Virtual trainer for in vehicle driver coaching and to collect metrics to improve driver performance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016358496-A1
Application number	US-201615242847-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 22, 2016
Priority date	Oct 4, 2012
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of providing visual feedback to a driver based on data collected during vehicle operation. A processor at the vehicle analyzes vehicle data, and determines when predetermined threshold values have been reached for particular parameters. Whenever such a threshold is reached, an audible indication is provided to the driver, indicating that the baseline has been exceeded. Certain parameters have at least two threshold values. When a first threshold value is reached, an alert is presented to the driver, but no data is recorded or reported. When a second threshold value is reached, another alert is presented to the driver, and data is recorded for reporting to a driver manager or supervisor. This approach provides a driver warning, that if they correct the triggering behavior, their supervisor is never notified of that behavior. However, if the behavior escalates, and the second threshold is breached, the behavior is recorded.

First claim

The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following:

1 . A method of producing a performance metric indicative of a performance of a driver based on at least one metric corresponding to the driver's operation of the vehicle, and sharing that metric with the driver during driving, comprising the steps of:
(a) automatically collecting vehicle data that can be used to evaluate the driver's performance while the driver is operating the vehicle; (b) using a computing device to automatically analyze the vehicle data and determine if a driver has exceeded a first baseline for a specific metric; (c) after the first baseline is exceeded, automatically providing an audible indication to the driver indicating the first baseline has been exceeded; (d) using the computing device to automatically analyze the vehicle data and determine if a driver has exceeded a second baseline for the specific metric; (e) after the second baseline is exceeded, automatically reporting that the second baseline has been exceeded.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein after the first baseline is exceeded a visual indication is also provided to the driver, indicating that the first baseline has been exceeded.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in the visual indication includes a change in the appearance of an icon being displayed.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically reporting that the baseline for that specific metric baseline was exceeded by the driver comprises the step of automatically using a wireless data link to report to a remote computing device that the baseline for that specific metric was exceeded by the driver.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of automatically prompting the driver to log in at vehicle start up.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of enabling a driver to log in using an RFID card.

7 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of automatically determining if the driver identified during log in has any custom settings including baseline definitions and time periods, and if so utilizing those custom settings in place of default settings in steps (b), (c) and (d) of claim 1 .

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling a remote user to selectively redefine at least one of the baselines and time period for specific metrics.

9 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the steps (b), (d) and (e) of claim 1 are implemented using a first computing device, and the step of also providing a visual reminder is implemented using an accessory display logically coupled to the first computing device.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the accessory display includes an RFID reader that the driver can use to identify himself with before driving.

11 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the visual indication is implemented using a mobile computing device including a screen and a navigation application that automatically employs a first portion of the screen to present a map to the driver, and automatically employs a second portion of the screen to present the information indicating the baseline has been exceeded and the time period remaining.

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
(a) automatically determining if the driver has any metrics for which the baseline and time period was exceeded in a prior driving session; and is so; (b) automatically notifying the driver of at least one such metric whose the baseline and time period was exceeded in the prior driving session.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of automatically notifying the driver of at least one such metric whose at least one of baseline and time period was exceeded in the prior driving comprises the step of notifying the driver of the metric whose baseline and time period was exceeded most often during the prior driving session.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein after the driver exceeds the baseline, further comprising the steps of:
(a) automatically determining if the driver has been allocated a predefined number of events that are to be ignored for a given day; and if so; and (b) automatically not reporting any events associated with exceeding the time period until the allocated number of events has been reached.

15 . A non-transitory memory medium having machine instructions stored thereon for carrying out the steps of claim 1 .

16 . A system for providing driver feedback to a driver during operation of a vehicle; the system comprising:
(a) at least one vehicle data generating component, the at least one vehicle data generating component is configured to generate time indexed vehicle data that can be used to evaluate driver performance; (b) a speaker for providing audible feedback to the driver during vehicle operation; and (c) at least one processor logically coupled to the speaker, the at least one processor implementing the functions of
(i) automatically analyzing the vehicle data to determine if any of the vehicle data exceeds a predefined threshold, and if so automatically providing an audible indication to the driver indicating the predefined threshold has been exceeded; and
(ii) automatically analyzing the vehicle data to determine if after the time period has elapsed the predefined threshold is still being exceeded, and if so automatically reporting that the driver exceeded the predetermined threshold for longer than the predefined time period; and
(d) whereby the driver is given a warning that the threshold has been exceeded and provided an opportunity to change his behavior before the predetermined time period has expired and the exceeded threshold is further reported.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein after the first baseline is exceeded a visual indication is also provided to the driver, indicating that the first baseline has been exceeded.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the change in the visual indication includes a change in the appearance of an icon being displayed.

19 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a wireless data link logically coupled to the at least one processor, and wherein the at least one processor further implements the function of using the wireless data link to automatically report to a remote computing device that the driver exceeded the predetermined threshold for longer than the predefined time period.

20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one processor is part of a first computing device, and the speaker is part of a set of accessories to the first computing device that includes an RFID card reader enabling drivers to uniquely identify themselves.

21 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor is part of a first computing device, and the display is part of a second computing device including a screen and a navigation application that automatically employs a first portion of the screen to present a map to the driver, and automatically employs a second portion of the screen to present the information indicating the first baseline has been exceeded.

Assignees

• Zonar Systems Inc

Inventors

• Mcquade Charles Michael
• King Michael Charles

Classifications

• G07C9/22

  in combination with an identity check of the pass holder · CPC title

• G07C9/29

  the pass containing active electronic elements, e.g. smartcards · CPC title

• G07C9/33

  by means of a password · CPC title

• G09B5/125

  the stations being mobile · CPC title

• G09B19/14

  Traffic procedures, e.g. traffic regulations · CPC title