Abstract: A method for identifying correlated mobile computing devices associated with a common vehicle or trip includes determining, based on data received from one or more first sensors associated with a first mobile computing device, that the first mobile computing device is on a trip in a vehicle, broadcasting, by the first mobile computing device, a signal indicating that the first mobile computing device is on the trip in the vehicle, receiving, by at least one second mobile computing device, the signal being broadcasted from the first mobile computing device, determining that the second mobile computing device is in the same vehicle as the first mobile computing device, and in response to the determination, causing the second mobile computing device to cease collection of data from one or more second sensors associated with the second mobile computing device.

Abstract: Among other things, information generated by sensors of a mobile phone and indicative of motion of the mobile phone and state information indicative of a state of operation of the mobile phone are monitored. Based on the monitoring, distraction by a user of the mobile phone who is a driver of a vehicle is determined.

Abstract: A method for providing proactive driving alerts includes determining a road segment of interest, receiving GPS data and contextual data, and identifying a triggering condition in a vicinity of the segment of interest. The method also includes determining an applicability of the triggering condition to the segment of interest, retrieving an alert threshold corresponding to the triggering condition, and obtaining an action factor correlating to a user's driving behavior. The method further includes determining whether the action factor exceeds the alert threshold and providing a proactive alert related to the triggering condition to the user.

Abstract: A tracking device and method of determining a location of a tag connected to an object. The method comprises transmitting a first message from a server over a long range communication protocol to the tag so that the tag emits short and long range distress messages; receiving at a server the long range distress messages including location data using the long range communication protocol; using the location data to determine a geographical area in which the tag is located; transmitting a message from the server to one or more mobile devices in the geographic area to enable the mobile devices to receive the short range distress messages; receiving at the mobile devices the short range distress messages from the tag and using the received short range distress message to locate the tag; and transmitting a second message from the mobile devices to the server including the location of the tag.

Abstract: A configurable radio frequency device includes a surface and a plurality of configurable radio frequency elements disposed on the surface. The radio frequency elements can be configured to absorb, reflect, or pass a radio transmission. A controller is configured to control the configuration of the surface by setting the state of the radio frequency elements. The controller also determines a deployment configuration for the surface by applying a series of test configurations to the surface and receiving a measurement of signal quality as measured by a receiver. The controller can then use these measurements to determine how to set the states of the radio frequency elements for the deployment configuration.

Abstract: Among other things, information generated by sensors of a mobile phone and indicative of motion of the mobile phone and state information indicative of a state of operation of the mobile phone are monitored. Based on the monitoring, distraction by a user of the mobile phone who is a driver of a vehicle is determined.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining a route are provided. In some examples, the method comprises: receiving measurements of one or more motion sensors of a mobile device disposed in a vehicle; selecting, based on a start time and an end time of a first route, a subset of the measurements; determining, based on the subset of the measurements, turns or stops made by the vehicle as part of the first route and their directions; determining, based on the subset of the measurements, distances of path segments traveled by the vehicle between the turns or stops; constructing an estimated route including a sequence of the turns or stops and path segments; selecting, based on comparing the estimated route and a plurality of candidates routes from a map, the first route; and displaying the map including the first route.

Abstract: Among other things, information generated by sensors of a mobile phone and indicative of motion of the mobile phone and state information indicative of a state of operation of the mobile phone are monitored. Based on the monitoring, distraction by a user of the mobile phone who is a driver of a vehicle is determined.

Abstract: Data processing techniques and systems for processing telematics data associated with a vehicle, such as an automobile, to classify how the vehicle is being operated by a driver. The telematics data can include the use of image data captured by a camera of the vehicle. The image data is processed in conjunction with vehicular telematics data such as position, speed, and acceleration data of the vehicle obtained from, for example, smartphone sensors. The image data is processed and used by a processing system to provide a context for the telematics data. The image data and the telematics data are classified by the processing system to identify driving behavior of the driver, determine driving maneuvers that have occurred, scoring driving quality of the driver, or a combination of them.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: Data processing techniques and systems for processing telematics data associated with a vehicle, such as an automobile, to classify how the vehicle is being operated by a driver. The telematics data can include the use of image data captured by a camera of the vehicle. The image data is processed in conjunction with vehicular telematics data such as position, speed, and acceleration data of the vehicle obtained from, for example, smartphone sensors. The image data is processed and used by a processing system to provide a context for the telematics data. The image data and the telematics data are classified by the processing system to identify driving behavior of the driver, determine driving maneuvers that have occurred, scoring driving quality of the driver, or a combination of them.

Abstract: Personal safety concerns for users of vehicles can be indicated, identified, communicated, analyzed, or acted on to make the users and other participants in the technology aware of the safety concerns and to reduce the risks to the users associated with the safety concerns. Personal safety concerns can be recognized based on safety concern triggers. Once recognized, the personal safety concerns can be reported to the users and other participants in the technology by safety alerts. The safety alert can prompt one or more telematics devices at the vehicle to capture, store, or transmit telematics data, including, for example, audio, image, or video data or combinations of them. The captured telematics data can be used to verify the safety alert and the safety concern and present the captured data to a third party participant to enable the third party participant to determine an appropriate response or action.

Abstract: An approach to determining vehicle usage makes use of a sensor that provides a vibration signal associated with the vehicle, and that vibration signal is used to infer usage. Usage can include distance traveled, optionally associated with particular ranges of speed or road type. In a calibration phase, auxiliary measurements, for instance based on GPS signals, are used to determine a relationship between the vibration signal and usage. In a monitoring phase, the determined relationship is used to infer usage from the vibration signal.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects includes tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module. A server includes a processor and a memory. A mobile communications device (typically a mobile telephone) includes memory for storing an identification of the mobile device, a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network and a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices. The mobile telephone also includes a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile telephone. On receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, a location is obtained from the location module and a signal transmitted to the server including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received.

Abstract: Personal safety concerns for users of vehicles can be indicated, identified, communicated, analyzed, or acted on to make the users and other participants in the technology aware of the safety concerns and to reduce the risks to the users associated with the safety concerns. Personal safety concerns can be recognized based on safety concern triggers. Once recognized, the personal safety concerns can be reported to the users and other participants in the technology by safety alerts. The safety alert can prompt one or more telematics devices at the vehicle to capture, store, or transmit telematics data, including, for example, audio, image, or video data or combinations of them. The captured telematics data can be used to verify the safety alert and the safety concern and present the captured data to a third party participant to enable the third party participant to determine an appropriate response or action.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: Personal safety concerns for users of vehicles can be indicated, identified, communicated, analyzed, or acted on to make the users and other participants in the technology aware of the safety concerns and to reduce the risks to the users associated with the safety concerns. Personal safety concerns can be recognized based on safety concern triggers. Once recognized, the personal safety concerns can be reported to the users and other participants in the technology by safety alerts. The safety alert can prompt one or more telematics devices at the vehicle to capture, store, or transmit telematics data, including, for example, audio, image, or video data or combinations of them. The captured telematics data can be used to verify the safety alert and the safety concern and present the captured data to a third party participant to enable the third party participant to determine an appropriate response or action.

Abstract: Among other features, a time series of values of an electrical parameter of an electrical system of a vehicle is accessed. An event or a state of the vehicle is determined based on the time series of values of the electrical parameter. The event or state is communicated to an occupant of the vehicle or to a third party.

Abstract: Among other things, information generated by sensors of a mobile phone and indicative of motion of the mobile phone and state information indicative of a state of operation of the mobile phone are monitored. Based on the monitoring, distraction by a user of the mobile phone who is a driver of a vehicle is determined.