Systems and methods for indicating proximity conditions for a vehicle

• US 10,399,495 B1
• Filed: 08/21/2015
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Osborne, Shane C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi C
• Application Number:
  US14/832,721
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 340435, 340438, 340439, 340436, 340905, 340907, 340901, 340904, 340465, 34042618, 340447, 340479, 3405681, 701301, 701 36, 701 327, 701117, 701 1, 348148, 705 4, 705 1463
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A vehicle telematics device communicates with one or more proximity devices removably attached to a vehicle. The vehicle telematics device detects a direction change of the vehicle and signals for corresponding proximity devices to wake thereby causing the proximity devices to detect proximity of the vehicle with one or more other objects and wirelessly transmit proximity data. The telematics device wirelessly receives the proximity data from the proximity devices and notifies an operator of the vehicle of the close proximity condition between the vehicle and the one or more objects. Notably, the proximity data (including determined close proximity conditions) can be shared with a third party such as an insurance provider, which can adjust insurance rates based on the proximity data.

Claims

1. A method for indicating proximity conditions for a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing power to a proximity device from a power source independent from a vehicle power source, wherein the proximity device utilizes one of a radar or an electromagnetic sensor;

detecting, by a vehicle telematics device, a direction change of the vehicle;

signaling, by the vehicle telematics device, for the proximity device coupled to the vehicle to wake in response to the direction change, thereby causing the proximity device to detect proximity of the vehicle with one or more other objects and wirelessly transmit proximity data, wherein the proximity data is transmitted using a unique signal corresponding to the proximity device, wherein the unique signal is distinct from signals corresponding to other proximity devices;

wirelessly receiving, by the vehicle telematics device, the proximity data from the proximity device;

notifying, by the vehicle telematics device, an operator of the vehicle of a close proximity condition between the vehicle and the one or more objects;

recharging the power source using a vibration harvesting device; and

signaling, by the vehicle telematics device, for the proximity device to sleep when the vehicle telematics device no longer detects the direction change thereby causing the proximity device to operate at a reduced level of power.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting, by the telematics device, the direction change of the vehicle comprises detecting the direction change of the vehicle by one or more accelerometers in communication with the telematics device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting, by the telematics device, the direction change of the vehicle comprises detecting the direction change of the vehicle by detecting initiation of a turn signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting, by the telematics device, the direction change of the vehicle comprises detecting change of a speed or RPM relating to the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein detecting, by the telematics device, the direction change of the vehicle comprises detecting a vehicle gear change, wherein the vehicle gear change includes changing the vehicle into a reverse gear.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein notifying, by the vehicle telematics device, the operator of the vehicle of the close proximity condition comprises signaling one or more speakers to resonate with an alert.

7. A vehicle telematics apparatus, comprising:

one or more network interfaces adapted to wirelessly communicate in a communication network;

a processor adapted to execute one or more processes; and

a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process, when executed by the processor, operable to;

control power usage of an independent power source separate from a vehicle power source by a proximity device, wherein the proximity device utilizes one of a radar or an electromagnetic sensor;

detect initiation of a turn signal of the vehicle;

signal for the proximity device coupled to the vehicle to wake in response to detecting the initiation of the turn signal, thereby causing the proximity device to detect proximity of the vehicle with one or more other objects and wirelessly transmit proximity data, wherein the proximity data is transmitted using a unique signal corresponding to the proximity device, wherein the unique signal is distinct from signals corresponding to other proximity devices;

wirelessly receive the proximity data from the proximity device;

notify an operator of the vehicle of a close proximity condition between the vehicle and the one or more objects;

recharge the independent power source using a kinetic energy mini-generator; and

signal for the proximity device to sleep when the vehicle telematics apparatus no longer detects the turn signal thereby causing the proximity device to operate at a reduced level of power.

8. The vehicle telematics apparatus of claim 7, wherein the process, when executed by the processor to detect a direction change of the vehicle, is further operable to detect the direction change from at least one of an accelerometer in communication with the telematics apparatus, initiation of a turn signal, vehicle gear change, and engagement of a vehicle reverse gear.

9. The vehicle telematics apparatus of claim 7, wherein the process, when executed by the processor to notify the operator of the vehicle of the close proximity condition is further operable to:

provide a warning to the operator by at least one of a mobile device display, an onboard vehicle display, and at least one speaker.

10. The vehicle telematics apparatus of claim 7, wherein the vehicle telematics apparatus comprises at least one of an OBD II device and a mobile phone.

11. The vehicle telematics apparatus of claim 7, wherein the process, when executed by the processor, is further operable to:

transmit the proximity data to a third party server to cause the third party server to perform data analytics on the proximity data and adjust an insurance rate of the vehicle operator based on the data analytics.