IP Library Granted Patent US 9,761,067
Granted Patent B2
US 9,761,067 · App. 14/529,134 · Granted Sep 12, 2017

Vehicle operator performance history recording, scoring and reporting systems

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,761,067
App. No.
14/529,134
Granted
Sep 12, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A driver history report may include many factors to express performance or quality of driver service. Vehicle event recorders are coupled to systems which form an association between collected data and the vehicle operator in command of the vehicle at the event moment. Systems provide means for long-term storage of data particularly data in a structure which preserves the association between a driver and event records attributed to him. Special recall operations executed against stored data yields operator performance reporting—including a single value performance score indicative of a vehicle operator's performance and safety history. An analyzer system operates to recall data, particularly data from a plurality of events all associated with a single operator but recorded over an extended period of time. Data is arranged such that mathematical analysis may be applied independently to various data elements or data “fields” to produce performance metrics and ratios which reflect performance.

Claims (70)

1. A system configured to determine vehicle operator performance measures for a group of vehicle operators associated with a group of vehicles, wherein the group of vehicle operators includes a first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator, wherein the group of vehicles includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the system comprising:

an operator identity system configured to receive operator identity information that identifies periods of time a vehicle operator operates a vehicle, the operator identity information including a vehicle operator identifier, a vehicle identifier, and time ranges that correspond to the periods of time the vehicle operator operates the vehicle, wherein the vehicle operator is included in the group of vehicle operators, and wherein the vehicle is included in the group of vehicles;

an associator configured to:

obtain the operator identity information for the first vehicle operator and the second vehicle operator;

receive first event records that include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events from a first vehicle event recorder associated with the first vehicle;

receive second event records that include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events from a second vehicle event recorder associated with the second vehicle;

associate the first event records for vehicle events that occur while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle with the operator identity information for the first vehicle operator;

associate the second event records for vehicle events that occur while the second vehicle operator operates the second vehicle with the operator identity information for the second vehicle operator;

form datasets comprising the operator identity information and the associated first and second event records; and

transmit the datasets to a data store; and

an analyzer configured to determine, based on the datasets, a first vehicle operator performance measure for the first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator performance measure for the second vehicle operator, wherein the determination uses a mathematical algorithm.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operator identity system is configured to receive entry and/or selection of the operator identity information via a tactile input device, the tactile input device housed by a first housing that is physically separate and distinct from a vehicle event recorder housing that houses the first vehicle event recorder.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the analyzer is configured to select the mathematical algorithm from an algorithm library.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the analyzer is configured such that at least one of the algorithms in the algorithm library is a machine learning algorithm.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the analyzer is configured such that the machine learning algorithm fits historical data for multiple vehicle operators to a vehicle operator performance measure function, the vehicle operator performance measure function including one or more of a linear regression, a logistic regression, or a neural network.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the analyzer is configured such that the first vehicle operator performance measure indicates one or more of how well the first vehicle operator minimizes exposure to a risk of being in a vehicle accident, how well the first vehicle operator minimizes an amount of fuel consumed while operating the first vehicle, how well the first vehicle operator maximizes a usable life of mechanical components of the first vehicle, how well the first vehicle operator meets expectations while performing scheduled tasks, or how well the first vehicle operator meets corporate compliance standards and procedures associated with the first vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second vehicle operator performance measure for the second vehicle operator is based on the first vehicle operator performance measure for the first vehicle operator.

8. A system configured to determine vehicle operator performance measures for a group of vehicle operators associated with a group of vehicles, wherein the group of vehicle operators includes a first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator, wherein the group of vehicles includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle, and wherein the system is further configured to improve vehicle operator performance, the system comprising:

an operator identity system configured to receive operator identity information that identifies periods of time a vehicle operator operates a vehicle, wherein the vehicle operator is included in the group of vehicle operators, and wherein the vehicle is included in the group of vehicles;

an associator configured to:

obtain the operator identity information for the first vehicle operator and the second vehicle operator;

receive first event records that include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events from a first vehicle event recorder associated with the first vehicle;

receive second event records that include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events from a second vehicle event recorder associated with the second vehicle;

associate the first event records for vehicle events that occur while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle with the operator identity information for the first vehicle operator;

associate the second event records for vehicle events that occur while the second vehicle operator operates the second vehicle with the operator identity information for the second vehicle operator; and

form datasets comprising the operator identity information and the associated first and second event records; and

an analyzer configured to:

analyze the datasets to determine a first vehicle operator performance measure for the first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator performance measure for the second vehicle operator;

generate vehicle operator performance counseling information based on the first vehicle operator performance measure and the second vehicle operator performance measure; and

facilitate presentation of the vehicle operator performance counseling information to the first vehicle operator and the second vehicle operator.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the analyzer is configured to generate the vehicle operator performance counseling information for the first vehicle operator responsive to the first vehicle operator performance measure breaching a vehicle operator performance measure threshold.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the associator is configured to receive the first event records that include information related to vehicle operation during multiple vehicle events that occur during the periods of time the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle; and

wherein the analyzer is configured to generate the vehicle operator performance counseling information for the first vehicle operator based on the multiple vehicle events.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the analyzer is configured such that the vehicle operator performance counseling information for the first vehicle operator changes based on one or more of a number of vehicle events that occur while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle, or a type of vehicle event that occurs while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the analyzer is configured such that the generated vehicle operator performance counseling information is an alert.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the analyzer is configured to communicate the alert to an external computing system.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the analyzer is configured such that the vehicle operator performance counseling information includes progressive discipline information determined based on one or more of a quantity, a type, or a severity of vehicle events during the periods of time the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle; and/or a number of prior counselling sessions; the progressive discipline information including an assessment of whether performance of the first vehicle operator improved in response to prior counselling sessions.

15. A method for determining vehicle operator performance measures for a group of vehicle operators associated with a group of vehicles that include vehicle event recorders, wherein the group of vehicle operators includes a first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator, wherein the group of vehicles includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving operator identity information that identifies periods of time a vehicle operator operates a vehicle, the operator identity information including a vehicle operator identifier, a vehicle identifier, and time ranges that correspond to the periods of time the vehicle operator operates the vehicle, wherein the vehicle operator is included in the group of vehicle operators, and wherein the vehicle is included in the group of vehicles;

receiving, through transmission over a communications link, first event records that include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events from a first vehicle event recorder associated with the first vehicle, wherein the first vehicle event recorder has captured sensor data from on-board diagnostics systems (OBDs);

receiving, through transmission over the communications link, second event records that include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events from a second vehicle event recorder associated with the second vehicle, wherein the second vehicle event recorder has captured sensor data from on-board diagnostics systems (OBDs);

associating the first event records for vehicle events that occur while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle with the operator identity information for the first vehicle operator;

associating the second event records for vehicle events that occur while the second vehicle operator operates the second vehicle with the operator identity information for the second vehicle operator;

forming datasets comprising the operator identity information and the associated first and second event records;

transmitting the datasets to a data store;

determining, based on the datasets, a first vehicle operator performance measure for the first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator performance measure for the second vehicle operator, wherein the determination uses a mathematical algorithm; and

facilitate presentation of the first vehicle operator performance measure and the second vehicle operator performance measure through a user interface.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising receiving entry and/or selection of the operator identity information via a tactile input device, the tactile input device housed by a first housing that is physically separate and distinct from a vehicle event recorder housing that houses the first vehicle event recorder.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising selecting the mathematical algorithm from an algorithm library.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the algorithms in the algorithm library is a machine learning algorithm.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the machine learning algorithm fits historical data for multiple vehicle operators to a vehicle operator performance measure function, the vehicle operator performance measure function including one or more of a linear regression, a logistic regression, or a neural network.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the vehicle operator performance measure indicates one or more of how well the first vehicle operator minimizes exposure to a risk of being in a vehicle accident, how well the first vehicle operator minimizes an amount of fuel consumed while operating the first vehicle, how well the first vehicle operator maximizes a usable life of mechanical components of the first vehicle, how well the first vehicle operator meets expectations while performing scheduled tasks, or how well the first vehicle operator meets corporate compliance standards and procedures associated with the first vehicle.

21. The method of claim 15 , wherein the second vehicle operator performance measure for the second vehicle operator is based on the first vehicle operator performance measure for the first vehicle operator.

22. A method for determining vehicle operator performance measures for a group of vehicle operators associated with a group of vehicles that include vehicle event recorders, wherein the group of vehicle operators includes a first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator, wherein the group of vehicles includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle, and wherein the method further improves vehicle operator performance, the method comprising:

receiving operator identity information that identifies periods of time a first vehicle operator operates a first vehicle and a second vehicle operator operates a second vehicle;

receiving, through transmission over a communications link, first event records from a first vehicle event recorder associated with the first vehicle, wherein the first event records include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events, wherein the first vehicle event recorder has captured sensor data from on-board diagnostics systems (OBDs);

receiving, through transmission over the communications link, second event records from a second vehicle event recorder associated with the second vehicle, wherein the second event records include information related to vehicle operation during vehicle events, wherein the second vehicle event recorder has captured sensor data from on-board diagnostics systems (OBDs);

associating the first event records for vehicle events that occur while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle with the operator identity information for the first vehicle operator;

associating the second event records for vehicle events that occur while the second vehicle operator operates the second vehicle with the operator identity information for the second vehicle operator;

forming datasets comprising the operator identity information and the associated first and second event records;

determining, based on the datasets, a first vehicle operator performance measure for the first vehicle operator and a second vehicle operator performance measure for the second vehicle operator;

generating vehicle operator performance counseling information based on the first vehicle operator performance measure and the second vehicle operator performance measure; and

facilitating presentation of the vehicle operator performance counseling information, through a user interface, to the first vehicle operator and the second vehicle operator.

23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising generating the vehicle operator performance counseling information for the first vehicle operator responsive to the first vehicle operator performance measure breaching a vehicle operator performance measure threshold.

24. The method of claim 22 , further comprising receiving first event records that include information related to vehicle operation during multiple vehicle events that occur during the periods of time the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle; and

generating the vehicle operator performance counseling information for the first vehicle operator based on the multiple vehicle events.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the vehicle operator performance counseling information for the first vehicle operator changes based on one or more of a number of vehicle events that occur while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle, or a type of vehicle event that occurs while the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle.

26. The method of claim 22 , wherein the generated vehicle operator performance counseling information is an alert.

27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising communicating the alert to an external computing system.

28. The method of claim 22 , wherein the vehicle operator performance counseling information includes progressive discipline information determined based on one or more of a quantity, a type, or a severity of vehicle events during the periods of time the first vehicle operator operates the first vehicle; and/or a number of prior counselling sessions; the progressive discipline information including an assessment of whether performance of the first vehicle operator improved in response to prior counselling sessions.

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 SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050246/0118 →
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: ORIX GROWTH CAPITAL, LLC
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050254/0872 →
RELEASE OF IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050258/0222 →
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 Oct 30, 2014
From: PLANTE, JAMES; KASAVARAJU, RAMESH; MAURO, GREGORY; NICKERSON, ANDREW
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 034076/0781 →