Apparatus for recording vehicle position

• US 5,721,540 A
• Filed: 08/16/1996
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cambridge Aero Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David M. Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US08/698,784
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/439, 340/438, 340/426, 340/573, 340/995, 364/424.04, 364/449, 364/449.7, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

The apparatus for recording vehicle position is designed to provide the user with a system for recording date, time and vehicle position utilizing information available from a Global Positioning System receiver. The recorded information is called a position log. The position log, in the form of a data file, can be transferred to a computer and reviewed at a later time. The apparatus contains devices which detect attempts at altering the position log, making the position log certifiably authentic and usable in legal proceedings. The apparatus has a Global Positioning System receiver, a clock, a microprocessor and independent vehicle motion sensing capability. The apparatus connects to the Global Positioning System antenna and the vehicle battery. All parts of the apparatus are enclosed in a sealed container which prevents alteration of the position log by substituting simulated Global Positioning System data for the real data in the position log.

Claims

1. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, for use in applications that require detection of attempts to alter the information being recorded, comprising:

housing means for enclosing said apparatus;

a global positioning system receiver for obtaining time and position information from a satellite;

a time measurement system comprising a timepiece having a battery backup;

vehicle motion detection means for determining the movement of the vehicle at any time;

said vehicle motion detection means comprising means for measuring the power supply voltage of said vehicle for determining variances in said voltage, specifically measuring the voltages that can be expected when the engine is started and running and voltages present when the engine is stopped;

a microprocessor having program storage having means for accepting data from said global positioning system receiver and for controlling said time measurement system;

a position log memory for retaining time and position data;

means for supplying power to said apparatus; and

means for determining intervals of time when power is removed from said apparatus and means for determining intervals of time when the vehicle engine is running but no global positioning information is received from a satellite.

2. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, according to claim 1, wherein:

said housing means comprises a sealed enclosure for the prevention of recording by said position log memory of falsified global positioning system receiver data.

3. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, according to claim 1, wherein:

said global positioning system receiver has signal receiving means; and

said signal receiving means comprises an antenna unit.

4. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, according to claim 1, wherein:

said vehicle motion detection means comprises means for measuring vehicle acceleration and vibration; and

said acceleration and vibration measuring means comprises a sensitive accelerometer or G-meter connected to said microprocessor.

5. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, according to claim 1, wherein:

said vehicle motion detection means comprises audio measuring means; and

said audio measuring means comprises a microphone, amplifier and filter connected to said microprocessor.

6. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, according to claim 1, wherein:

said vehicle motion detection means comprises means for measuring the earth'"'"'s magnetic field; and

said magnetic field measurement means comprises a magnetic field detector or compass connected to said microprocessor.

7. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, according to claim 1, wherein:

said position log memory having power outage data retention means for holding onto data when the power is removed from said apparatus.

8. An apparatus for recording vehicle position, according to claim 1, wherein:

said interval determining means comprises recording devices which measure date and time data when power is supplied to said apparatus at a pre-determined time interval.