Event-recorder for transmitting and storing electronic signature data

A system for monitoring vehicles, comprising:

• a first event recorder carried by a first vehicle;
• a second event recorder carried by one of a second vehicle and a roadside monitoring station;
• said first event recorder comprising:
• a first event sensor means for sensing an event;
• a first memory for storing vehicle signature data;
• and
• a first transceiver for transmitting vehicle signature data to, and receiving signature data from, said second event recorder;
• said second event recorder comprising:
• a second memory for storing vehicle signature data;
• and
• a second transceiver for transmitting data to, and receiving vehicle signature data from, said first event recorder,
• wherein when said first event sensor means senses an event, said first event recorder transmits its vehicle signature data stored in said first memory to said second transceiver in said second event recorder to be stored in said second memory.

A method for exchanging vehicle signature data upon the occurrence of an event, comprising the steps of:

• detecting an interrogation signal from a remote station;
• transmitting first vehicle signature data if said interrogation signal is detected to said remote station;
• detecting one of an acceleration and deceleration exceeding a threshold value indicating a collision has occurred with a second vehicle and, if a collision has occurred:
• transmitting said first vehicle signature data to be stored in a memory in said second vehicle;
• and
• transmitting second vehicle signature data to be stored in a memory in said first vehicle.

A method for monitoring cargo carried in vehicles, comprising the steps of:

• inputting cargo data to a memory of an event recorder;
• locking said event recorder with said cargo in said vehicle;
• detecting said locking step;
• and
• transmitting said cargo data upon one of a time interval and an external interrogation signal.

An electronic method for monitoring a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• sensing the occurrence of an event;
• storing in a memory signature data related to the vehicle;
• transmitting said signature data upon the occurrence of the event detected in said sensing step;
• and
• controlling with a microprocessor said sensor means, said memory, and said transmitter, wherein upon the occurrence of the event, said microprocessor causes said transceiver to transmit said signature data to a remote receiver.