Driver Identification System and Methods

• US 20120226421A1
• Filed: 02/23/2012
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automatic Labs Incorporated (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automatic Labs Incorporated (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Jariyasunant, Jerald, Kote, Thejovardhana S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,221,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/51
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction

Abstract

A system for developing a digital signature identifying a specific person operating a vehicle uses a computerized appliance and software or firmware executing from a non-transitory medium on the computerized appliance and providing a first function collecting raw data regarding vehicle operation from sensors implemented in the vehicle during operation by the specific person, a second function analyzing the raw data and identifying at least one pattern of behavior associated with the specific person; and a third function developing a digital signature from the analyzed data for that specific person.

Claims

1. A system for developing a digital signature identifying a specific person operating a vehicle, comprising:

a computerized appliance; and

software or firmware executing from a non-transitory medium on the computerized appliance and providing;

a first function collecting raw data regarding vehicle operation from sensors implemented in the vehicle during operation by the specific person;

a second function analyzing the raw data and identifying at least one pattern of behavior associated with the specific person; and

a third function developing a digital signature from the analyzed data for that specific person.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the computerized appliance communicates with a network-connected server, communicates data to the server, and the server provides at least a part of the development of the digital signature.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the raw data comprises acceleration, deceleration, continued average speed, centrifugal force, braking patters, gearshift manipulation patterns, and frequency of lane changes.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the raw data includes global positioning service (GPS) data coordinates, time reference for vehicle operation, route data associated with vehicle operation, and data about adjustable seating position and mirror alignment position during vehicle operation.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the raw data comprises weather conditions, vehicle and operator combined weight, and traffic conditions during vehicle operation.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein a specific person is designated to the server by the vehicle operator communicating directly to the server.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the computerized appliance is one of a cellular telephone, an iPad, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an in-dash telephone, or a notebook computer enhanced for telephony.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the computerized appliance is a wireless modem-assisted reporting module having electronic access to car diagnostics systems through a fixed engine control unit (ECU).

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital signature developed for the specific person is stored and used for comparison to identify that person as vehicle operator in future vehicle operation sessions.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein digital signatures are developed for more than one specific person associated with a single vehicle, the digital signatures used during vehicle operation to identify which one of multiple persons associated with the single vehicle operators is currently operating the vehicle.

11. A method for developing a digital signature identifying a specific person operating a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting, by a computerized appliance from sensors implemented in the vehicle, and during operation by the specific person, raw data regarding vehicle operation;

(b) analyzing the raw data and identifying at least one pattern of behavior associated with the specific person; and

(c) developing a digital signature from the analyzed data for that specific person.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the computerized appliance communicates with a network-connected server, communicates data to the server, and the server provides at least a part of the development of the digital signature.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the raw data comprises acceleration, deceleration, continued average speed, centrifugal force, braking patters, gearshift manipulation patterns, and frequency of lane changes.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the raw data includes global positioning service (GPS) data coordinates, time reference for vehicle operation, route data associated with vehicle operation, and data about adjustable seating position and mirror alignment position during vehicle operation.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the raw data comprises weather conditions, vehicle and operator combined weight, and traffic conditions during vehicle operation.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein a specific person is designated to the server by the vehicle operator communicating directly to the server.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the computerized appliance is one of a cellular telephone, an iPad, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an in-dash telephone, or a notebook computer enhanced for telephony.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the computerized appliance is a wireless modem-assisted reporting module having electronic access to car diagnostics systems through a fixed engine control unit (ECU).

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the digital signature developed for the specific person is stored and used for comparison to identify that person as vehicle operator in future vehicle operation sessions.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein digital signatures are developed for more than one specific person associated with a single vehicle, the digital signatures used during vehicle operation to identify which one of multiple persons associated with the single vehicle operators is currently operating the vehicle.