Virtual Accident Model Using Vehicle Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Auto insurance providers face challenges in accurately determining fault and assessing damages in vehicle accidents due to the inaccuracy and delay of eyewitness reports, leading to inefficiencies and unfairness in the insurance marketplace.
Innovation Solution
A system that collects and processes data from onboard vehicle sensors to generate a virtual model of an accident, using external sensor data, operational data, and synchronization data to recreate the event, allowing for accurate fault determination and damage assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If eyewitness reports and traditional evidence collection methods are used, then the insurance provider can obtain some information about the accident, but the information is inaccurate and obtained after considerable delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing sensors in vehicles that continuously collect and store accident-relevant data before actual accidents occur. The sensors are pre-configured to capture specific parameters (acceleration, GPS location, video footage) that will be immediately available when an accident happens, eliminating the need for post-accident information gathering and ensuring both accuracy and timeliness of fault determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the accident scene through sensor data collection. Instead of relying on human eyewitness accounts, the system captures objective sensor readings (acceleration vectors, GPS coordinates, video images) that serve as accurate replicas of the physical accident conditions. These digital copies can be instantly transmitted and analyzed, providing both precise fault determination and immediate availability
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to capture comprehensive accident data, then the accuracy of fault determination improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing sensors with multiple functions. For example, the accelerometer not only detects collision forces but also determines vehicle orientation and movement patterns. The GPS system provides both location tracking and speed calculation. Video cameras capture visual evidence while also recording timestamp data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement parameter, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive accident data collection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple data collection functions into integrated sensor units. Rather than deploying separate independent sensors for acceleration, position, video, and audio, the system combines these functions into coordinated sensor packages that share processing resources and data transmission channels. This merging approach reduces the overall complexity of the system while maintaining the capability to collect comprehensive accident reconstruction data
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving external data including a plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of an environment external to a vehicle. The external data is data that was received by the vehicle from a handheld mobile communication device external to the vehicle (e.g., a mobile communication device of a pedestrian) via a wireless link, and is indicative of objects sensed by the handheld mobile communication device. The method also includes storing the external data in a memory, generating a virtual model of an event (e.g., accident) involving at least one vehicle using the stored plurality of data points, and causing the virtual model of the event to be displayed.