Abstract: In a vehicle usage monitoring system, the privacy of the user is protected by performing some coding prior to sending the information from the user. Specific details of the user's driving history are converted to generalized codes that relate to insurance rates. Optionally, different types of vehicle information may be combined into generating the codes to be sent from the user in order to provide even more privacy. The codes may be used to calculate a vehicle insurance rate.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle uses a wireless mobile device. The wireless mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, PDA, etc., includes some of the hardware that could be utilized to monitor and analyze data and transmit the data (or summaries, statistics or analyses of the data) to a central server. This can greatly reduce the overall cost of the system. The data can be used to determine an insurance rate or as a speed probe for creating traffic maps, for example.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.

Abstract: An on-vehicle device for a driver monitoring system can be configured to be isolated from the vehicle bus while connected to the vehicle's OBD port. In a fully-isolated mode, the device only receives power and ground from the vehicle's OBD port and there is no other communication sent or received from the vehicle bus. In a passive mode, the device can obtain some information from the vehicle bus but does not request any information on the vehicle bus. The device may be undetectable on the vehicle bus. Optionally, the device receives commands via a communication interface to be switched among the three modes: fully active mode, fully isolated mode and passive mode. The commands may come from a server and may be communicated over the internet or over a cell network to a communication module on the device.

Abstract: A system for providing roadside and emergency assistance to a vehicle includes a vehicle unit with several connectivity options. A user interface unit permits a user to request assistance and communicate with an emergency dispatcher and/or service provider. A server receives requests for assistance from the vehicle unit and relays information between the vehicle unit and a dispatcher or service provider to provide communication between the driver of the vehicle and the dispatcher or service provider. Alternatively, such as in an emergency (e.g. crash) situation, the server directly requests assistance to be sent to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.

Abstract: A driver assessment system includes at least one vehicle sensor on a vehicle gathering vehicle dynamics information. At least one occupant sensor gathers driver information. The at least one occupant sensor may be a wearable device or subdermal device on the driver. At least one computer receives the vehicle dynamics information and the driver information to determine a driver readiness.

Abstract: A system for providing roadside and emergency assistance to a vehicle includes a vehicle unit with several connectivity options. A user interface unit permits a user to request assistance and communicate with an emergency dispatcher and/or service provider. A server receives requests for assistance from the vehicle unit and relays information between the vehicle unit and a dispatcher or service provider to provide communication between the driver of the vehicle and the dispatcher or service provider. Alternatively, such as in an emergency (e.g. crash) situation, the server directly requests assistance to be sent to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for monitoring travel by a vehicle includes monitoring location of a vehicle as it travels along a plurality of routes from each of a plurality of origins to a plurality of destinations. Frequently-traveled routes are determined from the monitored location of the vehicle. The frequently-traveled routes are displayed to the user. Current traffic conditions may also be displayed on routes between the current location of the vehicle and potential destinations, which are determined based upon previous destinations, contacts, or calendar events.

Abstract: A precision usage-based transportation infrastructure charging service includes a dynamic road and infrastructure usage engine that can fairly assess road usage based on any combination of mileage, time of day, vehicle mass, location, road class, defined zones and other relevant parameters. This flexible service leverages detailed vehicle driving information to generate road usage summaries, detailed validation data, and invoices or bills where appropriate. This service applies not only to movement along road networks, but also includes time-based and complex rules that support usage-based charging within parking lots, and usage-based charging based on per-person transportation efficiency and environmental impact.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle uses a wireless mobile device. The wireless mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, PDA, etc., includes some of the hardware that could be utilized to monitor and analyze data and transmit the data (or summaries, statistics or analyses of the data) to a central server. This can greatly reduce the overall cost of the system. The data can be used to determine an insurance rate or as a speed probe for creating traffic maps, for example.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle uses a wireless mobile device. The wireless mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, PDA, etc., includes some of the hardware that could be utilized to monitor and analyze data and transmit the data (or summaries, statistics or analyses of the data) to a central server. This can greatly reduce the overall cost of the system. The data can be used to determine an insurance rate or as a speed probe for creating traffic maps, for example.

Abstract: An on-vehicle device for a driver monitoring system can be configured to be isolated from the vehicle bus while connected to the vehicle's OBD port. In a fully-isolated mode, the device only receives power and ground from the vehicle's OBD port and there is no other communication sent or received from the vehicle bus. In a passive mode, the device can obtain some information from the vehicle bus but does not request any information on the vehicle bus. The device may be undetectable on the vehicle bus. Optionally, the device receives commands via a communication interface to be switched among the three modes: fully active mode, fully isolated mode and passive mode. The commands may come from a server and may be communicated over the internet or over a cell network to a communication module on the device.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server. The system also includes a plurality of power conservation features.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system permits a user to designate some usage as personal, such that the location of the vehicle is not tracked (or not recorded or not reported). The user can designate the usage as personal in terms of time of day or day of the week or in terms of geographic areas. Optionally, in calculating a route, the system may take into account a safety index; i.e. which route is safer. The system may also take into account which route will consume less energy, particularly where the vehicle is an electric vehicle, which has different efficiencies in certain types of road conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system permits a user to designate some usage as personal, such that the location of the vehicle is not tracked (or not recorded or not reported). The user can designate the usage as personal in terms of time of day or day of the week or in terms of geographic areas. Optionally, in calculating a route, the system may take into account a safety index; i.e. which route is safer. The system may also take into account which route will consume less energy, particularly where the vehicle is an electric vehicle, which has different efficiencies in certain types of road conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.

Abstract: An on-vehicle device for a driver monitoring system can be configured to be isolated from the vehicle bus while connected to the vehicle's OBD port. In a fully-isolated mode, the device only receives power and ground from the vehicle's OBD port and there is no other communication sent or received from the vehicle bus. In a passive mode, the device can obtain some information from the vehicle bus but does not request any information on the vehicle bus. The device may be undetectable on the vehicle bus. Optionally, the device receives commands via a communication interface to be switched among the three modes: fully active mode, fully isolated mode and passive mode. The commands may come from a server and may be communicated over the internet or over a cell network to a communication module on the device.