Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02235566 1998-04-22
MOTOR VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR
DETERMINING A COST OF INSURANCE
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to data acquisition and processing
systems, and particularly to a system for monitoring motor vehicle operational
characteristics and driver behaviour to obtain increased amounts of data
relating
to the safety of use for purposes of providing a more accurate determination
of
a cost of insurance for the vehicle.
Conventional methods for determining costs of motor vehicle
insurance involve gathering relevant historical data from a personal interview
with the applicant for the insurance and by referencing the applicant's public
motor vehicle driving record that is maintained by a governmental agency, such
as a Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Such data results in a classification of the
applicant to a broad actuarial class for which insurance rates are assigned
based
upon the empirical experience of the insurer. Many factors are relevant to
such
classification in a particular actuarial class, such as age, sex, marital
status,
location of residence and driving record.
The current system of insurance creates groupings of vehicles and
drivers (actuarial classes) based on the following types of classifications.
Vehicle:
Age;
manufacturer, model; and
value.
Driver:
Age;
sex;
marital status;
driving record (based on government reports),
CA 02235566 1998-04-22
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violations (citations);
at fault accidents; and
place of residence.
Coverage:
Types of losses covered,
liability,
uninsured motorist,
comprehensive, and
collision;
liability limits; and
deductibles .
The classifications, such as age, are further broken into actuarial
classes, such as 21 to 24, to develop a unique vehicle insurance cost based on
the
specific combination of actuarial classes for a particular risk. For example,
the
following information would produce a unique vehicle insurance cost.
Vehicle:
Age 1993 (three years old)
manufacturer, model Ford, Explorer XLT
value $ 18,000.
Driver:
Age 38 years old
sex male
marital status single
driving record (based on government reports)
violations 1 point (speeding)
at fault accidents 3 points (one at fault accident)
place of residence 33619 (zip code)
Coverage:
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Types of losses covered
liability yes
uninsured motorist no
comprehensive yes
collision yes
liability limits $100,000./$300,000./$50,000.
deductibles $500.I$500.
A change to any of this information would result in a different
premium being charged, if the change resulted in a different actuarial class
for
that variable. For instance, a change in the drivers' age from 38 to 39 may
not
result in a different actuarial class, because 38 and 39 year old people may
be in
the same actuarial class. However, a change in driver age from 38 to 45 may
result in a different premium because of the change in actuarial class.
Current insurance rating systems also provide discounts and
surcharges for some types of use of the vehicle, equipment on the vehicle and
type of driver. Common surcharges and discounts include:
Surcharges:
Business use.
Discounts:
Safety equipment on the vehicle
airbags, and
antilock brakes;
theft control devices
passive systems (e.g. "The Club"), and
alarm system; and
driver type
good student, and
safe driver (accident free).
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A principal problem with such conventional insurance
determination systems is that much of the data gathered from the applicant in
the
interview is not verifiable, and even existing public records contain only
minimal
information, much of which has little relevance towards an assessment of the
likelihood of a claim subsequently occurring. In other words, current rating
systems are primarily based on past realized losses. None of the data obtained
through conventional systems necessarily reliably predicts the manner or
safety
of future operation of the vehicle. Accordingly, the limited amount of
accumulated relevant data and its minimal evidential value towards computation
of a fair cost of insurance has generated a long-felt need for an improved
system
for more reliably and accurately accumulating data having a highly relevant
evidential value towards predicting the actual manner of a vehicle's future
operation.
Many types of vehicle operating data recording systems have
heretofore been suggested for purposes of maintaining an accurate record of
certain elements of vehicle operation. Some are suggested for identifying the
cause for an accident, others are for more accurately assessing the efficiency
of
operation. Such systems disclose a variety of conventional techniques for
recording vehicle operation data elements in a variety of data recording
systems.
In addition, it has also been suggested to provide a radio communication link
for
such information via systems such as a cellular telephone to provide immediate
communication of certain types of data elements or to allow a more immediate
response in cases such as theft, accident, break-down or emergency . It has
even
been suggested to detect and record seatbelt usage to assist in determination
of the
vehicle insurance costs (U.S. Patent No. 4,667,336).
The various forms and types of vehicle operating data acquisition
and recordal systems that have heretofore been suggested and employed have met
with varying degrees of success for their express limited purposes. A11
possess
substantial defects such that they have only limited economical and practical
value
for a system intended to provide an enhanced acquisition, recordal and
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communication system of data which would be both comprehensive and reliable
in predicting an accurate and adequate cost of insurance for the vehicle.
Since the
type of operating information acquired and recorded in prior art systems was
generally never intended to be used for determining the cost of vehicle
insurance,
the data elements that were monitored and recorded therein were not directly
related to predetermined safety standards or the determining of an actuarial
class
for the vehicle operator. For example, recording data characteristics relevant
to
the vehicle's operating efficiency may be completely unrelated to the safety
of
operation of the vehicle. Further, there is the problem of recording and
subsequently compiling the relevant data for an accurate determination of an
actuarial profile and an appropriate insurance cost therefor.
Current motor vehicle control and operating systems comprise
electronic systems readily adaptable for modification to obtain the desired
types
of information relevant to determination of the cost of insurance. Vehicle
tracking systems have been suggested which use communication links with
satellite navigation systems for providing information describing a vehicle's
location based upon navigation signals. When such positioning information is
combined with roadmaps in an expert system, vehicle location is ascertainable.
Mere vehicle location, though, will not provide data particularly relevant to
safety
of operation unless the data is combined with other relevant data in an expert
system which is capable of assessing whether the roads being driven are high-
risk
or low-risk with regard to vehicle safety.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved motor
vehicle monitoring, recording and communication system, which primarily
overcomes the problem of determining cost of vehicle insurance based upon data
which does not take into consideration how a specific vehicle is operated. The
subject invention will base insurance charges with regard to current material
data
representative of actual driving characteristics of the vehicle and driver
operation
to provide a classification rating of the operator and the vehicle in an
actuarial
class which has a vastly reduced rating error over conventional insurance cost
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systems. Additionally, the present invention allows for frequent (monthly)
adjustment to the cost of coverage because of the changes in operator
behaviour
and driving patterns. This can result in automobile insurance charges that are
readily controllable by individual operators. The system is adaptable to
current
electronic operating systems, tracking systems and communication systems for
the
improved extraction of selected insurance related data.
Brief Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
method of determining a cost of automobile insurance that may be based upon
monitoring, recording and communicating data representative of operator and
vehicle driving characteristics, whereby the cost may be adjustable by
relating the
driving characteristics to predetermined safety standards . The method may
comprise the steps of monitoring a plurality of raw data elements
representative
of an operating state of a vehicle or an action of the operator. Selected ones
of
the plurality of raw data elements may be recorded when they are determined to
have an identified relationship to the safety standards. The recorded elements
may be consolidated for processing against an insured profile. The recorded
elements may be consolidated for identifying a surcharge or discount to be
applied to a base cost of automobile insurance. The total cost of insurance
obtained from combining the base cost and surcharges or discounts may be
produced as a final cost to the operator.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
method of determining a cost of automobile insurance for a selected period
that
may be based upon monitoring, recording and communicating data representative
of operator and vehicle driving characteristics during the period, whereby the
cost
may be adjustable by relating the driving characteristics to predetermined
safety
standards. The method may comprise determining an initial insured profile and
a base cost of automobile insurance based on the insured profile, monitoring a
plurality of data elements representative of an operating state of a vehicle
or an
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action of the operator during t:he selected period, recording selected ones of
the
plurality of data elements when they are determined to have a preselected
relationship to the safety standards, consolidating the selected data for
identifying
a surcharge or discount to be applied to the base cost and producing a final
cost
of automobile insurance for the selected period from the base cost and the
surcharge or discount.
In accordance with the present invention, the recording may for
example comprise identifying a trigger event associated with the raw data
elements, e. g. one of the data elements, which has an identified, e. g.
preselected
relationship to the safety standards so that the trigger information
representative
of the trigger event may be recorded. Both the one data element and the
trigger
information representative of the trigger event may be recorded .
In accordance with the present invention, the method may for
example comprise a step of immediately communicating to a central control
station via an uplink, information representative of the trigger event.
In accordance with the present invention, the trigger event
response information generated by the control station may, for example,
further
be recorded.
In accordance with the present invention, the method may for
example comprise steps of generating calculated data elements from the data
elements, e.g. raw data elements.
In accordance with the present invention, the method may for
example include generating derived data elements from the data elements, e.g.
raw data elements.
In accordance with the present invention, the step of consolidating
may for example comprise accumulating the calculated and derived data elements
in a recording device.
In accordance with the present invention, at least a portion of the
data elements may, for example, be within an awareness and selected control of
the operator and the method may comprise adjusting by an operator of the
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operator driving characteristics, thereby causing a change in the data
elements to
obtain the discount in the final cost.
In accordance with the present invention, the base cost, for
example, may be for a predetermined period of time and the adjusting by the
operator may for example be set to occur at predetermined intervals within the
predetermined period.
In accordance with the present invention, the predetermined period
of time may, for example, comprise two years and the predetermined intervals
may comprise monthly intervals.
In accordance with the present invention, the monitoring may for
example comprise calculating a total driving time of the vehicle and
classifying
relative portions of the driving time amongst a plurality of rating
classifications
comprising high, medium and low risk driving time, and further identifying
geographic location for area of driving amongst a plurality of classifications
comprising high, medium and low driving locations.
In accordance with the present invention, the consolidating may for
example comprise calculation of a percentage of drive time in the drive time
classifications and the drive location classifications.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a
process for acquiring and recording vehicle insurance related data during a
time
period via an on-board computer and recording system for adjusting an
insurance
cost during the time period. T'he process may comprise the steps of monitoring
a plurality of data elements representative of vehicle operating states and
driver
actions during the time period, recording selected ones of the data elements
in a
vehicle record file of an on-board data storage device when they are
identified as
having a relationship material to determination of the insurance cost,
identifying
whether the selected ones comprise a trigger event, and if so identified,
communicating information representative of the trigger event to a central
control
station for storage in a trigger file, and consolidating the vehicle record
file and
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the trigger event file in a form for determining a vehicle cost of insurance
for the
time period.
In accordance with the present invention, the process may for
example further include a step of communicating from the central control
station
S an order for dispatch of an emergency or assist vehicle in response to the
identifying of a special trigger event determined to require driver
assistance.
In accordance with the present invention, the step of monitoring
may comprise calculating a total drive time of the vehicle and classifying
relative
portions of the driving time amongst a plurality of rating classifications
comprising high, medium and low risk driving time, and further identifying
geographic locations for area of driving amongst a plurality of
classifications
comprising high, medium and low risk driving locations.
In accordance the present invention, the step of consolidating may
for example comprise calculation of a percentage of drive time in the drive
time
classifications and the drive location classifications.
The present invention may use information acquired from the
vehicle to more accurately assess vehicle usage and thereby derive insurance
costs
more precisely and fairly. Ex~unples of possible actuarial classes developed
from
vehicle provided data include:
Driver:
Total driving time in minutes by each driver of the insured vehicle;
number of minutes driving in high/low risk locations (high/low accident
areas);
number of minutes of driving at high/low risk times (rush hour or Sunday
afternoon);
safe driving behaviour,
using seat belts,
use of turn signals,
observance of speed limits, and
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observance of traffic control devices;
number of sudden braking situations; and
number of sudden acceleration situations.
Vehicle:
Location vehicle is parked at night (in garage, in driveway, on street); and
location vehicle is parked at work (high theft locations, etc.).
These new and more precise actuarial classes may be considered
to be better predictors of loss because they are based on actual use of the
vehicle
and the behaviours demonstrated by the driver. This may allow the consumers
unprecedented control over the ultimate cost of their vehicle insurance.
In accordance with the present invention, additional discounts and
surcharges based on data provided by the insured vehicle may be available.
Examples of surcharges and discounts based on vehicle provided data include:
Surcharges:
Excessive hard braking situations occurring in high risk locations; and
intermittent use of a safety device, such as seat belts.
Discounts:
Regular selection of low/high risk routes of travel;
regular travel at low/high risk times;
significant changes in driving behaviour that results in a lower risk;
vacation discount when the vehicle is not used;
regular use of safety devices; and
unfailing observance of speed limits.
There may be some overlap between the use of actuarial classes
and discounts and surcharges. Until data has been gathered and analysed it is
not
possible to determine which vehicle provided data may be used to determine
actuarial classes and which may be used for surcharges or discounts.
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In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a
system for determining a cost of automobile insurance for a selected time
period
based upon monitoring, recording and communicating data representative of
operator and vehicle driving characteristics, whereby the cost is adjustable
by
relating the driving characteristics to predetermined safety standards. The
system
may comprise means for determining an insured profile and a base cost of
automobile insurance based on the insured profile, means for monitoring a
plurality of data elements representative of an operating state of a vehicle
or an
action of the operator during the selected time period, means for recording
selected one of the plurality of data elements when they are determined to
have
a preselected relationship to the safety standards, means for consolidating
the
selected ones for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to the
base
cost, and means for producing a final cost for the selected time period from
the
base cost and the surcharge or discount.
In accordance with the invention, the system may for example
include means for immediately communicating to a central control station via
an
uplink information representative of a trigger event associated with the data
elements whereby a dispatch of an emergency vehicle may be selectively made.
In accordance with the present invention, the system may for
example include means for generating calculated data elements.
In accordance with the present invention, the system may for
example further include means for generating derived data elements.
In accordance with the present invention, the means for monitoring
may for example comprise means for calculating a total driving time of the
vehicle and classifying relative portions of the driving time amongst a
plurality
of rating classifications comprising high, medium and low risk driving times,
and
means for further identifying geographic locations of driving area and
classifying
the identified geographic locations for area of driving amongst a plurality of
classifications comprising high, medium and low risk driving locations.
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The means for consolidating may comprise means for calculating
a percentage of drive time in the drive time classifications and the drive
location
classifications.
One benefit obtained by use of the present invention is a system
that may provide precise and timely information about the current operation of
an insured motor vehicle that may enable an accurate determination of
operating
characteristics, including such features as miles driven, time of use and
speed of
the vehicle. This information can be used to establish actual usage based
insurance charges, eliminating rating errors that are prevalent in traditional
systems and may result in vehicle insurance charges that can be directly
controlled by individual operators.
It is another benefit of the subject invention that conventional
motor vehicle electronics may be easily supplemented by system components
comprising a data recording, a navigation system and a communications device
to extract selected insurance relevant data from the motor vehicle.
In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided
a method of generating an actuarial class system for determining vehicle
insurance costs for adjusting premiums for an insurance period of time based
on
data derived from motor vehicle operational characteristics and driver
behaviour
during the insurance period of time. The method may comprise the steps of
monitoring a plurality of data elements representing vehicle operating states
and
driver actions during the insurance period of time, recording selected ones of
the
data elements in a vehicle record file when the ones are identified as having
a
relationship material to determination of a cost of insurance, setting a
plurality of
actuarial classes associated with corresponding degrees of safety of operation
of
the vehicle, and consolidating the vehicle record files with selected
actuarial
classes for determining a corresponding cost of insurance for the vehicle in
correspondence with a one of the actuarial classes for the insurance period of
time.
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In accordance with the present invention, the monitoring and
recording steps may for example occur continuously and concurrently with
actual
vehicle operation for acquiring the data elements during actual vehicle use.
In accordance with the present invention, at least a portion of the
plurality of data elements may for example be within an awareness and
selective
control of a driver. The process may for example comprise adjusting by the
driver of driving behaviour to change the portion of data elements for
matching
the vehicle record with an other one of actuarial classes.
It is yet another object of the present invention to generate actuarial
classes and operator profiles relative thereto based upon actual driving
characteristics of the vehicle and driver, as represented by the monitored and
recorded data elements for providing a more knowledgeable, enhanced insurance
rating precision.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided an
integrated system for extracting data from multiple sensors, and screening,
aggregating and applying the data for insurance rating purposes, the data
being
generated by an actual operation of a specific motor vehicle during a selected
data
collection period. The integrated system may comprise means for extracting a
plurality of data elements from the multiple sensors wherein the elements are
representative of vehicle operating states and driver actions during the
selected
data collection period, means for screening the data elements and aggregating
selected ones of the data elements in a vehicle record file of an on-board
storage
device when the selected ones are identified as having a relationship material
to
determination of a cost of insurance for the vehicle, means for associating
the
aggregated selected data elements with predetermined actuarial classes
indicative
of a degree of safety of operation of the vehicle, and means for producing a
cost
of insurance for the selected data collections period.
In accordance with the present invention, the integrated system
may for example include means for generating calculated data elements and
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derived data elements which are further aggregated for association with the
actuarial classes.
The subject new insurance rating system may retrospectively adjust
and prospectively set premiums based on data derived from motor vehicle
operational characteristics and driver behaviour through the generation of new
actuarial classes determined from such characteristics and behaviour, which
classes heretofore have been unknown in the insurance industry. The invention
may comprise an integrated system to extract via multiple sensors, screen,
aggregate and apply for insurance rating purposes, data generated by the
actual
operation of the specific vehicle and the insured user/driver.
Other benefits and advantages of the subject new vehicle insurance
cost determination process will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon
a reading and understanding of the specification.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and steps and
arrangements of parts and steps, the preferred embodiments of which will be
described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a flowchart generally describing a data gathering
process from a vehicle;
FIGURE 2 is a flowchart detailing the gathering and consolidating
of appropriate information for determining a cost of insurance and the
resulting
insurance billing process;
FIGURE 3 is a suggestive perspective drawing of a vehicle
including certain data element monitoring, recording and communicating
devices;
FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle on-board computer and
recording system implementing the subject invention for selective
communication
with a central control center and a global positioning navigation system;
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FIGURE 5 is a flowchart generally illustrating a method for
acquiring and recording vehicle insurance related data; and
FIGURE 6 is a tabular illustration of various sources of insurance-
related data, a necessary interface for acquiring the data and an exemplary
sample
rate therefor.
Detailed :Description of the Invention
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and
not
for purposes of limiting same, the FIGURES show an apparatus and method for
monitoring, recording and communicating insurance related data for
determination of an accurate cost of insurance based upon evidence relevant to
the
actual operation and in particular the relative safety of that operation.
Generally,
a vehicle user is charged for insurance based upon statistical averages
related to
the safety of operation based upon the insurer's experience with other users
who
drive similar vehicles in a similar geographic area. The invention allows for
the
measure of the actual data while the motor vehicle is being driven. Such data
measurement will allow the vehicle user to directly control his/her insurance
costs
by operating the vehicle in a manner which he/she will know will evidence
superior safety of operation and a minimal risk of generation of an insurance
claim. Examples of data which can be monitored and recorded include:
1. Actual miles driven;
2. Types of roads driven on (high risk vs. low risk); and,
3. Safe operation of the vehicle by the vehicle user through:
A. speeds driven,
B. safety equipment used, such as seat belt and turn
signals,
C. time of day driven (high congestion vs. low
congestion),
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D. rate of acceleration,
E. rate of braking,
F. observation of traffic signs.
With reference to FIGURE 3, an exemplary motor vehicle is
shown in which the necessary apparatus for implementing the subject invention
is included. An on-board computer 300 monitors and records various sensors and
operator actions to acquire the desired data for determining a fair cost of
insurance. Although not shown therein, a plurality of operating sensors are
associated with the motor vehicle to monitor a wide variety of raw data
elements.
Such data elements are communicated to the computer through a connections
cable which is operatively connected to the vehicle data bus 304 through an
SAE-
J 1978 connector, or OBD-II connector or other vehicle sensors 306. A driver
input device 308 is also operatively connected to the computer 300 through
connector 307 and cable 302. The computer is powered through the car battery
310 or a conventional generator system (not shown). Tracking of the vehicle
for
location identification can be implemented by the computer 300 through
navigation signals obtained from a GPS (global positioning system) antenna or
other locating system 312. The communications link to a central control
station
is accomplished through the cellular telephone, radio, satellite or other
wireless
communication system 314.
FIGURE 4 provides the block diagram of the in-vehicle computer
system. The computer 300 is comprised of four principal components, an on-
board data storage device 402, an input/output subsystem 404 for communicating
to a variety of external devices, a central processing unit and memory device
406
and a real time operating kernel 408 for controlling the various processing
steps
of the computer 300. The computer 300 essentially communicates with three on-
board vehicle devices for acquisition of information representative of various
actual vehicle operating characteristics. A driver input console 410 allows
the
driver to input data representative of a need for assistance or for
satisfaction of
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various threshold factors which need to be satisfied before the vehicle can be
operated. The physical operation of the vehicle is monitored through various
sensors 412 in operative connection with the vehicle data bus, while
additional
sensors 414 not normally connected to the data bus can be in direct
communication with the computer 300 as will hereinafter be more fully
explained.
The vehicle is linked to an operation control center 416 by a
communications link 418, preferably comprising a conventional cellular
telephone
interconnection. A navigation sub-system 420 receives radio navigation signals
from a GPS 422.
The type of elements monitored and recorded by the subject
invention comprise raw data elements, calculated data elements and derived
data
elements. These can be broken down as follows:
Raw Data Elements:
Power train sensors
RPM,
transmission setting (Park, Drive, Gear, Neutral),
throttle position,
engine coolant temperature,
intake air temperature,
barometric pressure;
Electrical sensors
brake light on,
turn signal indicator,
headlamps on,
hazard lights on,
back-up lights on,
parking lights on,
ropers on,
doors locked,
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key in ignition,
key in door lock,
horn applied;
Body sensors
S airbag deploylr~ent,
ABS application,
level of fuel in tank,
brakes applied,
radio station tuned in,
seat belt on,
door open,
tail gate open,
odometer reading,
cruise control engaged,
anti-theft disable;
Other sensors
vehicle speed,
vehicle location,
date,
time,
vehicle direction,
IVHS data sources.
Calculated Data Elements:
rapid deceleration;
rapid acceleration;
vehicle in skid;
wheels in spin;
closing speed on vehicle in front;
closing speed of vehicle in rear;
closing speed of vehicle to side (right or left);
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space to side of vehicle occupied;
space to rear of vehicle occupied;
space to front of vehicle occupied;
lateral acceleration;
sudden rotation of vehicle;
sudden loss of tire pressure;
driver identification (t:hrough voice recognition or code or fingerprint
recognition);
distance travelled; and
environmental hazard conditions (e.g. icing, etc.).
Derived Data Elements:
vehicle speed in excess of speed limit;
observation of traffic signals and signs;
road conditions;
traffic conditions; and
vehicle position.
This list includes many, but not a11, potential data elements.
With particular reference to FIGURE 1, a flowchart generally
illustrating the data gathering process of the subject invention is
illustrated. Such
a process can be implemented with conventional computer programming in the
real time operating kernel 408 of the computer 300. The process is identified
with initially a begin step 100 (key in ignition?) and a check of whether the
vehicle is operating at step 102. If the vehicle is not operating a
reverification
occurs every two (2) minutes as shown at step 104. It should be noted that the
computer is continually powered by at least the vehicle battery 310 (FIGURE
3),
but it can be appreciated that during operation the generator (not shown) will
supply the energy. If the vehicle is operating, then there is a step of
recording
sensor information 106. The recording comprises monitoring a plurality of raw
data elements, calculated data elements and derived data elements as
identified
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above. Each of these is representative of an operating state of the vehicle or
an
action of the operator. Select ones of the plurality of data elements are
recorded
when the ones are determined to have an identified relationship to the safety
standards. For example, vehicle speed in excess of a predetermined speed limit
will need to be recorded but speeds below the limit need only be monitored and
stored on a periodic basis. The recording may be made in combination with
date,
time and location. Other examples of data needed to be recorded are excessive
rates of acceleration or frequent hard braking.
The recording process would be practically implemented by
monitoring and storing the data in a buffer for a selected period of time, e.
g. ,
thirty seconds. Periodically, such as every two minutes, the status of all
monitored sensors for the data elements is written to a file which is stored
in the
vehicle data storage 402. The raw, calculated and derived data elements listed
above comprise some of the data elements to be so stored.
Certain of the recorded sensor information may comprise a trigger
event of which inquiry is identiFled at step 108. "Trigger events" are defined
as
a combination of sensor data requiring additional action or which may result
in
a surcharge or discount during the insurance billing process . Certain trigger
events may require immediate upload 110 to a central control which will then
be
required to take appropriate action. For example, a trigger event would be
rapid
deceleration in combination with airbag deployment indicating a collision, in
which case the system could notify the central control of the vehicle
location.
Alternatively, if the operator were to trigger on an emergency light,
similarly the
system could notify the central control of the vehicle location indicating
that an
emergency is occurring. The trigger information is recorded, as at step 116,
and
whatever response is taken by the central control is also recorded at step
118.
The trigger information recording step 116 and the recording sensor
information
step 106 may impart recording of information in the on-board data storage
device
402 or memory 406. The event response information recording at step 118 will
usually occur in the central control station. Such response information could
be
CA 02235566 1998-04-22
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the dispatch of an emergency vehicle, or the telephoning of police or an EMS
unit.
Trigger events are divided into two groups: those requiring
immediate action and those not requiring immediate action, but necessary for
proper billing of insurance. Those required for proper billing of insurance
will
be recorded in the same file with all the other recorded vehicle sensor
information. Those trigger events requiring action will be uploaded to a
central
control center which can take action depending on the trigger event. Some
trigger events will require dispatch of emergency services, such as police or
EMS, and others will require the dispatch of claims representatives from the
insurance company.
The following comprises an exemplary of some, but not all, trigger
events:
Need for Assistance:
These events would require immediate notification of the central control
center.
1. Accident Occurrence. An accident could be determined through
the use of a single sensor, such as the deployment of an airbag.
It could also be determined through the combination of sensors,
such as a sudden deceleration of the vehicle without the
application of the brakes.
2. Roadside assistance needed. This could be through the pressing
of a "panic button" in the vehicle or through the reading of a
sensor, such as the level of fuel in the tank. Another example
would be loss of tire pressure, signifying a flat tire.
3. Lock-out assistance needed. The reading of a combination of
sensors would indicate that the doors are locked but the keys are
in the ignition and the driver has exited the vehicle.
4. Driving restrictions. The insured can identify circumstances in
which he/she wants to be notified of driving within restricted
areas, and warned when he/she is entering a dangerous area. This
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could be applied to youthful drivers where the parent wants to
restrict time or place of driving, and have a record thereof.
Unsafe Operation of the Vehicle
These events would be recorded in the in-vehicle recording device for future
upload. Constant trigger events would result in notification of the driver of
the
exceptions .
1. Excessive speed. The reading of the vehicle speed sensors would
indicate the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit. Time would also
be measured to determine if the behaviour is prolonged.
2. Presence of alcohol. Using an air content analyser or breath
analyser, the level of alcohol and its use by the driver could be
determined.
3. Non-use of seatbelt. Percent of sample of this sensor could result
in additional discount for high use or surcharge for low or no use.
4. Non-use of turn signals. Low use could result in surcharge.
5. ABS application without an accident. High use could indicate
unsafe driving and be subject to a surcharge.
With particular reference to FIGURE 2, a general flowchart
describing the steps of the gathering of appropriate information for billing
insurance on a periodic basis is illustrated.
At the initiation of the vehicle insurance billing process, the central
billing system of the insurer will acquire 202 the vehicle sensor record file
from
the sensor record file 204 from each vehicle to be billed. This process of
data
acquisition will involve a periodic uploading of the vehicle file 204. This
file will
be uploaded to the central system when the storage device 402 in the vehicle
approaches capacity, on command, or when the billing process starts. All the
information from the combination of files stored in the vehicle will be used
to
determine the bill for the insurance on the vehicle for the prior insurance
period.
Data acquisition is also made from the trigger event response file 206 in the
acquisition step 208. This data is stored in the central control center, and
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includes information for response activities listed above which require
additional
billing for services rendered to the insured.
At step 210, the vehicle sensor record file and the trigger event
response file are consolidated . Such files will include all the activity for
which
the insured is to be billed for the prior period. At step 212, a11 the
information
comprising the insured profile, which is already maintained and stored in
other
insurance files, is applied to t:he consolidated activity files for the
immediately
prior period. This insured profile includes the information about coverages
including limits and deductibles, which are necessary for establishing the
appropriate cost of insurance for the subject insured. At step 214, the
acquired
consolidated file information from step 210 and the overall insured profile
acquired at step 212 are combined and processed against a surcharge or
discount
algorithm file, which include the specific factors for the various usage
patterns
and trigger events. The surcharges and discounts are continuously adjusted
based
on the loss results associated with driving behaviours demonstrated. Finally
at
step 216, the appropriate billing is produced showing the charges for
insurance
and other services for the prior period. The billing can be sent
electronically or
in printed form to the insured for payment.
With particular reference to FIGURE 5, a general diagram of the
process for acquiring and recording vehicle insurance related data is
illustrated.
At step 502, the raw data elements are collected from the vehicle sensors that
provide the raw data elements identified above. Calculated data elements are
generated in step 504 and derived data elements are generated at step 508. As
noted, it is necessary to collect certain database information elements at
step 506
prior to generating the derived data elements. A sample of all the data
elements
is stored in the vehicle at step 510. The sample rate or the recording of the
information is controlled based upon the particular insurance billing
recording
needs predetermined by an algorithm developed by the insurance company . The
algorithm will change depending on the particular type of insurance related
requirements for the information. At step 512, if a certain incident, for
example
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collision, occurs then a snapshot is generated of a11 the relevant data
elements at
the time of the incident, 514.
With reference to FIGURE 6, various examples of sources of
insurance related data, the interface required to acquire the data and an
example
of the sample rate are illustrated for a preferred embodiment of the subject
invention. Accordingly, it can be seen that for a certain information database
comprised of maps, speed limits, traffic signs, and highway conditions is
stored
in the data storage device of the computer and can be obtained on demand
therefrom. Acquiring data from vehicle sources such as engine data, body data
and electrical data is obtained through a conventional SAEJ l978 connector
with
an exemplary sample rate of 10-15 Hz. The other sources of relevant data, such
as IVHs, GPS, security system or any additional systems are obtained through
various I/O ports and the sample rate can be varied in accordance with the
desired
goals of the insurer.
One of the useful consequences of the subject invention is that
other products could be marketed to a particular vehicle operator based on
information provided from the subject invention from the operator's motor
vehicle. Since the invention includes processes for gathering, extracting and
analysing information provided by the vehicle, a more informed judgment can be
made about a determination of when and which products could be marketed to
that motor vehicle operator. For example, by knowing that a vehicle operator
travels on vacation in that vehicle to a certain resort location may give rise
to a
marketing of a package of products particular to the type of travel or the
location.
Another example would relate to the knowledge that the vehicle operator
attends
particular types of sporting events which may give rise to certain types of
products catered to fans of that sporting event.
The invention has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others
upon
a reading and understanding of the specification. It is our intention to
include a11
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such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of
the
appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
