Broadcasting telematics data to nearby mobile computing devices, vehicles, and infrastructure

• US 10,057,312 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2017
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Hayward, Gregory L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Yuen H
• Application Number:
  US15/787,293
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/006 indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/10 related to vehicle motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3492 employing speed data or traffic data, e.g. real-time or historical traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3655 Timing of guidance instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/367 Details, e.g. road map scale, orientation, zooming, illumination, level of detail, scrolling of road map or positioning of current position marker
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3691 Retrieval, searching and output of information related to real-time traffic, weather, or environmental conditions arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions G08G1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/47 the supplementary measurement being an inertial measurement, e.g. tightly coupled inertial
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/50 whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/51 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0285 using signals transmitted via a public communication network, e.g. GSM network
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/225 : operated by off-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/229 : Command input data, e.g. waypoints
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/24 : Arrangements for determining position or orientation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 : Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 : Insurance
• 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: G08G 1/0112 : from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/012 : from other sources than vehicle or roadside beacons, e.g. mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0125 : Traffic data processing
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0133 : for classifying traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 : for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 : with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 : Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/093 : Data selection, e.g. prioritizing information, managing message queues, selecting the information to be output
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 : responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096725 : where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 : where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• 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 1/096855 : where the output is provided in a suitable form to the driver details on I/O arrangements for onboard navigation computers G01C21/36
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 : where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 : to a central station ; Indicators in a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 : Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 : event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 : for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 7/02 : Anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 : using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 : Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 : using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of generating and broadcasting telematics and/or image data is provided. Telematics and/or image data may be collected, with customer permission, in real-time by a mobile device (or a Telematics App running thereon) traveling within an originating vehicle. The telematics data may include acceleration, braking, speed, heading, and location data associated with the originating vehicle. The mobile device may generate an updated telematics data broadcast including up-to-date telematics data at least every few seconds; and then broadcast the updated telematics data broadcast at least every few seconds via wireless communication to another computing device to facilitate alerting another vehicle or driver of an abnormal traffic condition or event that the originating vehicle is experiencing. An amount that an insured uses or otherwise employs the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality may be used with usage-based insurance, or to calculate or adjust insurance premiums or discounts.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

generating, via one or more sensors associated with an originating mobile computing device, telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, compass heading, and location-related data associated with an operation of an originating vehicle that is associated with an originating driver, the telematics data being generated by the one or more sensors when the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to the originating vehicle and is located within the originating vehicle;

periodically broadcasting, via the originating mobile computing device, the generated telematics data,

wherein the periodically broadcasted telematics data is received by a destination mobile computing device that is associated with a destination vehicle and a destination driver, and results in the destination mobile computing device directing corrective actions when an abnormal traffic condition or event indicated by the telematics data is found to be relevant to the destination vehicle or the destination driver, the relevance being based upon whether a location of the originating vehicle, as indicated by the telematics data, is within a threshold distance of a current location of the destination mobile computing device,

wherein the corrective actions include at least one of

(i) the destination mobile computing device issuing an alert regarding the abnormal traffic condition or event being experienced by the originating vehicle, the alert including a graphical user interface (GUI) display of

(a) an indication of a description of the abnormal traffic condition or event, the indication of the description of the abnormal traffic condition or event including at least one of a text indication of the description or a graphical indication of the description, and

(b) an indication of a location of the abnormal traffic condition or event, the indication of the location of the abnormal traffic condition or event including at least one of a text indication of the location, a graphical indication of the location, or a map indicating the location, or

(ii) at least one other corrective action, the at least one other corrective action affecting driving of the destination vehicle, and

wherein the periodic broadcasting of the telematics data results in the destination mobile computing device displaying insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the destination driver that is based upon a destination driver risk due to the abnormal traffic condition or event, so as to promote or reward risk averse behavior and safer driving via the displayed insurance policy pricing adjustment information.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is located within the originating vehicle based upon whether the originating mobile computing device is wirelessly connected to a communication system associated with the originating vehicle.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to the originating vehicle based upon whether the originating mobile computing device is in use.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the telematics data indicates that the originating vehicle is experiencing one or more of high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, and extreme weather conditions.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the telematics data is indicative of one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) location, lane information associated with the originating vehicle, time, turning associated with the originating vehicle, a battery level associated with the originating mobile computing device, and telephone usage information associated with the originating mobile computing device.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the corrective actions include generating an alternate travel route via the destination mobile computing device that avoids the location of the abnormal traffic condition or event, and presenting the alternate travel route via the GUI display.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the periodically broadcasted telematics data is received by a remote server, and then relayed from the remote server to the destination mobile computing device.

8. An originating mobile computing device, comprising:

one or more sensors configured to generate telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, compass heading, and location-related data associated with an operation of an originating vehicle that is associated with an originating driver, the telematics data being generated by the one or more sensors when the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to the originating vehicle and is located within the originating vehicle; and

a communication unit configured to periodically broadcast the generated telematics data,

wherein the periodically broadcasted telematics data is received by a destination mobile computing device that is associated with a destination vehicle and a destination driver, and results in the destination mobile computing device directing corrective actions when an abnormal traffic condition or event indicated by the telematics data is found to be relevant to the destination vehicle or destination driver, the relevance being based upon whether a location of the originating vehicle, as indicated by the telematics data, is within a threshold distance of a current location of the destination mobile computing device,

wherein the corrective actions include at least one of

(i) the destination mobile computing device issuing an alert regarding the abnormal traffic condition or event being experienced by the originating vehicle, the alert including a graphical user interface (GUI) display of

(a) an indication of a description of the abnormal traffic condition or event, the indication of the description of the abnormal traffic condition or event including at least one of a text indication of the description or a graphical indication of the description, and

(b) an indication of a location of the abnormal traffic condition or event, the indication of the location of the abnormal traffic condition or event including at least one of a text indication of the location, a graphical indication of the location, or a map indicating the location, or

(ii) at least one other corrective action, the at least one other corrective action affecting driving of the destination vehicle, and

wherein the periodic broadcasting of the telematics data results in the destination mobile computing device displaying insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the destination driver that is based upon a destination driver risk due to the abnormal traffic condition or event, so as to promote or reward risk averse behavior and safer driving via the displayed insurance policy pricing adjustment information.

9. The originating mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to indicate that the originating mobile computing device is located within the originating vehicle based upon whether the originating mobile computing device is wirelessly connected to a communication system associated with the originating vehicle.

10. The originating mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to the originating vehicle based upon whether the originating mobile computing device is in use.

11. The originating mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the telematics data indicates that the originating vehicle is experiencing one or more of high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, and extreme weather conditions.

12. The originating mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the telematics data is indicative of one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) location, lane information associated with the originating vehicle, time, turning associated with the originating vehicle, a battery level associated with the originating mobile computing device, and telephone usage information associated with the originating mobile computing device.

13. The originating mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the corrective actions include generating an alternate travel route via the destination mobile computing device that avoids the location of the abnormal traffic condition or event, and presenting the alternate travel route via the GUI display.

14. The originating mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the periodically broadcasted telematics data is received by a remote server, and then relayed from the remote server to the destination mobile computing device.

15. A system, comprising:

an originating mobile computing device associated with an originating vehicle and an originating driver, the originating mobile computing device configured to (i) generate telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, compass heading, and location-related data associated with an operation of the originating vehicle, the telematics data being generated by the one or more sensors associated with the originating mobile computing device when the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to the originating vehicle and is located within the originating vehicle, and (ii) periodically broadcast the generated telematics data; and

a destination mobile computing device that is associated with a destination vehicle and a destination driver, the destination mobile computing device configured to (i) receive the periodically broadcasted telematics data, and (ii) direct corrective actions when an abnormal traffic condition or event indicated by the telematics data is found to be relevant to the destination vehicle or the destination driver, the relevance being based upon whether a location of the originating vehicle, as indicated by the telematics data, is within a threshold distance of a current location of the destination mobile computing device,

wherein the corrective actions include at least one of

(i) the destination mobile computing device issuing an alert regarding the abnormal traffic condition or event being experienced by the originating vehicle, the alert including a graphical user interface (GUI) display of

(a) an indication of a description of the abnormal traffic condition or event, the indication of the description of the abnormal traffic condition or event including at least one of a text indication of the description or a graphical indication of the description, and

(b) an indication of a location of the abnormal traffic condition or event, the indication of the location of the abnormal traffic condition or event including at least one of a text indication of the location, a graphical indication of the location, or a map indicating the location, or

(ii) at least one other corrective action, the at least one other corrective action affecting driving of the destination vehicle, and

wherein the periodic broadcasting of the telematics data results in the destination mobile computing device displaying insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the destination driver that is based upon a destination driver risk due to the abnormal traffic condition or event, so as to promote or reward risk averse behavior and safer driving via the displayed insurance policy pricing adjustment information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the one or more sensors associated with the originating mobile computing device indicate that the originating mobile computing device is located within the originating vehicle based upon whether the originating mobile computing device is wirelessly connected to a communication system associated with the originating vehicle, and

the one or more sensors associated with the originating mobile computing device indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to the originating vehicle based upon whether the originating mobile computing device is in use.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the telematics data indicates that the originating vehicle is experiencing one or more of high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, and extreme weather conditions.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the telematics data is indicative of one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) location, lane information associated with the originating vehicle, time, turning associated with the originating vehicle, a battery level associated with the originating mobile computing device, and telephone usage information associated with the originating mobile computing device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the destination mobile computing device is configured to direct the corrective actions by generating an alternate travel route that avoids the location of the abnormal traffic condition or event, and to present the alternate travel route via the GUI display.

20. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a remote server configured to receive the periodically broadcasted telematics data, and to relay the periodically broadcasted telematics data to the destination mobile computing device.