Headrest and seat video imaging apparatus

• US 6,198,502 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mobile Video Computing Solutions Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: D. Scott Watkins
• Inventors: Watkins, D. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US09/252,265
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/143, 348/148, 348/149, 348/151, 348/158, 348/373, 396/419, 396/427, 396/429, 396/661, 386/117, 360/5
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/803 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/806 movable or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0043 for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A video imaging apparatus for receiving, recording, and displaying images from a motor vehicle in which the video camera rigidly connects to a support member in a cavity of a headrest for a seat in the motor vehicle. A cover detachably closes an opening in the headrest for insertion and removal of the video camera. An opening in a surface of the headrest allows light to reach lens in the video camera. A seat cushion is selectively moveable from a closed position for seating to an open position for selective access to a video recorder mounted within the seat. The video recorder communicates with the video camera, as well as with a image display device mounted within the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A video imaging and recording apparatus for attaching to a seat of a motor vehicle, comprising:

an elongate member for supporting at least one video imaging device;

a fastener for securing the video imaging device to the elongate member;

a cushion attached to the elongate member and defining a cavity at a distal end portion for enclosing said at least one video imaging device therein, and a surface of the cushion defining a first hole for being substantially in alignment with a lens of the video imaging device for imaging forwardly;

a connector for connecting the cushion to an upper portion of a seat of a motor vehicle, whereby the cushion defines a selectively positionable headrest extending from the seat, whereby the video imaging device disposed laterally thereof and centrally relative to a central axis of said motor vehicle, is unobstructed by a passenger'"'"'s head when the passenger'"'"'s head is located immediately in front of the headrest;

a seat cushion connected to a seat frame for being secured to a floor board of the motor vehicle;

a video image recorder disposed below the seat cushion and operatively connected to the video imaging device; and

a controller for selectively operating the video imaging device and the video image recorder for recording images.

2. The video imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for restricting access to a tape held in the video image recorder.

3. The video imaging apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein means for restricting comprises a cover for covering the video image recorder;

and lock means for securing the cover closed over the video image recorder.

4. The video imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the seat cushion connects with a pair of hinges to the seat frame for pivotable movement between a closed position and an open position, whereby selective access is provided to the video image recorder.

5. The video imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a video display screen for being selectively mounted to an interior surface of a motor vehicle and communicating with the video image recorder for display of recorded images.

6. A headrest and seat video imaging device included in a seat of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a frame for a seat having cushioning pads thereon and defining a perimeter shape of a seatback having a headrest in a first portion thereof;

a seat cover overlying the frame;

the headrest having a main portion that defines a surface for receiving a head of a person occupying the seat and a second portion lateral of the main portion configured for not receiving the head, said second portion defining at least one opening;

a cavity defined within the second portion of the headrest;

a support member disposed in the cavity and engaged to a portion of the frame of the seatback, the support member adapted for rigidly engaging at least one video imaging device in alignment with said opening, whereby the video imaging device is disposed substantially centrally relative to a central axis of a motor vehicle that receives said frame for imaging forwardly such that the video imaging device is unobstructed by a passenger'"'"'s head when the passsenger'"'"'s head is located immediately in front of the main portion of the headrest;

a port in a side wall of the seat for entrance to the cavity, whereby the video imaging device is inserted into the cavity for engagement to the support member;

a video image recorder secured within the seat frame and operatively connected to the video imaging device; and

a controller for selectively operating the video imaging device and the video image recorder for recording images.

7. The headrest and seat imaging apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising means for restricting access to a tape held in the video recorder.

8. The headrest and seat imaging apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein means for restricting comprises a cover for covering the video image recorder;

and further comprising lock means for securing the cover closed over the video image recorder.

9. The headrest and seat imaging apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the seat cushion connects with a pair of hinges to a seat frame for pivotable movement between the closed position and the open position.

10. The headrest and seat imaging apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising a video display screen selectively mounted to an interior surface of a motor vehicle and communicating with the video image recorder for display of recorded images.

11. The headrest and seat imaging apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising a seat cushion connected to the frame and adapted for moving from a closed position to an open position, whereby selective access is provided to the video image recorder.

12. A vehicle seat with video imaging equipment mounted therein for positioning in a motor vehicle for receiving video images, comprising:

a frame for a seat having cushioning pads thereon defining a seat portion and a seat back portion, said frame defining a shape of the seat and the seat back portions, said seat back portion having a headrest portion therein;

a cover covering the frame;

the seat back portion further defining a second portion spaced-apart and lateral of the headrest portion, which second portion includes means for mounting a video imaging device thereto, whereby said video imaging device is substantially centrally disposed relative to a central axis of a vehicle that receives said seat for imaging forwardly so that the video imaging device is unobstructed by a passenger'"'"'s head when the passenger'"'"'s head is located immediately in front of the headrest portion;

an attacher for securing a video image recorder within the seat portion for being operatively connected to the video imaging device; and

a controller for selectively operating the camera and the recorder for recording images.

13. The motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 12, wherein the second portion comprises:

a cavity defined within the seat back portion;

a support member disposed in the cavity and engaged to the frame of the seat back portion, the support member adapted for rigidly engaging said at least one video imaging apparatus; and

a port in a side wall of the seat for entrance to the cavity, whereby the video imaging apparatus is inserted into the cavity for engagement to the support member.

14. The motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for restricting access to a tape held in the video recorder.

15. The motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 12, wherein means for restricting comprises a cover for covering the video image recorder;

and further comprising lock means for securing the cover closed over the video image recorder.

16. The motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 12, wherein means for securing comprises a cavity within the seat frame having means for rigidly engaging the video imaging recorder therein.

17. The motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 16, wherein the seat portion is adapted for moving from a closed position to an open position, whereby selective access is provided to the cavity for receiving the video image recorder.

18. The motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 17, wherein the seat cushion connects to the frame with a hinge mechanism for pivotable movement between the closed position and the open position for accessing the video image recorder disposed within the seat portion.

19. The motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 12, further comprising a video display screen selectively mounted to an interior surface of a motor vehicle and communicating with the video image recorder for display of recorded images.

20. A seat including a camera imaging apparatus, comprising:

a camera imaging apparatus fixedly attached to said seat, said attachment disposing said camera imaging apparatus substantially centrally relative to a central axis of a vehicle receiving said seat, for imaging forwardly from said seat such that said camera imaging apparatus is unobstructed by a passenger'"'"'s head when the passenger'"'"'s head is located immediately in front of a headrest portion of said seat;

said camera imaging apparatus including one or more lenses and adapted co create one or more electrical signal representative of the images received by said one or more lens;

signal transmitting pathway transmitting said one or more electrical signal to a signal recorder;

said signal recorder adapted for remote operation by a control module;

said control module including operator operable indica for changing one or more mode of operation of said camera imaging apparatus, said control module including a display for displaying images.

21. The seat as recited in claim 20, wherein the image displayed on the display is representative of the electrical signal recorded by the signal recorder.

22. The seat as recited in claim 20, wherein the image displayed by the display is representative of the image received by the lens.

23. The seat as recited in claim 20, wherein said signal transmitting pathway comprises a cable signal path.

24. The seat as recited in claim 20, wherein said signal transmitting pathway comprises a wireless signal path.

25. The seat as recited in claim 20, wherein said fixedly attached camera imaging apparatus is attached by a fungible member such that said member will break under crash force.

26. The seat as recited in claim 20, wherein said one or more optical lenses has at least one lens directed forwardly and at least one lens directed rearwardly.

27. The seat as recited in claim 26, wherein one or said forwardly directed and rearwardly directed lenses are selectable for communicating said electrical signal to the signal recorder.