Methods, Systems, and Apparatuses for Determining Driver Behavior

• US 20080255888A1
• Filed: 04/10/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HTI IP LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Berkobin, Eric C., Blumer, Fred, Borrego, Diego
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,049 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior based on vehicle operating parameters, adjusting insurance premiums accordingly, and preventing fraudulent manipulation of the methods, systems, and apparatuses.

Claims

1. A method for determining driver behavior, comprising:

receiving vehicle performance data;

determining a driver safety metric based on the vehicle performance data; and

transmitting the safety metric to a remote host.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting a visual representation of the safety metric to a display device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein vehicle performance data comprises one or more of, acceleration, acceleration time, acceleration frequency, location of acceleration, deceleration, deceleration time, deceleration frequency, location of deceleration, speed, location of speed, lane change, speed of lane change, frequency of lane change, location of lane change, weather, weather during acceleration, weather during deceleration, weather during speed, weather during lane change, time of day, acceleration time of day, deceleration time of day, speed time of day, lane change time of day, telephone usage, timing of telephone usage, vehicle entertainment system usage, timing of vehicle entertainment system usage, vehicle occupancy, and seatbelt usage.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed on an in-vehicle apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving vehicle performance data comprises receiving vehicle performance data at an in-vehicle apparatus and transmitting the vehicle performance data to a central monitoring station.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a driver safety metric based on the vehicle performance data comprises analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors comprises applying third party underwriting guidelines.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors comprises categorizing vehicle performance into a plurality of risk strata.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of risk strata comprise safe, unsafe, and aggressive.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a driving report based on the vehicle performance data; and

providing the driving report to a user through a website.

11. An apparatus for driver behavior determination, comprising:

a vehicle interface, coupled to a vehicle bus, wherein the vehicle interface is configured to receive vehicle performance data through the vehicle bus;

a wireless transceiver, configured for transmitting the vehicle performance data; and

a processor, coupled to the vehicle interface and the wireless transceiver, wherein the processor is configured for receiving the vehicle performance data from the vehicle interface, determining a driver safety metric based on the vehicle performance data, and for providing the driver safety metric to the wireless transceiver.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a GPS transceiver coupled to the processor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an output device coupled to the processor, configured for displaying a visual representation of the safety metric.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein vehicle performance data comprises one or more of, acceleration, acceleration time, acceleration frequency, location of acceleration, deceleration, deceleration time, deceleration frequency, location of deceleration, speed, location of speed, lane change, speed of lane change, frequency of lane change, location of lane change, weather, weather during acceleration, weather during deceleration, weather during speed, weather during lane change, time of day, acceleration time of day, deceleration time of day, speed time of day, lane change time of day, telephone usage, timing of telephone usage, vehicle entertainment system usage, timing of vehicle entertainment system usage, vehicle occupancy, and seatbelt usage.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured for transmitting the vehicle performance data to a remote host.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured for transmitting the vehicle performance data to a central monitoring station.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein determining a driver safety metric based on the vehicle performance data comprises analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors comprises applying third party underwriting guidelines.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors comprises categorizing vehicle performance into a plurality of risk strata.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of risk strata comprise safe, unsafe, and aggressive.

21. A system for driver behavior determination, comprising:

a telematics device, configured for receiving vehicle performance data through a vehicle bus and transmitting the vehicle performance data; and

a central monitoring station, configured for receiving the vehicle performance data, determining a driver safety metric based on the vehicle performance data, and transmitting the safety metric to a remote host.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the central monitoring station is further configured for outputting a visual representation of the safety metric to a display device.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein vehicle performance data comprises one or more of, acceleration, acceleration time, acceleration frequency, location of acceleration, deceleration, deceleration time, deceleration frequency, location of deceleration, speed, location of speed, lane change, speed of lane change, frequency of lane change, location of lane change, weather, weather during acceleration, weather during deceleration, weather during speed, weather during lane change, time of day, acceleration time of day, deceleration time of day, speed time of day, lane change time of day, telephone usage, timing of telephone usage, vehicle entertainment system usage, timing of vehicle entertainment system usage, vehicle occupancy, and seatbelt usage.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein determining a driver safety metric based on the vehicle performance data comprises analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors comprises applying third party underwriting guidelines.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors comprises categorizing vehicle performance into a plurality of risk strata.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the plurality of risk strata comprise safe, unsafe, and aggressive.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the central monitoring station is further configured for:

generating a driving report based on the vehicle performance data; and

providing the driving report to a user through a website.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein the remote host is further configured for:

generating a driving report based on the vehicle performance data; and

providing the driving report to a user through a website.

30. A method for insurance premium adjustment, comprising:

receiving vehicle performance data;

analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors; and

adjusting an insurance premium based on the one or more behaviors.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising outputting a visual representation of the insurance premium to a display device.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein vehicle performance data comprises one or more of, acceleration, acceleration time, acceleration frequency, location of acceleration, deceleration, deceleration time, deceleration frequency, location of deceleration, speed, location of speed, lane change, speed of lane change, frequency of lane change, location of lane change, weather, weather during acceleration, weather during deceleration, weather during speed, weather during lane change, time of day, acceleration time of day, deceleration time of day, speed time of day, lane change time of day, telephone usage, timing of telephone usage, vehicle entertainment system usage, timing of vehicle entertainment system usage, vehicle occupancy, and seatbelt usage.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein receiving vehicle performance data comprises:

receiving vehicle performance data at an in-vehicle apparatus;

transmitting the vehicle performance data to a central monitoring station; and

transmitting the vehicle performance data to a remote host from the central monitoring station.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein analyzing the vehicle performance data to determine one or more behaviors comprises applying underwriting guidelines.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

generating a driving report based on the vehicle performance data; and

providing the driving report to a user through a website.

36. A method for fraud detection, comprising:

retrieving a vehicle identification parameter through a vehicle bus;

comparing the retrieved vehicle identification parameter with a stored vehicle identification profile; and

performing a fraud action based on the comparison.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the vehicle identification parameter comprises one or more vehicle operating parameters, a vehicle identification number (VIN), and combinations thereof.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the vehicle identification profile is generated based on monitored vehicle operating parameters over time while installed in a vehicle.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein performing a fraud action comprises reporting the results of the comparison to a central monitoring station.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein performing a fraud action comprises terminating monitoring activity.