US 2014/0195310 A1 · VIRTUAL TRAINER FOR IN VEHICLE DRIVER COACHING AND TO COLLECT METRICS TO IMPROVE DRIVER PERFORMANCE

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, a visual alert is presented to the driver. 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. The tiered threshold approach provides a warning to a driver, such that if they correct the behavior triggering the warning, their supervisor is never notified of that behavior. However, if the behavior escalates, and the second threshold is breached, the behavior is recorded.

Claims19

Dependent claims

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 displaying to the driver information 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 displaying to the driver information indicating the second baseline has been exceeded.

2 more elements

A system for displaying 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 display for displaying feedback to the driver during vehicle operation;
(c) at least one processor logically coupled to the display, 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 first predefined threshold, and if so automatically displaying to the driver information indicating the first predefined threshold has been exceeded;
(ii) automatically analyzing the vehicle data to determine if any of the vehicle data exceeds a second predefined threshold, and if so automatically displaying to the driver information indicating the second predefined threshold has been exceeded.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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

Life of this patent

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

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19