Determining corrective actions based upon broadcast of telematics data originating from another vehicle

• US 9,836,963 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:
  US14/990,116
• 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 mobile device configured to receive telematics data from another vehicle when the mobile device is traveling in a moving vehicle and take corrective action when a travel event exists may be provided. The mobile device may receive telematics data associated with an originating vehicle, analyze the telematics data, and determine or identify that a travel event associated with the originating vehicle exists and, when the travel event is determined to exist, determine whether the travel event is relevant to the moving vehicle or a route that the moving vehicle is presently traveling, and if so, direct corrective action such that safer vehicle travel for the moving vehicle is facilitated based upon the telematics data that is collected by the originating vehicle. An insurance provider may collect an insured'"'"'s usage of the vehicle safety functionality to calculate, update, and/or adjust insurance premiums, rates, discounts, points, or programs.

Claims

1. A destination mobile computing device configured to receive telematics data when the destination mobile computing device is traveling in a destination vehicle associated with a driver, and to take corrective action when a travel event exists, the destination mobile computing device comprising:

a memory unit configured to store computer-readable instructions;

a transceiver configured to receive (i) telematics data generated by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of an originating mobile computing device, or (ii) a telematics-related message via a data transmission or wireless communication,

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, and the telematics-related message being generated by and transmitted from the originating mobile computing device and being indicative of a travel event at a location of the originating mobile computing device based upon the generated telematics data; and

a processor interconnected or in communication with the memory unit and the transceiver, the processor being configured to;

(i) analyze the telematics data or the telematics-related message and determine or identify that a travel event exists that is associated with the originating vehicle; and

(ii) when the travel event is determined to exist, determine whether the travel event is relevant to the destination vehicle or to a route that the destination vehicle is presently traveling by determining whether a location of the originating vehicle as determined based upon the telematics data or the telematics-related message is within a threshold distance of a current location of the destination mobile computing device; and

(iii) when the travel event is relevant to the destination vehicle, to direct corrective action and display insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the driver that is based upon a driver risk due to the identified travel event, so as to promote or reward risk averse behavior and safer driving via the displayed insurance policy pricing adjustment information, and

wherein the telematics data is indicative of acceleration, braking, cornering, and a location of the originating vehicle.

2. The destination mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the travel event is based upon or determined from the telematics data that reveals vehicle, traffic, congestion, road construction, or weather conditions.

3. The destination mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the telematics data is indicative of speed, deceleration, or lane information associated with the originating vehicle or the originating mobile computing device.

4. The destination mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the telematics data is indicative 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 associated with the originating vehicle or the originating mobile computing device.

5. The destination mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the corrective action includes one or more of generating, displaying, and providing an alert for the driver of the destination vehicle.

6. The destination mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the corrective action includes re-routing the destination vehicle to avoid the travel event.

7. The destination mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to generate usage data associated with a time-based or a mileage-based usage of the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality provided by the destination mobile computing device, and

wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the usage data to an insurance provider remote server to facilitate an insurance provider providing an insurance discount based upon an amount of usage of the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality.

8. A smart vehicle control system of a smart vehicle associated with a driver, the smart vehicle control system being configured to receive telematics data when the smart vehicle is traveling and to take corrective action when a relevant travel event exists, the smart vehicle control system comprising:

a memory unit configured to store computer readable instructions, vehicle navigation information, or virtual road maps;

a transceiver configured to receive (i) telematics data generated by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of an originating mobile computing device, or (ii) a telematics-related message via a data transmission or wireless communication, 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, and the telematics-related message being generated by and transmitted from the originating mobile computing device and being indicative of a travel event at a location of the originating mobile computing device based upon the generated telematics data;

a processor interconnected or in communication with the memory unit and the transceiver, the processor being configured to;

(i) analyze the telematics data or the telematics-related message and determine or identify that a travel event exists that is associated with the originating vehicle,

(ii) when the travel event is determined to exist, to determine whether the travel event is relevant to the smart vehicle by determining whether a Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the travel event based upon the telematics data or the telematics-related message is within a threshold distance of a present GPS location of the smart vehicle, and

(iii) when the travel event is relevant to the smart vehicle, to direct corrective action and to display insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the driver that is based upon a driver risk due to the identified travel event, so as to promote or reward risk averse behavior and safer driving via the displayed insurance policy pricing adjustment information,

wherein the telematics data is indicative of acceleration, braking, cornering, and location of the originating vehicle.

9. The smart vehicle control system of claim 8, wherein the travel event is based upon or determined from the telematics data that reveals vehicle, traffic, congestion, road construction, or weather conditions.

10. The smart vehicle control system of claim 8, wherein the telematics data is indicative of speed, deceleration, or lane information associated with the originating vehicle or the originating mobile computing device.

11. The smart vehicle control system of claim 8, wherein the telematics data is indicative of time, left turn, right turn, heading, GPS speed, GPS latitude and longitude, gyroscope data, battery level, or telephone usage information or data associated with the originating vehicle or the originating mobile computing device.

12. The smart vehicle control system of claim 8, wherein the corrective action includes one or more of generating, providing, or displaying an audible or visual alert or recommendation for the driver of the smart vehicle.

13. The smart vehicle control system of claim 8, wherein the corrective action includes calculating an alternate route to a destination that avoids the travel event and displaying the alternate route.

14. The smart vehicle control system of claim 8, wherein the corrective action includes (i) receiving an alternate route that avoids the travel event;

or (ii) re-routing the smart vehicle to avoid the travel event.

15. The smart vehicle control system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to generate usage data associated with a time-based or a mileage-based usage of the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality provided by the smart vehicle control system, and

wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the usage data to an insurance provider remote server to facilitate an insurance provider providing an insurance discount based upon an amount of usage of the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality.

16. A destination mobile computing device associated with a destination vehicle, the destination mobile computing device configured to listen for and receive telematics data from an originating mobile computing device located within an originating vehicle, the destination mobile computing device comprising:

a processor configured to listen for a recurring periodic telematics data broadcast or transmission that is transmitted by the originating mobile computing device, the telematics data broadcast or transmission including the telematics data that is generated by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of the originating mobile computing device when the one or more sensors indicate that the originating mobile computing device is stationary with respect to the originating vehicle and is located within the originating vehicle, and the telematics data being indicative of an acceleration, braking, cornering, and-location-related data of the originating vehicle; and

a receiver configured to receive, via wireless communication or data transmission, the telematics data broadcast or transmission,

wherein the processor is further configured to activate the receiver when it is determined that the telematics broadcast or transmission exists or is within reception range, and

wherein the processor is further configured to analyze data included within the telematics data broadcast or transmission to determine whether a travel event associated with the originating vehicle has occurred, and to determine whether the travel event is relevant to the destination vehicle based upon whether a location of the originating vehicle, as determined based upon the telematics data, is within a threshold distance of a current location of the destination mobile computing device or the destination vehicle; and

when the travel event is determined by the processor to be relevant to the destination vehicle, to direct a corrective or preventive action and to display insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the destination vehicle that is based upon a driver risk due to the identified travel event, so as to promote or reward risk averse behavior and safer driving via the displayed insurance policy pricing adjustment information by using the telematics data.

17. The destination mobile computing device of claim 16, wherein the corrective or preventive action includes generating a warning or an alert to a driver of the destination vehicle.

18. The destination mobile computing device of claim 16, wherein the corrective or preventive action includes generating an alternate route for the destination vehicle that avoids a Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the travel event, or re-routing the destination vehicle to avoid the travel event.

19. The destination mobile computing device of claim 16, wherein the telematics data includes data indicative of speed, deceleration, or lane information associated with originating vehicle.

20. The destination mobile computing device of claim 16, wherein the telematics data includes data indicative 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 associated with the originating mobile computing device or the originating vehicle.