360 degree automobile video camera system

• US 20100182398A1
• Filed: 02/25/2010
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joseph J. Mazzilli
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Mazzilli
• Inventors: Mazzilli, Joseph J.
• Application Number:
  US12/660,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20100182398A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0035 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1965 the vehicle being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19673 Addition of time stamp, i.e. time metadata, to video stream

Abstract

The present invention relates to a video camera system which has a 360 degree range for digital video recording inside and outside of an automotive vehicle. The system has a DVR built into or connected near the camera housing and the camera housing has slot adapted to receive a compact flash (cf) card or a media card so that the images recorded by the cameras can be placed on the cf card. Also included is an optional built in microphone with a control switch for law enforcement and military purposes.

Claims

1. A video system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a camera housing located inside an automotive vehicle including a plurality of cameras, located on each side of said housing to provide a 360 degree range for video recording images received by said cameras, said camera housing being incorporated into a rear view mirror of said vehicle;

a digital video recorder (DVR) for digitally recording all recorded images received from said cameras, said DVR being either built into or located next to and connected to said camera housing thereby providing a recording of a 360 degree environment surrounding said camera housing, said camera housing including a slot adapted to receive a either a compact flash (CF) memory card or a memory card therein to retrieve and record images from said camera onto said cf card or said media card.

2. The video system according to claim 1 wherein said cameras transmit said recorded images to a cf card or media card.

3. The video system according to claim 1 wherein said system further includes a microphone and a control switch that so that said control switch can be flipped to an on mode to activate said microphone so that said microphone can record conversations.

4. The video system according to claim 1 wherein said camera housing is near but separate from said mirror housing and said camera housing is shaped in a geometric configuration and a microphone and a control switch are built into said camera housing.

8. The video system according to claim 1 wherein said system further includes a microphone and a control switch that so that said control switch can be flipped to an on mode to activate said microphone so that said microphone can record conversations.

5. A method for digital video recording within an automotive vehicle, the steps comprising:

locating a camera housing inside an automotive vehicle including a plurality of cameras located on each side of said housing to provide a 360 degree range for video recording images received by said cameras, said camera housing being part of a housing of a rear view mirror of said vehicle;

digitally recording images by means of a digital video recorder (DVR)for digitally recording all recorded images received from said cameras, building or locating said DVR either or located next to and connected to said camera housing thereby providing a recording of said camera housing, providing a slot in said camera housing adapted to receive a compact flash (CF) memory card or a media card therein to retrieve and record images from said camera onto said cf card or a media card of a 360 degree environment surrounding said camera housing.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of cameras are built into said rear view mirror so that said rear view mirror is said camera housing for said cameras.

7. The method according to claim 5 wherein said cameras transmit said recorded images to a cf card or a media card.