Autonomous vehicle operator identification

• US 10,246,097 B1
• Filed: 11/06/2015
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Fields, Brian Mark, Huang, Chien Che, Wazeer, Mohamed A., Bennett, Shawn C., Cielocha, Steven C., Bryant, Ronny S., Kohaus, Stephen, Quakenbush, Terry, Novak, Richard A., Chan, Aaron Scott, Main, Craig M., Wu, Weixin, Wollenschlager, Torri, Csanda, Carol Marie, Gorsuch, Stacey, Binion, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US14/934,339
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02028 Determining haemodynamic parameters not otherwise provided for, e.g. cardiac contractility or left ventricular ejection fraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0809 Driver authorisation; Driver identity check
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0818 Inactivity or incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0071 Controller overrides driver automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0073 Driver overrides controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0215 Sensor drifts or sensor failures
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/046 involving external transmission of data to or from the vehicle, e.g. via telemetry, satellite, Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/221 Physiology, e.g. weight, heartbeat, health or special needs
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/26 Incapacity
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 : External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2756/10 : Involving external transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2900/00 : Indexing codes relating to the purpose of, or problem solved of road vehicle drive control systems not otherwise provided for in groups B60W30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 : Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 : Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0956 : the prediction being responsive to traffic or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/02 : related to ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 : related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 : Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/02 : Ensuring safety in case of control system failures, e.g. by diagnosing, circumventing or fixing failures
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0205 : Diagnosing or detecting failures; Failure detection models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/045 : Monitoring control system parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 : Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/12 : Limiting control by the driver depending on vehicle state, e.g. interlocking means for the control input for preventing unsafe operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 : Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0053 : from vehicle to occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0059 : Estimation of the risk associated with autonomous or manual driving, e.g. situation too complex, sensor failure or driver incapacity
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/007 : Emergency override Handing over between remote control and on-board control or handing over between remote control arrangements G05D1/227
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 : Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 : specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0055 : with safety arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0214 : in accordance with safety or protection criteria, e.g. avoiding hazardous areas monitoring the location of vehicles within a certain area, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas, in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/13
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 : using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 : Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 : Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 : involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 : Insurance
• 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 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 : using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 : Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 : having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 : indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, with the customer'"'"'s permission, a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined by a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator. A determination may be made as to whether the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator; and if the vehicle operator is not authorized, an alert may be generated and/or the vehicle may be caused to not operate. Alternatively, autonomous operation features may be automatically engaged to automatically drive the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to a safe location when the operator is not authorized. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the anti-theft functionality.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for identifying a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, comprising:

receiving, at one or more processors, a request to identify the vehicle operator;

receiving, at one or more processors, identifying information regarding the vehicle operator, wherein the identifying information is received from one or more of the following;

a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator;

determining, by one or more processors, the identity of the vehicle operator, wherein the identity of the vehicle operator is determined either to be a known vehicle operator or an unknown vehicle operator;

determining, by one or more processors, the vehicle operator is not authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator;

limiting, by one or more processors, operation of the vehicle when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, wherein limiting operation of the vehicle includes a functionality of not operating the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized;

generating, by one or more processors, an alert when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

transmitting, via a communication network, the alert to a computing device associated with an entity situated at a location remote from the vehicle, wherein the entity is at least one of the following;

an owner of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, an authorized user of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, or another party having an interest associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

determining, by one or more processors, an insurance policy associated with the vehicle; and

adjusting, by one or more processors, the insurance policy based upon the functionality of not operating when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous vehicle.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein limiting operation of the vehicle includes causing, by one or more processors, the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to engage one or more autonomous operation features to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring, by one or more processors, information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon operating data, including data from one or more sensors disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; and

recording, by one or more processors, the information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, including at least one of the following;

manual operation commands by the vehicle operator, autonomous feature settings, autonomous feature configuration, or autonomous operation feature operating status.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

adjusting, by one or more processors, the insurance policy based upon the recorded information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein adjusting the insurance policy further includes determining a cost associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon (i) operation by the vehicle operator and (ii) operation by one or more autonomous operation features disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, wherein the cost is based at least in part upon one or more of the following:

duration of vehicle operation or distance of vehicle operation.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:

determining, by one or more processors, a vehicle operator profile based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator, wherein the vehicle operator profile includes one or more risk levels associated with the vehicle operator; and

adjusting, by one or more processors, the vehicle operator profile based upon the recorded information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining, by one or more processors, one or more risk levels associated with the vehicle operator based upon the recorded information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:

adjusting, by one or more processors, the insurance policy based upon the identity of the vehicle operator and the one or more risk levels associated with the vehicle operator, wherein the insurance policy covers a plurality of vehicle operators.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:

adjusting, by one or more processors, one or more of a plurality of insurance policies associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon the identity of the vehicle operator and the one or more risk levels associated with the vehicle operator, wherein the one or more of a plurality of insurance policies are further associated with the vehicle operator.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the identifying information regarding the vehicle operator includes characteristic data associated with following:

height, weight, age, sex, eye color, hair color, voice, finger print, or physiological identifying information.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the request to identify the vehicle operator is generated automatically upon an attempt to start the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors, an authorization signal indicating at least a limited authorization of the vehicle operator to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; and

enabling, by one or more processors, additional operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle by the vehicle operator in response to the authorization signal.

13. A computer system for identifying a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more sensors disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle and communicatively connected to the one or more processors; and

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

receive a request to identify the vehicle operator;

receive identifying information regarding the vehicle operator, wherein the identifying information is received from one or more of the following;

a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator;

determine the identity of the vehicle operator, wherein the identity of the vehicle operator is determined either to be a known vehicle operator or an unknown vehicle operator;

determine the vehicle operator is not authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator;

limit operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, wherein limiting operation of the vehicle includes a functionality of not operating the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized;

generate an alert when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

transmit the alert to a computing device associated with an entity situated at a location remote from the vehicle via a communication network, wherein the entity is at least one of the following;

an owner of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, an authorized user of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, or another party having an interest associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

determine an insurance policy associated with the vehicle; and

adjust the insurance policy based upon the functionality of not operating when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous vehicle.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer system to limit operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle perform one of the following functions:

(i) not to operate or (ii) engage one or more autonomous operation features to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the program memory further includes executable instructions that cause the computer system to:

monitor information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon operating data, including data from one or more sensors disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

record the information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, including at least one of the following;

manual operation commands by the vehicle operator, autonomous feature settings, autonomous feature configuration, or autonomous operation feature operating status; and

adjust the insurance policy based upon the recorded information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, wherein the insurance policy is adjusted based upon (i) operation by the vehicle operator and (ii) operation by one or more autonomous operation features disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

16. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions for identifying a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle that, when executed by at least one processor of a computer system, cause the computer system to:

receive a request to identify the vehicle operator;

receive identifying information regarding the vehicle operator, wherein the identifying information is received from one or more of the following;

a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator;

determine the identity of the vehicle operator, wherein the identity of the vehicle operator is determined either to be a known vehicle operator or an unknown vehicle operator;

determine the vehicle operator is not authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator;

limit operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle wherein limiting operation of the vehicle includes a functionality of not operating the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized;

generate an alert when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

transmit the alert to a computing device associated with an entity situated at a location remote from the vehicle via a communication network, wherein the entity is at least one of the following;

an owner of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, an authorized user of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, or another party having an interest associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

determine an insurance policy associated with the vehicle; and

adjust the insurance policy based upon the functionality of not operating when the vehicle operator is determined not to be authorized to operate the autonomous vehicle.

17. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer system to limit operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle cause the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle perform one of the following functions:

(i) not to operate or (ii) engage one or more autonomous operation features to operate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

18. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, further including executable instructions that cause the computer system to:

monitor information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle based upon operating data, including data from one or more sensors disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle;

record the information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, including at least one of the following;

manual operation commands by the vehicle operator, autonomous feature settings, autonomous feature configuration, or autonomous operation feature operating status; and

adjust the insurance policy based upon the recorded information regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, wherein the insurance policy is adjusted based upon (i) operation by the vehicle operator and (ii) operation by one or more autonomous operation features disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.