Vehicle surveillance system incorporating remote and video data input

• US 6,262,764 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger Perterson
• Original Assignee: Roger Perterson
• Inventors: Perterson, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, RICHARD J
• Application Number:
  US09/393,750
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.718, 248/551, 342/457, 340/539, 340/936, 348/143, 348/148, 348/149, 348/151-159, 348/376, 358/906
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

The present structure incorporates a police vehicle which is provided with a closed vault securing a VCR in the trunk. A first camera is mounted on the dash. A second camera is mounted on a portable structure such as a clipboard which is removed from the vehicle. A telemetry link from the clipboard to the vehicle is established for transmitting video data to and from the police officer on foot out of the vehicle. Likewise, a digital data transmission link is established with various input and output devices on the clipboard. At the vehicle, one or more images are recorded on a VCR, and digital data can be transmitted from the vehicle to a remote site for communication with a remotely located police computer or other data base to enable enhanced performance in the field.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a police investigation by a police officer in a police car wherein the officer leaves the car to conduct the investigation and the method comprises the steps of:

(a) leaving the police car to conduct an investigation;

(b) collecting data presented in digital form and inputting the data to a carried digital data input device;

(c) transmitting the digital data from the police officer to the car;

(d) receiving at the police car the transmitted digital data and retransmitting to a police station the received digital data to a remote location so that the digital data prompts a response from the police station to provide response data for the police officer;

(e) transmitting the response data from the police station wherein the transmitted data is responsive to the received digital data and the response data assists the police officer investigation; and

(f) receiving the response data which is converted into a suitable image by an output device carried by the police officer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the police officer transmits digital data comprising personnel or vehicle identification.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the digital data is transmitted to enable police officers at the police station to check the criminal records and provide a response data on the criminal records.

4. The method of claim 1 including the step of transmitting digital data and a video image therewith from the police officer.

5. The method of claim 1 including the step of obtaining digital data from a magnetic strip reader reading a card.

6. The method of claim 1 including the step of obtaining digital data by inputting the digital data at a keyboard.

7. The method of claim 1 including the step of presenting response data at the output device carried by the police officer by forming data on an LCD display.

8. The method of claim 1 including the step of presenting response data at the output device carried by the police officer by forming on a printer.

9. The method of claim 1 including the step of presenting response data at the output device carried by the police officer by forming an image on a video screen.

10. The method of claim 1 including the step of receiving instructions regarding court appearance for the police officer.

11. The method of claim 1 including the step of receiving information specific to a car based on car identification data provided by the police officer.

12. The method of claim 1 including the step of sending and receiving digital data by the officer out of the police car and including the step of recording the sent and received data on a cassette in the police car.

13. The method of claim 1 including the step of sending and receiving digital data from the police officer out of the police car, and further forming a fixed field of view video image from a video camera fixed in location on the police car.

14. The method of claim 1 including the step of operating a deadman switch by the police officer upon emerging from the car which operation is continued to provide a continuous data input indicative of police officer safety and security.

15. The method of claim 1 including the step of forming both digital data and also video image signals by the police officer out of the police car and recording both digital and video signals in the police car.

16. The method of claim 1 including the step of making a traffic stop involving a speeding vehicle, and recording the radar measured speed of the stopped vehicle, and also recording the time and data wherein the records are recorded on a cassette hidden from view in the police car.

17. The method of claim 1 including the step of checking criminal records at the police station and providing an indication therefrom to the police officer.

18. The method of claim 1 including the step of operating a concealed camera to obtain a video image for recording on a cassette while the police officer is out of the police car.

19. The method of claim 18 including the step of operating a movable video image camera and a fixed video image camera simultaneously while the police officer is out of the police car.

20. A method of conducting a field investigation by a police officer in a police car wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(a) moving from the police car while carrying a portable data generator to form a dynamic data stream subject to control by the police officer;

(b) transmitting the dynamic data stream from the police car;

(c) adding to the transmitted dynamic data stream location data of the police car;

(d) receiving the transmitted dynamic data stream and location data of the police car elsewhere to monitor the field investigation;

(e) positioning a camera to observe the driver of another car, and including the steps of recording video images of the another car;

(f) retransmitting the video image for the camera received at the police car to a remote receiver location so that the transmitted image is available with the location data; and

(g) transmitting a video image from the camera, and also transmitting therewith digital data indicative of personnel identification.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the digital data is transmitted mixed with the video transmission and is transmitted during blanking of the video image.

22. A method of conducting a field investigation by a police officer in a police car wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(a) moving from the police car while carrying a portable data generator to form a dynamic data stream subject to control by the police officer;

(b) transmitting the dynamic data stream from the police car;

(c) adding to the transmitted dynamic data stream location data of the police car;

(d) receiving the transmitted dynamic data stream and data of the police car elsewhere to monitor the field investigation;

(e) positioning a camera to observe the driver of another car, and including the steps of recording video images of the other car; and

(f) transmitting a video image, and also transmitting digital data indicative of the driver'"'"'s license number and other identification data obtained by the police officer while using the camera.

23. A method of conducting a police investigation by a police officer in a police car wherein the officer in the car conducts the investigation and the method comprises the steps of:

(a) operating the police car to conduct an investigation;

(b) collecting digital data output from a digital data device;

(c) transmitting the digital data from the police car with police car location data;

(d) receiving elsewhere the transmitted digital data at a remote location so that the digital data enables response data to be sent to the police officer;

(e) transmitting the response data responsive to the received digital data wherein the response data assists the police officer investigation; and

(f) receiving the response data which is converted into a suitable output by an output device for the police officer.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the police officer transmits digital data comprising personnel or vehicle identification.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the digital data is transmitted to enable police officers at a remote location to check the criminal records and provide a response data the comprising criminal records.

26. The method of claim 23 including the step of transmitting digital data and a video image therewith from the police officer.

27. The method of claim 23 including the step of obtaining digital data from a magnetic strip reader reading a card.

28. The method of claim 23 including the step of obtaining digital data by inputting the digital data at a keyboard.

29. The method of claim 23 including the step of presenting response data at the output device carried by the police officer by forming data on an LCD display.

30. The method of claim 23 including the step of presenting response data at the output device carried by the police officer by forming data by a printer.

31. The method of claim 23 including the step of presenting response data at an output device carried by the police officer by forming an image.

32. The method of claim 23 including the step of receiving instructions regarding court appearance for the police officer.

33. The method of claim 23 including the step of receiving information specific to a car based on car identification data provided by the police officer.

34. The method of claim 23 including the step of sending and receiving digital data by the officer out of the police car and including the step of recording the sent and received data in the police car.

35. The method of claim 23 including the step of sending and receiving digital data from the police officer out of the police car, and further forming a fixed field of view video image from a video camera fixed in location on the police car.

36. The method of claim 23 including the step of operating a deadman switch by the police officer upon emerging from the police car which operation is continued to provide a continuous data input indicative of police officer safety and security.

37. The method of claim 23 including the step of forming both digital data and also video image signals by the police officer out of the police car and recording both digital and video signals in the police car.

38. The method of claim 23 including the step of making a traffic stop involving a speeding vehicle, and recording the radar measured speed of the stopped vehicle, and also recording the time and data wherein the records are hidden from view in the police car.

39. The method of claim 23 including the step of remotely checking criminal records and providing an indication therefrom to the police officer.

40. The method of claim 23 including the step of operating a concealed camera to obtain are recorded video image while the police officer is out of the police car.

41. The method of claim 40 including the step of operating a movable video image camera and a fixed video image camera simultaneously while the police officer is out of the police car.

42. A video apparatus used by a police officer in a police car wherein the video apparatus is used by the police officer while investigating from the car, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing enclosing a video camera in said housing;

(b) a transmitter connected to the video camera for transmitting a video signal from said camera for reception;

(c) a video recorder in the police car for recording the received video transmission on a medium hidden within in the police car;

(d) a location indicator connected to said recorder to enable location data to be recorded with the recorded video signal;

(e) a time and date generator forming a time and data signal to be recorded with the video signal; and

(f) a digital data input device on said housing;

wherein

(g) said housing is portable to be carried by the officer and includes a magnetic strip scanner.

43. A method of conducting a police investigation by a police officer in a police car wherein the method comprises the step of:

(a) storing a portable surveillance device comprising a portable video camera and a digital data input device in the police car;

(b) moving from the police car while carrying the portable surveillance device to form a video image having a field of view controlled by movements of an officer from the police car;

(c) inputting digital data pertinent to the police investigation into the digital data input device;

(d) transmitting the video image to the police car;

(e) transmitting the digital data to the police car;

(f) receiving response data pertinent to the input digital data using the portable surveillance device; and

(g) recording the transmitted video image and the digital data on a storage medium secured within the police car.

44. The method of claim 43 including the step of initially positioning said portable video camera capable of forming an image enclosed within said portable surveillance device to secrete the camera so that the camera is not readily seen.

45. The method of claim 43 including the preliminary step of charging batteries for the portable surveillance from the power system of the police car.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the police officer carries an audio responsive circuit for voice data and said audio responsive circuit comprises said digital data input device.

47. The method of claim 43 including the steps of recording a video image from the portable camera and also recording video images from a fixed field of view camera mounted on the car wherein the two separate images provide information regarding the activities occurring adjacent to the police car.

48. The method of claim 43 including the step of recording the video image and an indicia of the time of day on said medium.

49. The method of claim 48 further including the step of recording car speeds.

50. The method of claim 43 wherein the portable surveillance device is carried by hand by an officer on foot in the immediate vicinity of the police car and scans an adjacent accident or crime scene during investigation by the officer.

51. The method of claim 43 wherein the portable surveillance device is positioned to observe the driver of another car, and recording video images of the driver of the another car including images obtained indicative of driver sobriety.

52. The method of claim 43 including the further step of retransmitting using assigned video bandwidths the video image from the portable camera received at the police car to a remote receiver location so that the transmitted image is available to additional personnel for analysis and response.

53. The method of claim 43 including the step of transmitting a video image from the portable camera, and also transmitting therewith digital data indicative of personnel identification which is input into the digital data input device within the portable surveillance device.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the digital data is transmitted mixed with the video transmission and is transmitted during blanking of the video image.

55. The method of claim 43 wherein the portable surveillance device is provided with a normally closed deadman switch, and said switch is operated continuously during use to provide an indication of police officer safety and security.

56. The method of claim 43 including the step of transmitting a video image, and also transmitting digital data indicative of the drivers license number and other identification data obtained by the police officer and input into the digital data input device within the portable surveillance device.

57. The method of claim 43 wherein the portable surveillance device is moved in area in front of the police car subject to illumination by police car headlights to obtain a movable field of view illuminated by the headlights.

58. A portable apparatus used by a police officer in a police car wherein the portable apparatus is carried by the police officer on emerging from the car, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a hand held housing enclosing a power supply wherein the power supply is selectively connected to and disconnected from the power system of the police car;

(b) a video camera within said housing forming a video image;

(c) a digital data input device within said housing;

(d) a transmitter connected to the video camera and the digital data input device for transmitting a video signal and digital data from said housing to the police car for reception; and

(e) a recorder remotely recording the received video and digital data transmission, wherein the recorder is secured in the police car.

59. The apparatus of claim 58 including a writing surface on said housing carried by the police officer.

60. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing encloses a video signal receiver and video screen for signals received at the receiver.

61. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing includes a keyboard input device.

62. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing includes a card reader device.

63. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing includes a magnetic strip scanner.

64. The apparatus of claim 58 including digital said data input device on said housing into which the officer enters data.

65. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said hosing includes a LCD output device from which the officer reads response information.

66. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing includes a printer device from which the officer receives response information while outside of the police car.

67. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing includes a clipboard on the top thereof to clip documents clipped on the top of said housing.

68. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing includes a writing surface thereon.