System and Method for Obtaining Vehicle Telematics Data

Abstract

A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present application relates to a system and method for obtaining vehicle telematics data. To assess driver risk and to change driving behaviour, insurance companies have started using telematics data. Current deployments use one of the following embedded-hardware-based methods:[0002]1. A “deep install” black box professionally installed in a vehicle that tracks the vehicle's position and acceleration, or[0003]2. An on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) device that connects to the vehicle and acquires information from it.[0004]Because of the high capital and / or operational costs of these hardware-based options, some companies have brought to market a pure smartphone solution recently. This solution requires no black box or OBD hardware device. The advantage of a smartphone-based solution is substantially lower cost compared to hardware alternatives, provided the challenges around data accuracy can be solved. Previous work has shown how to achieve accurate ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a sensor tag that can be attached to a vehicle to collect telematics data, including acceleration and position data. The tag automatically sends this data to a mobile device inside the vehicle, which then sends it to a server. The server also receives location data from the mobile device and combines it with the acceleration data to track the vehicle's movement. The tag is designed to be tamper-proof and can detect if someone tries to tamper with it. The mobile device app lets the user view information and control the vehicle's functions, while the server analyzes the data to improve driving safety and efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

Because of the high capital and / or operational costs of these hardware-based options, some companies have brought to market a pure smartphone solution recently.

A pure smartphone solution, however, does not robustly achieve the following desired properties:1. Reliable vehicle identification and monitoring only when the user is in a pre-specified set of vehicles.2. Crash / impact detection.3. Exact times of vehicle movement.4. Accurate estimation of acceleration when the user is moving the phone.5. Working when the user has uninstalled the application, or has not brought the phone into the vehicle.6. Better estimations of determining when the cell phone is being utilised while driving for calling or texting or accessing chat applications.7. A precise determination of whether the smartphone logging data belongs to the driver or to a passenger.

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