SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION OF TRAFFIC INFORMATION TO A VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM

摘要

Systems and methods for improved vehicle navigation using mobile communication device (e.g., phone) technology as a means for transmitting vehicle route data that has been updated as a result of changed or changing traffic conditions. A mobile communication device is connected between a vehicle and a remote server. Traffic information from both broadcast and mobile network sources is analyzed by the server, a difference(s) therebetween is detected, and the difference(s) is compared to a predetermined difference value. If the detected difference exceeds the predetermined difference value, difference information is extracted and used to produce updated route data, which is then transmitted via the mobile communication device to the vehicle. The transmission of updated route data is limited to only situations where there is a sufficient change in traffic conditions, and the data transmitted is preferably limited to only difference data so as to avoid exceeding mobile communication device plan limits.

主权项

1. A vehicle navigation system comprising:
an onboard vehicle navigation device; sensors for detecting and reporting vehicle speed and direction; a broadcast source of traffic information; a mobile network source of traffic information; a remotely located server having a processor and memory, the server in communication with the broadcast source of traffic information and the mobile network source of traffic information, and further including a software program adapted to compare traffic information from the broadcast source with traffic information from the mobile network source, to detect a difference therebetween, and to compare any detected difference to a predetermined difference value; and a mobile communication device in communication with the onboard vehicle navigation device and the server, the mobile communication device acting as a conduit for transmitting route guidance requests from the vehicle navigation device to the server, and for transmitting route guidance data from the server to the vehicle navigation device; wherein, upon receipt of a request for updated route guidance data from the vehicle navigation device, the server is adapted to transmit updated route guidance data to the vehicle navigation device only when a detected difference between traffic information from the broadcast source and traffic information from the mobile network source is determined to exceed the predetermined difference value.