Touch screen based interaction with traffic data

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a service to goods and/or service providers and consumers in the traditional context of a “first-come, first-served queue” or “class based” queue. A provider presents a listing of one or offerings to consumers to solicit bids for a good or service associated with the offering. After receiving an acceptable bid from a user, the provider provides feedback regarding the bid that indicates the ranking of the user with respect to other bidders in the bidding process. Based on the feedback, the user may submit a modified bid. Following confirmation of a bid by a user, a winning bid is determined and the user is notified.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for conducting touch screen based interaction with traffic data, the method comprising:
 generating a three-dimensional virtual broadcast presentation displayed on a touch screen including one or more interactive elements and visual representations for the most current traffic conditions, wherein the most current traffic conditions include information about traffic flow and weather, and wherein the virtual broadcast presentation is automatically synchronized with current information regarding road conditions available from a plurality of sources including traffic flow data and weather conditions;   receiving a touch screen signal from a user, the touch screen signal corresponding to user interactions with one or more interactive elements on the touch screen indicative of user interest;   processing the received touch screen signal, wherein each touch screen signal corresponds to executable instructions that manipulates the virtual broadcast presentation;   executing the instructions corresponding to the received touch screen signal thereby manipulating the virtual broadcast presentation, the virtual broadcast presentation updated to reflect the most current traffic conditions inclusive of traffic flow and weather.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sources include public agencies. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the public agencies include the National Weather Service. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sources include information from Internet. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sources include public listings. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sources include data from other users. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more instructions executed includes rotating, tilting, zooming in, zooming out a view of the three-dimensional virtual broadcast presentation. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the interactive elements are representations of conditions affecting traffic. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the interactive elements represent traffic alerts. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein a traffic alert is road construction. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the interactive elements identify various locations, landmarks or points of interest. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the points of interest include exit ramps, highways, and city streets. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the touch screen signal includes selection of one or more interactive elements. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the one or more executed instructions includes displaying information regarding the selected interactive element by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the displayed information includes traffic video from a traffic camera corresponding to a particular area being monitored by the traffic camera. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the displayed information includes detailed information about a traffic incident associated with the interactive element. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the interactive elements are used to represent weather conditions including rain and snow. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the weather conditions may include side effects of the weather conditions including flooded roads, slippery/icy roads and obstructed roads. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual representation includes colors and objects that illustrates real-time traffic conditions to the user.