Automatically activated in-cabin vehicle camera system
First Claim
1. A method of automatically activating an in-cabin camera system mounted within a passenger cabin of a vehicle, the method comprising the step of:
- detecting a plurality of sounds generated from within the passenger cabin of the vehicle with an in-cabin audio sensor;
monitoring an output of said in-cabin audio sensor with a vehicle system controller;
comparing a volume level corresponding to said plurality of sounds to a preset volume level, wherein said vehicle system controller automatically performs said comparing step;
automatically displaying a data feed from the in-cabin camera system on an in-cabin display when said volume level of said plurality of sounds exceeds said preset volume level; and
terminating said step of automatically displaying said data feed, wherein said terminating step is performed after a preset period of time has elapsed since said volume level of said plurality of sounds exceeded said preset volume level.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for automatically activating an in-cabin camera system whenever the control system determines that the volume level of sounds detected within the car are in excess of a preset sound level, thereby allowing the driver under certain circumstances to monitor occupants of the rear portion of the passenger cabin without stopping the car or turning around in their seat. The system can be configured to analyze the detected sounds and compare those sounds to preset sound patterns, thus helping the system to distinguish between routine background noise and any sounds that indicate that activation of the in-cabin camera system is warranted.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method of automatically activating an in-cabin camera system mounted within a passenger cabin of a vehicle, the method comprising the step of:
-
detecting a plurality of sounds generated from within the passenger cabin of the vehicle with an in-cabin audio sensor; monitoring an output of said in-cabin audio sensor with a vehicle system controller; comparing a volume level corresponding to said plurality of sounds to a preset volume level, wherein said vehicle system controller automatically performs said comparing step; automatically displaying a data feed from the in-cabin camera system on an in-cabin display when said volume level of said plurality of sounds exceeds said preset volume level; and terminating said step of automatically displaying said data feed, wherein said terminating step is performed after a preset period of time has elapsed since said volume level of said plurality of sounds exceeded said preset volume level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification