Vehicular black box monitoring system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A monitor for a vehicle allowing oversight and detection of vehicular activity, comprising:
- a first camera, said first camera directed towards a roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, said first camera directed towards a first line painted on said roadway; and
a roadway detector, said roadway detector coupled to said first camera and receiving signals from said first camera, said roadway detector detecting signals from said first camera indicating presence of said first line.
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Abstract
A vehicular “black box” provides recording means by which driver action can be reviewed after an accident or collision, as well as indicating immediate vehicle disposition status to the driver. Using cameras (which may be very small), the disposition of the vehicle in its lane is determined by detecting the highway lines painted on the road.
The data is also recorded so that should an accident or collision occur, the events leading up to such an event are made available for later review and analysis.
111 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A monitor for a vehicle allowing oversight and detection of vehicular activity, comprising:
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a first camera, said first camera directed towards a roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, said first camera directed towards a first line painted on said roadway; and
a roadway detector, said roadway detector coupled to said first camera and receiving signals from said first camera, said roadway detector detecting signals from said first camera indicating presence of said first line. - 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, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A monitor for a vehicle allowing oversight, detection, and recording of vehicular activity, comprising:
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a first camera, said first camera directed towards a roadway upon which the vehicle is travelling, said first camera directed towards a first line painted on said roadway;
a second camera, said second camera directed towards said roadway and directed towards a second line painted on said roadway;
said first line being on one side of the vehicle and said second line being on an opposite side of said vehicle, said vehicle travelling between said first and second lines;
first and second light sources, said first and second light sources respectively illuminating said roadway before said first and second cameras so that said roadway, including said first and second lines, are better detected by, respectively, said first and second cameras;
a roadway detector, said roadway detector coupled to said first and second cameras and receiving signals from said first and second cameras, said roadway detector detecting signals from said first camera indicating presence of said first line, said roadway detector detecting signals from said second camera indicating presence of said second line, so that coordinated detection of said first and second lines by said roadway detector indicates disposition of the vehicle between said first and second lines and proper travel of the vehicle along said roadway between said first and second lines;
said roadway detector determining centroids of signals received from said first and second cameras, said centroids respectively indicating presence and relative location of said first and second lines;
said roadway detector coupled to a turn indicator, said roadway detector compensating for departure of said vehicle from a path associated with said first and second lines when said turn indicator is activated;
an indicator, said indicator coupled to said roadway detector, said indicator indicating disposition of said vehicle upon said roadway relative to said first and second lines, said indicator issuing a warning when the vehicle departs from a path defined by said first and second lines; and
a recorder, said recorder coupled to said first and second cameras and recording signals transmitted by said cameras, said recorder preserving said camera signals despite a collision, accident, or similar catastrophe;
wherebyactivity of the vehicle on said roadway is detected to aid a driver of the vehicle and recorded for future review and analysis. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for testing potential driver ability, the steps comprising:
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providing a circle;
tracing said circle, said circle traced by a driver; and
detecting departure from said circle by said tracing;
wherebymanual dexterity and/or eye/hand coordination is indicated by said detection of departure of said tracing from said circle.
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40. A method for testing potential driver ability, the steps comprising:
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providing a moving target;
tracking said moving target, said tracking performed by a driver; and
detecting accuracy and speed of said tracking of said moving target;
wherebyspeed and accuracy of said tracking are determined by said detecting.
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41. A method for rating and/or monitoring a driver'"'"'s performance comprising:
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providing a monitor for a vehicle allowing oversight, detection, and recording of vehicular activity, said monitor comprising;
a first camera, said first camera directed towards a roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, said first camera directed towards a first line painted on said roadway;
a roadway detector, said roadway detector coupled to said first camera and receiving signals from said first camera, said roadway detector detecting signals from said first camera indicating presence of said first line, and a recorder, said recorder coupled to said first camera and recording signals transmitted by said camera, said recorder preserving said camera signals; and
detecting and recording activity of the vehicle on said roadway for present and future review and analysis. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49)
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48. A method for testing a driver'"'"'s performance comprising:
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providing a random sound command, image projection, or a combination of both;
responding to said image, said responding performed by the driver; and
determining the speed and accuracy of said responding.
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50. A method of monitoring a driver comprising:
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recording the driver'"'"'s brain wave patterns;
determining the character of said patterns when the driver is drowsy or falling asleep;
monitoring the driver'"'"'s brain waves while driving;
comparing said patterns when the driver is drowsy or falling asleep to the brain waves while driving; and
determining when the driver is drowsy or falling asleep based on said comparing.
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Specification