GPS based seat belt monitoring system & method for using same
First Claim
1. A seat belt usage event data recorder monitoring system having an exterior housing for a vehicle comprising:
- a GPS circuit which retrieves from one or more satellites data including at least one of the following data;
longitude, latitude, velocity, distance traveled, direction of travel and time;
means for detecting seat belt use by at least one occupant of a vehicle;
display means for providing a visual indication when at least one seat belt in the vehicle is being improperly used;
a microprocessor which receives data from the GPS circuit and from the means for detecting seat belt use on a substantially continuous basis in real time;
data storage means which stores data on a substantially continuous basis from the GPS circuit, the means for detecting seat belt use, and the locations at which improper seat belt usage was detected, all of which data was processed by the microprocessor for storage and later retrieval and analysis;
means for switching off said display means by an occupant of the vehicle, although storing of locations of improper seat belt use may continue,the housing for the monitoring system further having a substantially planar surface which is suitable for mounting to the interior of a windshield of a vehicle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention consists of a seat belt usage monitoring system which strongly encourages seat belt usage by providing a GPS receiver; a system for detecting seat belt usage by the driver and/or occupants of a vehicle which consists of a infrared emitter and receiver with retro-reflective material mounted or embedded within the seat belt shoulder harnesses; erasable, encodable storage means for recording duration of seat belt use, location at time of crash or collision, duration of travel, direction, velocity and time of travel, all of which is contained in a black box, wherein the data may be downloaded after an accident by law enforcement personnel. In such a manner, accident liability may be better determined, insurance rates could be lowered for the owner of the vehicle if it is shown seat belts were used consistently, but most important, the owner/driver of a vehicle is strongly compelled to buckle up and require all passengers to do likewise thereby reducing deaths and injuries.
727 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A seat belt usage event data recorder monitoring system having an exterior housing for a vehicle comprising:
-
a GPS circuit which retrieves from one or more satellites data including at least one of the following data;
longitude, latitude, velocity, distance traveled, direction of travel and time;means for detecting seat belt use by at least one occupant of a vehicle; display means for providing a visual indication when at least one seat belt in the vehicle is being improperly used; a microprocessor which receives data from the GPS circuit and from the means for detecting seat belt use on a substantially continuous basis in real time; data storage means which stores data on a substantially continuous basis from the GPS circuit, the means for detecting seat belt use, and the locations at which improper seat belt usage was detected, all of which data was processed by the microprocessor for storage and later retrieval and analysis;
means for switching off said display means by an occupant of the vehicle, although storing of locations of improper seat belt use may continue,the housing for the monitoring system further having a substantially planar surface which is suitable for mounting to the interior of a windshield of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for determining seat belt usage in a vehicle by
providing a GPS circuit which retrieves from one or more satellites at least one of the following datum: - longitude, latitude, velocity, distance traveled, direction of travel and time;
providing means for detecting improper seat belt use by at least one occupant of a vehicle; providing display means which indicates improper use of a seat belt by an occupant of the vehicle; providing switch means whereby a vehicle occupant can turn off the display means; providing a microprocessor which receives data from the GPS circuit and from the means for detecting improper seat belt use and which microprocessor determines the locations at which improper seat belt usage was detected; providing data storage means; providing a housing for the GPS circuit, the microprocessor and the storage means; securing the housing to the interior of a vehicle windshield; storing real time data including at least one of the following datum;
longitude, latitude, direction of travel and time in the data storage means;storing real time data including locations at which seat belts were improperly used regardless of whether the display means was turned off by a vehicle occupant; retrieving data from the data storage means at a later date.
- longitude, latitude, velocity, distance traveled, direction of travel and time;
Specification