Land vehicle mounted audio-visual trip recorder

• US 4,843,463 A
• Filed: 05/23/1988
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Docudrive, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Michetti
• Inventors: Michetti, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US07/197,673
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 358/108, 358/93, 358/229, 346/107 VP, 354/293, 360/5
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

An easy to use audio-visual video tape recording system mounted in or on a land vehicle. The system is automatically activated when the ignition is turned `ON` to record events forward and rearward simultaneously. In addition the following are recorded simultaneously as they occur: left turn signal, right turn signal, velocity in miles or kilometers per hour, brakes applied, safety belt fastened, date, time (24 hour clock), and vehicle identification. All the previously mentioned events would be shown on a television screen during a replay of the video tape. Certain modes of recordation would not apply to a mounting on a water-borne vehicle. This invention will be of great value toward settling insurance claims, contesting the issuance of unfair/unfounded traffic citations . . . etc. It will be an important tool for delivery companies in that they can show where the delivery vehicle was at any time. In the case of traffic fatalities it will be of importance to those who must investigate and report their findings. Those findings will surely result in safer and safer vehicles and highways, and less and less reckless drivers on the road.

Claims

1. An audio-video system having multiple cameras to provide signals representing scenes inside and outside of a land vehicle to be recorded simultaneously on one video tape each sharing a portion of the screen on replay the simultaneous recording being accomplished by a central recording unit located within the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 further including means for showing a constant display of the vehicle'"'"'s license plate number or other identification number.

3. The system of claim 1 further including means for showing a turn signal on replay as activated or deactivated.

4. The system of claim 1 further including means for showing an indication whether the seat belt is fastened.

5. The system of claim 1 further including means for showing an indication whether the brakes are applied.

6. The system of claim 1 further including means for showing an indication of vehicle velocity.

7. The system of claim 1 further including means for showing an indication of time and date.