IP Library Granted Patent US 9,373,200
Granted Patent B2
US 9,373,200 · App. 14/298,667 · Granted Jun 21, 2016

Monitoring vehicle usage

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,373,200
App. No.
14/298,667
Granted
Jun 21, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for monitoring vehicle usage is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a vehicle event and detecting a query from a mobile device. The query includes a Wi-Fi probe request or Bluetooth inquiry. The method includes identifying a mobile device identifier from the query and associating the mobile device identifier with the vehicle event.

Claims (48)

1. A method for monitoring events within a vehicle, comprising:

detecting, by a processor, a vehicle event;

detecting, by the processor, a query from a first mobile device and a second mobile device, the queries each comprising a Wi-Fi probe request or Bluetooth inquiry;

identifying, by the processor, a mobile device identifier from each of the queries; and

associating, by the processor, each of the mobile device identifiers with the vehicle event.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device identifier includes any combination of a device serial number, international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number, mobile equipment identifier (MEID), cellular data number (CDN), integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID), Wi-Fi media access control (MAC) address, BLUETOOTH® MAC address, BLUETOOTH® global identifier, carrier information, mobile device model information, and a list of service set identifiers (SSIDs).

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle event comprises any combination of vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle deceleration, vehicle braking, vehicle gravitational force (g-force), vehicle seat belt use, distance traveled, engine performance, vehicle occupancy, and vehicle location.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, by the processor, whether the first mobile device is within the vehicle, wherein determining whether the first mobile device is within the vehicle comprises any combination of satisfying a quantity of queries threshold, satisfying a query timing threshold, and satisfying a signal strength threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying, by the processor, excessive behavior from the vehicle event, the excessive behavior comprising any combination of satisfying a speed threshold, satisfying an acceleration threshold, satisfying a deceleration threshold, satisfying a braking threshold, satisfying a g-force threshold, satisfying a revolutions per minute (RPM) threshold, and satisfying an audio system volume threshold.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

associating, by the processor, each of the mobile device identifiers with the excessive behavior.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

associating, by the processor, each of the mobile device identifiers with an identity of a vehicle occupant.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

upon detecting a predetermined mobile device identifier, by the processor, altering an operation of the vehicle and generating an alert notification.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle event is detected in conjunction with an on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

storing, by the processor, the mobile device identifier and data associated with the mobile device identifier in a cloud data service, wherein the mobile device identifier and associations of the mobile device identifier are communicated to the cloud data service via a cellular link.

11. A computing device configured for monitoring vehicle usage within a vehicle, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein the memory stores computer executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of:

receiving a vehicle event history;

detecting a vehicle event;

detecting a query from a mobile device, the query comprising a Wi-Fi probe request or Bluetooth inquiry;

identifying a mobile device identifier from the query;

associating the mobile device identifier with the vehicle event; and

generating an alert notification based at least in part on the vehicle event history and the association.

12. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the mobile device identifier includes any combination of a device serial number, international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number, mobile equipment identifier (MEID), cellular data number (CDN), integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID), Wi-Fi media access control (MAC) address, BLUETOOTH® MAC address, BLUETOOTH® global identifier, carrier information, mobile device model information, and a list of service set identifiers (SSIDs).

13. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the vehicle event comprises any combination of vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle deceleration, vehicle braking, vehicle gravitational force (g-force), vehicle seat belt use, distance traveled, engine performance, vehicle occupancy, and vehicle location.

14. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of:

determining whether the mobile device is within the vehicle, wherein determining whether mobile device is within the vehicle comprises any combination of satisfying a quantity of queries threshold, satisfying a query timing threshold, and satisfying a signal strength threshold.

15. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of:

identifying excessive behavior from the vehicle event, the excessive behavior comprising any combination of satisfying a speed threshold, satisfying an acceleration threshold, satisfying a deceleration threshold, satisfying a braking threshold, satisfying a g-force threshold, satisfying a revolutions per minute (RPM) threshold, and satisfying an audio system volume threshold.

16. The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the instructions executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of:

associating the mobile device identifier with the excessive behavior.

17. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of:

upon detecting the predetermined mobile device identifier, altering an operation of the vehicle and generating an alert notification.

18. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of:

storing the mobile device identifier and data associated with mobile device identifier in a cloud data service, wherein the mobile device identifier and associations of the mobile device identifier are communicated to the cloud data service via a cellular link.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform the steps of:

detecting a vehicle event;

detecting a query from a first mobile device and a second mobile device, the queries each comprising a Wi-Fi probe request or Bluetooth inquiry;

identifying a mobile device identifier from each of the queries;

associating the mobile device identifiers with the vehicle event; and

determining whether the first mobile device is within the vehicle by at least one of satisfying a quantity of queries threshold, satisfying a query timing threshold, and satisfying a signal strength threshold.

20. The computer-program product of claim 19 , wherein the mobile device identifier includes any combination of a device serial number, international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number, mobile equipment identifier (MEID), cellular data number (CDN), integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID), Wi-Fi media access control (MAC) address, BLUETOOTH® MAC address, BLUETOOTH® global identifier, carrier information, mobile device model information, and a list of service set identifiers (SSIDs).

Assignments (10)
AFTER-ACQUIRED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2025
From: VIVINT LLC; SMART HOME PROS, INC.; VIVINT AMIGO, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS PRIORITY COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 070349/0816 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 038275, FRAME 0377 Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 069334/0010 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 049283, FRAME 0566 Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 069334/0137 →
RELEASE (REEL 047029/ FRAME 0304) Recorded Nov 1, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT LLC (F/K/A VIVINT, INC.)
Reel/Frame 069289/0468 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 056832/0725 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2019
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 049283/0566 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 6, 2018
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 047029/0304 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2016
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 038402/0356 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2016
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 038275/0377 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2014
From: WARREN, JEREMY B.
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 033051/0549 →