OBD Vehicle Telematics Appliance for Insurance Data Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle usage monitoring systems for insurance purposes lack precision and are prone to false readings due to incorrect installation and limited data collection capabilities, necessitating an upgrade to enhance data quality and quantity.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a vehicle-mounted electronic appliance with a GPS satellite signal receiver, a three-axis accelerometer for measuring instantaneous acceleration, and a communication unit that sends data to a remote processing unit, allowing for precise location tracking and acceleration measurement along three distinct directions, thereby improving data collection and processing for insurance applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional GPS receiver and communication device are used for vehicle location tracking, then basic location data can be collected, but measurement precision and data quality are insufficient for accurate insurance risk assessment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation data precisionVSAvoidappliance structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing functions (GPS reception, acceleration measurement, data processing) into a single integrated electronic appliance that can be installed in the vehicle's OBD port. This merging approach improves measurement precision by coordinating multiple sensors while avoiding the complexity of separate installation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic appliance is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a location tracker via GPS receiver and an acceleration sensor via accelerometer, while also processing and transmitting data. This universal device replaces multiple separate systems, improving data quality without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

2Ease of operation

If simple installation method is used for the monitoring appliance, then ease of installation is improved, but false readings may occur due to incorrect installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidreading accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance utilizes the vehicle's existing OBD port for power and data communication, eliminating the need for complex wiring during installation. The device automatically interfaces with the vehicle's systems, providing self-configuring functionality that reduces installation errors while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical wiring connections with electronic communication through the OBD port. This substitution eliminates physical installation errors related to wire connections while maintaining ease of installation through a simple plug-and-play interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If accelerometer is added to detect driving style and accident conditions, then data quality for fraud detection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving behavior detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer is integrated into the same electronic appliance that contains the GPS receiver and communication modules. This merging allows the system to collect both location and acceleration data through a single device, improving driving behavior detection precision while managing complexity through unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Quantity of substance

If more sensors and data collection capabilities are added to the appliance, then quantity and quality of collected data are improved, but the appliance becomes more complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata quantityVSAvoidappliance structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic appliance is designed as a universal platform that can collect multiple types of data (location, acceleration, driving behavior) through integrated sensors and communication modules. This multi-functional design increases data quantity and quality while managing complexity through a unified architectural approach.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides more precise data collection and processing, facilitating better risk assessment and fraud reduction, with easier installation and reduced false readings, while enabling more accurate determination of accident causes and theft detection.

Implementation Method 1

at least one locator unit for locating the position of said vehicle having a satellite signal receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSatellite signal reception:

Implementation Method 2

at least one measurement device for measuring the instantaneous acceleration of said vehicle along at least three distinct directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP1968029B1System and method for detecting ways of using a vehicle, particularly for applications in the insurance field
Publication Date: 2014.05.07 META SYSTEM SPA
  • EP1968029B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1968029B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1968029B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The system for detecting the ways of using a vehicle, particularly for applications in the insurance field or the like, comprising at least one electronic appliance installable on a vehicle and suitable for collecting data relating to the use of the vehicle and at least one remote recording and processing unit for recording and processing the collected data, wherein the appliance comprises at least one locator unit for locating the position of the vehicle having a satellite signal receiver, at least one measurement device for measuring the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle along at least three distinct directions and at least one communication unit associated with the locator unit and with the measurement device and suitable for sending the collected position and instantaneous acceleration data of the vehicle to the remote unit. The method for detecting the ways of using a vehicle, particularly for applications in the insurance field or the like, comprising the location of the position of a vehicle by means of a satellite signal receiver, the measuring of the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle along at least three distinct directions and the sending of the collected position and instantaneous acceleration data of the vehicle to at least one remote recording and processing unit.