Video Monitoring System For School Buses

• US 20080158352A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
• Inventors: Schmidt, William P., Swain, Daniel M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,120,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/118
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/102 using 360 degree surveillance camera system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A video camera system for a school bus to replace one or more of the mirror systems typically utilized on school buses today. One or two cameras can be positioned on the sides of the school bus in place of the rearview mirrors presently utilized. A pair of cameras with wide-angle lenses can be positioned on the front fenders of the school bus to replace the cross view mirrors currently used today. One or more cameras can also be positioned on the rear of the school bus to display the environment immediately behind the school bus. Video monitors displaying the images from the cameras can be positioned in the cab of the school bus for viewing by the driver. The monitors from the cameras positioned on the sides of the school bus can be positioned on the A-pillars of the school bus approximately in the locations presently occupied by the rearview mirrors outside of the school bus. The monitors for the cross-view mirrors can be positioned on the dashboard or instrument panel of the school bus, preferably to the right side of the driver and adjacent the egress door. The monitor for the camera(s) on the rear of the bus can be positioned on the windshield of the vehicle. A portable computer could also be provided in place of the stationary monitors, and a central recording system can be utilized to retain the images from all of the cameras for subsequent monitoring purposes.

Claims

1. A video camera system for school buses comprising:

at least one first video camera positioned on each side of the school bus for displaying images in a rearward direction along the sides of the bus;

a pair of cross-view video cameras positioned on each of the front fenders of the school bus for displaying images at least along the front of the bus;

a first monitor positioned on a first A-pillar of the school bus for displaying images from one of said first video cameras;

a second monitor positioned on a second A-pillar of the school bus for displaying images from the other of said first video cameras;

at least one third monitor for displaying images from at least one of said cross-view cameras, said third monitor positioned on the dashboard of the school bus.

2. A video camera system as described in claim 1, wherein a pair of first video cameras are provided on each of the two sides of the school bus.

3. A video camera system as described in claim 2 wherein a pair of monitors or a split screen monitor is positioned on each of the two A-pillars of the school bus for displaying images from said first and second video camera.

4. A video camera system as described in claim 1 wherein said third monitor is a split screen monitor.

5. A video camera system as described in claim 1 wherein two third monitors are provided for displaying images from said cross-view video cameras.

6. A video camera system as described in claim 1 further comprising at least one second video camera positioned on the rear of the school bus for providing images of the area immediately behind the school bus.

7. A video camera system as described in claim 6 further comprising at least one fourth monitor positioned inside the school bus for displaying images from said second video camera.

8. A video camera system as described in claim 1 further comprising at least one cleaning member for increasing the velocity of the air and directing:

it against the camera lenses.

9. The video camera system as described in claim 8 wherein a cleaning member is provided adjacent each of the lenses of said pair of cross-view video cameras.

10. The video camera system as described in claim 1 further comprising a video recording;

member for recording and retaining the images displayed from at least one of the video cameras, wherein the images recorded from the activities of the bus can be later monitored.

11. The video camera system as described in claim 1 further comprising an outport port in the bus for connection to a portable computer.