Vehicle and equipment monitoring apparatus

Abstract

A vehicle has a safe and a utility device operable for performing a task having a result capable of being measured. A local processor is associated with local storage, each of which is housed in a safe preventing access thereto. An operator input console associated with the local storage is carried by the vehicle and is disposed outside the safe. A positioning system associated with the local processor generates position information of the vehicle during operation of the utility device. A sensor associated with the utility device and the local processor generates result information of the result of the operation of the utility device. The local processor stores in the local storage the position information, the result information, and the operator input information. The operator input console and the local processor are adapted and arranged preventing access to the local storage in response to operation of the operator input console.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . Apparatus comprising:
 a vehicle having a utility device operable for performing a task having a result capable of being measured, the result of the task performed by the utility device unrelated to a function or operation of the vehicle; and   a sensor associated with the utility device for generating result information of the result of the task performed by the operation of the utility device.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a processor associated with the sensor and with storage; and   the processor for storing in the storage the result information.   
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 ,
 further comprising:   an operator input console, associated with the processor, for accepting operator input information about the operation of the utility device; and   the processor for storing in the storage the operator input information.   
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a positioning system, associated with the processor, for generating position information of the vehicle during operation of the utility device; and   the processor for storing in the local storage the position information.   
   
   
       25 . Apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 the vehicle supporting a cab;   a smoke detector, associated with the processor, for generating smoke detection information from within the cab of the vehicle; and   the processor for storing in the storage the smoke detection information.   
   
   
       26 . Apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 the vehicle supporting a cab;   a breath detector, associated with the processor, for generating breath detection information from within the cab of the vehicle; and   the processor for storing in the local storage the breath detection information.   
   
   
       27 . Apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the breath detector is associated with an in-cab hand-held transmitter of a communications radio onboard the vehicle. 
   
   
       28 . Apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 the vehicle supporting a cab furnished with a passenger seat;   a seat occupancy sensor, associated with the passenger seat and with the processor, for generating passenger seat occupancy information of the passenger seat; and   the processor for storing in the storage the passenger seat occupancy information.   
   
   
       29 . Apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the positioning system is a global positioning system. 
   
   
       30 . Apparatus comprising:
 a vehicle having a local processor, and a utility device operable for performing a task having a result capable of being measured, the result of the task performed by the utility device unrelated to a function or operation of the vehicle;   a sensor, associated with the utility device and the local processor, for generating result information of the result of the task performed by the operation of the utility device;   a central processor associated with central storage each housed at a central location remote from the vehicle;   a wireless data transfer link between the local processor and the central processor;   the local processor for transmitting the result information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link; and   the central processor for receiving and storing into the central storage the result information.   
   
   
       31 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 the vehicle having an operator input console, associated with the local processor, for accepting operator input information about the operation of the utility device;   the local processor for transmitting the information about the operation of the utility device to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link; and   the central processor for receiving and storing into the central storage the information about the operation of the utility device.   
   
   
       32 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a positioning system, associated with the local processor, for generating position information of the vehicle during operation of the utility device;   the local processor for transmitting the position information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link; and   the central processor for receiving and storing into the central storage the position information.   
   
   
       33 . Apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 the vehicle supporting a cab;   a smoke detector, associated with the local processor, for generating smoke detection information from within the cab of the vehicle;   the local processor for transmitting the smoke detection information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link; and   the central processor for receiving and storing into the central storage the smoke detection information.   
   
   
       34 . Apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 the vehicle supporting a cab;   a breath detector, associated with the local processor, for generating breath detection information from within the cab of the vehicle;   the local processor for transmitting the breath detection information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link; and   the central processor for receiving and storing into the central storage the breath detection information.   
   
   
       35 . Apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the breath detector is associated with an in-cab hand-held transmitter of a communications radio onboard the vehicle. 
   
   
       36 . Apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 the vehicle supporting a cab furnished with a passenger seat;   a seat occupancy sensor, associated with the passenger seat and with the local processor, for generating passenger seat occupancy information of the passenger seat;   the local processor for transmitting the passenger seat occupancy information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link; and   the central processor for receiving and storing into the central storage the passenger seat occupancy information.   
   
   
       37 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the positioning system is a global positioning system.