Mobile and vehicle-based digital video system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A digital recording system, comprising:
- a video camera;
a microphone;
a display;
a speaker;
inputs for receiving digital information other than audio and video;
a digital recording medium;
a keypad; and
a docking station.
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Abstract
A digital recording device that is optimized for field use in motor vehicles, and methods for capturing, storing, and retaining digital information recorded by such digital recording device, are disclosed. The digital recording device comprises a non-removable hard disk drive for data storage, eliminating the need to use removable media cartridges, and a small control panel, and is packaged in a ruggedized, compact form factor.
181 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A digital recording system, comprising:
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a video camera;
a microphone;
a display;
a speaker;
inputs for receiving digital information other than audio and video;
a digital recording medium;
a keypad; and
a docking station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A digital recording device for recording a plurality of digital signal inputs from one or more cameras, one or more microphones, and one or more other input sources, comprising:
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a clock for synchronizing recorded digital inputs;
a control panel for entering user information and controlling functions of said digital recording device;
a display; and
a memory. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for communicating to an end-user operator the status of a microphone connected to a digital recording device, the method comprising the steps of:
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reading a signal from a microphone;
comparing said signal to a reference signal; and
continuously illuminating a light on a control panel if said signal indicates that said microphone is receiving an audio input signal and intermittently illuminating a light on a control panel if said signal indicates that said microphone is not receiving an audio input signal.
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17. A method for efficiently searching and retrieving information recorded by a digital recording device, the method comprising the steps of:
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recording audio and video information associated with an event to a memory;
storing a clock signal that is synchronized with such audio and video information;
storing additional information associated with events contemporaneous with such recorded audio and video information in a database; and
retrieving segments of such audio or video information based on said clock signal or such additional information stored in said database. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for transferring information recorded from a digital recording device mounted in a motor vehicle to a non-mobile information management system, the method comprising the steps of:
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removing said digital recording device from a docking station mounted in a motor vehicle, wherein said digital recording device comprises a hard disk drive memory device;
inserting said digital recording device into a docking station integrated with a non-mobile information management system; and
retrieving said information from such hard disk drive and transferring such information to a second hard disk drive integrated with said information management system.
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21. A method for automatically adjusting the focal length of a camera connected to a digital recording device, the method comprising the steps of:
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initiating the recording of an event;
detecting a signal to adjust the focal length of said camera;
determining whether such signal is the first such signal detected during the duration of such event;
adjusting the focal length of said camera;
optimizing the exposure parameters of such camera in response to said adjustment of the focal length of said camera; and
resetting the focal length of such camera. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for automatically recording information prior to the initiation of a recording session, the method comprising the steps of:
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initiating the recording of information and storing such information in a first in, first out (FIFO) buffer;
detecting a signal to initiate the recording of an event and storing such information in a computer file;
upon the detection of such signal, preserving the contents of such FIFO buffer; and
appending the information stored in such FIFO buffer to the beginning of said stored computer file. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for transferring recorded information from a digital recording device to an information management system, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting a digital recording device to an information management system;
sending network connection settings from said information management system to said digital recording device thereby enabling said digital recording device to communicate with said information management system;
authenticating the identity of said digital recording device by verifying a username or identification number and a password stored on said digital recording device;
uploading recorded information from a single computer file stored in said digital recording device to the memory of said information management system;
confirming that said uploaded file was transferred successfully;
deleting said uploaded file from the memory of said digital recording device; and
continuing to transfer said computer files until all files have been uploaded. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A method transferring recorded information from a digital recording device to an information management system, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting a digital recording device to an information management system via a wireless communications link;
sending network connection settings from said information management system to said digital recording device thereby enabling said digital recording device to communicate with said information management system;
authenticating the identity of said digital recording device by verifying a username or identification number and a password stored on said digital recording device;
transferring control of said digital recording device to an end-user located remotely from said digital recording device thereby allowing said end-user operator to control input devices attached to said digital recording device; and
uploading recorded information from said digital recording device to the memory of said information management system at said end-user operator'"'"'s discretion.
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33. A method for controlling the operation of a digital recording device subject to a set of rules, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting a digital recording device to an information management system;
downloading a set of rules from an information management system to a digital recording device wherein said rules are used to determine when to initiate recording and when to terminate recording;
determining whether one of said rules for initiating the recording of an event has been satisfied;
initiating the recording of information to said digital recording device;
determining whether each of said rules for terminating the recording of an event have been satisfied; and
terminating the recording of such information. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification