System for providing traffic information

Abstract

A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of 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 transmitting the signal. A receiver receives the signals from the traffic monitors. A computer system is connected to the receiver and is further connected to the 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. Alternative systems for gathering traffic information are disclosed.

1 . A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of user devices connected to a network, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of mobile user devices, each mobile user device including a display and a communicating device to allow each of said mobile user devices to send and receive signals;    (b) a computer system interconnected with said mobile user devices so as to be capable of sending and receiving signals to and from said mobile user devices;    (c) said computer system, in response to a request for information from a requesting one of said mobile user devices, providing information for presentation on said display of said requesting one of said mobile user devices, said information representing traffic conditions on a map by a plurality of symbols such that the number of said symbols is independent of the number of said mobile user devices;    (d) said computer system including a screening device to screen data provided by said mobile user stations to determine if said information represents actual traffic conditions.    
   
   
       2 . A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of user devices connected to a network, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of mobile user devices, each mobile user device including a display and a communicating device to allow each of said mobile user devices to send and receive signals;    (b) a computer system interconnected with said mobile user devices so as to be capable of sending and receiving signals to and from said mobile user devices;    (c) said computer system, in response to a request for information from a requesting one of said mobile user devices, providing information for presentation on said display of said requesting one of said mobile user devices, said information representing traffic conditions on a map by a plurality of coded symbols, each type of coded symbol representing a different traffic condition, wherein said coded symbol associated with a particular road portion on said map can change independently of the number of said mobile user devices positioned on said particular road portion;    (d) said computer system including a screening device to screen data provided by said mobile user stations to determine if said information represents actual traffic conditions.