throbber
(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0008255 A1
`Lewellen
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`US 200400082.55A1
`
`(54) VEHICLE VIDEO SYSTEM AND METHOD
`(76) I
`tor: Mark A. Lewellen. Ozark, MO (US
`WCO
`arK A. LeWellen, UZark,
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`MARTIN & ASSOCIATES, LLC
`PO BOX 548
`CARTHAGE, MO 64836-0548 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed
`CC
`
`10/192,941
`Jul. 11, 2002
`9
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. CI.7
`Ille -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`(52) U.S. Cl
`
`H04N 7/18
`348/148
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A vehicle Video System includes a Small camera in the
`passenger area that uses illumination in the non-visible
`
`Spectrum to illuminate the passenger area. The vehicle Video
`System records Video information on a digital Video recorder
`that uses digital media Such as a hard disk drive, recordable
`CD (CD-R), rewritable CD (CR-RW), or writable Digital
`Video Disc (DVD). The vehicle video system includes a
`local wireleSS interface, Such as a Bluetooth-compatible
`interface, that automatically connects to a compatible device
`in the parking area of the vehicle that is coupled to a
`database. In this manner, the digital Video information
`collected by the vehicle Video System is automatically
`transferred to the database when the vehicle is parked,
`removing the need for any human intervention for the
`logging and cataloging of Video tapes. The local wireleSS
`interface of the vehicle video system also allows other
`devices, Such as a handheld device or a vehicle Video system
`in a different vehicle, to access the Stored digital video
`information.
`
`3O2
`
`Vault
`
`300
`.
`
`180
`-4
`370
`
`Digital Video
`Recorder
`
`Environmenta
`
`| 92
`- "SA" -
`u---30
`Mobile Data
`Terminal
`
`-->
`
`Long Distance
`Wireless Interface
`
`382
`,
`
`390
`l/
`
`o
`
`Local WireleSS
`interface
`
`110
`l/
`Front Camera He
`32O
`
`Vehicle
`Interface
`
`330
`Control Head Fá
`onto read 32
`User
`interface
`(H)
`334
`Monitor L-
`
`350
`
`360
`
`Controller
`
`Passenger
`Camera
`Illumination
`Mechanism
`
`-->
`362
`
`364
`GPS Receiver 1.
`366
`Wireless -
`Audio/Video H-D
`Receiver
`
`
`
`Real-Time
`Clock
`
`106
`
`108
`
`150
`l/
`
`Wireless
`Microphone
`
`Wireless
`Camera
`
`368
`u/
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 2004/0008255 A1
`
`110
`
`102
`
`
`
`100
`A.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Speed Radar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Remote Control
`Unit
`
`Wireless
`Audio
`Receiver
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless
`Microphone
`
`On-Screen
`Display
`
`System
`Controller
`
`
`
`150
`
`
`
`Real-Time
`Clock
`Time/Date
`
`106
`
`108
`
`Vault
`
`18O
`
`. . . 17O
`- en
`
`
`
`Environmental
`Controls
`
`182
`
`190
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Prior Art
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2004/0008255A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(START)
`START
`At Beginning of Shift, Load New
`Tape into VCR in Vault in Trunk
`
`2OO
`
`A.
`
`210
`
`212
`
`Vehicle Video System Sends Video
`Information to VCR for Recording on Tape
`220
`
`to-Dis
`
`YES
`Stop Vehicle
`Get Empty Tape
`pty lap
`
`230
`
`232
`
`234
`
`236
`
`238
`
`240
`
`250
`260
`
`262
`
`264
`
`266
`
`ACCess VCR in Vault in Trunk
`
`Remove Full Tape from VCR
`ull ape
`
`Put Empty Tape into VCR
`pty lap
`Store Full Tape in Car
`
`End of Shift
`End Of Shift
`Park Vehicle at Station
`
`Access VCR in Vault in Trunk
`
`Remove Tape from VCR
`e lap
`Take Tape(s) to Long-term Storage
`
`DONE
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Prior Art
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 2004/0008255 A1
`
`Front Camera
`
`110
`
`
`
`320
`
`Vehicle
`Interface
`
`330
`Control Head 332
`User
`
`334
`
`350
`
`360
`
`362
`
`364
`
`366
`
`Rear Camera
`
`
`
`Passenger
`Camera
`Illumination
`Mechanism
`
`GPS Receiver
`
`
`
`Wireless
`Audio/Video
`Receiver
`
`300
`A.
`
`3O2
`
`370
`
`Digital Video
`ReCOrder
`e 182
`Environmental
`Controls
`
`Terminal
`
`Long Distance
`Wireless Interface
`
`382
`
`Local Wireless
`Interface
`
`System
`Controller
`
`106
`
`108
`
`Real-Time
`Clock
`Time/Date
`
`FIG. 3
`
`150
`
`368
`
`Wireless
`Microphone
`
`Wireless
`Camera
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 2004/0008255 A1
`
`3OO
`
`t
`
`
`
`Vehicle Video
`System
`
`Portable Data Transfer
`Mechanism (worn or
`carried by Officer)
`
`
`
`Vehicle Video
`System in a
`Different Vehicle
`
`300A
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2004/0008255A1
`
`START
`
`Vehicle Video System Sends Video
`Information to Digital Video Recorder
`
`End Of Shift
`
`Park Vehicle at Station
`
`600
`A.
`
`610
`
`62O
`
`630
`
`Vehicle Video System Automatically 640
`Uploads Digital information
`Recorded by Digital Video Recorder
`to Database
`
`
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 2004/0008255 A1
`
`START
`
`700
`A.
`
`Local Wireless Interface in
`Vehicle Detects Transmission
`from Compatible Device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`710
`
`720
`
`O
`74
`
`732
`
`
`
`
`
`Perform Security Operation(s) to
`ASSure Communication with
`Compatible Device is Authorized
`Ignore Compatible
`Device
`
`730
`
`Authorized?
`
`YES
`
`Determine Required Function
`
`750
`
`
`
`
`
`752
`
`Transmit Data to
`Compatible Device
`
`NO
`
`
`
`YES
`
`Receive Data from
`Compatible Device
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Perform. Other
`Specified Function
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 7 of 7
`START
`
`US 2004/0008255 A1
`po
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 8
`
`
`
`
`
`810
`
`
`
`Local Wireless Interface in Vehicle
`Detects Transmission from Parking
`Area Data Transfer Mechanism
`Vehicle Video System Performs Security 820
`Operation(s) to Athenticate and Authorize
`Parking Area Data Transfer Mechanism
`Parking Area Data Transfer Mechanism
`Performs Security Operation(s) to Athenticate
`and Authorize Vehicle Video System
`840
`
`830
`
`Authorized?
`
`
`
`YES
`Vehicle Video System Receives
`Upload Command from Parking
`Area Data Transfer Mechanism
`
`850
`
`Vehicle Video System Transmits Data
`(including Recorded Digital Video) to
`Parking Area Data Transfer Mechanism
`870
`
`Upload
`Success?
`YES
`Parking Area Data Transfer Mechanism
`Transmits "Successful Upload" Message
`to Vehicle Video System
`
`Vehicle Video System Deletes Uploaded
`Data
`
`860
`
`88O
`
`890
`
`DONE
`
`

`

`US 2004/OOO8255 A1
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`VEHICLE VIDEO SYSTEMAND METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001) 1. Technical Field
`0002 This invention generally relates to video systems,
`and more particularly relates to Video Systems for vehicles
`Such as police cars.
`0003 2. Background Art
`0004 Modern technological advances have changed the
`way that law enforcement perSonnel do their jobs. Many
`police cars now include portable computers or mobile data
`terminals that allow an officer to easily interact with a central
`computer System to check license plates, wants and warrants
`on an individual, etc. In addition, many patrol cars now
`include in-vehicle Video Systems.
`0005 One specific configuration for a known vehicle
`video system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,979, issued
`to Squicciarini et al. on Oct. 14, 1997, entitled “Video
`Incident Capture System.” The block diagram of FIG. 1
`shows many of the pertinent features of the system 100
`disclosed in the Squicciarini patent. A System controller 102
`is coupled to a front camera 110, a Speed radar 120, a remote
`control unit 130, a wireless audio receiver 140, a VCR 170,
`and environmental controls 182. System controller 102
`includes a real-time clock circuit 106 that generates a time
`and date 108. System controller 102 further includes an
`on-Screen display circuit 104 that Superimposes text infor
`mation on the Video signal received from the front camera
`110. Thus, system controller 102 takes video input from the
`front camera 110 and input from the speed radar 120
`regarding the Speed of a monitored vehicle and the Speed of
`the police cruiser, and outputs a video signal to VCR 170
`that includes the front camera View along with text Super
`imposed on the View that shows the vehicle Speed, the police
`cruiser Speed, and time and date. The Video information
`stored to VCR 170 may also include audio information
`received via wireless audio receiver 140 from a wireless
`microphone 150 carried or worn by a police officer.
`0006 Front camera 110 is a camera that is mounted in the
`vehicle in a position to view the front view of the vehicle
`through the windshield. Speed radar 120 is a known speed
`radar commonly in use in law enforcement vehicles. Remote
`control unit 130 includes keys or buttons that allow an
`officer to remotely control the VCR 170 so that video can be
`played back from the video tape onto monitor 190.
`0007 VCR 170 is located within a vault that is in the
`trunk of the vehicle. Due to the sensitivity of VCRs and the
`tapes they record on, the vault is used not only to Secure the
`VCR in a locked location within the trunk, but also to
`provide a climate-controlled environment. To this end, SyS
`tem controller 102 monitors the temperature within the vault
`180, and activates the environmental controls 182 to heat or
`cool the vault, as necessary, to keep the interior of the vault
`(and hence, the VCR 170) within a desired range of oper
`ating temperature. The output of VCR 170 is routed to a
`monitor 190 that is positioned where an officer in the vehicle
`may review Video information by activating controls on the
`remote control unit 130 to rewind and play a tape in the VCR
`170.
`0008. The use of a VCR mounted in the vault of a police
`cruiser requires considerable effort on the part of officers or
`
`maintenance perSonnel to assure the System operates cor
`rectly. A prior art method 200 for using the system of FIG.
`1 is shown in FIG. 2. At the beginning of a shift, when one
`or more police officers are ready to take a police cruiser on
`patrol, a new video tape must be loaded into the VCR in the
`vault in the trunk of the cruiser (step 210). The vehicle video
`system 100 then sends video information to the VCR for
`recording on the video tape (step 220). If the video tape
`becomes full before the shift is over (step 220=YES), the
`officer must stop the vehicle (step 230), get an empty video
`tape (step 232), access the VCR in the vault in the trunk of
`the cruiser (step 234), remove the full tape from the VCR
`(step 236), place the empty tape into the VCR (step 238),
`and store the full tape somewhere in the car (step 240). Even
`if the tape does not fill up during the shift (step 220=NO),
`at the end of the shift (step 250) the cruiser is parked at the
`station (step 260), the VCR in the vault in the trunk must be
`accessed (step 262), the video tape is removed from the VCR
`(step 264), and the tape, including any full tapes from the
`shift, are taken to long-term storage (step 266). These video
`tapes are typically indexed and cataloged for future refer
`ence. Needless to Say, in a large police department with
`many cruisers, the managing and handling of a large number
`of Video tapes becomes a time-consuming task that requires
`considerable Space to Store the Video tapes.
`0009 While the prior art system described above pro
`vides a way for Video information from a police cruiser to be
`collected and Stored, it is not convenient, and there are many
`drawbacks, discussed above. Without a way for providing an
`improved system for generating and storing vehicle Video
`information, the law enforcement community will continue
`to Suffer from the inefficiencies of prior art Systems.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`0010. According to the preferred embodiments, a vehicle
`Video System includes a Small camera in the passenger area
`that uses illumination in the non-visible spectrum to illumi
`nate the passenger area. The vehicle Video System records
`Video information on a digital video recorder that uses
`digital media Such as a hard disk drive, recordable CD
`(CD-R), rewritable CD (CR-RW), or writable Digital Video
`Disc (DVD). The vehicle video system includes a local
`wireleSS interface, Such as a Bluetooth-compatible interface,
`that automatically connects to a compatible device in the
`parking area of the vehicle that is coupled to a database. In
`this manner, the digital Video information collected by the
`vehicle Video System is automatically transferred to the
`database when the vehicle is parked, removing the need for
`any human intervention for the logging and cataloging of
`video tapes. The local wireless interface of the vehicle video
`System also allows other devices, Such as a handheld device
`or a vehicle Video System in a different vehicle, to access the
`Stored digital Video information.
`0011. The foregoing and other features and advantages of
`the invention will be apparent from the following more
`particular description of preferred embodiments of the
`invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`0012. The preferred embodiments of the present inven
`tion will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the
`appended drawings, where like designations denote like
`elements, and:
`
`

`

`US 2004/OOO8255 A1
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`0013 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art vehicle
`Video System;
`0.014
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a prior art method for
`using the vehicle video system of FIG. 1;
`0.015
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a vehicle video system
`in accordance with the preferred embodiments,
`0016 FIG. 4 is a partial interior view of a vehicle door
`showing a Sample mounting location for the passenger
`camera 360 shown in FIG. 3;
`0017 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing how the vehicle
`video system 300 may communicate its stored digital video
`information to Suitable compatible devices via its local
`wireleSS interface;
`0.018
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for using the
`vehicle video system 300 of FIG. 3 in accordance with the
`preferred embodiments,
`0.019
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance
`with the preferred embodiments for the vehicle video system
`to communicate with compatible devices, and
`0020 FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance
`with the preferred embodiments for the vehicle video system
`to automatically transfer Stored digital Video information to
`a database when the vehicle is parked at its designated
`parking location.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`0021. The vehicle video system and methods of the
`preferred embodiments allow Storing a Video image of a
`passenger area of the vehicle, allow Storing the Video
`information in a digital form, and allow automatically trans
`ferring the Stored digital information to a database when the
`vehicle is parked at the conclusion of a shift.
`0022 Referring to FIG.3, a vehicle video system 300 in
`accordance with the preferred embodiments includes a SyS
`tem controller 302 that is coupled to: a front camera 110; a
`vehicle interface 320; a control head 330; a rear camera 350;
`a passenger camera 360; a global positioning System (GPS)
`receiver 364; a wireless audio/video receiver 366; a digital
`video recorder 370; environment controls 182; a mobile data
`terminal 380; and a local wireless interface 390. System
`controller 302 preferably includes a real-time clock circuit
`106 that generates a time and date 108. In the alternative,
`system controller 302 could receive the time and date from
`an external real-time clock, or from any of the devices
`coupled to the system controller 302. Front camera 110 is a
`Video camera that is mounted in the vehicle and positioned
`to view the front of the vehicle, preferably through the
`windshield. Vehicle interface 320 provides connections to
`different features of the vehicle, including the vehicle battery
`as a power Supply, the light bar, the Siren, the Speedometer,
`etc. The vehicle interface allows automatically recording
`Video information on the occurrence of Specific events, Such
`as when the light bar or Siren is activated.
`0023 Control head 330 preferably includes a user inter
`face 332 and a monitor 334. In the preferred embodiments,
`control head 330 is mounted between the visors of the
`vehicle, near the top of the windshield. This position allows
`easily viewing Video information and controlling the func
`
`tion of the vehicle video system 300. The user interface 332
`preferably includes buttons or keys the user may preSS, but
`may additionally or alternatively include other input
`devices, Such as a voice recognition device. Monitor 334 is
`a Small monitor that allows viewing the Video information
`from the driver's seat.
`0024. Rear camera 350 is preferably similar to the front
`camera 110, and is fixedly mounted in the vehicle in a
`position that provides a rear View of the vehicle, preferably
`through the rear window. Passenger camera 360 is a small,
`inconspicuous camera mounted in the passenger area to
`monitor and record passenger activities. In the preferred
`embodiments, passenger camera 360 is preferably a mono
`chromatic camera, Such as a black and white camera. Pas
`senger camera 360 includes an illumination mechanism 362
`that provides illumination for the passenger area viewed by
`the passenger camera 360. In the preferred embodiment that
`uses a black and white camera, the illumination mechanism
`362 includes one or more infrared (IR) light emitting diodes
`(LEDs). Black and white cameras are sensitive to infrared
`illumination that is invisible to the human eye. In this
`manner the passenger camera 360 can effectively illuminate
`the passenger area of a vehicle, even at night, without the
`passenger(s) knowing that the passenger camera 360 is
`present and operating. In a traditional patrol cruiser, the
`passenger camera 360 is placed in a position to view the
`back Seat of the cruiser. In other police vehicles, Such as
`Vans, the passenger camera 360 may be mounted in any
`Suitable location to view all or part of the passenger area.
`0025 The need for monitoring the activities of passen
`gers in a law enforcement vehicle has become apparent over
`recent years due to charges of police brutality by arrested
`criminals. The issue of police brutality was brought to the
`forefront of public consciousness when a perSon Videotaped
`the beating of Rodney King by police officers in the Los
`Angeles Police Department. Some criminals have attempted
`to play on this heightened awareness of police brutality by
`inflicting injuries to their own bodies while riding in the
`vehicle to Supposedly Support a claim of police brutality.
`Putting a passenger camera 360 in a position that monitors
`the passenger area of a vehicle is an effective way to record
`the activities of passengers. Thus, if an arrested criminal
`bangs his head on the car window, or on the metal partition
`between the front and back Seats, to inflict an injury that he
`or she claims was inflicted by a law enforcement officer, the
`passenger camera will provide Video proof that the injuries
`were self-inflicted, and not inflicted by any law enforcement
`officer.
`0026. One suitable location for a passenger camera 360
`of the preferred embodiments is in the back Seat area of a
`police cruiser. Such a location is shown in FIG. 4, which
`shows a back door frame 410 with its window 420. Most
`police vehicles are special models of regular passenger cars.
`AS Such, they often include many of the features that most
`passenger cars have. For example, most police cruisers
`include a hook in the passenger compartment that allows
`hanging clothing on hangers from the hook, thereby allow
`ing the transporting of clothing in a hanging position to
`prevent wrinkling. The passenger camera 360 of the pre
`ferred embodiments could be mounted at the location of the
`hook by removing the hook and placing the passenger
`camera 360 in its place, as shown in FIG. 4. In this manner
`
`

`

`US 2004/OOO8255 A1
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`the passenger camera 360 is placed in an inconspicuous
`location that can easily view the entire back Seat of the
`police cruiser.
`0027. Referring back to FIG. 3, the vehicle video system
`300 of the preferred embodiments includes a GPS receiver
`364 that provides GPS coordinates to the system controller
`302. The system controller 302 may incorporate the GPS
`data received from the GPS receiver 364 into the digital data
`stream that is output to the digital video recorder 370. In the
`alternative, the system controller 302 could use the GPS data
`in conjunction with Stored digital map information to incor
`porate Street names and direction into the digital data Stream
`that is output to the digital video recorder 370. In other
`words, the system controller could indicate “Northbound on
`Broadway Ave' in the digital data Stream based on the input
`from GPS receiver 364. Incorporating location information
`into the digital data Stream provides location information
`that is not available in prior art vehicle Video Systems.
`0028. The wireless audio/video receiver 366 provides an
`audio and Video interface to Suitable wireleSS devices, Such
`as a wireless microphone 150 and a wireless camera 368.
`These devices are preferably carried or worn by a law
`enforcement officer, allowing the officer to record both audio
`and Video information from a location that is much closer to
`Suspected criminals. By providing remote Video information
`as well as audio, the vehicle video system 300 provides
`additional information that may be recorded by the digital
`video recorder 370.
`0029. Digital video recorder 370 is any suitable device
`for recording digital information, including a recordable
`compact disc (CR-R), a rewritable compact disc (CD-RW),
`a writable digital video disc (DVD), and a hard disk drive.
`Replacing bulky Video tapes with Smaller discS is an advan
`tage over the prior art. However, the most advantageous
`implementation in accordance with the preferred embodi
`ments uses a hard disk drive to record the digital video
`information. This digital video information may then be
`automatically uploaded to a database, as described in more
`detail below. Note that the label “digital video recorder” and
`“digital video information” does not imply that the recorder
`370 is only capable of recording video information, but is
`intended in a broad Sense to mean a recorder that can record
`any digital information, including digital video information.
`Digital video recorder 370 is preferably mounted in a vault
`180, as in the prior art, that includes environmental controls
`182. In the preferred embodiments, system controller 302
`may monitor the temperature within the vault 180, and may
`then activate the necessary environmental controls 182, as
`required, to maintain the interior of the vault within a
`Specified temperature range. In the alternative, the environ
`mental controls 182 may function independently from the
`system controller 302 to maintain the interior of the vault
`within a specified temperature range.
`0030) Vehicle video system 300 preferably includes a
`mobile data terminal 380. Mobile data terminal 380 is a
`Standard mobile data terminal known in the art and used by
`law enforcement officials. Mobile data terminal 380 typi
`cally includes a long distance wireleSS interface 382 that
`allows the mobile data terminal 380 to communicate directly
`with police headquarters. By providing a link between the
`mobile data terminal 380 and the system controller 302,
`audio and video information received by the mobile data
`
`terminal 380 could be presented on the control head 330.
`Thus, if an “all points bulletin” is issued for a suspected
`criminal and sent to the mobile data terminal 380 from
`police headquarters, the picture of the Suspect could be
`displayed by system controller 302 on the monitor 334 of
`control head 330. Integrating the vehicle video system 300
`with a mobile data terminal 380 allows these devices to
`share information. For example, any information recorded
`by digital video recorder 370 could be transmitted to police
`headquarters via the long distance wireleSS interface 382 in
`mobile data terminal 380.
`0031 Vehicle video system 300 includes a local wireless
`interface 390. Local wireless interface 390 provides a sig
`nificant advantage over the prior art vehicle Video systems.
`Local wireless interface 390 provides a means of commu
`nicating via Short-range wireleSS communications. In the
`preferred embodiments, local wireless interface 390 is a
`Bluetooth-compatible interface, which can communicate
`with other Bluetooth-compatible devices over a typical
`range of 100 meters (330 feet).
`0032 Bluetooth wireless technology is a worldwide
`Specification for a Small-form factor, low-cost radio Solution
`that provides links between mobile computers, mobile
`phones, other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to
`the Internet. The Specification is developed, published and
`promoted by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).
`The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is a trade
`asSociation comprised of leaders in the telecommunications,
`computing, and network industries, and is driving develop
`ment of the technology and bringing it to market. The
`Bluetooth SIG promoters include IBM, 3Com, Agere, Eric
`SSon, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and
`hundreds of associate and adopter member companies.
`0033 Bluetooth wireless technology is unique in its
`breadth of applications. LinkS can be established between
`groups of products simultaneously or between individual
`products and the Internet. While point-to-point connections
`are Supported, the Specification allows up to Seven Simulta
`neous connections to be established and maintained by a
`single radio. This flexibility, combined with strict interop
`erability requirements, has led to Support for Bluetooth
`wireleSS technology from a wide range of market Segments,
`including Software developers, Silicon Vendors, peripheral
`and camera manufacturers, mobile PC manufacturers and
`handheld device developers, consumer electronics manufac
`turers, car manufacturers, and test and measurement equip
`ment manufacturers.
`0034 Hardware that complies with the Bluetooth wire
`leSS Specification ensures communication compatibility
`Worldwide. Bluetooth is generally designed to operate in a
`maximum range of one to one hundred meters, depending on
`the class of the device. Class 1 devices have a range up to
`100 meters. Class 2 devices have a range up to ten meters.
`Class 3 devices have a range up to 1 meter. As a low-cost,
`low-power solution with industry-wide Support, Bluetooth
`wireleSS technology allows effortlessly interconnecting with
`compatible devices all over the world.
`0035) Devices enabled with Bluetooth wireless technol
`ogy will be able to: free electronic accessories and periph
`erals from wired connections, exchange files, busineSS cards,
`and calendar appointments, transfer and Synchronize data
`
`

`

`US 2004/OOO8255 A1
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`wirelessly, take advantage of localized content Services in
`public areas, and function as remote controls, keys, tickets
`and e-cash wallets.
`0.036 Many manufacturers of electronic devices are plan
`ning to integrate Bluetooth into their devices So their devices
`can automatically connect to other devices that have a
`Bluetooth interface within a short range. One goal of Blue
`tooth is to interconnect many electronic devices without
`using hard-wire cables. For example, a computer network
`that includes four computer Systems, four monitors, a
`printer, and a Scanner could theoretically be all intercon
`nected via Bluetooth without using any cables to intercon
`nect these items.
`0037 Bluetooth includes the capability of identifying
`each type of device as it establishes a link to other devices.
`Thus, a printer that has a Bluetooth interface will identify
`itself as a printer, which makes the print function available
`to other devices that are linked via Bluetooth to the printer.
`A mobile phone that includes a Bluetooth interface could
`automatically detect when it comes in range of a printer that
`has a Bluetooth interface, and in response to detecting the
`printer the mobile phone could provide an option to print
`e-mail or other text information received by the mobile
`phone, which would Send the e-mail or other information to
`the printer. Details regarding Bluetooth and it's detailed
`Specification may be found at www.bluetooth.com.
`0.038. Unlike many other wireless standards, the Blue
`tooth wireleSS Specification includes both link layer and
`application layer definitions for product developers. Radios
`that comply with the Bluetooth wireleSS Specification oper
`ate in the unlicensed, 2.4 GHZ radio spectrum ensuring
`communication compatibility worldwide. These radioS use a
`Spread Spectrum, frequency hopping, full-duplex Signal at up
`to 1600 hopS/sec. The Signal hops among 79 frequencies at
`1 MHZ intervals to give a high degree of interference
`immunity.
`0039. The 2.4 GHz band used by Bluetooth is unlicensed,
`and can be used by many other types of devices Such as
`cordless phones, microwave ovens, and baby monitors. Any
`device designed for use in an unlicensed band should be
`designed for robustness in the presence of interference, and
`the Bluetooth wireleSS technology has many features that
`provide Such robustness.
`0040 Products that incorporate a Bluetooth interface are
`already on the market. Nokia Corp. is selling its Bluetooth
`6310 phones in Europe, and are expected to be available in
`the United States sometime in 2002. Broadcom Corp. and
`handheld PC maker Palm Inc. plan to co-develop a new
`Bluetooth handheld PC design.
`0041. There are other wireless standards that exist
`besides Bluetooth that could be used within the scope of the
`preferred embodiments. For example, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b)
`is designed to provide wireleSS Ethernet connectivity that
`can extend or replace wired networks for dozens of com
`puting devices. Wi-Fi is a trademark of WECA (the Wireless
`Ethernet Compatibility Alliance). The Bluetooth wireless
`technology is expected to be used widely as a cable replace
`ment for devices Such as PDAS, cell phones, cameras,
`speakers, headsets and so on. IEEE 802.11 will likely still be
`used for higher Speed wireleSS Ethernet access, So it is
`widely expected that Bluetooth and 802.11 will co-exist.
`
`Preliminary tests by the Pennsylvania State University's
`Applied Research Laboratory show that Bluetooth and
`802.11b (Wi-Fi) do not interfere with each other even in
`close proximity. IEEE 802.11(b)'s typical 284-foot range
`was unaffected by the presence of Bluetooth devices, while
`Bluetooth's typical 64-foot range was unaffected by the
`presence of 802.11(b) devices.
`0042. The main feature of local wireless interface 390 is
`that it is short-range. AS Such, it is not an interface that
`allows the vehicle video system 300 to communicate over
`long distances, Such as with police headquarters. The long
`distance wireless interface 382 within mobile data terminal
`380 allows the mobile data terminal 380 to directly com
`municate with police headquarters. This requires significant
`power and a receiver/transmitter that is relatively expensive.
`Local wireless interface 390, in contrast, is short range, low
`power, and very inexpensive. It is anticipated that Bluetooth
`compatible interfaces will be available in chipsets that will
`Sell in the S5 range in quantity. The local wireless interface
`390 is thus a low-power, short range wireless interface that
`is very inexpensive.
`0043. The benefit of providing the local wireless interface
`390 is that digital information recorded by the digital video
`recorder 370 may be automatically transmitted and received
`to and from compatible devices. As shown in FIG. 5, one
`example of a compatible device is a parking area data
`transfer mechanism 510. A second example of a compatible
`device is a portable data transfer mechanism 520. A third
`example of a compatible device is a vehicle Video system
`300A in a different vehicle.
`0044 Parking area data transfer mechanism 510 is pref
`erably located in a parking area for the vehicle, Such as in the
`parking garage at police headquarters where the cruisers are
`parked. We assume that a designated parking place for the
`vehicle puts the local wireless interface 390 of the vehicle
`Video System in range of the parking area data transfer
`mechanism 510, which has a compatible local wireless
`interface. Once a link is established between the vehicle
`video system 300 and the parking area data transfer mecha
`nism 510, digital information may be exchanged between
`the two. For example, the digital information recorded by
`the digital Video recorder may be automatically u

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket