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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A navigation system comprising:
 (a) a processor;   (b) a memory coupled to said processor;   (c) a graphical display coupled to said processor;   (d) traffic information graphically displayed on said display; and   (e) weather information simultaneously graphically displayed on said display.