ITRM20130219A1 - REGISTRATION, IDENTIFICATION AND PAYMENT SYSTEM OF THE INSURANCE COVER OF A VEHICLE WITH A PREPAID AND / OR RECHARGEABLE CREDIT. - Google Patents

Description

â € œSYSTEM FOR REGISTRATION, IDENTIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF THE INSURANCE COVER FOR A VEHICLE BY PREPAID AND / OR RECHARGEABLE CREDITâ €

Description

Technical sector

The invention in general refers to the sector of satellite navigation and detection systems. More specifically, it refers to a method of charging the insurance coverage of a vehicle that is based on the number of kilometers traveled. Therefore the invention also refers to consumption evaluation devices to be attributed to a prepaid.

State of the art

Currently, many vehicles are equipped with a special receiver and satellite locator. Be it a land, air or sea vehicle, the GPS tracking device is provided with the visibility of a sufficient number of satellites to calculate its position. The receiver is completely automatic, and once initialized, it provides on the display or on the serial output both the raw position data and information referring to a specific geodetic system, as well as the speed and direction of the user. Basically, all receivers put into practice navigation functions from point to point and allow you to store route keys. They are able to show the movement of the user from the intended path and so on. Even the smallest receivers can contain a database of geographic information, as is the case with the vast series of GPS receivers made for cars and updated in real time via the web.

Among the functions that are most commonly used in these satellite control systems, the following should be mentioned:

â € ¢ Display of movements for a selected period of time;

â € ¢ Visualization of the exact geographic location of a specific city with zoom levels from the entire map to the maximum detail of the city;

â € ¢ Receive alerts if a preset maximum speed is exceeded; â € ¢ Satellite anti-theft on vehicles, installed on the vehicle's immobilizer. The system sends the position of the vehicle in all 24 hours of the day to the central office.

The installation of the system on board the vehicles is immediate, simple and fast. However, the localization takes place in real time. The consultation of the vehicle positioning is possible immediately after installation and is completely online, since it is not necessary to install any type of software.

The satellite tracking systems have also been studied and designed to provide a simple, effective and competitive company fleet monitoring service in the sector. The management of the position of each vehicle with â € œtrackingâ € functionality all via the web. It allows to trace a peripheral in order to have the precise position in the historical (consultable) and point-to-point tracking function.

On the other hand, in the auto insurance sector, the conditions of inconsistency in which the insured - for example the elderly and the disabled - find themselves, who pay an auto insurance premium, annually, with the maximum conditions and ceilings are known. even if they then drive the car only for short distances, accumulating a few thousand kilometers in a year.

In fact, the request by the insurer (at the time of signing the policy) of how many kilometers the insured person plans to travel remains a dead letter, and does not significantly affect the amount of the premium as the declaration of insured is taken for information only.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide the motorist with a rechargeable car policy thanks to which the cost of the insurance also becomes variable in relation to the actual number of kilometers traveled.

Moreover, the aim of the present invention is to provide a payment system for the kilometric consumption policy, based on known operating tools - of the general purpose type - and on the related known procedures for implementing the authenticity detection functions. Furthermore, it is planned to use standard software and hardware components in the satellite control sector, in order to make the new application low in costs, highly reliable and immediately usable.

These purposes are achieved by means of a system of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by prepaid and / or rechargeable credit which is based on:

the. a detector for satellite monitoring of the vehicle combined with a memory card reader which is associated with its own unique identifier; And

ii. an archive in electronic format, resident at the insurance company, including at least the information relating to the identification of each customer, the count of the number of kilometers traveled and the cards used for the pre-payment of the aforementioned insurance coverage,

The memory card for payment by prepaid, of the insurance coverage on the kilometers traveled, can be inserted in the joint reading device and physically removable from the car. Each of these cards includes an identification number used for the individual user and information relating to the actual number of kilometers traveled each time. The attribution of the membership of the aforementioned means of payment to the effective holder is carried out on the basis of the identification codes associated with the initialization of the card by calling the telephone number of the insurance company.

Another solution involves not using a card reader and a card with prepaid, but only involves the acquisition of a code, of the type to be scratched or to be discovered and communicated at the time of initialization of the card by calling the number telephone number of the insurance company, to have the availability of a predetermined number of kilometers to be covered under insurance coverage. In this case, the user purchases a virtual top-up and activates the insurance coverage credit using the telephone number with the identification provided with the top-up. To have a temporal vision of the credit and of the possible approaching of the credit depleted conditions, LEDs are provided on the detector with different colors, yellow, red, green, arranged in a linear or matrix configuration.

The proposed solution is characterized in accordance with each of the claims that will follow.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be better described with reference to an example of practical implementation, given only as an indication and not as a limitation one illustrated in the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a representation of a generic, schematic realization, not to scale, of the payment system for the kilometric consumption policy made in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram that sees in greater detail some functional components of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a block diagram that sees in greater detail other functional components of Figure 1.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, component units have been considered which essentially refer to a satellite device 8, such as Tom Tom, and an electronic device for calculating the kilometers traveled, and for downloading the prepaid as well as for displaying in time real consumption and recharge residue.

As shown in figure 2, the device to be set up visible to the driver is basically made up of three functional blocks: the satellite detector 8, the calculator 4 of the kilometers traveled, the reader 7 of magnetic card with credit download function.

There is also a possible fingerprint reader in the event that the contract relating to the policy requires that there be a particular person as a driver (eg only the owner of the vehicle) for the activation of the measurement of the kilometers to be traveled.

The satellite locator according to the present invention is based on detection and monitoring, complete by arranging that a unique identifier is associated with the vehicle 6 by means of its own SIM. The detection technology is based on the tested triangulation of the data acquired by at least three satellites 9, simultaneously.

If the motorist does not have a satellite system installed on your car, the insurance company offers one of the latest generation on loan for use and with free installation.

After registering the detector 8, interfaced with the credit reader 7 on www.xxxx.yyy, it is possible to monitor your vehicle 6, check the routes and even be notified via sms if the vehicle insurance is expiring or exceeding a previously set attention time.

In the satellite localization techniques mentioned above, the system also works as a black box â € œBlack Boxâ €, recording all the movements made by the vehicle. It records speed, position and time; continues to record information at time intervals that can be set. In particular, the number of kilometers traveled is detected, through the movement of the vehicle instant by instant.

In the solution according to the present invention, precisely this type of functionality - already known and implemented on the locator 8 - allows the credit reader 7 to know in real time the number of kilometers traveled by the vehicle in a given period of time. This number of kilometers is then used to scale a prepaid card associated with the SIM that the device according to the invention is equipped with.

The contract provides for the subscription that the payment of the premium is made in advance through the refills of the prepaid, which involve the delivery by a resale 5,

a- a recharging code, which can be activated at the moment - by telephone 14 - and valid for a given period to travel a certain number of kilometers, and / or b- a memory card (e.g. a magnetic or microchip card ), whose credit can be downloaded in relation to the kilometers traveled by the reader 7 physically present on the vehicle.

In case a- the use of a reader is not required but the top-up code, which can also be acquired for example via the Internet, operates as a virtual card with a downloadable prepaid card. The low credit is signaled by means of LEDs or a small, dedicated display.

If during the journey a series of thresholds consisting of predetermined mileage limits are exceeded, the signaling device alerts the driver in real time - gradually illuminating the group of green LEDs, then that of yellow LEDs, and finally, when credit conditions are approaching. exhausted, the group of red LEDs - for the driver to recharge.

Therefore, this less complex solution does not include a device for reading and displaying the residual credit, but only a keypad for entering the prepaid code.

In this case, the detection and signaling device resident on the vehicle is an electronic device equipped with a microprocessor which in turn interacts with a HW interface that connects it to the GPS 8 management and control unit. The microprocessor is also connected to a power circuit for driving the series of LEDs and acoustic alarms. The power circuit is powered directly from the power supply circuit of the vehicle in which it is used.

The microprocessor performs the functions relating to interfacing with the satellite detection device 8, the decoding of the keyboard commands, the recognition and identification of the prepaid code which will also be stored in the system 10, 11, registration and payment of vehicle insurance coverage 5 by prepaid.

In any case, this is an intelligent system, since thanks to the satellite kit the position of the car 6 is checked in the event of a theft or the dynamics of a claim are reconstructed, but by accessing the dedicated web page, it is also possible to check each moment, how many kilometers have been traveled and how much is the remaining credit.

The system works with the ignition on: therefore, if the car is embarked, the nautical miles traveled are not charged.

Prepaid card readers 7 (for example magnetic or microchip card readers) are known and very widespread. Reader 7 is a device, of reduced dimensions, which can be placed in the most suitable places such as the entrance to a swimming pool, the door of the bus or at the photocopiers of a copy shop. Users can load the prepaid and, afterwards, use the services without the need for an employee to control the payment.

This system allows companies to save on staff and reduce the time required for payments. Thanks to its simple operation, it is suitable for all companies wishing to automate the payment of services such as public transport, hotel services (beauty services, gym, buffet), camping services (water, electricity), parks. games, parking, bowling, etc.

Basically, according to the present invention, a new magnetic card reader 7 is used to collect the insurance coverage of the vehicle by means of a prepaid and / or credit that can be recharged by means of a card. The card reader 7 is in fact integrated with the registration and identification system 8 and works with section 4 for detecting and monitoring the kilometers traveled. In relation to the number of kilometers traveled, the credit of the prepaid card 3 is reduced.

Card 3 in some embodiments also allows you to instantly consult the amount of credit available in the account by showing a list of the latest transactions on a computer screen. It can be purchased from a dealer 5 and be used immediately following recognition of the dedicated SW 4 residing on detector 8; or, it can be activated by telephone call 14 to the dedicated number of the company 10.

There are several solutions for credit management:

i- A scalar (decrease based on the number of kilometers) disposable, preloaded with a certain amount;

ii- A scalar (decrease based on the number of kilometers) rechargeable, preloaded with a certain amount;

iii- Permanently valid (increase based on the number of kilometers traveled), for the periodic control and verification of the services used, for example the number of kilometers traveled or the amount spent in a given period, possibly due from the credit.

By means of a biometric identifier (such as a fingerprint reader) integrated in the reader 7 it is possible not only to access different devices with the same card 3 (differentiating costs according to the service used), but also to manage groups of users with differentiated access : some can access all the cars in a fleet, others only some cars, etc. Just as in a family, one or more vehicles are only allowed to be used by members of the family unit, over 26 years of age, or with 10 years of driving experience, etc.

The satellite receiver 8 with the system of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of prepaid and / or rechargeable credit, according to the present invention, in some applications is even used for the insured management of deliveries

By interfacing with the management software 4, it is possible to create a complete system that, based on the loads of the vehicles and the unloading via portable terminal, gives the precise status and precise position of a package being delivered. This is useful for creating web systems that can be consulted by your customers to communicate, without the need for access to a call center (for example), the delivery times and forecasts of goods. In the present invention this function is the object of added value as the insurance with prepaid is itself used to provide coverage on the transport of packages.

For this purpose, the same device 7 for identifying and paying for the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of a prepaid and / or rechargeable credit is provided with a barcode reader, which allows each package to be entered in the list of objects to be placed under prepaid insurance coverage before the start of the transport.

Advantages and industriality of the invention

Anything that may need to be controlled on the territory can be monitored with the system of registration, identification and payment of insurance coverage by prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the present invention.

You can check particular equipment with which you interact and move around the territory (boats, special vehicles, technical equipment ...) any object of which therefore, it may be necessary to identify the precise position and at the same time benefit from coverage insurance.

The system of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the invention uses a GPS locator 8 and a prepaid toll collection device 7 which are enclosed in an extruded polypropylene container , with flanges for fixing at the time of installation, and has a waterproof behavior thanks to a gasket in contact with the Plexiglass cover.

On the basis of statistical projections with linear interpolations, with the system described, if the motorist drives less than 10,000 kilometers a year, he can halve or even reduce the cost of third party liability to a fifth compared to a policy traditional.

The satellite kit and the card reader used do not interfere in any way with the functionality of the electronic systems and with the car systems; moreover, they do not interfere in any way with the guarantee that the manufacturer lends to the car sold.

If you change your car, you move the whole integrated system of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage, by prepaid, to the new one together with the policy underwritten, as with a normal traditional insurance.

Finally, the satellite kit and the prepaid credit collection device are in no way used to control or violate the privacy of the policyholder and / or driver.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS 1. System of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of any vehicle by prepaid and / or rechargeable credit, characterized by the fact of including: i- a detector (8) for satellite monitoring of the vehicle combined with uniquely identified metering and collection means (7) of the prepaid; ii- counting and collection device (7) of the prepaid which is provided, from time to time, by the user who holds an insurance coverage policy, in relation to the kilometers to be traveled; iii- archive in electronic format (11), resident at the insurance company (10), including at least the information relating to the identification of each customer, the count of the number of kilometers traveled and the means (3) used for payment of the aforementioned insurance coverage; iv- registration means (3) of the prepaid to which an identification number and information relating to the number of kilometers traveled are associated, the two-way association of the aforementioned means of payment to the effective holder of the policy, being carried out on the basis of assignment of the correspondence between the user's identification code - coinciding with the SIM present in the satellite detector (8) - and the identification code of the prepaid, upon activation of the same, by calling the dedicated telephone number of the insurance company ( 10). 2. System of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to claim 1, characterized by the fact of comprising memory means (3) for the payment, by prepaid, of the insurance coverage on kilometers carried out, which can be inserted in an identification device (7) integral with and physically removable from the car (6). 3. System for registering, identifying and paying the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of a prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said memory means (3) consist of a magnetic or microchip card. 4. System for registering, identifying and paying for the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of a prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the counting and collection device (7) comprises a possible fingerprint reader in the case in which, for the activation of the measurement of the kilometers to be traveled, the control relating to the policy requires that there is a particular person as a driver whose authentication is required. 5. System for registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of a prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact of operating with a virtual recharge that can be activated by calling the telephone number of the insurance company, to have the availability of a predetermined number of kilometers to be covered under insurance coverage. 6. System of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that to have a temporal view of the credit and of the possible approach of the credit conditions, on the counting and collection device of the LEDs with different colors, yellow, red, green, arranged in a linear or matrix configuration, these LEDs light up gradually, first the group of green LEDs, then that of the yellow LEDs and, finally, at the ™ approach of the credit depleted conditions, the group of red LEDs - so that the driver provides for a new recharge. 7. System of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the same device (7) for identifying and paying the insurance coverage of a vehicle by prepaid and / or rechargeable credit is provided with a bar code reader, which allows you to enter each package in the list of items that are to be placed under prepaid insurance coverage before the start of transport. 8. System of registration, identification and payment of the insurance coverage of a vehicle by means of prepaid and / or rechargeable credit according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the toll is collected by means of a cellular telecommunications device in the possession of the user, in charge of opening the prepaid and balancing the account by rechargeable credit on NFC, the control and verification of the belonging of the aforementioned mobile phone to the actual holder being performed on the basis of the identification codes provided to the satellite tracker (8) .