Truck driver logging device displaying a time log graph

• US 5,633,622 A
• Filed: 03/14/1996
• Issued: 05/27/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patterson, Robert L.
• Original Assignee: Patterson, Robert L.
• Inventors: Patterson, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US08/616,156
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.15, 340/438, 340/439, 340/425.5, 364/424.04, 364/424.03, 364/424.01
• US Class Current: 340/309.8
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/04 using counting means or digital clocks

Abstract

A truck driver logging device including a display adapted to depict a time log graph. The time log graph comprises a plurality of rows each corresponding to a duty pertinent to the daily activities of a truck driver. The time log graph further comprises a multiplicity of columns with vertically aligned tick marks depicted thereon. Each tick mark corresponds to a specific time within a twenty-four hour period. A plurality of duty buttons are adapted to graph a line within the corresponding row between two of the tick marks thus displaying the specific time of the day allotted to the corresponding duty. The beginning of a specific line in a row is defined merely by pressing duty key at the beginning of the time allotted to the associated duty and the end thereof is afforded by the subsequent depression of a different duty key. A control mechanism is adapted to automatically calculate and display the time graphically depicted for each duty and further to automatically calculate and display a running weekly total of time entered during a present week for each duty.

Claims

1. A new and improved trucker driver logging device comprising, in combination:

a compact housing having a lower portion with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space and further having an upper portion with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery hingably coupled to a rear extent of the lower portion;

a display situated on the bottom surface of the upper portion, the display adapted to depict data pertinent to truck driving and further to display a time log graph, the time log graph comprising a plurality of rows, the rows including an off duty row for graphically displaying a time allotted to being off duty, a sleeper berth row for graphically displaying a time allotted to bathing and sleeping, a driving row for graphically displaying a time allotted to driving, an on duty row for graphically displaying a time allotted to not driving, and a miscellaneous row for graphically displaying a time allotted to miscellaneous duties, the time log graph further comprising a multiplicity of columns with vertically aligned tick marks depicted therein, each tick mark corresponding to a specific time within a twenty-four hour period;

a beeper positioned within the housing for producing an audio signal upon the actuation thereof;

an alphanumeric keypad situated on the top surface of the lower portion of the housing and adapted to allow the entry and depiction via the display of a name of a driver, an address of an office for which the driver works, an address of the home terminal of the driver, and a vehicle identification number corresponding to a truck of the driver;

a lighting means situated on the top surface of the lower portion of the housing adjacent to the keypad for allowing the entry of characters in the absence of ambient light;

a portable printer means with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front face, an arcuate rear face, and a pair of side edges defining an interior space, the portable printer means further including a generally rectangular recess for releasably receiving and coupling with the compact housing, the printer means further adapted to produce a hard copy of the information depicted on the display via a slit situated on the front face thereof, wherein coupling with the compact housing is faciliated by a parrallel port situated on a rear portion of the recess;

a pair of mile entry keys including a miles in key for entering and displaying a mileage of the truck at the beginning of the day and a miles out key for entering and displaying a mileage of the truck at the end of the day;

a plurality of duty buttons situated on the top surface of the lower portion of the housing, the duty buttons comprising an off duty key, sleep berth key, driving key, on duty key, and miscellaneous key, the duty buttons adapted to graph a line within the corresponding row between two of the tick marks thus displaying the specific time of the day allotted to the corresponding duty, whereby a beginning of the specific line in a row is generated merely by pressing the corresponding key at the beginning of the time allotted thereto and the end thereof is afforded by the subsequent depression of a different duty key; and

control means situated within the interior space of the lower portion of the housing and adapted to keep a current date and a current time, to automatically calculate and display the time graphically depicted for each duty, to automatically calculate and display a running weekly total of time entered during a present week for each duty, and to actuate the beeper at an end of a current day.

2. A trucker driver logging device comprising:

a display adapted to depict a time log graph, the time log graph comprising a plurality of rows each corresponding to a plurality of various duties pertinent to truck driving, the time log graph further comprising a multiplicity of columns with vertically aligned tick marks depicted therein, each tick mark corresponding to a specific time within a twenty-four hour period;

a plurality of duty buttons adapted to graph a line within the corresponding row between two of the tick marks thus displaying the specific time of the day allotted to the corresponding function, whereby a beginning of a specific line in a row is defined merely by pressing the corresponding key at the beginning of the time allotted and the end thereof is afforded by the subsequent depression of a different duty key; and

control means adapted to keep a current date and a current time, to automatically calculate and display the time graphically depicted for each duty, and to automatically calculate and display a running weekly total of time entered during a present week for each duty.

3. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising an alphanumeric keypad situated on the top surface of the lower portion of the housing and adapted to allow the entry and depiction via the display of a name of a driver, an address of an office for which the driver works, an address of the home terminal of the driver, and a vehicle identification number corresponding to a truck of the driver.

4. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising a beeper for producing an audio signal upon the actuation thereof, wherein the control means is further adapted to actuate the beeper at an end of a current day.

5. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising a compact housing having a lower portion with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space and further having an upper portion with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery hingably coupled to a rear extent of the lower portion.

6. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising lighting means for allowing the use of the present invention in the abscence of ambient light.

7. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the control means has a first mode actuated by the depression of a first key whereby the control means is adapted to automatically calculate and display a running 7-day total of time entered which represents time that the driver was on duty and driving and a second mode actuated by the depression of a second key whereby the control means is adapted to automatically calculate and display a running 8-day total of time entered which represents time that the driver was on duty and driving.

8. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising a portable printer means with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front face, an arcuate rear face, and a pair of side edges defining an interior space, the portable printer means further including a generally rectangular recess for releasably receiving and coupling with the compact housing, the printer means further adapted to produce a hard copy of the information depicted on the display via a slit situated on the front face thereof, wherein coupling with the compact housing is faciliated by a parrallel port situated on a rear portion of the recess.

9. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the duties include being off duty, bathing and sleeping, driving, not driving, and performing miscellaneous duties.

10. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 9 and further comprising a miscellaneous flag key, the miscellaneous flag key adapted to allow the entry via an input means a note associated with the line entered via a key corresponding to a miscellaneous duty.

11. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 10 wherein the input means comprises a keypad.

12. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 10 wherein the input means comprises a plurality of hot keys each adapted to display a corresponding predetermined string upon the depression thereof.

13. A trucker driver logging device as set forth in claim 2 and further including a miles in key for entering and displaying a mileage of the truck at the beginning of the day and a miles out key for entering and displaying a mileage of the truck at the end of the day.