System and Method for Analyzing Vehicle Data

Abstract

A system and method are provided for analyzing vehicle data. The method is executed by a device having a processor and includes obtaining a geographic map image of a geographic area, the map image plotting a set of vehicle data indicative of at least one driving path traveled by the vehicle. The method also includes analyzing the at least one driving path in the map image and a model generated from data associated with the geographic area, to identify at least one driving pattern within the geographic area; and providing an indication of the at least one driving pattern to contribute to a risk assessment associated with a driver of the vehicle.

1 . A device for analyzing vehicle data, the device comprising:
 a processor;   a data interface coupled to the processor; and   a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing computer executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 obtain a geographic map image of a geographic area, the map image plotting a set of vehicle data indicative of at least one driving path traveled by the vehicle; 
 analyze the at least one driving path in the map image and a model generated from data associated with the geographic area, to identify at least one driving pattern within the geographic area; and 
 provide an indication of the at least one driving pattern to contribute to a risk assessment associated with a driver of the vehicle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of vehicle data comprises a plurality of location measurements and a corresponding plurality of speed measurements, and the computer executable instructions further cause the processor to:
 associate the corresponding plurality of speed measurements with the at least one driving path using the corresponding plurality of location measurements; and   utilize the plurality of speed measurements in identifying the at least one driving pattern.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the map image comprises at least one repeated driving path that is distinguishable by an image processing technique from at least one other driving path to be indicative of a higher frequency of use. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one path comprises a vehicle trip with a plurality of portions each identifying respective vehicle speed data. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the vehicle data comprises an acceleration value. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions further cause the processor to:
 obtain the model, the model having been generated from vehicle data for a plurality of vehicles; and   update the model with the at least one driving path.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the vehicle data collected from the plurality of vehicles comprises at least one similar path traveled by another vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions further cause the processor to:
 communicate via the data interface with a telematics system connected to the vehicle for collecting the vehicle data.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device communicates with a telematics device used or having been used in the vehicle to obtain the vehicle data. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indication of the at least one driving pattern used in the risk assessment is used to calculate an insurance premium for a usage-based insurance program. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the indication of the at least one driving pattern is combined with one or more additional factors in calculating the insurance premium. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein an additional factor comprises a road type associated with the at least one path, the road type being determinable from data associated with the geographic area. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of location measurements each comprise a latitude and a longitude, the set of vehicle data having been generated at least in part by a global positioning system receiver positioned in the vehicle while collecting the vehicle data. 
     
     
         14 . A method of analyzing vehicle data, the method executed by a device having a processor, and comprising:
 obtaining a geographic map image of a geographic area, the map image plotting a set of vehicle data indicative of at least one driving path traveled by the vehicle;   analyzing the at least one driving path in the map image and a model generated from data associated with the geographic area, to identify at least one driving pattern within the geographic area; and   providing an indication of the at least one driving pattern to contribute to a risk assessment associated with a driver of the vehicle.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the set of vehicle data comprises a plurality of location measurements and a corresponding plurality of speed measurements, and further comprising:
 associating the corresponding plurality of speed measurements with the at least one driving path using the corresponding plurality of location measurements; and   utilizing the plurality of speed measurements in identifying the at least one driving pattern.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the map image comprises at least one repeated driving path that is distinguishable by an image processing technique from at least one other driving path to be indicative of a higher frequency of use. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one path comprises a vehicle trip with a plurality of portions each identifying respective vehicle speed data. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 communicating via the data interface with a telematics system connected to the vehicle for collecting the vehicle data.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the indication of the at least one driving pattern used in the risk assessment is used to calculate an insurance premium for a usage-based insurance program. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable medium for analyzing vehicle data, the computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for:
 obtaining a geographic map image of a geographic area, the map image plotting a set of vehicle data indicative of at least one driving path traveled by the vehicle;   analyzing the at least one driving path in the map image and a model generated from data associated with the geographic area, to identify at least one driving pattern within the geographic area; and   providing an indication of the at least one driving pattern to contribute to a risk assessment associated with a driver of the vehicle.