Driver activity and vehicle operation logging and reporting
An onboard electronic system for logging and reporting driver activity and operation data of a vehicle. The system incorporates an onboard recorder operatively connected to a data bus of the vehicle and configured to continuously electronically monitor and obtain vehicle operation data including vehicle fuel consumption data and vehicle mileage data. A transmitter is adapted for transmitting the vehicle operation data from the onboard recorder to a remote terminal outside of the vehicle. Data processing software is operable for generating a fuel data report using the vehicle operation data, and determining based on the fuel data report whether a driver satisfies a vehicle operation requirement established by an authority.
1. An onboard electronic system for logging and reporting driver activity and operation data of a vehicle, said system comprising:
an onboard recorder operatively connected to a data bus of the vehicle and configured to continuously electronically monitor and obtain vehicle operation data comprising vehicle fuel consumption data and vehicle mileage data, and said onboard recorder comprising a processor, a transmitter, and a memory device for recording and storing said vehicle operation data;
said transmitter adapted for transmitting said vehicle operation data from said onboard recorder to a remote terminal outside of the vehicle;
data processing software operable for:
(i) generating a fuel data report using said vehicle operation data continuously monitored, obtained and calculated from the data bus of the vehicle and transmitted from the onboard recorder to the remote terminal; and
(ii) determining based on the fuel data report whether a driver satisfies a vehicle operation requirement established by an authority, the authority being selected from a group consisting of carrier management, regulatory agency, approved inspector and agent.
2. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the fuel data report comprises GPS location data obtained from a global navigation satellite system.
3. The onboard electronic system according to claim 2 , wherein the fuel data report comprises time data obtained from at least one of the vehicle data bus and the global navigation satellite system.
4. The onboard electronic system according to claim 2 , wherein the fuel data report comprises date data obtained from at least one of the vehicle data bus and a global navigation satellite system.
5. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the fuel data report comprises miles traveled by the vehicle at time intervals.
6. The onboard electronic system according to claim 5 , wherein the fuel data report comprises location, time, and date recorded at each time interval.
7. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the fuel data report for a current day is automatically uploaded to the remote terminal.
8. The onboard electronic system according to claim 7 , wherein the fuel data report for a previous day is automatically uploaded to the remote terminal.
9. The onboard electronic system according to claim 8 , wherein the fuel data report for a day prior to the previous day is automatically uploaded to the remote terminal.
10. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein the fuel data report comprises a fuel tax report.
11. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , and comprising a biometric reading device for identifying the driver of the vehicle using biometric data.
12. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein said onboard recorder further comprises an engine control module interface configured to connect to the data bus of the vehicle.
13. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein said onboard recorder further comprises at least one data portal configured to upload vehicle operation data from the memory device to the remote terminal using a wireless telecommunications network.
14. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , and comprising a driver interface configured to electronically record driver identification information input by the driver.
15. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , and comprising a driver interface configured to electronically record a duty status input by the vehicle driver.
16. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , and comprising a wired connection between said onboard recorder and the vehicle data bus.
17. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , and comprising a portable memory device reader adapted for reading a portable memory device carried by the driver and configured to electronically store driver identity data.
18. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , and comprising a camera adapted for visually analyzing and identifying the driver of the vehicle.
19. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , and comprising a self-test button configured to enable the driver to initiate operability testing of said onboard recorder.
20. The onboard electronic system according to claim 1 , wherein said onboard recorder is configured to operatively connect to a computer chip containing trailer identification information.