IN-VEHICLE ALERT DELIVERY MAXIMIZING COMMUNICATIONS EFFICIENCY AND SUBSCRIBER PRIVACY
A system and method are provided for enhancing subscriber privacy while delivering location-based in-vehicle alerts to the subscribers of a mobile traffic reporting system by disassociating subscriber information from location information transmitted by a traffic probe vehicle. In various examples, the in-vehicle alerts include Flash Flood alerts, Hurricane alerts, Amber alerts, as well as non-crisis alerts, such as traffic hotspots, locations of inexpensive gas stations, and various points of interest.
1 . In a mobile traffic reporting system, a method for enhancing subscriber privacy while delivering in-vehicle alerts to a traffic probe vehicle associated with a subscriber, the method comprising:
receiving input of an alert configuration from the subscriber;
disassociating subscriber information from traffic probe information by assigning a unique identifier to a traffic probe message originating from the traffic probe vehicle, the traffic probe information in the message comprising the vehicle's location, speed, and direction of travel;
receiving the traffic probe message with the unique identifier;
filtering a plurality of alerts based on the alert configuration corresponding to the traffic probe message having the unique identifier; and
delivering one or more filtered alerts to the traffic probe vehicle.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of alerts comprises one of a flash flood alert, a hurricane alert, an amber alert, a traffic alert, and a point of interest alert.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying whether the traffic probe vehicle is in a location corresponding to the plurality of alerts.
4 . The method of claim 3 further comprising foregoing multiple deliveries of the one or more filtered alerts when the traffic probe vehicle is in the location.
5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising periodically assigning a new unique identifier to the traffic probe message originating from the vehicle.
6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the traffic probe message and delivering the one or more filtered alerts during the course of a single communication session.
7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
removing time stamp information from the traffic probe message; and
initiating a separate communication session for delivering the one or more filtered alerts.
8 . The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgement message from the traffic probe vehicle, the acknowledgment message comprising a confirmation of delivery of the one or more filtered alerts.
9 . In a mobile traffic reporting system, a method for enhancing subscriber privacy while delivering in-vehicle alerts to a traffic probe vehicle associated with a subscriber, the method comprising:
receiving input of an alert configuration from the subscriber;
disassociating subscriber information from traffic probe information by assigning a unique identifier to a traffic probe message originating from the traffic probe vehicle, the traffic probe information in the message comprising the vehicle's location, speed, and direction of travel;
in a first communication session, receiving the traffic probe message with the unique identifier;
filtering a plurality of alerts based on the alert configuration corresponding to the traffic probe message having the unique identifier;
removing time stamp information from the traffic probe message; and
in a second communication session, delivering the one or more filtered alerts to the traffic probe vehicle.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of alerts comprises one of a flash flood alert, a hurricane alert, an amber alert, a traffic alert, and a point of interest alert.
11 . The method of claim 9 further comprising identifying whether the traffic probe vehicle is in a location corresponding to the plurality of alerts.
12 . The method of claim 11 further comprising foregoing multiple deliveries of the one or more filtered alerts when the traffic probe vehicle is in the location.
13 . The method of claim 9 further comprising periodically assigning a new unique identifier to the traffic probe message originating from the vehicle.
14 . The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgement message from the traffic probe vehicle, the acknowledgment message comprising a confirmation of delivery of the one or more filtered alerts.
15 . An in-vehicle alert delivery system comprising:
a traffic probe vehicle associated with a subscriber to a mobile traffic reporting system, the traffic probe vehicle periodically transmitting a traffic probe message; and
a call center for delivering in-vehicle alerts to the traffic probe vehicle in response to receiving the traffic probe message, wherein the call center, disassociates subscriber information from traffic probe information by assigning a unique identifier to the traffic probe message and filtering a plurality of alerts based on a predetermined alert configuration, the predetermined alert configuration corresponding to the traffic probe message having the unique identifier.
16 . The system of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of alerts comprises one of a flash flood alert, a hurricane alert, an amber alert, a traffic alert, and a point of interest alert.
17 . The system of claim 15 wherein the call center identifies whether the traffic probe vehicle is in a location corresponding to the plurality of alerts.
18 . The system of claim 17 wherein the call center foregoes multiple deliveries of the one or more filtered alerts when the traffic probe vehicle is in the location.
19 . The system of claim 15 wherein the unique identifier is temporary.
20 . The system of claim 15 wherein the call center removes time stamp information from the traffic probe message and initiates a separate communication session for delivering the one or more filtered alerts.