Patent ID: 8010249

Claim:
A vehicle data recorder, comprising: a first connector that communicates with a vehicle's computer and relays data to and from a vehicle; a processor that controls the vehicle data recorder functions; a memory in communication with the processor to store recorded data; a communication protocol controller in communication with the processor; a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the recorded data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation; a trigger button to initiate data recording by the vehicle data recorder, the trigger button communicates with the processor and is positioned at an end of a housing of the vehicle data recorder; an option card in communication with the communication protocol controller and configured to enable the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols through additional connections; a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that simulate circuits and communicates with the processor and memory, wherein the option card is configured to update configurations of the FPGA; a vehicle I/O that controls different communication protocols and communicates with the processor; and a power source connector for receiving an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and the option card.