Automotive imaging system for recording exception events
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for automatically reporting exception events, the system comprising:
- an image capture device having a first function to monitor operation of a motor vehicle, wherein the image capture device comprises a digital camera configured to capture a video sequence of digital images;
an image memory system configured to store digital images captured by the image capture device;
an exception event detection mechanism configured to detect an exception event for the motor vehicle, wherein the exception event detection mechanism is configured to process inputs received from a plurality of sensing devices; and
a processing system configured to;
periodically use the image capture device in a second function different from the first function to capture digital images at a first capture frequency;
store the captured digital images in the image memory system;
receive an input indicating a detection of the exception event from the exception event detection mechanism;
determine a type of the exception event based on data captured by the image capture device in the second function;
store metadata with the captured digital images, wherein the metadata comprises the determined type of the exception event; and
provide a response to the exception event.
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Abstract
A motor vehicle system for automatically reporting exception events, comprising: one or more digital cameras, at least one digital camera having a primary function; an image memory system for storing digital images; means for detecting exception events; and a wireless communications system for communicating with a central reporting service. A program memory stores executable instruction for causing a processor to perform the steps of: using at least one of the digital cameras to periodically capture digital images at a specified capture frequency; storing the periodically captured digital images in the image memory for a specified period of time; and receiving input from the means for detecting an exception event. In response to the detection of an exception event a communication link is opened to the central reporting service using the wireless communications system, and one or more of the captured digital images are transmitted to the central reporting service.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for automatically reporting exception events, the system comprising:
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an image capture device having a first function to monitor operation of a motor vehicle, wherein the image capture device comprises a digital camera configured to capture a video sequence of digital images; an image memory system configured to store digital images captured by the image capture device; an exception event detection mechanism configured to detect an exception event for the motor vehicle, wherein the exception event detection mechanism is configured to process inputs received from a plurality of sensing devices; and a processing system configured to; periodically use the image capture device in a second function different from the first function to capture digital images at a first capture frequency; store the captured digital images in the image memory system; receive an input indicating a detection of the exception event from the exception event detection mechanism; determine a type of the exception event based on data captured by the image capture device in the second function; store metadata with the captured digital images, wherein the metadata comprises the determined type of the exception event; and provide a response to the exception event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28)
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25. A method comprising:
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performing, by a processing system, a first function to monitor operation of a motor vehicle via an image capture device, wherein the image capture device comprises a digital camera configured to capture a video sequence of digital images; periodically using, by the processing system, the digital camera in a second function different from the first function to capture digital images at a first capture frequency; storing, by the processing system, the periodically captured digital images in the image memory system for a specified period of time; receiving, at the processing system, an input indicating a detection of an exception event from an exception event detection mechanism, wherein the exception event detection mechanism is configured to process inputs received from a plurality of sensing devices; determining, by the processing system, a type of the exception event based on data captured by the image capture device in the second function; storing, by the processing system, metadata with the captured digital images, wherein the metadata comprises the determined type of the exception event; and providing, by the processing system, a response to the exception event.
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Specification