Alert notifications utilizing broadcasted telematics data

• US 9,972,209 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2017
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Corp.
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Hayward, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia, Santiago
• Application Number:
  US15/484,791
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 340903
• 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

Geographic location data and telematics data may be collected in real-time by a mobile device within a vehicle, or the vehicle itself. The telematics data may indicate vehicle direction, speed, motion, etc., as well as traffic hazards in the surrounding environment. A remote server may receive the location and telematics data from two vehicles. If an anomalous or hazardous condition exists in the vicinity of the first vehicle, a geographic relationship with the second vehicle is determined, and if within a predetermined distance, an alert or alternate route for the second vehicle is determined and transmitted to the second vehicle. As a result, a negative impact or risk of collision caused by the anomalous condition on the second vehicle is alleviated. The amount of the insured'"'"'s usage of the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevision functionality may be used to calculate or adjust insurance premiums, rates, or discounts.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors, (i) first data indicative of a geographic location of a first and a second vehicle, and (ii) second data indicative of a motion of the first and the second vehicle; and

in response to the one or more processors determining, based upon the first data and the second data, that (i) an anomalous condition is present at the geographic location of the first vehicle, and (ii) a calculated geographic relationship between the first and the second vehicle satisfies a threshold distance condition, transmitting an alert indicative of the anomalous condition to a computing device associated with the second vehicle,

wherein the alert alleviates a risk of the second vehicle experiencing a physical vehicle collision as a result of the anomalous condition.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the act of receiving the first and the second data comprises:

receiving the first data from a first mobile computing device that is travelling within the first vehicle; and

receiving the second data from a second mobile computing device that is travelling within the second vehicle.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second data includes data selected from one or more of, and not limited to all of:

a timestamp;

one or more sensor metrics indicative of braking motion of the first vehicle;

one or more sensor metrics indicative of acceleration motion of the first vehicle;

one or more sensor metrics indicative of cornering motion of the first vehicle; and

one or more sensor metrics indicative of a direction of the first vehicle.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the act of determining whether an anomalous condition is present at the geographic location of the first vehicle comprises:

determining whether a speed of the first vehicle is less than a threshold speed.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating, by one or more processors, a geofence around the first vehicle, and

wherein the calculated geographic relationship between the first and the second vehicle satisfies the threshold distance condition when the second vehicle is located within the geofence around the first vehicle.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting, by one or more processors, the threshold distance condition based upon a calculated population density corresponding to the geographic location of the first vehicle or the second vehicle.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the calculated geographic relationship between the first and the second vehicle satisfies the threshold distance condition when the second vehicle is located less than a threshold distance from the first vehicle.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the computing device associated with the second vehicle is a mobile computing device, the method further comprising:

identifying, by one or more processors, an insured customer associated with the mobile computing device; and

adjusting, by one or more processors, an insurance policy, premium, or discount for the insured customer based upon the mobile computing device being configured to receive transmitted alerts indicative of anomalous conditions.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the computing device associated with the second vehicle is a mobile computing device, the method further comprising:

identifying, by one or more processors, an insured customer associated with the mobile computing device;

monitoring, by one or more processors, a usage amount associated with the insured customer driving the second vehicle while the mobile computing device is configured to receive transmitted alerts indicative of anomalous conditions; and

adjusting, by one or more processors, an insurance policy, premium, or discount for the insured customer based upon the usage amount.

10. A non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium storing machine readable instructions for generating alerts that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive (i) first data indicative of a geographic location of a first and a second vehicle, and (ii) second data indicative of a motion of the first and the second vehicle; and

in response to the one or more processors determining, based upon the first data and the second data, that (i) an anomalous condition is present at the geographic location of the first vehicle, and (ii) a calculated geographic relationship between the first and the second vehicle satisfies a threshold distance condition, transmit an alert indicative of the anomalous condition to a computing device associated with the second vehicle,

wherein the alert warns a driver of the second vehicle of the anomalous condition to reduce a risk of the second vehicle experiencing a physical vehicle collision as a result of the anomalous condition.

11. The non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions to receive the first and the second data include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive the first data from a first mobile computing device that is travelling within the first vehicle; and

receive the second data from a second mobile computing device that is travelling within the second vehicle.

12. The non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the second data includes data selected from one or more of, and not limited to all of:

a timestamp;

one or more sensor metrics indicative of braking motion of the first vehicle;

one or more sensor metrics indicative of acceleration motion of the first vehicle;

one or more sensor metrics indicative of cornering motion of the first vehicle;

one or more sensor metrics indicative of a direction of the first vehicle.

13. The non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions to determine whether the anomalous condition is present at the geographic location of the first vehicle include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine whether a speed of the first vehicle is less than a threshold speed.

14. The non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, further including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

calculate a geofence around the first vehicle, and

wherein the instructions to generate the alert further include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine that the threshold distance condition is satisfied when the second vehicle is located within the geofence around the first vehicle.

15. The non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, further including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

adjust the threshold distance condition based upon a calculated population density corresponding to the geographic location of the first vehicle or the second vehicle.

16. The non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions to generate the alert further include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine that the threshold distance condition is satisfied when the second vehicle is located less than a threshold distance from the first vehicle.

17. A first mobile computing device located within a first vehicle, comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive data from a second mobile computing device located within a second vehicle, the data being indicative of a geographic location of the second vehicle and a motion of the second vehicle; and

a processor configured to determine whether an anomalous condition is present at the geographic location of the second vehicle based upon the received data,

wherein the communication unit is further configured to generate an alert indicative of the anomalous condition in response to (i) the processor determining that the anomalous condition is present at the geographic location of the second vehicle, and (ii) a calculated geographic relationship between the first and second vehicle satisfying a threshold distance condition, and

wherein the alert warns a driver of the first vehicle of the anomalous condition to reduce a risk of the first vehicle experiencing a physical vehicle collision as a result of the anomalous condition.

18. The first mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the communication unit is further configured to receive the data via (i) peer-to-peer communications between the first mobile computing device and a second mobile computing device located within the second vehicle, or (ii) network communications between the first mobile computing device and the second mobile computing device.

19. The first mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the threshold distance condition based upon a calculated population density corresponding to the geographic location of the first vehicle or the second vehicle.

20. The first mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the anomalous condition is present at the geographic location of the second vehicle based upon whether a speed of the second vehicle is less than a threshold speed.