Systems and methods for identifying and assessing location-based risks for vehicles

• US 10,121,203 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2014
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Christensen, Scott Thomas, Hayward, Gregory, Cielocha, Steven, Binion, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Ebersman, Bruce I
• Application Number:
  US14/273,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20150324923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 705 4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Methods and systems for improving vehicular safety by notifying vehicle operators of location-based risks are provided. According to embodiments, a processing server may receive an initial location of a vehicle. Based on location data associated with the initial location, the processing server can determine the risk of an incident. The processing server can generate a notification to communicate to the vehicle operator, and the vehicle operator can assess the risk and take action to mitigate the risk, for example by relocating the vehicle. The processing server can receive updated location data for the vehicle and can determine, based on the updated location data, that the risk has been mitigated.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of notifying a vehicle operator associated with a vehicle of a location-based risk, the method comprising:

receiving, via a communication network at a first time from an electronic device, an initial location of the vehicle, the initial location corresponding to where the vehicle is parked, and (ii) generated by a global positioning system (GPS) sensor incorporated within the electronic device;

retrieving, by a processor from a third-party server, historical crime data associated with the initial location and indicating a set of incidents that occurred in association with the initial location;

examining the historical crime data to identify the location-based risk;

calculating, by the processor based on the historical crime data, a percentage chance of incident to the vehicle at the initial location, wherein the percentage chance of incident exceeds a threshold amount;

automatically communicating, via the communication network, an indication of the location-based risk to the electronic device, the electronic device configured to display the indication of the location-based risk for assessment by the vehicle operator;

subsequent to communicating the indication, receiving, via the communication network at a second time from the location module of the electronic device, an updated location of the vehicle;

calculating, by the processor, (i) an updated percentage chance of incident, to the vehicle at the updated location, associated with the location-based risk, and (ii) an elapsed time period between the first time and the second time;

determining, by the processor, (i) that the updated percentage chance of incident is less than the percentage chance of incident, and (ii) that the elapsed time period is less than a threshold time period, the threshold time period associated with the location-based risk;

determining, based at least in part on the elapsed period of time, a reward redeemable by the vehicle operator and associated with the location-based risk being mitigated; and

causing a user of interface of the electronic device to display (i) a first notification that the location-based risk is mitigated and (ii) a second notification of the reward.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein calculating the percentage chance of incident comprises:

calculating the percentage chance of incident from additional information associated with the initial location.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein calculating the updated percentage chance of incident comprises:

calculating the updated percentage chance of incident from information associated with the updated location.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving the initial location of the vehicle comprises:

requesting the electronic device for the initial location; and

receiving the initial location from the location module of the electronic device.

5. A system for notifying a vehicle operator associated with a vehicle of a location-based risk, comprising:

a transceiver for communicating data via a communication network;

a memory storing non-transitory computer executable instructions; and

a processor interfacing with the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the processor to;

receive, via the transceiver at a first time from an electronic device, an initial location of the vehicle, the initial location corresponding to where the vehicle is parked, and (ii) generated by a global positioning system (GPS) sensor incorporated within the electronic device,

retrieve, from a third-party server via the transceiver, historical crime data associated with the initial location and indicating a set of incidents that occurred in association with the initial location,

examine the historical crime data to identify the location-based risk,

calculate, based on the historical crime data, a percentage chance of incident to the vehicle at the initial location, wherein the percentage chance of incident exceeds a threshold amount,

automatically communicate, via the transceiver, an indication of the location-based risk to the electronic device, the electronic device configured to display the indication of the location-based risk for assessment by the vehicle operator,

subsequent to communicating the indication, receive, via the transceiver at a second time from the location module of the electronic device, an updated location of the vehicle,

calculate (i) an updated percentage chance of incident, to the vehicle at the updated location, associated with the location-based risk, and (ii) an elapsed time period between the first time and the second time,

determine (i) that the updated percentage chance of incident is less than the percentage chance of incident, and (ii) that the elapsed time period is less than a threshold time period, the threshold time period associated with the location-based risk,

determine, based at least in part on the elapsed period of time, a reward redeemable by the vehicle operator and associated with the location-based risk being mitigated, and

cause a user interface of the electronic device to display (i) a first notification that the location-based risk is mitigated and (ii) a second notification of the reward.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein to calculate the percentage chance of incident, the processor is configured to:

calculate the percentage chance of incident from additional information associated with the initial location.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein to calculate the updated percentage chance of incident, the processor is configured to:

calculate the updated percentage chance of incident from information associated with the updated location.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein to receive the initial location of the vehicle, the processor is configured to:

request the electronic device for the initial location, and

receive the initial location from the location module of the electronic device via the transceiver.