Driver Operation Analysis Using Distributed Vehicle and Mobile Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Pay As You Drive (PAYD) and Pay How You Drive (PHYD) insurer rate models face challenges due to high costs and privacy concerns, as well as lack of clear actuarial inference fidelity, mainly because of 'Big-Brother' monitoring modes.

Innovation Solution

A method for analyzing vehicle driver operation characteristics using a system comprising an analyzing vehicle system within the vehicle and a stationary processing unit, where the vehicle system determines and transmits driver operation parameters, such as position coordinates and speed data, to the processing unit for analysis, ensuring privacy through data encryption and randomization, and preventing unauthorized tampering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If comprehensive driver monitoring is implemented to improve actuarial inference fidelity, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuarial inference fidelityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides monitoring functions between the mobile device (driver's phone) and fixed device (vehicle-mounted), with each handling specific sensor data collection. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on any single device while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability across the distributed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages existing multi-functional devices already present in vehicles and driver's possession - the mobile device serves as camera, GPS, and communication unit, while the fixed device provides additional sensing and vehicle data access. This universal approach avoids adding dedicated specialized hardware, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If continuous driver behavior monitoring is implemented to improve actuarial inference, then measurement precision improves, but privacy concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuarial inference fidelityVSAvoidprivacy concerns
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Data encryption serves as an intermediary layer between the monitoring system and external access, allowing comprehensive data collection while protecting driver privacy. The encrypted data can be processed for actuarial purposes but cannot be easily accessed or misused by unauthorized parties, thus resolving the privacy concern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms raw sensitive data (video, location, behavior) into processed actuarial parameters through encryption and analysis. This parameter transformation maintains the utility of the data for insurance purposes while obscuring the original sensitive information, thereby protecting driver privacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If detailed driver operation data is collected to improve actuarial inference, then measurement precision improves, but data security requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuarial inference fidelityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Encryption acts as an intermediary protective layer that secures data during transmission and storage. This allows the system to collect and process detailed driver operation data for accurate actuarial inference while maintaining data security through cryptographic protection against unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and devices are deployed to improve measurement precision, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver behavior measurementVSAvoidsystem setup and use
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically activates and configures itself when the mobile device is placed in the vehicle - no manual setup is required. The devices self-identify, establish connections, and begin data collection automatically, making the complex multi-device system as easy to operate as simply placing a phone in the car.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2650845B1Method for analyzing operation characteristics of a vehicle driver
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 ROSENBAUM WALTER STEVEN
  • EP2650845B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2650845B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2650845B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for analyzing operation characteristics of a vehicle driver, especially for insurance purposes. The method is performed by a cooperation of an analyzing vehicle system in a vehicle and a stationary processing unit remote from the vehicle. The analyzing vehicle system determines a driver operation characteristics parameter from the driving vehicle and sends it to the stationary processing unit, which derives a metric from that parameter as driver operation characteristics.