Geographic location monitor

• US 20060038690A1
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dori Rath, Gary Shmerling, Robert Berry, Tyler Shewmake
• Original Assignee: Dori Rath, Gary Shmerling, Robert Berry, Tyler Shewmake
• Inventors: Berry, Robert, Rath, Dori, Shewmake, Tyler, Shmerling, Gary
• Application Number:
  US11/125,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for monitoring a driver of a vehicle. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes a first reporting means for receiving a communication from a person regarding the driving behavior of the driver of the vehicle. In addition, the system includes a second reporting means for delivering the communication to a user monitoring the driving behavior of the driver. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a driver of a vehicle, comprising:

a first reporting means for receiving a communication from a person regarding the driving behavior of the driver of the vehicle; and

a second reporting means for delivering the communication to a user monitoring the driving behavior of the driver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reporting means is configured to deliver a current location of the driver to the user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reporting means is further configured to notify the driver of the communication regarding the driving behavior of the driver.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first reporting means comprises an interactive voice response unit that is accessible over landline based telephone systems.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reporting means comprises an interactive voice response unit that is accessible over landline based telephone systems.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reporting means comprises an e-mail delivery system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reporting means comprises a web-based reporting system.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a monitoring means for monitoring a location of the vehicle and reporting the location to a database unit that is accessed by the first reporting means and the second reporting means.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring means comprises a GPS-enabled communication device.

10. A method for monitoring a driver of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a driving report on the driver of the vehicle from a person observing the driver, the driving report including a description of the driving behavior of the driver; and

delivering the driving report on the driver to a user monitoring the driver.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

promptly notifying the user of a new driving report after the new driving report is received.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

monitoring a current location of the driver;

storing the current location in a database; and

enabling the user to access the current location of the driver from the database.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

monitoring a current speed of a vehicle being driven by the driver;

storing the current speed in the database; and

enabling the user to access the current speed of the driver from the database.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

enabling the user monitoring the driver to contact the person that provided the driving report on the driver.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

providing the driver a monitoring device to monitor the current location of the driver; and

randomly checking the monitoring device to determine if the device is on.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

awarding a reward to the driver if the monitoring device is on when it is randomly checked.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

awarding reward points to the driver for good driving behavior, wherein the reward points may be directly redeemed for a particular reward prize if the reward points are at a particular level.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

awarding reward points to the driver for good driving behavior, wherein the reward points may be used to enter the driver into a drawing for a reward prize.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

awarding reward points to the driver for good driving behavior; and

deducting reward points from the driver with bad driving behavior.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

informing the driver of the status of the reward points of the driver and of the status of reward points of other participating drivers being monitored.