MOBILE DEVICE DISTANCE TRACKING

• US 20160035042A1
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Published: 02/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mileiq, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobile Data Labs, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: BOMZE, Daniel S., BOMZE, Howard A., GOODWIN, Daniel Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,721,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/10 Tax strategies
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

In an example, the present invention provides a method for capturing vehicle mileage information. The method includes initiating an application program configured on the mobile wireless device without any user input required to start tracking a drive. The method includes initiating movement of the mobile wireless device. The method includes using a mapping module to track a start point of a route for the mobile wireless device. The method includes moving the mobile wireless device from the start point through one or more legs. The method includes using algorithms or traffic data to identify one or more of the legs as a route or drive.

Claims

1. A method for capturing vehicle mileage information, the method comprising:

providing a mobile wireless device;

initiating an application program, under control of a processor, configured on the mobile wireless device without any user input;

initiating movement of the mobile wireless device;

using a mapping module to track a start point of a drive for the mobile wireless device;

moving the mobile wireless device from the start point through one or more legs of the drive;

using data or a predefined method to identify one or more of the legs;

identifying a stop point using the mapping module from the start point through the one or more legs;

using data or a predefined method to identify the leg(s) as the drive;

storing information associated with the drive in a user'"'"'s account which can be accessed at anytime for further classification for mileage reimbursement or deduction purposes;

outputting, on a display of the mobile wireless device, a graphical representation of the route beginning from the start point to the stop point; and

concurrently outputting a number representative of a distance between the start point and the stop point; and

adding the number representative of the distance to a total associated with the category.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the initiating, using, moving, using, identifying, and outputting are provided free from input from a user of the mobile wireless device;

the method further comprising swiping a portion of the graphical representation via a touch input coupled to the display to move the graphical representation in one of a plurality of directions outside of the display, each of the directions being indicative of a classification associated with the route.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more legs are configured together in the route using mapping information and the traffic data derived from a third party information source;

and further comprising classifying the route, the classifying being at least one of swiping a portion of the graphical representation via a touch input coupled to the display to move the graphical representation in one of a plurality of directions outside of the display, each of the directions being indicative of a classification associated with the route.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising using information from a calendar program to identify a purpose of the route.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising using credit card information from a purchase using the credit card within a time frame of associated with the route to identify a purpose for the route.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphical representation of the route is output as a card associated with the route.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising outputting a plurality of other graphical representations of another route numbered from 2 through N, where N is an integer greater than 2, whereupon the outputting is provided in a sequential manner from a first card associated with the first route to an Nth card associated with the Nth card.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising swiping provided using a single hand of a user.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying cumulative total information representative of distance and value.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising outputting a plurality of other graphical representations of another route numbered from 2 through N, where N is an integer greater than 2, whereupon the outputting is provided in a sequential manner from a first card associated with the first route to an Nth card associated with the Nth card, each of the cards being outputted separately from the other cards.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting an indicator associated with the route, and switching to a graphical input screen, the graphical input screen having one or more fields to input a detail of the route;

and storing the graphical input screen with the input with the route.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising outputting a monetary value associated with the route;

and outputting a cumulative monetary value associated with a predetermined time frequency of use.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically classifying the route based upon a time of day.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically classifying the route based upon one or more locations.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating information using Bluetooth pairing from a vehicle to the application via a Bluetooth communication device.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising inputting toll data associated with the route based upon either map data or an electronic toll payment.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising inputting parking information based upon a credit card information, a parking application, or mapping data.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising transferring a report associated with the application via email or other communication device either directly to the user or to other third party software or service.

19. The method of claim 18 where the report has the the summary information required to prepare tax filings or submit to an employer for reimbursement and/or some combination business classified miles, personal classified miles, commute classified miles, parking expenses and toll expenses which may be further ordered by the user'"'"'s vehicle(s).

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising converting a monetary measurement based upon a geographical location identified by the application program.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically classifying the route using a preference set by the user or comprising automatically classifying the route based on past classifications by the user or further comprising enabling the user to name a location and display that name thereafter when that location is shown.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the application to automatically classify a drive to a location based on the name the user gives it or based on past classification of a drive to that location by a user.

23. The method of claim 1 where the default value of the drives is determined based on information about the user'"'"'s vehicle or cumulative distance traveled for the year or based on user input of default values or based on inputs from a third party software tool that provides governmental, tax or corporate mileage reimbursement or deduction rates.

24. The method of claim 1 where the user can generate a report which has the summary information required to prepare tax filings or submit to an employer for reimbursement.

25. The method of claim 1 where the service associated with the application is sold as a subscription on a monthly or annual basis.

26. The method of claim 1 where the service associated with the application is sold and priced based on the number of drives a user logs or monies classified or reported.

27. The method of claim 1 where the service associated with the application is provided free of charge on an ongoing basis but the number of drives a user can interact with beyond a time or drive threshold is limited if they have not purchased a subscription.