United States Patent (19)
`Johnson et al.
`
`54
`
`76
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`RECAPTURE OF REALTIME EVENTS
`
`Inventors: Dan Johnson, 4719 Mile High Dr.,
`Provo, Utah 84.604; Romer D.
`Johnson, 2440 W. Placita Iglesia,
`Tucson, Ariz. 85745
`
`Appl. No.: 09/130,787
`Filed:
`Aug. 7, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/988,613, Dec.
`11, 1997, abandoned.
`Int. Cl." ............................. H04N 7/18: HO4N 9/47
`... 348/148; 348/143
`Field of Search ..................................... 348/148-149,
`348/151-153, 143, 155-156; 701/29, 35,
`36
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,781,824 12/1973 Caiati et al. .............................. 346/33
`4,558,379 12/1985 Hitter et al. .............................. 360/32
`4,638,289
`1/1987 Zottnik ...................................... 246/45
`5,388,045 2/1995 Kamiya et al. ........................... 701/35
`5,521,633 5/1996 Nakajima et al.
`... 348/118
`5,526,269 6/1996 Ishibashi et al. ........................, 701/29
`
`
`
`USOO6163338A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,163,338
`Dec. 19, 2000
`
`5,541,590 7/1996 Nishio ..................................... 340/903
`5,559,496 9/1996 Dubats .
`... 340/539
`5,574.443 11/1996 Hsieh ..........
`... 340/901
`5,612,686 3/1997 Takano et al. .......................... 340/903
`5,638,273 6/1997 Coiner et al. ............................. 701/35
`5,677.979 10/1997 Squicciarini et al.
`... 386/46
`5,680,123 10/1997 Lee ......................
`... 340/937
`5,706,362
`1/1998 Yabe ...........
`... 382/103
`5,825,412 10/1998 Hobson et al. .
`348/149
`5,896,167 4/1999 Omae et al. .
`348/149
`6,002,326 12/1999 Turner ......
`... 340/426
`6,008,841 12/1999 Charlson ................................. 348/148
`Primary Examiner Vu Le
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Thorpe, North & Western, LLP
`57
`ABSTRACT
`An apparatus and method for providing a video or audio
`record of a predetermined activity close in time to a prese
`lected triggering event comprising a Video or audio detection
`apparatus, control circuitry for developing a stream of
`electronic data representing a continuous Sequence of audio
`or Video images in real time, a circular data Storage buffer for
`receiving the data in real time, an event detection mecha
`nism for Sensing occurrence of the predetermined triggering
`event So as to cause the control circuitry to freeze the
`contents of the circular buffer at Some time adjacent to the
`occurrence of the triggering event, and means for down
`loading the Stored data to a means for perceiving it Such as
`a personal computer.
`
`20 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Timing
`Generator
`
`SSH B>
`
`Micro
`Processor
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`en
`
`Threshold
`
`Detection at
`
`Port
`
`LCD
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`i?
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`Dual-Axis
`Monolithic
`
`Accelerometer
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 19, 2000
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`6,163,338
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`14
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`
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`f
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`or CMOS
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`Timing
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`B>
`B>
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`8
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`Dual-Axis
`Monolithic
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`Acceleronetter
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`Micro
`Processor
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`en
`Threshold
`Detection
`Circuitry
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`Serial
`Port
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`E.
`9.
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`17
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`27
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`21
`Fig. 1
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`Dec. 19, 2000
`Dec. 19, 2000
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`Sheet 2 of 3
`Sheet 2 of 3
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`6,163,338
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`6,163,338
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`Fig. 3
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`Motorola v. Stellar
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`Motorola Exhibit 1023
`Page 003
`
`

`

`9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
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`6,163,338
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`Motorola v. Stellar
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`Motorola Exhibit 1023
`Page 004
`
`
`
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`

`

`1
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`RECAPTURE OF REALTIME EVENTS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 08/988,613, filed on Dec. 11, 1997 now
`abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to capture and recording of unpre
`dictable realtime events. More particularly, the present
`invention relates to capturing Video or audio recordings of
`realtime events by means of a triggered Solid State electronic
`recording device for electronically recording video images
`and/or Sound for a continuously progressing defined time
`period that becomes fixed upon the detection of a triggering
`eVent.
`2. State of the Art
`There are a wide variety of events, both natural and
`man-caused, which are difficult to record in real time
`because they are difficult or impossible to predict. Such
`events include, for example, a lightening Strike, an accident,
`the jump of a fish in a pond, a meteor, an avalanche, an
`earthquake, weather events, a robbery or other crime event,
`a Sudden comment or Statement of Someone nearby, a
`gunshot, an explosion, low flying aircraft, an excessively
`noisy automobile, and so forth. These events are difficult to
`record because they are usually Sudden or unexpected.
`There are methods of making audio and Video recordings
`of Some of these types of events. For example, banks and
`other businesses routinely use Video Surveillance in case of
`robbery or other emergencies. Commercial airliners incor
`porate cockpit voice and data recorders. Police cruisers
`frequently contain Video cameras. However, the current
`methods generally involve placing recording means near the
`expected Site of the event, and continuously recording for an
`extended period of time until the event occurs. For
`eXtremely widespread events, Such as earthquakes or
`accidents, this approach is impractical and costly, because it
`requires continual maintenance, Support, and Supervision of
`the recording equipment over a long period of time. For
`other applications, Such as in automobiles, the required
`equipment may be impractically bulky or unsightly, or
`require excessive maintenance.
`Traditional methods are also cumberSome and expensive
`due to the amount of Storage media required, even when
`newer Solid State imaging technology is employed. For
`example, in the case of Security Surveillance, current meth
`ods involve placing a Video camera and recorder in a
`particular location and then frequently changing tapes, disks,
`or memory cards. Tapes and disks are bulky to Store, and
`memory cards for Solid State imaging Systems are typically
`the most expensive component. Then, once the event occurs,
`Significant effort is usually required to review the entire
`recording perhaps many hours or days long-to locate the
`desired event. This is true even with devices that incorporate
`recording loops that continuously record over the same
`portion of recording media or memory. Furthermore, tradi
`tional Surveillance devices require a person to physically See
`or otherwise become aware that the event has occurred in
`order to retrieve the tape, disc, or other Storage media and
`Search for the recorded event. Consequently, typical Surveil
`lance cameras cannot be left totally alone.
`The need for a simple, reliable, and inexpensive method
`for recording real time events is clearly demonstrated in the
`context of automobile accidents. Thousands of automobile
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`accidents occur every day, resulting in tens of thousands of
`deaths and personal injuries, and billions of dollars in
`property damage and health care costs each year. As a result,
`excessive resources are spent every year on insurance
`claims, investigations, and litigation. Many of these cases
`involve detailed and expensive accident reconstruction in an
`attempt to determine what actually happened. In the end, the
`determinations are often inconclusive.
`Everyone involved would benefit greatly if there were a
`device that recorded actual Sound or Video footage of the few
`Seconds just before and/or after an unexpected event, Such as
`a collision, including an image of the actual moment of
`impact. Normally only a few relevant frames of image data
`are required to fully characterize an accident. Thus, only a
`Small amount of image data would be extremely valuable.
`Such a device would be of great benefit to accident
`investigations, and greatly clarify the accident with respect
`to insurance claims and litigation, and also help prevent
`insurance fraud. Medical doctors may also gain a better idea
`of what happened from Such a device, and be more aware of
`what injuries they should look for.
`There are also many times when it would be desirable to
`have Sudden or unexpected aural events or information
`recorded for immediate replay. For example, at times it may
`be desirable to have a paging announcement, names, tele
`phone numbers, instructions, Verbal agreements, or other
`messages repeated, but it may be embarrassing or impos
`Sible to do so. For hearing impaired perSons in particular,
`Some of these situations are especially common. To Solve
`these problems it would be helpful to have a device allowing
`immediate Selective recall of previous time periods of
`Sound.
`For these and other similar realtime events there is a
`genuine need for a practical, Simple, inexpensive,
`convenient, and reliable method of capturing Sudden or
`unexpected occurrences. Such a recording device may be
`advantageously triggered by the event itself, and create an
`audio or video recording of Some desired window of time
`Surrounding the event. In other cases, it would be desirable
`for the device to be selectively triggered by the user. Before
`the apparatus is triggered, the window of recorded time
`progressively advances, and upon occurrence of the event or
`Selective triggering of the device, the window becomes
`fixed, the event is recorded, and recording Stops until the
`device is reset, allowing downloading of the data from the
`device to means for perceiving it Such as a computer or
`Video monitor.
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`an effective, reliable, and low cost device for recording
`Sudden or unexpected real time events, preferably triggered
`by the event itself.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a device
`for making a Video recording of Sudden or unexpected
`realtime events.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a device
`for making an audio recording of Sudden or unexpected
`realtime events.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a means for
`recording Sudden or unexpected real time events that is
`resistant to the Shock, trauma, or other hazard expected to be
`asSociated with the event.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a Secure
`means for recording Sudden or unexpected realtime events
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`

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`6,163,338
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`3
`wherein the electronics are designed to prevent tampering
`with or unauthorized access to the contents of the memory
`following the event.
`It is yet another object of this invention to provide an
`apparatus for recording video images of Sudden or unex
`pected realtime events in a manner that the images may be
`downloaded to a personal computer via a Standard Serial
`interface or to a television monitor via a coaxial cable, and
`where the apparatus never needs to be opened, Serviced, or
`removed from its place of installation.
`The above and other objects are realized in an apparatus
`and method for providing a video or audio record of a
`predetermined activity close in time to a preselected trig
`gering event comprising a Video or audio detection
`apparatus, control circuitry for developing a stream of
`electronic data representing a continuous Sequence of audio
`or Video images in real time, a circular data Storage buffer for
`receiving the data in real time, an event detection mecha
`nism for Sensing occurrence of the predetermined triggering
`event So as to cause the control circuitry to freeze the
`contents of the circular buffer at Some time adjacent to the
`occurrence of the triggering event, and means for down
`loading the Stored data to a means for perceiving it Such as
`a personal computer.
`In a preferred embodiment, accelerometers are used in the
`apparatus which is installed in a motor Vehicle Such that a
`collision involving the vehicle is the triggering event.
`Alternatively, the apparatus could be designed Such that a
`Sudden loud noise indicative of a collision involving a
`vehicle is the triggering event. Multiple units may also be
`installed in a motor vehicle and oriented in different unique
`directions So as to make a video record of the events
`Surrounding the accident from multiple viewpoints. The data
`record of a vehicle accident may also include other infor
`mation representing traffic flow within the vicinity of the
`vehicle, or the operational parameters of the vehicle, Such as
`Speed, brake usage, activation of turn signals, and So forth,
`during the time of the recording.
`Other objects and features of the present invention will be
`apparent to those skilled in the art, based on the following
`description, taken in combination with the accompanying
`drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of the circuitry of the
`present invention incorporating an accelerometer.
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of one method of installing this
`invention in a motor vehicle.
`FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present inven
`tion enclosed in a plastic case Suitable for consumer use.
`FIG. 4 provides a block diagram of an alternative embodi
`ment of the present invention comprising an acoustical event
`Save device.
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`Recent advances in charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and
`digital image Sensor technology help make this invention
`possible. A CCD is a Solid State chip for capturing images,
`which basically operates by collecting photocharge in pixels
`and then clocking them into a charge Sensitive amplifier.
`There are many different kinds. For example, “interline”
`CCD's use a line of photodiodes to collect the charge. The
`device then produces a stream of pixel-by-pixel analog
`Signals as output, which can be converted back into a Video
`image. CCD devices provide excellent dynamic range and
`dynamic response. In the past 5 years CMOS image Sensors
`have also become practical. CMOS image Sensors are typi
`cally lower power and lower cost than CCD image Sensors,
`and are capable of providing high-resolution, low-noise
`images that compare with CCD quality. These Solid State
`image Sensors have become very affordable and are increas
`ingly integrated into Small mass produced chips. Soon,
`complete CCD or CMOS systems will be available on a
`Singe chip.
`In FIG. 1, the image Sensor 3 is connected to a timing
`generator 7 which controls when the images are to be taken.
`The image sensor 3 has a plurality of outputs 5 which are all
`Simultaneously Sampled by the Simultaneous Sample and
`Hold (SSH) circuitry 6. It will be appreciated that using
`different types of image Sensors and different types of
`processors would naturally affect this block diagram. In the
`case of a color image Sensor, there are generally three Such
`image Sensor outputs 5 which are for red, green and blue
`data. If it were a grayScale image device, then there would
`only be one sensor output. With multiple outputs an SSH
`circuit 6 is required if only one analog-to-digital converter
`(ADC) 10 is going to be used. This way, signals that were
`taken Simultaneously may be digitized one at a time.
`Otherwise, three relatively expensive ADC's would be
`required. Connected to the SSH 6 is a programmable gain
`array (PGA) 8 which amplifies the signal up to a range
`which will utilize the full dynamic range of the ADC 10. A
`multiplexer 9 is placed in front of the ADC 10 so that all
`three Signals may be read into the ADC one at a time. The
`timing generator 7 is also connected to the ADC and
`determines when the ADC will convert the analog signal(s)
`to digital data.
`The sensor outputs 5, SSH circuits 6, timing generator 7,
`PGA 8, multiplexer 9, and ADC 10 are collectively referred
`to as the CCD or CMOS interface circuitry. Since there are
`many different versions of both CCD and CMOS image
`Sensors on the market today, the interface circuitry to them
`may vary considerably. In the preferred embodiment, most
`or all of the image Sensor interface circuitry is contained on
`a single chip. There are many Such chips currently available
`on the market today which would be suitable for the present
`invention, Such as the TLC8144 CCD interface device made
`by Texas Instruments Corporation.
`A microprocessor 17 controls the ADC 10 and runs a
`program which continually reads the digitized image from
`the ADC and places it into non-volatile memory. Non
`volatile memory means that when power is lost (which
`would be likely following a severe collision) the contents
`that are Stored in the memory are not lost. In the preferred
`embodiment high speed static RAM 15 provides the non
`Volatile memory. Some dynamic random access memory
`(DRAM) 18 is connected to the microprocessor to hold the
`program that the microprocessor 17 is running. Many newer
`microprocessors have their own DRAM built in. Many
`newer ones also have a one time programmable read only
`memory (OTPROM) or flash memory built into them to
`Store the executable code when the unit is powered down.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring now to the drawings:
`FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of the Solid state circuitry
`of one embodiment of the present invention incorporating an
`accelerometer for detecting a vehicle collision. A camera
`lens 1 with a camera focus adjust 2 is connected to a CCD
`or CMOS image sensor 3. The lens 1 and focus adjust 2 are
`both Standard components which are responsible for pro
`Viding a clear picture to the image Sensor 3. It will be
`appreciated that a lens with a fairly wide angle will be
`desirable to record as much information as possible.
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`The great benefit of the above described configuration is
`the method by which only a small amount of memory is used
`to permanently record the dozen or So relevant graphical
`images of a collision. The non-volatile memory 15 contains
`a small circular buffer. For the purpose of illustration, it will
`be assumed that there is only enough Static RAM (non
`volatile memory) present to store, for example, thirty images
`from the image Sensor 3. The program running in the
`microprocessor 17 will continually Store images into the
`Static RAM at a constant rate. For purposes of illustration,
`Suppose that is five times per Second. Once the device has
`been activated, the Small amount of static RAM will be
`quickly filled up by imageS. In the example here, a thirty
`image capacity divided by five images per Second means
`that in six seconds the static RAM would be full. However,
`once this happens the program will Start overwriting the
`older images with newer ones. This method of memory
`usage where the older data is constantly being overwritten
`by newer data is known as a circular buffer. At any given
`moment, the most recent data (thirty images in this example)
`will be stored in memory and all previous data will be
`permanently lost (since it was overwritten). Once the pro
`gram detects that a collision has occurred, recording may
`Stop, or it continues (if possible) taking enough images to fill
`up about one-third of the total memory capacity (ten in this
`example), depending on the programming, and then no more
`images are recorded and the process is shut down. This way,
`the memory will now be divided up between the images
`before and after the collision (twenty before and ten after for
`the example above). In this way both the immediate cause
`and the resultant damage from the collision should be
`recorded in non-volatile memory. After the collision event
`has occurred, the processor will lock the contents of the
`memory from being overwritten.
`It will be appreciated that the time frame of the saved data
`will depend on the amount of data Saved in the circular data
`Storage buffer and the frequency of image Sampling, and
`may be any desirable time frame Such as five minutes or
`three minutes or thirty Seconds. Additionally, the Scope of
`the time frame relative to the triggering event will vary
`depending on the application, and may be made Selectively
`variable by a user. For most applications it is desirable that
`the unpredictable event itself be the triggering event, and
`that the recorded window of data be either substantially
`before or Substantially after the triggering event. For
`example, the apparatus could be attached to a Seismometer
`So that detection of an earthquake is the triggering event, and
`the desired window of recording may include just a few
`Seconds before the initial detection of the earthquake, but
`Several minutes afterward. Alternatively, photo Sensitive
`detection means could be employed So that detection of a
`Strike of lightening is the triggering event. In this embodi
`ment the desired time frame may include just a few Seconds
`before and a few Seconds after the Strike of the lightening,
`recorded at a very high frequency for very high resolution.
`In these and other Similar embodiments the apparatus of the
`present invention may also include power Supply means to
`allow long term placement in remote locations. The appa
`ratus may also include locator means Such that it can be
`found after an event which displaces it. For example, if the
`device were placed in a remote location to record a possible
`avalanche, and were Subsequently buried by an avalanche,
`the locator means would allow Searchers to quickly retrieve
`the device and gain access to its contents.
`It will be appreciated that memory Storage methods other
`than using a circular buffer to Store the continual Stream of
`image data may be used to accomplish the same end. One
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`Such alternative method is to use alternating banks of
`memory. This method is very similar to a circular buffer
`except that when using alternating banks of data, when one
`bank is full, the next one is used. Then when the second is
`full, the data goes back into the first bank and Starts
`overwriting it.
`It will also be appreciated that the microprocessor 17 used
`to run the Software algorithms could be effectively replaced
`with a number of different electronic devices known in the
`art. Such alternative devices might incorporate the use of a
`micro controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA),
`an ASIC, a digital signal processor (DSP), or any other
`device that could control the ADC and store the data to the
`non-volatile memory circular buffer. This alternative imple
`mentation would also have to process the trigger input from
`the accelerometer and when required, download the colli
`Sion data out of the device.
`In the embodiment of FIG. 1 an accelerometer 16 is
`connected to the threshold detection circuitry 21 in order to
`determine when Sufficient force has occurred as to indicate
`a collision. An accelerometer is an electromechanical device
`that outputs a Signal which corresponds to the level of shock
`or force that it is exerted on it. Through recent advances in
`micromachining technology, Small monolithic accelerom
`eters are available on a single chip, which helps make this
`invention possible. Additionally, the price of capacitive
`accelerometers has decreased greatly in recent years.
`Typically, a threshold detection circuit is simply an adjust
`able Voltage Source input into a comparator. The output of
`the accelerometer is also input into the comparator and when
`it exceeds the value of the adjustable Voltage Source, a
`digital trigger is Sent to the microprocessor to indicate a
`collision. To avoid requiring hand adjustments, digital-to
`analog converters (DAC’s) are typically used instead of
`potentiometers to Set the trigger threshold Voltage into the
`comparator. The threshold detection circuitry 21 is con
`nected to the microprocessor 17, to indicate when a collision
`has occurred.
`In the context of automobile collisions, this invention
`offers a means for any ground transportation vehicle to
`record an accident in which it has been involved. Since it
`uses a Small circular buffer of memory, once an accident is
`detected by the accelerometer, multiple frames of data
`immediately before and immediately after the accident are
`recorded. This includes one frame which should be the exact
`moment of impact. This would provide nearly indisputable
`evidence of the details of any collision.
`It will be appreciated that the accelerometer 16 could be
`any type available on the market today and could be a single,
`dual, or triple axis type. A Single axis accelerometer would
`only Sense impact along one plane Such as from the back to
`the front of the car. A two axis accelerometer would be used
`to Sense impact from the Sides of the vehicle as well. And a
`three axis version would be sensitive to any collision in 3D
`Space around the car. It will also be apparent that the device
`could be triggered by an alarm, the deployment of an airbag,
`or Some other event detection mechanism.
`A data Serial port 19 is also connected to the micropro
`ceSSor So that an external computer may be hooked up to the
`data transfer connector 20, to download the collision images
`once an accident has occurred. Any data link from the
`collision recorder to the outside world would be functionally
`acceptable, including a parallel port, an infrared link, a laser
`link, an RF link, a universal Serial bus port, a firewire port,
`or any other convenient means of downloading. In the
`preferred embodiment a standard RS-232 serial port is
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`desirable Since almost all personal computers and many
`microcontrollers have them. This helps reduce the cost of
`implementation. The images may be downloaded to a com
`puter as many times as desired via the Serial port. The device
`can then be reset, Such as by an authorized Service center,
`and used again. The great advantage of this configuration is
`that large amounts of data do not have to be permanently
`Stored as would be the case if an expensive Video camera
`were used. It also permits the device to be very Small in size
`Since large amounts of Storage capacity are not required. In
`the preferred embodiment the serial port 19 will have a
`tamper proof Seal So that a third party can certify to the
`integrity of the data. It will be appreciated that additional
`Safety and Security features could be added to this device.
`For example, hardware keys, Software codes, or transmitted
`radio frequency Signals to unlock the data So that it may be
`downloaded could also be incorporated to ensure that the
`data is genuine.
`A power jack 14, is provided so that 12 volt vehicle power
`may be used to run the device. The 12 Volt DC power 13, is
`input to a DC to DC converter 12, so that 5 Volt DC power
`11, may be obtained to power the device's electronics. It will
`be appreciated that other embodiments of the present inven
`tion may be produced to run on 110 V AC power, or any other
`common electrical power Supply configuration for different
`applications in different locations. It will also be apparent
`that if a car is not pre-wired for this device, 12V DC power
`may be obtained for the unit from the vehicle's cigarette
`lighter 22 or from some other source. When the device is
`triggered, a light 27 comes on to indicate that an event has
`occurred. If the unit was hit with a hard object and falsely
`triggered, this light would indicate Such and the unit would
`need to be replaced or reset.
`FIG. 2 is a depiction of how the video recording device of
`FIG. 1 might be placed in an automobile. Here the vehicle
`collision recorder 4 is mounted directly below the rear view
`mirror 21. With its lens pointing forward at the front car
`window 23, all forward or on-coming events would be
`recorded when the device is triggered. Placing the device
`directly below the rear view mirror would give a forward
`looking lens an excellent view of a front-end collision. It
`will be appreciated that a camera directed towards the rear
`or the sides of the automobile would also be effective to
`capture other types of collisions. Alternatively, a collision
`camera could be located on the dashboard, on the top of the
`car 24, or in the center of the inside of the car by the dome
`light and could effectively capture the Surrounding images of
`a collision. It will also be apparent that multiple image
`Sensors could be installed to simultaneously record multiple
`Views of a single event. In fact, with a dual axis acceler
`ometer and 4 image Sensors in a device, the front, back, and
`both sides of the automobile would be monitored during a
`collision from any direction.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention shown
`in FIG. 2 enclosed in a plastic case Suitable for consumer
`use. A rigid mounting plate 25, is provided So that the device
`may be firmly attached to the vehicle. It will be appreciated
`that a Solid mounting plate and firm attachment is required
`So that the shock of the collision is transmitted to the
`accelerometer in order to trigger the device, and So that the
`device records complete details of any accident, and does
`not change orientation, break or become dislodged by the
`shock of a vehicle impact. Additionally, the device should be
`adjusted so that it will not be set off by someone touching it
`or bumping their head against it. If it is Solidly mounted to
`the car, falsely detected triggering events should not occur.
`Alternatively, instead of including the accelerometer or
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`other trigger assembly as part of the device, the trigger could
`be a remote part connected to the device via a wire or cable,
`and attached firmly to Some other part of the automobile,
`Such as against the windshield or inside the frame of the
`vehicle, So as to ensure a valid trigger. This approach would
`allow the device itself to be attached less rigidly which
`would make it easier to remove for data transfer. It will be
`appreciated that the device could also be provided with fire
`insulation or other protective features So that the memory is
`protected in Serious accidents even if the unit itself is
`damaged or destroyed.
`The power jack 14 and the serial port connector 20 are the
`only two external connectorS required. The device will
`preferably be made as Small as possible So as not to distract
`the driver. It will be apparent that the device could be factory
`or otherwise installed in a vehicle in Such a way as to be
`entirely unobtrusive and completely unnoticeable.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
`the present invention adapted to Save acoustic events. Aural
`data is detected by the microphone 50 and translated into a
`Stream of digital data by the microprocessor controlled
`codec 54. This data is then temporarily stored in the con
`troller 56, which contains a circular buffer of memory that
`is continuously progressively overwritten until Saved. When
`one of the save buttons 58 is pressed, the contents of the
`circular buffer are transferred to one of two discrete registers
`in the non-volatile memory 64, overwriting whatever was
`previously there. The user pressing one of the Save buttons
`is the triggering event in this embodiment. AS shown in FIG.
`4 the non-volatile memory contains two discrete memory
`registers, each controlled by one of the two Save buttons. It
`will be appreciated that the present invention could be
`composed of any other number of memory registers to allow
`the Saving of any other number of individual aural events as
`desired. The device is also provided with power Supply
`means 66 and control Switch 68 for activating and deacti
`Vating the device. The power Supply means and control
`means may be any means currently known in the art, Such
`as that for powering portable dictaphones, tape recorders and
`the like.
`One of the great advantages of this embodiment is that the
`recorded information may be immediately replayed. AS
`shown in FIG. 4 the codec 54 is connected to an output
`device such as an amplifier 70 and audio speaker 72, to allow
`the user to hear the data when replayed. It will be appreci
`ated that connections for headphones, recording devices, and
`other output devices known in the art may also be used. To
`replay data Stored in one of the registers of the non-volatile
`memory 64, the user simply presses the play button 60 twice
`and then a save button 58 for the particular memory register
`he wishes to hear. Additionally, pressing the replay button 60
`once replays what is temporarily stored in the controller 56.
`This may aid the user in determining whether temporarily
`Stored data is worth Saving permanently.
`This device thus Serves as a convenient method