Patent ID: 7885739

Claim:
A vehicle data recorder, comprising: a first connector that releasably connects and communicates with a vehicle's computer; a processor that controls the vehicle data recorder functions; a memory that stores data from an event and communicates with the processor; at least one communication protocol controller for controlling a communication protocol of the vehicle's computer; an option card connector that releasably connects and communicates with an option card, wherein the option card comprises a board having at least one component thereon to increase functionality of the vehicle data recorder; a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation; and a housing having a first portion and a second portion each with a periphery greater than a periphery of a third portion disposed in between the first portion and the second portion composing a channel, wherein the channel accommodates a cable connected to the first connector when the cable is wrapped around the housing.