Driver safety parameter display apparatus

• US 5,740,548 A
• Filed: 11/03/1995
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Mabry Hudgens
• Original Assignee: Larry Mabry Hudgens
• Inventors: Hudgens, Larry Mabry
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US08/552,735
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.04, 364/423.098, 364/550, 364/561, 364/565, 364/569, 364/431.01, 340/438, 340/459, 340/441, 340/458, 340/870.01, 340/461, 340/436, 340/815.45, 368/10, 368/109, 368/107, 368/99, 377/20, 377/16, 377/24.1
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A driver safety parameter display apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a housing assembly and a timer assembly for recording time data for time of operation of the motor vehicle. A computer processor assembly is electrically connected to the timer assembly for receiving time data signals from the timer assembly. An array of individual illumination assemblies is supported by the housing assembly and is visible from outside the housing assembly. The illumination assemblies are electrically connected to the computer processor assembly for indicating sequentially and cumulatively an accumulation of time of operation of the motor vehicle. A connector assembly is provided for mechanically connecting the housing assembly to an outside surface of the motor vehicle. The array of illumination assemblies includes nine illumination assemblies arranged in a matrix of three rows and three columns and includes a tenth illumination assembly placed aside the matrix of illumination assemblies. The matrix of nine illumination assemblies indicates a sequence of one to nine driving hours, and the tenth illumination assembly indicates a tenth driving hour. A maximum speed indicator assembly includes a digital speed display module for displaying a maximum speed obtained by the vehicle during a run. A cumulative mileage indicator assembly includes a digital cumulative distance display module for displaying a cumulative mileage obtained by the vehicle during a run. A tamper indication assembly includes a switch assembly actuated by displacement of the housing assembly. The switch assembly, via the computer processor assembly, controls a tamper indication display module.

Claims

1. A driver safety parameter display apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a housing assembly,

a timer assembly, housed within said housing assembly, for recording time data for time of operation of the motor vehicle,

a computer processor assembly, housed within said housing assembly and electrically connected to said timer assembly, for receiving time data signals from said timer assembly,

an array of individual illumination assemblies, supported by said housing assembly and visible from outside said housing assembly, wherein said illumination assemblies are electrically connected to said computer processor assembly for indicating sequentially and cumulatively an accumulation of time of operation of the motor vehicle, and

a connector assembly for mechanically connecting said housing assembly to an outside surface of the motor vehicle,

wherein said array of illumination assemblies includes nine illumination assemblies arranged in a matrix of three rows and three columns.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said array of illumination assemblies includes a tenth illumination assembly placed aside said matrix of illumination assemblies.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said matrix of nine illumination assemblies indicate a sequence of one to nine driving hours, and

said tenth illumination assembly indicates a tenth driving hour.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a maximum speed indicator assembly which includes:

electrical conductors connected to a speedometer which provides an electrical speed signal and connected to said computer processor assembly,

said computer processor assembly for processing electrical speed signals received through said electrical conductors, and

a digital speed display module electrically connected to said computer processor assembly for displaying a maximum speed obtained by the speedometer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a cumulative mileage indicator assembly which includes:

electrical conductors connected to an odometer which provides an electrical cumulative mileage signal and connected to said computer processor assembly,

said computer processor assembly for processing electrical cumulative mileage signals received through said electrical conductors, and

a digital cumulative distance display module electrically connected to said computer processor assembly for displaying a cumulative mileage obtained by the odometer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a tamper indication assembly which includes:

a switch assembly actuated by displacement of said housing assembly,

electrical conductors connected between said switch assembly and said computer processor assembly, and

a tamper indication display module electrically connected to said computer processor assembly.