Headrest and seat video imaging apparatus

• US 6,445,408 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• 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): Kelley, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): An, Shawn S.
• Application Number:
  US09/597,363
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/81, 348/143, 348/149, 348/151, 348/158, 248/205.R, 224/275, 224/483, 224/551, 224/564, 340/973, 354/293, 297/238, 297/217, 386/46, 381/371, 381/384
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/803 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• 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 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• 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 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00 Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• 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 vehicle in which the video camera connects to a lateral upper portion of a seat in the vehicle. A member communicates light representative of an image to an image receiver. A mount selectively orients the angular view of the image receiver. A method of providing vehicles with after-market imaging apparatus and installation thereof is disclosed.

Claims

1. A video and audio imaging apparatus and vehicle seat for positioning in a vehicle for receiving video images and audio, comprising:

a vehicle seat having an elongate member extending from a lateral upper portion thereof;

a panoramic mirror mounted in a distal end portions and which distal end portion communicates light theretrough to the mirror;

an image receiving lens at an opposing end of the member for receiving images communicated by the mirror; and

a recorder for recording signals representative of the images received by the lens.

2. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 1, wherein the member is selectively extendable from a channel in the seat.

3. The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in claim 1, wherein the member is a tube.

4. A vehicle seat and video imaging apparatus, comprising:

an seat with a seatback and a support arm extending laterally therefrom;

a pivoter connected to the support arm, said pivoter adapted for selective angular orientation in at least a first axis relative to the support arm;

a video imaging apparatus fixedly secured to the pivoter for imaging in one or more directions by selective positioning of said pivoter with the video imaging apparatus disposed laterally of the seat and substantially centrally relative to a central axis of the vehicle;

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

a signal transmitting pathway for transmitting said one or more electrical signal; and

a signal receiving device communicating with the signal transmitting pathway.

5. The vehicle seat and video imaging apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said pivoter further comprises a rotator for rotating the angle of view of the video imaging device in a second axis relative to the support.

6. The vehicle seat imaging apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a controller for selectively positioning the rotator and the pivoter.

7. The vehicle seat imaging apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a controller for selectively positioning the pivoter.