SYSTEM FOR MONITORING VEHICLE AND OPERATOR BEHAVIOR
A system for monitoring operator and motor vehicle behavior, including at least one mobile device; application software resident on the mobile device, wherein the application software is operative to gather and record information relevant to both the behavior of a motor vehicle and the behavior of an operator of the motor vehicle, and wherein the application software is activated or deactivated based on certain predetermined trigger events; and at least one information processor in communication with and/or resident on the mobile device, wherein the information processor is operative to process and characterize the information gathered by the application software and communicate the processed and characterized information to a user of the system.
This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/477,475 filed on May 22, 2012, and entitled “System for Monitoring Vehicle and Operator Behavior” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. utility patent application for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe described invention relates in general to systems and methods for monitoring both the behavior of a vehicle and the behavior of an individual operating the vehicle, and more specifically to a system for monitoring and recording the behavior of a vehicle and the behavior of the individual operating the vehicle using a mobile device such as a cell phone, smartphone, or the like.
Conventional methods of monitoring the behavior of an operator, when operating a motor vehicle, typically require installation of one or more monitoring devices in the vehicle. Such devices may include an onboard computer and multiple sensors that collect vehicle operation data such as, for example, speed, location, and time of day or data readers that plug directly into an on-board diagnostic port. As such, these monitoring systems are not designed to be portable and cannot be easily transferred from one vehicle to another. Furthermore, incorrect installation may interfere with the normal and safe operation of the vehicle. Additionally, these monitoring systems may limit the monitoring and recording of data to the operation/function of the motor vehicle itself and may not monitor and record information regarding the operator's own behavior (such as texting or phone usage), which may cause distraction and diminish the ability of the operator to safely operate the motor vehicle. Therefore, there is an ongoing need for a system for monitoring vehicles and the operators of those vehicles that is portable, does not require installation in the vehicle, and that records information regarding both the behavior and functions of the vehicle and the behavior of the person driving or otherwise operating the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe following provides a summary of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system for monitoring the behavior of a motor vehicle and the behavior of an operator of that motor vehicle is provided. This system includes at least one mobile device, wherein the mobile device is not physically installed in the motor vehicle being monitored; wherein the mobile device further includes hardware, software, sensors, and communication functions; wherein the mobile device further includes at least one information processor resident on the mobile device or in communication with the mobile device; and wherein the hardware, software, sensors, communication functions and the information processor are operative to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the behavior of motor vehicle; behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle; details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated; details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated; or combinations thereof; and at least one application software resident on the mobile device, wherein the at least one application software interfaces with the hardware, software, sensors, communication functions and the information processor to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the behavior of the motor vehicle; behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle; details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated; details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated; or combinations thereof; and wherein the at least one application software is activated and deactivated based on certain predetermined trigger events.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an alternate system for for monitoring the behavior of a motor vehicle and the behavior of an operator of that motor vehicle, comprising: at least one mobile device, wherein the mobile device is not physically connected to the motor vehicle being monitored; wherein the mobile device includes hardware, software, sensors, and communication functions; wherein the hardware, software, sensors, and communication functions included in the mobile device are operative to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the behavior of motor vehicle, the behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle, details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated, details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated, or combinations thereof; at least one central control system that includes additional hardware, software, databases, algorithms, and communication functions; wherein the databases further include information collected from the at least one mobile device and additional information about the operator, the motor vehicle, geography, environment, or combinations thereof; wherein the central control system is operative to aggregate and augment data collected from the at least one mobile device; wherein the additional hardware, software, databases, algorithms and communication functions included in the central control system are operative to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the operator, vehicle, geography, environment, or combinations thereof; and at least one information processor.
Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein:
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form for purposes of simplifying the description. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.
The present invention relates to a system for monitoring both the behavior of a motor vehicle and the behavior of the operator of that motor vehicle (while the vehicle is being driven or otherwise operated). Relevant data is collected using a mobile telephone, smart phone or other portable device and transmitted to a remote server where the data is further processed, characterized, and reported back to the operator and/or to another end-user of the system. One or more algorithms included in this invention may be used, developed, or updated to analyze data gathered by the system and assign a comparative risk rating (or other characterization) to the operator of a vehicle. Data recorded and/or derived from data gathered by this invention may be used for other purposes such as, for example, determining the cost of vehicle insurance, dispatching emergency services, commercial vehicle and fleet management, route optimization, education, law enforcement, monitoring and supervising young drivers, and marketing location-based products and services. The present invention gathers useful data from existing mobile devices such as smart phones and does not require hard-wiring a device into a vehicle or other installation procedures, the incorrect execution of which may affect vehicle function or distract the vehicle's operator. Application software resident on the mobile device component of this invention may also be used to independently verify the time using a variety of external sources including the central processing system, one or more atomic clocks, cellular service providers, or by other means. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater detail.
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One or more algorithms within central control system 106 are operative to assign ratings with regard to high, medium, or low risk (alternate rating schemes are possible such as a scaled rating from 0-100) to both operator behavior and vehicle behavior and then report these ratings to the operator on a periodic basis. An example of this rating process involves an operator operating a motor vehicle at a posted speed limit that may be classified as low risk when no road construction is present at the geographic location and classified as higher risk when road construction is present at the same geographic location. Another example of this rating process includes an operator operating a motor vehicle at posted speed limit that may be classified as low risk when there is no snowfall at geographic location and classified as higher risk when there is snowfall in excess of selected amount at the same geographic location. Other risk classification examples include: (i) a geographic location may be classified among low risk, medium risk and high risk based on the number of traffic accidents in the area; (ii) the same geographic location may be classified as lower risk during summer months and as higher risk during winter months based on the amount of precipitation; and (iii) a geographic location may be classified among low risk, medium risk or high risk based on the type of terrain, e.g., long straight roads, meandering mountain roads, etc. Classifications, particularly with regard to vehicle fleet management, may also be based on variables such as (i) the distance/time from a predetermined location; (ii) available capacity (e.g. ability to pick up passengers or goods to be transported; (iii) the type of goods that may be transported (e.g. liquids, dry, refrigerated, medical); and the amount of driving time and non-driving time recorded. Risk classifications may also be derived from data collected from other operators in a common geographic area. For example, the average speed of all operators using system 10 could be determined for a defined area at a certain time and a relative risk classification could be assigned to any operator deviating from the average speed. Operator driving history and/or a history of previous traffic incidents including accidents and traffic violations may also be used to determine or assign risk categories or classifications.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
Claims
1. A system for monitoring the behavior of a motor vehicle and the behavior of an operator of that motor vehicle, comprising:
- (a) at least one mobile device, (i) wherein the mobile device is not physically installed in the motor vehicle being monitored; (ii) wherein the mobile device further includes hardware, software, sensors, and communication functions; (iii) wherein the mobile device further includes at least one information processor resident on the mobile device or in communication with the mobile device; and (iv) wherein the hardware, software, sensors, communication functions and the information processor are operative to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the behavior of motor vehicle; behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle; details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated; details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated; or combinations thereof; and
- (b) at least one application software resident on the mobile device, (i) wherein the at least one application software interfaces with the hardware, software, sensors, communication functions and the information processor to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the behavior of the motor vehicle; behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle; details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated; details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated; or combinations thereof; and (ii) wherein the at least one application software is activated and deactivated based on certain predetermined trigger events.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one central control system that further includes hardware, software, databases, algorithms and communication functions;
- (a) wherein the database further includes information collected from the at least one mobile device and additional information about the operator, motor vehicle, geography, environment, or combinations thereof;
- (b) wherein the central control system is operative to aggregate and augment data collected from at least one mobile device;
- (c) wherein the hardware, software, databases, algorithms and communication functions are operative to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the operator, vehicle, geography, environment, or combinations thereof; and
- (d) wherein the central control system includes at least one information processor resident on the central control system.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one information processor resident on the central control system further includes a computer.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one information processor further includes a computer.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one mobile device is a smartphone.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one algorithm that classifies or provides ratings to motor vehicles, motor vehicle operators, geographies, environments or combinations thereof; wherein the classifications or ratings further include:
- (a) information relevant to individual motor vehicles, motor vehicle operators, geographies, environments, combinations thereof, or changes in this information over time; and
- (b) comparative information regarding other motor vehicles, motor vehicle operators, geographies, environments, combinations thereof, or changes in this comparative information over time.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is operative to provide feedback to the user of the system.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the feedback further comprises:
- (a) information about the operators, vehicles, geographies, environments, system, or combinations thereof;
- (b) information about a single user, multiple users, or a combination thereof;
- (c) wherein the feedback format is aural, numerical, graphical, tabular, pictorial, or combinations thereof; and
- (d) wherein the feedback is provided through the mobile device, the central control system, devices connected to the mobile device or the central control system, or combinations thereof
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the information about the behavior of the motor vehicle, behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle, the details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated, the details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated further includes: vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle model year, vehicle identification number, vehicle use, vehicle passenger capacity, vehicle cargo capacity, vehicle location, vehicle speed, vehicle direction of motion, vehicle history, operator driving history, operator accident history, operator violation history, demographic information, mobile device usage as a telephone while operating the motor vehicle, mobile device usage for internet access while operating the motor vehicle, latitude, longitude, speed limit, elevation, traffic conditions, traffic accidents, presence of construction, presence of hazardous conditions, type of terrain, amount of precipitation, type of precipitation, weather conditions, seasons, presence of other motor vehicles, presence of other vehicle operators, date, time, change in variables over time, combinations thereof, or other information derived from these variables.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein system is used for determining cost of insurance.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein system is used for educating drivers.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein system is used for managing fleets of vehicles; regulatory administration of motor vehicles in a geographic region; law enforcement; providing emergency services; or combinations thereof.
13. A system for monitoring the behavior of a motor vehicle and the behavior of an operator of that motor vehicle, comprising:
- (a) at least one mobile device, (i) wherein the mobile device is not physically connected to the motor vehicle being monitored; (ii) wherein the mobile device includes hardware, software, sensors, and communication functions; (iii) wherein the hardware, software, sensors, and communication functions included in the mobile device are operative to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the behavior of motor vehicle, the behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle, details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated, details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated, or combinations thereof;
- (b) at least one central control system that includes additional hardware, software, databases, algorithms, and communication functions; (i) wherein the databases further include information collected from the at least one mobile device and additional information about the operator, the motor vehicle, geography, environment, or combinations thereof; (ii) wherein the central control system is operative to aggregate and augment data collected from the at least one mobile device; (iii) wherein the additional hardware, software, databases, algorithms and communication functions included in the central control system are operative to gather, record, characterize and communicate information about the operator, vehicle, geography, environment, or combinations thereof; and
- (c) at least one information processor.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one mobile device is a smartphone.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one information processor further includes a computer.
16. The system of claim 13, further comprising at least one algorithm that classifies or provides ratings to motor vehicles, motor vehicle operators, geographies, environments or combinations thereof; wherein the classifications or ratings further include:
- (a) information relevant to individual motor vehicles, motor vehicle operators, geographies, environments, combinations thereof, or changes in this information over time; and
- (b) comparative information regarding other motor vehicles, motor vehicle operators, geographies, environments, combinations thereof, or changes in this comparative information over time.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the system provides feedback to the user of the system, and wherein the feedback further comprises:
- (a) information about the operators, vehicles, geographies, environments, system, or combinations thereof;
- (b) information about a single user, multiple users, or a combination thereof;
- (c) wherein the feedback format is aural, numerical, graphical, tabular, pictorial, or combinations thereof; and
- (d) wherein the feedback is provided through the mobile device, the central control system, devices connected to the mobile device or the central control system, or combinations thereof.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the information about the behavior of the motor vehicle, behavior of the operator of the motor vehicle, the details of the geography where the motor vehicle is being operated, the details of the environment in which the motor vehicle is being operated further includes: vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle model year, vehicle identification number, vehicle use, vehicle passenger capacity, vehicle cargo capacity, vehicle location, vehicle speed, vehicle direction of motion, vehicle history, operator driving history, operator accident history, operator violation history, demographic information, mobile device usage as a telephone while operating the motor vehicle, mobile device usage for internet access while operating the motor vehicle, latitude, longitude, speed limit, elevation, traffic conditions, traffic accidents, presence of construction, presence of hazardous conditions, type of terrain, amount of precipitation, type of precipitation, weather conditions, seasons, presence of other motor vehicles, presence of other vehicle operators, date, time, change in variables over time, combinations thereof, or other information derived from these variables.
19. The system of claim 13, wherein system is used for determining the cost of insurance.
20. The system of claim 13, wherein system is used for educating drivers; managing fleets of vehicles; regulatory administration of motor vehicles in a geographic region; law enforcement; providing emergency services; or combinations thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 16, 2014
Publication Date: Nov 6, 2014
Inventors: Shailendra DEPURA (Columbus, OH), Bhavna Shailendra DEPURA (Columbus, OH), Jamna Lal DEPURA (Kolkata), Kanta DEPURA (Kolkata), Shalini MEMANI (Mumbai)
Application Number: 14/333,249
International Classification: B60W 40/09 (20060101);