| JP3487275 | TELEPHONE NUMBER PERSONAL INFORMATION PROVIDING SYSTEM |
| JP2005180004 | PIPELINE EVALUATING METHOD |
| JP2001256365 | MUSIC PRODUCING SYSTEM |
| Claims: 1. A method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license, the method including: permitting a driver to drive a vehicle to perform a driver's test for a driver's license; inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device; and storing the input information associated with the driver's test on a digital file associated with the driver. 2. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 1, in which inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device, includes permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device. 3. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 2, in which the digital recording device is in the form of a hand holdable digital recording device, permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device then including permitting the driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the hand holdable digital recording device. 4. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 3, in which the hand holdable digital recording device includes input means, permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device then including permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device by means of the input means. 5. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 4, in which the digital recording device includes a display for displaying driver's test related information to the driver's test examiner, permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device by means of the input means then including enabling the driver's test examiner to input the information by means of the input means with reference'to the driver's test related information displayed on the display. 6. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device, further include permitting the digital recording device to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. 7. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device, further includes permitting the digital recording device to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. 8. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 7, in which the digital recording device includes communication means for permitting the digital recording device to communicate with a GPS (Global Positioning System), permitting the digital recording device to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test then including enabling the digital recording device to record the route traveled in the vehicle by means of the GPS. 9. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 8, in which permitting the digital recording device to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle includes enabling the digital recording device to record the speed traveled in the vehicle along the route by means of the GPS. 10. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes enabling the digital recording device to record a date and a time of commencement of the driver's test. 1 1. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 10,in which the digital recording device defines a commencement button arranged to be pressed so as to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test, enabling the digital recording device to record a date and a time of commencement of the driver's test then including recording the date and time of commencement of the driver's test in response to pressing the commencement button. 12. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 1 1, in which the digital recording device includes signal generation means for generating a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed, the method including causing the signal generation means to generate a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed to indicate to the driver's test examiner that the digital recording device is recording the driver's test. 13. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the digital recording device includes a camera, the method then including permitting images associated with the driver's test to be captured by the digital recording device by means of the camera. 14. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the digital recording device includes voice recording means, the method then including permitting voice recording in the vehicle as the driver's test is being conducted. 15. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the digital recording device includes a fingerprint scanner to enable information associated with a fingerprint of the driver to be captured, the method including scanning a driver's fingerprint and linking information associated with the scanned fingerprint to the information associated with the driver's test. 16. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the digital recording device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, storing the input information associated with the driver's test on a digital file associated with the driver, then including storing the information in the memory of the digital recording device. 17. The method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license as claimed in claim 16, in which the digital recording device includes information transfer means to enable information stored in the memory to be transferred to a remote database to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. A driver's license testing system, the system including: a digital recording device for inputting thereon information associated with a driver's test as the driver is driving a vehicle during the driver's test; and storage means for storing information associated with the driver's test, input on the digital recording device, on a digital file associated with the driver. 19. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 18, in which the digital recording device is arranged to permit a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device. 20. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 19, in which the digital recording device is in the form of a hand holdable digital recording device. 21. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 20, in which the hand holdable digital recording device includes input means for permitting the driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device by means of the input means. 22. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 21, in which the digital recording device includes a display for displaying driver's test related information to the driver's test examiner to enable the driver's test examiner to input the information by means of the input means with reference to the driver's test related information displayed on the display. 23. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22 inclusive, in which the digital recording device is arranged to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. 24. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23 inclusive, in which the digital recording device is arranged to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. 25. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 24, in which the digital recording device includes communication means for permitting the digital recording device to communicate with a GPS, thereby to enable the digital recording device to record the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test by means of the GPS. 26. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 25, in which the communication means is arranged to enable the digital recording device to record the speed traveled in the vehicle along the route by means of the GPS. 27. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 26 inclusive, in which the digital recording device includes a clock to enable a date and a time of a commencement of the driver's test to be recorded thereon. 28. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 27, in which the digital recording device defines a commencement button arranged to be pressed so as to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test in response to pressing the commencement button. 29. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 28, in which the digital recording device includes signal generation means for generating a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed, to indicate to the driver's test examiner that the digital recording device is recording the driver's test. 30. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 29 inclusive, in which the digital recording device includes a camera for permitting images associated with the driver's test to be captured by the digital recording device by means of the camera. 31. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 30 inclusive, in which the digital recording device includes voice recording means for permitting voice recording in the vehicle as the driver's test is being conducted. 32. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 31 inclusive, in which the digital recording device includes a fingerprint scanner to enable information associated with a fingerprint of the driver to be captured so as to link information associated with the scanned fingerprint to the information associated with the driver's test. 33. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 32 inclusive, in which the digital recording device includes a CPU and a memory, for storing the information associated with the driver's test on the memory. 34. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 33, in which the digital recording device includes information transfer means to enable information stored on the memory to be transferred to a remote database to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. 35. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 34, in which the information transfer means is in the form of a data transfer port on the digital recording device for enabling transfer of data to a computer through the port, so as to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. 36. The driver's license testing system as claimed in claim 34, in which the information transfer means is in the form of a wireless data transfer means on the digital recording device for enabling wireless transfer of data to a computer so as to enable the data to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. 37. The driver's license testing system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 36 inclusive, which further includes a remote database on which separate files are stored, the separate files storing information associated with driver's tests recorded by the digital recording device. 38. A driver's license testing device including: a body; input means on the body, the input means being arranged to enable information associated with a driver's test, as the driver is driving a vehicle during the driver's test, to be input thereon; and storage means on the body for storing thereon the information associated with the driver's test input by means of the input means. 39. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 38, in which the input means is arranged to permit a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test thereon. 40. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 38 or claim 39, in which the body is in the form of a hand holdable body. 41. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 40 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device includes a display on the body for displaying driver's test related information to the driver's test examiner to enable the driver's test examiner to input information by means of the input means with reference to the driver's test related information displayed on the display. 42. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 41, in which the driver's test related information is stored on the driver's license testing device to be presented to the examiner on the display. 43. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 42 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device is arranged to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. 44. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 43, in which the driver's license testing device is arranged to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. 45. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 44, in which the driver's license testing device includes communication means on the body for permitting the driver's license testing device to communicate with a GPS, thereby to enable the driver's license testing device to record the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test by means of the GPS. 46. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 45, in which the communication means is arranged to enable the driver's license testing device to record the speed traveled in the vehicle along the route by means of the GPS. 47. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 46 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device includes a clock on the body to enable a date and a time of a commencement of the driver's test to be recorded thereon. 48. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 47, in which the driver's license testing device defines a commencement button arranged to be pressed so as to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test in response to pressing the commencement button. 49. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 48, in which the driver's license testing device includes signal generation means on the body for generating a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed, to indicate to the driver's test examiner that the driver's license testing device is recording the driver's test. 50. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 49 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device includes a camera for permitting images associated with the driver's test to be captured by the driver's license testing device by means of the camera. 51. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 50 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device includes voice recording means for permitting voice recording in the vehicle as the driver's test is being conducted. 52. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 51 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device includes a fingerprint scanner to enable information associated with a fingerprint of the driver to be captured so as to link information associated with the scanned fingerprint to the information associated with the driver's test. 53. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 53 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory on the body, the memory being arranged to store the information associated with the driver's test thereon. 54. The driver's license testing device as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 53 inclusive, in which the driver's license testing device includes information transfer means on the body to enable information stored on the memory to be transferred to a remote database. 55. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 54, in which the information transfer means is be in the form of a data transfer port on the body for enabling transfer of data to a computer to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. 56. The driver's license testing device as claimed in claim 54, in which the information transfer means is be in the form of a wireless data transfer means on the body for enabling wireless transfer of data to a computer to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. |
A method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license.
Field of the Invention:
The invention relates to a method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license, to a driver's license testing system and to a driver's license testing device.
Background of the Invention:
It is common for a driver to be required to be licensed so as to enable the driver legally to drive a vehicle on public roads. To be a licensed driver, the driver normally has to pass a practical driving test involving driving a vehicle while obeying prevailing traffic rules and regulations. This normally involves a driver's test examiner accompanying the driver in the vehicle during the test. It is an object of this invention to provide a driver's license testing system and a driver's license testing device arranged to enable information associated with a driver's test to be recorded and stored for later reference.
Summary of the Invention: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of recording a driver's test for a driver's license, the method including:
permitting a driver to drive a vehicle to perform a driver's test for a driver's license;
inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device; and
storing the input information associated with the driver's test on a digital file associated with the driver.
Inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device, may include permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device.
The digital recording device may be in the form of a hand holdable digital recording device, permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device then including permitting the driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the hand holdable digital recording device. The hand holdable digital recording device may include input means, permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device then including permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device by means of the input means.
The digital recording device may include a display for displaying information to the driver's test examiner, permitting a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device by means of the input means then including enabling the driver's test examiner to input the information by means of the input means with reference to information displayed on the display.
Inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device, may further include permitting the digital recording device to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test.
Inputting information associated with the driver's test, as the driver is driving the vehicle, on a digital recording device, may further include permitting the digital recording device to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. The digital recording device may include communication means for permitting the digital recording device to communicate with a GPS (Global Positioning System), permitting the digital recording device to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test then including enabling the digital recording device to record the route traveled in the vehicle by means of the GPS.
Permitting the digital recording device to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle may include enabling the digital recording device to record the speed traveled in the vehicle along the route by means of the GPS. The method may include enabling the digital recording device to record a date and a time of commencement of the driver's test.
The digital recording device may define a commencement button arranged to be pressed so as to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test, enabling the digital recording device to record a date and a time of commencement of the driver's test then including recording the date and time of commencement of the driver's test in response to pressing the commencement button. The digital recording device may include signal generation means for generating a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed, the method including causing the signal generation means to generate a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed to indicate to the driver's test examiner that the digital recording device is recording the driver's test.
The digital recording device may include a camera, the method then including permitting images associated with the driver's test to be captured by the digital recording device by means of the camera. The digital recording device may include voice recording means, the method then including permitting voice recording in the vehicle as the driver's test is being conducted.
The digital recording device may include a fingerprint scanner to enable information associated with a fingerprint of the driver to be captured, the method including scanning a driver's fingerprint and linking information associated with the scanned fingerprint to the information associated with the driver's test.
The digital recording device may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, storing the input information associated with the driver's test on a digital file associated with the driver, may then include storing the information in the memory of the digital recording device.
The digital recording device may include information transfer means to enable information stored in the memory to be transferred to a remote database to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a driver's license testing system, the system including:
a digital recording device for inputting thereon information associated with a driver's test as the driver is driving a vehicle during the driver's test; and
storage means for storing information associated with the driver's test, input on the digital recording device, on a digital file associated with the driver.
The digital recording device may be arranged to permit a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device.
The digital recording device may be in the form of a hand holdable digital recording device. The hand holdable digital recording device may include input means for permitting the driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test on the digital recording device by means of the input means.
The digital recording device may include a display for displaying information to the driver's test examiner to enable the driver's test examiner to input the information by means of the input means with reference to information displayed on the display.
The digital recording device may be arranged to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test.
The digital recording device may be arranged to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test.
The digital recording device may include communication means for permitting the digital recording device to communicate with a GPS, thereby to enable the digital recording device to record the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test by means of the GPS.
The communication means may be arranged to enable the digital recording device to record the speed traveled in the vehicle along the route by means of the GPS. The digital recording device may include a clock to enable a date and a time of a commencement of the driver's test to be recorded thereon. The digital recording device may define a commencement button arranged to be pressed so as to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test in response to pressing the commencement button.
The digital recording device may include signal generation means for generating a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed, to indicate to the driver's test examiner that the digital recording device is recording the driver's test.
The digital recording device may include a camera for permitting images associated with the driver's test to be captured by the digital recording device by means of the camera.
The digital recording device may include voice recording means for permitting voice recording in the vehicle as the driver's test is being conducted.
The digital recording device may include a fingerprint scanner to enable information associated with a fingerprint of the driver to be captured so as to link information associated with the scanned fingerprint to the information associated with the driver's test.
The digital recording device may include a CPU and a memory, for storing the information associated with the driver's test on the memory.
The digital recording device may include information transfer means to enable information stored on the memory to be transferred to a remote database to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. The information transfer means may be in the form of a data transfer port on the digital recording device for enabling transfer of data to a computer to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. The information transfer means may be in the form of a wireless data transfer means on the digital recording device for enabling wireless transfer of data to a computer to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database. The system may further include a remote database on which separate files are stored, the separate files storing information associated with driver's tests recorded by the digital recording device.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a driver's license testing device including:
a body;
input means on the body, the input means being arranged to enable information associated with a driver's test, as the driver is driving a vehicle during the driver's test, to be input thereon; and
storage means on the body for storing thereon the information associated with the driver's test input by means of the input means.
The input means may be arranged to permit a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test thereon.
The body may be in the form of a hand holdable body.
The driver's license testing device may include a display on the body for displaying information to the driver's test examiner to enable the driver's test examiner to input information by means of the input means with reference to information displayed on the display.
The driver's license testing device may be arranged to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. The driver's license testing device may be arranged to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test.
The driver's license testing device may include communication means on the body for permitting the driver's license testing device to communicate with a GPS, thereby to enable the driver's license testing device to record the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test by means of the GPS.
The communication means may be arranged to enable the driver's license testing device to record the speed traveled in the vehicle along the route by means of the GPS.
The driver's license testing device may include a clock on the body to enable a date and a time of a commencement of the driver's test to be recorded thereon. The driver's license testing device may define a commencement button arranged to be pressed so as to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test in response to pressing the commencement button.
The driver's license testing device may include signal generation means on the body for generating a signal in response to the commencement button being pressed, to indicate to the driver's test examiner that the driver's license testing device is recording the driver's test.
The driver's license testing device may include a camera for permitting images associated with the driver's test to be captured by the driver's license testing device by means of the camera.
The driver's license testing device may include voice recording means for permitting voice recording in the vehicle as the driver's test is being conducted. The driver's license testing device may include a fingerprint scanner to enable information associated with a fingerprint of the driver to be captured so as to link information associated with the scanned fingerprint to the information associated with the driver's test.
The driver's license testing device may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory on the body, the memory being arranged to store the information associated with the driver's test thereon.
The driver's license testing device may include information transfer means on the body to enable information stored on the memory to be transferred to a remote database. The information transfer means may be in the form of a data transfer port on the body for enabling transfer of data to a computer to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database.
The information transfer means may be in the form of a wireless data transfer means on the body for enabling wireless transfer of data to a computer to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a driver's license testing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram indicating features of the driver's license testing device shown in Figure 1 of the drawings; and Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram indicating a driver's license testing system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments:
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a driver's license testing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
The driver's license testing device 10 includes a body 12. Conveniently, the body 12 is in the form of a hand holdable body. Accordingly, the body 12 is readily portable.
The driver's license testing device 10 further includes input means, generally indicated by reference numeral 14, on the body 12. The input means 14 is arranged to enable information associated with a driver's test, as the driver is driving a vehicle during the driver's test, to be input thereon. The driver's license testing device 10 further includes storage means, generally indicated by reference numeral 16, on the body 12. The storage means 16 is for storing information associated with the driver's test input by means of the input means 14. The input means 14 is arranged to permit a driver's test examiner manually to input the information associated with the driver's test thereon. The input means 14 can include a keypad 19 on the body 12. The driver's license testing device 10 includes a display 18 on the body 12. The display 18 is arranged to display driver's test related information to the driver's test examiner to enable the driver's test examiner to input information by means of the input means 14 with reference to the driver's test related information displayed on the display 18. Instead, or in addition, the input means 14 can be defined by the display 18, in which case, the display 18 can be in the form of a touch screen display, or the like, for example. The driver's test related information can be in the form of a table defining check boxes for the examiner to check if the driver complies with driver test requirements. Naturally, should the driver not comply, the box is not checked. Instead, questions can be presented to the examiner, such as, Were indicators used? Was the speed limit surpassed? Was the rear view mirror used? Were side view mirror's used? Was the stop sign complied with? Was the solid line in the road transgressed, Was the minimum speed sign complied with? and the like, for example. The examiner can then enter yes or no to the questions using the input means 14. Typically, the driver's license testing device stores the driver's test related information to be presented to the examiner on the display 18.
The driver's license testing device 10 is arranged to record a route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. In addition, the driver's license testing device 10 is arranged to record a speed of the vehicle along the route traveled in the vehicle during the driver's test. The driver's license testing device 10 includes communication means, generally indicated at 20, on the body 12. The communication means 20 is arranged to permit the driver's license testing device 10 to communicate with a GPS, thereby to enable the driver's license testing device 10 to record the route traveled and the speed of the vehicle during the driver's test by means of the GPS. The driver's license testing device 10 includes a clock 22 on the body 12 to enable a date and a time of a commencement of the driver's test to be recorded thereon. It will be appreciated that the clock 22 can be a digital timing clock. Furthermore, a commencement button 21 is provided on the body 12. The commencement button 21 is arranged to be pressed so as to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test in response to pressing the commencement button 21. The commencement button 21 is operatively associated with the clock 22 so as to use information from the clock 22 to record the date and time of commencement of the driver's test. Accordingly, the clock 22 includes a digital calendar. The driver's license testing device 10 further includes signal generation means, generally indicated by reference numeral 24, on the body 12. The signal generation means 24 is arranged to generate a signal in response to the commencement button 21 being pressed, to indicate to the driver's test examiner that the driver's license testing device 10 is recording the driver's test. Conveniently, the signal generation means 24 can be in the form a light generating device arranged to become switched on in response to the commencement button 21 being pressed. Instead, or in addition, the signal generation means 24 can include sound generating means, such as a buzzer, or the like, for example, to generate a sound in response to the commencement button 21 being pressed. A camera 25 is provided to permit images associated with the driver's test to be captured by the driver's license testing device 10 by means of the camera 25. The camera 25 can be arranged to capture still images, video images, or both still images and video images.
Voice recording means, generally indicated by reference numeral 26, can be provided to permit voice recording in the vehicle as the driver's test is being conducted.
The driver's license testing device 10 includes a fingerprint scanner 28. The fingerprint scanner 28 enables information, associated with a fingerprint of the driver, to be captured so as to link information associated with the scanned fingerprint to the information associated with the driver's test.
The driver's license testing device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 and a memory 32 on the body 12. The memory 32 can define the storage means 16. The memory 32 is arranged to store the information associated with the driver's test thereon.
Information transfer means, generally indicated by reference numeral 34, is provided on the body 12 to enable information stored on the memory 32 to be transferred, or uploaded, onto a remote database, indicated at 60 in Figure 3 of the drawings. The information transfer means 34 can be in the form of a data transfer port, such as a USB port, or the like, for example, on the body 12, for enabling transfer of data to a computer to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database 60. Instead, or in addition, the information transfer means 34 can be in the form of a wireless data transfer means on the body 12 for enabling wireless transfer of data to a computer so as to enable the data to be stored in a file associated with the driver on the remote database 60.
Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, a driver's license testing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 50.
The driver's license testing system 50 includes a digital recording device 52. In the example, shown in Figure 3, three digital recording devices 52 are indicated. It will be appreciated that the system 50 can include any number of digital recording devices 52. Each digital recording device 52 is arranged to enable information associated with a driver's test to be input thereon, as the driver is driving a vehicle during the driver's test. The system 50 further includes storage means, generally indicated at 54, for storing information associated with the driver's test, input on one of the digital recording devices 52, on a digital file 56 associated with the driver. The storage means 54 can be in the form of a remote database 60. Each of the digital recording devices 52 can be similar to the driver's license testing device 10 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.
The driver's license testing system 50 can include one or more computers 58 operatively linked to the database 60. In use, a driver's test examiner uses the device 10, 52 to record a driver's test. Initially, the driver's test examiner can download information associated with the driver to be tested from an associated file 56 stored on the database 60. This is achieved by operatively connecting the device 10, 52 to a computer 58 by means of the information transfer means 34. Typically, the file 56 is linked to an identifier, such as the identity number of the driver to be tested. Accordingly, the file 56 is located on the database 60 by inputting the identity number of the driver to be tested on the computer 58. Typically a name and address is downloaded into the memory 32 of the device 10, 52. The driver's test examiner then scans a fingerprint of the driver to be tested by means of the fingerprint scanner 28. Information associated with the scanned fingerprint is then stored in the memory 32 together with the name and address of the driver to be tested. The examiner then enters a vehicle as a passenger and the driver to be tested enters the vehicle as a driver of the vehicle.
When the examiner is ready for the driver's test to be conducted, he, or she, presses the commencement button 21. The time and date is then recorded in the memory 32 by means of the clock 22, in response to the commencement button 21 being pressed. In addition, the signal generation means 24 generates a signal to the examiner to confirm that the device 10, 52 has started to record information associated with the drive's test to be conducted. In the case where the signal generation means 24 includes a light, the light becomes switched on.
The driver then follows the examiner's instructions and drives the vehicle along a route. As the driver drives along the route, the route and speed of the vehicle is recorded in the memory 32 by means of the communication means 20 in cooperation with the GPS.
As the driver drives along the route, the examiner can input information onto the device 10, 52. This can be achieved by means of the keypad 19. Instead, or in addition, the display 18 can be in the form of a touch screen to enable the examiner to input information directly onto the touch screen. In such a case, a predetermined check list can be presented to the examiner on the display 18 so that the examiner can check boxes on the touch screen to input information associated with the driver's test. For example, a box can be presented to indicate whether or not the driver used his, or her, indicators, whether or not the driver looked back when turning, whether or not the driver used his, or her, rear view mirror, and the like, for example.
The camera 25 can be used by the examiner if desired, to capture still, or video images associated with the driver's test. In addition, the voice recording means 26 can be used by the examiner when desired to record voice in the vehicle. For example, should the examiner wish to ask the driver a test related question, the voice recording means 26 can be used to record the driver's answer.
Upon completion of the test, the examiner can press the commencement button 21 again to stop the recording of the information associated with the test. Conveniently, the date and time is recorded when the commencement button is pressed to record the date and time the test was completed.
The device 10, 52 is then used to upload the recorded information into the file 56. This can be achieved by means of operatively connecting the device 10, 52 to the computer 58 by means of the information transfer means 34.
The record of the driver's test can then be stored in the file 56 for reference, if required. By recording the fingerprint of the driver, it can subsequently be confirmed that the driver was indeed the person he, or she, claimed to be. This can inhibit one person taking a driver's test on behalf of another person. By recording and storing the information associated with the driver's test, a subsequent query in connection with the test can be resolved with reference to the recorded information. For example, should the driver fail the test and contest the results, the recorded information can be referenced to prove, for example, that the driver exceeded the speed limit in a certain area, or that the driver failed to use the indicators, or that the driver failed to use one or more mirrors, and the like.
The device 10, 52 can be provided with a scanner, not shown in the drawings, for scanning a barcode, or a micro-chip, or the like, for example. Accordingly, when the driver's test is to be conducted, a bar code, a micro-chip, or the like, on a learner's driver's license can be input on the device 10, 52 by means of the scanner so as to link the test to be conducted with the learner's driver's license. In addition, if the driver's test to be conducted is for a specific type of vehicle, such as, a motor car, a motorcycle, a heavy truck, or the like, for example, a barcode, or a micro-chip, or the like, on the vehicle license can be scanned by the scanner to verify that the vehicle in which the test is to be conducted corresponds with the type of vehicle the driver is to be tested for.