Driver Fuel Score System Using Event Recorder Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle event recorders cannot effectively assess driver performance in terms of fuel efficiency, as raw data from sensors does not provide useful indications of fuel-conserving driving practices.
Innovation Solution
A system that processes data from vehicle event recorders to determine a driver fuel score by analyzing metrics such as miles per gallon, maneuver intensities, engine scores, and driving ratios, and calculates a percentile score for each driver, allowing for comparison and feedback to adjust anomalous event detection thresholds based on fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If raw sensor data from vehicle event recorders is used, then data collection is simple, but the data cannot provide useful indications of driver fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives raw sensor data from vehicle event recorders and transforms it into meaningful fuel efficiency metrics. This intermediary layer processes accelerometer data, GPS information, and vehicle state sensors to calculate maneuver intensities, engine scores, and driving ratios, thereby converting unusable raw data into actionable fuel efficiency indicators without requiring direct modification of the simple sensor collection method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for direct mechanical measurement of fuel efficiency with a computational approach. Instead of using complex mechanical fuel flow meters or direct emissions sensors, the system substitutes these with processing of existing sensor data through algorithms that model fuel consumption based on driving behavior patterns, maneuver characteristics, and vehicle operational states
2Measurement precision
If a quantitative measure of driver performance is implemented, then fuel efficiency assessment is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel efficiency assessment into multiple distinct components: maneuver intensities (acceleration, braking, cornering), engine scores (RPM, throttle, gear), and driving ratios (coasting, idling, speeding). Each segment is calculated separately using specific sensor data, and then combined to form the overall driver fuel score. This segmentation allows for precise measurement of different aspects of driving behavior while keeping each calculation module relatively simple and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional processing system that uses the same core infrastructure to perform multiple assessment functions. The system simultaneously calculates maneuver intensities, engine scores, driving ratios, and various percentile rankings all through a unified data processing framework. This universal approach allows precise measurement of driver performance while avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each metric
3Reliability
If event detection thresholds are adjusted based on fuel efficiency, then safety monitoring is improved, but the system requires additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the calculated driver fuel score and its components are used to dynamically adjust the thresholds for anomalous event detection. The system continuously monitors fuel efficiency metrics and uses this information to adaptively modify detection sensitivity, creating a closed-loop system where performance measurement directly influences monitoring parameters. This feedback approach improves reliability by making event detection more context-aware while the automation is managed through the existing data processing pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a driver fuel score an input interface and a processor. The input interface is to receive a fuel efficiency measure for a vehicle or a vehicle type for a plurality of drivers. The processor is to determine a relative fuel performance score based at least in part on the relative fuel performance and determine a driver performance score based at least in part on the relative fuel performance.