GB2529177A

GB2529177A - Vehicle monitoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2529177A
Application number: GB1414251.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrea Ghidoni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-12
Filing date: 2014-08-12
Publication date: 2016-02-17
Also published as: GB201414251D0

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring system A comprising at least one video recording devices, digital storage system, and battery power; where the system if positioned within the vehicle V in a manner that prevents unauthorised persons from retrieving the stored data. The system may be powered by the vehicles battery (C, fig 3) and integrated into the vehicles electrics via an interior light, or via independent sources such as solar or wind power, and a rechargeable battery. The video recording device may be a 360o camera that has night vision capability. The system may also record the images from vehicles parking cameras E and data from the vehicles ECU F and on board dashboard computer G. The system may have one or more microphones, and include GPS or other location systems.

Description

Vehicle monitoring system This invention relates to a vehicle monitoring system that may function as a black box, data storage and CCTV within the vehicles in which it is installed.

In case of accidents, vehicles damage, theft, fire and other situations affecting the safety and security of the vehicle itself and anyone and anything involved, it may he difficult to retrieve accurale information when investigating the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

A vehide monitoring system comprising of one or more video recording devices, digital memory storage systems, batteries and possibly other data collecting components and connections, which is intcgrated or fixcd to thc vehicle itself. locked and scaled in a way that allows only authorised persons to retrieve stored data, provides a reliable and impartial source of information.

The installation of such vehicle monitoring system may help solving cases and saving cost, time and resources to vehicle owners as well as other persons involved, may that be police, insurance companies, medica' personnel and others. Being inaccessible for unauthorised persons makes it less likely to he tampered with and for the data to he deleted or altered as well as insuring the proper handling of sensitive data. Being securely fixed or integrated to the vehicle itself makes it less likely to be removed or stolen from the vehicle.

The vehicle monitoring system may he uitted in any position ol the vehicle that allows a clear view of the sulTounding and it may replace or be integrated with the vehicle dome lights in the centre, at the front, or any other dome light position within the vehicle. In case it replaces the dome lights the vehicle monitoring system may be fitted with LED (light-emitting diode) or other appropriate lighting system to replace the dome lights function. Having the vehicle monitoring system in the driving cabin, which is the most protected part of the vehicle, will increase the chances of recovery, for example in case of major accidents.

The vehicle monitoring system may be fitted with a 360 degree camera which captures the full surroundings in one video stream, including action taken by the vehicle driver, passengers as well as events taking place inside and outside the vehicle seen through the vehicle windows from a perspective close to that of the vehicle driver. Alternatively or in addition of the 360 degree camera one or more suitable video recording device types may also he used. Recording devices with night vision capability maybe used to enable monitoring while the vehicle is parked. driven in low light or dark conditions or when is installed in an enclosed compartment of the vehicle.

The vehicle monitoring system may he powered, and its internal batteries charged, from the vehicle's own power circuit, generally connected to the vehicle's battery which may provide power when the vehicle's engine is off, for example when parked. In case the power supply is suspended or severed for any reason, the vehicle monitoring system may continue to perform its functions for some time being powered by its own internal batteries. The vehicle monitoring system may also he powered, and its internal batteries charged, from an independent energy source, for example a solar or wind energy generator fitted on the vehicle itself or by plugging into an external power supply.

Adding other components within the vehide monitoring system may aflow for more data collection and storage. By way of example, one or more microphones may record audio from inside and outside the vehicle, a GPS (Global Positioning System), the on-hoard dashboard computer or other types of thcation devices may track and record location, speed, routes taken as well as locate the vehicle monitoring system in case it has been removed or stolen.

The vehicle monitoring system may also be connected to other monitoring systems present on the vehide. Such systems may include for example parking cameras, the vehicle ECU (electronic control unit), additional video and audio recording devices and the vehicle's own GPS or location device. Another possibility is that of installing multiple vehicle monitoring systems within the same vehicle to increase the amount of data collected, in particular when the vehicle shape, size or function require additional monitoring.

The invention will now he described sokly by way of exampk and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a vehicle monitoring system approximate field of view, from the vehicle's side perspective, when installed in place of the vehicle cabin's dome lights, Figure 2 shows a vehicle monitoring system approximate field of view, from the vehicle's rear perspective, when installed in place of the vehicle cabin's dome lights, Figure 3 shows the vehicle monitoring system power supply possible sources, Figure 4 shows possible connections to other monitoring systems present on the vehicle, Figure 5 shows multiple vehicle monitoring systems installed on the same vehicle.

In figure 1 and 2, the vehicle monitoring system (A) replaces or is integrated with the vehicle (V) cabin's central dome lights allowing for a 360 degree field of view (B) within the cabin itself and of the vehicle's surroundings through the windscreen and other vehide's windows.

Furthermore, in this position the vehide monitoring system (A) is a'so able to video capture thc driving dashboard controls.

In figure 3. the vehicle monitoring system (A) is powered, and its batteries charged, by the vehicle's (V) own battery (C) and/or by an independent energy source (D) installed on the vehicle (V) itself, for example a solar or wind energy generator.

In figure 4, the vehicle monitoring system (A) is connected to receive and store data from other vehicle's monitoring systems like the parking cameras CE). the vehicle ECU (F) and the on-board dashboard computer (0).

In figure 5, multiple vehicle monitoring systems (A) are installed on a different vehicle (Z) that due to its size, shape and function needs additional monitoring to increase the angles and

fields of view (B) to be recorded and stored.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle monitoring system comprising of one or more video recording devices, digital memory storage systems. batteries and possibly other data collecting components and connections, which is integrated or Fixed to the vehicle itselF, thcked and sealed in a way that allows only authorised persons to retrieve stored data.
2. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, in which the installation is performed by integrating with or replacing the vehicle interior dome lights.
3. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, in which the video recording device is a 360 degree camera.
4. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, in which the video recording device is one or more suitable cameras.
5. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, 3 and 4. in which the cameras have night vision capability.
6. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, in which the components are powered and charged hy die vehicle power circuit itself or by independent energy sources.
7. A vehicle monitoring system according to daim I and 6, in which the components arc powered and charged by a solar or wind energy generator fitted on the vehicle.
8. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, in which an internal rechargeable battery allows to keep monitoring when the power supply is suspended.
9. A vehicle monitoring system according to daim I, in which other data coflecting components are added to gather and store further data.
10. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim land 9, in which one or more microphones are installed.
11. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim land 9. in which a UPS or other location systems are installed.
12. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, in which other vehicle monitoring systems and devices are connected to gather and store further data.
13. A vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1. in which the storage device has overwriting capability