Satellite traffic reporting system and methods

A method for compiling and distributing traffic reports, comprising the steps of:

• a) downloading images taken by a satellite to a ground station;
• b) analyzing the images to determine traffic congestion and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• c) compiling traffic reports from the analysis of traffic congestion performed in step (b) and compiling the analyses of traffic congestion into an alphabetized list of streets, each of the streets having a color-coded scheme representing a degree of congestion;
• and
• d) distributing the traffic reports to subscriber units.

A method for compiling and distributing traffic reports, comprising the steps of:

• a) downloading images taken by a satellite to a ground station;
• b) analyzing the images to determine traffic congestion and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• c) compiling traffic reports from the analysis of traffic congestion performed in step (b) and compiling the analyses of traffic congestion into an alphabetized list of streets, each of the streets having a bar graph representing a degree of congestion;
• and
• d) distributing the traffic reports to subscriber units.

A method for compiling and distributing results of image processing and analysis, comprising the steps of:

• a) downloading images taken by a satellite to a ground station;
• b) the ground station analyzing the images and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• c) the ground station compiling reports from the analysis and the comparing of the images performed in step (b);
• and
• d) the ground station distributing the reports to subscriber units.

A method for compiling and distributing traffic reports, comprising the steps of:

• a) a satellite taking images of a region on earth;
• b) the satellite downloading images satellite to a ground station;
• c) the ground station analyzing the images to determine traffic congestion by using an image processing algorithm and by comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• d) the ground station compiling the traffic reports from results of the image processing algorithm;
• and
• e) the distributing the traffic reports to subscriber units.

A traffic reporting system for compiling and distributing traffic reports, comprising:

• a satellite for taking and transmitting images;
• a ground station for receiving and analyzing the images, for comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion and for compiling and transmitting the traffic reports from the analyzing and comparing;
• and
• a plurality of subscriber units for receiving the traffic reports.

A ground station comprising:

• a transceiver for receiving images taken by a satellite and transmitting traffic reports;
• a processor coupled to the transceiver for executing an image processing algorithm to analyze the images, for comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion and for compiling the traffic reports;
• memory coupled to the processor for storing the images and the traffic reports;
• and
• a monitor for displaying the images and the traffic reports.

A subscriber unit comprising:

• a transceiver for receiving traffic reports compiled, at least in part, by analyzing images taken by a satellite to determine traffic congestion and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• a memory for storing the traffic reports;
• and
• a monitor for displaying the traffic reports into an alphabetized list of streets, each of the streets having a color-coded scheme representing a degree of congestion.

A subscriber unit comprising:

• a transceiver for receiving traffic reports compiled, at least in part, by analyzing images taken by a satellite to determine traffic congestion and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• a memory for storing the traffic reports;
• and
• a monitor for displaying the traffic reports into an alphabetized list of streets, each of the streets having a bar graph representing a degree of congestion.

A subscriber unit comprising:

• a transceiver for receiving traffic reports compiled, at least in part, by analyzing images taken by a satellite to determine traffic congestion and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• a memory for storing the traffic reports;
• and
• a monitor for displaying the traffic reports into an alphabetized list of streets, each of the streets having a graphical representation of a degree of congestion.

A subscriber unit comprising:

• a transceiver for receiving traffic reports compiled, at least in part, by analyzing images taken by a satellite to determine traffic congestion and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• means for selecting an origination point and a destination point;
• and
• a monitor for displaying at least one recommended route where traffic is less congested.

A subscriber unit comprising:

• a transceiver for receiving traffic reports compiled, at least in part, by analyzing images taken by a satellite to determine traffic congestion and comparing the images to previously stored images to determine a percentage of traffic congestion;
• means for selecting at least one street;
• and
• a monitor for displaying a current traffic condition on the selected at least one street and whether to avoid any of the at least one street.