Abstract: A system for and methods of securing vehicle electronic data is disclosed. For example, a vehicle data protection system for and methods of securing access to a vehicle's event data recorder (EDR) data are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises scanning a label having a near field communication (NFC) tag using an NFC reader device, and then displaying on the NFC reader one or more vehicle data items associated with a vehicle profile. The vehicle data items may be stored and accessed from a cloud database, and may include any useful vehicle and/or vehicle owner information. The method may further include installing or granting permission for a service provider to install a vehicle connector lockout apparatus onto a diagnostic link connector of a vehicle, and establishing a chain of custody link for EDR data via an NFC tag on the vehicle connector lockout apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle connector lockout prevents tampering with digital data stored on a vehicle's Controlled Area Network (CAN), that is accessed via the in-vehicle Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) interface port, by verifying in pre-crash, crash and post-crash real time when the DLC is secure and un-secure using Near Frequency Communications (NFC) technologies embedded in the vehicle connector lockout that is capable of communicating with the Internet. In one implementation, when a specific area of the vehicle connector lockout is touched by an NFC enabled cell device the time, date and NFC UIP number is recorded in the NFC cell application URL landing page and saved to a Cloud vault. In another implementation, when the vehicle connector lockout key is touched by an NFC enabled cell device the user confirms in real-time the lockout sealed/unsealed status of the DLC thus establishing chain of custody.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a vehicle connector lockout apparatus capable of being connected to the diagnostic port of a vehicle is provided. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses a raised protrusion, located in the common space below the two rows of pin spacing of the diagnostic port, as a locking point. The preferred embodiment provides a blocking mating connector with a pressure mechanism for clamping the mating connector to the protrusion. In the preferred embodiment the pressure mechanism is activated and released mechanically by operation of a key in a key lock which is an integral part of the mating connector, where rotation of the key to the locked position in the key lock applies pressure to the protrusion so as to clamp the blocking mating connector to the protrusion. A further embodiment of the invention provides a non-volatile microchip memory component to store information about the vehicle operator usable by medical personnel at the scene of a crash.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a vehicle connector lockout apparatus capable of being connected to the diagnostic port of a vehicle is provided. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses a raised protrusion, located in the common space below the two rows of pin spacing of the diagnostic port, as a locking point. The preferred embodiment provides a blocking mating connector with a pressure mechanism for clamping the mating connector to the protrusion. In the preferred embodiment the pressure mechanism is activated and released mechanically by operation of a key in a key lock which is an integral part of the mating connector, where rotation of the key to the locked position in the key lock applies pressure to the protrusion so as to clamp the blocking mating connector to the protrusion. A further embodiment of the invention provides a non-volatile microchip memory component to store information about the vehicle operator usable by medical personnel at the scene of a crash.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a seat belt usage monitoring system which strongly encourages seat belt usage by providing a GPS receiver; a system for detecting seat belt usage by the driver and/or occupants of a vehicle which consists of a infrared emitter and receiver with retro-reflective material mounted or embedded within the seat belt shoulder harnesses; erasable, encodable storage means for recording duration of seat belt use, location at time of crash or collision, duration of travel, direction, velocity and time of travel, all of which is contained in a black box, wherein the data may be downloaded after an accident by law enforcement personnel. In such a manner, accident liability may be better determined, insurance rates could be lowered for the owner of the vehicle if it is shown seat belts were used consistently, but most important, the owner/driver of a vehicle is strongly compelled to buckle up and require all passengers to do likewise thereby reducing deaths and injuries.