Method and apparatus for reporting traffic information

An apparatus for reporting traffic information from a mobile device, the mobile device comprising:

• a memory for storing at least one template;
• a sensor including one of a group consisting of a camera, a microphone, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope;
• and
• a signal processing module configured to:
• receive signals from the sensor in the apparatus;
• monitor an environmental condition of a road where the apparatus is located using the signals from the sensor;
• compare the monitored environmental condition with a selected one of said at least one template;
• generate an event notification message when the detected environmental condition matches the selected template, wherein the event notification message includes a first part that indicates a type of the selected template and a second part that includes the detected environmental condition;
• determine credibility of the monitored environmental condition which matches the selected template based on whether the mobile device is in a specified location in a vehicle;
• and
• send an indicator of the credibility to a remote station.

An apparatus for reporting traffic information, comprising:

• a mobile device, the mobile device comprising:
• at least two sensors for monitoring environmental conditions,
• a memory for storing at least one template,
• a signal processing module configured to:
• compare the monitored environmental conditions with a selected one of said at least one template, wherein the selected template is based on information for at least two different environment conditions, and
• determine credibility of the monitored environmental condition which matches the selected template based on whether the mobile device is in a specified location in a vehicle;
• generate an event notification message when the monitored environmental conditions match the selected template and the monitored environmental condition is determined to be credible, the event notification message including a first portion describing an event that occurred and a second portion including the monitored environmental conditions;
• a transmitter arranged to transmit the event notification message to a remote station.