Patent Application
20210133695
Many people require vehicles for various transportation needs such as moving people and cargo to and from desired destinations. Owning a personal vehicle is often a major expense for individuals. Further, technology associated with vehicles is becoming more and more complicated. For example, an autonomous vehicle is a vehicle that can detect its surroundings and navigate with little or no human input. Techniques such as radar, a global positioning system (GPS) and computer vision can be used to navigate the autonomous vehicle. Financial decisions associated with vehicles are also becoming more and more complicated for vehicle owners.
In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, a vehicle life cycle management system includes receiving real time vehicle information from a plurality of sensors associated with a vehicle. Financial information associated with an owner of the vehicle and external vehicle information are also received. A user interface including maintenance and financial information regarding the vehicle is generated based on the received information, and the user interface is displayed in the vehicle and/or a user device, such as a mobile phone. The vehicle is an autonomous vehicle in some examples.
The vehicle may be configured to communicate with a processor configured to perform analysis of the received information from the vehicle sensors, as well as the external vehicle and financial information. The external vehicle information may include, for example, sales information regarding comparable vehicles, maintenance data regarding the vehicle and similar vehicles, etc. The user interface may further display various recommendations based on the information analysis.
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Individually owned and operated vehicles provide convenient means for transporting passengers and cargo. However, such vehicles are becoming more and more complicated (and expensive) to operate, repair and maintain as vehicle technology advances. Accordingly, managing financial aspects of vehicle ownership and operation is also becoming more and more complicated.
As used herein, an autonomous or self-driving vehicle refers to a vehicle that can detect its surroundings and navigate with little or no human input. Techniques such as radar, a global positioning system (GPS) and computer vision can be used to navigate the autonomous vehicle. Many vehicles, and especially autonomous vehicles, have many instruments and sensors to provide information and status regarding various systems and components of the vehicle, assist with navigation, and even drive the vehicle in the case of an autonomous vehicle. Thus, much information is available to the owner and/or operator of the vehicle. However, such on-board instruments and sensors do not provide adequate information for managing the vehicle's life cycle and making financial decisions regarding the vehicle.
Systems and processes disclosed herein provide, for example, real time information for a vehicle owner or user regarding various systems of the vehicle, as well as financial information and recommendations associated with the vehicle to simplify management of the vehicle lifecycle. A user interface is provided that may be displayed in the vehicle itself, and/or on an external device such as a user's device such as a smart phone. Several data sources are monitored, such as the various sensors providing real-time information regarding various systems of the vehicle, as well as external data including historical information regarding the current vehicle, taxes, insurance, market data regarding maintenance and repair costs, replacement costs for buying or leasing a replacement vehicle, etc. Rules are applied to the monitored data to manage maintenance, repairs, selling and purchasing a vehicle. Thus, a financial interface automatically tracks repair and maintenance costs, replacement vehicle costs, as well as the user's bank account information to help the user finance such vehicle-related costs. For example, based on the collected data, recommendations for repairing or replacing a vehicle may be displayed, along with a preapprove loan for financing such recommendations.
One or more user interfaces 120 are configured to display and receive vehicle lifecycle management information. In the illustrated example, the user interface 120 is displayed in the vehicle 110. Additional user interfaces 120 could be implemented on a user device 122, which could be any of a number of suitable devices such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet device, smart phone, wearable and implantable devices, etc. that communicates with the server 102, for example, via a network such as the internet. The user device 122 may also interface with the vehicle 110 by any suitable means, such as by a wired connection, an internet connection, wife, Bluetooth, etc.
The vehicle includes several sensors 124 that provide real-time information concerning various aspects of the vehicle 110. An on-board computer including a processor 126 interfaces with the sensors 124 to provide information to the vehicle operator, among other things.
The server computer 102 interacts with one or more external data sources 112 to obtain external vehicle information, and also with financial data sources 114 to obtain relevant financial information regarding the vehicle 110 and its owner/operator. The information from the sensors 124, along with the external vehicle information 112 and the financial information 114 are processed by the vehicle analysis system 104 to display maintenance and financial information on the user interface 120.
In some embodiments, the vehicle 110 is an autonomous vehicle that is operated with little or no input from a human driver. In further embodiments, the vehicle analysis system 104 is configured to manage and provide information regarding a fleet of the vehicles 110.
The controller 210 includes a positioning device 212 that can receive and transmit position data to the controller 210. The location of the vehicle 110 at any given time can be determined by the positioning device 212 or another appropriate positioning system. Examples of such positioning devices 212 include GPS systems and devices. The vehicle controller 210 further includes a surroundings detection system 214 configured to detect the surroundings of the vehicle 110 by appropriate detection systems such as radar, laser light, GPS, odometry, computer vision, etc. The controller 210 is configured to interpret location, surroundings, and other sensory information to identify appropriate navigation paths, as well as obstacles and relevant driving information, and output control signals to a propulsion system 216 that includes appropriate components (energy, propulsion, transmission, steering, etc.) for driving the vehicle 110. The vehicle sensors 124 monitor these and other components of the vehicle 110, providing data to the controller 210.
As shown in
Additional external vehicle information may be obtained from, for example, new car dealers 314, used car dealers 316, and repair shops 318. Such external vehicle information sources provide additional information regarding potential replacement vehicle costs, costs of ownership information for the vehicle 110, maintenance and reliability information, etc. Additionally, such auto dealers and repair shops often have discount specials and discount coupons, which may be identified for the user via the user interface 120. Such specials and discounts are typically time-limited. Thus, displaying the information on the user interface 120 in real time is valuable for the user. Still further, the server 102 may be configured to interact with auto dealers 314, 316 and repair shops 318 to schedule repairs and maintenance, make appointments for viewing new vehicles, etc.
Various vehicle feedback information sources 322 include, for example, social media sites, Better Business Bureau (BBB), online reviews, etc. Such information may be aggregated and displayed on the user interface 120, and also used by the cognitive analysis component of the analysis system 104 to display and recommend possible replacement vehicles, including ranking such entities based on customer feedback.
In addition to vehicle information sources 112, the server 102 interacts with various financial institutions 320, which could include various banks, auto lenders, credit unions, etc., and also the user's bank and other financial institutions. Information sources such as insurance companies 310 and the various consumer feedback sources 322 may also provide data regarding such financial institutions, which may also be ranked and displayed on the user interface 120. By analyzing data from various auto loan sources, for example, loan rates may be obtained, as well as time-limited “special” rates advertised by such lenders. These rates may be displayed in real time on the user interface 120. Interfacing with the user's bank accounts allows the analysis system 104 to provide real-time financial information, and model and display various scenarios and recommendations regarding fix vs. replace, how to finance repair and maintenance costs, and/or how to finance a replacement vehicle purchase.
In some examples, the user interface 120 is displayed on a user device 122, such as the user's smart phone. This alternative user interface 120 may be displayed in addition to, or in place of, the user interface 120 displayed in the vehicle 110 itself. In the illustrated example, the user interface 120 on the user device 122 replicates the user interface 120 displayed in the vehicle(s) 110. The user device 122 communicates and interacts with the vehicle 110 and the server 102 to receive the generated user interface 120, allowing the user remote access to various aspects of the vehicle and displayed information. For instance, through the user device 122, the user may manage and view information from the vehicle sensors 124, manage and change security settings, receive notifications, etc.
In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 120 is displayed in the vehicle 110, and also on the user device 122. In contrast to the standard vehicle dashboard 230, the example user interface provides a dynamic display of real-time vehicle and related financial information for the user. The user interface 120 includes a security module 240 that allows the user to lock the user interface 110 such that only authorized users can view it. For example, the security module 240 may be configured to password protect the user interface 120, and/or provide security using biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, voice recognition, facial recognition, retinal recognition, etc.
A maintenance module display 242 is configured to analyze information from the vehicle sensors 124 and/or receive analyzed information from the server 102 to provide further vehicle analysis information such as engine health, tire health, maintenance recommendation and reminders, etc. Based on analyzing information from the vehicle sensors 124 together with the various external data sources 112, 114, the user interface 120 is able to display recommended maintenance actions such as oil changes and lubrication, battery replacement, filter replacement, tire rotation, warranty information, as well as recommended timing, financing, discounts, coupons, vendors, etc. for the maintenance items. In embodiments where a fleet of the vehicles 110 are managed, the user interface 120 may further include a fleet display 244 providing information regarding the various vehicles 110 in the fleet, including locations, operations and maintenance status, operator information, etc.
The user interface 120 further includes a finance view module 250 that provides real-time financial information for the user.
The finance view 250 includes a financial “opportunities” display 252 that provides real-time advice to the vehicle owner regarding potential cost saving opportunities. For example, the opportunities display includes a loan information display 254 that displays options for reducing costs associated with financing the vehicle 110. Information regarding different lenders, interest rates, loan terms, payment amounts, etc. may be displayed. Based on analyzing the vehicle owner's bank information, the loan display 254 could make recommendations regarding using savings or liquidating investments to pay off a loan early. Other loan options, such as replacing an existing car loan with a home equity loan could further be displayed, for example. Still further, the loan display 254 could display preapproved loans for the vehicle 110, allowing the refinance the vehicle directly via the user interface 110.
An insurance opportunities display module 256 provides information regarding potential costs savings by, for example, changing insurance companies. Among other things, the insurance information 310 received may allow the analysis system 104 to monitor insurance expiration deadlines, and perform cost comparisons among various insurance policies and insurance companies to display potential insurance cost savings for the vehicle owner. For instance, by analyzing data received from the vehicle sensors 124, use of the vehicle and driving habits may be determined. Elapsed time from any accidents or traffic tickets may also be monitored. This information may then be combined with insurance information to evaluate aspects of various policies, such as amounts for comprehensive coverage, liability coverage, collision coverage, etc., and quantify potential cost savings associated therewith.
A maintenance opportunities display 258 identifies, for example, cost savings associated with time limited discounts offered by various service providers in the user's area, discount coupons and vouchers, etc. Other cost saving opportunities could result from combining services, such as replacing tires and batteries at the same time.
Display modules 260 and 262 relate to potential opportunities related to selling the vehicle 110. The display 260 provides information regarding selling the vehicle 110 to a private party, such as average selling prices for similar vehicles, date ranges for such sales, etc. Display module 262 displays information regarding dealer trade-in opportunities, as well as possible replacement vehicles. In some examples, the display 262 shows average trade in values from various dealers, date ranges of such values, location of the dealers, and potential costs resulting from trading-in the vehicle 110 for a replacement vehicle. Based on the received information, the data analysis system 104 may calculate various “keep-or-sell” scenarios and based thereon, provide related recommendations on the user interface 120. Additionally, an “other opportunities” display module 264 may be configured to provide additional financial opportunities. For example, based on information from the sensors 124, user input, etc., the analysis system 104 may determine average idle hours per day of the vehicle 110. In some instances, it may be possible to rent the vehicle 110 during such idle periods by participating in car-sharing programs or the like. The display 264 may identify and display the idle periods for the vehicle 110 (for example, non-commuting hours), potential daily or hourly rental rates, and thus potential income resulting from such use of the vehicle 110.
The opportunities display 252 also provides a display 266 showing the aggregate potential savings for various savings opportunities displayed and selected by the user via the user interface 120.
A cost of ownership display module 270 shows various financial aspects associated with owning the vehicle 110, based on information received from various data sources, including those discussed above in conjunction with
The mass storage device 514 is connected to the CPU 502 through a mass storage controller (not shown) connected to the system bus 522. The mass storage device 514 and its associated computer-readable data storage media provide non-volatile, non-transitory storage for the server computer 102. Although the description of computer-readable data storage media contained herein refers to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk or solid state disk, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable data storage media can be any available non-transitory, physical device or article of manufacture from which the central display station can read data and/or instructions.
Computer-readable data storage media include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable software instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Example types of computer-readable data storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (“DVDs”), other optical storage media, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the server computer 102.
According to various embodiments of the invention, the server computer 102 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to remote network devices through the network 520, such as a wireless network, the Internet, or another type of network. The server computer 102 may connect to the network 520 through a network interface unit 504 connected to the system bus 522. It should be appreciated that the network interface unit 504 may also be utilized to connect to other types of networks and remote computing systems. The server computer 102 also includes an input/output controller 506 for receiving and processing input from a number of other devices, including a touch user interface display screen, or another type of input device. Similarly, the input/output controller 506 may provide output to a touch user interface display screen or other type of output device.
As mentioned briefly above, the mass storage device 514 and the RAM 510 of the server computer 102 can store software instructions and data. The software instructions include an operating system 518 suitable for controlling the operation of the server computer 102. The mass storage device 514 and/or the RAM 510 also store software instructions, that when executed by the CPU 502, cause the server computer 102 to provide the functionality of the server computer 102 discussed in this document. For example, the mass storage device 514 and/or the RAM 510 can store software instructions that, when executed by the CPU 502, cause the server computer 102 to implement the vehicle analysis system 104 shown in
Although various embodiments are described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications may be made thereto within the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, examples related to home loans are included herein, though the disclosed systems and methods are also applicable to many other financial processes, such as personal and business loans, credit card accounts, home equity lines of credit, mortgage refinances, etc. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the disclosure in any way be limited by the examples provided.
