IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,021,164
Granted Patent B2
US 11,021,164 · App. 15/477,536 · Granted Jun 1, 2021

Method and system for controlling and modifying driving behaviors

Inventors: Scott Ferrill Tibbitts (Niwot, CO); Franklin Tai (Playa Del Rey, CA); Ryan Tibbitts (Niwot, CO); Adam Stevenson (Boulder, CO); Malcolm Bruce Young (Arvada, CO)
Assignee: Katasi, LLC
B60W40/09A61B5/18B60T8/172B60W50/087B62D6/007G01C21/3697G07C5/008G07C5/0808H04K3/415H04K3/45H04W4/027H04W48/04B60T2220/02H04B5/0062H04K2203/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,021,164
App. No.
15/477,536
Granted
Jun 1, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method and system for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling one or more of mobile services for a mobile communication device (also referred to herein as a Controllable Mobile Device or CMD), and in particular, when the device is being used and the vehicle, operated by the user of the device, is moving. In addition, one aspect of the invention generally relates to a method and system for modifying a user's driving behaviors, in particular to a system and method for modifying a user's unsafe driving behaviors, e.g., using one or more services of a controllable mobile device while driving, by providing a score to the user rating indicating that they are using a mobile device in a distracting way, or driving in a manner that indicates that they are distracted.

Claims (31)

1. A mobile services control system for generating a score based on driving events and controlling distracting use of a controllable mobile device, comprising:

an in-vehicle detection system configured to determine one or more characteristics of a vehicle indicative of the vehicle being operated by a user; and

a computational equipment that is configured to generate the score based on a first input indicative of whether a controllable mobile device, wherein the controllable mobile device is independent of the in-vehicle detection system, is within the vehicle when the vehicle is in operation, a second input comprising the one or more characteristics indicative of the vehicle being driven, and a third input indicative of one or more of a use of the controllable mobile device by the user, a use of the system that controls distracting use of the controllable mobile device, overriding the system, and events indicative of driving behaviors,

wherein the system is configured to communicate one or more rewards to a user based on the score, and

wherein the system is configured to allow a user to preselect awards.

2. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the use of the controllable mobile device comprises one or more of a reviewing a text message, typing a text message, sending a text message, reviewing an email message, typing a text message, sending an email, playing a game, viewing a video, information provided via the Internet and interaction with an interface of the controllable mobile device.

3. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , further comprising a memory.

4. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the score comprises information indicative of a driving behavior of the user.

5. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the score comprises information indicative of a distracted driving behavior of the user.

6. The mobile services control system of claim 4 , wherein the score comprises information indicative of one or more of a number of excessive cornering events, a number of excessive braking events, a number of excessive acceleration events, use of the system to control distracting features of a mobile device while driving, a number of overrides of the system to control distracting features of a mobile device while driving, a number of segments, of a specified distance, driven without an event indicative of unsafe driving, a number of segments, of a specified time, driven without an event indicative of unsafe driving, a number of incidences of exceeding a predetermined maximum velocity, a number of incidences of exceeding a speed limit, a number of miles driven, an indication that a user identified themselves as a driver, and vehicle speed variation over distance and time.

7. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the score is provided to the user.

8. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the score is generated using scoring techniques based on score multipliers for desirable behaviors and score multipliers for sequential periods of driving with the desired behavior, wherein the score includes one or more of badges and awards and is configured to encourage competitions between teams, leader boards, random rewards for a given behavior, publication on social media.

9. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the score comprises one or more of a trip score, cumulative score for a period, game information, and a reward for desired behavior made available to the user at the end of each driving event.

10. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the computation equipment is configured to generate a score based on the first input, the second input and the third input, wherein the score includes one or more of discounted merchandise, free merchandise, services, and a donation that can be given to third party specified by the user.

11. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the computation equipment is configured to generate a reward based on the first input, the second input and the third input, wherein the reward includes one or more of a reward based on a location of the vehicle, a location of redemption based on the location of the vehicle, a redemption location provided to the user concurrently with the reward, and an expiration time for the reward.

12. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the score is generated using scoring techniques including one or more from calculating the score based on score multipliers for desirable behavior, score multipliers for sequential periods of driving with the desired behavior, badges or awards, competitions between teams, leader boards, random rewards for a given behavior, publication on social media.

13. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the computation equipment is configured to communicate, during or at the end of a trip, one or more of an audible, vibrational or visible alert to the user.

14. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , further comprising a communication unit configured to communicate the score to one or more of a subscriber, a social media, the controllable mobile device, and a third-party.

15. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the computation equipment resides at least in part on one or more of the controllable mobile device, a wireless network, and a wireless service provider.

16. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the computation equipment is configured to communicate with the controllable mobile device.

17. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the computation equipment is configured to compare scores among one or more users of the system so as to create competition among the users.

18. The mobile services control system of claim 1 , wherein the computation equipment is configured to programically deduce whether the user has overridden a disabled feature or a disabled service of the controllable mobile device.

19. A mobile services control system for generating a score based on driving events and controlling distracting use of a controllable mobile device, comprising:

a computational equipment that is configured to generate the score based on a first input indicative of whether a controllable mobile device is within the vehicle when the vehicle is in operation, a second input comprising the one or more characteristics indicative of the vehicle being driven, and a third input indicative of one or more of a use of the controllable mobile device by the user, a use of the system that controls distracting use of the controllable mobile device, overriding the system, and events indicative of driving behaviors, wherein the score comprises an award and the system is configured to allow the user to preselect at least a portion of the award.

20. The mobile services control system of claim 19 , wherein the use of the controllable mobile device comprises one or more of a reviewing text message, typing a text message, sending a text message, reviewing an email message, typing a text message, sending an email, playing a game, viewing a video, information provided via the Internet and interaction with an interface of the controllable mobile device.

21. The mobile services control system of claim 19 , wherein the award comprises one or more of an intangible award and a tangible award.

22. The mobile services control system of claim 19 , further comprising a communication unit configured to communicate the award to one or more of a subscriber, a social media, the controllable mobile device, and a third-party.

23. The mobile services control system of claim 19 , wherein the computation equipment resides at least in part on one or more of the controllable mobile device, a wireless network, and a wireless service provider.

24. A mobile services control system for generating a score based on driving events and controlling distracting use of a controllable mobile device, comprising:

an in-vehicle detection system configured to determine one or more characteristics of a vehicle indicative of the vehicle being operated by a user; and

a computational equipment that is configured to generate the score based on a first input indicative of whether a controllable mobile device is within the vehicle when the vehicle is in operation, a second input comprising the one or more characteristics indicative of the vehicle being operated, and a third input indicative of one or more of a use of the controllable mobile device by the user, a use of the system that controls distracting use of the controllable mobile device, overriding the system, and events indicative of driving behaviors, wherein the score comprises one or more rewards based on a location of the vehicle and a location of redemption based on the location of the vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2019
From: TIBBITTS, SCOTT FERRILL; TIBBITTS, RYAN; TAI, FRANKLIN; YOUNG, MALCOLM BRUCE; STEVENSON, ADAM
To: KATASI LLC
Reel/Frame 050832/0883 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 14139698 · Dec 23, 2013
Continuation In Part 13612748 · Sep 12, 2012
Continuation In Part 12841077 · Jul 21, 2010
Provisional Application 61745349 · Dec 21, 2012
Provisional Application 61533358 · Sep 12, 2011
Provisional Application 61267064 · Dec 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61227404 · Jul 21, 2009
Related Publication 20170203767A1 · Jul 20, 2017
Cited By (4)
US 12,256,037 US 12,302,218 US 12,351,193 US 12,643,556