Motor vehicle recorder system

• US 6,310,541 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2000
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William T. Atkins
• Original Assignee: William T. Atkins
• Inventors: Atkins, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/511,277
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/540, 348/148, 360/5, 369/21
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00

Abstract

This invention relates to a Motor Vehicle Recorder System device, which consists of a tape recorder and sensitive microphone system installed in an automobile to record a conversation. The invention reveals a mini-tape recorder installed in a motor vehicle with a mini-microphone positioned on the driver'"'"'s side. This recording system can be activated by either a foot switch or alternatively by voice activation. This Motor Vehicle Recorder System invention also includes activation in several different modes: (1) silent activation, (2) signal activation, (3) compliance activation whereby there is a message announcing that the incident is being recorded, and (4) automatic shut down of all other sound systems in the motor vehicle to allow this invention to function and record without background noise. The system has been designed to protect drivers involved in an accident, car failure, severe weather conditions or any other condition which causes the driver to abandon or leave the motor vehicle, The system has also been designed to protect law-abiding citizens and drivers in any attempted car-jacking situations and to discourage police officers from mistreating motorists and displaying unprofessional attitudes.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle recorder system which monitors the speed of the vehicle and also records sound the motor vehicle comprising:

a tape recorder device capable of recording the speed of the vehicle as well as recording sound,

two or more microphones connected to said recorder device,

one or more speakers connected to said recorder device,

a multiple position mode function control switch connected to said recorder device,

a foot activation control switch connected to said recorder device,

a cut-off switch connected to said recorder device for simultaneously turning off the motor vehicle radio and tape player and CD player prior to activation of said microphones.

2. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 1, in which an optional voice activation device is added to the system and is connected to said recorder device which permits voice activation of the said system.

3. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 2, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes :

the “

OFF”

, “

Silent”

, “

Signal” and

“

Compliance”

functions position.

4. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 3, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

the “

Silent”

function position controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, and the said cut-off switch.

5. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 3, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

the “

Signal”

function position controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, emission of an intermittent beep sound by the recorder device, and the said cut-off switch.

6. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 3, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

the “

Compliance”

function position controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, broadcast through the said speaker from the recorder device of a prerecorded warning message that a recording will be made of the incident, and the said cut-off switch.

7. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 3, in which the tape recorder device includes the capability to record the vehicle speed at intermittent time intervals and to record at a programmable time prior to activation of the system and which said intervals can be programmed by adjusting the designated variable settings of the said recorder device.

8. A motor vehicle recorder system which constantly monitors, records the speed of the vehicle at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, and also records sound outside the motor vehicle comprising:

a tape recorder device capable of monitoring and recording the speed of the vehicle as well as recording sound and conversation,

two or more microphones connected to said recorder device,

one or more speakers connected to said recorder device,

a multiple position mode function control switch connected to said recorder device,

a foot activation control switch connected to said recorder device,

a cut-off switch connected to said recorder device for simultaneously turning off the motor vehicle radio and tape player and CD player prior to activation of said microphones.

9. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 8, in which an optional voice activation device is added to the system and is connected to said recorder device which permits voice activation of the said system.

10. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 9, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes :

the “

OFF”

, “

Silent”

, “

Signal” and

“

Compliance”

functions position.

11. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 10, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

a “

Silent”

function position which controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, and the said cut-off switch.

12. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 10, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

a “

Signal”

function position controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, emission of an intermittent beep sound by the recorder device, and the said cut-off switch.

13. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 10, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

a “

Compliance”

function position which controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, broadcast through the said speaker from the recorder device of a prerecorded warning message that a recording will be made of the incident, and the said cut-off switch.

14. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 10, in which the tape recorder device includes the capability to silently and continuously monitor as well as to record the vehicle speed at intermittent time intervals and to record at a programmable time prior to activation of the system and which said intervals can be programmed by adjusting the designated variable settings of the said recorder device.

15. A method of constantly and accurately recording in a motor vehicle the speed of the vehicle at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the recording system, and a method which also records sound outside the motor vehicle comprising:

a tape recorder device which monitors and records the speed of the vehicle as well as records sound,

two or more microphones connected to said recorder device,

one or more speakers connected to said recorder device,

a multiple position mode function control switch connected to said recorder device,

a foot activation control switch connected to said recorder device,

a cut-off switch connected to said recorder device for simultaneously turning off the motor vehicle radio and tape player and CD player prior to activation of said microphones.

16. A method of constantly monitoring and accurately recording in a motor vehicle as in claim 15, in which an optional voice activation device is added and is connected to said recorder device providing voice activation control of the said system.

17. A method of constantly monitoring and accurately recording in a motor vehicle as in claim 16, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes :

the “

OFF”

, “

Silent”

, “

Signal” and

“

Compliance”

functions position.

18. A method of constantly monitoring and accurately recording in a motor vehicle as in claim 16, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

a “

Silent”

function position which controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, and the said cut-off switch.

19. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 16, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

a “

Signal”

function position which controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, emission of an intermittent beep sound by the recorder device, and the said cut-off switch.

20. A motor vehicle recorder system as in claim 16, in which the said multiple position mode function control switch includes:

a “

Compliance”

function position which controls recording the vehicle speed at programmable intervals and at a programmable time prior to time prior to activation of the system, activation of the said recorder, microphones, speaker, broadcast through the said speaker from the recorder device of a prerecorded warning message that a recording will be made of the incident, and the said cut-off switch.