Vehicle event recorder systems
First Claim
1. A vehicle fleet management system comprising:
- a vehicle event recorder unit configured for mounting in a vehicle, the vehicle event recorder unit comprising;
a video camera having a field-of-view that includes an environment about the vehicle, the video camera configured to detect video images of the environment about the vehicle; and
a radio transceiver,the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record video images responsive to an event trigger exceeding a predetermined threshold;
a vehicle on-board data system including one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying vehicle feedback information, the vehicle feedback information including information related to one or more of vehicle lights, an engine of the vehicle, a drive train of the vehicle, a transmission of the vehicle, vehicle brakes, and/or vehicle steering, the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record vehicle feedback information that corresponds to the recorded video images;
a network coupled to the Internet and including at least one wireless transceiver having a corresponding communication space;
a server computer coupled to the network; and
at least one workstation coupled to the network,wherein the vehicle event recorder unit is configured to automatically establish a wireless link with the network when the vehicle enters the communication space,wherein the vehicle event recorder unit is configured to initiate transmission of the recorded video images and the vehicle feedback information to the server computer over the wireless link, andwherein the workstation is configured to facilitate, via the server, adjustment of the predetermined threshold and video camera image control settings through a web browser interface presented to a user on the workstation over the wireless link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a vehicle recorder system that is configured with a video camera, a light weight memory system, and a radio communications facility suitable for use in conjunction with an moving vehicle. An automobile equipped with such video recorder system that is used throughout a day of service provides a video record of unusual events which may occur from time-to-time. For example, events such as accidents, near-misses, and excessive speed, among others, trigger a system to preserve video images collected before and after the moment of the event. Replaying these images provides information regarding the cause and true nature of the event. These systems are particularly suitable for vehicle fleets, or other groups of vehicles that can communicate with a common system.
1014 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle fleet management system comprising:
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a vehicle event recorder unit configured for mounting in a vehicle, the vehicle event recorder unit comprising; a video camera having a field-of-view that includes an environment about the vehicle, the video camera configured to detect video images of the environment about the vehicle; and a radio transceiver, the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record video images responsive to an event trigger exceeding a predetermined threshold; a vehicle on-board data system including one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying vehicle feedback information, the vehicle feedback information including information related to one or more of vehicle lights, an engine of the vehicle, a drive train of the vehicle, a transmission of the vehicle, vehicle brakes, and/or vehicle steering, the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record vehicle feedback information that corresponds to the recorded video images; a network coupled to the Internet and including at least one wireless transceiver having a corresponding communication space; a server computer coupled to the network; and at least one workstation coupled to the network, wherein the vehicle event recorder unit is configured to automatically establish a wireless link with the network when the vehicle enters the communication space, wherein the vehicle event recorder unit is configured to initiate transmission of the recorded video images and the vehicle feedback information to the server computer over the wireless link, and wherein the workstation is configured to facilitate, via the server, adjustment of the predetermined threshold and video camera image control settings through a web browser interface presented to a user on the workstation over the wireless link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for monitoring a vehicle, the method comprising:
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recording video images responsive to an event trigger exceeding a predetermined threshold, wherein the recording is performed by a vehicle event recorder unit configured for mounting in a vehicle, the vehicle event recorder unit comprising; a video camera having a field-of-view that includes an environment about the vehicle that is configured to detect the video images, the video images including video images of the environment about the vehicle; and a radio transceiver; generating, with one or more sensors of a vehicle on-board data system, output signals conveying vehicle feedback information, the vehicle feedback information including information related to one or more of vehicle lights, an engine of the vehicle, a drive train of the vehicle, a transmission of the vehicle, vehicle brakes, and/or vehicle steering, the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record vehicle feedback information that corresponds to the recorded video images; automatically establishing a wireless link between the vehicle event recorder unit and a network when the vehicle enters a communication space, the network being coupled to the Internet and including at least one wireless transceiver having a corresponding communication space; transmitting the recorded video images and the vehicle feedback information to a server computer over the wireless link; and facilitating adjustment of the predetermined threshold and video camera image control settings through a web browser interface presented to a user on a workstation associated with the user over the wireless link. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification