Omnidirectional Vehicle Camera System

• US 20140347440A1
• Filed: 05/23/2014
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sylvester Hatcher
• Original Assignee: Sylvester Hatcher
• Inventors: Hatcher, Sylvester
• Application Number:
  US14/286,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20140347440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors

Abstract

A video surveillance system adapted for use with vehicles is provided. The present invention comprises a housing having a plurality of cameras disposed around its periphery, a means for multiplexing the captured video footage into a single video feed, a removable storage medium that is preferably directly connected to the housing via a video cable or other such video transmitter. Furthermore, the present invention is either permanently or removably affixed to an individual'"'"'s automobile. Each of the cameras is non-rotational, but they have a field of view such that the entire 360 degree area surrounding the present invention is simultaneously and continuously recorded. The present invention thereby provides an uninterrupted and complete video record of all of the events that occurred surrounding the user'"'"'s vehicle.

Claims

1. A non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system, comprising:

a housing having a plurality of cameras, wherein said cameras are arranged to record a 360 degree field of view surrounding said housing;

a multiplexer adapted to combine video captured via said cameras into a single video stream;

a video transmitter for transmitting said multiplexed video stream to a storage medium;

wherein said housing is removably affixable to a vehicle;

wherein said storage medium is adapted to store said multiplexed video stream and upload said multiplexed video stream to an electronic device for video playback.

2. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 1, wherein said cameras number four and are disposed at 90 degree angles relative to each other.

3. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 2, wherein said housing is cylindrical.

4. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 1, further comprising a power source.

5. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 4, wherein said power source and said storage medium are contained within a single housing.

6. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 4, wherein said power source is rechargeable.

7. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 5, wherein said power source is rechargeable.

8. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 1, wherein said storage medium is removably affixed to a vehicle.

9. The non-rotational, omnidirectional video camera system of claim 5, wherein said power source and said storage medium housing is removably affixed to a vehicle.