ZA201005241B

ZA201005241B - System and method for accessing traffic information

Info

Publication number: ZA201005241B
Application number: ZA2010/05241A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Tshepo Brian More
Original assignee: Tshepo Brian More
Priority date: 2009-06-23
Filing date: 2010-07-22
Publication date: 2011-04-28

Description

- ] ) -

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a system and method for accessing visual traffic information through a mobile device. . Traffic congestion on highways and within cities is a problem encountered - . : throughout the world. It has a substantial impact on the environment due to excessive emissions of harmful gases by motor vehicles. Additionally, traffic congestion also has cost implications, mainly felt by motorists due to increased running costs of motor vehicles and time wasted on congested roads. Productivity, leisure time and quality of life are also impacted due to the amount of time motorists waste on congested roads. In general, traffic congestion may therefore result in increasing a motorists stress levels.

Many governments have over the years introduced congestion pricing systems where motorists are charged a fee in periods of peak traffic in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, e.g., by forcing motorists to increase vehicle occupancy or to use public transport. :

There are also various systems which enable motorists to obtain information on traffic, for example traffic reports broadcasted on radio and/or television, thereby for motorist to avoid heavily congested traffic zones. The first drawback with this type of system is that the traffic “information is usually only broadcasted periodically, typically every half an hour during peak traffic hours. During off-peak traffic hours the frequency : of traffic reports may decrease or traffic reports may only be broadcasted : intermittently, leaving motorists in the lurch. Traffic reports therefore do not allow motorists to obtain traffic information on-demand, when the } information is needed. This kind of on-demand system would be advantageous as motorists could then plan their journeys according to the traffic information requested.

The second drawback with traffic broadcasts is that traffic reports mostly relate to traffic information for a particular geographical area in which the : broadcasting station has coverage. A broadcasting station may also broadcast traffic information associated with a geographical area only when oo or where a significant event has occurred. In other instances, the broadcasting stations may rely on individual motorists to send them traffic information in order for the broadcasting station to update and then : broadcast the traffic information te other motorists. This may result in traffic information which is inaccurate and subjective. Furthermore, the severity of 7 the traffic congestion may not be communicated effectively.

Other systems of traffic reporting may include the use of a web-based communication network. These types of systems enable a user to access : visual traffic information, e.g., either as photographs or as a video feed.

However, one of the problems with these systems is that they are not optimized for access by different models of mobile phones, in particular insofar as navigational and viewing capabilities are concerned. Examples of web-based systems are websites hosted by the South African National

Roads Agency (SANRAL) and the Vodacom service provider. Accessibility and navigation to the relevant traffic information on these websites may : additionally be cumbersome and dangerous through mobile devices while driving.

It is an object of this invention to provide an alternative system and a method for accessing visual traffic information on a mobile device, in part to : address at least some of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Co :

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for ‘accessing visual traffic information, the system including: a subscription module including: a subscription receiver module to receive a registration request message from a mobile device, the registration request message including an identifier associated with a

SIM card of the mobile device or with the mobile device; a transmitter module to transmit a resource address to the mobile device; : a loading module to download, in response to a user accessing the resource address, a traffic information software application to the mobile device and automatically installing the software application on the mobile device; an access module including: an access receiver module to receive a traffic information request including a selection of a geographical area from the software application installed on the mobile device and to transmit to the mobile device visual traffic information associated with the selected geographical area.

The registration request message may be a Short Message Service (SMS) message or an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) message. In other embodiments, the registration request message may include a subscription request code.

The transmitter module, in response to the loading module downloading the

Lo traffic information software application to the mobile device, may transmit Co confirmation information and the identifier associated with the mobile device to an account server and/or database.

Typically, the identifier may be an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) number of or associated with the SIM card or an International Mobile

Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the mobile phone.

The resource address may be a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which, in response to accessing the resource address, directs the software ' application to be downloaded on the mobile device in order to view visual traffic information. The visual traffic information may be video or static images. : )

Preferably, the traffic information may also include weather information, average speed being travelled by motor vehicles in a particular geographical area, time stamps for which the traffic information is captured, or the like.

The system may include an account module to create a unique account number for the user in response to the account server and/or database . receiving the confirmation information and the identifier.

A billing server may be configured to charge a fee against the unique account number of the user, in response to the software application being downloaded on to the mobile device. :

The software application may be configured to display on a display screen of the mobile device a first drop down menu, the first drop down menu providing a plurality of options, each option being associated with a geographical area. The software application may also be configured to display a second drop down menu associated with a selection of image devices located at the geographical area. Typically, the image devices are multiple cameras. Co oF :

In response to the transmitter module transmitting the confirmation : information to the account database, a user confirmatory message may also be sent to the user's mobile device.

The system may additionally include a network of image devices, wherein the network of image devices are located at geographical areas and operable to communicate with the access receiver module thereby to allow the module to access relevant traffic information directly from the image = devices. Alternatively, the network of image devices may periodically : and/or on-demand download traffic information to a database associated : with the access receiver module. oo

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for accessing visual traffic information, the method including: receiving a registration request message from a mobile device, the registration request message including an identifier associated with a SIM card of the mobile device or the mobile device; transmitting a resource address to the mobile device; downloading, in response to a user accessing the resource address, a traffic information software application to the mobile device and automatically installing the software application on the mobile device; and receiving a traffic information request including a. selection of a oo : geographical area from the software application installed on the mobile device and transmitting to the mobile device visual traffic information associated with the selected geographical area. : The method may further include transmitting confirmation information and the identifier associated with the mobile device to an account database. Lo

Preferably, the method comprises downloading traffic information from a network of image devices and storing the traffic information on a database.

The method may include, prior to transmitting visual traffic information to

N the mobile device, obtaining such information from the database or from the network of image devices directly.

Typically, the method includes retrieving the make and/or model of the mobile device from which the registration request message is received from ‘ © the IMEI number thereby to obtain an indication of whether the mobile oo device is WAP enabled or not.

Additionally, the method may include determining the most optimal image type to be transmitted to the mobile device from the retrieved make and/or model information. | :

A unique account number for the user may be created in response to receiving the confirmation information and the identifier.

Also, the method may include charging a fee against the unique account number of the user, ‘in response to the software application being downloaded on to the mobile device.

Preferably, in response to the transmitter module transmitting the confirmation information to the account server, a user confirmatory message is sent to the user's mobile device.

’ ~The traffic information may be obtained directly from the image devices or from a database on which traffic information has been stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a simplified diagrammatic illustration of a system for accessing visual traffic information through a mobile device in accordance with an example embodiment of the present : invention; I

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of different modules of the system for accessing visual traffic information through a mobile device shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an example : embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a mobile device with a button to access a software application installed on the mobile device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; :

Figure 4 shows the mobile device of Figure 3 with drop down menus in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a display of visual traffic information on a mobile device in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; and Co

Figure 6 shows a flow diagram for a method of accessing visual traffic : : information through a mobile device, in accordance with an : example embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT :

Turning to Figure 1, a system 10 for allowing a user to access visual traffic information through the user's mobile device is described. A user maybe a motorist (shown by reference numeral 12), a passenger travelling with a : motorist, or any person requiring visual traffic information. Typically, when used by a motorist 12, the invention allows the motorist 12 to obtain visual traffic information via the motorist’'s mobile device 14 and in the form of graphic images for a specific geographical area. :

The motorist 12 communicates with a central server 22 in order to receive captured traffic information through the mobile device 14. The mobile device 14 is typically a mobile or cellular telephone, a smart phone ora

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or a handheld computer. In order to be able to utilize this system 10, the mobile device 14 may need to be WAP-~ enabled in that it should be able to access a browser-based web service to ) download at least a traffic information software application.

The visual traffic information will, as graphic images, indicate various traffic conditions insofar as motor vehicles travelling on a particular road are concerned. : ,

The graphic images may be static e.g., photographs, or motion, e.g., a video stream. Access to the visual traffic information is achievable by firstly * downloading and installing the traffic information software application on : the mobile device 14, then accessing the visual traffic information via the central server or visual devices, through navigation within the software application installed on the mobile device 14. Once the software application has been installed, the motorist 12 can navigate within the software application and select a specific geographical area for which traffic information is to be received. When the geographical area has been selected, the motorist 12 will further be able to select an image device from a selection of image devices located within the geographical area.

0

The image devices employed by the system 10 are represented by a camera 16 in Figure 1. However, it will be appreciated that multiple image : devices may form part of the system 10. In one example embodiment, the : image devices may be Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Digital Video

Recorders (DVR), omni-directional (360 °) cameras, Pan, Tilt & Zoom (PTZ) cameras or the like. The camera 16 records traffic information continuously or captures visual traffic images periodically, according to predefined - criteria. :

Image devices such as the camera 16 are typically located next to motorways, highways, or strategic points such as selected intersections, or the like. These images devices are to be mounted on suitable structures, : such as an electricity pole 18 (shown in Figure 1), thereby to enable the devices to view and capture images of traffic conditions 20.

In certain embodiments, omni-directional cameras may be preferred the : preferred choice ‘of image device to capture visual images of traffic conditions 20 as traffic information. The omni-directional camera may, for example, be employed at selected high-density intersections where trafficis : moving in opposite directions. Typically, omni-directional cameras may have at least four fixed lenses, enabling viewing of traffic moving towards or away from an intersection. Omni-directional cameras may further be preferred as they are able to capture wide visual fields. Fixed cameras may be appropriate to use in specific locations, e.g., on highway off-ramp.

A PTZ camera may be preferred where flexibility in image capturing is necessary, for example, where a viewing angle needs to be changed depending on the flow of the traffic. B

Although the cameras may capture digital videos at a frame rate of up to 30 frames per second, the frame rate may be decreased to a minimum in order to capture the traffic images effectively.

The images may be captured in JPEG format, particularly motion JPEG format, at an optimal resolution. However, it will be appreciated that other suitable formats may also be used. oo

In one preferred embodiment, the cameras 16 may employ an Internet

Protocol (IP) to transmit the traffic information over an Ethernet link. The cameras are also to be connected to a highly secure Virtual Private

Network (VPN) by using suitable encryption methods in order to ensure that the captured images are transmitted over a secure network. :

The cameras may be wireless and may make use of appropriate wireless technologies to communicate with the communication backbone provided by the Ethernet or VPN. . In general, due to the cameras being wireless, flexibility insofar as location and placement of cameras is easily achievable.

Each camera may have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address which will be protected through multiple user access levels. The protection may - include the use of password protection and IP address filtering, which will enable only pre-defined IP addresses to access each camera, thereby providing additional levels of security.

Although it is envisioned that visual traffic information obtained from the cameras would be communicated and stored on a central data store, such as a database associated with a central server 22, each camera may additionally include a memory device which may store previously captured traffic information, according to predefined criteria. : . In the case of the central data store, each camera is to transmit captured traffic information to the database. The cameras may have both scheduled-event and ftriggered-event functionalities, which allows the cameras to be programmed to either capture and/or transmit images at set times, e.g., periodically, or to capture and/or transmit images as and when required, i.e. on-demand. In a preferred example embodiment, the cameras may be configured according to both functionalities.

The cameras may be powered via various means, for example, a Power- “over-Ethernet (PoE) system may be used to transfer electrical power to the cameras in an existing Ethernet network. | Another option may be the use of solar energy. Alternatively, an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) may . provide emergency power to the cameras.

Hosted on the central server 22 is a subscription component 24 and an access component 26 providing access to the visual traffic information (described in more detail below in accordance to Figure 2). Although it is shown that both components 24 and 26 may be employed or hosted on the central server 22, this server may comprise multiple servers or alternatively, the functionality of the components 24 and 26 may be hosted on separate servers.

The system 10 is configured to allow the motorist 12 through the mobile device 14 to communicate with the subscription component 24 and the access ‘component 26 through a communication network 28. It is in : particular the access component 26 which may have a database associated with it to store traffic images captured by cameras 16 located at oo : the various geographical areas. h

It will be appreciated that various mobile devices may communicate with the subscription and access components 24 and 26 at any time. To enable . this, the communication network 28 connecting the mobile devices to the central server 22 is typically a mobile communications network. Generally, the various mobile devices will have access to real time visual traffic information associated with a selected geographical area or visual traffic information which is recorded and stored on the database (not shown) associated with the access component 26, that is, static visual traffic information. . : Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications

: -12- oo and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. | E

Turning to Figure 2, various different modules of the system 10 in . accordance with an example embodiment of the invention are shown. As mentioned above, the system 10 comprises a subscription component and an access to traffic information component. The subscription component . may be implemented through a subscription module denoted by reference numeral 24, which includes a subscription receiver module 34, a transmitter module 36 and a loading module 38. The access to traffic information component may be implemented through an access module 26, which includes an access receiver module 40.

As mentioned above, it will be appreciated that all the modules 24, 26, 34, 36, 38 and 40 may, but heed not, form part of one or more central servers - '22. Furthermore, if the subscription component 24 is to be managed by an - : independent third party, then the subscription module 24, the subscription receiver module 34, the transmitter. module 36 and the loading module 38 may be hosted on a separate remote server(s). :

A “module” in the context of the specification includes an identifiable portion of code, computational or executable instructions, data, or computational object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or procedure.

A module need not be implemented ‘in software; a module may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

The subscription receiver module 34 is configured to receive a registration request message from the mobile device 14. The registration request message may include an identifier associated with a SIM card of the mobile device 14. Alternatively, the identifier may be associated with the mobile device itself.

Each SIM card has stored on its memory during manufacture, an oo

International Mobile Subscriber Identity or IMSI. . Therefore, the identifier may be the IMS! of the SIM card. It is well known that the IMSI of a SIM card is automatically sent with any message or communication of a mobile device. Thus, once the registration request message is received by the . =. subscription receiver module 34, the IMSI is automatically retrieved from . the received registration request message. :

In a preferred embodiment, the identifier may be an International Mobile

Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. From the IMEI number the make and/or “model of the mobile phone 14 may be retrieved. The make and/or model of : the mobile phone 14 will provide an indication of whether the mobile phone 14 is WAP enabled or not. If the mobile phone 14 is found not to be WAP enabled, an error message will be transmitted back to the mobile phone 14.

Additionally, details of the make and model of the mobile phone 14 will be used to determine the most optimal image type to be transmitted to the "mobile phone, including the image dimensions, resolution as well as optimal video format.

Alternatively, the identifier may be the MSISDN associated with the SIM card.

The registration. request message may be a short message service (SMS) or an unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) message using the

USSD protocol, or any other suitable protocol. oo

In other embodiments, the registration request message may also include a subscription request code to indicate that registration is required. The subscription request code will automatically be parsed and interpreted by the subscription receiver module 34 upon receipt. The subscription request : code will be predefined and thus recognized by the subscription receiver module 34 as requesting the subscription or registration process to commence. For example, the subscription receiver code may be the following USSD string: "*111*123#". Alternatively, .a short code type registration request may be used. For example, a user may need to send a keyword such as “TRAFFIC” to a particular short code.

Once the subscription receiver module 34 has received the registration “request message, the transmitter module 36 transmits a resource address to the mobile device 14. The resource address is typically a Uniform = Resource Locator (URL). In response to the motorist 12 accessing the webpage associated with the resource address on the mobile device 14, a software application is downloaded and automatically installed on the mobile device 14 in order to enable the user to view visual traffic information.

During the same transmission the transmitter module 36 may also transmit contract information, or alternatively a statement that Terms and Conditions will be deemed accepted on accessing the URL.

The loading module 38, in response to the motorist 12 accessing the URL, directs to a website from which the software application is downloadable.

As mentioned, the software application is further automatically installed on ~~ the mobile device 14. Upon the motorist 12 accessing the URL through the mobile device 14, the transmitter module 36 transmits confirmation information and an identifier associated with the mobile phone 14 to an . account server and/or database. The account server and/or database contains data relating to the motorist 12 who registered and are authorized to use the system 10.

In conjunction with the transmitter module 36 transmitting the confirmation information to the account database, a user confirmatory message may also be sent to the motorist's mobile device 14 to confirm that the software : application will be downloaded shortly. An example of a user confirmatory message may be "Your request is being processed. A software application will automatically be installed shortly. To access traffic information, click on the software application icon."

In a preferred embodiment, the system 10 may additionally include an account module (not shown) to create a unique account number for the "motorist. The unique account number will be created once the account C. server and/or database receives the confirmation information and the identifier associated with the mobile device (or SIM card).

The user confirmatory message may also inform the motorist that an Co account has been created and provide the motorist with account information. The account information may include the mobile number, IMSI number, type of phone being used by the motorist, the IMEI number of the . mobile phone, and any other information which can be retrieved from the

SIM card of the mobile phone 14.

The system 10 also includes a billing server (not shown) communicatively coupled with the account server and/or database in order to charge the motorist 12 a fee when the motorist 12 downloads the software application for the first time. In one example embodiment, access fees may additionally be deducted as and when the motorist 12 accesses and Co downloads traffic information. It will be appreciated that the billing server ) and system 10 in general may be set up to support various billing scenarios.

The fees may be deducted through the use of a service provider account, ie. mobile service provider account. In cases where the motorist does not have a service provider account, the fee will be deducted from prepaid airtime. "We now turn to the description of the access to traffic information component. The access receiver module 40 receives a traffic information : request message from the mobile device 14. Typically, the motorist 12 may "select a geographical area of interest: from the downloaded software application. It will be appreciated that the selected geographical area may : be associated with a road the motorist is currently travelling on, or that it may be associated with a road the motorist will be travelling on at a later stage, thus the need for planning. On having selected the geographical area, the motorist will further select a camera situated at a location within the geographical area. The camera will continuously or periodically capture traffic images of the roads in the selected geographical area where the . camera is located. The traffic images may be low resolution full motion videos of the traffic. : On receipt of the request, the access receiver module 40 will access the oo relevant information from its database or alternatively from the relevant cameras and will then transmit to the mobile device 14 the traffic information associated with the selected geographical area and the selected camera 16. In one example embodiment, the traffic information : software application downloaded onto the mobile device 14 acts as a type. of stand alone traffic browser. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the software application, once downloaded onto the mobile device 14 would be able to obtain information from the server via any suitable communication protocol.

In one example embodiment, software updates of the traffic information software application may be available from the central server. Once an update is available, the server will send such an update to the mobile device using “push technologies”. The mobile device 14 may therefore automatically update the software application when an update is received.

Figure 3 shows a mobile device 14 with a button to access a software ) application installed on the mobile device 14. The software application once installed on the mobile device 14 is represented as an icon displayed on the mobile device 14. In this example embodiment the letters “GC” 50 represents the access button for “The Gridcam" as displayed as a soft button on a mobile device along with other mobile phone application icons : 52. By clicking or selecting the icon the motorist 12 is able to launch the software application downloaded onto the mobile device as described above. Upon the software application downloading, user account details may be displayed on a display screen of the mobile device 14. The

’ account database is also accessed in order to retrieve status information on - the user's account. The status of the user's account may include the motorist's account infoymation and type of billing.

In other embodiments, the software application can be accessed within one of the mobile phone icons 52, for example, an application icon.

Upon clicking the displayed icon 50, the software application 60 will be launched as illustrated in Figure 4. If the motorist has not registered prior to trying to access the software application, the system 10 will transmit an unauthorized user message. The unauthorized user message may be transmitted to the mobile device 14 by either the transmitter module or the communication module.

In the case where the mobile device 14 is not compatible to launch the software application, an error message will be transmitted to the mobile device 14.

Generally, the software application may include at least one drop down menu, the drop down menu displaying a plurality of options. Each option in Co the menu is associated with a camera located at geographical area. The motorist 12 may access the menu and proceed to select a camera 16 located in a geographical area which is of interest to the motorist. The motorist may, for example, select a camera located at a selected - intersection, on- or off-ramps, or any suitable section of a road. :

The example embodiment shown by Figure 4 shows a first menu 62 as a drop down menu which can display a plurality of cities. The second menu : 64 is a drop down menu which is to display a plurality of geographical areas within a particular city. The third menu 68 shows different cameras located at specific intersections within the selected geographical area. The display generated by the software application also includes a time and date display which accesses a date stamp of that particular traffic information.

Once the specific camera has been selected by using the drop down : menus, the motorist can access the traffic information 20 by selecting a view icon 68. Figure 5 shows an example of the traffic information in response to having selected the view icon. Alternatively, upon selecting the specific camera a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message may be : sent to the mobile device for displaying the content of traffic information.

Visual traffic information sent via MMS may be compressed to ensure optimal viewing on the mobile device 14. As mentioned above, the optimal compression to be used will be determined in relation to the make and model of the mobile phone, as obtained from the IMEI number. :

Preferably, the traffic information may provide the status of traffic at a selected geographical area, weather information, average speed being travelled by motor vehicles in that particular geographical area, time stamps for the traffic information recorded etc. In other embodiments, the traffic information may also include maps, routes to nearby areas, distances to . nearby areas, etc. | :

In response to the motorist viewing the traffic information, a purchase confirmation message will be transmitted and displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 26. The purchase confirmation message may “for example provide an indication of costs for obtaining the traffic information. :

The software application may be configured to include a fourth menu which will provide options for calculating the time it may take to reach a selected destination, departing from a prior selected departure area. The software application may also be configured to display a calculated time associated with alternative routes available for the motorist 24. . Referring to Figure 6, a simplified flow diagram of a method for accessing traffic information 100 is shown. It will be noted that in one example embodiment, the example method shown in Figure 6 may be deployed by

-19- 3 the system 10 of Figures 1 and 2. However, the method may also be deployed by other systems not described in this application.

The method 100 comprises receiving a registration request message from ~ a mobile device, the registration request message including an identifier associated with a SIM card of the mobile device of the mobile device itself, as shown by block 110. Co

At block 120, a resource address is transmitted e.g., by the transmitter module 34, to the mobile device. :

The resource address is accessed by the mobile device thereby to enable © the user to automatically download and install a software application on the mobile device, in response to a user accessing the resource address (block : 130). .

In order for traffic information to be received and viewed by the mobile © device, a traffic information request which includes a selection of a I geographical location from the software application and is received (block 140) by the central server. Furthermore as illustrated in block 140, the traffic information as selected is transmitted to the mobile device by the access receiver module 40. :

The method may further include transmitting confirmation information, identifier and a mobile number associated with the mobile device to an account database as described in some detail above.

The method may include creating a unique account number for the user : associated with the mobile device.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a system and method for method for accessing traffic information. The invention particularly provides for the request and transmission of visual traffic information to registered users associated with geographical areas. Thus the system and method will assist in providing users will an alternative traffic information therefore alleviate traffic congestion on roads. :

Claims

CL CLAIMS: : a oo 1. A system for accessing visual traffic information, the system comprising: : a subscription module including: . a subscription receiver module to receive a registration ~ request message from a mobile device, the registration request message including an identifier associated with a SIM card of the mobile device or with the mobile device; : ‘a transmitter module to transmit a resource address to the mobile device; and a loading module to download, in response to a user accessing the resource address, a traffic information - software application to the mobile device and automatically - BE installing the software application on the mobile device; and an access module including: an access receiver module to receive a traffic information request including a selection of a geographical area from the . software application installed on the mobile device and to : transmit to the mobile device visual traffic information associated with the selected geographical area. oo
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the registration request message is a Short Message Service (SMS) message or an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) message.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the registration request message includes a subscription request code.
4. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the Co transmitter module, in response to the loading module downloading the traffic information software application to the mobile device, transmits confirmation information and the identifier associated with the mobile device or SIM card to an account server and/or Co database.
5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the identifier is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMS), a Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) : number of or associated with the SIM card or an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the mobile phone.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the make and/or model of the mobile device from which the registration request message is : received are retrieved from the IMEI number thereby to Obtain an "indication of whether the mobile device is WAP enabled or not.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the system is configured to : : determine the most optimal image type to be transmitted to the . mobile device from the retrieved make and/or model information.
8. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the resource address is a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which, in response to accessing the resource address, directs the software oo : application to be downloaded on the mobile device in order to view visual traffic information.
9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the visual . traffic information is video or static images. :
10. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the traffic information includes weather information, average speed being

: travelled by motor vehicles in a particular geographical area, time stamps for which the traffic information is captured, or the like.
11. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 further including an account module to create a unique account number for the user : in response to the account server and/or database receiving the confirmation information and the identifier. N
12. A system as claimed in claim 11 further including a billing server : which is configured to charge a fee against the unique account number of the user, in response to the software application being downloaded on to the mobile device.
13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the software application is configured to display on a display screen of So the mobile device a first drop down menu, the first drop down menu ~ providing a plurality of options, each option being associated with a geographical area. : -
14. A system as claimed in claim 13 where the software application is configured to display a second drop down menu associated with a selection of image devices located at the geographical area.
15. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the image devices are a network of multiple cameras. Lo :
16. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein, in response to the transmitter module transmitting the confirmation information to the account server and/or database, a user confirmatory message is also be sent to the user's mobile device.
17. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the system comprises a network of image devices and an access receiver module, wherein the network of image devices are located oo : -24- at geographical areas and operable to communicate with the access oo receiver module thereby to allow the module to access relevant traffic information directly from the image devices.
18. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the ) system comprises a network of image devices, wherein the network . of image devices are located at geographical areas and operable to Lo download, periodically and/or on-demand, traffic information to a database associated with the access receiver module.
19. A method of accessing visual traffic information, the method including: Coe : receiving a registration request message from a mobile device, the registration request message including an identifier associated with oo a SIM card of the mobile device or the mobile device; transmitting a resource address to the mobile device; downloading, in response to a user accessing the resource - address, a traffic information software application to the mobile device and automatically installing the software application on the ; mobile device; and receiving a traffic information request including a selection of a geographical area from the software application installed on the mobile device and’ transmitting to the mobile device visual traffic information associated with the selected geographical area.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19 further including transmitting confirmation information and the identifier associated with the mobile device to an account database.
"21. A method as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the registration : request message is a Short Message Service (SMS) message or an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) message. : ©
22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein the . identifier is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) number of or associated with the SIM. card or an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the mobile phone. .
23. A method as claimed in claim 22 further including retrieving the make and/or model of the mobile device from which the registration oo request message is received from the IMEI number thereby to. obtain an indication of whether the mobile device is WAP enabled or not.
24, A method as claimed in claim 23 further including determining the most optimal image type to be transmitted to the mobile device from the retrieved make and/or model information.
25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 24 further including ’ creating a unique account number for the user in response to receiving the confirmation information and the identifier.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25 further including charging a fee against the unique account number of the user, in response to the software application being downloaded on to the mobile device.
27. A method system as claimed in claim 20 wherein, in response to the transmitter module transmitting the confirmation information to the : account server, sending a user confirmatory message to the user's ~ mobile device. oo
28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 27 further oo comprising obtaining traffic information directly. from the image : devices or from a database on which traffic information has been stored. ‘DATED THIS 22"° DAY OF JULY 2010 | Co SPOOR & FISHER APPLICANT'S PATENT ATTORNEYS