Vehicle operator performance monitor with enhanced data retrieval capabilities

• US 6,405,112 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2000
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lytx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: I-Witness Incorporated
• Inventors: Rayner, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US09/611,891
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 701/35, 340/937, 340/541, 340/426, 340/539, 340/540, 340/425.5, 358/909, 358/108, 380/9, 380/30, 380/25, 380/49, 380/23, 396/429, 396/502
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle operator performance monitor (10) generally comprises a housing (30), a mount (40) for mounting housing (30) to a vehicle (20), such as an automobile (21), an image sensor (62) producing an image signal, an event detection circuit producing a trigger signal responsive to detection of a predetermined triggering event, a persistent memory device (100) and a capture circuit (13) receiving and capturing the image signal, terminating capture of the image signal responsive to receipt of a trigger signal, and loading the captured image signal into persistent memory device (100). At least persistent memory device (100) is readily removable from housing (30) for removal from vehicle (20) to a remote location for playback. In an alternate embodiment, a playback circuit, including an output port (125), operator control buttons (130,132) and programmed computer (74) for downloading the image signal from persistent memory (100) to output port (125), is readily removable from housing (30) playback at a remote location. A vehicle conductor (25) can provide additional sensor signals from vehicle (20). An alternative mount (40) provides for readily mechanically releasably coupling monitor (10) to vehicle (20) and to vehicle conductor (25) such that monitor (10) is readily removable from vehicle (20) to a remote location for playback of the captured signals. Monitor (10) may be integrated with a rear viewing device (16) including mirror (17).

Claims

1. In combination:

a vehicle including;

a front end;

a rear end; and

a rear viewing device obscuring a portion of an operator'"'"'s forward view;

a vehicle operator performance monitor comprising;

a housing including

first image sensing means having an optical axis;

said first image sensing means for sensing optical images and for producing a first image signal representing the sensed images;

an event detection circuit connected to said housing producing a trigger signal responsive to detection of a predetermined triggering event;

a playback circuit connected to said housing including;

a persistent memory device

an output port;

operator control means for producing a control signal responsive to operator activation; and

a programmed computer connected to said persistent memory, to said output port, and to said operator control means; and

a capture circuit connected to said first image sensing means for receiving and capturing the first image signal therefrom, connected to said event detection circuit for terminating capture of the first image signal within a predetermined time period upon receipt of a trigger signal therefrom, and connected to said persistent memory device for loading the captured first image signal therein; and

mounting means for mounting said monitor to said vehicle such that said monitor is disposed substantially within the portion of the operator'"'"'s view obscured by said rear viewing device and said optical axis is directed for receiving desired images;

wherein said programmed computer is programmed for downloading the first image signal from said persistent memory device to said output port responsive to a control signal from said operator control means; and

wherein said playback circuit is readily removable from said housing mounted in said vehicle for removal from said vehicle to a remote location for playback.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

said first image sensing means senses images froward of said housing; and

said monitor further includes;

second image sensing means connected to said housing for sensing optical images rearward of said housing and for producing a second image signal representing the sensed images; and

wherein said capture circuit is connected to said second image sensing means for receiving and capturing the second image signal therefrom, connected to said event detection circuit for terminating capture of the second image signal within a predetermined time period upon receipt of the trigger signal therefrom, and connected to said persistent memory device for loading the captured second image signal therein.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said playback circuit further includes:

a video digital-to-analog converter for receiving the first image signal from said persistent memory device and for providing said first image signal as an analog video signal on said output port.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein:

said monitor further includes;

a sound sensor connected to said housing for sensing sounds and for producing a sound signal representing the sensed sounds;

said capture circuit is further connected to said sound sensor for receiving and capturing the sound signal therefrom and for terminating capture thereof upon receipt of the trigger signal, and for loading the captured sound signal in said persistent memory device; and

said playback circuit further includes;

an audio output port; and

an audio digital-to-analog converter for receiving the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device and for providing said signal as an analog audio signal on audio output port; and

wherein;

said programmed computer is programmed for downloading the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device to said audio digital-to-analog convertor, responsive to a control signal from said operator control means.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

said monitor further includes;

a sound sensor connected to said housing for sensing sounds and for producing a sound signal representing the sensed sounds;

said capture circuit is further connected to said sound sensor for receiving and capturing the sound signal therefrom and for terminating capture thereof upon receipt of the trigger signal, and for loading the captured sound signal in said persistent memory device; and

said playback circuit further includes;

an audio output port; and

an audio digital-to-analog converter for receiving the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device and for providing said signal as an analog audio signal on audio output port; and

wherein;

said programmed computer is programmed for downloading the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device to said audio digital-to-analog convertor, responsive to a control signal from said operator control means.

6. In combination:

a vehicle including;

a front end; and

a rear end;

a vehicle operator performance monitor comprising;

a housing including;

a first image sensor having an optical axis;

said first image sensor for sensing optical images and for producing a first image signal representing the sensed images;

an event detection circuit connected to said housing producing a trigger signal responsive to detection of a predetermined triggering event;

a playback circuit connected to said housing including;

a persistent memory device;

an output port;

operator control means for producing a control signal responsive to operator activation; and

a programmed computer connected to said persistent memory, to said output port, and to said operator control means;

a capture circuit connected to said first image sensor for receiving and capturing the first image signal therefrom, connected to said event detection circuit for terminating capture of the first image signal within a predetermined time period upon receipt of a trigger signal therefrom, and connected to said persistent memory device for loading the captured first image signal therein; and

a rear viewing surface mounted to said housing obscuring a portion of an operator'"'"'s forward view; and

mounting means for mounting said monitor to said vehicle such that said rear viewing surface obscures a portion of an operator'"'"'s forward view and said remainder of said monitor is disposed substantially within the portion of the operator'"'"'s view obscured by said rear viewing surface and said optical axis is directed for receiving desired images;

wherein said programmed computer is programmed for downloading the first image signal from said persistent memory device to said output port responsive to a control signal from said operator control means; and

wherein said playback circuit is readily removable from said housing mounted in said vehicle for removal from said vehicle to a remote location for playback.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein:

said first image sensing means senses images froward of said housing; and

said monitor further includes;

second image sensing means connected to said housing for sensing optical images rearward of said housing and for producing a second image signal representing the sensed images; and

wherein said capture circuit is connected to said second image sensing means for receiving and capturing the second image signal therefrom, connected to said event detection circuit for terminating capture of the second image signal within a predetermined time period upon receipt of the trigger signal therefrom, and connected to said persistent memory device for loading the captured second image signal therein.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said playback circuit further includes:

a video digital-to-analog converter for receiving the first image signal from said persistent memory device and for providing said first image signal as an analog video signal on said output port.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein:

said monitor further includes;

a sound sensor connected to said housing for sensing sounds and for producing a sound signal representing the sensed sounds;

said capture circuit is further connected to said sound sensor for receiving and capturing the sound signal therefrom and for terminating capture thereof upon receipt of the trigger signal, and for loading the captured sound signal in said persistent memory device; and

said playback circuit further includes;

an audio output port; and

an audio digital-to-analog converter for receiving the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device and for providing said signal as an analog audio signal on audio output port; and

wherein;

said programmed computer is programmed for downloading the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device to said audio digital-to-analog convertor, responsive to a control signal from said operator control means.

10. The combination of claim 6 wherein:

said monitor further includes;

a sound sensor connected to said housing for sensing sounds and for producing a sound signal representing the sensed sounds;

said capture circuit is further connected to said sound sensor for receiving and capturing the sound signal therefrom and for terminating capture thereof upon receipt of the trigger signal, and for loading the captured sound signal in said persistent memory device; and

said playback circuit further includes;

an audio output port; and

an audio digital-to-analog converter for receiving the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device and for providing said signal as an analog audio signal on audio output port; and

wherein;

said programmed computer is programmed for downloading the captured audio signal from said persistent memory device to said audio digital-to-analog convertor, responsive to a control signal from said operator control means.

11. A method for playback of data collected from a vehicle triggering event comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle having;

a front end;

a rear end; and

a rear viewing device obscuring a portion of an operator'"'"'s forward view;

providing a vehicle operator performance monitor comprising;

a housing including;

first image sensing means having an optical axis;

the first image sensing means for sensing optical images and for producing a first image signal representing the sensed images;

an event detection circuit connected to the housing producing a trigger signal responsive to detection of a predetermined triggering event;

a playback circuit connected to the housing including;

a persistent memory device;

an output port;

operator control means for producing a control signal responsive to operator activation; and

a programmed computer connected to the persistent memory, to the output port, and to the operator control means; and

a capture circuit connected to the first image sensing means for receiving and capturing the first image signal therefrom, connected to the event detection circuit for terminating capture of the first image signal within a predetermined time period upon receipt of a trigger signal therefrom, and connected to the persistent memory device for loading the captured first image signal therein;

wherein the programmed computer is programmed for downloading the first image signal from the persistent memory device to the output port responsive to a control signal from the operator control means; and

wherein the playback circuit is readily removable from the housing;

providing mounting means for mounting the monitor to the vehicle;

mounting the monitor in the vehicle with the mounting means such that the optical axis of the first image sensing means is directed for receiving desired images;

removing the playback circuit from the housing so as to leave the mounted housing in the vehicle;

providing a video display;

connecting the output port to the video display; and

providing a control signal with the operator control means to the programmed computer for downloading the first image signal from the persistent memory device to the output port and whence to the video display.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the playback circuit further includes;

a video digital-to-analog converter for receiving the first image signal from the persistent memory device and for providing the first image signal as an analog video signal on the output port; and

wherein

the step of providing a video display includes providing a video display for accepting analog video signals.