Multifunction vehicle interior imaging system
First Claim
1. A multifunction imaging system for the interior of a vehicle, comprising:
- a plurality of imaging devices mounted within the interior of the vehicle, the plurality of imaging devices configured to monitor activity within the vehicle interior; and
an electronic control unit installed within the vehicle, the electronic control unit configured to communicate with the plurality of imaging devices;
wherein the plurality of imaging devices communicate images of the monitored activity within the vehicle interior to the electronic control unit, and wherein the electronic control unit is configured to take responsive courses of action based on analyses of the monitored activity images.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and responding to the activity within a vehicle interior. The apparatus comprises a multifunction processor coupled to imaging devices within the vehicle. The imaging devices view the driver and passenger areas of the vehicle interior, and provide imaging data to the multifunction processor. The processor assesses the images in accordance with pre-existing data, and then takes predetermined responsive courses of action as a result of the assessment. Typical courses of action include alerting a drowsy driver, identifying an unauthorized intruder, adjusting air bag deployment for different-sized passengers, personalizing the vehicle environment for the driver, and transmitting images to a remote location for emergency response or subsequent investigation.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A multifunction imaging system for the interior of a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of imaging devices mounted within the interior of the vehicle, the plurality of imaging devices configured to monitor activity within the vehicle interior; and
an electronic control unit installed within the vehicle, the electronic control unit configured to communicate with the plurality of imaging devices;
wherein the plurality of imaging devices communicate images of the monitored activity within the vehicle interior to the electronic control unit, and wherein the electronic control unit is configured to take responsive courses of action based on analyses of the monitored activity images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of monitoring activity within the interior of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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generating images of activity within the interior area of the vehicle;
analyzing the generated images to assess the activity within the interior area of the vehicle; and
initiating one or more predetermined courses of action based on the assessment of the activity within the interior area of the vehicle;
wherein the generated images are analyzed by a single processor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification