Electronic vehicle log

• US 20030204362A1
• Filed: 04/24/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hyperion Technology Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hyperion Technology Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Beresford, Leigh-Anne, Dew, Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/128,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20030204362A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/149
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/02 by conversion into electric waveforms and subsequent integration, e.g. using tachometer generator G01C22/002, G01C22/004, G01C22/006 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

The device includes means to record verbal data from a vehicle user and combine it with information from an odometer to produce a log report. The report may include date, time, and commencing and terminating odometer readings The device further includes a user identifying capability. This capability may be allied with security means to prevent use of the vehicle unless pre-selected conditions are met including identification of the user and purpose of the journey.

Claims

1. An electronic vehicle log comprising:

voice interface means for capturing vocal input;

odometer interface means for determining odometer readings for a vehicle;

processing means for processing input from the voice interface means and odometer interface means;

storage means for storing data; and

communication means for reporting the data.

2. The electronic vehicle log of claim 1, wherein the voice interface means comprises a microphone and analog to digital converter.

3. The electronic vehicle log of claim 2 further comprising a voice to text converter.

4. The electronic vehicle log of claim 1, wherein the odometer interface means is in signal connection with a digital odometer of the vehicle.

5. The electronic vehicle log of claim 1, wherein the odometer interface means includes a revolution monitor for monitoring the revolutions of a drive shaft of the vehicle.

6. The electronic vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processing means is a central processing unit.

7. The electronic vehicle of claim 6, wherein the central processing unit is programmed to analyse input from the odometer interface means according to the algorithm:

8. The electronic vehicle log of claim 1 further comprising an audio speaker for providing audible cues to a user.

9. The electronic vehicle log of claim 1, wherein the processing means includes an internal clock, for time and date monitoring.

10. The electronic vehicle log of claim 1 further including an ignition interface for activating the electronic vehicle log.

11. The electronic vehicle log of any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising user identification means.

12. The electronic vehicle log of claim 11, wherein the user identification means comprises an electronic identifier and reader.

13. The electronic vehicle log of claim 11, wherein the electronic identifier is an electronic identifying card.

14. The electronic vehicle log of claim 11, wherein the user identification means comprises a key pad for receiving an identifying code.

15. The electronic vehicle log of claim 11, wherein the user identification means includes voice recognition means.

16. The electronic vehicle log of any one of the preceding claims further comprising security means for preventing engine ignition unless at least one pre-selected condition is met.

17. The electronic vehicle log of claim 16, wherein a pre-selected condition is identification of a user.

18. The electronic vehicle log of claim 16, wherein a pre-selected condition is identification of a purpose for a trip.

19. The electronic vehicle log of claim 16 further comprising safety override means for overriding the security means.

20. The electronic vehicle log of any one of the preceding claims further comprising position identifying means.

21. The electronic vehicle log of claim 20, wherein the position identifying means is a Global Positioning System device.

22. An electronic vehicle log substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

DATED this Sixteenth day of October 2000.