Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Monitoring Vehicular Activity

• US 20140178031A1
• Filed: 03/29/2013
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brett I. Walker
• Original Assignee: Brett I. Walker
• Inventors: Walker, Brett I.
• Granted Patent: US 10,462,442 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/227
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/007 specially adapted for covering the lateral blind spot not covered by the usual rear-view mirror
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/102 using 360 degree surveillance camera system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0866 the electronic data carrier being a digital video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/00 Traffic control systems for road vehicles arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00 ; automatic vehicle control B62D
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/79 Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems and methods monitor vehicular activity. Specifically, the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention provide a plurality of sensors and devices for monitoring a vehicle while the vehicle is in use, including but not limited to, impact sensors, cameras, recording devices, and other like devices. The devices create data streams that are processed and/or recorded for reference to the same upon inquiry, such as after a vehicle accident or for any other purpose.

Claims

1. A system for recording events relating to the operation of a vehicle, the system comprising:

at least one video camera recording visual information around a vehicle;

at least one sensor associated with the vehicle, the at least one sensor for sensing a condition occurring to the vehicle;

a hard drive for storing video information recorded by the video camera and condition information relating to the condition sensed by the at least one sensor, the hard drive continuously recording the video information and the condition information when activated for a first period of time prior to an event, a second period of time during the event and a third period of time after the event, said hard drive recording over previously recorded information recorded by the video camera and the condition information sensed by the at least one sensor when the hard drive is full; and

a processor for detection of the event, the hard drive storing the video information and the condition information of a subset period of time shorter than the first period of time prior to the event, said subset period of time predefined by a user of the system and immediately preceding the occurrence of the event and lasting until the event, the hard drive further storing the video information and the condition information of the second period of time during the event, and of the third period of time after the event.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the subset period of time is between about ten minutes and about 600 minutes in length.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the subset period of time is between about 1 minute and about 10 minutes in length.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the third time period is about 1 minute and about 30 minutes in length.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one camera records video information from at least 360 degrees around a vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one camera is placed in a location selected from the group consisting of externally mounted on the vehicle and internally mounted within the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the event relates to an accident of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor analyzes video information recorded on the hard drive and identifies objects recorded by the at least one video camera.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the objects identified by the processor are selected from the group consisting of signage, vehicles, road markings, and combinations of the same.

21. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an electronic device in communication with the processor, wherein the video information and the condition information of the subset period of time, the second period of time and the third period of time is uploadable to the electronic device.

8. (canceled)

11. A method of recording events relating to the operation of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one video camera recording visual information around a vehicle;

providing at least one sensor associated with the vehicle, the at least one sensor for sensing a condition occurring to the vehicle;

providing a hard drive;

continuously recording video information by the video camera for a first period of time prior to an event, a second period of time during an event and a third period of time after an event, said hard drive recording over previously recorded information recorded by the video camera and the condition information sensed by the at least one sensor when the hard drive is full;

providing a processor;

using the processor for detection of an event;

storing the video information and the condition information of a subset period of time shorter than the first period of time prior to the event, said subset period of time predefined by a user of the system and immediately preceding the occurrence of the event and lasting until the event; and

storing the video information and the condition information of the second time period during the event, and of the third period of time after the event.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the subset period of time is between about ten minutes and about 600 minutes in length.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the subset period of time is between about 1 minute and about 10 minutes in length.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the third time period is about 1 minute and about 30 minutes in length.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one camera records at least 360 degrees around a vehicle.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one camera is placed in a location selected from the group consisting of externally mounted on the vehicle and internally mounted within the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the event relates to an accident of the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

analyzing video information recorded on the hard drive; and

identifying objects recorded by the at least one video camera.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the objects identified by the processor are selected from the group consisting of signage, vehicles, road markings, and combinations of the same

23. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic device;

connecting the electronic device to the processor; and

uploading the video information and condition information of the period of time, the second period of time and the third period of time to the electronic device from the processor.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the electronic device is connected to the processor via a wired or wireless connection.

18. (canceled)

22. The system of claim 22 wherein the electronic device is in communication with the processor via a wired or wireless connection.