Mobile video recorder control and interface

• US 20030081934A1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HUBB Systems LLC (Broadcast Microwave Services LLC)
• Original Assignee: HUBB Systems LLC (Broadcast Microwave Services LLC)
• Inventors: Kirmuss, Charles Bruno
• Application Number:
  US10/215,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20030081934A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/46
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19673 Addition of time stamp, i.e. time metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19676 Temporary storage, e.g. cyclic memory, buffer storage on pre-alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/054 photographing overspeeding vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Provided are systems and techniques for recording video in a mobile environment, in which camera means mounted at a first location in a vehicle generates a video signal based upon an observed scene. Video recording means mounted at a second location in the vehicle inputs and records the video signal on a tangible medium. General-purpose computing means, mounted at a third location in the vehicle and running a general operating system and user-installed application programs, communicates with the video recording means, is loaded with software to provide a user interface to control recording and playback by the video recording means, and includes means for wireless communication with a central base station.

Claims

1. An apparatus for recording video in a mobile environment, comprising:

(a) camera means mounted at a first location in a vehicle for generating a video signal based upon an observed scene;

(b) video recording means mounted at a second location in the vehicle for inputting and recording the video signal on a tangible medium; and

(c) general-purpose computing means mounted at a third location in the vehicle for running a general operating system and user-installed application programs,

wherein said general-purpose computing means communicates with said video recording means and is loaded with software to provide a user interface to control recording and playback by said video recording means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said general-purpose computing means also provides status data for recording in synchronization with the video signal.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in response to a user entering information for transmission to the central base station, said general-purpose computing means provides a trigger signal for said video recording means to begin recording.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising additional trigger means for providing a second trigger signal to start recording of the video signal.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second trigger signal is provided by activating at least one of a chase light and a siren on the vehicle.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said video recording means includes a ring buffer that continuously records the video signal during a rolling time interval, and when said video recording means receives the trigger signal, contents of the ring buffer are captured for permanent storage, thereby providing pre-event recording.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second camera means for providing a second video signal to the video recording means.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said general-purpose computing means includes means for wireless communication with a central base station.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, said general-purpose computing means causes at least a portion of the video signal to be uploaded to the base station.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said general-purpose computing means includes a video monitor, and wherein said apparatus includes means for causing the video signal to be played back on said video monitor.