AU2019100506A4

AU2019100506A4 - Driver Monitoring Techniques

Info

Publication number: AU2019100506A4
Application number: AU2019100506A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas James Marchesi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-01
Filing date: 2019-03-18
Publication date: 2019-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-24
Also published as: AU2013101780A4; AU2013205414A1; AU2019202087A1; NZ609812A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for updating a driver account. The method includes the steps of: monitoring driving behavior of a driver using information received from the driver's mobile phone; updating the driver account associated with the mobile phone using the received information; and, redeeming rewards using the mobile phone, wherein the step of updating involves issuing driver reward points to the account based upon acceptable driving behavior.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to driver monitoring techniques. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to monitoring the driving behavior of younger licensed automobile drivers.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] A high proportion of drivers that are killed or injured each year are young drivers. Young drivers are vulnerable to driving mishaps owing to a combination of inexperience and recklessness.

[0004] In recent years, the Queensland government has introduced a mandatory minimum number of supervised driving hours which must be undertaken by the learner driver as a prerequisite to undertake full probationary license testing. In this manner, logging of driving hours by learner drivers in a log book is undertaken and signed off by the supervisor possessing a full driver’s license. In practice, entries in the log book are often inaccurate or forgotten altogether.

[0005] In addition, young drivers with probationary licenses are more prone to take risks such as driving at excessive speeds. In recent years, speed cameras and other deterrents have been introduced to curb such reckless driving behavior.

[0006] In spite of these initiatives, the fact is that too many young Queensland drivers continue to be killed or injured.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for reducing the incidence of young drivers being killed or injured.

2019100506 18 Mar 2019

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for updating a driver account, the method including the steps of:

monitoring driving behavior of a driver using information received from the driver’s mobile phone; and updating the driver account associated with the mobile phone using the received information.

[0009] The step of updating may involve issuing driver reward points to the account based upon acceptable driving behaviour. The method may involve the step of deducting driver reward points from the account based upon poor driving behavior or infrequent driving. The method may involve the step of redeeming rewards using the mobile phone. The method may further involve deducting reward points from the account in the event of answering a call or reading a text message during driving.

[00010] In one embodiment, the step of updating may involve updating a driver’s log of the account. The step of updating may be enabled conditional to detecting another mobile phone associated with a fully qualified driver in close proximity to the mobile phone when driving. The time of day, distance driven on road types and journey distances may be logged.

[00011] The method may further involve the step of monitoring speed of the mobile phone. The method may further involve issuing a warning to the mobile phone in the event of speeding or the approach of a speed camera. The method may involve the step of disabling or diverting incoming calls or text messages to the mobile phone during driving or when the mobile phone speed exceeds a speed limit. The method may further involve the steps of displaying the real time location, speed limit or speed camera locations on the mobile phone.

[00012] The account may be linked to a license bearing a microchip. The method may further involve the step of reading the microchip.

[00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server for updating a driver account, the server including:

2019100506 18 Mar 2019 monitoring means for monitoring driving behavior of a driver using information received from the driver’s mobile phone; and updating means for updating the driver account associated with the mobile phone using the received information.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile phone configured to facilitate:

monitoring driving behavior of a driver using information from the mobile phone; and updating a driver account associated with the mobile phone using the information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00015] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in anyway. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00016] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a driver monitoring system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [00017] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a driver rewards and driver logging method performed using the system of Figure 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a driver monitoring system 100 as shown in Figure 1. The monitoring system 100 includes a road traffic authority server 102 with a database storing a learner driver’s account linked to a learner driver’s license 104. The license bears a microchip 106 including information about the learner driver 105 from which stored driver information can be read.

2019100506 18 Mar 2019 [00019] The monitoring system 100 further includes a learner driver’s smart mobile phone 108 (e.g. iPhone) which can communicate with the server 102 via the Internet 109. The phone 108 can execute an application program (i.e. an “App”) for connecting to a website hosted on the server 102. The learner driver’s phone 108 is linked to the learner driver’s account. Similarly, the system 100 further includes a supervisor’s (e.g. parent’s) mobile phone 110 linked to a supervisor’s full driver’s license and corresponding account stored in the database.

[00020] The system 100 further includes a personal computer 112 which enables the learner driver 105 to access the learner driver’s account stored by the road traffic authority server 102.

[00021] A driver rewards and logging method 200 performed using the system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is now described with reference to Figure 2.

[00022] At step 202, the road traffic authority server 102 creates the learner driver’s account. The learner driver 108 can use their mobile phone 108 or PC 112 to create the account.

[00023] At step 204, the server 102 logs in the learner driver’s mobile phone 108 and the supervisor’s mobile phone 110 to the account. The method 200 then proceeds conditional to both phones 108, 110 being located in close proximity to each other (i.e. in the same car).

[00024] At step 206, the server 102 monitors driving behavior of the learner driver

105 using information received from one or both of the mobile phones 108, 110. Elaborating further, the server 102 monitors the location of the mobile phone 108 using GPS tracking to deduce the speed of the phone 108. The server 102 interfaces with stored road maps, and deduces the drivers behavior based upon abidance of the known speed limit along roads, the distance travelled along roads, the time of day travelled, the types of roads driven on (e.g. sealed, highways, city streets, country roads, etc.). Furthermore, the server 102 correlates known speed camera (or radar) locations stored on another server with the maps. The other server typically hosts a consumer information website which is updated periodically showing the location of speed cameras including mobile speed cameras.

2019100506 18 Mar 2019 [00025] At step 208, the server 102 issues a warning to the mobile phones 108, 110 in the event of speeding of the approach of a speed camera. Incoming calls or text messages to the learner driver’s mobile phone 108 are disabled or diverted during driving. Incoming calls or text messages to the supervisor’s mobile phone 110 are disabled or diverted when the speed of the mobile phone 110 exceeds a current speed limit. The real time location on a map and current speed limit are displayed on the mobile phones 108, 110 during driving. Furthermore, the speed camera locations are also displayed on the map.

[00026] At step 210, upon completion of the drive, the server 102 logs details of the drive in a virtual log book in the learner driver’s account. The identity and presence of the supervisor is also recorded for validation.

[00027] At step 212, the server 102 updates a reward point balance of the learner driver’s account based upon the drive. Driver reward points are issued to the account based upon acceptable driving behavior (e.g. maintaining speed limit) and deducted based upon poor driving behavior (e.g. breaking speed limit).

[00028] At step 214, the server 102 receives a redemption request from the learner driver 105 using phone 108 or PC 112 to redeem accumulated reward points. The reward points can be redeemed for discounts on insurance, registration, road toll credits, petrol discounts or other products or services.

[00029] Advantageously, the present embodiment ensures that the learner driver 105 gains at least the minimum required driving experience by accurately monitoring drives. Furthermore, recklessness is guarded against as speeding warnings are sent as required, and call and text message interruptions are disabled during driving. The Road Traffic Authority also has access to the driving behavior of the learner driver 105 which can be used in traffic and road management, and other driving safety strategies.

[00030] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00031] In the preferred embodiment, updating log details of the drive and reward points were performed upon the completion of the drive. In another embodiment, such updating is performed in real time during the drive.

2019100506 18 Mar 2019 [00032] In one embodiment, the server 102 deducts reward points from the account for infrequent driving. In one embodiment, the server 102 deducts reward points from the account in the event of answering a call or reading a text message with the learner driver’s mobile phone 108 during driving. Alternatively, a fine may issue or driving demerit points may be deducted in these circumstances.

[00033] In one embodiment, the logging of the drive details can be self-policed. The identity and presence of the supervisor need not be recorded for validation.

[00034] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[00035] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A method for updating a driver account, the method including the steps of:

monitoring driving behavior of a driver using information received from the driver’s mobile phone;

updating the driver account associated with the mobile phone using the received information, and redeeming rewards using the mobile phone;

wherein the step of updating involves issuing driver reward points to the account based upon acceptable driving behavior.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, involving the step of deducting driver reward points from the account based upon poor driving behavior.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the poor driving behavior includes answering a call or reading a text message during driving.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, involving deducting driver reward points from the account based upon infrequent driving.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step of updating is enabled conditional to detecting another mobile phone associated with a fully qualified driver in close proximity to the mobile phone when driving.