DRIVER OBSERVATION AND SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR

• US 20100033570A1
• Filed: 08/05/2008
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Morgan Plaster
• Original Assignee: Morgan Plaster
• Inventors: Plaster, Morgan
• Application Number:
  US12/186,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20100033570A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A driver observation system has a plurality of camera modules mounted to an exterior area of a vehicle for providing real time video images on an exterior area of the vehicle. A control mechanism is coupled to the plurality of camera modules to control operation of each of the plurality of camera modules and to switch between different camera modules for viewing. A display system coupled to the control mechanism to show the real time video images. A recording device is coupled to the control mechanism for storing the real time video images.

Claims

1. A driver observation system comprising:

a plurality of camera modules mounted to an exterior area of a vehicle for providing real time video images on an exterior area of the vehicle;

a control mechanism coupled to the plurality of camera modules to control operation of each of the plurality of camera modules and to switch between different camera modules for viewing;

a display system coupled to the control mechanism to show the real time video images; and

a recording device coupled to the control mechanism for storing the real time video images.

2. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one interior camera module mounted in an interior area of the vehicle for providing real time video images of the interior area of the vehicle.

3. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors attached to the vehicle and to the control mechanism, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors will activate at least one of the plurality of camera modules when at least one of the plurality of proximity sensors is triggered.

4. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a transmitter coupled to the control mechanism and to the recording device for transmitting the real time video images.

5. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 1 wherein each camera module comprises:

a housing, wherein a front area of the housing has a substantially opaque cover; and

a plurality of video cameras mounted in the housing.

6. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 5 wherein housing further comprises a tint applied to the lens cover to reduce glare from different light sources.

7. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control mechanism comprises:

a control panel mounted in the vehicle, the control panel having a plurality of input devices; and

a control circuit coupled to the control panel to control operation of the camera modules and the display system.

8. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the display system comprises at least one display monitor.

9. A driver observation system comprising:

a plurality of camera modules, wherein the plurality of camera modules comprises;

a plurality of exterior camera modules mounted to an exterior area of a vehicle for providing real time video images on an exterior area of the vehicle; and

at least one interior camera module coupled to an interior area of the vehicle for providing real time video images of the interior area of the vehicle;

a control mechanism coupled to the plurality of camera modules to control operation of each of the plurality of camera modules and to switch between different camera modules for viewing;

a display system coupled to the control mechanism to show the real time video images;

a plurality of proximity sensors attached to the vehicle and to the control mechanism, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors will active at least one of the plurality of camera modules when at least one of the plurality of proximity sensors is triggered; and

a recording device coupled to the control mechanism for storing the real time video images.

10. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a transmitter coupled to the control mechanism and to the recording device for transmitting the real time video images.

11. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 9 wherein each camera module comprises:

a housing, wherein a front area of the housing has a substantially opaque cover; and

a plurality of video cameras mounted in the housing.

12. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 11 wherein housing further comprises a tint applied to the lens cover to reduce glare from different light sources.

13. A driver observation system comprising:

a plurality of camera modules mounted to an exterior area of a vehicle for providing real time video images on an exterior area of the vehicle wherein each camera module comprises;

a housing, wherein a front area of the housing has a substantially opaque cover; and

a plurality of video cameras mounted in the housing;

a control mechanism coupled to the plurality of camera modules to control operation of each of the plurality of camera modules and to switch between different camera modules for viewing; and

a display system coupled to the control mechanism to show the real time video images;

wherein the control mechanism may merge the real time video images from each of the plurality of video cameras from a single camera module to form a merged video image to be shown on the display.

14. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 13 further comprising at least one interior camera module mounted in an interior area of the vehicle for providing real time video images of the interior area of the vehicle.

15. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors attached to the vehicle and to the control mechanism, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors will active at least one of the plurality of camera modules when at least one of the plurality of proximity sensors is triggered.

16. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a transmitter coupled to the control mechanism and to the recording device for transmitting the real time video images.

17. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the housing further comprises a tint applied to the lens cover to reduce glare from different light sources.

18. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the control mechanism comprises:

a control panel mounted in the vehicle, the control panel having a plurality of input devices; and

a control circuit coupled to the control panel to control operation of the camera modules and the display system.

19. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the display system comprises at least one display monitor.

20. A driver observation system in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a recording device coupled to the control mechanism for storing the real time video images.