System and Method for Recording Data Associated with Vehicle Activity and Operation

• US 20100299021A1
• Filed: 05/21/2009
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Reza Jalili
• Original Assignee: Reza Jalili
• Inventors: Jalili, Reza
• Application Number:
  US12/470,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20100299021A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• 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: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A system and method for recording data associated with events relevant to the operation of a vehicle. The system can include one or more mechanisms to capture data relevant to operation of a vehicle, such as audio or video data, as well as information pertaining to the activity of the vehicle itself, such as speed, distance, time, and location. Additionally, the system can include a data analysis module that can interact with a network to assist with the enforcement of vehicle operation regulations.

Claims

1. A system for recording data associated with a vehicle, the system comprising:

a. a vehicle;

b. a recording device, wherein the recording device continuously captures data associated with activity of the vehicle;

c. a vehicle operation information mechanism, wherein the vehicle operation information mechanism continuously monitors one or more elements of vehicle operation;

d. a first memory for recording the activity data captured by the recording device, wherein the first memory is a circular buffer;

e. a second memory for storing recorded activity data received from the first memory; and

f. a trigger, wherein activation of the trigger initiates the storing of recorded activity data from the first memory to the second memory in association with one or more elements vehicle operation information.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an interface, wherein the interface enables the communication of the stored data from the second memory to an external memory medium.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the recording device captures one or more of video data, photographic data, and audio data.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a presentation mechanism, wherein the presentation mechanism presents one or more of activity data and vehicle operation information to one or more of an operator and a passenger of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger is a manual trigger.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger is an automatic trigger.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger activation corresponds with the activation of a protective system of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the recorded activity data stored to the second memory comprises data captured a particular amount of time before the activation of the trigger.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the recorded activity data stored to the second memory comprises data captured a particular amount of time after the activation of the trigger.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein an element of vehicle operation information includes date information, time information, information associated with distance traveled by the vehicle, vehicle speed information, or vehicle location information.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless signal interface.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wireless signal interface enables the receipt of regulation data from an external mechanism.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data analysis module, wherein the data analysis module analyzes one or more of recorded activity data and vehicle operation information.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the data analysis module is enabled to determine if a violation has occurred per its analysis of one or more of recorded activity data and vehicle operation information.

15. A method for recording data associated with a vehicle, the method comprising:

a. initiating the capture of data associated with activity of a vehicle;

b. recording the captured data in a circular buffer;

c. receiving an activation signal from a trigger;

d. storing the captured data recorded in the circular buffer to a long-term memory; and

e. associating the data stored to the long-term memory with vehicle operation information associated with the activation of the trigger.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising communicating data stored in the long-term memory to another storage medium.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining whether data stored in the long-term memory is indicative of a violation.

18. A method for recording a violation of a vehicle operation regulation, the method comprising:

a. receiving, at a vehicular activity recording system, data pertinent to vehicle operation regulation enforcement, wherein the vehicular activity recording system is located within a vehicle;

b. recording, via the vehicular activity recording system, data associated with the operation of the vehicle;

c. evaluating the recorded vehicle operation data per the vehicle operation regulation enforcement data; and

d. if the evaluation indicates activity that violates a vehicle operation regulation, storing one or more elements of the recorded vehicle operation data indicative of the violation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein vehicle operation regulation enforcement data includes one or more of vehicle operator information, and regulation data.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising transmitting data indicative of the violation to an external mechanism.