METHODS FOR DETECTION OF DRIVING CONDITIONS AND HABITS
First Claim
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1. A method for analyzing vehicle performance in a subject vehicle, comprising:
- placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis;
collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the y-axis as a function of time;
identifying time periods of deceleration in the y-axis that represent a start and a finish of a gear shift;
calculating velocity at each start of a gear shift; and
using the calculated velocity at each start of a gear shift to analyze gear shift efficiency for the subject vehicle.
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Abstract
A method for detecting and analyzing driving performance and habits as well as road conditions utilizes a smartphone having an accelerometer and a microphone. Acceleration in the x, y, and z axis can be measured as a function of time and at particular velocities to provide valuable information about driver habits, vehicle performance, and road conditions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for analyzing vehicle performance in a subject vehicle, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis; collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the y-axis as a function of time; identifying time periods of deceleration in the y-axis that represent a start and a finish of a gear shift; calculating velocity at each start of a gear shift; and using the calculated velocity at each start of a gear shift to analyze gear shift efficiency for the subject vehicle.
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2. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting the data collected from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the y-axis as a function of time to a central server for further analysis of the data.
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3. A method for analyzing vehicle comfort in a subject vehicle, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis; collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the z-axis to indicate the presence and severity of vehicle vibration at a selected velocity; and determining the relative level of vehicle comfort by analyzing the presence and severity of vehicle vibration based on z-axis acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method for analyzing vehicle comfort in a subject vehicle, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a microphone and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the microphone relating to noise level; collecting data from the microphone relating to noise level while driving to indicate the presence and severity of vehicle vibration at a selected velocity; and determining the relative level of vehicle comfort by analyzing the presence and severity of vehicle vibration based on noise level. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method for analyzing vehicle comfort in a subject vehicle, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer, a microphone, and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and capable of collecting data from the microphone relating to noise level; collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the z-axis to indicate the presence and severity of vehicle vibration at a selected velocity; collecting data from the microphone relating to noise level while driving to indicate the presence and severity of vehicle vibration at the selected velocity; and determining the relative level of vehicle comfort by analyzing the presence and severity of vehicle vibration based on z-axis acceleration and noise level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 10)
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9. A method for analyzing a driver'"'"'s tendencies to safely or unsafely accelerate or decelerate, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis; collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the y-axis as a function of time; identifying time periods of acceleration and deceleration in the y-axis, wherein the time periods of acceleration and deceleration are represented by inclines and declines having a slope in the collected data as it is related to time; and determining the relative safety of the driver'"'"'s acceleration or deceleration by analyzing the slope of the inclines and declines, wherein steep slopes indicate a lack of safety and gradual slopes indicate safety.
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11. A method for determining a safe stopping distance for a subject vehicle traveling at a rate of speed, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis; collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration in the y-axis as a function of time; identifying time periods of acceleration in the y-axis that represent a start and a stop of acceleration; and calculating the safe stopping distance at a stop of acceleration using the data collected relating to acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for analyzing a driver'"'"'s tendencies to safely or unsafely change lanes, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in the subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis; collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the x-axis as a function of time; identifying time periods of acceleration and deceleration in the x-axis, wherein the time periods of acceleration and deceleration are represented by inclines and declines having a slope in the collected data as it is related to time; and determining the relative safety of the driver'"'"'s lane changes by analyzing the slope of the inclines and declines, wherein steep slopes indicate a lack of safety and gradual slopes indicate safety. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for analyzing road conditions, comprising:
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placing a smartphone in a subject vehicle, wherein the smartphone includes a 3-axis accelerometer and an operating system platform capable of collecting data from the accelerometer relating to an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis; collecting data from the accelerometer relating to acceleration and deceleration in the z-axis to identify the presence and severity of road surface irregularities at a selected velocity and as a function of time; and determining the relative quality of road conditions by analyzing the presence and severity of road surface irregularities based on z-axis acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification