IP Library Granted Patent US 9,786,104
Granted Patent B2
US 9,786,104 · App. 15/006,066 · Granted Oct 10, 2017

Systems and method to trigger vehicle events based on contextual information

Inventors: Jason Palmer (Carlsbad, CA); Jeffrey Griswold (San Diego, CA); Mark Freitas (San Diego, CA); Daniel A. Deninger (Carlsbad, CA); David Forney (La Jolla, CA); Slaven Sljivar (San Diego, CA); Alekh Vaidya (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
G07C5/0808B60W40/04G01C21/26B60W2420/403B60W2510/0604B60W2510/0666B60W2510/182B60W2550/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,786,104
App. No.
15/006,066
Granted
Oct 10, 2017
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (62)

1. A system configured to detect vehicle events, the system configured to couple with a vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle associated with movement of the vehicle, wherein the one or more sensors are carried by the vehicle;

electronic storage configured to store information, and

one or more processors configured to:

determine a current operating condition of the vehicle based on the generated output signals;

receive contextual information related to two or more current environmental conditions near and/or around the vehicle, wherein the two or more current environmental conditions include a first condition related to traffic conditions, and wherein the two or more current environmental conditions further include a second condition related to at least one of weather conditions and/or visibility;

determine a first threshold value at which the current operating condition of the vehicle effectuates detection of vehicle events, wherein the first threshold value varies based on the first condition;

at the vehicle, detect a vehicle event based on a first comparison of the current operating condition of the vehicle and the first threshold value, wherein detection of the vehicle event is further based on a second comparison of the first condition with a second threshold value, and wherein the second threshold value varies based on the second condition;

create a vehicle event record based on the detected vehicle event, wherein the vehicle event record includes the received contextual information and the information related to the one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle;

store the vehicle event record in the electronic storage; and

effectuate presentation to a user of the system, via a user interface, of a notification based on the vehicle event record.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the contextual information is received from one or more sources external to the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle include vehicle speed of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle event includes a particular driving maneuver.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the value of the current operating condition of the vehicle does not effectuate detection of the vehicle event absent the received contextual information.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the current operating condition of the vehicle includes at least one of vehicle speed, an engine load, a throttle level (or accelerator position), a particular acceleration level of the vehicle, a particular change in vehicle direction, and multiple changes in vehicle direction.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the current operating condition of the vehicle is vehicle speed, wherein the contextual information includes a likelihood of traffic congestion near the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle event is related to unsafe vehicle speed.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the current operating condition of the vehicle is brake pressure, wherein the contextual information includes a likelihood of road surface near the vehicle being wet and/or icy, and wherein the vehicle event is related to potential collision conditions.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors include a video camera, and wherein the one or more sensors are configured such that the information related to the one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle includes video information.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine and/or obtain geographical information of the vehicle, and wherein detection of the vehicle event is further based on the geographical information of the vehicle.

10. A system configured to detect vehicle events, the system configured to couple with a vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle associated with movement of the vehicle, wherein the one or more sensors are carried by the vehicle;

electronic storage configured to store information; and

one or more processors configured to:

determine a first operating condition and a second operating condition of the vehicle based on the generated output signals, wherein the first operating condition corresponds to a first moment in time, wherein the second operating condition corresponds to a second moment in time, and wherein the second moment in time is subsequent to the first moment in time;

at the vehicle, analyze the first operating condition and determine that no vehicle event has occurred that needs to be reported to either a driver of the vehicle or an external server;

receive contextual information related to two or more current environmental conditions near and/or around the vehicle, wherein the two or more current environmental conditions include a first condition related to traffic conditions, and wherein the two or more current environmental conditions further include a second condition related to at least one of weather conditions and/or visibility;

determine a first threshold value at which the second operating condition of the vehicle effectuates detection of vehicle events, wherein the first threshold value varies based on the first condition;

at the vehicle, detect a vehicle event based on a first comparison of the second operating condition of the vehicle and the first threshold value, wherein detection of the vehicle event is further based on a second comparison of the first condition of the vehicle with a second threshold value, and wherein the second threshold value varies based on the second condition;

create a vehicle event record based on the detected vehicle event, wherein the vehicle event record includes the received contextual information and the information related to the one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle;

store the vehicle event record in the electronic storage; and

effectuate presentation to a user of the system, via a user interface, of a notification based on the vehicle event record.

11. A method to detect vehicle events for a vehicle, the method being implemented in a computer system that includes one or more sensors and one or more physical processors, the method comprising:

generating, by the one or more sensors, output signals conveying information related to one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle associated with movement of the vehicle, wherein the one or more sensors are carried by the vehicle;

determining a current operating condition of the vehicle based on the generated output signals;

receiving contextual information related to two or more current environmental conditions near and/or around the vehicle, wherein the two or more current environmental conditions include a first condition related to traffic conditions, and wherein the two or more current environmental conditions further include a second condition related to at least one of weather conditions and/or visibility;

determining a first threshold value at which the current operating condition of the vehicle effectuates detection of vehicle events, wherein the first threshold value varies based on the first condition;

detecting, at the vehicle, a vehicle event based on a first comparison of the current operating condition of the vehicle and the first threshold value, wherein detection of the vehicle event is further based on a second comparison of the first condition with a second threshold value, and wherein the second threshold value varies based on the second condition;

creating a vehicle event record based on the detected vehicle event, wherein the vehicle event record includes the received contextual information and the information related to the one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle;

storing the vehicle event record in electronic storage; and

effectuating presentation to a user of the system, via a user interface, of a notification based on the vehicle event record.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least some of the contextual information is received from one or more sources external to the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle include vehicle speed of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle event includes a particular driving maneuver.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the value of the current operating condition of the vehicle does not effectuate detection of the vehicle event absent the received contextual information.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the current operating condition of the vehicle includes at least one of vehicle speed, an engine load, a throttle level (or accelerator position), a particular acceleration level of the vehicle, a particular change in vehicle direction, and multiple changes in vehicle direction.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the current operating condition of the vehicle is vehicle speed, wherein the contextual information includes a likelihood of traffic congestion near the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle event is related to unsafe vehicle speed.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the current operating condition of the vehicle is break pressure, wherein the contextual information includes a likelihood of road surface near the vehicle being wet and/or icy, and wherein the vehicle event is related to potential collision conditions.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more sensors include a video camera, and wherein the information related to the one or more current operating conditions of the vehicle includes video information.

19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining and/or obtaining geographical information of the vehicle, and wherein detecting the vehicle event is further based on the geographical information of the vehicle.

20. A system configured to detect vehicle events, the system configured to couple with a vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to a current speed of the vehicle;

electronic storage configured to store information, and

one or more processors configured to:

determine the current speed of the vehicle based on the generated output signals;

receive contextual information related to two or more current environmental conditions near and/or around the vehicle, wherein the two or more current environmental conditions include a traffic condition and a weather condition;

determine a first threshold value at which the current speed of the vehicle effectuates detection of vehicle events, wherein the first threshold value varies based on the traffic condition;

determine a second threshold value for the traffic condition, wherein the second threshold value varies based on the weather condition;

at the vehicle, detect a vehicle event based on:

(i) a first comparison of the current speed of the vehicle with the first threshold value, and

(ii) a second comparison of the traffic condition with the second threshold value;

create a vehicle event record based on the detected vehicle event, wherein the vehicle event record includes the received contextual information and the current speed of the vehicle;

store the vehicle event record in the electronic storage; and

effectuate presentation to a user of the system, via a user interface, of a notification based on the vehicle event record.

Assignments (17)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER D856640 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 056598 FRAME 0059. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058175/0775 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER D856640 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 056601 FRAME 0630. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058174/0907 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056601/0630 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056598/0059 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE (REEL/FRAME: 054236/0435) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS GRANTEE
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056518/0845 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE (REEL/FRAME: 054236/0320) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS GRANTEE
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056520/0944 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF GRANT OF A SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: TCS TALENTS, LLC, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053983/0525 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054236/0320 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 054236/0435 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: TCS TALENTS, LLC, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 050255/0071 →
RELEASE OF IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050258/0222 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ORIX GROWTH CAPITAL, LLC
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050254/0872 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050246/0118 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2019
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: ORIX GROWTH CAPITAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 048352/0843 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 26, 2016
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: ALLY BANK
Reel/Frame 039841/0148 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2016
From: GRISWOLD, JEFFREY
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038656/0149 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2016
From: PALMER, JASON; FREITAS, MARK; VAIDYA, ALEKH; DENINGER, DANIEL A.; SLJIVAR, SLAVEN; FORNEY, DAVID
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038554/0900 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170213397A1 · Jul 27, 2017