Patents Assigned to Smartdrive Systems Inc.
  • Patent number: 10106174
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for determining vehicle operator preparedness for vehicles that support both autonomous operation and manual operation. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to vehicles and their operation. During autonomous vehicle operation, the system gauges the level of responsiveness of an individual vehicle operator through challenges and corresponding responses. Based on the level of responsiveness, a preparedness metric is determined for each vehicle operator individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, David Forney, Slaven Sljivar, Alekh Vaidya, Jeffrey Griswold
  • Patent number: 10102691
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a distributed data center that includes resources carried by a fleet of vehicles. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicles. The system may detect vehicle events based on the information conveyed by the output signals. The system includes a remote computing server configured to present a user interface to a user. Through the user interface, the user may query information from one or more vehicles in the fleet. The distributed query is transmitted to individual vehicles, and results are locally processed in accordance with response constraints and subsequently transmitted back to the remote computing server for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Reza Ghanbari, Nicholas Shayne Brookins, David Forney, Mark Freitas, Daniel Andrew Deninger, Jeffrey Griswold, Jason Palmer
  • Patent number: 10082790
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for transitioning vehicle control between autonomous operation and manual operation. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicle and its operation. During autonomous vehicle operation, the system gauges the level of responsiveness of a vehicle operator through challenges and corresponding responses. The system determines when to present a challenge to the vehicle operator based on internal and external factors. If necessary, the system will transition from an autonomous operation mode to a manual operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, David Forney, Slaven Sljivar, Alekh Vaidya, Jeffrey Griswold
  • Patent number: 10062281
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a distributed data center that includes resources carried by a fleet of vehicles. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicles and/or the surroundings of vehicles. The system includes a remote computing server configured to maintain map data and distribute it to the fleet, including local map data to individual vehicles pertaining to their surroundings. Individual vehicles may compare the local map data with the information related to their individual surroundings. Based on such comparisons, individual vehicles may detect discrepancies between the local map data and the information related to their individual surroundings. The remote computing server may modify and/or update the map data based on the detected discrepancies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Shayne Brookins, Reza Ghanbari, David Forney, Mark Freitas, Daniel Andrew Deninger, Jeffrey Griswold, Jason Palmer
  • Patent number: 10053032
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connection and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Patent number: 10019858
    Abstract: Vehicle event data playback systems described herein may provide users means for reviewing events recorded by a vehicle event recorder. Circumstances relating to vehicle operation may be visually presented in these playback systems. Video playback from multiple recording devices may be synchronized with each other and/or with information related to the operation of the vehicle during the recorded events to affect a presentation of information related to operation of the vehicle. A user may be presented with many data types in graphical and/or intuitive arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar
  • Patent number: 9981674
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a rail vehicle event analysis system configured to facilitate analysis of rail vehicle event records that correspond to rail vehicle events. The system may be configured to visually present a user with information related to operation of a rail vehicle. The user may review the information related to operation of the rail vehicle in real time, responsive to the rail vehicle being involved in a rail vehicle event, and/or at other times. The system may be configured to visually present information based on output signals generated by one or more sensors associated with the rail vehicle. The system may synchronize the presented information such that information from individual sensors may be compared and/or viewed at the same time by the user. The system may be configured to receive observations made by the user based on the user's review of the presented visual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, Shahriar Ravari
  • Patent number: 9958473
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for calibrating sensors upon installation in a vehicle. The system includes a sensor set configured to generate output signals conveying vectors of acceleration of the vehicle. The system determines a three-dimensional orientation of the sensor set in relation to the vehicle. The system converts output signals from the sensor set into vectors of acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Slaven Sljivar, David Forney, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, Jeffrey Griswold, Jason Palmer
  • Patent number: 9953470
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting execution of driving maneuvers based on pre-determined driving maneuver profiles. Some or all of the system may be installed in a vehicle and/or be otherwise coupled with a vehicle. In some implementations, the system may detect execution of driving maneuvers by the vehicle based on pre-determined driving maneuver profiles. The system may include one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicle. In some implementations, the system may detect execution of the driving maneuvers by the vehicle based on a comparison of the information conveyed by the output signals from the sensors to criteria included in the pre-determined driving maneuver profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar
  • Patent number: 9942526
    Abstract: Vehicle event recorders are arranged with integrated web servers to provide a simple user interface and control mechanism which may be address with commonly available hardware and software. A vehicle event recorder of these inventions couples to a network having a workstation node. The workstation having either of the many available web browsers can be used to view, address, control, perform data transfer, et cetera, by way of data exchange in accordance with simple IP protocols. A vehicle equipped with these systems returns to a household to make a network connection. A local server is used to see all exposed system controls as provided by predefined web pages provided by a web server integrated as part of the vehicle event recorder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Plante
  • Patent number: 9908546
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to detect rail vehicle events. Some or all of the system may be installed in a rail vehicle and/or be otherwise coupled with the rail vehicle. In some implementations, the system may detect rail vehicle events based on pre-determined rail vehicle event criteria sets. The system may include one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the rail vehicle. In some implementations, the system may detect rail vehicle events based on a comparison of the information conveyed by the output signals from the sensors and/or parameters determined based on the output signals to the pre-determined rail vehicle event criteria sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, Shahriar Ravari
  • Patent number: 9908535
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for determining vehicle operator preparedness for vehicles that support both autonomous operation and manual operation. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to vehicles and their operation. During autonomous vehicle operation, the system gauges the level of responsiveness of an individual vehicle operator through challenges and corresponding responses. Based on the level of responsiveness, a preparedness metric is determined for each vehicle operator individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, David Forney, Slaven Sljivar, Alekh Vaidya, Jeffrey Griswold
  • Patent number: 9911253
    Abstract: A vehicle event recorder is provided that includes a camera for capturing a video as discrete image frames, and that further includes a managed loop memory and a management system for generating a virtual ‘timeline dilation’ effect. To overcome size limits in the buffer memory of the video event recorder, the maximum time extension of a video series is increased by enabling a reduction in temporal resolution in exchange for an increase in the temporal extension. Memory cells are overwritten in an ‘interleaved’ fashion to produce a reduced frame rate for the recording of certain time periods connected to an event moment. In time periods furthest from the event moment, the resulting frame rate is minimized while in time periods closest to the event moment, the resulting frame rate is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Plante
  • Patent number: 9902410
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to identify geolocations in a rail network where rail vehicle events are likely to occur. In some implementations, the system may include one or more of a processor, a computing system, electronic storage, external resources, and/or other components. The system may be configured to illustrate the geolocations in the rail network where rail vehicle events are likely to occur on a map of the rail network, predict geolocations in the rail network where rail vehicle events will likely occur, generate coaching information based on the identified geolocations, and/or perform other actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, Shahriar Ravari
  • Patent number: 9823657
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for transitioning vehicle control between autonomous operation and manual operation. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicle and its operation. During autonomous vehicle operation, the system gauges the level of responsiveness of a vehicle operator through challenges and corresponding responses. The system determines when to present a challenge to the vehicle operator based on internal and external factors. If necessary, the system will transition from an autonomous operation mode to a manual operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, David Forney, Slaven Sljivar, Alekh Vaidya, Jeffrey Griswold
  • Patent number: 9786104
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting vehicle events. Some or all of the system may be installed in a vehicle, operate at the vehicle, and/or be otherwise coupled with a vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicle. The system receives contextual information from a source external to the vehicle. The system detects a vehicle event based on the information conveyed by the output signals from the sensors and the received contextual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Jeffrey Griswold, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, David Forney, Slaven Sljivar, Alekh Vaidya
  • Patent number: 9761067
    Abstract: A driver history report may include many factors to express performance or quality of driver service. Vehicle event recorders are coupled to systems which form an association between collected data and the vehicle operator in command of the vehicle at the event moment. Systems provide means for long-term storage of data particularly data in a structure which preserves the association between a driver and event records attributed to him. Special recall operations executed against stored data yields operator performance reporting—including a single value performance score indicative of a vehicle operator's performance and safety history. An analyzer system operates to recall data, particularly data from a plurality of events all associated with a single operator but recorded over an extended period of time. Data is arranged such that mathematical analysis may be applied independently to various data elements or data “fields” to produce performance metrics and ratios which reflect performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Gregory Mauro, Andrew Nickerson
  • Patent number: 9738156
    Abstract: Exception event recorders and analysis systems include: vehicle mounted sensors arranged as a vehicle event recorder to capture both discrete and non-discrete data; a discretization facility; a database; and an analysis server all coupled together as a computer network. Motor vehicles with video cameras and onboard diagnostic systems capture data when the vehicle is involved in a crash or other anomaly (an ‘event’). In station where interpretation of non-discrete data is rendered, i.e. a discretization facility, captured data is used as a basis for production of supplemental discrete data to further characterize the event. Such interpreted data is joined to captured data and inserted into a database in a structure which is searchable and which supports logical or mathematical analysis by automated machines. A coupled analysis server is arranged to test stored data for prescribed conditions and upon finding such, to initiate further actions appropriate for the detected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Gregory Mauro, Andrew Nickerson
  • Patent number: 9728228
    Abstract: Vehicle event data playback systems have been devised and invented to provide authorized users means for advanced visual review. Detailed circumstances relating to vehicle operation are visually presented in these unique playback systems. In particular, a group of cooperating visual display devices operate in conjunction with each other to effect a detailed visual presentation of a vehicle's operational states. An interested party is afforded a high level of access to many data types in highly graphical and intuitive arrangements. Further, data replay access is enhanced by slow motion, fast forward, loop repeat, among others which have never before been associated with these data types nor with the compound visual presentations first taught in the accompanying disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Steven Sljivar
  • Patent number: 9691195
    Abstract: Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged to be in constant communication with remote servers and administrators via mobile wireless cellular networks. Vehicle event recorders equipped with video cameras capture video and other data records of important events relating to vehicle use. These data are then transmitted over special communications networks having very high coverage space but limited bandwidth. A vehicle may be operated over very large region while maintaining continuous communications connections with a remote fixed server. As such, systems of these inventions may be characterized as including a mobile unit having: a video camera; a microprocessor; memory; an event trigger; and mobile wireless transceivers, and a fixed network portion including: mobile wireless cellular network, a protocol translation gateway, the Internet and an application-specific server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Plante