Headrest and seat video imaging apparatus

• US 6,215,518 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobile Video Computing Solutions Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: D. Scott Watkins
• Inventors: Watkins, D. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelley, Chris S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): An, Shawn S.
• Application Number:
  US09/398,910
• Time in Patent Office: 574 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 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• 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 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

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 headrest protion of a seat in the motor vehicle. A video recorder mounts in a slidable drawer in a seat cushion, which drawer is selectively moveable from a first position recessed in the seat to a second position outwardly of the seat for selective access to the video recorder. 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 and audio imaging apparatus and motor vehicle seat for positioning in a motor vehicle for receiving video images and audio, comprising:

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

means for covering the frame;

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

a drawer slidably received within the seat portion for moving between a first position recessed within the seat and a second position extending outwardly of the seat for accessing a video image recorder secured within the drawer and being operatively connected with a control cable to the video imaging apparatus mounted to the seat back portion; and

control means for selectively operating the camera and the recorder for recording images.

2. The video imaging apparatus and motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 1, 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.

3. The video imaging apparatus and motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for restricting access to a tape held in the video recorder.

4. The video imaging apparatus and motor vehicle seat as recited in claim 3, wherein means for restricting comprises a lock attached to a front panel of the drawer for engaging a portion of the seat, whereby the lock secures the drawer from being moved from the first position to the second position.

5. A video and audio imaging apparatus and vehicle seat for positioning in a 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 for covering the frame;

the seat back further defining a second portion spaced-apart and lateral of the headrest portion;

a support disposed in the second portion for mounting a video imaging apparatus thereto, whereby the video imaging apparatus is disposed laterally of the seat back and centrally relative to a central axis of said vehicle for imaging forwardly while being unobstructed by a passenger'"'"'s head when the passengers head is located immediately in front of the headrest portion; and

a drawer slidably received within the seat portion for moving between a first position recessed within the seat and a second position extending outwardly of the seat for accessing a video image recorder secured within the drawer and being operatively connected with a signal communication cable to the video imaging apparatus mounted to the seat back portion.

6. The video and audio imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, further comprising a controller for selectively operating the video image apparatus and the video image recorder for recording images.

7. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, wherein the second portion comprises a cavity defined within the seat back portion;

and

wherein the support comprises a 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.

8. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, wherein the second portion defines a port in a side wall of the seat for entrance to the cavity, whereby the video imaging apparatus is inserted into the cavity.

9. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, further comprising a lock attached to a front panel of the drawer for engaging a portion of the seat, whereby the lock secures the drawer from being moved from the first position to the second position.

10. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, wherein the seat back defines an arcuate portion defining a head rest integral with the seat back and the second portion is lateral thereof integral with the seat back.

11. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, wherein the second portion comprises a portion of a head rest cushion for attachment to the seat in a vehicle by at least one elongate member and the second portion defining a cavity at a distal end of the cushion for enclosing the video imaging apparatus therein, and a surface of the cushion defining a first hole for being substantially in alignment with a lens of the video imaging apparatus.

12. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, further comprising a microphone with a communication pathway for providing an audio signal to the video image recorder.

13. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 5, further comprising a video image display operatively connected to the video image recorder for display of video images, said video image display mounted to a structure of the vehicle.

14. A video and audio imaging apparatus and vehicle seat for positioning in a 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 for covering the frame;

the seat back further defining a second portion spaced-apart and lateral of the headrest portion;

a support disposed in the second portion for mounting a video imaging apparatus thereto, whereby the video imaging apparatus is disposed laterally of the seat back and centrally relative to a central axis of said vehicle for imaging forwardly while being unobstructed by a passenger'"'"'s head when the passenger'"'"'s head is located immediately in front of the headrest portion;

a drawer slidably recieved within the seat portion for moving between a first position recessed within the seat and a second position extending outwardly of the seat for accessing a video image recorder secured within the drawer and being operatively connected with a signal communication cable to the video imaging apparatus mounted to the seat back portion;

a controller for selectively operating the video image apparatus and the video image recorder for recording images;

a microphone with a communication pathway for providing an audio signal to the video image recorder; and

a video image display operatively connected to the video image recorder for display of video images, said video image display mounted to a structure of the vehicle.