(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