U.S. patent application number 10/147779 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for secure, vehicle mounted, incident recording system.
Invention is credited to Scaman, Robert Jeff.
Application Number | 20020135679 10/147779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22210373 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020135679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scaman, Robert Jeff |
September 26, 2002 |
Secure, vehicle mounted, incident recording system
Abstract
A novel system for gathering, analyzing and storing information
for the purpose of motor vehicle accident investigations. An on
board, secure vehicle incident capture system, activated when the
ignition switch is energized, having a video camera for generating
video signals of an incident external to the vehicle, which is
digitized into a synchronized data file, carrying a unique vehicle
identification and a time indicator with other input data occurring
on or about the vehicle such as motion sensors, brake application
sensors, and the like. The file is encrypted and stored on a large
capacity, code accessible device. Once written, the encrypted file
can not be altered or corrupted, decrypted without the encryption
key, or accessed without the access authorization code. The data
file can be down loaded to be used as evidence.
Inventors: |
Scaman, Robert Jeff;
(Highlands Ranch, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER, FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
383 INVERNESS DRIVE SOUTH
SUITE 140
ENGLEWOOD
CO
80112
US
|
Family ID: |
22210373 |
Appl. No.: |
10/147779 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10147779 |
May 17, 2002 |
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09088267 |
Jun 1, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/148 ;
348/143 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 25/1004 20130101;
B60R 25/302 20130101; B60R 25/305 20130101; B60R 25/00 20130101;
B60R 11/04 20130101; G07C 5/085 20130101; B60R 25/1025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/148 ;
348/143 |
International
Class: |
H04N 007/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An on board, secure vehicle incident capture system comprising:
a) at least one video camera for generating video signals of an
incident external to the vehicle; b) a recording device for
capturing said video signals having a coded access; c) a coded
access to said recording device for providing a coded access to
said recording device; d) means for down loading said video signal
from said coded access recording device.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one video camera for
generating video signals is at least two video cameras.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said at least two video cameras
comprise at least one forward looking video camera and at least one
rearward looking video camera.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one video camera for
generating video signals is mounted inside said vehicle and
positioned to view said incident through a window of said
vehicle.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said video signals of an incident
external to the vehicle are digitized.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said recording device for
capturing said video signals is selected from the group consisting
of video tape, a hard disk, and a CD ROM.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said video signals of an incident
external to the vehicle contain monitor data selected from the
group consisting of time and date, vehicle identifier, vehicle
speed, brake application indicator, seat belt sensor, and G force
sensor.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said video signals of an incident
external to the vehicle are contained in a crash proof, explosion
proof repository.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for down loading said
video signal from said coded access recording device is an LED.
10. A method for the secure capture of incidents involving vehicles
comprising: a) activating a secure vehicle incident capture system
having at least one video camera for generating video signals of an
incident external to the vehicle; b) generating a video signal of
an incident external to the vehicle; c) storing said video signal
of an incident external to the vehicle on a large capacity, code
accessible device; and, d) accessing the stored video signal by
means of the access code.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said video signal is digitized
into a synchronized data file, carrying a unique vehicle
identification and a time indicator.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein said digitized data is stored on
a large capacity hard drive which prevents data from being
overwritten for very extended periods of time.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein said at least one video camera
for generating video signals is at least two video cameras.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said at least two video cameras
comprise at least one forward looking video camera and at least one
rearward looking video camera.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein said at least one video camera
for generating video signals is mounted inside said vehicle and
positioned to view said incident through a window of said
vehicle.
16. The method of claim 10 wherein said recording device for
capturing said video signals is selected from the group consisting
of video tape, a hard disk, and a CD ROM.
17. The method of claim 10 wherein said video signals of an
incident external to the vehicle contain monitor data selected from
the group consisting of time and date, vehicle identifier, vehicle
speed, brake application indicator, seat belt sensor, and G force
sensor.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein said video signals of an
incident external to the vehicle are contained in a crash proof,
explosion proof repository.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention is broadly directed to an on-board, vehicle
incident surveillance system and, particularly to a system for
producing a secure, permanent record of vehicular accidents for
evidentiary purposes.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Each year there are over 35 million on the road accidents in
the United States alone. There are many other vehicles including
water craft, and off road vehicles which are involved in mishaps.
These can vary from one vehicle to multi-vehicle incidents. These
mishaps or accidents result in property and bodily injury in the
multi billion dollar range. In most cases, one or more of the
parties are at fault and it is the requirement of law enforcement
officers, insurance adjusters and the like to find credible
witnesses to re-account the factual evidence, so culpability and
liability may accurately be determined.
[0005] Because of the trauma and the instantaneous nature of
vehicle accidents, even the most truthful and unbiased witness may
be mistaken as to the facts surrounding an accident. Accounts of an
accident, even from third party bystanders may be so radically
different as to a make determination of culpability almost
impossible. In many cases, because of this lack of consistent
credible evidence, many insurance companies make financial
reparations to people involved in vehicular accidents without
adequate proof of liability. In some cases the circumstances
surrounding the incident are greatly exaggerated and even
fabricated. Without credible counter evidence the insurance company
must pay. The ultimate looser is the premium paying client who must
fund the claim payment.
[0006] Further, when physical injury is involved, it would be
helpful to have additional information which an observing witness,
no matter how credible, would not be able to detect or determine.
For example, the impact forces, deceleration forces, exact speed of
the vehicle and the like would be helpful in assessing the
credibility of certain physical injury claims.
[0007] Therefore, a reliable witness that is incapable of emotional
reaction, bias, or even perjury is needed to substantiate the
circumstances surrounding the incident. Further, monitors to detect
and accurately measure certain physical phenomenon would be very
useful in determining the facts surrounding an accident. The key to
such a system is a non-tamperable, restricted access, large storage
capacity, "always on" device. It would therefore be advantageous to
have a system with limited access, stored video recording of the
incident superimposed with certain physical data, identification of
the source, and accurate time synchronization, which could be
reviewed after the incident by the authorities on the scene and
later by investigators, prosecutors and/or judges to witness
firsthand the incident as it actually happened. Thus, a secure, on
board system capable of objective, non-tamperable, unbiased
evidence, including accurate measurement of certain physical
conditions at the time of the accident, would be highly beneficial
in determining the exact circumstances surrounding a vehicular
accident.
[0008] One of the primary drawbacks of prior art surveillance
systems is that they are capable of being tampered with or even
destroyed and therefore can not be relied upon as credible
evidence, especially in a court of law. One of the primary
requisites of a secure system is an encoded access system, and
preferably encoding of the recorded information itself. Another
failure of prior art systems is external synchronization so that
the exact time is accurately embedded into the secure coded
information such that information taken from more than one vehicle
can be compared on a synchronized basis.
[0009] Grist, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,148,119, discloses the use of a
camera mounted inside a law enforcement vehicle, which makes a
record on photographic film. A speedometer mounted on the hood of
the law enforcement vehicle is simultaneously recorded on the
photographic film along with the target vehicle. The use of vehicle
mounted video cameras to make video records of an incident or scene
external to the vehicle are known in the art. Michetti, in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,843,463, discloses an audio-visual trip recorder which
has two video cameras, one looking forward through the vehicle's
windshield and the other looking backwards through the rear window
of the vehicle. Superimposed on the recorded images are the time,
date and the vehicle's registration or license number. Also
superimposed on the recorded images are indications of the
vehicle's speed, activation of the brakes, turn signals and
engagement of the seat belts. This system, however, is not secure.
Lucas et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,289, discloses a system for law
enforcement surveillance work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention broadly contemplates a novel system for
gathering, analyzing and storing information for the purpose of
motor vehicle accident investigations. The system will provide
video and other pertinent evidence of circumstances, leading up to
and including, actual mishaps in motor vehicle accidents as well as
the events that immediately follow. This invention provides a new
and more efficient method of investigating vehicular accidents by
law enforcement agencies and insurance companies.
[0011] An on board, secure vehicle incident capture system,
activated when the ignition switch is energized having at least one
video camera for generating video signals of an incident external
to the vehicle is provided. The video camera, mounted inside the
vehicle, is positioned to photograph the scene through the front
and/or rear window. The video camera of the instant invention can
be mounted to get forward view and/or rearward view and preferably
is a wide angled lense that captures a wide angle in front and in
the rear of the vehicle. The analogue video signal is generated and
stored on a large capacity, code accessible device. In a preferred
embodiment, the signal is digitized into a synchronized data file,
carrying a unique vehicle identification and a time indicator. The
digitized data is stored on a large capacity hard disk which
prevents data from being overwritten for very extended periods of
time. In another embodiment, a set of transducer generated, digital
signals is superimposed on the digitized video data file and
synchronized to GMT by means of a transponder, prior to storage. In
a preferred embodiment, the superimposed digitized video data file
is encoded and written to a storage device. Access to the device is
controlled by a systems controller. Once written, the encrypted
file can not be altered or corrupted, decrypted without the
encryption key or accessed without the access authorization code. A
limited access interface accepts the access authorization code and
allows the encrypted superimposed digitized video stored data file
to be externally down loaded. The decrypting key can then be used
to decrypt the data, thus providing a secure chain of title for
evidentiary purposes.
[0012] The instant invention provides a video incident capture
system having means for real time, high speed data transfer between
a video camera, one or more information gathering means, a system
controller and a data recorder via intelligent serial
communications interfaces to provide a permanent, unalterable,
unedited, encrypted video record. Provided in one aspect is a
secure incident capture system in which the information recorded on
the video sequence is unalterable and includes the time, date,
vehicle identification number, the speed of the vehicle and the G
forces to which the vehicle is subjected. The preferred incident
capture system also includes monitor means, such as transducer
input, synchronized to and superimposed upon, the digitized video
data file. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for
generating synchronized superimposed signals on the video frame
conveying the vehicle speed, the G forces applied, whether the
brakes were applied, whether passenger safety belts were fastened
and whether a turn signal was activated. The secure, incident
capture system of the instant invention has a plurality of
microprocessors operating in a real time multi-task "master/slave"
configuration.
[0013] In one embodiment, the encrypted, superimposed, digitized
video data file is decrypted internally within the system using the
decryption key, to allow police officers on sight viewing of the
restored information to issue citations or the like. In another
embodiment the encrypted, superimposed digitized video data file
can be optically transmitted, such as by a LED, from the system to
a receiver.
[0014] A system controller integrates the operation of the video
recorder, the transducers, the digitizing buffer, the encoder and
the storage as well as the secure access to the data. The system
controller has a real time clock generating at least the date and
time. Display block generation means disposed between the video
camera and the encrypted storage for generating a display block
superimposed on the video signals, generated by the video camera is
provided. The system controller is real time accessed to update the
real time clock and program additional data into the display block
means, such as the vehicle ID. The display block displays digitized
transducer readouts such as the date, the time, and the vehicle ID.
The system also has means for periodically interrogating the
transducer readouts, to update the files as a function of elapsed
time.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the video incident capture
system, the video recorder and the system controller are enclosed
in an explosion and crash proof vault or repository mounted, for
example, within the trunk of the vehicle. This vault or repository
is designed to withstand a cataclysmic collision and is secured by
an authorized service technician, thus preventing the system
controller and data storage from being accessed by the operator of
the vehicle.
[0016] In accordance with the invention, the apparatus or device is
energized by the ignition of the vehicle such that, when the
ignition is engaged, the system is gathering video and sensor data
into a secure data base. The system is operative the moment the
ignition switch on the vehicle is activated, such that the operator
may not selectively turn off the system. Thus, in accordance with
the invention, upon the happening of an accident or incident, the
evidence relating to that accident or incident is securely
maintained until downloaded by authorized personnel. There is no
possibility of tampering with the evidence subsequent to the
incident occurring.
[0017] In another aspect, each individual vehicle receives a unique
identification code, such as the VIN number or the license number,
which uniquely identifies the vehicle from which the information
was obtained. In a preferred embodiment the identification number
is displayed along with the sensor date simultaneously with the
display of the video image.
[0018] The method of the invention involves activating a secure
vehicle incident capture system having at least one video camera
for generating video signals of an incident external to the
vehicle; generating a video signal of an incident external to the
vehicle; storing video signal of an incident external to the
vehicle on a large capacity, code accessible device; and accessing
the stored video signal by means of the access code. In a preferred
method, the signal is digitized into a synchronized data file,
carrying a unique vehicle identification and a time indicator. The
digitized data is stored on a large capacity hard drive which
prevents data from being overwritten for very extended periods of
time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of the instant
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of the component location in
accordance with one embodiment of the instant invention as placed
in the vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] The secure, incident capture system of the instant
invention, 10 is shown in FIG. 1 which is a schematic only and does
not bear relationship to the components within a vehicle. FIG. 1 is
a block diagram of the secure incident capture system 10. The
secure incident capture system 10 is preferably mounted in a
vehicle as shown in FIG. 2. A video camera 12, such as Model No. TK
900U manufactured by JVC, is mounted inside the passenger
compartment of the vehicle and is pointed in a forward direction
through the windshield. The dimensions of this video camera are 2
inches.times.2 inches.times.2.4 inches, and may be mounted between
the vehicle's internal rear view mirror and the windshield so as
not to obstruct the forward view of the driver or a passenger of
the vehicle. The video camera 12 is provided with a wide angle with
a motorized iris to increase the operating light range of the video
camera 12. Preferably, a like rear mounted camera is used to
provide rearward view in a similar manner. The camera employed
should have a minimum resolution of for example, 300.times.200
pixcels. Each camera front and rear is black and white or
preferably color and preferably runs at 30 frames per second. The
video camera 12 preferably employs CCD such that night vision by
infrared optics is improved.
[0022] The video signals generated by the video camera 12 are
converted to digital format and synchronized, as explained below,
and stored on hard drive 34 mounted in a sealed vault or repository
in the trunk of the vehicle (not shown). The hard disk storage is
preferred for large capacity. Any configured hard disk device can
be used for example, a Seagate UDMA 8.6 GB hard drive. Additionally
tape drive storage can be used either as primary or backup. A video
monitor can be connected to video camera 12 by means of video
online link 40 to display the scene or incident currently being
photographed by the video camera 12. The storage medium can be
analog or digital. For example, an endless tape loop or other
storage medium could be used. Video storage can be VCR type with
endless loop characteristics, rewriteable CD Rom or computer hard
drive with computer compression of video. This allows upgrading as
new storage media types are produced.
[0023] The hard drive 34 which has the capacity to store the
information for 48 hours or more, records the digitized, encrypted
output of the video camera 12. The hard drive 34 is controlled by
the system controller 22 to activate the hard drive 34 play back
recorded information, find referenced events, decode the stored
information and the like. This permits authorities at the scene of
an accident to be in full control of the hard drive 34 in the
vehicle's trunk so that they may reconstruct and view information
on sight and monitor any previously recorded incident. Preferably,
the system controller 22 prohibits recording over a previously
recorded portion of the data, prior to the drive space being
released to the system. In this manner a permanent, non-corrupted
record is retained. The system controller 22 remembers the point on
the disk where the prior recording was terminated and will index to
that point on the disk, prior to the resumption of recording, in
response to the activating of the secure incident capture system
10.
[0024] The analogue output of video camera 12 is fed to input
buffer 14 and video online link 40 simultaneously. Video online
link 40 is hooked to an online monitor or a standard video tape
that is cooperative with the camera and preferably has no storage
capability.
[0025] Input buffer 14, converts the video camera 12 analogue
signal to digital and the serial signal to parallel in order to
provide storage and encoding of the digitized signal. The resulting
data is a parallel signal, digitized for color and luminance.
Simultaneously, the video signal is conveyed via link 50 to the
system controller 22, wherein a time sequencing signal from master
clock 24 is added. A programmable integrated circuit, programmed to
count second time and also checks sync pulse to WWV acts as a
master clock 24. Master clock 24 is connected, via radio link, to
WWV interface 48 which sets the master clock to Greenwich mean time
(GMT) signal (WWV: radio station with time sync signals to
Greenwich mean time). Along with the timing sequence, system
controller 22 also integrates other monitoring signals such as for
brake input signal 42, speedometer input signal 44, turn signal
input indicator 46 and detector 47 such as Radio Shack
shock/breakage detector or MCM Electronics 60-3190 from Whistler
and 60-6875 from MCM with the sequenced signal in communication
with buffer 16 by way of connection 52.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment the secure incident capture
system 10 superimposes this information on the video signals
generated by the video camera 12. This information is synchronized
and digitized along with the video signal as previously described.
Specific information can be in the form of a display block,
normally located near the bottom of the recorded image. The
specific information superimposed on video signals generated by the
video camera 12 is permanently recorded on the hard drive 34 along
with the incident recorded by the video camera 12 and becomes a
permanent part of the recorded information. Interface 38 provides a
digital read out of the information in buffer 16. The display block
preferably contains the month, date and year in the conventional
numerical format as the time in hours, minutes and seconds. The
display block will also preferably contain an identification of the
host vehicle, in which the secure incident capture system 10 is
mounted, along with other pertinent data as described above.
[0027] Temporary storage 18 is a tri-state buffering system,
providing temporary storage of the encoded information. A dual
system for dual camera setup i.e. front and rear camera can be
provided. Temporary storage 18 has approximately 1 megabyte RAM
capacity. The 1 megabyte RAM is preferably divided into 4 blocks of
256 K which facilitates the input and output for two cameras and is
designed to provide for color information which requires three
times the signal storage of a black and white system. System
controller 22 via link 54 controls the operation of temporary
storage 18.
[0028] Buffer 20 communicates with temporary storage 18; and,
permanent hard drive 34, controller 22 via link 56, and output
driver buffer 26 via data junction 58. Code access link 32
communicates with system controller 22. Upon receipt of the encoded
signal from code access link 32, system controller 22 triggers hard
drive 34 to download the encrypted signal through interface 36 to
external download for use by the authorities or for secure storage.
Simultaneously, through signal from system controller 22, hard
drive 34 uploads stored data via data junction 58 back through
buffer 20 to temporary storage 18. The data is decrypted upon
signal from systems controller 22 and caused to be transmitted in a
decrypted state through buffer 20 via data junction 58 to output
driver buffer 26 and then to buffer driver 28 which is a parallel
serial converter with LED driver. Output driver buffer 26
communicates with buffer driver 28 by means of output parallel data
streams 62 and input parallel data stream 60. As light is being
emitted, the secure incident capture system 10 can cause a direct
readout of decrypted system data through diode read/write head
30.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown the secure incident
capture system 10 in accordance with the instant invention. FIG. 2
shows the physical layout of the system depicted in FIG. 1 and
further the location of the sensors which form the data input to
systems controller 22. A forward video camera 12 is mounted in the
front window of vehicle 11 and a rearward camera 13 is mounted in a
rearward position to view events rearward of the vehicle. Both
forward video camera 12 and rearward camera 13 communicate with
systems controller 22. Turn signal input indicator 46, break input
signal 42, a detector 47, speedometer input signal 44 and time
input signal from WWV interface 48 communicate with systems
controller 22.
[0030] In operation, the ignition switch (not shown) is activated
to energize the system. The cameras 12 and 13 are energized to
transmit video data. Controller 22 receives information from
transducers 42, 44, 46, 47, and 48. The video signal is digitized
and the information synchronized with information from the
transducers which is added to the frame along with the vehicle ID.
As the vehicle 11 proceeds, the information is time synchronized
and digitally stored. The information is accessed, when necessary
as set forth above.
[0031] Having described the secure, vehicle mounted, incident
recording system and how it operates, it is not intended that the
secure, vehicle mounted, incident recording system be limited to
the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the
specification. It is well known that those skilled in the art may
modify or make changes to the disclosed secure, vehicle mounted,
incident recording system within the spirit of the invention as
described herein and set forth in the claims.
* * * * *