METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING VEHICLE SYSTEM INTEGRATED REMOTE WIRELESS IMAGE CAPTURE

• US 20150049192A1
• Filed: 08/13/2013
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: HOOTON, JOEL S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,912,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• 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 method for using an integrated wireless image capture system on a vehicle is provided. The method connects to an image capture device over a vehicle-based wireless network; configures operational parameters for the image capture device; and receives image data from the image capture device, wherein the image data is captured by the image capture device in accordance with the configured operational parameters.

Claims

1. A method for using an integrated wireless image capture system on a vehicle, the method comprising:

connecting to an image capture device over a vehicle-based wireless network;

configuring operational parameters for the image capture device; and

receiving image data from the image capture device, wherein the image data is captured by the image capture device in accordance with the configured operational parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the image capture device within a wireless range of the vehicle, wherein the connecting step is performed after detecting the image capture device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting step further comprises:

detecting a set of candidate image capture devices connected to the wireless network; and

selecting the image capture device from the set of candidate image capture devices, for connection over the wireless network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting step further comprises

detecting a set of candidate image capture devices connected to the vehicle wireless network and positioned on an interior surface of the vehicle;

and

selecting the image capture device from the set of candidate image capture devices, for connection over the wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting step further comprises

detecting a set of candidate image capture devices connected to the vehicle wireless network and positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle;

and

selecting the image capture device from the set of candidate image capture devices, for connection over the wireless network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an occurrence of an operation performed by the vehicle; and

in response to detecting the occurrence, operating the image capture device according to the operational parameters.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an occurrence of a pre-defined high-risk operation; and

in response to detecting the occurrence, operating the image capture device according to the operational parameters.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an occurrence of a vehicle collision; and

in response to detecting the occurrence, operating the image capture device according to operational parameters.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of configuring operational parameters for the image capture device further comprises:

receiving user input comprising instructions for the image capture device to capture a user-specified number of images at a plurality of user-specified time intervals; and

transmitting the instructions to the image capture device.

10. An onboard wireless communication system for a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless camera configured to capture images and to transmit the images via a wireless network; and

an automotive head unit (AHU) communicatively coupled to the camera, the AHU configured to receive and display the images from the wireless camera.

11. The onboard wireless communication system of claim 10, wherein the AHU is further configured to host and execute a downloadable software application to process the data from the wireless camera;

and

wherein the downloadable software application is accessible to a user via a user interface of the AHU.

12. The onboard wireless communication system of claim 10, wherein the AHU is further configured to:

receive user commands via a user interface; and

configure at least one automatic function of the wireless camera to occur at a specified time interval, according to the user commands.

13. The onboard wireless communication system of claim 10, wherein the AHU is further configured to upload the images to a website.

14. The onboard wireless communication system of claim 10, wherein the AHU is further configured to store the images within an internal memory.

15. An automobile head unit (AHU) comprising a non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing executable instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, are configured to:

receive input at the AHU, via a user interface, the input comprising;

a first command to activate a camera;

a second command for the camera to operate according to one or more specific parameters; and

a third command for manipulating camera data received by the AHU;

transmit the first and second commands to the camera via a wireless network;

receive the camera data transmitted by the camera, wherein the camera data is obtained by the camera operating according to the first and second commands; and

manipulate the camera data according to the third command.

16. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the third command further comprises an instruction to store the camera data in AHU system memory.

17. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the third command further comprises an instruction to upload the camera data to a designated social media website.

18. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the third command further comprises an instruction to upload the camera data to a designated social media website at user-specified time intervals.

19. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the executable instructions comprise a downloadable application maintained by a remote server system.

20. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more specific parameters comprise instructions for the camera to record a user-specified duration of video at a plurality of user-specified time intervals.