synthesizer capable of reading the monitors 20 and presenting texlual traffic information for messages to the user. each location. In yet another embodiment, the system 10 may also Thus, the system may operate as follows. The traffic provide additional graphical information relating to traffic monifors 2A deteet or otherwise snse trafEc to provide oo conditions. For example, the computer system 40 could traffic information. The traffic monitors 20 may detect or transmit the location of an accident or construction site otherw"ise calculate vehicle speed, average vehicle speed, along the rcad 12. The information would be displayed on traffic floq vehicle frequency, or other data representative of display 54 as an icon or other symbol at the location the traffic. The traltc monitors 20 may sample either indicaling the presence of an accident or highway construccontinuously, or may sample at intervals to conserve power. 65 tion. Such an icon is shown at 140 in FIG. 3- Alternatively, The transmitler 26 transmits the signals provided by the the computer syslem could also display an icon representatraffic monitors 20 to the receiver 30 either continuously or tive ol a restaurant, gas station, hospital, rest area, ol

two way communication between the monitor 20 and the computer system 40. Thus, the computer system 40 could remotely operate the traffic monitor 20 to change settings, diagnose problemg and otherwise provide input to hamc

12.

116.

Exhibit C Page 2O of 29

us
11

6,785,646 B2

t2

roadside attraction. In such a system, the computer system would contain or be linked to a database containing such

52 has transmitting and/or receiving unis 64 for communicating with the network 50- Such transmitting and receiving units 64 may be any devices capable of transmitting digital information. The information could be displayed or analog data, such as, for example, a digital or analog automatically, or in response to a request for such information from a user. 5 cellular phone. The user station 52 may alm be contained within a car 60 that further includes an associated global In another exemplary embodiment, the computer system positioning system (GPS) receiver 62. The GPS receiver 62 40 automatically generates traffic reports to be sent to the receives signals from GPS satellites 70 which enable the user station 52 at predetermined times. For example, a user GPS receiver to determine its location. When a commuter may indicate that it wishes to receive a traffic report every requests trafrc information using the mobile user station 52, moming at 7:30 a.m, f-he computer system 40 automatically 10 the request for traffic information may include the location sends to the user station 52 at the predetermined time (7:30 of the user as determined by the GPS re<river 62. When the a.m., for example) the traffic information collected from the computer system 40 receives this request, it provides traffic traffic monitoring unis 20. The information could be sent to information back to the mobile user station 52 based on the be displayed, such as in FIG. 3, or could be sent alternatively . . location of the car 60 as provided by the GPS receiver 62. in a text or graphical format via e-mail. The traffic report -Alternatively, the computer system 40 may provide traffic may also be provided in a format specific to the user's information to the user station 52 which in combination with geographic region and,/or user's driving habits, such as the position determined by lhe GPS receiver 62 displays anticipated (potential) route to be traveled. The computer suitable data to the user on a display or audibly. The user system 40 may also automatically send the traffic informastation may also be a cellular phone with an integrated or tion to a display in the user's vehicle in response to some 20 associated GPS. event, such as turning on the vehicle, time, key press, etc. FIG. 6 shows a representative display of the traffic inforIn another embodiment, the computer system 40 allows a mation provided by the computer system 40. The informauser to calculate the amount of time necessary to travel from tion provided is essentially the same as that shown in FIG. one location to another location along the road12. The user 25 3, except that the display 54 contains at 161 the position of sends a request to the computer system 40 indicating the two the car 60. The mobile user station 52 provides a signiflcant locations along the road along which travel is desired. The advantage in that it allows the commuter to immediately user may, for example, indicate on the display by highlightdetermine traffic information in the commuter's immediate ing the two locations on the road L12 using a computer vicinity based on the commuter's present location. The mouse. Alternatively, the two locations may include the 30 commuter does not have to wait for a periodic traffic report. user's current location, as determined by a vehicle based Further, traffic conditions are provided at a plurality of GPS systrem, so that only the destination needs to be entered. locations, and the informalion is contemporaneous. Based The computer system 40 then calculates the anticipated on the receipt of such information, the commuter may decide amount of time it will take to travel from one point to the to us an altemate route rather than continue on the current other point based upon the traffic data collected by the 35 freeway. various traffic monitors 20 between the two locations. In Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4' the system addition, the system may calculate altemative routes in order provides the relevant traffic information to the commuter or to determine the fastest route in view of the traffic informauser on a timely basis. The display may be tailored 1o tion. The computer system 40 then sends a signal back to the provide the information for the cunent location of the user station 52 to indicate the amount of time that the travel 40 commuter, together witb the upcoming traffic that lies ahead. from the first to the second location will take. The route In a prefened embodiment, the system obtains traffic determined as the best may be overlaid on a map to assist the information from users that have a GPS receiver 62. In this user in travel. system, whenever a user station 52 requests traffic informaIn yet another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 7 shows tion frqm the computer system 4Q the computer system 40 a divided freeway with vehicle traffic flowing in opposite +s associates a velocity (speed) of that particular user with its directions in each ofthe divided sections. Each section of the current location. The velocity may be determined througb a freeway 12 has multiple lanes 1-2A-12C. The traffic monivariety of methods. In one system, when the user requests tors 20 measure traffic in each of the lanes 1.2A-12C of each trafrc information, the user. station 52 supplies not only its section 12 of the divided freeway. The monitors 20 may location but also its cunent velocity. The user station 52 may measure traflic on only one portion of the divided freeway, so obtain its cunent velocity in any fashion. For example, the or may measure traffc conditions in each of the lanes of each user station 52 may track its location over time using the of the sections of the divided freeway. The monitor used to GPS receiver 62, and also keep track of the time associated measure traffic in multiple lanes may be a digital video with each location by using an internal clock. The velocity camera. could then be calculated by simply dividing the difference FIG. E shows yet another embodiment of a display 54, 55 between respective locations by respective times. which displays traffic information for each individual lane of Alternatively, the user station 52 may be connected to the the divided freeway shown in FIG. 7. For example, in vehicle's speedometer or odometer, and measure velocity display 54, the traffic conditions in each individual lane using information provided by the vehicle 60 itself ll2A-llzc is displayed for the road seclion 112. By disAlternatively, the computer system 40 itself could calculate playing conditions for each particular lane, the system has 60 the velocity ofeach user. In such a system, each user station the advantage of allowing the user to anticipate particular 52 would provide the computer system 40 with a uniquc lane problems which may occur ahead, such as a wreck 140 identification code together with its location. The computer in lane LL2C. In addition, in an alternative embodiment, the system 40 then associates a time using an internal clock with display 54 is capable ofdisplaying the individual location of each location reported by each user. Preferably, the GPS each individual vehicle on the road 112. 65 location is sent together with the current time at the user FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a user station station so that delays incurred in transmission do not change 52. User station 52 is a mobile unit in a car 60. User station the result. The velocity of each user could then be calculated

Exhibit C Page 21 of 29

us
13

6,785,606 82
14
requested. The user station 52 could also, even if no information was desired, provide its current location (preferably with current time), and optionally ils velocity as well, to

by calculating the difference in location for a particular user (identified by its unique identification code) by the respective times associated with each of these locations. Thus, the computer system 40 develops a database consisting of the location of a plurality of users together with the s respoctive velocities of each of the users. The computer system 40 thus has traffic information consisting at leist of the velocity of the traffic for a plurality of locations corresponding to the locations for each of the reporting users. It is preferred in such a system that each user station 52 would 16 contribute to the database, but the computer system could use data from fewer than all of the user stations 52 either requesting information or operating. The system may thus use the information received from the user stations 52 either to calibrate the traffic information provided by monitors 20, 15 or to supplement the traffic information provided by the traffic monitors 20. Alternatively, where the number of usrs is sufficiently large, the traffic monitors 20 may no longer be necessary, because the users themselves through mobile user stations 52 and GPS recrivers 62 provide enough traffic 2s informatioo to generate useful displays of traffic informa-

allow the computer system 40 to gather additional traffic informalion. This would be useful in the case of vehicle
based Internet browsing for other purposes so that the tramc information would be updated for that user and others. In yet another alternative, the user station 52 would initiate the

request to the computer system 40, indicating that traffic information was desired. The computer system 40 would then respond at a series of timed intervals for a set length of time, for example, providing updates every two minutes for thtty minutes. In yet another altemative embodiment of the system 10, the mobile user station 52 is a cellular telephone. The computer system 40 includes a voice synthesizer. Auser may telephone the computer system 40 over a cellular telephone network. In response to a request for highway conditions, the computer system 40 generates a traffic report and transmits the information using the voice synthesizer so that the traffic information may be heard and understood over the commuter's cellular telephone. The location of the user may tion. Thus, the system may provide traffic information be determined by an associated GPS receiver, or alternawithout the use of monitors 2O at all, relying solely on tively by triangulating the location of the user by measuring iriformation derived from the mobile user stations 52. With a large number ofusers at a plurality of difierent locations, 25 the distance between the user and several diferent transmission receiving towers in different cells. the computer system 40 would develop a database having a large number ofvelocities associated with a large number of In yet another embodiment of the present invention the geographic locations. Ideally, if every commuter on a road computer system 40 oruser station 52 may calculate the best had a user station 52 with a GPS receiver 62, the computer route, such as the fastest, between a starting point and a system 40 would provide not only velocity data trut also 36 destination based on the current traffic conditions. This traffic density or traffic frequency data. Even without every functionality may further be provided in the mobile user vehicle having a user station 52 providing data to the station 52 in the car 60 so that the driver may calculate the computer system 40, traffic density or traffic frequency could best route lo accommodate for changing traffic conditions. be calculated using statistical techniques that correlate the This also assists the driver in unfamiliar cities where he may patterns. The functionreporting user stations 52 with known traffic 35 be unfamiliar urith anticipated traffic ality of providing current traffic conditions andlor best route Thus, the combination of the mobile user station 52. GPS calculations may be overlaid on maps available for GPS receiver and transmitting and receiving units 64 provides an systems, hor.rsehold computers, and mobile user stations. especially advanlageous method for collecting traffic information. Surprisingly, this system is capable of providing In addition, an early warning system may be incorporated traffic information that is superior to that collected by +o into the computer system, usr station, or mobile user station stationary sensors. This is because trafflc information may to provide waming of impending traffic jams, such as the be potentially <nllected at more locations based on the result of a traffic accident. For example, if the average number of mobile user stations 52- and because individual vehicle speed on a portion of a road ahead of a driver is less vehicle speed can be monitored rather than average vehicle than a preselected velocity, such as 25 mph, the computer speed. In addition, the system has a signiflcant cost advan- 45 system 40 may send a waming signal to the mobile user tage in that it is not necessary to install traffic monitors 20, station 52. Alternatively, a velocity less than a preselected or at least the number of traffic monitors 20 that are percentage or other measure of the anticipated velocity for necessary can be'substantially reduced. The system also the particular road may be used as the waming basis. It is provides automatic traffic reporting, and lhus does not rely also envisioned within the scope of the invention that data on the manual input of data. Furthermore, the system is low so communications may be accomplished using radio maintenance, since there are no traffic monitors 20 to broadcasts, preferably encoded in some r.nanner. maintain. The system is also particularly robust, in that if a Preferably, the computer system 40 and/or the mobile user particular mobile user station 52 malfunctions, trafrc inforstation 52 in avehicle 60 has stored in its associated memory mation can still be collected for all locations based on data a map database representative of the road or highway reported by other mobile users. In contrast, if a stationary ss network that contains longitude and latitude information sensor 20 fails, no data can be collected from that location. associated with various geographic locations on the map. Thus, the collection of traffic data from a plurality of mobile This allows easy integration of traffic data that has associuser stations 52 to create a traffic information database ated longitude and latitude information. For example, along provides surprising advantages and a superior system for a particular section of a highway, the map database contains providing traffic 60 the latitude and longihrde of selected locations of the highIn the system described above using mobile user stations way. The latitude and longitude of the various lrafrc sensors 52 in vehicles, the user station may initiate contact with the 20 may be predetermined. When data representative of the computer system 40 by initiating a telephone call to the traffic at a particular sensor 20 is received, the computer computer system 40. Altematively, the computer system 40 system 40 can easily display the fiaffic information for that could initiate a call to the user station 52, such as over the o5 particular location on the map by associating the geographic Internet using a web browser. The user station 52 would location of the sensor 20 with the longitude and latinrde respond with an appropriate signal information was information contained in the map database. Similarly' where

patterns.

information.

if

Exhibit C Page 22 of 29

us
15

6,785,606 92
L6
collect useful traffic information and to update a traffic information database. The traffic information database may be configured to provide traffc information to optimize the analysis of traffic information both by location and time. The spacing of the locations for which traffic information is associated may be

traffic information is derived from individual mobile user
stations 52 in vehicles 60 which report latitude and longitude

derived from the mobile GPS receivers 62, the computer system 40 can easily associate the tralfic informatron received from the mobile user station 52 with the map
database based on the user's reported latitude and longitude. Thus, by utilizing a map database that contains latitude and longitude information for various locations, the system can

5

either every half-mile, mile, etc. The spacing depends on the locations of ground based traffic monitors and the number of easily overlay traffic information on top of the displayed cars traveling through a particular spacing. If, for example, map data by associaling the geographic data (latitude and .n there are traffic monitors spaced every half-mile, then lhe longitude) conesponding to the traffic information with the '" traffic information database may report traffic information geographic data corresponding to the map. for each of those locations. However, for a section of road FIGS. 11 to 12 illuslrate such a system. FIG. 1l shows that does not have traffic monitors, the spacing of the schematically a section of a road having various locations locations associating traffic information depends on the 2OI-218. Along the road are positioned various sensors .. frequency of vehicles passing along the bighway and which 2Oa-2Odwlnse geographic locations have been determined. are reporting traffic conditions. For example, where the Traveling along the road are a variety of users 401404 traffic density is high, there will be a large number of having respective user stations and GPS receivers. FIG. 12 vehicles from which to gather data, and accordingly the illustrates one embodiment of a map and traffic information spacing between locations may be small, such as lq mlle' database that may be developed to provide traffic informa- ,o Flowever, where the traffic density is low, there may be few tion over the network to individual users. Each ofthe various vehicles from which to gather data, and thus the spacing may locations (or road segments) 201-218 has an associated be large, such as 3 miles. The traffic information database longihrde and latitude. In addition, the database may optionmay be conflgured so that the spacing is optimized based on ally contain the associated road, as well as optionally the the ability to collect data for different areas. Thug for a direction that traffic moves at that location (for example, ,, section of freeway in a congested area, the spacing of using a 360 degree compass, 0 degrees would represent locations for traffic information may be short, such as % straight north while 90 degrees would represent straight mile, while in outlying areas the spacing may be large, such east). The database also includes traffic information, such as as every three miles. the average vehicle velocity calculated for that location. Similarly, the amount of time over which data is collected Thus, for example, referring to FIG. 1.1, the traffic monitor ,o and averaged may be varied. Ideally, the traffic information 2Oa may be used to provide the vehicle velocity for location presented represents traffic oonditions at that moment in 202. U*r 401 may be used to provide the vehicle velocity time. However, it may be necessary to collect data for a at location 210. length of time in order to gather enough data to either report Of course. while a database has been illustrated that any traffic information at all, or to insure that the traffic combines both map and traffic information, the system could 35 information is truly representative of conditions at that use two or more databases containing portions of the location. Where traffic density is high, the length of time information, such as a separate map database and a separate over which data is collected and used to determine traffic traffic information database. An example of a map database conditions may be shor! for example three minutes. In useful with such a system is Etak Map@ from SONY@. The contrast, where trafrc levels are light, data may be collected map database could reside on either or both the computer 46 for a long period of time, such as flfteen minutes. When used system 40 or the mobile rner station 52. to determine traffic information, the data may be averaged over the period for which data has been collected' When a user requests traffic information from the comAltematively, tbe traffic information could be weighted, so puter system 40, the computer system 40 transmits the that older traffic information, though used, is given less requested data based on either the geographic localion of the usr, or for the geographic location requested by the user. +s weight when determining traffic information for a particular location. The computer system 40 either sends the raw traffic data requested by the user, or sends a signal represental.ive of the By varying the spacing between locations for which data map and/or traffic database which may be used by the user is associated in the database and the length of time over station 52 to represent the map and traffic information on the which information is collected, the database may be condisplay 54. 50 figured to optimize the collection and presentation of traffic information. For areas with high traffic density the data may The advantage of using a map database that contains be gathered over a short period of time, and the spacing longitude and latitude information associated wilh various between locations may be small. For areas with low traffic locations on a map is that the system allows easy and density, the data may be gathered over long periods of time automatic integration of traffic information, either to a database or for display. Thus, traffic information may be ss and the spacing may be large. The database may be configured as traffic conditions change, so that during periods of collected from an individual user who provides the longitude congestion the information is gathered only over a short time and latitude for that user based on information derived from for a particular area, while during periods of freely flowing the user's GPS receiver 62. The computer system then traffic, the information is gathered over a longer time for the matches the location of the user to the map databir,se based

on the received longitude and latitude information. The
computer system 40 can then overlay the traffic information data received from the user onto the map database based upon the provide