Vehicle activity module

A system for maintaining security and gathering data for a plurality of vehicles comprising:

• a plurality of vehicle activity modules, each of which may be assigned and mounted to one of a plurality of vehicles, at least one of the plurality of vehicle activity modules including a storage device capable of receiving and storing data, a wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, a releasable key container configured to receive at least one key, and a processor operably coupled to one or more of the wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, or releasable key container;
• a computer having a database for storage of data, the computer being in wireless communication with the at least one vehicle activity module;
• at least one key identification device for attachment to the at least one key of at least one of the plurality of vehicles, wherein the at least one key identification device is configured to transmit information wirelessly to the computer;
• and
• at least one identification card containing information relating to an individual authorized to access the at least one vehicle activity module;
• wherein the processor is capable of receiving and transmitting event information to the storage device or the computer from at least one of the sensors;
• and
• wherein the processor is programmed to access and analyze the event information and compare the event information to reference information stored in the storage device for initiation of an event action within the at least one vehicle activity module.

A method for managing and recording event information pertaining to access to a plurality of vehicles, the method comprising:

• A) assigning one of a plurality of vehicle activity modules to one of a plurality of vehicles and mounting the vehicle activity module to the vehicle, the vehicle activity module including a storage device capable of receiving and storing data, a wireless transmitter, at least one sensor capable of sensing event information, a releasable key container configured to receive at least one key, and a processor;
• B) attaching a key identification device to a key for the assigned vehicle, wherein the key identification device transmits key identification information electronically to a central computer;
• C) providing at least one identification card containing information relating to an individual authorized to access at least one vehicle activity module;
• D) connecting the computer, having a database for data storage in wireless communication with the at least one vehicle activity module, the computer being configured to send and receive information to and from the at least one vehicle activity module;
• E) sensing an event from at least one of the plurality of vehicle activity modules;
• F) processing information relating to the sensed event with information contained within the at least one vehicle activity module;
• and
• G) establishing a wireless communication link between the plurality of vehicle activity modules and the computer, such that the activated vehicle activity module is configured to transmit the processed information from the vehicle activity module to the computer relating to the sensed event.