Portable speed-recording device for motor vehicles
First Claim
1. A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:
- a computer for receiving, processing and outputting electronic signals;
a vehicle speed sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous speed of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic signal corresponding to said instantaneous speed;
a display operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said outputted signal;
a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data; and
a reward or punishment administered by the motor vehicle owner or operator to the driver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for monitoring motor vehicle movement parameters, such as speed, location and acceleration, for assessing the driving habits of inexperienced drivers and rewarding good driving habits or punishing poor driving habits in order to reduce speed-related driving accidents. The system includes a hand-held, self-contained, portable device capable of being securely mounted to or locked on or within a motor vehicle and capable of sensing the instantaneous speed of the vehicle using a Global Positioning System (GPS), accelerometer, or both. The GPS location data along with elapsed time information may be used to calculate the speed and acceleration of the vehicle. Alternatively, separate acceleration and speed detecting devices may be used such as transducers. The system is operated by a parent or guardian of the driver or a commercial, governmental or private monitoring service. The method of operating the invention includes mounting the device, collecting vehicle monitoring data, comparing the data to pre-established standards and awarding a prize or administering a punishment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:
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a computer for receiving, processing and outputting electronic signals;
a vehicle speed sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous speed of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic signal corresponding to said instantaneous speed;
a display operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said outputted signal;
a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data; and
a reward or punishment administered by the motor vehicle owner or operator to the driver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:
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a monitoring device comprising;
a computer for receiving, processing and outputting electronic signals;
a vehicle location sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous location of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic location signal corresponding to said instantaneous location, wherein the vehicle location sensor is a global positioning system receiver;
a vehicle acceleration sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle and for outputting an electronic acceleration signal corresponding to said instantaneous acceleration, wherein said vehicle acceleration sensor is an accelerometer;
a display device operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said outputted signals;
a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data;
a vehicle mounting device connected to the system for securely locking the system to the vehicle and for preventing its removal by the driver or unauthorized person; and
a battery power source, operatively connected to said computer, said vehicle location sensor, said vehicle acceleration sensor, said display device, said data entry device, and said vehicle mounting device; and
a reward or a punishment administered by the vehicle owner or operator to the driver. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method for use by a vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver and rewarding good driving habits comprising the steps of:
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mounting a vehicle monitoring device to a vehicle;
sensing instantaneous speed signals associated with the movement of the vehicle;
comparing said speed signals against pre-established standards; and
rewarding the driver with a prize or administering a punishment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification