Driver activity and vehicle operation logging and reporting

Abstract

A method for logging and reporting driver activity and vehicle operation includes identifying a driver of a vehicle, recording operating data with an on-board recorder that is hard-wired to an engine control module, coupled to a mileage sensing system, and linked to a global navigation satellite system, and recording duty status of the driver. An hours of service log and a fuel tax log are created from the operating data. The method includes comparing the driver's hours of service log to an applicable requirement, indicating to the driver whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement, automatically uploading the logs to a receiver external to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunications network, and emitting a compliance signal representative of whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement to a second receiver external to the vehicle and under control of authorities.

1 . A method for vehicle data communication, comprising:
 obtaining operating data from an onboard vehicle data source;   communicating the vehicle operating data to on an onboard recorder;   storing the vehicle operating data on the onboard recorder for subsequent reporting;   using a digital camera, capturing digital images for onboard documentation; and   transmitting the digital images and the vehicle operating data stored on the onboard recorder to a computing device external to the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , wherein the onboard vehicle data source comprises a vehicle data bus, the data base comprising at least one of a group consisting of RS232, SAE J1708, SAE J1850, SAE J1939, and SAE J2497. 
     
     
         3 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the digital images and the vehicle operating data comprises transmitting through a wireless connection. 
     
     
         4 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 3 , wherein the wireless connection comprises a WIFI connection. 
     
     
         5 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 3 , wherein the wireless connection comprises a BLUETOOTH connection. 
     
     
         6 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 3 , wherein the wireless connection comprises an infrared connection. 
     
     
         7 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , wherein the computing device external to the vehicle comprises a handheld device. 
     
     
         8 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , wherein the computing device external to the vehicle comprises a host server. 
     
     
         9 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , wherein the computing device external to the vehicle comprises an electronic tablet. 
     
     
         10 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises a trailer. 
     
     
         11 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 10 , and comprising wirelessly transmitting information relating to the trailer to at least one of the onboard recorder and the computing device external to the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , further comprising downloading to the vehicle onboard recorder driver related data from a wireless communication network. 
     
     
         13 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 12 , wherein the driver related data comprises biometric data selected from a group consisting of facial, retinal, and thumb print identifiers. 
     
     
         14 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 13 , and comprising reading biometric data of the driver and matching the data read to the biometric data stored in the vehicle onboard recorder to verify the identity of the driver, thereby logging the driver into the vehicle onboard recorder. 
     
     
         15 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 14 , further comprising disabling the vehicle if the driver is not logged into the vehicle onboard recorder. 
     
     
         16 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , and comprising acquiring vehicle mileage data from at least one of a vehicle mileage sensing system and a vehicle engine control module, and storing the vehicle mileage data on the onboard recorder for subsequent reporting. 
     
     
         17 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 16 , wherein the vehicle mileage sensing system includes a speed sensor and a vehicle odometer. 
     
     
         18 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , and comprising acquiring vehicle location data via a Global Positioning System, and storing the location data on the onboard recorder for subsequent reporting. 
     
     
         19 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 1 , and comprising emitting safety related information from the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . A method for vehicle data communication according to  claim 19 , wherein the safety related information comprises tire pressure.