Portable motion recording device for motor vehicles

• US 6,701,234 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew John Vogelsang
• Original Assignee: Andrew John Vogelsang
• Inventors: Vogelsang, Andrew John
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/978,538
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/35, 701/36, 701/29, 340/438, 340/439, 340/441, 369/21
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/122 Speed recorders
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for monitoring motor vehicle movement parameters, such as speed, location and acceleration, for assessing the driving habits of inexperienced drivers and rewarding good driving habits or punishing poor driving habits in order to reduce speed-related driving accidents. The system includes a hand-held, self-contained, portable device capable of being securely mounted to or locked on or within a motor vehicle and capable of sensing the instantaneous speed of the vehicle using a Global Positioning System (GPS), accelerometer, or both. The GPS location data along with elapsed time information may be used to calculate the speed and acceleration of the vehicle. Alternatively, separate acceleration and speed detecting devices may be used such as transducers. The system is operated by a parent or guardian of the driver or a commercial, governmental or private monitoring service. The method of operating the invention includes mounting the device, collecting vehicle monitoring data, comparing the data to pre-established standards and awarding a prize or administering a punishment.

Claims

1. A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

a self-contained, portable monitoring apparatus comprising;

a computer for processing electronic signals;

a vehicle speed sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous speed of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic speed signal corresponding to said instantaneous speed;

a display operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer; and

a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data,

wherein a reward or punishment is administered by the motor vehicle owner or operator to the driver upon viewing said displayed electronic signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle speed sensor is a global positioning system receiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle speed sensor is an accelerometer.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery power source.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle mounting device connected to the system for securely locking the system to the vehicle and for preventing its removal by the driver or unauthorized person.

6. A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

a monitoring device comprising;

a computer for processing electronic signals;

a vehicle location sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous location of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic location signal corresponding to said instantaneous location, wherein the vehicle location sensor is a global positioning system receiver;

a vehicle acceleration sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle and for outputting an electronic acceleration signal corresponding to said instantaneous acceleration, wherein said vehicle acceleration sensor is an accelerometer;

a display device operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer;

a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data; and

a vehicle mounting device connected to the system for securely locking the system to the vehicle and for preventing its removal by the driver or unauthorized person,

wherein a reward or a punishment is administered by the vehicle owner or operator to the driver upon viewing said displayed electronic signals.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said vehicle mounting device comprises:

an electromagnet; and

an electromagnetic sensor,

wherein said electromagnet and electromagnetic sensor are used for detecting whether the system has been removed from the vehicle and for outputting an electronic signal.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said vehicle mounting device comprises:

a lock, wherein said lock has one of a key hole and one or more combination dials; and

a cable attached to said lock, said cable including a fixed end and a free end and wherein said free end is threaded through a hole on the system and then connected to said lock for securely mounting the system to the vehicle.

9. A method for use by a vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver and rewarding good driving habits comprising the steps of:

mounting a self-contained, portable vehicle monitoring device to a vehicle, wherein said self-contained, portable vehicle monitoring device includes a display;

sensing instantaneous speed signals associated with the movement of the vehicle;

comparing said speed signals against pre-established standards;

displaying said speed signals to the vehicle owner or operator; and

rewarding the driver with a prize or administering a punishment if said movement of the vehicle deviates from said pre-established standards.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

calculating peak speed and acceleration values corresponding to the movement of said vehicle using said instantaneous speed signals; and

comparing said calculated values against pre-established standards.

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

electronically initiating said vehicle monitoring device;

converting said signals and calculated values to data codes;

comparing said data codes to data codes already stored in a computer memory; and

replacing data codes in memory with more recent data codes.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of securing the vehicle monitoring device to the vehicle with a cable and lock to prevent its detachment by unauthorized persons.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of securing the vehicle monitoring device to the vehicle with an electromagnet.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of detecting whether the vehicle monitoring device has been detached from the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said prize is money.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said punishment is withholding use of the vehicle.

17. A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

a self-contained, portable monitoring apparatus comprising;

computer means for processing electronic signals;

sensor means operatively connected to said computer means for detecting movement of a vehicle;

display means operatively connected to said computer means for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer means; and

data entry means operatively connected to said computer means for entering programming commands,

wherein a reward or punishment is administered by the motor vehicle owner or operator upon viewing said displayed processed electronic signals from said computer means.

18. A system for use by a parent or guardian for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

a self-contained, portable monitoring apparatus comprising;

a computer for processing electronic signals;

a vehicle speed sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous speed of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic speed signal corresponding to said instantaneous speed;

a display operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer; and

a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data,

wherein a reward or punishment is administered by the parent or guardian of the inexperienced driver to the driver upon viewing said displayed electronic signals.

19. A system for use by a parent or guardian for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

a self-contained, portable monitoring apparatus comprising;

a housing;

a computer inside said housing for processing electronic signals;

a vehicle speed sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous speed of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic speed signal corresponding to said instantaneous speed;

a display mounted to said housing and operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer; and

a data entry device mounted to said housing and operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data;

wherein a reward or a punishment is administered by the vehicle owner or operator to the driver upon viewing said displayed electronic signals.