Shared vehicle usage, monitoring and feedback

• US 10,026,237 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2017
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Corp.
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Fields, Brian Mark, Cielocha, Steven C., Alt, Jacob J., Uphoff, Laura Anne, Chan, Leo Nelson, Wazeer, Mohamed A., Gaudin, Kristopher Keith, Davis, Justin, Baumann, Nathan W., Roll, Giles
• Primary Examiner(s): Flores, Leon
• Application Number:
  US15/808,548
• Time in Patent Office: 250 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/22 Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/214 Generating training patterns; Bootstrap methods, e.g. bagging or boosting
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0116 from roadside infrastructure, e.g. beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0129 for creating historical data or processing based on historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0133 for classifying traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0137 for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096725 where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096791 where the origin of the information is another vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 : where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 : where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 : event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 : involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 : Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 : for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/14 : Traffic procedures, e.g. traffic regulations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/052 : characterised by provision for recording or measuring trainee's performance devices for psychotechnics, e.g. for vehicle drivers A61B5/16, A61B5/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 : Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 : Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 : Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/44 : for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/46 : for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring the use of a shared vehicle are described. In various aspects, telematics data regarding operation of a shared vehicle is collected from one or more sensors, where the shared vehicle is associated with a shared vehicle operator and a shared vehicle stakeholder. One or more processors determine whether a driving event has occurred based upon the telematics data, where the driving event is indicative of improper usage of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator. The one or more processors generate a notification regarding the driving event. The notification includes a driver rating determined from the telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator. The notification is transmitted, via a network, to the shared vehicle stakeholder for presentation to the shared vehicle stakeholder.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of monitoring use of a shared vehicle, comprising:

collecting, from one or more sensors associated with a shared vehicle, telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle, the shared vehicle associated a shared vehicle operator and a shared vehicle stakeholder;

determining, by the one or more processors, that a driving event has occurred based upon the telematics data, wherein the driving event is indicative of improper usage of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator;

generating, by the one or more processors, a notification regarding the driving event, the notification including a driver rating determined from the telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator; and

transmitting, via a network, the notification to the shared vehicle stakeholder for presentation to the shared vehicle stakeholder.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising identifying, by the one or more processors, the shared vehicle operator based upon data received from one or more of the following:

a mobile computing device associated with the shared vehicle operator or one or more sensors associated with the shared vehicle.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising associating the telematics data with a time period of vehicle usage and associating the time period of vehicle usage with the shared vehicle operator.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors associated with the shared vehicle include one or more sensors disposed within a mobile computing device associated with the shared vehicle operator located within the shared vehicle during vehicle operation.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the improper usage includes improper driving behavior determined based upon the telematics data, such improper driving behavior including one or more of the following:

excessive acceleration, excessive speed, hard braking, sharp turning, rolling stops, tailgating, lane departure, swerving, or approaching too near to another vehicle during operation of the shared vehicle.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the improper usage includes improper driving behavior determined based upon the telematics data, such improper driving behavior including one or more of the following:

use of a mobile telephone during vehicle operation or excessive duration of vehicle operation during a reference period of time.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the improper usage includes prohibited vehicle usage by the shared vehicle operator determined based upon the telematics data, such prohibited vehicle usage including one or more of the following:

operation of the shared vehicle during prohibited time periods, operation of the shared vehicle outside an approved geographic area, or exceeding a maximum allowable duration for a vehicle trip associated with the shared vehicle.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generation of the notification includes a report regarding the operation of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notification includes an alert to the shared vehicle stakeholder indicating the driving event, and the notification is transmitted to the shared vehicle stakeholder while vehicle operation by the shared vehicle operator is ongoing.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the alert indicates an urgency level associated with the driving event based upon a risk of an occurrence of a vehicle accident associated with the improper usage.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, via the network, a feedback message from the shared vehicle stakeholder;

and presenting, by one or more output devices within the vehicle, the feedback message to the shared vehicle operator during vehicle operation.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the shared vehicle stakeholder is one or more of the following:

an owner of the shared vehicle or a fleet manager of the shared vehicle.

13. A computer system for monitoring use of a shared vehicle, comprising:

one or more sensors associated with a shared vehicle, the shared vehicle associated a shared vehicle operator and a shared vehicle stakeholder;

one or more processors;

a program memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer system to;

collect telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle from the one or more sensors associated with the shared vehicle;

determine, by the one or more processors, that a driving event has occurred based upon the telematics data, wherein the driving event is indicative of improper usage of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator;

generate, by the one or more processors, a notification regarding the driving event, the notification including a driver rating determined from the telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator; and

transmit, via a network, the notification to the shared vehicle stakeholder for presentation to the shared vehicle stakeholder.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the one or more sensors associated with the shared vehicle include one or more sensors disposed within a mobile computing device associated with the shared vehicle operator located within the shared vehicle during vehicle operation.

15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the improper usage includes improper driving behavior determined based upon the telematics data, such improper driving behavior including one or more of the following:

excessive acceleration, excessive speed, hard braking, sharp turning, rolling stops, tailgating, lane departure, swerving, approaching too near to another vehicle during operation of the shared vehicle, use of a mobile telephone during vehicle operation, or excessive duration of vehicle operation during a reference period of time.

16. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the improper usage includes prohibited vehicle usage by the shared vehicle operator determined based upon the telematics data, such prohibited usage including one or more of the following:

operation of the shared vehicle during prohibited time periods, operation of the shared vehicle outside an approved geographic area, or exceeding a maximum allowable duration for a vehicle trip associated with the shared vehicle.

17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the notification includes an alert to the shared vehicle stakeholder indicating the driving event, and the notification is transmitted to the shared vehicle stakeholder while vehicle operation by the shared vehicle operator is ongoing.

18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the alert indicates an urgency level associated with the driving event based upon a risk of an occurrence of a vehicle accident associated with the improper usage.

19. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the program memory further stores instructions that further cause the computer system to receive a feedback message from the shared vehicle stakeholder via the communication network, and to present the feedback message to the shared vehicle operator during vehicle operation.

20. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for monitoring use of a shared vehicle that, when executed by one or more processors of a computer system, cause the computer system to:

collect, via one or more sensors associated with a shared vehicle, telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle, the shared vehicle associated a shared vehicle operator and a shared vehicle stakeholder;

determine, by the one or more processors, that a driving event has occurred based upon the telematics data, wherein the driving event is indicative of improper usage of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator;

generate, by the one or more processors, a notification regarding the driving event, the notification including a driver rating determined from the telematics data regarding operation of the shared vehicle by the shared vehicle operator; and

transmit, via a network, the notification to the shared vehicle stakeholder for presentation to the shared vehicle stakeholder.