Portable motion recording device for motor vehicles

A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

• a monitoring device comprising:
• a computer for processing electronic signals;
• a vehicle location sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous location of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic location signal corresponding to said instantaneous location, wherein the vehicle location sensor is a global positioning system receiver;
• a vehicle acceleration sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle and for outputting an electronic acceleration signal corresponding to said instantaneous acceleration, wherein said vehicle acceleration sensor is an accelerometer;
• a display device operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer;
• a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data;
• and
• a vehicle mounting device connected to the system for securely locking the system to the vehicle and for preventing its removal by the driver or unauthorized person,
• wherein a reward or a punishment is administered by the vehicle owner or operator to the driver upon viewing said displayed electronic signals.

A method for use by a vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver and rewarding good driving habits comprising the steps of:

• mounting a self-contained, portable vehicle monitoring device to a vehicle, wherein said self-contained, portable vehicle monitoring device includes a display;
• sensing instantaneous speed signals associated with the movement of the vehicle;
• comparing said speed signals against pre-established standards;
• displaying said speed signals to the vehicle owner or operator;
• and
• rewarding the driver with a prize or administering a punishment if said movement of the vehicle deviates from said pre-established standards.

A system for use by a motor vehicle owner or operator for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

• a self-contained, portable monitoring apparatus comprising:
• computer means for processing electronic signals;
• sensor means operatively connected to said computer means for detecting movement of a vehicle;
• display means operatively connected to said computer means for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer means;
• and
• data entry means operatively connected to said computer means for entering programming commands,
• wherein a reward or punishment is administered by the motor vehicle owner or operator upon viewing said displayed processed electronic signals from said computer means.

A system for use by a parent or guardian for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

• a self-contained, portable monitoring apparatus comprising:
• a computer for processing electronic signals;
• a vehicle speed sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous speed of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic speed signal corresponding to said instantaneous speed;
• a display operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer;
• and
• a data entry device operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data,
• wherein a reward or punishment is administered by the parent or guardian of the inexperienced driver to the driver upon viewing said displayed electronic signals.

A system for use by a parent or guardian for monitoring the driving habits of an inexperienced driver comprising:

• a self-contained, portable monitoring apparatus comprising:
• a housing;
• a computer inside said housing for processing electronic signals;
• a vehicle speed sensor operatively connected to said computer for detecting the instantaneous speed of a vehicle and for outputting an electronic speed signal corresponding to said instantaneous speed;
• a display mounted to said housing and operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said processed electronic signals from said computer;
• and
• a data entry device mounted to said housing and operatively connected to said computer for receiving programming commands and data;
• wherein a reward or a punishment is administered by the vehicle owner or operator to the driver upon viewing said displayed electronic signals.