Vehicle mounted device and a method for transmitting vehicle position data to a network-based server

A method for transmitting vehicle position data to a network-based server using a vehicle position locating device carried by a vehicle located remotely from said server and a wireless communication system, said device having a

• a first processing module carried by a vehicle for computing real time vehicle position data reflecting real time geographic location of said vehicle, said first processing module including a positioning system receiver for receiving position signals from at least one source remote from said vehicle and for processing said position signals into said real time vehicle position data representing the date, time, and position of said vehicle;
• a second processing module for storing said real time vehicle position data and for controlling transmission of said real time vehicle position data to a network-based server connected to a wireless communication system, said second processing module including data storage means for storing said real time vehicle position data, wireless communication system connecting means for transmitting data to said wireless communication system, and control means for controlling transmission of said real time vehicle position data to said network-based server, said control means being configured to:
• receive said real time vehicle position data from said first processing module,
• establish a wireless connection to said network-based server for a predetermined period of duration,
• detect the establishment of a wireless connection,
• transmit said real time vehicle position data to said network-based server during periods when said connection is established,
• store said real time vehicle position data in said data storage means when said connection is not established,
• reestablish said wireless connection to said network-based server following any period that said wireless connection is broken, and
• retrieve said real time vehicle position data from said data storage means following reestablishment of said wireless connection, and thereafter transmit said real time vehicle position data to said network-based server;
• a power supply means for powering said first processing module and said second processing module;
• a first conductor means positionable between said power supply means and said second processing module, said first conductor means being configured to transmit power from said power supply means to said second processing module;
• and
• a second conductor means positionable between said first processing module and said second processing module, said second conductor means being configured to transmit said vehicle position data from said first processing module to said second processing module and being further configured to transmit power from said second processing module to said first processing module;
• said method comprising the steps of:
• establishing a wireless connection between a vehicle position locating device and a network-based server located remote from said vehicle position locating device;
• receiving position signals by said vehicle position locating device from at least one source remote from said vehicle and processing said position signals into vehicle position data representing date and time, and the position, velocity and direction of travel of said vehicle;
• detecting whether said wireless connection is established;
• transmitting said vehicle position data to said network-based server during periods when said wireless connection is established;
• storing said vehicle position data to a storage device when said wireless connection is not established;
• reestablishing said wireless connection following any period that said wireless connection is broken;
• and
• retrieving said vehicle position data from said storage device following reestablishment of said wireless connection, and thereafter transmitting said vehicle position data to said network-based server.