Vehicle surveillance system

• US 20080316314A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Linda Bedell, Thedrick A. Walker
• Original Assignee: Linda Bedell, Thedrick A. Walker
• Inventors: Walker, Thedrick A., Bedell, Linda
• Application Number:
  US12/228,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20080316314A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19676 Temporary storage, e.g. cyclic memory, buffer storage on pre-alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A security system for monitoring activities occurring within and around a vehicle. The security system includes a video camera positioned to monitor activities occurring within said vehicle. A receiver receives video data from the video camera and stores the data in its hard drive. The receiver includes a recording means configured to record the video data to the hard drive. The receiver also monitors for defined triggering events. When a triggering event is detected, video data associated with the time of the triggering event is stored for subsequent retrieval. The system optionally includes a method for transmitting the event data to an external device.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle comprising:

a. providing a video camera position to monitor activities occurring within said vehicle;

b. providing a receiver configured to receive video data transmitted from said video camera, said receiver including a memory storage for selectively recording said video data, said receiver being mounted in said vehicle;

c. recording said data fed from said video camera in a continuous loop, wherein the newest data fed from said video camera is written over the oldest data fed from said video camera;

d. defining at least one triggering event;

e. providing said receiver with the capability of monitoring for said at least one triggering event;

f. upon the detection of said at least one triggering event, creating a first data set including said at least one triggering event, a portion of said video data preceding said at least one triggering event for a defined time period, a portion of said video data that is contemporaneous with said triggering event, and a portion of said video data recorded after said at least one triggering event for a defined time period; and

g. saving said first data set in a permanent memory.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing a data downloading connection associated with said receiver, whereby said first data set can be transferred from said receiver to an external computing device.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a. providing an external computing device;

b. providing a graphical user interface running on said external computing device;

c. wherein said graphical user interface allows a user to access said data set in order to view said at least one triggering event and all video data associated with said at least one triggering event.

4. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a. creating a plurality of data sets, wherein each of said plurality of data sets is associated with a specific triggering event; and

b. wherein each of said plurality of data sets includes said specific triggering event, a portion of said video data preceding said specific triggering event for a defined time period, a portion of said video data that is contemporaneous with said specific triggering event, and a portion of said video data recorded after said specific triggering event for a defined time period.

5. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 4, further comprising providing a data downloading connection associated with said receiver, whereby said plurality of data sets can be transferred from said receiver to an external computing device.

6. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a. providing an external computing device; and

b. transferring said plurality of data sets from said receiver to said external computing device via said data downloading connection.

7. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 6, further comprising providing a graphical user interface running on said external computing device, wherein said graphical user interface provides a user with the capability to select a particular data set and view said video data associated with said particular data set.

8. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein said data downloading connection is selected from the group consisting of a wireless link, a removable hard drive, and a cable connection.

9. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a. allowing a user to set said defined time period for said video data preceding said at least one triggering event; and

b. allowing a user to set said defined time period for said video data recorded after said at least one triggering event.

11. A method for monitoring activities occurring as recited in claim 1 wherein said triggering event is selected from the list consisting of door movement, acceleration, noise, vehicle speed, engine speed, and wheel slip.

17. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 6, further comprising providing a graphical user interface running on said external computing device, wherein said graphical user interface provides a user with the capability to select a particular data set and view said video data associated with said particular data set.

10. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle comprising:

a. providing a video camera position to monitor activities occurring within said vehicle;

b. defining at least one triggering event;

c. providing a monitor capable of detecting the occurrence of said triggering event;

d. providing a memory storage which is connected to said video camera;

e. upon the detection of said at least one triggering event by said monitor, creating a first data set including said at least one triggering event, a portion of said video data preceding said at least one triggering event for a defined time period, a portion of said video data that is contemporaneous with said triggering event, and a portion of said video data recorded after said at least one triggering event for a defined time period; and

f. saving said first data set in said memory storage.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising providing a data downloading connection associated with said memory storage, whereby said first data set can be transferred from said memory storage to an external computing device.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

a. providing an external computing device;

b. providing a graphical user interface running on said external computing device;

c. wherein said graphical user interface allows a user to access said data set in order to view said at least one triggering event and all video data associated with said at least one triggering event.

14. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a. creating a plurality of data sets, wherein each of said plurality of data sets is associated with a specific triggering event; and

b. wherein each of said plurality of data sets includes said specific triggering event, a portion of said video data preceding said specific triggering event for a defined time period, a portion of said video data that is contemporaneous with said specific triggering event, and a portion of said video data recorded after said specific triggering event for a defined time period.

15. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 14, further comprising providing a data downloading connection associated with said memory storage, whereby said plurality of data sets can be transferred from said memory storage to an external computing device.

16. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

a. providing an external computing device; and

b. transferring said plurality of data sets from said memory storage to said external computing device via said data downloading connection.

18. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 15, wherein said data downloading connection is selected from the group consisting of a wireless link, a removable hard drive, and a cable connection.

19. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a. allowing a user to set said defined time period for said video data preceding said at least one triggering event; and

b. allowing a user to set said defined time period for said video data recorded after said at least one triggering event.

20. A method for monitoring activities occurring within a vehicle as recited in claim 10, wherein said triggering event is selected from the list consisting of door movement, acceleration, noise, vehicle speed, engine speed, and wheel slip.