Method and apparatus for documenting the condition of a vehicle

• US 20080291056A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rugged CCTV LLC
• Original Assignee: Kevin Allen Spears
• Inventors: Spears, Kevin Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,764,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/937
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules

Abstract

A method and apparatus that includes cameras encased in vandalism and weather resistant housings, which attach to the outside or inside of a tunnel. The cameras provide for overhead, side, front, and rear views of a vehicle as the vehicle approaches and enters the tunnel and as the vehicle exits and leaves the tunnel. In order to provide the views, the camera devices are strategically located at the entrance of the tunnel, at the exit of the tunnel, and within the tunnel. The cameras are attached directly to the structure of the tunnel or are attached to a frame that can be installed inside the tunnel or attached to the tunnel.

Claims

1. A method for documenting the condition of a vehicle comprising, in combination:

camera devices facing out of the tunnel recording front views of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches and enters the tunnel;

camera devices facing down recording overhead views of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches and enters the tunnel;

camera devices facing into the tunnel recording rear views of the vehicle as the vehicle enters the tunnel;

camera devices facing opposing sides of the tunnel recording side views of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches and enters the tunnel;

camera devices facing out of the tunnel recording rear views of the vehicle as the vehicle exits and leaves the tunnel;

camera devices facing down recording overhead views of the vehicle as the vehicle exits and leaves the tunnel;

camera devices facing into the tunnel recording front views of the vehicle as the vehicle exits the tunnel; and

camera devices facing opposing sides of the tunnel recording side views of the vehicle as the vehicle exits and leaves the tunnel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the camera devices attaches to a frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the camera devices attaches to a structure of the tunnel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the camera devices is weather resistant, vandalism resistant, and resistant to cleaning agents.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the camera devices is waterproof, and condensation resistant.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the camera devices is close enough to an opening of the tunnel to allow for well-lit views of the vehicle without the use of artificial lighting.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the camera devices facing out of the tunnel, the camera devices facing down, and the camera devices facing opposing sides of the tunnel recording views of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches and enters the tunnel attach to an outer surface of a front wall of the tunnel and are weather and vandalism resistant; and

the camera devices facing out of the tunnel, the camera devices facing down, and the camera devices facing opposing sides of the tunnel recording views of the vehicle as the vehicle exits and leaves the tunnel attach to an outer surface of a back wall of the tunnel and are weather and vandalism resistant.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the camera devices facing out of the tunnel, the camera devices facing down, and the camera devices facing opposing sides of the tunnel recording views of the vehicle as the vehicle enters the tunnel attach to a frame in an entrance of the tunnel and are weather and vandalism resistant; and

the camera devices facing out of the tunnel, the camera devices facing down, and the camera devices facing opposing sides of the tunnel recording views of the vehicle as the vehicle exits and leaves the tunnel attach to a frame in an exit of the tunnel and are weather and vandalism resistant.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the tunnel is a tunnel car wash.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the camera devices communicate footage of the vehicle to a media storage device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the media storage device is a digital media storage device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a housing structure encloses at least one of the camera devices.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing structure is sealed, is gasketed, is weatherproof, is resistant to high-pressure washes, and has enough internal space to allow a camera to be adjustable.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the camera devises is a video camera.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the video camera is a digital video camera.

16. An apparatus for documenting the condition of a vehicle comprising, in combination:

a structure; and

camera devices attached to the structure.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the structure is a structure of a tunnel.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the structure is a frame.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a housing structure encloses at least one of the camera devices and the housing is weather resistant, vandalism resistant, and resistant to cleaning agents.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of the camera devices is waterproof and condensation resistant.