Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.

Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.

Abstract: A system comprising one or more interior antenna(s) positioned within an at least partially enclosed operator area of a human operated machine and one or more exterior antenna(s) positioned on an external portion of the human operated machine, with a radio frequency shield positioned between the interior antenna(s) and the exterior antenna(s), is usable with a processing module electrically connected with the antennas for analyzing signals received from the antennas to determine whether a radio frequency generating device is active within the at least partially enclosed operator area.

Abstract: System and method for providing a website, portal and/or user interface adding, reviewing and editing street mapping data and speed-by-street information. The website, portal and/or user interface allows users to add, review and editing all or selected matters of safety data and street information in a street mapping database. The website, portal and/or user interface also allows the user to select any geographical area and/or any group of vehicles and adjust the system response for any reason, such as weather, traffic, road conditions, etc. The present invention also provides a website, portal and/or user interface that allows a user to register their vehicle and/or vehicle monitoring system hardware so that driver profile information and performance data may be stored on the site and viewed by insurance companies. The insurance companies may bid on drivers they wanted to insure.

Abstract: System and method for providing feedback to drivers. The system monitors selected vehicle parameters while a vehicle is being driven, and detects one or more vehicle operation violations by comparing the selected vehicle parameters to predetermined thresholds. A mentoring message is provided to the driver if the threshold is exceeded. If a vehicle operation violation has not been corrected within a preselected time period, then a violation report may be sent to a third party or a central server and/or a different mentoring message may be provided to the driver. Vehicle parameter data may be monitored from an on-board vehicle diagnostic system. The mentoring message may be an audible warning, such as a spoken message, or a visual warning, such as a text message. The selected vehicle parameters may be a vehicle speed, a vehicle acceleration, or a vehicle seatbelt use.

Abstract: System and method for communicating between an insurer and insured. The system detects operating characteristics of a driver or vehicle, and a cost of insuring the driver or vehicle, as decided by the insurer in consideration of the detected operating characteristics. The system provides an interface system for communicating the operating characteristics and the cost of insuring the driver or vehicle between the insurer and the insured. The system provides a vehicle monitoring system for monitoring the operating characteristics and for providing mentoring feedback to a driver, and a storage system for storing the operating characteristics. The system includes a processing system for deciding the cost of insuring the driver or vehicle based upon the monitored operating characteristics.

Abstract: System and method for evaluating driver performance, comprising detecting operations of a vehicle using an on-board vehicle monitoring system, comparing the operations to predetermined criteria, identifying violations of the predetermined criteria, tracking violations that occur during an evaluation period, and, at the end of the evaluation period, calculating a grade associated with operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system comprising one or more interior antenna(s) positioned within an at least partially enclosed operator area of a human operated machine and one or more exterior antenna(s) positioned on an external portion of the human operated machine, with a radio frequency shield positioned between the interior antenna(s) and the exterior antenna(s), is usable with a processing module electrically connected with the antennas for analyzing signals received from the antennas to determine whether a radio frequency generating device is active within the at least partially enclosed operator area.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting use of a wireless device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method for using street map data broadcasts a warning to a driver, wherein the warning is triggered when a vehicle operating parameter does not comply with a limitation for a current street in a street mapping database. The limitation for the current street is also broadcast to the driver. An indication that the limitation for the current street is incorrect is received from the driver. The warning to the driver may be an audible warning and/or a visual warning to the driver. Broadcasting a limitation for the current street may include displaying the limitation to the driver or playing a spoken message to the driver. The limitation may be a posted speed limit or a traffic direction, for example.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting use of a wireless device is disclosed. In one embodiment, wireless device activity data is received from a wireless network. User account data is searched using selected parameters from the wireless device activity data to identify one or more subscribers that are or were using a wireless device. One or more subscriber vehicles or vehicle monitoring systems associated with each of the one or more subscribers are identified. Vehicle operation data from one or more vehicle monitoring systems is received. The vehicle operation data is used to determine whether any of the one or more subscriber vehicles were moving during use of an associated wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method for mentoring a driver of a vehicle can include a monitoring device in communication with an onboard diagnostics unit coupled to an engine, the monitoring device monitoring at least one of a plurality of vehicle parameters received from the onboard diagnostics unit including vehicle speed, fuel level, engine speed, load, mass air flow, manifold air pressure, and odometer reading, and using the at least one of a plurality of vehicle parameters to calculate a fuel efficiency and/or emissions of the engine; and an output coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the output notifies the driver when the fuel efficiency changes. The output can notify the driver when the fuel efficiency and/or emissions increases or decreases. The notification can be visual, audible, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.

Abstract: System and method for collecting and using vehicle data. Crash data is received from a plurality of vehicle monitoring devices and added to a crash data database. The database is updated with additional information gathered from specific crashes. The crash data is correlated based upon a vehicle type parameter. Crash data parameters associated with one or more injury severity thresholds are identified. Alternatively, crash data parameters associated with one or more vehicle damage severity thresholds are identified. Injury and property damage estimates for subsequent crashes are made based upon the information collected in the crash database.

Abstract: System and method for providing a website, portal and/or user interface adding, reviewing and editing street mapping data and speed-by-street information. The website, portal and/or user interface allows users to add, review and editing all or selected matters of safety data and street information in a street mapping database. The website, portal and/or user interface also allows the user to select any geographical area and/or any group of vehicles and adjust the system response for any reason, such as weather, traffic, road conditions, etc. The present invention also provides a website, portal and/or user interface that allows a user to register their vehicle and/or vehicle monitoring system hardware so that driver profile information and performance data may be stored on the site and viewed by insurance companies. The insurance companies may bid on drivers they wanted to insure.

Abstract: A system for detecting the use of wireless devices such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or pagers in a moving vehicle receives wireless signals inside a vehicle using a radio frequency (RF) sensor(s) and converts the RF signals into voltage signals. The voltage signals are then compared with known waveforms to determine if the wireless signals indicate a received call, if the received call is answered, a transmitted call, an SMS text message, data associated with internet browsing on a wireless device, or Bluetooth activity.

Abstract: System and method for capturing video data, comprising buffering video data captured from a video recording device in a vehicle, detecting a triggering event, saving a portion of the video data occurring within a specified period of time near the event, and naming a saved portion of video data with a label associated with the triggering event.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the operation of a vehicle, comprising a housing having an accelerometer unit, and a global positioning system (GPS) unit, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted in a window of the vehicle, and wherein the system is adapted to be powered by an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring and mentoring driver behavior and vehicle operation and for categorizing or grading a driver's performance. The driver's classification or grade is used to determine or adjust insurance rates, premiums or coverages for the driver. The driver may receive discounted insurance rates for using monitoring and/or mentoring equipment in the vehicle. Insurance companies may use the driver classifications or grades to bid for coverage of groups of drivers having similar classifications or grades.

Abstract: System and method for warning drivers of changing road conditions is disclosed. In one embodiment road condition information is obtained for at least a portion of a route. The road condition information is analyzed to identify one or more significant features on the portion of the route. The driver is alerted to the one or more significant features.

Abstract: System and method for tracking assets comprises determining if an asset is inside a geofence area, using a first set of asset monitoring parameters to monitor operation of the asset, if the asset is inside the geofence area, and using a second set of asset monitoring parameters to monitor operation of the asset, if the asset is outside the geofence area. The invention further comprises a system and method for providing one or more competitors with an asset tracking device, wherein the asset tracking device allows each competitor's location to be monitored, defining one or more geofence areas on a racetrack, and detecting when the competitors enter a designated geofence area.