WO2016016768A1

WO2016016768A1 - System for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2016016768A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/055522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Simonazzi
Original assignee: Meta System S.P.A.
Priority date: 2014-07-29
Filing date: 2015-07-21
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Also published as: EP3195273A1

Abstract

The system (1) for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like comprises a camera (2, 3, 9) installed on a motor vehicle (A) and able to acquire images of the outside and/or the inside of the motor vehicle (A), a memory unit (5) for storing images acquired by the camera (2, 3, 9), and detection means (6) of the instantaneous acceleration of the motor vehicle (A), wherein: when the motor vehicle (A) is on, the memory unit (5) stores continuously over time the images acquired by the camera (2, 3, 9) and, in case of a sudden event detected by the detection means (6), it interrupts the storing of new images and saves the images acquired by the camera (2, 3, 9) before and during the sudden event; when said motor vehicle (A) is off, the camera (2, 3, 9) is deactivated and the storing of new images is interrupted. The system (1) comprises activation means (7) of the camera (2, 3, 9) when the motor vehicle (A) is off and following a sudden event detected by the detection means (6), for the storing on the memory unit (5) of new images subsequent to the sudden event.

Description

SYSTEM FOR THE RECORDING OF SUDDEN EVENTS IN MOTOR VEHICLES OR THE LIKE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like.

Background Art

It is known that in case of road accidents, disputes very often arise between the parties involved, especially if the facts have taken place in the absence of external witnesses.

For example, a frequent case study is that relating to an accident between motor vehicles which has occurred at a road junction with traffic lights, where each driver can claim to have passed with the green light and no way exists to determine what actually happened.

Just as in the above example, the circumstances are frequent in which it would be very useful to have films available of what happened just a few moments before, and possibly during and after the accident, in order to have a correct and irrefutable reconstruction of the facts for the benefit both of the people involved and of insurance companies.

The document EP 1 028 395 Bl describes a system made up of at least a miniaturized camera and relative means for recording the images and possibly the sound.

The camera can be installed on any type of motor vehicle and is arranged in such a way as to have a field of view at least equal to that of the driver.

Several cameras may possibly be installed with different orientations: e.g., towards the rear of the motor vehicle, laterally, or towards the inside of the vehicle compartment.

When the motor vehicle is in motion, the camera records and stores images continuously over time and for a predefined time interval. After this time interval has ended, the images are deleted and replaced by those taken during a subsequent period of time of the same duration.

The cycle is repeated indefinitely during the regular movement of the vehicle and only stops at the time a sudden external event occurs involving the motor vehicle.

This solution however is susceptible of improvements.

In particular, when the motor vehicle is switched off and parked, the cameras facing outwards are normally switched off and, therefore, this does not permit detecting any abnormal events such as, e.g., the collision of a second vehicle or an act of vandalism.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a system for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like which allows to detect sudden events external to the motor vehicle in any situation, even when the motor vehicle is stationary and off.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the framework of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The objects stated above are achieved by the present system for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a system for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the system according to the invention installed on board a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a general block diagram of the system according to the invention. Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such illustrations, globally indicated with 1 is a system for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like, usable e.g. in the insurance field for the detection of how accidents occur.

The system 1 comprises at least a first camera 2 installed on a motor vehicle A and able to acquire images of the outside of the motor vehicle itself. Conveniently, a further second camera 3 can be installed on the motor vehicle A to acquire images of the inside of the passenger compartment.

With reference to the illustrations and to a particular application on a motor vehicle given for demonstration purposes only and non-limiting, it can be seen how a first camera 2, of the type of a miniaturized camera having appropriate support means, can be fitted, e.g., behind the rearview mirror R, inside the vehicle compartment, so that its field of view is comparable to that of the driver through the windshield.

Conveniently, according to a preferred embodiment, the system 1 comprises a device 4 that can be installed on board the motor vehicle, e.g. at the rearview mirror R, having the first camera 2 and, possibly, the second camera 3.

The device 4 therefore has suitable support means, e.g., of the type of a specific adhesive layer or of a mechanical retention element, able to allow the fixing thereof to the rearview mirror, to the windshield of the vehicle or, in any case, in other positions next to the windshield.

The device 4 comprises a memory unit 5 for storing images acquired by the first camera 2 and, possibly, by the second camera.

The device 4 also comprises detection means for detecting the instantaneous acceleration of said motor vehicle, shown in the diagram of figure 2 by the reference 6, and comprising, e.g., a triple-axis accelerometer, a gyroscope and/or other similar sensor devices.

When the motor vehicle A is on, the memory unit 5 stores continuously over time the images acquired by the first camera 2 and, possibly, by the second camera 3 and, in case of a sudden event detected by the detection means 6, it interrupts the storing of new images and saves the acquired images before and during the sudden event.

When the motor vehicle A is off, then the first camera 2 and, possibly, the second camera 3, are deactivated and the storing of new images is interrupted. Advantageously, the device 4 comprises activation means 7 of the first camera 2 and, possibly, of the second camera 3 when the motor vehicle A is off and following a sudden event detected by the detection means 6, for the storing on the memory unit 5 of new images subsequent to the sudden event. Conveniently, the device 4 comprises a management unit 8 operatively connected to the first camera 2, the second camera 3, the memory unit 5 and the detection means 6.

The management unit 8 may consist, e.g., of one or more microcontrollers. Conveniently, the activation means 7 can consist of a suitable software program implemented on the management unit 8.

The fitting of the device 4 only installed behind the rearview mirror and having the first camera 2 turned to the outside and a possible second camera 3 turned to the inside of the passenger compartment is one of many possible adoptable solutions.

As a matter of fact, the system 1 can comprise further external cameras 9 operatively connected to the device 4 and installed e.g. at the front bumper, or in any case at a front portion of the motor vehicle A, at the rear bumper or in any case at a rear portion of the motor vehicle A, at at least a side portion of the motor vehicle A.

Another very useful application is that concerning the view through the rear window of vehicles, in relation to the possibility of rear-end collisions.

Furthermore, orientations of one or more cameras facing towards the inside, so as to cover the space inside the vehicle compartment and/or its accesses, may be combined with alarm systems which, in case of attempted break in, trigger recording and permit recognizing the thief.

If necessary, just one camera can be adopted for both functions. Suffice it in fact for this to be oriented differently in automatic or manual mode, and that the two types of operation be matched to the surveillance or idle modes of the anti- break in system.

Similarly, it is possible to use a number of cameras, inward and outward, while still taking advantage of only one recording device.

The start control with orientation towards the outside, for moving vehicles, and anti-break in operation for inward orientation, for parked vehicles, may be manual with dedicated button on the device circuit, or automatic, according to the switch-on position on the instrument panel.

In the case of system operation, with recording and automatic stop of the operation due to an external event, such as, e.g., sudden and violent braking to avoid an unexpected obstacle, involuntary skidding, a bend taken at high speed, and the like, which ends anyway and fortunately without any repercussions, the device can be reactivated by the driver by means of a manual button.

The operation of the invention is described below.

In practice, once the instrument panel of the motor vehicle A has been turned on, the first camera 2 starts recording the images that appear before it, and such images are automatically recorded inside the memory unit 5 which is able to contain, e.g., thirty seconds of recording.

After this time, the recorded images are deleted gradually, from the beginning, and replaced with those that are gradually recorded in the next cycle of the same duration, and so on, so as to always have at disposal the images relating to the last thirty seconds stored and available.

The above cycle is repeated indefinitely during normal operation of the motor vehicle A in movement, until an external event occurs that causes its interruption.

Preferably, but not limited to, the adoptable memory unit 5 is in solid nonvolatile state, so as to ensure the retention of images and possible sound even in case of power failures.

With reference to a possible embodiment, the interruption of image storage may be caused either by a manual button operated by the driver or, more properly, by a signal from, e.g., an accelerometer or another corresponding instrument of the detection means 6, capable of detecting abnormal behavior of the motor vehicle A, and able to accurately detect the time of a possible, sudden and rapid variation of the conditions of regular motion, such as a violent deceleration resulting from sudden braking, a collision with another vehicle or obstacle, an abrupt maneuver or change in direction caused by a sudden obstacle, or by other abnormal behavior compared to normal driving of the motor vehicle A.

In such conditions, the device 4 in question is therefore able to provide a film, possibly accompanied by sound, of what has happened in the moments before the event and during the event itself.

The images recorded in the memory unit 5 can be reviewed either directly on the motor vehicle A, in the case of this being accompanied by the monitor, of the type, e.g., currently adopted for satellite navigation or for parking aid, or through an appropriate external reading device available from authorized service centers or from the traffic police or even from insurance companies which, for the benefit of people who use this device on their vehicles, are also able to provide policies at special rates.

Taking as reference the example of a collision between two cars near a road junction with traffic lights, the film is able to establish, conclusively, which of the two cars has gone through a red light and is responsible for the accident. The same applies to other types of accidents and/or events for which more information is required.

For this purpose, the system 1 can be improved, either by adopting longer recording times, or even extending the recording time beyond the external event which causes the stop thereof.

The latter solution allows having a visual record subsequent to the events which, together with the recording of the event, is to the full advantage of a more complete analysis of the event and any responsibilities.

The basic configuration of the device can also be completed by also storing, in the same way, the speed of the vehicle; information that, in the majority of accidents, can be very useful to understand exactly how the event occurred and to determine the actual responsibilities of the people involved. This information is easily available, at irrelevant costs, with a simple connection to the control unit of the motor vehicle A.

A further and advantageous improvement of the device is to also insert in the recorded images a time reference able to show the date and time of the stored event.

Advantageously, following the detection of a sudden event, the images stored in the memory unit 5 may be sent to a remote operational station.

Thus, images and all data related to them can be viewed and edited remotely from the operational station or by accessing the operational station itself through fixed or mobile devices such as personal computers, tablets, smart phones or other similar devices. Usefully, the images and the information related to them may be sent to the operational station via one or more communication units, of the transmitter/ receiver type conventionally used for transmitting/receiving data in mobile telephony.

It has in practice been found how the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular the fact is stressed that the presence of the activation means permits detecting sudden events outside the motor vehicle in any situation, including when the vehicle is stationary and off.

Claims

1) System (1) for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like, comprising at least a camera (2, 3, 9) installed on a motor vehicle (A) and able to acquire images of the outside and/or the inside of the motor vehicle (A), at least a memory unit (5) for storing images acquired by said camera (2, 3, 9), and detection means (6) of the instantaneous acceleration of said motor vehicle (A), wherein:

when said motor vehicle (A) is on, said memory unit (5) stores continuously over time the images acquired by said camera (2, 3, 9) and, in case of a sudden event detected by said detection means (6), it interrupts the storing of new images and saves the images acquired by said camera (2, 3, 9) before and during said sudden event;

when said motor vehicle (A) is off, said at least one camera (2, 3, 9) is deactivated and said storing of new images is interrupted;

characterized in that it comprises activation means (7) of said at least one camera (2, 3, 9) when said motor vehicle (A) is off and following a sudden event detected by said detection means (6), for the storing on said memory unit (5) of new images subsequent to said sudden event.

2) System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least a device (4) that can be installed on board said motor vehicle (A) and having said at least one camera (2, 3).

3) System (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said device (4) comprises support means of said at least one camera (2, 3) associable with the rearview mirror and/or with the windscreen of said motor vehicle (A).

4) System (1) according to one or more of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said device (4) comprises at least a first camera (2) turned to the outside of said motor vehicle (A).

5) System (1) according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said device (4) comprises at least a second camera (3) turned to the inside of the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle (A).

6) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least an external camera (9) installed at the front bumper, the rear bumper and/or at least a side portion of the motor vehicle A and operatively connected to said device (4).

7) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a management unit (8) operatively connected to at least one of said camera (2, 3), said memory unit (5), said detection means (6) and said external camera (9).

8) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a communication unit for the transmission of said images to at least one remote operational station.

9) Method for the recording of sudden events in motor vehicles or the like, comprising at least the following stages:

acquisition of images of the outside and/or the inside of a motor vehicle (A);

storing of the acquired images;

- detection of the instantaneous acceleration of said motor vehicle (A);

in which:

when said motor vehicle (A) is on, the storing of the acquired images is carried out continuously over time and, in case of a sudden event being detected, the storing of new images is interrupted and the images acquired before and during said sudden event are saved;

when said vehicle (A) is off, the acquisition and storing are interrupted; characterized in that it comprises the activation of the acquisition and storing of said images when said motor vehicle (A) is off, following a sudden event detected during said detection step, for storing new images subsequent to said sudden event.