System and method for determination of vheicle accident information

Abstract

Described herein is a system and method for determination of vehicle accident information. In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle can be equipped with a portable device equipped with a data collection and assessment environment, including one or more data collection devices that used to capture data and information and otherwise measure characteristics of the vehicle, and communicate that information to an accident review framework or system. In the event of an accident, the information can be used, for example, by an investigator or an insurance claims adjuster, to review the status or operation of a vehicle at the time of the accident. Additional uses of the system include that emergency systems management in handling of accidents and injuries can also be improved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determination of vehicle accident information, comprising:
 a data collection and assessment environment, including one or more data collection devices used to capture data and information and otherwise measure characteristics of the vehicle, and communicate that information to an accident review framework or system, so that in the event of an accident, the information can be used to review the status or operation of a vehicle at the time of the accident.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the captured data and information is acquired from sensors on-board the vehicle wherein the sensors can include: one or more accelerometers, a gyroscope, an airbag sensor, speedometer, GPS, and a compass. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a pattern recognition module, wherein the captured data and information are compared to historical patterns that are indicative of accidents, driving behavior, and collisions. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the identified patterns in the captured data and information are reported to the accident review framework. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the historical pattern is an accident pattern which is determined from at least one of: vehicle speed, mass of the vehicle, direction of the vehicle, abrupt stopping of the vehicle and, the make, year and condition of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the information about accidents is related to an assessment and classification of the severity and type of accident. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the information and assessments are one of: displayed within the vehicle and transmitted to emergency personal and accident investigators. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more data collection devices are contained within a single portable device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the single portable device also contains the data collection and assessment environment. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the accident review framework is remote from the vehicle wherein data communications between the data collection and assessment environment and the review frame is wireless. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the accident review framework further comprises a historical and statistical database used to determine patterns and assess and classify accident severity and type and wherein captured data and information for each accident event are included in the database for future pattern determination, assessment and classification. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the database further comprises information related to each accident event including as least one of: vehicle make and model, images of vehicle damage, cost of repair, and a list of damaged components, number and extent of injuries to passengers, and, the number of passengers. 
     
     
         13 . A method for determination of vehicle accident information, comprising:
 providing a data collection and assessment environment, including one or more data collection devices used to capture data and information or otherwise measure characteristics of the vehicle, and communicate that information to a provided accident review framework or system, so that in the event of an accident, the information is available for use to review the status or operation of a vehicle at the time of the accident.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the captured data and information is acquired from sensors on-board the vehicle wherein the sensors can include: one or more accelerometers, a gyroscope, an airbag sensor, speedometer, GPS, and a compass. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising providing a pattern recognition module, wherein the captured data and information are compared to historical patterns that are indicative of accidents, driving behavior, and collisions. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the identified patterns in the captured data and information are reported to the provided accident review framework. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the historical pattern is an accident pattern which is determined from at least one of: vehicle speed, mass of the vehicle, direction of the vehicle, abrupt stopping of the vehicle and, the make, year and condition of the vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the information about accidents is related to an assessment and classification of the severity and type of accident. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the information and assessments are one of: displayed within the vehicle and transmitted to emergency personal and accident investigators. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the one or more data collection devices are contained within a single portable device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the single portable device also contains the data collection and assessment environment. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the accident review framework is remote from the vehicle wherein data communications between the data collection and assessment environment and the review frame is wireless. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the provided accident review framework further comprises a historical and statistical database used to determine patterns and assess and classify accident severity and type and wherein captured data and information for each accident event are included in the database for future pattern determination, assessment and classification. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the database further comprises information related to each accident event including as least one of: vehicle make and model, images of vehicle damage, cost of repair, and a list of damaged components, number and extent of injuries to passengers, and, the number of passengers. 
     
     
         25 . A non-transitory computer readable medium, including instructions stored thereon which when read and executed by one or more computers cause the one or more computers to perform the steps comprising:
 providing a data collection and assessment environment, including one or more data collection devices used to capture data and information or otherwise measure characteristics of the vehicle, and communicate that information to an accident review framework or system, so that in the event of an accident, the information is available for use to review the status or operation of a vehicle at the time of the accident.