United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,793,420
`
`Schmidt
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`*Aug. 11, 1998
`
`USOOS793420A
`
`[54] VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEM FOR
`VEHICLE
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor:
`
`William P. Schmidt. 21821 Woodruif.
`Rockwood. Mich. 48173
`
`[*] Notice:
`
`The term of this patent shall not extend
`beyond the expiration date of Pat. No.
`5.570.127.
`
`[21] App]. No.2 603,464
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 20, 1996
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation—impart of Ser. No. 330,976, Oct 28, 1994, Pat
`No. 5,570,127.
`
`Int. Cl.“ ..................................................... H04N 5/225
`[51]
`
`[52] us. Cl. ...................
`348/148; 348/151; 340/433
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 348/148. 149.
`3481143. 151. 159; 340/433
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,027,200
`5,289,321
`5,319,394
`5,382,953
`5,455,561
`5,517,236
`5,570,127
`
`..................... 348/149
`6/1991 Petrossian et a1.
`348/149
`2/1994 Secor .............
`348/148
`6/1994 Dukek
`340/433
`ll1995 Hauptli
`348/154
`10/1995 Brown .............
`348/143
`5/1996 Sergeant et al.
`10/1996 Schmidt
`.................................. 348/148
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Wendy Garber
`Anomey, Agent, or Firm—Weintraub & Brady
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A vehicle video system including at least three video cam-
`eras electrically connected to a video signal relay device
`which directs video signals generated by each of the video
`cameras to either a video recorder or a monitor depending
`upon switching signals received to the video signal relay
`device. A video camera is automatically triggered to com-
`mence recording upon activation of a turn signal of a vehicle
`on which the system is deployed. A motion detector
`deployed on one vehicle can trigger a video camera
`deployed on another vehicle to commence recording. The
`system draws power from a battery of the vehicle.
`
`4,943,864
`
`7/1990 Elberbaum .............................. 348/159
`
`11 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`.6
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`12
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`10
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`46 p 44
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`VALEO EX. 1016_001
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`VALEO EX. 1016_001
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 11, 1998
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`5,793,420
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`VALEO EX. 1016 002
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`VALEO EX. 1016_002
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 11, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,793,420
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`VALEO EX. 1016_003
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`VALEO EX. 1016_003
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 11, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`5,793,420
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`FIG 5
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 11, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`VALEO EX. 1016_005
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`VALEO EX. 1016_005
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`5 ,793,420
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`1
`VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEM FOR
`VEHICLE
`
`This application is a Continuation-impart application of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/330976 filed on Sep. 28.
`1994. now U.S. Pat. No. 5.570.127 entitled VIDEO
`RECORDING SYSTEM FOR PASSENGER VEHICLE
`
`which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`I. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates. generally. to video record-
`ing and display systems. More particularly.
`the present
`invention relates to a video recording and display system for
`use in a passenger vehicle.
`II. Description of the Prior Art
`Passenger vehicles. such as school buses can present a
`very dangerous environment for its passengers. Generally. a
`single bus driver is placed in charge of all the students riding
`the bus. The bus driver is not only burdened with the job of
`safely driving the bus. but also managing students riding to
`and from school.
`
`Because school bus drivers cannot continuously watch the
`students. they frequently act inappropriately without the bus
`driver taking notice and without the ability to do anything
`about it. For example. students often place themselves in
`danger by standing up while the bus is in motion. throwing
`various items. etc. Concomitantly. students are exposed to
`the danger of passing traffic every time they board and exit
`a school bus.
`
`Currently equipped school buses generally include large
`red lights prominently displayed exteriorly at the front and
`rear of the bus. When students are boarding or exiting the
`bus. the bus driver activates a switch. causing the lights to
`blink on and ofl". By law. in most jurisdictions. motorists are
`required to stop and wait until the bus driver turns off the
`flashing lights. ensuring the students’ safety. Unfortunately.
`motorists often fail
`to notice the flashing stop lights or
`simply ignore them and drive past the school bus while
`students are boarding or exiting. Bus drivers are in no
`position to record license plate numbers or descriptions of
`vehicles passing the bus while it is stopped to load or unload
`students. so motorists continue breaking the law with very
`little chance of being caught Bus drivers simply cannot
`eflectively carry out three jobs at once; i.e. drive the bus.
`manage the students and record the license plate numbers of
`motorists who pass the bus while it is loading or unloading
`students.
`
`Additionally. it is to be appreciated that busses. as well as
`other passenger vehicles. are often vandalized. Currently.
`there exists no system to videotape acts of vandalism
`committed on or to a vehicle. Also. school buses. as well as
`other vehicles such as trucks and boats all have areas
`adjacent to the vehicle which are not viewable by the driver
`of the vehicle when they look into a rear View mirror
`mounted to the vehicle. i.e. blind spots. This presents serious
`safety hazards not only to the driver and his passengers. but
`also to other motorists and pedestrians who are located
`proximate the vehicle.
`What is needed in the art is a video system that provides
`means for viewing the blind spots of a vehicle. means for
`deterring passengers inappropriate behavior and motorists’
`unlawful behavior. as well as deterring vandalism. It is to the
`above-mentioned problems which the present invention is
`directed.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention provides a passenger vehicle video
`recording system comprising:
`(a) a plurality of video cameras attached to a passenger
`vehicle for viewing traffic approaching and passing the
`vehicle. each of the plurality of video cameras comprising:
`(1) a lens;
`(2) means for generating video signals representing an
`image received through the lens;
`(3) means for outputting the video signals;
`(b) a video recorder located inside the passenger vehicle.
`the video recorder having a video signal input port;
`(c) means for displaying images represented by video
`signals; and
`(d) a video signal relay device in electrical communica-
`tion with the means for outputting the video signals of each
`of the plurality of video cameras. the video signal relay
`device additionally in electrical communication with the
`video signal input port of the video recorder and the means
`for displaying images represented by video signals.
`The present invention. as implemented in a school bus.
`includes at least three video cameras. TWO cameras are
`mounted to the outside of the bus. being attached at the
`driver’s side of the bus and the side opposite the driver’s side
`of the bus. The third camera is attached inside the bus and
`may be mounted to the rear view mirror. The cameras
`located outside the bus View an area where traflic approaches
`and passes the bus. The camera located inside the bus views
`the passenger compartment therein. Each of the cameras is
`connected to a switching device that relays video signals
`from one of the cameras to a video recorder or display
`device such as a monitor located inside the bus. The switch-
`ing device is connected to each of the cameras and to the
`video recorder as well as a display monitor. When the
`flashing light system of the bus or another system such as an
`alarm system or the turning light system is activated. video
`signals representing images captured by one of the cameras
`mounted to the exterior of the bus are relayed to the video
`recorder and/or display screen for viewing by the driver.
`When the flashing light system is deactivated. video signals
`representing images captured by the camera mounted inside
`the school bus may be relayed to the video recorder.
`Additionally. the present invention may include an over-
`ride switch wherein the driver of the vehicle may record
`images captured by the camera mounted interiorly the
`vehicle regardless of the activation of the flashing light
`system.
`The present invention will be more clearly understood
`with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout
`the various figures. like reference numerals refer to like parts
`in which:
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a partial environmental plan view depicting the
`preferred embodiment of the passenger vehicle video system
`as implemented in a school bus;
`FIG. 2 is a partial environmental view depicting the
`preferred embodiment of the passenger vehicle video system
`as implemented in a school bus;
`FIG. 3 is an external environmental view of the preferred
`embodiment of the passenger vehicle video system as imple-
`mental in a school bus;
`FIG. 4 is a front view of a mirror having a video camera
`mounted thereon in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. Sis a cross-sectional view of the mirror. taken along
`the line 5—5 of FIG. 4;
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`VALEO EX. 1016_006
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`3
`FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the external mounting box
`of the preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 7 is a top view of the video signal relay device and
`video recorder in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a view of an extendable stop sign having a video
`camera mounted thereon in accordance with the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 9 is a cross—sectional view of the stop taken along the
`line 9—9 of FIG. 8.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring now to FIGS. 1. 2 and 3 there is shown a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention. to wit. a
`passenger vehicle video recording/display system shown
`generally at 10 and optimally. deployed in conjunction with
`a school bus 12. It is to be appreciated that the passenger
`vehicle video recording/display system may be implemented
`in any passenger vehicle including. but not
`limited to
`automobiles. travel trailers. busses. and boats.
`
`The system 10 generally comprises a first camera 14
`mounted to a vehicular rearview mirror 16. a video record-
`ing device 18. a second camera 20 externally mounted to the
`school bus 12 at the driver’s side. a video signal relay device
`22. a video control panel M mounted to the dash board of
`the bus 12. a plurality of motion detectors 26 mounted to the
`bus 12. a third camera 28 mounted to the exterior of the bus
`12 at the side opposite the driver’s side of the bus 12. as well
`as a fourth camera 30 mounted to the rear 32 of the bus 12.
`
`The bus 12 includes stop lights 38 that flash on and off
`when activated by the bus driver. These stop lights 38
`indicate to passing vehicles that students are loading onto or
`unloading oilE of the bus 12 and that the vehicle should stop
`until the flashing stop lights 38 are deactivated. The flashing
`stop fights 38 may be positioned at the front and rear of the
`bus 12 as well as on the sides of bus 12.
`
`Additionally. the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention includes a display screen 34 removably mounted
`to the interior of the bus 12 in a position where the driver
`may View the display screen as he is driving the bus 12. As
`such. and as is known in the art. the display may be a heads
`up display where images are projected onto the windshield
`of the vehicle. The display screen 34 is essentially a tele—
`vision monitor and as such is well-known. Such monitors are
`
`produced by the Sony. Mitsubishi. and Zenith companies as
`well as a host of other electronics companies and essentially
`any one of them may be utilized in this system 10. The
`display screen 34 should be small enough to seat on the dash
`board 36 of the vehicle. The display screen 34 may be
`removably and rotatively mounted to the dash board 36 via
`screws. clamps. swivel brackets. or some other well known
`means for mounting.
`Alternatively. the display screen 34 may be mounted to
`the vehicle at its front window 40. Of course. the display
`screen 34 must be mounted thereto so as not to interfere with
`the line of sight of the driver. The display screen may be
`mounted to the front window 40 with suction cups. brackets.
`glue or other well-known means for mounting.
`As depicted in FIGS. 2. 4 and 5. the rearview mirror 16
`is shown as a rectangular. flat mirror. but may also be any
`type of rearview mirror known to the skilled artisan. The
`mirror 16 includes a first aperture 42. a second aperture 44.
`a front surface 46. and a rear reflective surface 48.
`The first video camera 14 is mounted to the rearview
`mirror 16 at its rear reflective surface 48 by mounting
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`4
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`brackets. glue. or other means for mounting lmown to the
`skilled artisan. The first video camera 14 has a front portion
`50 and a rear portion 52. The front portion 50 of the first
`camera 14 includes a camera lens 60. The rear portion 52 of
`the first camera 14 includes means for generating video
`signals representing an image received through the lens.
`Such means for generating video signals indicative of an
`image received through a lens are well known to the skilled
`artisan and come as part of cmrently produced video cam-
`eras. Additionally. the rear portion 52 includes means for
`outputting the video signals 54. Such means for outputting
`video signals are well known to the skilled artisan. such as
`an output port. wiring. output plug transmitter or other
`similar means.
`
`The first video camera 14 is preferably enclosed in a
`housing 56 which fits about the first camera 14 and is
`mounted to the rear portion 52 of the mirror 16 using
`mounting brackets. screws. welding or other conventional
`means for mounting. In this way. passengers do not know
`that there is a camera mounted to the mirror. Additionally.
`the camera 16 is stabilized using the same stabilizing
`mechanisms incorporated in the mirror 16.
`The front portion 50 of the first camera 14 slidably seats
`in the first aperture 42 of the rearview mirror 16. A gasket
`58 securely fits about the periphery of the fi'ont portion 50
`of the first camera 14 to seal the opening between the first
`aperture 42 and the front portion 50 of the first camera 14.
`Also.
`the gasket 58 provides for vibration dampening
`between the mirror 16 and the front portion 50 of the first
`camera 14. This helps to steady the front portion 50 of the
`first video camera 14 as the passenger vehicle travels over
`difl’erent types of terrain. The lens 60 of the first video
`camera 14 is trained on images in the vehicle. Additionally.
`the lens 60 is flush with the front surface 46 of the rearview
`
`mirror 16 protecting and reducing any additional vibrations
`of the lens 60.
`
`Alternatively. the first camera 14 may be mounted to the
`rear reflective surface 48 of the mirror 16 so that the lens 60
`is flush with the rear reflective surface 48. The lens 60 is able
`
`to view the passenger compmtrnent because no reflective
`surface is applied or included where the lens 60 meets the
`mirror 16. The reflective surface has been purposely left off
`in that area so that the lens 60 may view through the mirror.
`A first light emitting diode 62 has a front portion 64 and
`a rear portion 66. The first light emitting diode 62 is mounted
`to the mirror 16 using a mounting bracket. glue. or other
`means for mounting well known to the skilled artisan. The
`light emitting diode 62 slidably seats in the second aperture
`44 of the rearview mirror 16. A second gasket 68 securely
`fits about the periphery of the front portion 64 of the first
`light emitting diode 62. The second gasket 68 secures the
`first light emitting diode 62 within the second aperture 44 of
`the rearview mirror 16. Further. the second gasket 68 seals
`the opening between the second aperture 44 of the rearview
`mirror 16 and the periphery of the front portion 64 of the first
`light emitting diode 62.
`The first light emitting diode 62 is electrically connected
`to the first video camera 14 and is lit when the first video
`camera 14 is active. Means for electrically connecting a light
`emitting diode to a video camera are well known to the
`skilled artisan. such as wire. coaxial cable or other means for
`electrical connection. Students riding the bus. or passengers
`in the vehicle. can see the first light emitting diode 62 and
`know the first camera 14 is active when the first light
`emitting diode 62 is lit.
`Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6. there is shown the second
`video camera 20 mounted to the driver’s side of the bus 12.
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`5.793.420
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`5
`The third video camera 28 is mounted to the side opposite
`the driver's side of the bus and the fourth video camera 30
`is preferably mounted to the rear 32 of the bus. It is to be
`appreciated that the exact locations of the second. third and
`fourth video cameras 20. 28. and 30 are not essential to the
`functioning of the system. However. each of the cameras
`may be positioned so that they face rearwardly of the bus 12
`in order to capture images which would normally not appear
`in the rearview mirrors of the bus 12. The cameras may
`additionally face forwardly to capture the license plate
`numbers of passing vehicles.
`Each of the second. third and fourth video cameras 20. 28.
`30 is housed within a mounting box 70. Each mounting box
`70 is substantially identical and preferably constructed of
`some. non-corrosive. durable material such as plastic. zinc
`plated steel. or the like.
`As each of the mounting boxes utilized to contain the
`second. third and fourth cameras 20. 28 and 30 are substan—
`tially identical. the specific elements of the mounting boxes
`will be disclosed using as an example the mounting box 70.
`The mounting box 70 has a front portion 72 and a rear
`portion 74. The rear portion 74 includes a shoulder 76 which
`peripherally extends thereabout. The shoulder 76 is slidably
`received by an indent 78 included in the front portion 72. An
`O-ring 78 is disposed about the shoulder 76 to provide a
`means for environmentally sealing the mounting box 70
`when it is assembled.
`
`Additionally. the front portion 72 includes a front wall 80.
`A portion of the front wall 80 is ground to define a lens 82
`therein. This serves as a “fish-eye” lens 82 in the front wall
`of the mounting box. As such. a larger area may be viewed
`by the video camera housed within the mounting box 70.
`Because a video camera must be able to view images
`through the front wall 80 of the mounting box. the front wall
`must be “see-through”. formed from plastic or the like.
`Alternatively.
`the lens 82 itself be formed from a see-
`through material while the rest of the mounting box 70 may
`be formed from a non-see through material.
`A small. well-known video camera. such as one of those
`produced by the Sony. Sanyo. or Matsushita companies
`sealably seats in the mounting box 70 and is environmen-
`tally sealed therein. To ensure proper sealing. both the front
`portion 72 and the rear portion 74 include corner posts 84.
`86. 88. 90. Each of the corner posts has a channel 87. 89. 91.
`93 formed therein.
`
`Small rods 92. 94 are then slidably seated in correspond-
`ing corner posts 86. 90 and 84. 88. The rods 92. 94 may be
`formed of plastic or some other durable material and serve
`to ensure a proper fit between the front portion 72 and the
`rear portion 74. The rods 92. 94 may be threaded and
`concomitantly the channels 87. 89. 91. and 93 should be
`threaded to threadably receive the rods 92. 94.
`The rear portion additionally includes a small aperture 96
`formed therethrough. Leads or wires from a video camera
`housed within the mounting box 70 exit the mounting box 70
`through this aperture 96. A gasket 98 seats peripherally
`about the leads where they pass through the aperture 96
`effectively environmentally sealing the opening. The func-
`tion of the leads or wires will be explained in more detail
`hereinbelow.
`The second. third and fourth video cameras 20. 28. 30
`each include means for generating video signals indicative
`of an image captured by lens of the video camera.
`Additionally. each of the cameras 20. 28. 30 includes means
`for outputting the video signals 100. Preferably. such means
`for outputting video signals includes wires or radio fre-
`quency transmitters.
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`The plurality of detectors 26 are preferably mounted to
`the exterior of the bus 12 so that when activated. any motion
`occurring or heat detected around the bus is detected by at
`least one of the plurality of detectors 26. The detectors 26
`may be well-known motion detectors. or infrared detectors.
`Each of the plurality of detectors 26 includes an output port
`114 which is preferably a wire or radio frequency transmit—
`ter. Motion detectors which incorporate output ports are well
`known such as those produced by the Stanley company.
`The detectors 26 function to recognize when someone.
`such as a vandal. is in the proximity of the vehicle. More
`particularly. in the case of school buses. after they are parked
`for the night. the detectors may be activated via a switch
`located on the control panel 24 in the bus 12. The detectors
`draw vu'y little energy and as such may be connected to the
`electrical system of the bus (not shown). Alternatively. a
`separate power source. such as another battery may be
`supplied to power the detectors when is use.
`Included in the preferred embodiment and as depicted in
`FIG. 7.
`the present invention includes a selective video
`signal relay device 22 in conjunction with the video record-
`ing device 18 and the display screen 34.
`The selective video signal relay device 22. includes four
`video signal input ports 104. 106. 108. 110. A video output
`plug 112. a display output plug 113. a switching signal input
`port 116. a detector switch port 118. a turn signal switch port
`120. and an override switch port 122. as well as means for
`transmitting and receiving RF signals 123. Other transmit-
`table signals may be used instead of RF signals. Each of the
`four video signal input ports 104. 106. 108. 110 is electri-
`cally connected to a corresponding means for outputting
`video signals of the first video camera 14. the second video
`camera 20. the third video camera 28 and the fourth video
`camera 30. The selective video signal relay device 22
`functions by relaying only one of the four video signals
`received at the video signal input ports 104. 106. 107. 110
`to the video output plug 112 and the display output plug 113.
`depending upon signals received at the detector switch port
`118. the turn switch port 120. the override switch port 122
`and the switching signal input port 116.
`The means for switching disposed within the selective
`video signal relay device 22 may be accomplished by
`integrated circuit technology. relay circuitry or other relay
`means. all of which are well known to the skilled artisan.
`The functioning of the video signal relay device is described
`in detail hereinbelow.
`
`The output plug 112 of the video signal relay device 22 is
`electrically connected to the video recording device 18 at a
`video input port 124 thereof.
`A commercially available video recorder may be used as
`all currently produced video recorders include video signal
`input ports. In the preferred embodiment. the video record-
`ing device 18 and the four cameras 14. 20. 28. 30 are
`activated when the vehicle is started. This can be accom-
`plished by connecting the video recording device 18 and the
`four cameras 14. 20. 28 and 30 to the electrical system (not
`shown) of the passenger vehicle 12. Alternatively. the video
`recording device 18 and video cameras 14. 20. 28. and 30
`may be battery powered. A transformer may be required to
`convert the electric current supplied by the electrical system
`of the vehicle to correspond to the current required by lack
`of the cameras and the video recorder (Le. AC/DC converter
`and 12V to 120V converter).
`Means for connecting loads. such as a video recorder and
`video cameras. to a passenger vehicle’ 5 electrical system are
`well know to the skilled artisan including wiring and coaxial
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`cabling and will not be further discussed herein. The three
`externally located cameras 20. 28. and 30 each include a
`power line (not shown) which feeds though the aperture 96
`along with the means for outputting video signals 100. both
`of which are preferably wires which then pass through an
`aperture drilled through the wall of the bus 12. Other
`methods for electrically connecting the externally located
`video cameras to a power source may be used as well. The
`means for outputting video signals 54 and 100 which run
`from each of the cameras 14. 20. 28. and 30 are connected
`to one of the input ports of the video signal relay device 22.
`Preferably this is accomplished using environmentally
`sealed and shielded wiring to ensure a good signal. i.e. a
`clear picture.
`The video recording device 16 records the images relayed
`from one of the four cameras 14. 20. 28. 30 in accordance
`with signals received at its switching signal input port 116.
`motion detector input port 188. turns signal input port 120.
`or the override port 122.
`The selective video signal relay device 22 generally
`functions in response to a switching signal received at the
`switching signal
`input port 188.
`In the preferred
`embodiment. the switching signal will have only two states;
`one state indicating that
`the flashing stop lights 38 are
`activated; the other state indicating that the flashing stop
`lights 38 are deactivated.
`When the flashing stop lights 38 are activated. the selec-
`tive signal relay device 22 receives a corresponding switch-
`ing signal and relays the video signals received from the
`second video camera 20 to the input port 124 of the video
`recording device 18. If the flashing stop lights 38 are
`deactivated.
`the video signal relay device 22 receives a
`different switching signal and. accordingly. relays the video
`signals received from the first video camera 14 to the input
`port of the video recording device 18.
`Although the selective video signal relay device 22 is
`pictured as having input ports 104. 106. 108. 110. any means
`for receiving electrical signals could be used including direct
`wiring between the video signal relay device 22 and the
`video cameras as well as other means known to the skilled
`artisan. However. to ease production of the system it is
`envisioned that the input ports 104. 106. 108. 110 receive
`plugs attached to cables leading to the means for outputting
`video signals of the video cameras 14. 20. 28. and 30.
`The switching signal received at the switching port 116 of
`the selective video signal relay device 22 may be produced
`by any of a multitude of well known means including. but
`not limited to. pulse width modulation. step voltages. or
`multiplexed signals. all of which are known to the skilled
`artisan.
`
`The means for producing the switching signal may func-
`tion jointly with the means for activating the flashing stop
`lights 38. The flashing stop lights 38 may be activated by
`pushing a button (not shown) located near the driver’s seat
`of the passenger vehicle. When the push button or other
`suitable means for activating the flashing stop lights 38 is
`activated. a corresponding switching signal is sent to the
`switching signal input port 116. The signal may be produced
`by the same circuit that relays power to the flashing stop
`lights 38 or from anotha source such as directly from the
`battery of the vehicle (not shown).
`In normal operation. the video recorder 18 records the
`images received from the first video camera 14. as relayed
`by the video signal relay device 22. When the driver of the
`passenger vehicle activates the flashing stop lights 38. the
`selective video signal relay device 22 receives a ditferent
`
`switching signal and accordingly relays the video signals
`from the second video camera 20 to the video recorder 16.
`The driver may override the connection by pushing the
`override switch 126 on the control panel 24. By pressing the
`override switch 126 a signal is sent to the override port 122
`which then relays video signals from the first camera 14 to
`the video recording device 18. In this fashion. if a bus driver
`sees someone acting inappropriately on the passenger
`vehicle 12 he can video record the passenger even if the
`flashing lights 38 on the vehicle are activated. He can do this
`by simply pressing the override switch 126.
`Each of the plurality of motion detectors are wired
`parallely to the motion detector port 188 of the video signal
`relay device. The detectors may be activated while the
`vehicle is not in operation. They are preferably utilized to
`detect motion or heat about the vehicle. If any motion or heat
`indicative of a human is detected. a switch (not pictured)
`may be tripped which then connects the power supply. either
`the vehicle's battery or another battery supplied for such a
`purpose to the cameras and the video recording device 18.
`The system 10 is powered up upon the detection of motion
`or heat by one of the plurality of detectors 26 and a signal
`is sent to the motion detector port 118 of the video signal
`relay device 22 so that images received at the third camera
`28 are relayed to the video recording device 18.
`Alternatively. four different signals may be sent to the
`motion detector port 118. Depending upon the signal. one of
`the video input ports 104. 106. 108. 110 is electrically
`connected to the input port 128 of the video recording device
`18 depending upon the location of the detector that detected
`something moving about the vehicle. For example. if some-
`one were trying to climb in a window on the driver’s side of
`the vehicle. then the detector 26 on that side of the vehicle
`would detect the motion or heat and the video recording
`system 10 would automatically activate. A signal then is
`transmitted to the video signal relay device 22. more spe—
`cifically to the motion detector port 118 and an appropriate
`relay connection is established between the camera posi—
`tioned proximate the detector and the video recording device
`18. In this way. any vandal or possible intruder will be video
`taped.
`If two or more detectors are triggered simultaneously. no
`confusion occurs in the system as a hierarchy is established
`which prioritizes each detector and connects the video
`output port of the video camera proximate the detector of
`highest priority which has detected some movement.
`Preferably. the detector located on the side of the vehicle
`opposite the driver is the highest priority as this is where
`most vandals will attempt to enter the vehicle. The driver’s
`side detector is second in rank followed by the interior
`detector and then the rear detector.
`
`Additionally. the video signal relay device 22 includes a
`radio frequency transmitter/receiver. If a signal is received at
`the motion detector port 118 then the video signal relay
`device 22 transmits a signal to the RF receivers of other
`video signal relay devices located on adjacent vehicles. The
`video recording systems on these vehicles are activated just
`as if one of their detectors had detected some motion.
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`35
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`45
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`55
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`In this way a fleet of vehicles can be highly protected. For
`if someone attempts to vandalized or break into one vehicle.
`he may be video taped by many adjacent vehicles as well.
`Essentially. a protection network is established between
`proximate vehicles. This is especially useful for school
`buses and fleet vehicles as they are generally parked proxi-
`mate one another.
`
`65
`
`Although the video recording system 10 of the present
`invention is intended primarily to video record passengers
`
`VALEO EX. 1016_009
`
`VALEO EX. 1016_009
`
`

`

`5,793,420
`
`9
`and motorists passing the vehicle. another function of the
`system is to decrease the number of areas generally unview-
`able by the driver. More specifically. areas referred to as the
`blind spots of the vehicle.
`This is accomplished through the monitor 34 and the turn
`signal port 120. When the turn signal system is activated by
`the driver by well-known means. a signal is transmitted to
`the turn signal port 120 of the video signal relay device 22.
`In response to the signal sent to the turn signal port 120.
`the video signals from the camera on the same side of the
`vehicle as the turn signal indicator is relayed to the monitor
`34 via the output plug 113. The video recording system 10
`may simultaneously be video recording the video signals
`from another camera as well. as the second set of signals are
`sent to the monitor and not the video recorder.
`
`Additionally. the system 10 may be implemented in a
`vehicle without the video recorder. As such.
`the system
`serves primarily as a means for displaying areas about the
`vehicle that are not norma