Patent ID: 6989766

Claim:
A method comprising: broadcasting traffic signal data identifying present and future traffic signal sequences for a traffic signal; receiving said traffic signal data at a vehicle; calculating, based on said received traffic signal data, a speed range to be followed by said vehicle to minimize the amount of stopping, starting, and/or speed changing required while enabling the vehicle to progress past the traffic signal; and displaying said calculated speed range to the occupants of said vehicle; wherein said traffic signal data includes a location of said traffic signal and directional components identifying the directions of approach to said traffic signal to which said data pertains; and wherein said calculating step determines a location, speed of travel, and direction of travel of said vehicle; identifying the location of said traffic signal relative to said vehicle; identifying the appropriate directional component of said traffic signal data to be used, based on said vehicle's direction of approach to said traffic signal; and calculating said speed range based on said location, speed of travel, and direction of travel of said vehicle, and the location of said traffic signal relative to said vehicle.