DRIVER BEHAVIOR MONITOR AND ANALYZER

A system for monitoring and analyzing the driving behavior of a driver in a motor vehicle includes a traffic-rule-conformance evaluation module (3) which evaluates the driving behavior of the driver with regard to adherence to elementary traffic rules. A defensive-driving-style evaluation module (4) evaluates the driving style of the driver under general safety aspects which are not or not always unambiguously specified by legal regulations. A rating-number specification module (5) specifies and updates continuously a rating number which represents a measure of the conformance to rules of driving behavior and defensiveness of the driving style of the driver. A communication module (6) communicates with the rating-number specification module (5) and establishes a data link with a remote data processing device (8). After the rating number has reached or exceeded a predetermined threshold value, this fact is reported to the remote data processing device (8) via the communication module (6).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a driver authentication module1and a plurality of sensors2in the motor vehicle. A traffic-rule-conformance evaluation module3is provided for evaluating the driving behavior of the driver with regard to the maintenance of elementary (i.e., legally enforceable) traffic rules, using data from at least one sensor2. A defensive-driving-style evaluation module4is provided for evaluating the driving style of the driver under general safety aspects which are not or not always unambiguously specified by legal regulations using data from at least one sensor2. A rating-number specification module5is provided for specifying a rating number and for continuously updating it by means of the current driving behavior and driving style of the driver determined in the evaluation modules3and4. A communication module6is coupled to rating module5and authentication module1. All of the aforementioned modules are located in the motor vehicle.

The communication module6receives data from the driver authentication module1and can exchange data with the rating-number specification module5. The communication module6can also establish a bidirectional data link by mobile radio7(GSM, GPRS, UMTS, CDMA, etc.) with a data processing device8which also belongs to the system but which is located at a remote place and which is controlled by a licensing authority or its service provider collaborating with it and which authority or service provider is authorized to effect an improvement in the score of the driver in the traffic offenders file.

The driver authentication module1enables the identity of the driver to be identified or confirmed so that any points to be credited are credited to the actual driver of the motor vehicle and not to anyone else. Methods for such a driver identification are well known in the prior art. The driver authentication module1also enables one and the same person to be able to cumulatively use the system in different motor vehicles which are set up for using the system.

Sensors2comprise many sensors which are either standard or common accessories in modern motor vehicles such as, e.g., a speedometer, sensors for detecting steering-wheel and accelerator-pedal positions, a radar sensor which can be used for measuring the distance from a preceding vehicle, a camera which can be used for automatic traffic signal detection, a satellite navigation device which can be used for determining local speed restrictions from location data and digital maps, or the like.

The traffic-rule-conformance evaluation module3evaluates the driving behavior of the driver with regard to adherence to elementary traffic rules which are specified unambiguously by legal regulations and can be checked for adherence by means of the sensor signals, using the sensor data. For example, the evaluation module3determines whether the driver has applied his safety belt, whether he adheres to local and general speed restrictions, whether he observes traffic lights, whether he stops at stop signs etc. The evaluation module3supplies the individual results and/or mean values of the frequencies of compliance with these rules, which represent an evaluation standard for the corresponding driving behavior, to the rating-number specification module5.

The defensive-driving-style evaluation module4evaluates the driving style of the driver under general safety aspects which are not or not always unambiguously specified by legal regulations, using the sensor data. For example, the evaluation module4determines mean values of the frequencies of severe steering-wheel and accelerator-pedal movements, of abrupt speed changes, of following distances from preceding vehicles presenting safety problems even if these are possibly not prohibited in the actual traffic situation or by specific regulations. A nonexistence of rare occurrence of such situations or events is interpreted as an indication of a non-aggressive, defensive, safe driving style. The evaluation module4supplies the mean values, which represent an evaluation standard for the corresponding driving style, to the rating-number specification module5.

Other criteria which can be evaluated by the defensive-driving-style evaluation module4can be, e.g., whether the driver has necessary maintenance work performed on the motor vehicle, whether the vehicle emission values are in order, whether the tire pressures are correct, provided that corresponding data are available which allow the current general technical state of the motor vehicle to be inferred.

The overall system, and thus the rating-number specification module5will only operate when it is switched on by the driver. The specification module5specifies a rating number on the basis of the evaluation results of the evaluation modules3and4, which can initially be zero after the switching-on, and updates these continuously. This can be done in a similar manner as in the case of known energy-saving techniques offered on commercially available vehicles designated as the “ECO mode,” especially with regard to parameters monitored with respect to the driving style evaluated by the defensive-driving-style evaluation module4. In the ECO mode, sensor signals are used to analyze how the motor vehicle is operated, and the results are reported to the driver, but with the purpose of providing tips for saving fuel.

The rating number can be specified and updated in dependence on the history of the types of infractions in the traffic offenders file. For example, it is possible to ensure that drivers who have become penalized rarely or only with fewer serious traffic offences can obtain higher rating numbers and possibly larger credits in their points rating more rapidly than drivers who have become penalized frequently or with serious traffic offenses. The latter must then display a better driving behavior for a longer time or driving distance in order to be rewarded for this.

Depending on the initial values of the evaluation modules3and4and a weighting given to each event or each mean value, respectively, the rating-number specification module5increments or decrements the rating number. The rating number becomes gradually larger when the driver always drives according to rules and defensively, but becomes smaller again if not.

The weightings which are given to the events or mean values supplied by the evaluation modules3and4can be adapted in correspondence with the type and number of available sensor data. For example, the speed profile can be weighted more if no traffic signal detection is possible.

The weightings can also be tailored to a traffic infraction profile of the driver if available. For example, the entire part or a predominant part of the weighting can be placed on whether the driver adheres to the speed limits in the case of a driver which has become penalized particularly frequently for driving too fast.

As soon as the driver is allocated a rating number which exceeds a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined driving time and/or a predetermined driving distance, this fact is reported to the data processing device8via the communication module6over a wireless connection7, which can be done either automatically or at the request of the driver. The driver is hereupon credited with a predetermined adjustment (e.g., one point) in his score in the traffic offenders file, the rating number is reset to its initial value, and the system begins to operate again from the start.

The score in the traffic offenders file stored by the licensing authority cannot be degraded by the system and the responsible authority is not informed, either, whether the driver uses the system or not or how large the rating number is if it is smaller than the threshold value. Apart from the necessary driver identification data, the authority only receives the information that the rating number has reached or exceeded—or preferably reached or exceeded for a certain driving time or driving distance—the threshold value.

Nevertheless, there can be a return link from the data processing device8via the communication module6and wireless radio link7to the rating-number specification module5in order to enable the rating-number specification module5to perform the evaluation by taking into consideration the current score of the driver in the traffic offenders file, the history of the score, of the traffic violation profile of the driver or the like.

It can be provided that the rating number is reset or reduced automatically to its initial value if the driver switches off the system. But the rating number should not be reset automatically when the motor vehicle is only parked.

The system also comprises a driver/vehicle interface9, for example a video screen or voice output device which supplies the driver with information, especially the following: his current rating number which is incremented or decremented dynamically during his driving; the distance from the rating number which the driver must reach in order to be credited with a point; possibly individual events or mean values as determined by the evaluation modules3and4, e.g., mean driving distance without exceeding speed restrictions or driving time without any transgression of laws which can be indicated by means of responding graphic symbols similar to the ECO mode; the remaining score in the traffic offenders files; and so on.