Paperless log system and method

Abstract

A system and method for automatically calculating safety-related compliance data for vehicle operators. Vehicle operators enter an identification code and status information into a mobile communication terminal located on a vehicle. The identification code and status information is generally stored in a memory located within the mobile communication device. The identification code and status information can be transmitted to a central station where it can be processed to determine compliance with safety regulations. The resulting data may be transmitted back to the vehicle upon request. In another embodiment, a processor located within the mobile communication terminal processes the identification code and status information. The resultant data may then be transmitted to the central station or presented to the vehicle operator upon request.

1 . Apparatus for calculating safety-related compliance data for a vehicle operator assigned to a vehicle, comprising: 
 an input device for entering an identification code;    a transmitter for transmitting a message from said vehicle;    a processor connected to said input device and to said transmitter for implicitly determining a vehicle operator driving status from at least said message and a time at which said message was transmitted; and    a storage device coupled to at least said processor for storing said vehicle operator driving status.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said processor is further for determining said safety-related compliance data based on multiple determinations of said vehicle operator driving statuses.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said input device is further for entering an explicit vehicle operator driving status by said vehicle operator and wherein said processor is further for determining said vehicle operator driving status based on said explicit vehicle operator driving status.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a transmitter coupled to said processor for transmitting said vehicle operator driving status to a remote location.  
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a transmitter coupled to said processor for transmitting said safety-related compliance data.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said safety-related compliance data comprises information relating to the number of hours that a vehicle operator has been operating said vehicle.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said vehicle operator driving status is selected from the group consisting of driving, on-duty not driving, resting, or off-duty.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said processor is further for determining a time remaining for said vehicle operator to operate said vehicle before a pre-determined set of safety criteria is violated by comparing said safety-related compliance data to said pre-determined set of safety criteria.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said processor is further for determining when a pre-determined set of safety criteria is violated and for generating an alert of said violation.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said transmitter is further for transmitting said alert to a remote entity.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising an output device and said alert comprises an audible alert that is generated by said output device.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising an output device and said alert comprises a visual alert that is generated by said output device.  
     
     
         13 . A tangible medium of expression containing executable computer instructions for calculating safety-related compliance data for a vehicle operator assigned to a vehicle, comprising: 
 instructions for receiving a driver identification code;    instructions for transmitting a message from said vehicle to a remote location;    instructions for implicitly determining a vehicle operator driving status from at least said message and a time at which said message was transmitted; and    instructions for storing said vehicle operator driving status in a storage device.    
     
     
         14 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 13  further comprising instructions for determining said safety-related compliance data based on multiple determinations of said vehicle operator driving statuses.  
     
     
         15 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 instructions for receiving an explicit vehicle operator driving status by said vehicle operator; and  
 instructions for determining said vehicle operator driving status based on said explicit vehicle operator driving status.  
 
     
     
         16 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a transmitter coupled to said processor for transmitting said vehicle operator driving status to a remote location.  
 
     
     
         17 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 instructions for transmitting said safety-related compliance data to a remote location.    
     
     
         18 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 13 , wherein said safety-related compliance data comprises information relating to the number of hours that a vehicle operator has been operating said vehicle.  
     
     
         19 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 13 , wherein said vehicle operator driving status is selected from the group consisting of driving, on-duty not driving, resting, or off-duty.  
     
     
         20 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 14 , further comprising instructions for determining a time remaining for said vehicle operator to operate said vehicle before a pre-determined set of safety criteria is violated by comparing said safety-related compliance data to said pre-determined set of safety criteria.  
     
     
         21 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 instructions for determining when a pre-determined set of safety criteria is violated; and    instructions for generating an alert of said violation.    
     
     
         22 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 21  further comprising instructions for transmitting said alert to a remote location.  
     
     
         23 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 21  wherein said alert comprises an audible alert.  
     
     
         24 . The tangible medium of expression of  claim 21  wherein said alert comprises a visual alert.