System and method for location based traffic reporting

In a network located in a motor vehicle, said network including a global positioning satellite receiver, a separate display device, and a first server located within said motor vehicle, a method comprising the steps of:

• providing a second server located outside of said motor vehicle, said second server interfaced with a database of information on current traffic conditions and the Internet;
• transmitting a request for traffic information accompanied by the current motor vehicle location to said second server via said first server, said request specifying a length of time to receive traffic information updates through the use of a duration parameter contained in said request for traffic information, said duration parameter indicating the amount of time said request for traffic information will remain active, said request for information being stored in a memory queue accessible to said second server;
• receiving a response containing current traffic information for said current motor vehicle location from said second server;
• examining said memory queue in response to said traffic information database receiving updated traffic information to determine if any requests for traffic information are still active, said examining comprising scrutinizing said duration parameter of each request for traffic information;
• and
• discarding from said memory queue any request for traffic information which has an expired duration parameter, said expired duration parameter being less than the elapsed amount of time between the time of the request for traffic information and the time of said examining.

In a network located in a motor vehicle, said network located in a motor vehicle including a global positioning satellite receiver, a separate display device, and a first electronic device, a method comprising the steps of:

• providing a second electronic device located outside of said motor vehicle, said second electronic device interfaced with a database of information on current traffic conditions and a second network, said second network being an external network located outside said motor vehicle;
• transmitting a request for traffic information accompanied by the current motor vehicle location to said second electronic device via said first electronic device, said request specifying a length of time to receive traffic information updates through the inclusion of a duration parameter contained in said request for traffic information, said duration parameter indicating the amount of time said request for traffic information will remain active, said request being stored in a memory queue accessible to said second server;
• receiving a response containing current traffic information for said current motor vehicle location from said second electronic device;
• examining said memory queue to determine if any requests for traffic information are still active in response to said traffic information database receiving updated traffic information, said examining comprising scrutinizing said duration parameter of each request for traffic information;
• and
• discarding from said memory queue any request for traffic information which has an expired duration parameter, said expired duration parameter being less than the elapsed amount of time between the time of the request for traffic information and the time of said examining.

In a network located in a motor vehicle, said network located in a motor vehicle including a global positioning satellite receiver, a separate display device, and a first electronic device, a method comprising the steps of:

• providing a second network external to said motor vehicle, said external network interfaced with a database of information on current traffic conditions;
• transmitting a request for traffic information accompanied by the current motor vehicle location to said external network from said motor vehicle, said request specifying a size of an area adjacent to the motor vehicle, said specification occurring through the inclusion of a distance parameter in said request for traffic information, said area being the locations for which traffic information is requested;
• and
• receiving a response containing current traffic information for said current motor vehicle location at said motor vehicle from said external network.