Virtual carpooling

• US 9,900,354 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2015
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate Corporation)
• Inventors: Thome, Lindsey Jo, Kozlowski, Tara Cavallaro
• Primary Examiner(s): Gortayo, Dangelino
• Application Number:
  US14/619,376
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 707740, 707736, 707758, 707608, 707732, 707780, 707916, 455416, 4554141, 370260
• 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: G06F 16/25 Integrating or interfacing systems involving database management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/285 Clustering or classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1066 Session management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1089 by adding media; by removing media
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1093 by adding participants; by removing participants
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• 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 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

A system comprising a first computing device operated by a first driver, a second computing device operated by a second driver, and a server is disclosed. The server may determine one or more characteristics of the first driver based on at least one of listening preferences or telematics data of the first driver. Based on the one or more characteristics of the first driver, the server may assign the first driver to a conference. The server may receive a request from the second computing device for the second driver to participate in conferencing. The server may determine that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches one of the one or more characteristics of the first driver and may assign the second driver to the conference with the first driver. The server may bridge the first driver and the second driver in the conference.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first computing device operated by a first driver;

a second computing device operated by a second driver; and

a server comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the server to;

receive, from the first computing device, a first request for the first driver to participate in conferencing;

determine one or more characteristics of the first driver based on first driving behavior data corresponding to a vehicle driven by the first driver;

receive, from the first computing device, first audio played in the vehicle driven by the first driver and detected by the first computing device;

determine first listening preferences of the first driver based on the first audio detected by the first computing device;

based on the one or more characteristics of the first driver and based on the first listening preferences of the first driver, assign the first driver to a conference;

receive, from the second computing device, a second request for the second driver to participate in conferencing;

determine one or more characteristics of the second driver based on second driving behavior data corresponding to a vehicle driven by the second driver;

determine, based on the one or more characteristics of the second driver, that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver;

receive, from the second computing device, second audio played in the vehicle driven by the second driver and detected by the second computing device;

determine second listening preferences of the second driver based on the second audio detected by the second computing device;

based on determining the first listening preferences of the first driver and the second listening preferences of the second driver, determine that the first driver and the second driver have at least one shared listening preference;

based on determining that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver and based on determining that the first driver and the second driver have at least one shared listening preference, assign the second driver to the conference with the first driver; and

bridge the first computing device operated by the first driver and the second computing device operated by the second driver in the conference.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein receiving the first request for the first driver to participate in conferencing comprises receiving, from the first computing device, information indicating one or more preferred conferences to which the first driver wishes to be added, and wherein the first request is submitted by a speech input from the first driver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on the first driving behavior data comprises determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on real-time data that is collected by sensors in the vehicle driven by the first driver while the first driver is driving.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein bridging the first computing device operated by the first driver and the second computing device operated by the second driver in the conference comprising bridging, to the conference, one or more additional computing devices operated by one or more additional drivers each having at least one matching characteristic with the first driver and the second driver and each having the at least one shared listening preference of the first driver and the second driver.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein determining that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver comprises determining that a driving pattern of the second driver matches a driving pattern of the first driver, a driving score of the second driver matches a driving score of the first driver, or an insurance score of the second driver matches an insurance score of the first driver.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein determining the first listening preferences of the first driver based on the first audio detected by the first computing device comprises determining the first listening preferences of the first driver based on captured audio associated with a radio station played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with an artist played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a song played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a genre played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a radio personality played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, or captured audio associated with a podcast played in the vehicle driven by the first driver.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory stores additional instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the server to:

collect the first driving behavior data corresponding to the vehicle driven by the first driver over a predetermined period of time; and

determine one or more driving patterns of the first driver based on the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time,

wherein determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on the first driving behavior data comprises determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on the one or more driving patterns of the first driver.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein collecting the first driving behavior data corresponding to the vehicle driven by the first driver over the predetermined period of time comprises collecting the first driving behavior data based on a billing cycle or billing period associated with an insurance policy associated with the first driver.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein determining the one or more driving patterns of the first driver comprises determining the one or more driving patterns of the first driver based on one or more of driving speeds indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, acceleration indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, braking indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, steering indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, uses of turn signals indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, miles driven indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, an amount of time driven at night indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, or an amount of time driven during daytime indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time.

10. A method comprising:

at a server comprising at least one processor and at least one memory;

receiving, by the at least one processor, from a first computing device operated by a first driver, a first request for the first driver to participate in conferencing;

determining, by the at least one processor, one or more characteristics of the first driver based on first driving behavior data corresponding to a vehicle driven by the first driver;

receiving, by the at least one processor, from the first computing device, first audio played in the vehicle driven by the first driver and detected by the first computing device;

determining, by the at least one processor, first listening preferences of the first driver based on the first audio detected by the first computing device;

based on the one or more characteristics of the first driver and based on the first listening preferences of the first driver, assigning, by the at least one processor, the first driver to a conference;

receiving, by the at least one processor, from a second computing device operated by a second driver, a second request for the second driver to participate in conferencing;

determining, by the at least one processor, one or more characteristics of the second driver based on second driving behavior data corresponding to a vehicle driven by the second driver;

determining, by the at least one processor, based on the one or more characteristics of the second driver, that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver;

receiving, by the at least one processor, from the second computing device, second audio played in the vehicle driven by the second driver and detected by the second computing device;

determining, by the at least one processor, second listening preferences of the second driver based on the second audio detected by the second computing device;

based on determining the first listening preferences of the first driver and the second listening preferences of the second driver, determining, by the at least one processor, that the first driver and the second driver have at least one shared listening preference;

based on determining that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver and based on determining that the first driver and the second driver have at least one shared listening preference, assigning, by the at least one processor, the second driver to the conference with the first driver; and

bridging, by the at least one processor, the first computing device operated by the first driver and the second computing device operated by the second driver in the conference.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the first request for the first driver to participate in conferencing comprises receiving, from the first computing device, information indicating one or more preferred conferences to which the first driver wishes to be added, and wherein the first request is submitted by a speech input from the first driver.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on the first driving behavior data comprises determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on real-time data that is collected by sensors in the vehicle driven by the first driver while the first driver is driving.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein bridging the first computing device operated by the first driver and the second computing device operated by the second driver in the conference comprising bridging, to the conference, one or more additional computing devices operated by one or more additional drivers each having at least one matching characteristic with the first driver and the second driver and each having the at least one shared listening preference of the first driver and the second driver.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein determining that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver comprises determining that a driving pattern of the second driver matches a driving pattern of the first driver, a driving score of the second driver matches a driving score of the first driver, or an insurance score of the second driver matches an insurance score of the first driver.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the first listening preferences of the first driver based on the first audio detected by the first computing device comprises determining the first listening preferences of the first driver based on captured audio associated with a radio station played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with an artist played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a song played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a genre played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a radio personality played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, or captured audio associated with a podcast played in the vehicle driven by the first driver.

16. The method of claim 10, comprising:

collecting, by the at least one processor, the first driving behavior data corresponding to the vehicle driven by the first driver over a predetermined period of time; and

determining, by the at least one processor, one or more driving patterns of the first driver based on the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time,

wherein determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on the first driving behavior data comprises determining the one or more characteristics of the first driver based on the one or more driving patterns of the first driver.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein collecting the first driving behavior data corresponding to the vehicle driven by the first driver over the predetermined period of time comprises collecting the first driving behavior data based on a billing cycle or billing period associated with an insurance policy associated with the first driver.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the one or more driving patterns of the first driver comprises determining the one or more driving patterns of the first driver based on one or more of driving speeds indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, acceleration indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, braking indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, steering indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, uses of turn signals indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, miles driven indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, an amount of time driven at night indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time, or an amount of time driven during daytime indicated in the first driving behavior data collected over the predetermined period of time.

19. One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions that, when executed by a server comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, cause the server to:

receive, from a first computing device operated by a first driver, a first request for the first driver to participate in conferencing;

determine one or more characteristics of the first driver based on first driving behavior data corresponding to a vehicle driven by the first driver;

receive, from the first computing device, first audio played in the vehicle driven by the first driver and detected by the first computing device;

determine first listening preferences of the first driver based on the first audio detected by the first computing device;

based on the one or more characteristics of the first driver and based on the first listening preferences of the first driver, assign the first driver to a conference;

receive, from a second computing device operated by a second driver, a second request for the second driver to participate in conferencing;

determine one or more characteristics of the second driver based on second driving behavior data corresponding to a vehicle driven by the second driver;

determine, based on the one or more characteristics of the second driver, that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver;

receive, from the second computing device, second audio played in the vehicle driven by the second driver and detected by the second computing device;

determine second listening preferences of the second driver based on the second audio detected by the second computing device;

based on determining the first listening preferences of the first driver and the second listening preferences of the second driver, determine that the first driver and the second driver have at least one shared listening preference;

based on determining that the second driver has at least one characteristic that matches at least one characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first driver and based on determining that the first driver and the second driver have at least one shared listening preference, assign the second driver to the conference with the first driver; and

bridge the first computing device operated by the first driver and the second computing device operated by the second driver in the conference.

20. The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 19, wherein determining the first listening preferences of the first driver based on the first audio detected by the first computing device comprises determining the first listening preferences of the first driver based on captured audio associated with a radio station played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with an artist played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a song played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a genre played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, captured audio associated with a radio personality played in the vehicle driven by the first driver, or captured audio associated with a podcast played in the vehicle driven by the first driver.