Pre-License Development Tool

Abstract

Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a tool for use by drivers and/or coaches throughout the pre-license stage of obtaining a driver's license. A pre-license program may control a computing device to collect drive data while a driver is driving a vehicle. This drive data may be used to detect a drive event. Then, the computing device may present coaching information associated with the detected drive event. The coaching information may provide a passenger, such as a coach or parent, with real-time advice for instructing the driver how to improve his/her driving skills. Moreover, the drive data collected may be used to prepare reports providing feedback to the drivers and coaches.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a drive detection system configured to detect drive data while a vehicle is being driven;   a display associated with the vehicle;   at least one processor; and   memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
 activate the drive detection system to detect drive data; 
 receive a user request for first coaching information for an upcoming drive while the drive detection system is activated; 
 upon receiving the user request, present, on the display, the first coaching information while the drive detection system is activated; 
 upon determining that a driver of the vehicle has started the drive, deactivate the display; 
 upon determining that the driver has ended the drive, activate the display; and 
 present, on the display, a drive summary including the first coaching information and the drive data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the apparatus to:
 monitor the drive data to detect a drive event while the driver on the drive,   wherein the drive summary includes second coaching information associated with the drive event.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the apparatus to:
 in response to detecting the drive event, transmit the drive data to a computing device associated with a driving coach; and   receive, from the computing device associated with the driving coach, the second coaching information associated with the drive event.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drive event comprises a brake event or a turn event. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive detection system includes one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a global positioning system receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upcoming drive is determined based on driving conditions or driver information associated with the driver. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the apparatus to:
 retrieve driver information from another computing device associated with the driver; and   transmit the first coaching information to the other computing device associated with the driver.   
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 activating a sensor system associated with a vehicle to detect drive data while a driver is driving the vehicle;   presenting, on a display associated with the vehicle, first coaching information while the sensor system is activated;   upon detecting that the vehicle is being driven, deactivating the display;   receiving, by at least one processor, drive data while the sensor system is activated;   upon detecting that the vehicle is no longer being driven, reactivating the display; and   providing, on the display, a drive summary including the first coaching information and the drive data.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 detecting a drive event based on the drive data,   wherein the drive summary includes second coaching information associated with the drive event.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 in response to detecting the drive event, transmitting the drive data to a computing device associated with a driving coach; and   receiving, from the computing device associated with the driving coach, second coaching information associated with the drive data.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the drive event comprises a brake event or a turn event. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor system includes one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a global positioning system receiver, and wherein the drive data includes as least one of acceleration data and location data. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein presenting the drive summary includes presenting a prompt requesting user input related to the first coaching information, the user input including whether the driver followed the first coaching information and a performance rating of the driver. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 predicting a future drive event using map information of an upcoming drive,   wherein presenting the first coaching information includes presenting coaching information associated with the future drive event.   
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a computing device to:
 activate a sensor system to detect drive data while a driver is driving a vehicle;   present, on a display of the computer device, first coaching information for an upcoming drive while the sensor system is activated;   upon determining that the driver has started the drive, deactivate the display; and   upon determining that the driver has ended the drive, reactivate the display.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor system includes one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a global positioning system receiver, and wherein the drive data includes acceleration data or location data. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the computing device to:
 present, on the display, a prompt requesting user input related to the first coaching information, the user input including whether the driver followed the first coaching information, and a performance rating of the driver.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the computing device to:
 monitor the drive data to detect a drive event; and   upon reactivating the sensor system, present, on the display, a drive summary including the first coaching information and second coaching information associated with the drive event.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the computing device to:
 transmit the drive data to a computing device associated with a driving coach; and   receive, from the computing device associated with the driving coach, a performance evaluation of the driver associated with the drive data.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 19 , wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the computing device to:
 retrieve driver information from another computing device associated with the driver; and   determine the first coaching information based on the driver information associated with the driver.