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.

Motor vehicle monitoring system for determining a cost of insurance

One disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically measure amounts of time taken by the user to complete respective distance intervals. During the outing, data representing the automatically measured amounts of time may be automatically stored in memory of the least one device. Another disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically identify occasions on which a user completes respective distance intervals. During the outing, the at least one device may display at least one of an average pace of the user since a most recently completed distance interval, an average speed of the user since the most recently completed distance interval, and a projected time to complete a current distance interval based on monitored performance since the most recently completed distance interval. Yet another disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to monitor a distance traveled by the user. An input to the at least one device may be received that specifies a goal distance for the outing, and the at least one device may determine a remaining distance to be traveled to complete one of the specified goal distance for the outing and a calculated fraction of the specified goal distance for the outing.

Monitoring activity of a user in locomotion on foot

Means are provided for recording, storing, calculating, communicating and reviewing one or more operational aspects of a machine. Insurance costs are based, in part, on activities of the machine operator. A discount may be provided in exchange for recording the operational aspects and providing the recorded information to the insurer. The party may review information and decide whether to provide it to the insurer. The means for reviewing may present comparative information. Information that causes insurance costs to vary may be highlighted. Provided data may be used to verify insurance application information, generate actuarial information or determine insurance rates. Operating data may be reviewed on a computer, a Web site or other display medium so a party can observe how his operating behavior compares to that of other operators of similar machines and may be manipulated so a party can understand how changes in operating behavior can affect his insurance rates.

Monitoring system for determining and communicating a cost of insurance

The invention provides a smart sensor ( 10 ) in the form of an adhesive bandage ( 32 ). The sensor ( 12 ) sticks to people and objects and wirelessly communicates with remote receivers ( 24 ). Internal detectors ( 12 ) sense conditions associated with movement or the environment of the sensor. Typically, sensors of the invention communicate by an RF transmitter or transceiver ( 16 ). Groups of sensors may be combined within a common canister that imparts date and time information and “power on” when dispensed.

Movement and event systems and associated methods related applications

A data logging device tracks the operation of a vehicle or driver actions. The device includes a storage device, which may be removable or portable, having a first memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in a vehicle and a second memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in the vehicle. The second memory portion may retain data attributes associated with the data stored in the first removable storage device. A processor reads data from an automotive bus that transfers data from vehicle sensors to other automotive components. The processor writes data to the first memory portion and the second memory portion that reflect a level of risk or safety. A communication device links the storage device to a network of computers. The communication device may be accessible through software that allows a user to access files.

Vehicle Monitoring System

An apparatus for measuring and recording accelerations or other physical quantities experienced by easily damaged items of commerce such as fruit and electronic computers. A triaxial accelerometer or other suitable sensor produces signals which are sampled by a microprocessor operating according to a program stored in a read-only memory. When the sampled accelerations or other physical quantities exceed a predetermined threshold, samples are stored in a random access memory, along with their times of occurrence. The apparatus provides a serial port for reading out the recorded acceleration data. The data may then be subjected to further processing externally.

Impact detection apparatus

Adata-acquisition system referred to as an instru-mented sphere (IS) was developed to measure and evaluate critical impacts for agricultural products and packages. This system contains a stand-alone computer capable of operating several hours unattended. The unit will collect and store all accelerations above a preprogrammed threshold. Each impact is referenced to a clock that gives the exact time and duration of impact. Tests confirm that the system is capable of accurately measuring impact amplitude and duration which can be correlated to damage in the agricultural and packaging industries.

Self-Contained Impact Detection Device: Calibration and Accuracy

The transportation and handling of agricultural produce can result in various degrees of damage due to impacts. This research covers the techniques and software used for the analysis of impact data (vector accelerations) recorded by a microcontroller based Instrumented Sphere (IS) of 140 mm diameter and 1.44 kg. mass. The IS stores data for impacts which are above a predetermined threshold and formats the data into records consisting of triaxial acceleration values along with the time of occurrence. Some of the techniques used in the analysis include: digital filtering, peak detection, numerical integration and coordinate rotations. The analysis techniques were also applied to some IS data collected from a commercial apple packing line. The maximum possible drop heights derived from the IS data, using the analysis techniques, rarely exceeded 0.1 m and corresponded with packing line transfer points. or serviced..

B. R. Tennes

Papers

Impact detection apparatus

Self-Contained Impact Detection Device: Calibration and Accuracy

Analysis of Impacts Recorded With An Instrumented Sphere