I don't believe IVIS has satellite (no antenna) or visual capabilites(unless it's the camera in bulldogs butt). Location is entered by driver, (SLIC #) which is use in place of DOT log. What it does not do is record when crossing state lines, which is done on paper logs, otherwise it does a simple time line, driving time, speeds, turn-around time, lunch, etc.
I was told by a supe a couple of years ago that IVIS was gonna be replaced by Qualcomm which is used in the sleepers. That gives location, has two way communication, and satellite tracking.
Probably hasn't been implemented yet due to costs, it's also a little more complicated to use than the IVIS, which some people seem to have all kinds of problems with.
To the original posters comments that telematics could be used in an accident case. I read years ago where an automobile's computer could be used in an auto accident as far as speed, braking etc. From recent news reports, cell phone records have been used for recent accidents.
See it's not "big brother" watching us, it's all those computers that make are life more convienent that can be used against us.