Patent Issued for Vehicle to vehicle telematics (USPTO 11891071): Allstate Insurance Company

2024 FEB 22 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- From Alexandria, Virginia, NewsRx journalists report that a patent by the inventors Ferguson, Dana (Chicago, IL, US), filed on January 3, 2022, was published online on February 6, 2024.

The patent’s assignee for patent number 11891071 is Allstate Insurance Company (Northbrook, Illinois, United States).

News editors obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Various vehicle-based communication systems allow vehicles to communicate with other devices inside or outside of the vehicle. For example, a Bluetooth system may enable communication between the vehicle and the driver’s mobile phone. Telematics systems (e.g., on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems installed within vehicles) may be configured to access vehicle computers and sensor data and transmit the data to a display within the vehicle, a personal computer or mobile device, or to a centralized data processing system. Data obtained from OBD systems has been used for a variety of purposes, including maintenance, diagnosis, and analysis. Additionally, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems can be used to provide drivers with safety warnings and collision alerts based on data received from other nearby vehicles and/or to evaluate other drivers on the road.”

As a supplement to the background information on this patent, NewsRx correspondents also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. The summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the description below.

“Aspects of the disclosure may include a driving analysis computing device comprising a processor and at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the driving analysis computing device to receive monitoring vehicle driving data collected from vehicle operation sensors within at least one monitoring vehicle by a telematics device within the at least one monitoring vehicle, receive, from the telematics device of the at least one monitoring vehicle, target vehicle driving data, perform an analysis of the monitoring vehicle driving data and the target vehicle driving data, determine a driving behavior associated with the target vehicle based on the analysis of the monitoring vehicle driving data and the target vehicle driving data received from the telematics device of the at least one monitoring vehicle, and output the determined driving behavior associated with the at least one target vehicle.

“In one aspect, the driving analysis computing device may calculate a driver grade for the target vehicle or a driver of the target vehicle based on the determined driving behavior. The target vehicle driving data may be transmitted from the target vehicle to the at least one monitoring vehicle using vehicle-to-vehicle communications. The target vehicle driving data transmitted from the target vehicle to the at least one monitoring vehicle may include at least one selected from the group consisting of a speed of the target vehicle, a position of the target vehicle, and a direction of travel of the target vehicle. The target vehicle driving data may include a driver score associated with the target vehicle or a driver of the target vehicle. Determining the driving behavior may include determining a first relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the at least one monitoring vehicle at a first time and determining a relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the at least one monitoring vehicle at a second time after the first time. Determining the driving behavior may further include determining that the target vehicle tailgated the at least one monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times. Alternatively, determining the driving behavior may further include determining that the target vehicle cut off the at least one monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times.

“Aspects of the disclosure may include a computer-implemented method comprising receiving, by a driving analysis computing device, monitoring vehicle driving data corresponding to monitoring vehicle operation data of at least one monitoring vehicle, receiving, via vehicle-to-vehicle communication, target vehicle driving data corresponding to target vehicle operation data of at least one target vehicle, performing, by the driving analysis computing device, an analysis of the monitoring vehicle driving data and the target vehicle driving data, determining, by the driving analysis computing device, a driving behavior associated with the at least one target vehicle based on the analysis of the monitoring vehicle driving data and the target vehicle driving data, and outputting, by the driving analysis computing device, the determined driving behavior associated with the at least one target vehicle.

“In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may further comprise calculating a driver grade for the at least one target vehicle or a driver of the at least one target vehicle based on the determined driving behavior. The computer-implemented method may further comprise retrieving, by the driving analysis computing device, historical driving behavior associated with the at least one target vehicle, wherein the driver grade for the at least one target vehicle is further calculated based on the historical driving behavior associated with the at least one target vehicle. The target vehicle driving data received via vehicle-to-vehicle communication may include at least one selected from the group consisting of a speed of the at least one target vehicle, a position of the at least one target vehicle, and a direction of travel of the at least one target vehicle. The target vehicle driving data received via vehicle-to-vehicle communication may include a driver score associated with the at least one target vehicle or a driver of the at least one target vehicle. Determining the driving behavior may include determining a first relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the at least one monitoring vehicle at a first time and determining a relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the at least one monitoring vehicle at a second time after the first time. Determining the driving behavior may further include determining that the target vehicle tailgated the at least one monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times. Alternatively, determining the driving behavior may further include determining that the target vehicle cut off the at least one monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. A driving analysis computing device, comprising: a processor; and memory storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the driving analysis computing device to: receive monitoring vehicle driving data from vehicle operation sensors within a monitoring vehicle; receive target vehicle driving data associated with a target vehicle from the target vehicle via one or more vehicle-to-vehicle communications between the monitoring vehicle and the target vehicle; compare the monitoring vehicle driving data with the target vehicle driving data; determine, based on the comparing, a driving behavior associated with the target vehicle; determine, when the driving behavior occurs for a length of time exceeding a minimum time threshold, a severity of the driving behavior, wherein the length of time corresponds to a particular severity of the driving behavior; calculate, based on the severity of the driving behavior, a score for the target vehicle or a driver of the target vehicle; and output the driving behavior to a display to be identified as severely negative when the score is above a severe threshold.

“2. The driving analysis computing device of claim 1, wherein calculating the score comprises assigning a weight to the driving behavior based on the severity of the driving behavior.

“3. The driving analysis computing device of claim 1, the memory storing additional computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the driving analysis computing device to: upload the driving behavior to a server.

“4. The driving analysis computing device of claim 3, wherein the target vehicle driving data comprises one or more of a speed of the target vehicle, a position of the target vehicle, and a direction of travel of the target vehicle.

“5. The driving analysis computing device of claim 1, wherein the target vehicle driving data comprises a driver score associated with the target vehicle or a driver of the target vehicle.

“6. The driving analysis computing device of claim 1, wherein determining the driving behavior comprises: determining a first relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the monitoring vehicle at a first time; and determining a second relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the monitoring vehicle at a second time after the first time.

“7. The driving analysis computing device of claim 6, wherein determining the driving behavior comprises: determining that the target vehicle tailgated the monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times, and based on the target vehicle being within a minimum following distance from the monitoring vehicle for longer than the minimum time threshold.

“8. The driving analysis computing device of claim 6, wherein determining the driving behavior comprises: determining that the target vehicle cut off the monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times, and based on the monitoring vehicle being within a minimum following distance from the target vehicle for longer than the minimum time threshold after the target vehicle changes lane.

“9. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receive, by a driving analysis computing device, monitoring vehicle driving data from vehicle operation sensors within a monitoring vehicle; receiving, by the driving analysis computing device and via one or more vehicle-to-vehicle communications between the monitoring vehicle and a target vehicle, target vehicle driving data corresponding to target vehicle operation data of the target vehicle; determining, by the driving analysis computing device and based on a comparison of the monitoring vehicle driving data with the target vehicle driving data, a driving behavior associated with the target vehicle; determining, when the driving behavior occurs for a length of time exceeding a minimum time threshold a severity of the driving behavior, wherein the length of time corresponds to a particular severity of the driving behavior; calculating based on the severity of the driving behavior, a score for the target vehicle or a driver of the target vehicle; and outputting, by the driving analysis computing device, the driving behavior to a display to be identified as severely negative when the score is above a severe threshold.

“10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein calculating the score comprises assigning a weight to the driving behavior based on the severity of the driving behavior.

“11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising: retrieving, by the driving analysis computing device, historical driving behavior associated with the target vehicle, wherein the score for the target vehicle is further calculated based on the historical driving behavior associated with the target vehicle.

“12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the target vehicle driving data received via vehicle-to-vehicle communication comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a speed of the target vehicle, a position of the target vehicle, and a direction of travel of the target vehicle.

“13. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the target vehicle driving data received via vehicle-to-vehicle communication comprises a driver score associated with the target vehicle or a driver of the target vehicle.

“14. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein determining the driving behavior comprises: determining a first relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the monitoring vehicle at a first time; and determining a second relative position of the target vehicle with respect to the monitoring vehicle at a second time after the first time.

“15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein determining the driving behavior comprises: determining that the target vehicle tailgated or cut-off the monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times, and based on either: that the target vehicle is within a minimum following distance from the monitoring vehicle for longer than the minimum time threshold, or that the monitoring vehicle is within a minimum following distance from the target vehicle for longer than the minimum time threshold after the target vehicle changes lane.

“16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein determining the driving behavior comprises: determining that the target vehicle followed the monitoring vehicle at a safe following distance, yielded to the monitoring vehicle, or defensively avoided the monitoring vehicle, based on the first and second relative positions and the first and second times.

“17. A driving analysis system associated with a monitoring vehicle, the driving analysis system comprising: one or more vehicle operation sensors within the monitoring vehicle; a first communication system configured to receive target vehicle driving data from a target vehicle; and a driving analysis computing device configured to: receive monitoring vehicle driving data from vehicle operation sensors within a monitoring vehicle; receive target vehicle driving data associated with a target vehicle, wherein the target vehicle driving data is received via one or more vehicle-to-vehicle communications between the monitoring vehicle and the target vehicle; determine, based on a comparison of the monitoring vehicle driving data with the target vehicle driving data, a driving behavior associated with the target vehicle; determine, when the driving behavior occurs for a length of time exceeding a minimum time threshold, a severity of the driving behavior, wherein the length of time corresponds to a particular severity of the driving behavior; calculate, based on the severity of the driving behavior, a score for the target vehicle or a driver of the target vehicle; and output the driving behavior to a display to be identified as severely negative when the score is above a severe threshold.

“18. The driving analysis system of claim 17, wherein the target vehicle driving data comprises one or more of a speed of the target vehicle, a position of the target vehicle, and a direction of travel of the target vehicle.

“19. The driving analysis system of claim 17, the memory storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the driving analysis computing device to: display, via a graphical user interface, the target vehicle driving data.

“20. The driving analysis system of claim 17, wherein a user input received from the driver of the monitoring vehicle comprises an identity of the target vehicle or the driver of the target vehicle.”

For additional information on this patent, see: Ferguson, Dana. Vehicle to vehicle telematics. U.S. Patent Number 11891071, filed January 3, 2022, and published online on February 6, 2024. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(11891071)&db=USPAT&type=ids

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