Source: http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US8085166
Timestamp: 2013-05-26 06:27:36
Document Index: 458410138

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 04744950', 'Application No. 172989', 'Application No. 04744950', 'Application No. 172989', 'Application No. 04744950']

Patent US8085166 - Traffic information system - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Web History | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA method of evaluating the driving behavior in a vehicle. The method includes determining values of a plurality of parameters of the operation of a first vehicle in a first road segment, determining values of the plurality of parameters for one or more second vehicles in a second road segment having...http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US8085166?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8085166 - Traffic information systemPublication numberUS8085166 B2Publication typeGrantApplication number12/876,182Publication date27 Dec 2011Filing date6 Sep 2010Priority date7 Jul 2003Also published asCA2531662A1EP1652128A2EP1652128A4US7821421US20070027583US20100332266US20120089423WO2005003885A2WO2005003885A3InventorsAsaf TamirIdo TopazOriginal AssigneeSensomatix Ltd.U.S. Classification340/901340/425.5705/4340/441340/439340/438International ClassificationB60Q1/00G06Q40/00G06FG06G7/70Cooperative ClassificationG06Q40/08G08G1/096791G07C5/008G07C5/085G06Q30/0283G08G1/096716G08G1/096775G08G1/164G08G1/096741G08G1/09675European ClassificationG08G1/0967B2G08G1/0967C1G08G1/0967A1G07C5/00TG08G1/16BG08G1/0967B1G08G1/0967C3G07C5/08R2G06Q40/08G06Q30/0283ReferencesPatent Citations (26)Non-Patent Citations (10)External LinksUSPTOUSPTO AssignmentEspacenetTraffic information systemUS 8085166 B2Abstract A method of evaluating the driving behavior in a vehicle. The method includes determining values of a plurality of parameters of the operation of a first vehicle in a first road segment, determining values of the plurality of parameters for one or more second vehicles in a second road segment having similar properties to those of the first road segment, comparing the determined values of the first vehicle and the one or more second vehicles and providing an evaluation of the driving behavior of the first vehicle, responsive to the comparison.
1. A method of evaluating a driver behavior in a vehicle, the method including:
monitoring a vehicle's behavior over at least one driving session;
identifying potential safety violation events of a driving event;
classifying each identified potential safety violation event as a safety violation event or as a non-safety violation event based on said potential safety violation event and the vehicle's behavior before and after said potential safety violation event; and
evaluating the driver behavior of the vehicle by analyzing the classifications of the identified potential safety violation events during said at least one driving session.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein monitoring a vehicle's behavior comprises determining if the vehicle stopped or continued driving after a potential safety violation event.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein classifying said potential safety violation event comprises determining if said potential safety violation event comprises a near-accident event.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein classifying said potential safety violation comprises determining if said potential safety violation event comprises an accident event.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein identifying a triggering potential safety violation event comprises identifying a deceleration event.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said identifying a deceleration event is performed by an apparatus which is less accurate than an accelerometer.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said identifying a deceleration event comprises determining a deceleration event based on the speed and/or location of the vehicle.
8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said identifying a deceleration event comprises determining a deceleration event based on examination of the vehicle engine.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein identifying a potential safety violation event comprises identifying the location of the vehicle.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein identifying the location of the vehicle comprises identifying that the vehicle is already in or approaching a road curve or a road turn.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein monitoring a vehicle's behavior during at least one driving session includes analyzing the speed of the vehicle when taking the road curve.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein analyzing the speed of the vehicle when taking the road curve comprises analyzing the speed according to the curve's angle and/or length.
13. A method according to claim 1, wherein classifying said potential safety violation event comprises determining based on said potential safety violation event, the vehicle's behavior after said potential safety violation event and the behavior of other vehicles on the road.
determining the severity of said safety violation event.
assigning a safety score to the vehicle responsive to said evaluating the driver behavior of the vehicle.
determining an insurance rate for the vehicle responsive to said evaluating the driver behavior of the vehicle.
17. A method of evaluating a driver behavior in a vehicle, the method including:
monitoring a vehicle's behavior during a driving event;
identifying a potential safety violation event of said driving event;
classifying said potential safety violation event as a safety violation event or as a non-safety violation event by comparing said potential safety violation event and the vehicle's behavior before or after said potential safety violation event to dynamically adjustable thresholds.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein monitoring a vehicle's behavior during a driving event comprises determining if the vehicle was approaching an intersection or a road curve.
19. A method according to claim 17, wherein monitoring a vehicle's behavior during a driving event comprises determining the behavior of other vehicles on the road.
20. A method according to claim 17, wherein classifying said potential safety violation event comprises determining if said triggering event comprises a near-accident event.
assigning a safety score to the vehicle responsive to said classifying said potential safety violation event.
determining an insurance rate for the vehicle responsive to said classifying said potential safety violation event.
23. A method according to claim 17, wherein said dynamically adjustable thresholds comprise the prevailing speed of a road segment.
24. A method according to claim 17, wherein said dynamically adjustable thresholds are adjusted according to the traffic load on a road. Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/563,703 filed on Jul. 21, 2006, which is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2004/000610 having an International Filing Date of Jul. 7, 2004, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. �1.19(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/484,667 filed on Jul. 7, 2003. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to traffic monitoring systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many systems are used to monitor the operation of vehicles.
US patent publication 2004/0032334 to Haq, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a system for identifying when a driver falls asleep and which applies a visual and audio alarm to awake sleeping drivers.
US patent publication 2004/0024444 to Hiyama et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a safe driving support apparatus that provides advice to the driver based on vehicle data (e.g., vehicle speed, yaw rate, acceleration) and operation data (e.g., depression angle of acceleration throttle).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a method of evaluating the driving behavior in a vehicle. The method includes collecting driving information from a plurality of vehicles and evaluating the driving behavior of a first vehicle based on information from at least one other vehicle or to a statistical analysis of multiple other vehicles. Optionally, the comparison is to behavior of another vehicle performed at a different time and/or at a different location than of the first vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Particular non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the figures, in which:
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle monitoring system 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. System 100 includes in each vehicle 150 associated with system 100, an on-board monitoring unit 102, which collects raw data on the operation of the vehicle, analyzes the data, provides driver warnings and communicates with a control station 130.
A mapping memory unit 116 optionally stores mapping data of roads, which may be traversed by vehicle 150. Alternatively or additionally, mapping data is received from control station 130, through transceiver 112. In some embodiments of the invention, memory unit 116 carries cached mapping data and when necessary additional mapping data is downloaded from control station 130. In some embodiments of the invention, memory unit 116 caches information of geographical areas recently traversed by vehicle 150. Alternatively, memory unit 116 caches some of the information of areas of interest, while other information, which is seldom used, is received from control station 130 upon request. Further alternatively, the mapping information in memory unit 116 is generated entirely based on the readings of GPS receiver 108, without receiving readings from other vehicles. Alternatively, a basic mapping database is installed with monitoring unit 102 and later updates are generated responsive to readings of GPS receiver 108 and/or determinations of processor 114. This alternative reduces cellular bandwidth costs.
The sampling rate of accelerometers 106 is optionally sufficiently fast to allow determination of the braking patterns of vehicle 150. The sampling rate is adapted, in some embodiments of the invention, according to the road conditions and/or the driver behavior. Optionally, when approaching an intersection and/or a curve, the sampling rate is increased, and after the intersection or curve the sampling rate is decreased. Alternatively or additionally, the sampling rate is adjusted according to the speed of the vehicle 150. Further alternatively or additionally, the sampling rate is adjusted according to the driving pattern of vehicle 150. For example, when it is determined that the driver is driving relatively daringly, a higher sampling rate is used. In some embodiments of the invention, monitoring unit 102 includes sensors that are only operated at special occasions, such as when an accident is possible and/or near intersections or for specific drivers (e.g., new drivers). This may allow lower power consumption and less wear and tear of monitoring unit 102.
Referring in more detail to searching (204) for events, in some embodiments of the invention, the searching for events includes identifying when the vehicle 150 is approaching a sign (e.g., a stop sign), a curve or an intersection. The speed of the vehicle 150 and/or other operation attributes of the vehicle are determined and are compared to thresholds indicating when a warning is required. Optionally, the threshold is set dynamically according to the time of day (e.g., light or dark, rush hour), date, the weather, visibility and/or a driver or vehicle rating or profile. For example, a driver that generally completes curves entered at high speed without leaving the lane may have a higher threshold than a driver that is known to vigorously press on the brakes within curves. In some embodiments of the invention, the driver and/or vehicle owner may set a desired threshold, for example through user interface 120. In some embodiments of the invention, the warning thresholds are adjusted responsive to the number of passengers in vehicle 150. The number of passengers may be determined according to sensors under the passenger seats, from driver input, based on acceleration readings and/or using any other method known in the art.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, warnings are provided when passing near a junction where other vehicles are turning right onto the lane of the vehicle 150, where there is no entrance lane for building up speed. These warnings may be provided when it is known that there are vehicles waiting to come out or, for simplicity of system 100, regardless of whether there are vehicles waiting to enter the lane.
Alternatively or additionally, monitoring unit 102 is provided with timing information of traffic lights that vehicle 150 is approaching. In some embodiments of the invention, output unit 118 provides an indication of the distance to the traffic light together with an indication of the time slot at which the light will be green, a speed at which to approach the light in order to reach the light when it is green and/or a count down until the light becomes green. Optionally, when vehicle 150 stands at a light, a count down is displayed on the time until the light turns green. Alternatively or additionally, a buzzer operates 3-4 seconds before the light turns green. In some embodiments of the invention, the driver may select a desired display format from a plurality of possibilities.
In addition, other statistical parameters may be determined, for example one or more of: the actual roads traveled by the vehicle, the average driving time and/or distance per day and/or per session, the number of separate driving sessions (separate sessions are optionally defined as session separated by a predetermined amount of time, such as at least 10-30 minutes) and/or the number of intersections passed in a session. Other parameters for which data is collected, may include, for example, the number of driving sessions for a predetermined distance (e.g., 1000 miles). Other statistical parameters may be collected, according to the accumulated data.
2.3.1. Number/frequency of turning at no-u-turn locations 2.4. One Way 2.4.1. Number/frequency of entering a one way road on the opposite direction 2.5. Traffic Lights
Alternatively or additionally, any high accuracy GPS method known in the art, is used, such as differential GPS (DGPS), WAAS or INS (inertial navigation system). Further alternatively or additionally, a gyro is used to correct the GPS readings. In some embodiments of the invention, stationary transmitters which supply their accurate coordinates to passing vehicles 150 are positioned at various road locations. The stationary transmitters may transmit their coordinates to passing vehicles using any method known in the art, such as short range RF and/or infrared. The coordinates from the stationary transmitters are used by the vehicle to calibrate its location information. The stationary transmitters are optionally positioned at important locations, such as on stop signs, traffic lights and/or near road curves. In some embodiments of the invention, cellphone positioning methods are used. In some embodiments of the invention, the location information used by monitoring unit 102 is of low accuracy, while control station 130 receives the raw GPS readings, corrects them and provides high quality location information for the report generation and/or transmits the corrected information back to monitoring unit 102. Alternatively or additionally, monitoring unit 102 performs some accuracy enhancement while control station uses a stronger accuracy enhancement.
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