GB2446724A

GB2446724A - Cameras mounted on Cycle of Rider for Road Traffic Monitoring

Info

Publication number: GB2446724A
Application number: GB0803012A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-19
Filing date: 2008-02-19
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Also published as: GB0803012D0; GB0703192D0

Abstract

A road traffic monitoring system comprises at least one camera 12-17 installed on a cycle or bike 10, or its rider, data storage means e.g. a hard disk recorder 28, for recording the images and transfer means, e.g. radio or mobile telephone, to transfer the images so they can be viewed by a third party observer 34. The cameras 12-17 may be video cameras, and the cycle 10 may be a push-bike (bicycle) or motorbike. Preferably multiple cameras 12-17 are used facing in different directions, some installed on the bike 10 and some on the helmet 11 of the rider. Microphones 18, 19 may be provided to record sounds of the road and/or the rider's commentary. GPS tracking 22 and telemetric recording 20 may be used to monitor location, speed etc of the motorbike and the rider may be provided with a button or lever 24 to bookmark certain events on the data being stored. Preferable the rider cannot access the data being stored to provide a tamper-proof system.

Description

Road Traffic Monitoring System The present invention relates to a

system for monitoring road traffic. In particular, the system may be motorcycle-based.

The authorities are constantly battling against inconsiderate or even dangerous drivers to ensure that our roads are safe for the majority of road users. In order to do this, and in order successfully to prosecute such drivers, various methods of collecting evidence are currently used.

Gatso speed cameras are currently used across the United Kingdom. Generally, these are placed in a fixed position and are set to record single events for which they are highly calibrated. They are generally used to monitor speed of traffic and red light-or bus lane-abuse. Gatso speed cameras use radar technology and have been used in moving vehicles.

There are several problems with this type of system for monitoring traffic offences. Gatso cameras are highly dedicated to a particular function and are therefore inflexible. Because of their automatic nature, they have to be built to a high specification and very carefully set up: they need routine calibration to ensure accurate operation. Typically, they have to be manually loaded with film and then subsequently emptied and the film processed. As the cameras are not remotely monitored, any breakdown is generally not discovered until an agent visits the site and the film is analysed. These cameras are susceptible to vandalism, and motorists very quickly learn to spot the location of these cameras and drive so as to anticipate them; traffic offence detection rates thus fall. As these cameras are generally fixed, they usually monitor only a particular area and a specific offence.

Fixed location remote controlled cameras have also been used to monitor traffic. Whilst these are stationary, they can be made to pan, zoom and/or tilt. These are controlled by an operator at a remote location and are used to record a variety of traffic offences such as red light-, bus lane-and box junction-violations. A problem with this system is that the ratio of operators to cameras is such that not all of the cameras can be monitored at any one time. Therefore, several "dummy" cameras are used. This leads to motorists never being sure which cameras are actually in use. In order to avoid vandalism or theft these cameras are generally positioned very high up, which leads to a reduction in their field of vision. In use, the operator has to stare continuously at the same part of a road, which inevitably leads to a drop in concentration and therefore some offences being missed. Moreover the operator is only able to use the view presented by the camera. He has no aural input and is unable to take advantage of any peripheral vision.

Police cars have been equipped with video cameras to record footage to a video cassette.

These are mainly used for speeding offences and public disorder offences. However, as the police are no longer responsible for enforcement of most traffic offences and as they are understaffed, this tends to be of a low priority.

US 6,914,541 discloses a system for detecting traffic offences. It includes a forward-facing and a rearward-facing camera mounted in a surveillance vehicle. A computer receives images from the cameras along with data from a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and recorded audio information from a microphone. The computer transmits images and other data to an analysis centre by mobile telephone. The system can be used to collect data on a target vehicle. The operator activates the system once the target vehicle has been identified.

This activation ensures that the prior two minutes of data is stored along with any subsequent data up to a point at which the operator indicates that such data storage can end. A problem with this system is that only a very limited view is able to be obtained from the cameras because a car can be easily stuck in traffic and thus can only capture images of the car ahead, a very restricted view on either side and a very fleeting view of on coming traffic. This system needs to be operated by a passenger in a moving vehicle especially if pan/tilt and/or zoom are required. Such a two-man system is labour intensive.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved road traffic monitoring system.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a road traffic monitoring system including: at least one image-capturing device mounted to a cycle or to a cycle rider; storage means for storing the captured images; and transfer means for transferring the stored captured images to a remote device; so as to enable a third party to view the captured images.

Mounting of image-capturing devices to a cycle or to a cycle rider allows a high level of manoeuvrability and thus facilitates the capturing of relevant images. A cycle is unlikely to be held up in traffic and thus provides a high level of flexibility for the system.

The cycle is preferably a motorcycle, to allow a higher speed of movement through traffic.

In the preferred embodiment, at least one image-capturing device is adapted to be worn on a rider's head. Mounting an image-capturing device on a rider's head provides a rider's eye view of the road, the captured images following the head movement of the rider.

An image-capturing device is preferably mounted in or on a crash helmet, thereby taking advantage of standard head-mounting means.

Preferably, the image-capturing device is provided within the helmet. This can provide weather-proof protection to the image-capturing device. This also allows provision of a clear view in wet weather.

In an embodiment, a first image-capturing device is provided in or on the rider's helmet and a second image-capturing device is mounted on the cycle. This enables a regular view-point image to be captured, thereby reducing any blind spots that may be caused by the rider turning their head.

Preferably, at least one forward image-capturing device and at least one rearward image-capturing device is provided on the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle. The forward facing imaging-capturing device(s) captures the equivalent of the rider's field of vision. The rearward facing image-capturing device enables a wider picture of the circumstances and environment to be built up. Additional image capture devices mounted on the side of the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle can capture side images to give a more panoramic view.

In the preferred embodiment, two forward-facing image-capturing devices and one rearward facing image-capturing device is provided on the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle.

Preferably, the system includes a sound-capturing device. This enables information to be recorded that supplements the information provided by the image-capturing device.

Preferably, a sound-capturing device is positioned to enable recording of contemporaneous comments by the rider and/or to be able to record sounds from traffic. The sound-capturing device may be provided on the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle. Such additional data can assist in analysis of the images by the third party.

In the preferred embodiment marking means enabling the motorcycle rider to highlight a specific part of the captured images to a third party are provided. This enables the third party to focus on the most relevant captured images.

In the preferred embodiment, the storage means cannot be accessed by the cycle rider. This will increase security for the rider and help to render the system tamper-proof.

Preferably, the transfer means is a wireless link to the remote device. This enables the captured images to be transmitted in real time.

The cycle is preferably equipped with a GPS decoder. This provides additional evidence regarding the cycle's location at a particular time.

In the preferred embodiment, the cycle includes a telemetric data logger. This enables readings from various cycle instruments to be recorded.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in use.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a motorcycle 10 has mounted thereon two forward-facing moving image cameras 12, 14 and a rearward facing moving image camera 16. These are able to capture regular view-point images. The cameras 12, 14, 16 should be of high enough definition and good enough quality to capture images that would be admissible in a court case. The cameras should be able to operate under poor light and weather conditions and on a normal lit road after dark. The cameras could be mounted at any suitable position.

Conveniently they could be mounted in the nose cone or headlight/rear light housing. The motorcycle 10 also includes a microphone 18. This is positioned so as to be able to record events from the roads, for example, shouting, screeching breaks, horns or sirens.

In addition to the cameras 12, 14, 16 and microphone 18 mounted on the motorcycle, the rider's helmet 11 also includes data-capturing devices. Two forward-facing movie cameras 13, 15 and a rearward facing movie camera 17 are provided on the helmet 11. The forward facing cameras 13, 15 capture the equivalent of the rider's field of vision. Different views can thus be captured by movement of the rider's head.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the helmet-mounted cameras 13, 15 are preferably mounted within the helmet 11. The skilled person would appreciate how to devise suitable helmet-mounting means.

Two microphones 18, 19 are provided. A microphone 18 is mounted to the motorcycle in order to record any relevant sounds from the road and/or the traffic (for example, shouting, screeching brakes, horns and/or sirens). A microphone 19 mounted to the rider's helmet enables the rider's narration of the journey to be recorded. For example, the rider may wish to record comments on the road conditions, on weather changes, and on events he witnesses as they happen.

A telemetric data logger 20 is mounted on the motorcycle 10. The telemetric data logger 20 records readings from various instruments on the motorcycle such as the motorcycle's speed, revs, mileage, turn signals, the temperature and the date/time. This data is transferred and stored to a hard disk 28 within a control unit 26 (see below).

A GPS decoder 22 takes advantage of satellite-based GPS technology to record time and position information of the motorcycle. This information provides evidence of the location of an incident that has been recorded, and backs up evidence obtained by the cameras 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and the motorcycle's telemetric data. The GPS data is also transferred to a hard disk 28 within a control unit 26 (see below).

A finger trigger 24 is mounted to the handlebar of the motorcycle 10 so as to be easily accessible by the rider. This is linked to the hard disk recorder 28 (see below) and enables the rider to "bookmark" important parts of recorded images. This enables a third party operator 34 easily to view the most relevant parts of recorded images/data.

A control unit 26 is mounted on the motorcycle 10. This is preferably includes a small computer allowing the cameras 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, the microphones 18, 19, the telemetric data logger 20, the GPS decoder 22 and the finger trigger 24 to be connected to a hard disk recorder 28. The connections are preferably wireless, for example, utilising technology such as Bluetooth technology. The control unit 26 is powered through the motorcycle's electric circuit. The hard disk recorder 28 is a removable cartridge that can be connected to the control unit 26. The hard disk recorder 28 is electronically watermarked as a means of tamper-proofing. It is kept in a locked, waterproof compartment to keep it safe. In order to increase security, the rider has no access to the hard disk recorder 28 so it cannot be switched off, removed or erased by the rider.

In the preferred embodiment, the control unit 26 is able to send data to a control room 30 as it is generated, in addition to recording the data on the hard disk recorder 28. This may be by a wireless General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or 3"' Generation System for Mobile Communications (3GSM) link. Bandwidth will be the main limiting factor on how much data can be sent back, but preferably data from at least one camera 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or lower resolution data from two cameras could be sent.

A base unit 32 is located in the control room 30. This accepts the wireless GPRS link of data from the control unit 26 and also accepts the hard disk recorder 28 cartridge from the control unit 26. An operator 34 is able to watch the video footage (perhaps the parts indicated as being most relevant by "bookmarking"), he is able to look at the data feeds (GPS and telemetric data) and listen to any recordings from the microphones 18, 19.

In use, a highly experienced motorcycle rider will wear the helmet 11 including the microphone 19 and the cameras 13, 15, 17. He will ride the motorcycle 10, which includes the cameras 12, 14, 16, the microphone 18, the control unit 26 containing the hard disk recorder 28, the telemetric data logger 20 and the OPS decoder 22. As the rider rides through traffic (which may be on a motorway or through a town centre, for example), images in front of the motorcycle 10 are captured by the cameras 12, 14 and images from behind the motorcycle 10 are captured by the camera 16. A rider's eye view is captured by the cameras 13, 15 mounted on the helmet. Further images from behind the rider are captured by the camera 17. At the same time, traffic sounds are recorded by the microphone 18, whilst any comments that the rider wishes to make are recorded by the microphone 19. GPS data and telemetric data from the motorcycle are also recorded. All of this data is transmitted to the hard disk recorded 28 within the control unit 26. As such, the general traffic conditions and environment can be recorded. At the same time, images from at least one camera are wirelessly transmitted by a GPRS link to the base unit 32.

If the rider witnesses an incident, which may be of any type such as a road traffic accident, he activates the finger trigger 24. This highlights the data from the relevant period of time for the operator 34 who will analyse the data in due course.

After an incident, the rider returns to the control room 30 where an authorised person accesses the hard disk recorder 28. This is connected to the base unit 32 and enables the operator 34 to review all of the recorded data. The bookmark applied by means of the finger trigger 24 indicates to the operator 34 that the data immediately prior to a bookmark should be analysed in detail.

The operator 34 may prepare a collage of 40 second clips (20 seconds either side of a bookmark). This data should be retained for data integrity purposes and in case a longer clip is subsequently needed. This clip would form the basis of evidence need for any subsequent prosecution. Upon the operator 34 taking a decision that sufficient evidence is available for prosecution, a written report could be produced outlining the offence and sent along with the entire clip to the appropriate prosecuting authority.

Of course, whilst the operator 34 is analysing the collected data, the rider can return to the road carrying out further monitoring and recording activities.

There are various advantages attributable to the above-described embodiment.

The provision of two forward-facing helmet cameras 13, 15 and also a reward-facing camera 17 enable a wide picture of various circumstances to be built up.

The provision of cameras 12, 14, 16 on the motorcycle help to avoid blind spots that may be caused by the rider turning his head.

Provision of the finger trigger 24 enabling bookmarking of the data means that the operator 34 does not need to trawl thorough hours of irrelevant information in order to identify the important data. Having the hard disk recorder 28 locked away increases security for the rider.

The provision of a wireless GPRS link to the control room 30 acts as a backup to storage of the data by the hard disk recorder 28. This also increases rider security.

Providing the helmet cameras 13, 15, 17 within the helmet 11 protect them from the weather and from water.

There are various modifications that can be made to the above-referenced embodiment.

The cameras 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 need not necessarily be moving image cameras; in some circumstances capturing of still images may be sufficient.

Additional cameras (for example, one, two or more) may be mounted to the side of the motorcycle or the rider's helmet. These capture side images that cannot be seen by the rider without turning their head. This arrangement would help to eliminate blind spots and enable the capture of periphery vision.

The finger trigger 24 could be mounted anywhere where it is easily accessible by the rider.

For example, instead of providing the finger trigger on the handlebar, it could be mounted on the petrol tank. Additionally/alternatively, voice activation could be provided.

Any suitable means of transferring data from the data-capturing devices to the hard disk recorder 28 could be envisaged. A USB, other serial or parallel connection could be used, for example. The connection used will depend on the speed and volume of data transmission required.

In a modification, all camera data could be sent to the control room 30 at full resolution from for example, 30 seconds either side of an event being marked as soon as the finger trigger 24 (or other marking means) is activated. At other times, as much data as possible could be sent to the control room 30. The two data streams could subsequently be reconciled once the hard disk recorder 28 is physically connected to the base unit 32.

In some circumstances, for example, where traffic is slow moving (for example, in a city centre) a motorcycle need not be used. A push-cycle may be sufficient. In a push-cycle version, certain adaptations, in particular with respect to power requirements may be made.

The events being recorded need not be of a serious nature such as a road traffic accident. The driving of a car with a major defect could be recorded, as could other offences such as throwing litter from the car, using a mobile phone whilst driving, parking and red route offences. Other uses may also be envisaged.

A personal version of this system could consist of a helmet with at least one camera to record events while a cyclist or motorcycle rider is making normal journeys (i.e. the rider does not need to be riding solely for the purpose of recording offences). Any footage captured could be used as evidence if the rider was involved in an accident.

The skilled person will appreciate that other modifications to the above described specific embodiment are possible and that the modifications may be combined as appropriate.

The disclosures in GB0703 192.5, from which this application claims priority, and in the accompanying Abstract, are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

Claims 1. A road traffic monitoring system including: at least one

image-capturing device mounted to a cycle or to a cycle rider; storage means for storing the captured images; and transfer means for transferring the stored captured images to a remote device; so as to enable a third party to view the captured images.
2. A system as claimed in claim I, wherein the cycle is a motorcycle.
3. A system as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein at least one image-capturing device is adapted to be worn on a rider's head.
4. A system as claimed in claim 3, where in an image-capturing device is mounted in or on a crash helmet.
5. A system claimed in claim 4, wherein the image-capturing device is provided within the helmet.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, a first image-capturing device is provided in or on the rider's helmet and a second image-capturing device is mounted on the cycle.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one forward image-capturing device and at least one rearward image-capturing device is provided on the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein additional image capture devices are mounted on the side of the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle to capture side images.
9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two forward-facing image-capturing devices and one rearward facing image-capturing device is provided on the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle.
10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system includes a sound-capturing device.
11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sound-capturing device is positioned to enable recording of contemporaneous comments by the rider and/or to be able to record sounds from traffic.
12. A system as claimed in claims 10 or 11 wherein the sound-capturing device is provided on the rider's helmet and/or on the cycle.
13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein marking means enabling the motorcycle rider to highlight a specific part of the captured images to a third party are provided.
14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the storage means cannot be accessed by the cycle rider.
15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the transfer means is a wireless link to the remote device.
16. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cycle is equipped with a GPS decoder.
17. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, the cycle includes a telemetric data logger.
18. A system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.