Determining abnormal traffic conditions from a broadcast of telematics data originating from another vehicle

• US 9,836,962 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2016
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Yuen H
• Application Number:
  US14/989,979
• Time in Patent Office: 698 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 using telematics data at a destination device is provided. The destination device may be a mobile device associated with a driver, or a smart vehicle controller of a destination vehicle. The telematics data is generated by an originating mobile device (i) having a Telematics Application (or “App”), and (ii) associated with a second driver/vehicle, the telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, heading, and location data associated with an originating vehicle. The telematics data may be broadcast from the originating mobile device to the destination device that (a) analyzes the telematics data received, (b) determines that an abnormal travel condition exists, and (c) automatically take corrective action that alleviates a negative impact of the abnormal travel condition on the destination vehicle to facilitate safer travel. A usage-based or other insurance discount may be provided based upon insured usage of the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of using telematics data at a destination computing device associated with one vehicle that receives telematics data associated with another vehicle, the method comprising:

(a) receiving telematics data at or by the destination computing device, the telematics data being sampled by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of an originating mobile computing device, the destination computing device including one of (1) a destination mobile computing device associated with a destination driver, or (2) a smart vehicle controller of a destination vehicle associated with the destination driver, via wireless communication or data transmission, the telematics data being generated when the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to an originating vehicle and is located within the originating vehicle, the originating mobile computing device;

(i) having a Telematics Application (App) installed or stored locally in a non-transitory computer-readable memory unit, and

(ii) being associated with an originating driver associated with the originating vehicle, the telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, compass heading, and location-related data associated with an operation of the originating vehicle;

(b) analyzing the telematics data, at or via the destination computing device;

(c) determining, at or via the destination computing device, that an abnormal travel condition or traffic event exists from the analysis of the telematics data received from the originating mobile computing device having the Telematics App;

(d) when the abnormal travel condition or traffic event exists, determining whether the abnormal travel condition or traffic event is relevant to the destination vehicle by determining whether (i) a location of the originating mobile computing device based upon the telematics data is within a threshold distance of a current location of the destination computing device, or (ii) the travel event is located along the route that the destination vehicle is presently traveling; and

(e) when the abnormal travel condition or traffic event exists and is relevant to the destination vehicle, changing a state of the destination computing device to automatically take a preventive or corrective action, at or via the destination computing device, to alleviate a negative impact of the abnormal travel condition or traffic event on the destination driver or the destination vehicle, and displaying insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the destination driver that is based upon a driver risk due to the determined abnormal travel condition or traffic 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 abnormal travel condition or traffic event is based upon the telematics data received from the originating mobile computing device having the Telematics App, revealing that the originating vehicle is experiencing high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, or extreme weather conditions.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the telematics data (1) is generated or collected by the originating mobile computing device, and (2) includes deceleration, Global Positioning System (GPS) location, lane information, or data associated with the originating vehicle.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the telematics data (1) is generated or collected by the originating mobile computing device, and (2) includes one or more of:

time, left turn, right turn, heading, Global Positioning System (GPS) speed, GPS latitude and longitude, gyroscope data, battery level, or telephone usage information or data of, or associated with, the originating vehicle.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the preventive or corrective action taken is:

generating or determining an alert, at or via the destination computing device;

presenting a visual alert, at or via the destination computing device, on a display or display screen associated with the destination computing device;

or

providing an audio or audible alert, at or via the destination computing device.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the preventive or corrective action taken is:

generating, determining, or receiving an alternate travel route that avoids a Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the abnormal travel condition or traffic event, at or via the destination computing device; and

presenting the alternative travel route, at or via the destination computing device, on a display or display screen for use by the destination driver;

or

providing audio driving directions for the destination vehicle to travel along the alternate route.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the preventive or corrective action taken is:

generating, determining, or receiving an alternate travel route that avoids a Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the abnormal travel condition or traffic event, at or via the destination computing device; and

automatically directing the destination vehicle to take or follow the alternative travel route, at or via the destination computing device,

wherein the destination vehicle is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle that drives itself, under processor control, along the alternate travel route.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the telematics data is transmitted from a transceiver mounted on or within the originating mobile computing device to the destination computing device via peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless communication or data transmission, or via a secure electronic communication network, the telematics data being repeatedly broadcasted from the transceiver in accordance with a transmission schedule.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the telematics data is transmitted from the originating mobile computing device directly to a remote server, and then relayed or transmitted from the remote server to the destination computing device via wireless communication or data transmission.

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

determining or identifying, by one or more processors associated with the remote server, an insured customer having a mobile device configured with the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality or the Telematics App; and

adjusting or modifying, by the one or more processors, an insurance policy, premium, or discount for the insured customer based upon their having the mobile device.

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

determining or identifying, by one or more processors associated with the remote server, an insured customer having a mobile device configured with the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality or being configured to receive and analyze the telematics data;

monitoring, by the one or more processors associated with the remote server, a time amount or mileage amount that the insured customer drives an insured vehicle with the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality enabled or otherwise executing on the mobile device; and

adjusting or modifying, by the one or more processors associated with the remote server, an insurance policy, premium, or discount for the insured customer based upon an usage or an amount that the insured customer uses or employs the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality, including generating a usage-based discount that is tied to an amount that the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality is used.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the telematics data is transmitted from the originating mobile computing device directly to smart infrastructure, and then relayed or transmitted from the smart infrastructure to the destination computing device via wireless communication or data transmission, the telematics data being repeatedly broadcast from a transceiver mounted on or within the originating mobile computing device in accordance with a transmission schedule.

13. A destination computer system configured to use telematics data, the destination computer system comprising:

a destination computing device including one of (1) a destination mobile computing device associated with a destination driver, or (2) a smart vehicle controller of a destination vehicle associated with the destination driver, the destination computing device configured to;

(a) receive telematics data that is sampled by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of an originating mobile computing device, via wireless communication or data transmission, the telematics data being generated when the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to an originating vehicle and is located within the originating vehicle, the originating mobile computing device;

(i) having a Telematics Application (App) installed or stored locally in a non-transitory computer-readable memory unit, and

(ii) being associated with an originating driver, the telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, compass heading, and location-related data associated with an operation of the originating vehicle;

(b) analyze the telematics data;

(c) determine that an abnormal travel condition or traffic event exists from the analysis of the telematics data received from the originating mobile computing device having the Telematics App;

(d) determine whether the abnormal travel condition or traffic event is relevant based upon the telematics data by determining whether the abnormal travel condition or traffic event is (i) within a threshold distance of a current location along a route that the destination vehicle is currently traveling, or (ii) ahead of a direction of travel of the destination vehicle by a threshold distance; and

(e) when the abnormal travel condition or traffic event exists and is relevant, to automatically direct or generate a preventive or corrective action that alleviates or avoids a negative impact of the abnormal travel condition or traffic event on the destination driver or the destination vehicle, and displaying insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the destination driver that is based upon a driver risk due to the determined abnormal travel condition or traffic event, so as to promote or reward risk averse behavior and safer driving via the displayed insurance policy pricing adjustment information.

14. The destination computer system of claim 13, wherein the abnormal travel condition or traffic event is based upon the telematics data received from the originating mobile computing device having the Telematics App or image data captured by via the Telematics App, the telematics or image data indicating that the originating vehicle is experiencing high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, an anomalous object posing a risk to the destination driver, or extreme weather conditions.

15. The destination computer system of claim 13, wherein the telematics data includes deceleration, Global Positioning System (GPS) location, lane information, or data of, or associated with, the originating vehicle.

16. The destination computer system of claim 13, wherein the telematics data includes time, left turn, right turn, heading, Global Positioning System (GPS) speed, GPS latitude and longitude, gyroscope data, battery level, and telephone usage information or data of, or associated with, the originating vehicle.

17. The destination computer system of claim 13, wherein the preventive or corrective action taken is:

generating or determining an alert, at or via the destination computing device;

presenting a visual alert, at or via the destination computing device, on a display or display screen associated with the destination computing device;

or

providing an audio or audible alert, at or via the destination computing device.

18. The destination computer system of claim 13, wherein the preventive or corrective action taken is:

generating, determining, or receiving an alternate travel route that avoids a Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the abnormal travel condition or traffic event, at or via the destination computing device; and

presenting the alternative travel route, at or via the destination computing device, on a display or display screen for use by the destination driver;

or

providing audio driving directions for the destination vehicle to travel along the alternate route.

19. The destination computer system of claim 13, wherein the preventive or corrective action taken is:

generating, determining, or receiving an alternate travel route that avoids a Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the abnormal travel condition or traffic event, at or via the destination computing device; and

automatically directing the destination vehicle to take or follow the alternative travel route, at or via the destination computing device,

wherein the destination vehicle is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle that drives itself, via one or more processors, along the alternate travel route.

20. The destination computer system of claim 13, wherein the telematics data is transmitted from the originating mobile computing device directly to smart infrastructure, including a smart stop sign, smart street sign, smart toll both, or smart road-side equipment, markers, or reflectors, and then relayed or transmitted from the smart infrastructure to the destination computing device via wireless communication or data transmission, the telematics data being repeatedly broadcast from a transceiver mounted on, or within, the originating mobile computing device in accordance with a transmission schedule.