Facilitating safer vehicle travel utilizing telematics data

• US 10,042,364 B1
• Filed: 01/03/2018
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• 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 L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Yuen H
• Application Number:
  US15/860,841
• Time in Patent Office: 216 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

Various devices are described, which are configured to use telematics data from one driver to facilitate safer vehicle travel for another driver. A remote server may include (1) a communication unit configured to receive a broadcast including telematics data generated and transmitted from a first mobile device or smart vehicle; and (2) a processor configured to determine (i) a travel event; (ii) a GPS location of the travel event; and/or (iii) an estimated or actual geographical or temporal scope of the travel event from computer analysis of the telematics data. The remote server may transmit a travel event-related wireless communication to a second mobile device or smart vehicle to facilitate safer vehicle travel for a second driver or vehicle based upon the telematics data associated with the first driver/vehicle. Insurance discounts may be provided for individuals or vehicles based upon having or using the risk mitigation or prevention functionality.

Claims

1. A remote server configured to use telematics data associated with a first vehicle to facilitate safer vehicle travel for a second vehicle, the remote server comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive telematics data that is (i) sampled by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of a first computing device, and (ii) generated when the one or more sensors indicate that the first computing device, which is associated with a first driver, is stationary with respect to the first vehicle and is located within the first vehicle; and

a processor configured to (i) identify a travel event, and (ii) generate a travel event-related data transmission indicative of information associated with the travel event based upon an analysis of the telematics data,

wherein the communication unit is further configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to a second computing device or the second vehicle, which is associated with a second driver, when the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle, to thereby cause at least one of the second computing device or the second vehicle to

(1) at least one of

(i) provide, via the second computing device, a graphical user interface (GUI) including a display of

(a) an indication of a description of the travel event, the indication of the description of the travel event including at least one of a text indication of the description or a graphical indication of the description, and

(b) an indication of a location of the travel event, the indication of the location of the travel event including at least one of a text indication of the location, a graphical indication of the location, or a map indicating the location, or

(ii) direct at least one other preventive or corrective action that affects driving of the second vehicle, and

(2) display insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the second 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,

wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle associated with the second driver based upon whether the location of the travel event, as determined based upon the telematics data, is within a threshold distance of a current location of the second computing device or the second vehicle,

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

2. The remote server of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle associated with the second driver when the travel event is located on a same road as that of the second computing device or the second vehicle.

3. The remote server of claim 1, wherein the telematics data indicates that the first vehicle is experiencing one or more of high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, and extreme weather conditions.

4. The remote server of claim 1, wherein the telematics data is indicative of one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) speed, GPS location, lane information associated with the first vehicle, time, turning associated with the first vehicle, GPS latitude and longitude, battery level associated with the first vehicle, and telephone usage information associated the first vehicle.

5. The remote server of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is further configured to relay the telematics data to smart infrastructure.

6. The remote server of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to the second computing device or the second vehicle to thereby cause the at least one of the second computing device or the second vehicle to (i) generate an alternate travel route that avoids the location of the travel event, and (ii) present the alternate travel route via the GUI.

7. The remote server of claim 1, wherein the second vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, and wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to the second computing device or the second vehicle to thereby cause the second vehicle to autonomously follow an alternate travel route that avoids the location of the travel event.

8. A smart infrastructure component configured to use telematics data from a first vehicle to facilitate safer travel for a second vehicle, the smart infrastructure component comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive telematics data that is (i) sampled by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of a first computing device, and (ii) generated when the one or more sensors indicate that the first computing device, which is associated with a first driver, is stationary with respect to the first vehicle and is located within the first vehicle; and

a processor configured to (i) identify a travel event, and (ii) generate a travel event-related data transmission indicative of information associated with the travel event based upon an analysis of the telematics data,

wherein the communication unit is further configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to a second computing device or the second vehicle, which is associated with a second driver, when the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle, to thereby cause at least one of the second computing device or the second vehicle to

(1) at least one of

(i) provide, via the second computing device, a graphical user interface (GUI) including a display of

(a) an indication of a description of the travel event, the indication of the description of the travel event including at least one of a text indication of the description or a graphical indication of the description, and

(b) an indication of a location of the travel event, the indication of the location of the travel event including at least one of a text indication of the location, a graphical indication of the location, or a map indicating the location, or

(ii) direct at least one other preventive or corrective action that affects driving of the second vehicle, and

(2) display insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the second 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,

wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle associated with the second driver based upon whether the location of the travel event, as determined based upon the telematics data, is within a threshold distance of a current location of the second computing device or the second vehicle,

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

9. The smart infrastructure component of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle associated with the second driver when the travel event is located on a same road as that of the second computing device or the second vehicle.

10. The smart infrastructure component of claim 8, wherein the telematics data indicates that the first vehicle is experiencing one or more of high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, and extreme weather conditions.

11. The smart infrastructure component of claim 8, wherein the telematics data is indicative of one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) speed, GPS location, lane information associated with the first vehicle, time, turning associated with the first vehicle, GPS latitude and longitude, battery level associated with the first vehicle, and telephone usage information associated the first vehicle.

12. The smart infrastructure component of claim 8, wherein the communication unit is further configured to receive the telematics data relayed from a remote server, the remote server initially receiving the telematics data.

13. The smart infrastructure component of claim 8, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to the second computing device or the second vehicle to thereby cause the at least one of the second computing device or the second vehicle to (i) generate an alternate travel route that avoids the location of the travel event, and (ii) present the alternate travel route via the GUI.

14. The smart infrastructure component of claim 8, wherein the second vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, and wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to the second computing device or the second vehicle to thereby cause the second vehicle to autonomously follow an alternate travel route that avoids the location of the travel event.

15. An intermediate mobile computing device configured to use telematics data from a first vehicle to facilitate safer vehicle travel for a second vehicle, the intermediate mobile device comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive telematics data that is (i) sampled by one or more sensors that are incorporated as part of a first computing device, and (ii) generated when the one or more sensors indicate that the first computing device, which is associated with a first driver, is stationary with respect to the first vehicle and is located within the first vehicle; and

a processor configured to (i) identify a travel event, and (ii) generate a travel event-related data transmission indicative of information associated with the travel event based upon an analysis of the telematics data,

wherein the communication unit is further configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to a second computing device or the second vehicle, which is associated with a second driver, when the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle, to thereby cause at least one of the second computing device or the second vehicle to

(1) at least one of

(i) provide, via the second computing device, a graphical user interface (GUI) including a display of

(a) an indication of a description of the travel event, the indication of the description of the travel event including at least one of a text indication of the description or a graphical indication of the description, and

(b) an indication of a location of the travel event, the indication of the location of the travel event including at least one of a text indication of the location, a graphical indication of the location, or a map indicating the location, or

(ii) direct at least one other preventive or corrective action that affects driving of the second vehicle, and

(2) display insurance policy pricing adjustment information associated with the second 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,

wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle associated with the second driver based upon whether the location of the travel event, as determined based upon the telematics data, is within a threshold distance of a current location of the second computing device or the second vehicle, and

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

16. The intermediate mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the travel event is relevant to the second computing device or the second vehicle associated with the second driver when the travel event is located on a same road as that of the second computing device or the second vehicle.

17. The intermediate mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the telematics data indicates that the first vehicle is experiencing one or more of high traffic conditions, congestion, road construction, and extreme weather conditions.

18. The intermediate mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the telematics data is indicative of one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) speed, GPS location, lane information associated with the first vehicle, time, turning associated with the first vehicle, GPS latitude and longitude, battery level associated with the first vehicle, and telephone usage information associated the first vehicle.

19. The intermediate mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to the second computing device or the second vehicle to thereby cause the at least one of the second computing device or the second vehicle to (i) generate an alternate travel route that avoids the location of the travel event, and (ii) present the alternate travel route via the GUI.

20. The intermediate mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the second vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, and wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the travel event-related data transmission to the second computing device or the second vehicle to thereby cause the second vehicle to autonomously follow an alternate travel route that avoids the location of the travel event.