(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0371456A1
`Moore, JR. et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 24, 2015
`
`US 20150371456A1
`
`(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR DETECTING
`AND REMOTELY ASSESSING VEHICLE
`INCIDENTS AND DISPATCHING
`ASSISTANCE
`(71) Applicant: Hertz System, Inc., Park Ridge, NJ (US)
`(72) Inventors: Robert D. Moore, JR., Oklahoma City,
`OK (US); Michael McDowell,
`Westwood, NJ (US)
`(73) Assignee: Hertz System, Inc., Park Ridge, NJ (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/313,642
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 24, 2014
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G07C5/00
`G06K 9/00
`GOIS 19/3
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................. G07C5/008 (2013.01); G0IS 19/13
`(2013.01); G06K9/00838 (2013.01); G06K
`9/00791 (2013.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for detecting and remotely assessing a
`vehicle incident and dispatching assistance to a motorist. The
`system includes an in-car device for detecting vehicular inci
`dents such as mechanical failures and collisions. The system
`transmits an incident notification to a remote monitoring sta
`tion. A camera associated with the device transmits images to
`the station, where an operator can view and assess the nature
`of the incident, communicate by voice and/or video with the
`occupant of the vehicle via a cellular telephone connection,
`and dispatch assistance. Assistance may include sending a
`replacement vehicle.
`
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 24, 2015 Sheet 1 of 2
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 24, 2015 Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 2015/0371456 A1
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`US 2015/0371456 A1
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`Dec. 24, 2015
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`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR DETECTING
`AND REMOTELY ASSESSING VEHICLE
`INCIDENTS AND DISPATCHING
`ASSISTANCE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates to a system with an
`in-vehicle device for detecting vehicularincidents and related
`systems and methods of automatically detecting vehicular
`breakdowns and accidents, remotely assessing the incidents
`and dispatching appropriate assistance, including sending a
`replacement vehicle.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Motor vehicles can break down and become inop
`erable, potentially leaving a motorist stranded and in need of
`assistance and a replacement vehicle. Motor vehicles also
`become involved in collisions, which also leave a motorist in
`need of assistance, potentially emergency medical assistance.
`An injured motorist may be unable to call for help. Although
`systems exist which can automatically detect a collision, Such
`as by detecting when an airbag has deployed and report the
`deployment to a monitor, they do not allow a remote monitor
`to assess the nature and severity of the incident. Although
`Some systems permit a remote operator to attempt to contact
`the motorist by cellular telephone, an injured motorist may
`not even be able to respond by voice.
`0003) A need therefore exists for a system and method of
`automatically detecting a vehicle breakdown or collision,
`remotely assessing the nature and severity of the situation and
`dispatching the appropriate type of assistance. Depending on
`the nature and severity of the incident, the assistance may
`include sending a replacement vehicle and/or dispatching a
`mechanic, towing service or emergency response service to a
`motorist.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0004. In accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion, a system is provided for monitoring a vehicle's status
`and detecting an incident such as a mechanical breakdown or
`collision. The system includes an in-vehicle electronic device
`configured to receive and monitor data from vehicle systems
`and a variety of sensors in the device or on the vehicle. Upon
`detection of an incident such as a system failure or collision,
`the device automatically transmits the telematics data to a
`remote monitoring station.
`0005. In one embodiment, the device may comprise a GPS
`device which automatically provides the vehicle's location.
`0006. In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, upon receiving a signal at a remote monitoring
`station indicating a vehicle incident, an operator activates a
`camera in the vehicle and remotely makes a visual assessment
`of the incident.
`0007. In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, after assessing the nature of the incident, the opera
`tor dispatches appropriate assistance, which may include
`sending a replacement vehicle.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0008 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having an
`in-vehicle electronic device according to the invention dis
`posed therein.
`
`0009 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an in-vehicle elec
`tronic device according to the invention.
`0010 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate location
`of an in-vehicle camera in accordance with one embodiment
`of the invention.
`0011
`FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a system
`according to the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`0012. With reference to the accompanying Figures, in
`accordance with the present invention, an in-vehicle elec
`tronic device, system and method for automatically detecting
`an incident such as a vehicle breakdown or collision, remotely
`assessing the nature and severity of the incident and dispatch
`ing the appropriate type of assistance are described in this
`section. The invention is particularly suitable for use in rental
`vehicles and leased fleet vehicles but may also be used with
`personal vehicles. The system and method of the invention
`are intended as a comprehensive solution to provide a cus
`tomer with convenience, Safety and peace of mind when
`operating a motor vehicle.
`0013. In particular, the system includes an in-car device 10
`configured to be located in a vehicle 12, as illustrated in FIG.
`1. In-car device 10 is configured to send and receive data to
`and from a remote server 14 operated by a vehicle monitoring
`service, with a human operator at customer service represen
`tative (CSR) terminal 24, as depicted schematically in FIG. 4.
`0014. Although depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a single,
`Separate unit mounted in the passenger compartment of
`vehicle 12, all or part of device 10 may be integrated into
`vehicle 12, and device 10, or some components thereof, may
`be located inside the cabin, engine compartment or trunk of
`vehicle 12. In-car device 10 may be any suitable device of a
`size and configuration to be conveniently located in vehicle
`12, as long as the device includes a microprocessor, a
`memory, wireless communications connectivity, and GPS
`capability. GPS capability may be provided by a dedicated
`GPS device included in device 10, or by connecting or caus
`ing device 12 to communicate with an on-board OEM or
`consumer-installed GPS device located in vehicle 12. In-car
`device 10 is configured to operatively connect to vehicle 12 to
`receive data from vehicle 12, as discussed in more detail
`below
`0015. A microphone 16, speaker 18 and at least one cam
`era 20 are included in or connected to device 10. One or more
`of these components may be physically integrated with
`device 10 or located remotely in the cabin, for example, in or
`on the dashboard, in the rear view mirror housing or in an
`overhead console. For example, camera 20a may be mounted
`in an overhead console as shown in FIG. 3. Microphone 16
`and/or speaker 18 may be dedicated devices or may be inte
`grated with the vehicle's audio and/or cell phone system.
`0016 Camera 20 or 20a is positioned so that its field of
`view includes at least the driver's seat area, and preferably the
`passenger seats as well. Camera 20 or 20a is preferably mov
`able so that it can be panned, as indicated in FIG. 3, and may
`be equipped witha Zoom lens. For privacy reasons, camera 20
`and microphone 16 are preferably normally disabled, and are
`enabled only in the event of an incident as described below.
`Camera 20, 20a may be rotatable and suitably positioned, or
`alternately an additional camera (not shown) may be pro
`vided, to capture a forward field of view through the wind
`shield of vehicle 12. The forward-facing camera may be
`located for example, on the forward-facing side of device 10,
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`or in or on the dashboard, in the rear view mirror housing or
`in an overhead console of vehicle 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The
`forward-facing camera is preferably always active and
`enabled, and images or video provided by the camera are
`stored, in memory in in-car device 10 and/or at remote server
`14. Preferably, the most recent thirty seconds or so of images
`or video are stored, which may be valuable in reviewing
`events leading up to a crash or other vehicle incident.
`0017 Optionally, device 10 may also include or be con
`nected to a graphical user display 22, which may be a touch
`screen or other Suitable display Screen, and a user input device
`or mechanism, which may for example be touch screen 22, a
`keypad, or a touch pad separate from a display screen, or
`simple button to activate microphone 16. In-car device 10
`may be fully customized device, built solely for purposes of
`the system of the invention, or may be integrated with other
`onboard systems. Alternatively, in-car device 10 may be a
`custom-programmed mobile personal electronic device Such
`as a mobile telephone, PC, or tablet, for example, provided
`the device includes a camera. It should be understood that the
`in-car device is not limited to a device that is affixed perma
`nently inside a vehicle, but also includes fully portable
`devices which may be used both within a vehicle and else
`where. Such a device should, however, be securely mounted
`in a bracket (or by other removable attachment means) in the
`vehicle so that its camera can capture an image of the driver's
`seat. Where the portable device is a customer's personal
`electronic device such as a mobile Smartphone, the device
`may be custom programmed by the user downloading a cus
`tom application (“app') provided by a system operator, which
`may be, for example, a rental car service, leased fleet operator
`or independent system operator.
`0018 Device 10 is connected to a variety of sensors on the
`vehicle. Typically these sensors will be preinstalled on the
`vehicle as parts of OEM vehicle systems, but the system of the
`invention may include additional custom-installed sensors
`which are included in or connected to device 10. Device 10
`receives data from the sensors concerning various states and
`conditions of vehicle 12, such as fuel level, oil pressure,
`coolant/antifreeze level, transmission or brake fluid level, tire
`pressure, engine temperature, battery charge level, etc.
`Device 10 is preferably also connected to the vehicle's on
`board diagnostics system from which it receives vehicle
`maintenance codes indicating mechanical failures. Device 10
`is also configured to receive a signal if one or more airbags are
`deployed, and alternately may be connected to receive signals
`from one or more collision sensors located on the bumpers or
`other parts of the vehicle. Other sensors may be added to
`detect conditions such as a vehicle rollover or unusually large
`amounts of pitch and/or yaw.
`0019 Preferably, device 10 is integrated with, or receives
`data from, the vehicle's onboard telematics systems. Vehicle
`telematics encompasses all types of automation in automo
`biles, such as an emergency warning system, GPS navigation,
`integrated hands-free cellphones, wireless safety communi
`cations and automatic driving assistance systems
`0020 In-car device 10 also provides a direct wireless data
`and Voice communications link to the monitoring service.
`Upon detection of a vehicle incident, device 10 automatically
`transmits data via the link including an identification of
`vehicle 12 and the subscriber, the geographic location of
`vehicle 12 based on GPS data, and a signal indicating the
`nature of the incident, i.e., mechanical breakdown or colli
`
`Sion. Transmitted data may also include data concerning the
`state of the various vehicle systems and sensors.
`0021. If in-vehicle device 10 detects that vehicle 12 has
`broken down and is inoperable, device 10 sends a signal to
`server 14 indicating the nature of the mechanical problemand
`the location of vehicle 12 as determined by GPS data. A
`customer service agent using terminal 24 connected to server
`14 can initiate Voice communication with the customer uti
`lizing built-in or linked peripherals associated with device 10,
`and then dispatches a mechanic, towing service and/or a
`replacement vehicle to the customer's location.
`0022. If in-vehicle device 10 detects that vehicle 12 has
`been involved in a collision, device 10 sends an emergency
`signal to server 14 indicating that a collision has occurred and
`the location of vehicle 12 as determined by GPS data. The
`signal may also include any available data relating to the
`collision, Such as whether any airbags have deployed and, if
`So, which ones. Software running on server 14 analyzes the
`data transmitted from device 10 to determine the nature of the
`incident and the vehicle's location, and displays this infor
`mation on CRS terminal 24.
`0023. In response to the emergency signal, camera 20 in
`vehicle 12 is activated, preferably automatically but option
`ally manually by the system operator at CSR terminal 24,
`permitting the operator to remotely view the scene of the
`accident including the driver and any passengers. If the cam
`era is so equipped, the operator may remotely pan it and/or
`operate the Zoom lens to obtain a better view of the situation
`in the vehicle. If the camera(s) provides a view of the exterior
`of vehicle 12, the operator may also be able to visually assess
`the extent of damage to the vehicle. The operator using ter
`minal 24 is also connected to vehicle 12 by cellphone and can
`communicate with the driver and/or passengers via micro
`phone 16 and speaker 18 in vehicle 12. Based on the visual
`assessment and/or conversation with the driver and/or pas
`sengers, the operator then contacts the appropriate emergency
`responders (police, ambulance, towing service, et al.) to the
`vehicle's location. The operator also dispatches a replace
`ment vehicle to the scene, or to another location as appropri
`ate.
`0024. CSR terminal 24 preferably includes a camera 26
`which captures an image of the customer service representa
`tive. The system permits not only live voice but also live video
`connectivity between the customer service representative and
`the occupants of vehicle 12. The customer service represen
`tative can thereby assure the vehicle occupants that assistance
`is on the way, update the vehicle occupants on the status and
`expected arrival time of assistance, and generally provide a
`level of comfort to the vehicle occupants until help arrives on
`the scene. The customer service representative can also visu
`ally and audibly monitor the situation in the vehicle and relay
`updates to emergency responders on a separate phone line or
`radio communications channel.
`0025. An individual customer may purchase a subscrip
`tion for the service either as an option on a car rental contract
`or for a personal vehicle. If the subscription is purchased in
`connection with a rental, it runs for the term of the rental.
`Alternately, a customer may subscribe on a periodic (e.g.,
`annual) basis to automatically have the service on all rentals
`from the rental agency during the Subscription period, or the
`rental agency may offer the service as part of a premium or
`preferred customer package. Subscription information may
`be included in a customer profile so that the service is auto
`matically included by default each time the customer reserves
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`a rental vehicle. If a subscription is for a personal vehicle, it
`will run for a fixed period such as one year. A subscription for
`a personal vehicle may be limited to a certain number of
`replacement vehicles during the term (e.g., two per year) with
`additional replacement vehicles provided at an additional
`charge. A leased fleet manager may purchase Subscriptions to
`coverall of the vehicles in its fleet on a periodic or other basis.
`0026. Subscriptions may be purchased in any suitable
`manner, Such as by telephone when reserving a rental vehicle
`or at the rental desk or kiosk, but preferably a customer can
`also subscribe via a website using a computer, Smartphone or
`other personal electronic device.
`0027. Upon receipt of an incident signal from a vehicle,
`Software running on server 14 can automatically identify the
`vehicle and match it with a subscriber; and determine whether
`the vehicle is a rental vehicle or a private vehicle whose owner
`has subscribed to the service.
`0028. While the invention has been described with respect
`to certain preferred embodiments, as will be appreciated by
`those skilled in theart, it is to be understood that the invention
`is capable of numerous changes, modifications and rear
`rangements, and Such changes, modifications and rearrange
`ments are intended to be covered by the following claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A system for detecting and assessing a vehicle incident,
`comprising:
`an in-car device configured to be located in a vehicle and
`configured to receive data indicating the status of at least
`one of the vehicle's systems;
`the in-car device comprising a GPS device;
`a remote monitoring station in wireless data communica
`tion with the in-car device;
`the in-car device being further configured to detect a
`vehicle incident based on the data and to transmit an
`incident notification to the remote monitoring station;
`the notification including an identification of the type of
`incident based on the data and information provided by
`the GPS device identifying the location of the vehicle:
`the in-car device further comprising a camera positioned to
`capture an image of at least a portion of the passenger
`compartment of the vehicle.
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is capable of
`being remotely activated by an operator at the remote moni
`toring station.
`3. The system of claim 2 wherein the camera is normally
`disabled until activated by the operator in response to an
`incident notification.
`4. The system of claim 1 wherein the camera is rotatable to
`capture a forward field view through the windshield of the
`vehicle.
`5. The system of claim 1, the in-car device further com
`prising a second camera positioned to capture a forward field
`view through the windshield of the vehicle.
`
`6. The system of claim 1, the in-car device further com
`prising a microphone, a speaker and a two-way wireless audio
`transmitter/receiverfor voice communication with the remote
`monitoring station.
`7. The system of claim 1 wherein the device is connected to
`and receives input from at least one sensor on the vehicle for
`sensing a vehicle condition selected from a group consisting
`of a fuel level, an oil pressure, a battery charge level, a fluid
`level, an engine temperature, a brake wear condition, a tire
`pressure, an airbag deployment, a collision, a rollover or an
`excessive amount of pitch or yaw.
`8. The system of claim 1 wherein the data comprises
`telematics data from the vehicle's onboard telematics sys
`tems selected from a group consisting of an emergency warn
`ing system, a GPS system, a navigation system, an automatic
`driving assistance system, an integrated hands-free cellular
`telephone and a wireless safety communications system.
`9. The system of claim 1 wherein the notification includes
`an identification of the vehicle and a system subscriber.
`10. A method for detecting and assessing a vehicle incident
`comprising:
`providing an in-car device configured to be located in a
`vehicle and to receive and transmit data indicating the
`status of at least one of the vehicle's systems, the in-car
`device comprising a camera positioned to capture at
`least an image of at least a portion of the passenger
`compartment of the vehicle:
`detecting a vehicle incident based on the data;
`transmitting an incident notification from the in-car device
`to a remote monitoring station;
`transmitting an image from the camera to the remote moni
`toring station; and
`assessing, at the remote monitoring station, the incident
`based on the image.
`11. The method of claim 10 further comprising controlling
`the camera from the remote monitoring station.
`12. The method of claim 10 wherein the camera provides a
`forward-field view through the windshield of the vehicle,
`further comprising obtaining and storing a predetermined
`quantity of recent images from the camera.
`13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of
`dispatching assistance to the vehicle based on the assessment.
`14. The method of claim 13 wherein the assistance com
`prises sending a replacement vehicle.
`15. The method of claim 10 wherein the device has wireless
`Voice connectivity and further comprising the step of activat
`ing from the remote monitoring station a microphone and a
`speaker operatively connected to the device to permit Voice
`communication between an operator at the remote monitor
`ing station and an occupant of the vehicle.
`16. The method of claim 15 wherein the device has wireless
`Video connectivity and further comprising the step of
`enabling live video communication between the operator and
`an occupant of the vehicle.
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`k
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