Headrest video camera

• US 6,201,568 B1
• Filed: 07/22/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• 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): Le, Vu
• Application Number:
  US09/121,155
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/143, 348/148, 348/149, 348/151, 348/158, 396/419, 396/427, 396/429, 396/661
• 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 camera for recording 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.

Claims

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

an elongate member for supporting a video imaging apparatus thereon for imaging forwardly thereof;

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

a cushion for attachment to a seat of a motor vehicle attached to the elongate member and defining a cavity at a distal end portion for enclosing the video imaging apparatus therein laterally of a portion of the cushion used for headrest purposes and said video imaging apparatus centrally disposed relative to a central axis of the motor vehicle, and a surface of the cushion defining a first hole for being substantially in alignment with a lens of the video imaging apparatus, whereby the video imaging apparatus is unobstructed for use by a passenger whose head is immediately in front of the portion of the cushion used for headrest purposes when the seat being used as a seat; and

a connector for connecting the cushion to a seat of a motor vehicle.

2. The headrest mount as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first door pivotally connected to the elongate member for opening the cushion for insertion of the video imaging apparatus therein.

3. The headrest mount as recited in claim 2, wherein the first door defines a portion of a surface of the cushion.

4. The headrest mount as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plate detachably engaged to a portion of the cushion, whereby the cavity is accessible for insertion of the video imaging apparatus into the cavity.

5. The headrest mount as recited in claim 4, wherein the plate defines at least a portion of a side surface of the cushion.

6. The mount as recited in claim 1, further comprising an access opening in an end surface of the cushion, whereby control buttons on the video imaging apparatus are accessible for operation thereof.

7. The headrest mount as recited in claim 6, wherein the access opening is defined by a selectively openable second door.

8. The mount as recited in claim 7, wherein the second door pivotally connects to the cushion.

9. The mount as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pivot member attached to the elongate member, which pivot member detachably engages the video imaging apparatus for being positionable at a selected angle.

10. The headrest mount as recited in claim 1,

wherein the elongate member has a distal end portion that define a bore; and

the fastener comprises a threaded connector extending through the bore for engaging a threaded connector on the video imaging apparatus.

11. The headrest mount as recited in claim 1, further comprising an opening in the cushion whereby the video imaging apparatus is insertable in the opening for engagement to the elongate member.

12. A headrest integral with a seatback of a seat in a motor vehicle for attaching a video imaging apparatus therein, comprising:

a frame for a seat having cushioning pads therein and defining a perimeter shape of a seatback of a seat for installing in a motor vehicle and having a cushioned headrest in a first portion thereof;

a seat cover overlying the frame; and

the headrest having a main portion that defines a surface thereon for receiving a head of a person occupying the seat and a second portion of the headrest laterally offset from a central axis of the main portion of the headrest and defining a cavity therein with an opening for being in alignment with a video imaging apparatus disposed in the cavity for imaging forwardly thereof while unobstructed by use of the seat by the person when the person'"'"'s head is immediately in front of the main portion of the headrest.

13. The headrest as recited in claim 12, further comprising a support member for the video imaging apparatus, whereby said video imaging apparatus is positionable at a selected angle.

14. The headrest as recited in claim 12, wherein the main portion and the second portion each define respective concave recesses on a forward face of the covered frame, which recesses are separated by a forwardly projecting ridge therebetween.

15. The headrest as recited in claim 12, wherein the surface of the main portion defines a concave recess.

16. The headrest as recited in claim 12, wherein a side wall of the headrest defines a port for insertion of the video imaging apparatus into the cavity;

and further comprising a selectively openable cover for closing the port.

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

a camera imaging apparatus fixedly attached to said seat laterally offset from a central axis thereof and centrally disposed relative to a central axis of a vehicle for receiving said seat for imaging forwardly from said seat such that said camera imaging apparatus is unobstructed by use of said seat by a passenger when the passenger'"'"'s head is immediately central to the central axis of the seat during use of the seat as a seat;

said camera imaging apparatus including one or more lens and adapted to 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 receiver for processing the signal,

whereby the signal receiver processes said one or more electrical signal for visual display, recording, or communication thereof to a remote receiver.

18. The seat as recited in claim 17, wherein the signal receiver comprises an image display for displaying an image representative of the electrical signal recorded by the signal recorder.

19. The seat as recited in claim 17, wherein the signal receiver comprises an image display for displaying an image representative of the electrical signal received by the lens.

20. The seat as recited in claim 17, wherein said signal transmitting pathway comprises a cable signal path extending through the seat.

21. The seat as recited in claim 17, wherein said fixedly attached camera imaging apparatus is attached by a fungible member such that said member will break under crash force.

22. The seat as recited in claim 17, wherein said one or more lens has at least one lens directed forwardly and at least one lens directed rearwardly.

23. The seat as recited in claim 22, wherein one or more said forwardly directed and rearwardly directed lenses are selectable for communicating said electrical signal to the signal recorder.