Video recording system for vehicle

• US 5,793,420 A
• Filed: 02/20/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William P. Schmidt
• Original Assignee: William P. Schmidt
• Inventors: Schmidt, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARBER, WENDY RAE
• Application Number:
  US08/603,464
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/149, 348/143, 348/151, 348/159, 340/433
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/29 for viewing an area inside the vehicle, e.g. for viewing passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• 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 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A vehicle video system including at least three video cameras electrically connected to a video signal relay device which directs video signals generated by each of the video cameras to either a video recorder or a monitor depending upon switching signals received to the video signal relay device. A video camera is automatically triggered to commence recording upon activation of a turn signal of a vehicle on which the system is deployed. A motion detector deployed on one vehicle can trigger a video camera deployed on another vehicle to commence recording. The system draws power from a battery of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle video recording system comprising;

(a) a plurality of video cameras attached to a vehicle having an exterior and an interior, each of the plurality of video cameras comprising;

(i) a lens;

(ii) means for generating video signals representing an image received through the lens;

(iii) means for outputting video signals;

(b) a video recorder located Interiorly of the vehicle and having a video input port;

(c) means for connecting the means for outputting video signals of each of the plurality of video cameras to the input port of the video recorder,

the means for connecting comprising a video signal relay device which includes;

(i) a plurality of video signal input ports;

(ii) a video output plug;

(iii) a display output plug;

(iv) a plurality of switch ports;

(v) a transmitter and a receiver for remotely activating the vehicle video system in adjacent vehicles; and

wherein video signals received at the plurality of video signal input ports are selectively relayed to the video output plug and the display output plug dependent upon signals received at each of the plurality of switch ports.

2. The vehicle video system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of switch ports comprises:

a) a switching signal input port;

b) a motion detector switch port;

c) a turn signal switch port; and

d) an override switch port.

3. The vehicle video system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of motion detectors configured to activate the vehicle video system upon detection of movement proximate a vehicle.

4. The vehicle video system of claim 1 further comprising a monitor mounted interior the vehicle in electrical communication with the video output plug.

5. A vehicle video recording system comprising:

(a) a plurality of video cameras attached to a vehicle having an exterior and an interior, each of the plurality of video cameras comprising;

(i) a lens;

(ii) means for generating video signals representing an image received through the lens,

(iii) means for outputting video signals;

(b) a video recorder located interiorly of the vehicle and having a video Input port;

(c) a video signal relay device in electrical communication with and disposed intermediate the means for outputting video signals of each of the plurality of video cameras and the video input port of the video recorder, the video signal relay device comprising;

(i) a plurality of video signal input ports, each of the plurality of video signal input ports in electrical communication with the means for outputting video signals of a corresponding one of the plurality of video cameras;

(ii) a video output plug in electrical communication with the video input port of the video recorder;

(iii) a plurality of switch ports;

(iv) a transmitter and a receiver for remotely activating the vehicle video system in adjacent vehicles; and

wherein video signals received at each of the plurality of video signal input ports are selectively relayed to the video output plug depending upon switching signals received at each of the plurality of ports.

6. A vehicle detection system for detecting an event occurring about a vehicle, the vehicle including a battery, the system comprising;

(a) a plurality of means for detecting an event about a vehicle;

(b) means for transmitting a signal associated with each means of detecting;

(c) a video signal relay device operatively connected to each of the means for transmitting a signal, the relay device comprising;

(i) means for relaying a video signal to a monitor, and

(ii) a transmitter and a receiver for remotely activating the vehicle video system in adjacent vehicles;

(d) a monitor for displaying a video signal transmitted thereto by the video signal relay device; and

(e) means for providing electric power to the system, the means connected to the battery of the vehicle so that power is continually supplied to the system.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein:

at least one of the means for detecting comprises at least one motion detector.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein:

at least one of the means for detecting comprises a video camera.

9. The system of claim 7 which further comprises:

a video recorder operatively connected to the video signal relay device;

means for outputting a first signal from the video signal relay device to the video recorder, and;

means for outputting a second signal from the video signal relay device to the monitor.

10. The system of claim 9 which further comprises:

(a) a turn signal indicator disposed on the vehicle and including means for transmitting a signal to the relay device in response to the actuation of the turn signal; and

(b) means for transmitting a signal from a means for detecting disposed proximate the turn signal to the monitor through the signal relay device.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein:

at least one of the plurality of means for detecting is disposed proximate the turn signal, the at least one of the plurality being a video camera.