IP Library Granted Patent US 10,796,504
Granted Patent B2
US 10,796,504 · App. 15/727,227 · Granted Oct 6, 2020

Systems and method to trigger vehicle events based on contextual information

Inventors: Jason Palmer (Carlsbad, 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); Jeffrey Griswold (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
G07C5/0808B60W40/04B60W40/09G01C21/26G07C5/0816B60W2420/403B60W2510/0604B60W2510/0666B60W2510/182B60W2520/10B60W2520/105B60W2520/125B60W2530/14B60W2540/18B60W2552/00B60W2554/00B60W2555/20G07C5/008G07C5/0841
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,796,504
App. No.
15/727,227
Granted
Oct 6, 2020
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 (44)

1. A system configured to detect vehicle events, the system configured to couple with a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to carry one or more sensors that generate output signals conveying information related to one or more operating parameters of the vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more processors configured to:

determine a speed parameter of the vehicle based on the generated output signals, wherein the speed parameter represents current vehicle speed of the vehicle;

receive contextual information related to two or more current environmental conditions, wherein the two or more current environmental conditions include a traffic condition that indicates average driving speed of current traffic within a first predetermined distance of the vehicle, and a visibility condition related to visibility within a second predetermined distance of the vehicle;

determine a speed limit at which the speed parameter of the vehicle effectuates detection of vehicle events related to unsafe vehicle speed, wherein the speed limit varies based on the traffic condition;

determine a threshold value for the traffic condition such that, responsive to the traffic condition breaching the threshold value, the current traffic within the first predetermined distance of the vehicle is characterized as heavy, wherein the threshold value varies based on the visibility condition;

at the vehicle, detect a vehicle event based on a combination of:

the speed parameter of the vehicle breaching the speed limit, and

the current traffic within the first predetermined distance of the vehicle being characterized as heavy; and

create a vehicle event record based on the detected vehicle event.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising electronic storage configured to store information, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

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.

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

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle event includes a particular driving maneuver.

5. The system of claim 1 , further including the one or more sensors, 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 operating parameters of the vehicle includes video information.

6. 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.

7. A system configured to detect vehicle events, the system configured to couple with a vehicle, the vehicle being configured to carry one or more sensors that generate output signals conveying information related to one or more operating conditions of the vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more processors configured to:

determine a first speed parameter and a second speed parameter of the vehicle based on the generated output signals, wherein the first speed parameter corresponds to a first moment in time, wherein the second speed parameter 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 speed parameter and determine that no vehicle event has occurred that needs to be reported;

receive contextual information related to two or more current environmental conditions, wherein the two or more current environmental conditions include a traffic condition that indicates average driving speed of current traffic within a first predetermined distance of the vehicle, and a visibility condition related to visibility within a second predetermined distance of the vehicle;

determine a speed limit at which the second speed parameter of the vehicle effectuates detection of vehicle events related to unsafe vehicle speed, wherein the speed limit varies based on the traffic condition;

determine a threshold value for the traffic condition such that, responsive to the traffic condition breaching the threshold value, the current traffic within the first predetermined distance of the vehicle is characterized as heavy, wherein the threshold value varies based on the visibility condition;

at the vehicle, detect a vehicle event based on a combination of:

the second speed parameter of the vehicle breaching the speed limit, and

the current traffic within the first predetermined distance of the vehicle being characterized as heavy;

create a vehicle event record based on the detected vehicle event;

store the vehicle event record in an electronic storage; and

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

8. A method to detect vehicle events for a vehicle, the vehicle being configured to carry one or more sensors that generate output signals conveying information related to operating parameters of the vehicle, the method being implemented in a computer system that includes the one or more sensors and one or more physical processors, the method comprising:

receiving contextual information related to two or more current environmental conditions, wherein the two or more current environmental conditions include a traffic condition that indicates average driving speed of current traffic within a first predetermined distance of the vehicle, and a visibility condition related to visibility within a second predetermined distance of the vehicle;

determining a speed limit at which a speed parameter of the vehicle effectuates detection of vehicle events related to unsafe vehicle speed, wherein the speed parameter represents current vehicle speed of the vehicle, wherein the speed limit varies based on the traffic condition;

determining a threshold value for the traffic condition such that, responsive to the traffic condition breaching the threshold value, the current traffic within the first predetermined distance of the vehicle is characterized as heavy, wherein the threshold value varies based on the visibility condition;

detecting, at the vehicle, a vehicle event based on a combination of:

the speed parameter breaching the speed limit, and

the current traffic within the first predetermined distance of the vehicle being characterized as heavy; and

creating a vehicle event record based on the detected vehicle event.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

storing the vehicle event record in an electronic storage; and

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

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein at least some of the contextual information is received from one or more sources external to the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more sensors include a video camera, and wherein the information related to the operating parameters of the vehicle includes video information.

12. The method of claim 8 , 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.

Assignments (16)
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054236/0320 →
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 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 054236/0435 →
RELEASE OF SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 23, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050460/0598 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: TCS TALENTS, LLC, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 050255/0071 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050254/0893 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ORIX GROWTH CAPITAL, LLC
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050254/0872 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2019
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: ORIX GROWTH CAPITAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 048352/0843 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2019
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: ALLY BANK
Reel/Frame 048302/0216 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2017
From: PALMER, JASON; FREITAS, MARK; DENINGER, DANIEL A.; FORNEY, DAVID; SLJIVAR, SLAVEN; VAIDYA, ALEKH; GRISWOLD, JEFFREY
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 043807/0573 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15006066 · Jan 25, 2016
Related Publication 20180033225A1 · Feb 1, 2018