.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`2164808
`-
`_
`
`74/Ug3b1
`
`produced the text data in said number of transactions is
`
`assigned.
`
`13.
`
`A data controller as in claim 2, wherein said
`
`tuner comprises an EPG memory for storing EPG data
`
`representing the video programs available for display on said
`
`television display over a predetermined interval of time.
`
`14.
`
`A data controller as in claim 13, wherein said
`
`tuner further comprises a template memory for storing a video
`
`display template into which said EPG data is inserted for
`
`display on said television display, said video display
`
`template representing a time grid for each authorized video
`
`programming channel
`said tuner.
`
`in said EPG data which may be tuned by
`
`15.
`
`A data controller as in claim 14, wherein said
`
`tuner selectively accesses said EPG data in said EPG memory so
`
`as to allow a viewer to scan through said EPG data.
`
`16.
`
`A data controller as in claim 1, wherein said
`
`tuner comprises a text memory for storing at least a page of
`
`text data for presentation to said television display.
`
`17.
`
`A data controller as in claim 1, wherein said
`
`tuner comprises a bit map for correlating a designated channel
`
`on the television display to a frequency which must be tuned
`to get the text data for the designated channel from a
`
`vertical blanking interval of the video program channel
`
`containing the text data for the designated channel.
`
`18.
`
`A method of controlling presentation of text
`
`data to a television display, comprising the steps of:
`
`authorizing one of a plurality of sources of text
`
`data to access a source database for storage of text data from
`
`said one source;
`
`AMENDED &lEET
`
`Page 000496
`
`

`
`2164508
`
`_ 33 _
`
`transmitting said text data from said one source to
`said source database for storage;
`
`assigning said text data from said one source to a
`
`unique Video program channel;
`
`reading said text data from said one source from
`said source database and formatting display commands and said
`text data stored in said source database into transactions
`
`having a predetermined number of bytes;
`
`inserting each transaction into a predetermined
`
`interval of the unique video program channel to which the text
`
`data in that transaction is assigned;
`
`at a viewer's television tuner, extracting said
`
`transactions from their unique video program channel;
`
`processing said transactions at said viewer's
`
`television tuner to extract said text data and said display
`
`commands; and
`
`presenting said text data in said transactions to
`
`said television display in accordance with a display command
`
`in said transactions for display to said viewer.
`
`19.
`
`A method as in claim 18, wherein said one
`
`source of text data authorized in said authorizing step for
`
`access to said source database provides electronic program
`
`guide (EPG) data representing the video programs available for
`
`display on said television display.
`
`20.
`
`A method as in claim 18, wherein said
`
`transmitting step includes the step of transmitting said text
`data to said source database via a communications link
`
`comprising at least one of a satellite link and a modem link
`to said source database.
`
`21.
`
`A method as in claim 20, wherein said
`
`transmitting step includes the steps of receiving said text
`data at an interface device of said source database which
`
`comprises common input ports for each of said sources of text
`
`MIMI!) MEET
`
`Page 000497
`
`

`
`-i
`
`.
`-
`2154508
`
`*'“-/Ue:2’: /0926;
`‘“
`
`_ 34 -
`
`data and routing the received text data to said source
`database.
`
`22.
`
`A method as in claim 21, wherein said
`
`transmitting step includes the further step of sending a
`
`command response message to said one source upon receipt of a
`
`command from said one source including said text data.
`
`23.
`
`A method as in claim 18, comprising the further
`
`step of compressing said text data prior to storage in said
`source database.
`
`24.
`
`A method as in claim 19, comprising the further
`
`steps of sorting received EPG data by video program channel
`
`and time of day.
`
`25.
`
`A method as in claim 18, wherein said assigning
`
`step includes the steps of assigning said source database to
`
`said one source of text data, routing text data from said one
`
`source to said source database, and updating access
`
`authorization to said source database for said one source of
`
`text data.
`
`26.
`
`A method as in claim 18, wherein said reading
`
`and formatting step comprises the steps of forming said
`
`transactions as display commands for a predetermined number of
`
`characters of said text data and of instructing said viewer's
`
`television tuner regarding where and how to display said text
`data in said transactions on said television display.
`
`27.
`
`A method as in claim 26, wherein said
`
`predetermined interval is a vertical blanking interval of the
`
`unique video program channel to which that text data is
`
`assigned and said inserting step includes the step of
`
`inserting said transactions into said vertical blanking
`
`interval of said unique video program channel.
`
`MENIID S-FEET
`
`Page 000498
`
`

`
`..
`
`’
`.
`2154508
`
`_ 35 _
`
`/'ué,‘/‘£31
`
`28.
`
`“A method as in claim 27, wherein said inserting
`
`step includes the further step of storing a number of
`transactions for creating a screen of text data on said
`
`television display and inserting said transactions into said
`
`vertical blanking interval of said unique video program
`
`channel to which the source which produced the text data in
`
`said number of transactions is assigned;
`
`29.
`
`A method as in claim 19, comprising the further
`
`step of storing EPG data in said viewer's television tuner
`
`representing the video programs available for display on said
`
`television display over a predetermined interval of time.
`
`30.
`
`A method as in claim 29, comprising the further
`
`step of storing a video display template in said viewer's
`television tuner for insertion of said EPG data for display,
`
`said template representing a time grid for each authorized
`
`video programming channel in said EPG data which may be tuned
`
`by said viewer's television tuner.
`
`31.
`
`A method as in claim 30, comprising the further
`
`step of scrolling through said EPG data stored in said EPG
`
`memory of said viewer's television tuner.
`
`32.
`
`A method as in claim 18, comprising the further
`
`step of storing at least a page of text data in a text memory
`of said viewer's television tuner for presentation to said
`
`television display.
`
`33.
`
`A method as in claim 18, wherein said
`
`presenting step includes the steps of tuning said viewer's
`television tuner to a frequency of a video program channel
`
`containing in its vertical blanking interval the text data for
`
`a text channel designated by the viewer and presenting said
`
`text data to said television display when said viewer selects
`
`said designated text channel.
`
`AMENIID Sf'E'ET
`
`Page 000499
`
`

`
`0..
`
`
`2164608
`
`_ 35 -
`
`.i/'C‘:361
`‘ “
`
`34.
`"A method as in claim 18, comprising the further
`step of delaying a predetermined amount of time after a page
`of text data has been presented to said television display
`
`before presenting a next page of text data to said television
`
`display.
`
`AMENDED S4557
`
`Page 000500
`
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`
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`Page 000506
`
`
`
`
`

`
`(19)
`
`(12)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(71)
`
`(54)
`
`(54)
`
`Canadian
`Intellectual Property
`Office
`
`Office de la Propriété
`Intellectuelle
`du Canada
`
`(11)
`(43)
`
`2
`11 _o3_1999
`
`(13)
`
`An Agency of
`Industry Canada
`
`Un organisme
`d'|ndustrie Canada
`
`2 229 233
`11.02.1998
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CL“:
`
`G06F 017/60, G06F 017/40
`
`McM|LLAN, Robert J.,
`809, Orleans Avenue South, TAMPA, XX (US).
`CRAIG, Alexander D.,
`20 Stonehill Lane, MORELAND HILLS, XX (US).
`HEINEN, John P.,
`1815 Longwater Run Drive, TAMPA, XX (US).
`
`(72)
`
`(74)
`
`MCMILLAN, Robert J. (US).
`CRAIG, Alexander D. (US).
`HEINEN, John P. (US).
`
`Brouillette Kosie
`
`SYSTEME DE CONTROLE DE VEHICULES AUTOMOBILES SERVANT A DETERMINER LES FRAIS
`D'ASSURANCE
`
`MOTOR VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A COST OF INSURANCE
`
`(57)
`
`A method and system of determining a cost of
`automobile insurance based upon monitoring,
`recording
`and communicating data representative of operator and
`vehicle driving characteristics. The cost
`is adjustable
`retrospectively
`and
`can
`be
`prospectively
`set
`by
`relating
`the
`driving
`characteristics
`to
`predetermined
`safety
`standards. The method
`comprises
`steps
`of
`monitoring
`a
`plurality
`of
`raw
`data
`elements
`representative of an operating state of
`the vehicle or
`an action of
`the operator. Selected ones of
`the raw
`data
`elements
`are
`recorded when
`the
`ones
`are
`determined to have an identified relationship to safety
`standards. The
`selected
`ones
`are
`consolidated
`for
`processing
`against
`an
`insurer
`profile
`and
`for
`identifying a surcharge or discount
`to be applied to a
`base cost of automobile
`insurance. A final
`cost
`is
`produced from the base costs and the surcharges or
`discounts.
`
`Page 000507
`
`

`
`UIIIIH
`' 111-
`(12)(19)(CA) Demande-A lication
`ff; C 1 P 0
`pp
`‘.§‘§
`CANADIAN INTELLECTUAL
`PROPERTY OFFICE
`
`(21) (A1)
`(22)
`3
`(4 )
`
`1998/O2/1 1
`1999/08/1 1
`
`
`
`1.1
`
`o PIC
`OFFICE DE LA Fkornrfirfi
`INTELLECTUELLE DU CANADA
`
`(72) MCMILLAN, Robert 1., US
`(72) CRAIG, Alexander D., US
`(72) HEINEN, John P., US
`(71) MCMILLAN, Robert 1., US
`(71) CRAIG, Alexander D., US
`(71) HEINEN, John P., US
`
`(51) Int.C1.6 GO6F 17/60, GO6F 17/40
`(54) SYSTEME DE CONTROLE DE VEHICULES AUTOMOBILES
`SERVANT A DETERMINER LES FRAIS D’ASSURANCE
`
`(54) MOTOR VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR
`DETERMINING A COST OF INSURANCE
`
`
`
`(57) A method and system of determining a cost of automobile insurance based upon monitoring, recording and
`eoininunieating data representative of operator and Vehicle driving characteristics. Tl1e cost
`is adjustable
`retrospectively and can be prospectively set by relating the driving cliaracteristics to predetermined safety standards.
`The method comprises steps of monitoring a plurality of raw data elements representative of an operating state of the
`Vehicle or an action of the operator. Selected ones of the raw data elements are recorded when the ones are determined
`to have an identified relationship to safety standards. The selected ones are eonsolidated for processing against an
`insurer profile and for identifying a surcharge or discount to be applied to a base cost of automobile insurance. A filial
`cost is produced from the base costs and the surcharges or discounts.
`
`lndustrie Canada
`
`Industry Canada
`
`Page 000508
`
`

`
`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
`
`MOTOR VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR
`DETERMINING A COST OF INSURANCE
`
`Abstract: of the Disclosure
`
`A method and system of determining a cost of automobile
`
`insurance based upon monitoring, recording and communicating data
`
`representative of operator and vehicle driving characteristics. The cost is
`
`adjustable retrospectively and can be prospectively set by relating the driving
`
`characteristics to predetermined safety standards. The method comprises steps
`
`of monitoring a plurality of raw data elements representative of an operating
`
`state of the vehicle or an action of the operator. Selected ones of the raw data
`
`elements are recorded when the ones are determined to have an identified
`
`relationship to safety standards. The selected ones are consolidated for
`
`processing against an insurer profile and for identifying a surcharge or discount
`
`to be applied to a base cost of automobile insurance. A final cost is produced
`
`from the base costs and the surcharges or discounts.
`
`Page 000509
`
`

`
`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
`
`MOTOR VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTENI FOR
`DETERNIINING 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 behavior 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:
`
`Driver:
`
`Age;
`
`manufacturer, model; and
`value.
`
`Ase;
`
`sex;
`
`marital status;
`
`driving record (based on government reports),
`
`violations (citations);
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`Page 000510
`
`

`
`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
`
`-2-
`
`Coverage:
`
`at fault accidents; and
`
`place of residence.
`
`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
`Driver:
`
`Age
`sex
`
`marital status
`
`$ 18,000.
`
`38 years old
`male
`
`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:
`
`Types of losses covered
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`Page 000511
`
`

`
`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
`
`- 3 -
`
`yes
`
`no
`
`yes
`
`yes
`
`liability
`
`uninsured motorist
`
`comprehensive
`
`collision
`
`liability limits
`
`deductibles
`
`$100,000./$300,000./$50,000.
`
`$500./$500.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`20
`
`Discounts:
`
`Safety equipment on the vehicle
`
`airbags, and
`
`antilock brakes;
`
`theft control devices
`
`25
`
`passive systems (e.g. "The Club"), and
`
`alarm system; and
`
`driver type
`
`good student, and
`
`safe driver (accident free).
`
`
`
`'v.,u:-_’«.‘:;.-:-'-"i‘.
`
`Page 000512
`
`

`
`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
`
`-4-
`
`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
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`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
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`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
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`such information via systems such as a cellular telephone to provide immediate
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`communication of certain types of data elements or to allow a more immediate
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`response in cases such as theft, accident, breakdown or emergency.
`
`It has even
`
`been suggested to detect and record seatbelt usage to assist in detennination 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. All
`
`possess substantial defects such that they have only limited economical and
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`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
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`practical value for a system intended to provide an enhanced acquisition,
`recordal and 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
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`tracking systems have been suggested which use communication links with
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`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
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`safety of operation unless the data is combined with other relevant data in an
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`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
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`subject invention will base insurance charges with regard to current material data
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`representative of actual driving characteristics of the vehicle and driver operation
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`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
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`to provide a classification rating of the operator and the vehicle in an actuarial
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`class which has a vastly reduced rating error over conventional insurance cost
`
`systems. Additionally, the present invention allows for frequent (monthly)
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`adjustment to the cost of coverage because of the changes in operator behavior
`
`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 mm
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`of th Inventi n
`
`In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a
`
`method of determining a cost of automobile insurance 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 method is comprised of
`
`steps of monitoring a plurality of raw data elements representative of an
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`operating state of a vehicle or an action of the operator. Selected ones of the
`
`plurality of raw data elements are recorded when they are determined to have an
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`identified relationship to the safety standards. The recorded elements are
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`consolidated for processing against an insured profile and for identifying a
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`surcharge or discount to be applied to a base cost of automobile insurance. The
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`total cost of insurance obtainedfrom combining the base cost and surcharges or
`
`discounts is produced as a final cost to the operator.
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the
`
`recording comprises identifying a trigger event associated with the raw data
`
`elements which has an identified relationship to the safety standards so that
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`trigger inforrnation representative of the event is recorded.
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`In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention,
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`the method comprises a step of immediately communicating to a central control
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`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
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`station via an uplink, information representative of the trigger event and
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`recording response information generated by the control station.
`
`In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the
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`method comprises steps of generating calculated data elements and derived data
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`elements from the raw data elements, and accumulating the calculated and
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`derived data elements in a recording device.
`
`The present invention will use information acquired from the
`
`vehicle to more accurately assess vehicle usage and thereby derive insurance
`
`costs more precisely and fairly. Examples of possible actuarial classes
`
`10
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`developed from vehicle provided data include:
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`Driver:
`
`Total driving time in minutes by each driver of the insured vehicle;
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`number of minutes driving in high/low risk locations (high/low accident
`
`15
`
`areas);
`
`number of minutes of driving at high/low risk times (rush hour or
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`Sunday afternoon);
`
`safe driving behavior,
`
`20
`
`using seat belts,
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`use of turn signals,
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`observance of speed limits, and
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`observance of traffic control devices;
`
`number of sudden braking situations; and
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`number of sudden acceleration situations.
`
`25
`
`Vehicle:
`
`Location vehicle is parked at night (in garage, in driveway, on street);
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`and
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`location vehicle is parked at work (high theft locations, etc.).
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`~.p-V,:;
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`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
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`These new and more precise actuarial classes are considered to be
`
`better predictors of loss because they are based on actual use of the vehicle and _
`the behaviors demonstrated by the driver. This will 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 will 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 behavior 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 is some overlap between the use of actuarial classes and
`
`discounts and surcharges. Until data has been gathered and analyzed it is not
`
`possible to determine which vehicle provided data will be used to determine
`
`actuarial classes and which will be used for surcharges or discounts.
`
`One benefit obtained by use of the present invention is a system
`
`that will provide precise and timely information about the current operation of
`
`an insured motor vehicle that will 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
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`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
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`systems and will 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 are 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.
`
`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.
`
`The subject new insurance rating system retrospectively adjusts
`
`and prospectively sets premiums based on data derived from motor vehicle
`
`operational characteristics and driver behavior through the generation of new
`
`actuarial classes detennined from such characteristics and behavior, which
`
`classes heretofore have been unknown in the insurance industry. The invention
`comprises 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 Egrjpgign of the Drawings
`
`The invention may take physical fonn 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:
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`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
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`-10..
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`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 I vehicle
`including certain data element monitoring, recording and communicating
`devices;
`
`FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of 1 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;
`FIGURE 5 is a flowchart generally illustrating a method for
`acquiring and recording vehicle insurance related data; and
`
`FIGURE 6 is a tabular illustmtion of various sources of
`insuruuzedelated data. a necessary interface for acquiring the dam and an
`exemplary sample nte therefor.
`
`.1
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`.
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`.
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`lb
`
`V
`
`.
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`Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for
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`CA 02229238 1998'02‘11
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`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.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`Actual miles driven;
`
`Types of roads driven on (high risk vs. low risk); and,
`
`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),
`
`rate of acceleration,
`
`rate of braking,
`
`observation of traffic signs.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`F.
`
`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 SA.E—J1978 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
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`CA 02229238 1998-02-11
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`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
`