Portable real-time traffic information device and method
OwnerRichard L. Clark, Ike J. Songinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A real-time and portable graphical traffic information display device and method is provided. The real-time traffic information can be gathered for various agencies using multiple technologies. Real-time traffic information can be provided to a subscriber 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In a preferred embodiment, the portable display device includes a full color fixed map of a region's roadway system with LEDs (light emitting diodes) illuminating with various colors and/or blinking at different intervals to indicate traffic conditions at the locations represented by the LED.
Claims47
A graphical information display system, comprising:
- a platform;
- a graphical image disposed on said platform;
- a plurality of individually controllable light sources disposed on said platform proximate to said graphical image and arranged in a pattern which correlates to said graphical image;
- and
- an electronic circuit coupled to said plurality of individually controllable light sources and configured to receive data through a wireless RF (radio frequency) transmission, and further configured to individually control said plurality of individually controllable light sources in accordance with data received through a wireless RF transmission.
A method of graphically displaying information, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of individually controllable light sources adjacent to a graphical image a nd in a pattern correlating to said graphical image;
- receiving data from a wireless RF transmission with a first electronic circuit;
- an
- individually controlling said plurality of individually controllable light sources in accordance to said data from a wireless RF transmission with a second electronic circuit.
A method of graphically displaying information, comprising:
- receiving traffic-related data from a wireless RF transmission;
- selectively activating certain light sources of a plurality of individually controllable light sources in accordance with data from a wireless RF transmission, wherein said plurality of individually controllable light sources are located adjacent to a graphical image.
A display device, comprising:
- a fixed image;
- at least one light source disposed proximate to said fixed image;
- an electronic circuit coupled to said at least one light source, wherein said electronic circuit is configured to receive information from a source external to said electronic circuit and control the functioning of said at least one light source in accordance with the received information.
A method of transmitting vehicle information, comprising:
- detecting vehicle data with at least one sensor;
- formatting the data into a prescribed format;
- and
- transmitting the data over an information system compatible with the prescribed format.
An information system, comprising:
- a sensor configured to provide a transmitter with traffic information;
- a graphical information display configured to receive traffic information from the transmitter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.