Personal vehicle video recording device

• US 9,578,275 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2014
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samuel R. Ramirez
• Original Assignee: Samuel R. Ramirez
• Inventors: Ramirez, Samuel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, William
• Application Number:
  US14/464,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20160057377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 386/223
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0866 the electronic data carrier being a digital video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera

Abstract

A personal vehicle video recording device records video in and around a personal vehicle to preserve a visual record of an encounter with law enforcement. The device includes a video storage unit coupled to a personal vehicle and a plurality of cameras. Each of the cameras is positioned to monitor a respective zone relative to the personal vehicle. Each of a plurality of wires couples an associated one of the cameras to the video storage unit. An activation mechanism is operationally coupled to the video storage unit such that the video storage unit records and stores video images from the cameras upon manipulation of the activation mechanism.

Claims

1. A personal vehicle video recording device for recording video in and around a personal vehicle, the device comprising:

a video storage unit configured for coupling to the personal vehicle;

a plurality of cameras, each of said cameras being configured for coupling to the personal vehicle, each said camera being positioned to monitor a respective zone relative to the personal vehicle, said cameras including a front camera coupled to a forward facing surface of a rear view mirror, said cameras including a rear camera coupled to the personal vehicle and facing out of a rear window of the personal vehicle, said cameras including a pair of side cameras, each of said side cameras being coupled to a respective interior surface of an associated one of a pair of doors of the personal vehicle wherein each of said side cameras faces inwardly into an interior of the personal vehicle;

a plurality of wires, each of said wires coupling an associated one of said cameras to said video storage unit; and

an activation mechanism operationally coupled to said video storage unit wherein said video storage unit records and stores video images from said cameras upon manipulation of said activation mechanism, said activation mechanism being a button extrinsic relative to said video recording unit wherein said activation mechanism is configured for being positioned in a concealed position within the personal vehicle and accessible to a driver of the personal vehicle;

a plurality of mounting supports, each said mounting support having a flat surface wherein said mounting support is configured for coupling to a surface of the personal vehicle, each said camera being coupled to an associated one of said mounting supports, each said mounting support having a perimeter wall extending from said flat surface, each said perimeter wall having interior threading; and

each said camera comprising a housing, said housing having a connecting section, each said connecting section being cylindrical, each said connecting section having exterior threading complementary to said interior threading of said mounting support wherein each said camera is threadedly coupled to said associated mounting support, each said camera having an extension section coupled to and extending from said connecting section, said extension section being cylindrical, said extension section being linearly aligned with said connecting section, said extension section having a radius less than a radius of said connecting section.

2. A personal vehicle video recording device comprising:

a personal vehicle having an interior, a rear view mirror, a rear window, and a pair of doors, each of said doors being positioned on an associated side of said personal vehicle;

a video storage unit coupled to said personal vehicle such that said video storage unit is concealed from being viewed when looking into said interior of said personal vehicle;

a plurality of cameras, each of said cameras being coupled to the personal vehicle, each said camera being positioned to monitor a respective zone relative to the personal vehicle, said cameras comprising a front camera coupled to a forward facing surface of said rear view mirror, said cameras comprising a rear camera coupled to said personal vehicle and facing out of said rear window of said personal vehicle, said cameras comprising a pair of side cameras, each of said side cameras being coupled to a respective interior surface of an associated one of said doors of said personal vehicle wherein each of said side cameras faces inwardly into said interior of said personal vehicle;

a plurality of wires, each of said wires coupling an associated one of said cameras to said video storage unit;

an activation mechanism operationally coupled to said video storage unit wherein said video storage unit records and stores video images from said cameras upon manipulation of said activation mechanism, said activation mechanism being a button extrinsic relative to said video recording unit, said activation mechanism being in a concealed position within said interior of said personal vehicle and accessible to a driver of the personal vehicle;

a plurality of mounting supports, each said mounting support having a flat surface couplable to said personal vehicle, each said camera being coupled to an associated one of said mounting supports, each said mounting support having a perimeter wall extending from said flat surface, each said perimeter wall having interior threading; and

each said camera comprising a housing, said housing having a connecting section, each said connecting section being cylindrical, each said connecting section having exterior threading complementary to said interior threading of said mounting support wherein each said camera is threadedly coupled to said associated mounting support, each said camera having an extension section coupled to and extending from said connecting section, said extension section being cylindrical, said extension section being linearly aligned with said connecting section, said extension section having a radius less than a radius of said connecting section.