WO2000017822A1

WO2000017822A1 - Electronic system for continuous recording, by means of images, of events involving a moving motor-driven vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2000017822A1
Application number: PCT/IT1999/000257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roaldo Alberton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-23
Filing date: 1999-08-04
Publication date: 2000-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2001-03-23
Also published as: IT1302258B1; AU5386099A; ITMI982057A1

Abstract

Electronic system (11) for continuous recording, by means of images, of internal and external events involving a moving motor-driven vehicle (10), comprising one or more telecameras (25) situated at one (14) or more points on the vehicle (10) to view the space through which the vehicle (10) passes and possible areas inside it as well, a recording device (30) with a storage circuit for recording the images photographed by the telecameras (25) utilizing the full capacity of the memory with continuous substitution of recorded images, starting from the earliest ones, and a circuit (40) for reading the recorded images.

Description

Electronic system for continuous recording, by means of images, of events involving a moving motor-driven vehicle

The invention concerns the means for recording events in which motor vehicles of all kinds can be involved. When an accident occurs to a moving vehicle, especially on roads, it is often impossible to reach a reasonable decision as to who was at fault as valid witnesses are usually unavailable but also because the parties concerned insist on being in the right even if in fact they are clearly in the wrong. In the majority of cases, therefore, insurance companies are compelled to accept a compromise basing their decision on some factor or witness considered reliable.

Also well known is the instinctive tendency by many drivers to take advantage of having a high-powered vehicle, or absence of wit- nesses, and "make a dash for it" thereby risking not only their own safety but that of others as well.

The above invention provides a series of unexceptionable and continuous records of all that happens during the journey made by a vehicle, to the great benefit of road safety, of insurance com- panies and of all interested bodies, as will now be explained.

Subject of the invention is an electronic system for continuously recording, by means of images, the internal and external events involving moving motor vehicles.

The system comprises one or more telecameras placed at one or more points on the vehicle for viewing the space through which the vehicle moves, and chosen internal spaces as well if required, a recording device with a storage circuit for recording the images photographed by the telecameras, continuously substituting those recorded, from the most remote ones onwards, and also comprising a circuit for reading them. The system further comprises a device for automatic cessation of recording by the memory, after a certain time - considerably less than full recording capacity - has passed, starting from the moment of impact on the vehicle, and a device that when operated prevents further images from being recorded One or more telecameras are placed on the front of the vehicle facing towards the road so as to cover the space through which the vehicle passes.

In one type of execution the telecameras are situated on the dashboard or else behind the windscreen. In one type of execution the telecameras are placed inside public transport vehicles, such as busses, trams, trains, boats, aeroplanes and others, occupying positions where events can best be recorded. Telecameras are preferably of the miniature type with a wide-angle built-in lens.

Telecameras can record in colour or only monochrome. The device recording the images comprises electronic circuits for switching connections, in or not in rotation, between one telecam- era and another, switching images to compress, store and read them

In one type of execution the recording apparatus is connected to a device associated to the vehicle's speedometer so that the speed of the vehicle is recorded together with the images photographed by the telecameras.

In one type of execution the apparatus is connected to a device that blocks the vehicle if the recording system has been tampered with, if the telecameras are not functioning properly, if the recording system is out of order, or if recording has been turned off by hand. In one type of execution, to lower costs, the reading system can be completely separated from recording so that, by application to more than one vehicle owned by the same firm, such as cabs and public vehicles generally, it can be used for all their recording systems. In one type of execution image recording speeds vary with that at which the vehicle is travelling, indicated by the speedometer or other device connected to the system. Image recording speed is preferably in direct proportion to that of the vehicle and may preferably vary from one or two images per second when the vehicle is moving slowly, to ten or twenty images per second when the vehicle is travelling faster. The recording apparatus is preferably situated inside the vehicle where it is least likely to suffer damage in the event of an impact. In one advantageous type the recording apparatus is fed off the vehicle's battery, but it also comprises self-charging batteries so that it can go on working for a certain pre-set time even if the main battery has been completly destroyed following an impact. In one type of execution each telecamera is connected to the recording apparatus by a single, composite or double coaxial cable for feeding the telecamera itself and for conveying the video signal to the recording apparatus. The images are preferably stored by means of a coding system making them readable only after insertion of a personalized code. Memories are preferably of the static type. The images can be recorded on a magnetic card, on a flexible disk or on a hard disk, on a CD ROM or DVD base.

The reading circuit can be directly integrated into the recording system, and the images can be viewed on a screen connected to the apparatus itself or, after insertion of the personalized code, on an ordinary computer screen.

In one type of execution a type of memory is fitted so that the recorded images can be read even if the recording system has been partially destroyed. A switching circuit transfers in sequence the images photographed by the telecameras to the recording circuit.

Storage capacity of the recording device can preferably store events that have taken place over a period of 60 minutes.

Images are preferably taken at the rate of two or three per second. Recording time is established according to storage capacity and to the number of images per second to be recorded.

The recording device records images at varying speeds in relation to that at which the vehicle is travelling.

The reading circuit can be separate and taken out as required to read the recordings made for several vehicles.

In one type of execution a telecamera has a VSB output connected direct to the recording system.

Image compression can be done in different ways to increase the number of images recorded by a single memory store. Advantageously, recording can be made to cease by an automatic means if the recording apparatus is out of order.

Advantageously an acoustic means sounds a warning if the recording device is not operating correctly.

A special device checks on recording efficiency. Advantageously storage capacity varies according to the requirements of the vehicle. The recording apparatus is preferably contained in a box giving a high degree of protection.

Advantageously a manually operated device can turn the recording apparatus on even when the vehicle is standing in a car park or if parked in some place exposed to high risk.

Electric feed can best be supplied by independent batteries. In one advantageous form of execution a circuit stores data provided by a computer, present in the vehicle, in addition to recording images. Advantageously a circuit overprints dates and times on the images recorded.

The static mamory can be taken out and read, using a special device, if the recording system has been partially destroyed. The invention offers evident advantages. Any event concerning the dynamics of an accident and anything of importance that took place inside or outside the vehicle, especially if it is a public vehicle, can be viewed subsequent to occurrence. The device offers much better information than the recording devices at present fitted to planes and trains, as images are obviously much more eloquent than numeric data.

The almost inevitable objections, so often made at present after road accidents or criminal incidents, can be avoided. In view of the fact that the cost of the devices required is very low, since these consist of simple means in common use, inexpensive to manufacture and extremely helpful for users generally, for insurance companies and for the police force, it should be possible to make installation of the system compulsory on all vehicles. An installation of this kind would not only guarantee precise evaluation of the facts but would also act as a valid deterrent for careless and dangerous drivers who, knowing that at present it is difficult to prove anything against them, are often the cause of serious accidents and who in any case show no respect for others or for the rule of the road.

In actual fact no real control is exercised over drivers as road supervision is inadequate and the police tend to arrive only if an accident has already occurred.

Widespread adoption of the system described, making possible for the first time a continuous record of practically everything that happens on the road, would automatically influence human behaviour and therefore drastically reduce not only the number of accidents caused by motor vehicles but also the number of criminal or at any rate damaging incidents.

A circuit for overprinting date and time on the video image would provide a useful check when the recorded data are being re-read. Characteristics and purposes of the invention will be made still clearer by the following examples of its execution illustrated by diagrammatically drawn figures.

Figure 1 Electronic recording system, subject of the invention, installed on a motor vehicle. Figure 2 Wiring diagram. Figure 3 Electronic layout.

Figure 4 An imaginary scene leading to an accident before impact. Figure 5 As above when the impact takes place. The automobile 10 is fitted with the system 11 subject of the invention. The system comprises a telecamera 25 with lens 26 mounted on the windshield 14 almost immediately over the driving mirror 12. Laid on the bottom of the boot 13 is the recording device 30 connected by the socket 31 and wire 21 to the battery 20 in the car 10 which supplies electric feed to the device. Said device is also connected by a socket 32 and wire 17 to a means 18 connected to the speedometer 16 on the dashboard 15. The telecamera 25 is connected to the recording device 30 by the socket 33 and coaxial wire 28.

The battery 20 is connected as usual to the negative wire 22.

The box 30 containing the recording device 30 also contains the auxiliary self-charging battery 39 that permits recording to proceed even if an impact has destroyed the vehicle's own battery An optional monitor 43 can be seen on said recording device, and a socket 42 for connection to a personal computer 44. The device can in fact be fitted with a stable monitor, or else the recorded images can be read later on a personal computer 44.

The slits 34 and 35 in the box 38 holding the device 30, are made to receive a magnetic card 40 or a flexible or a hard disk, a compact disk or a DVD 41. The flexible disk can obviously be read on any computer. The block diagram in Figure 3 shows the vehicle's battery 20 connected to the feed circuit 45.

Said circuit is connected to the auxiliary self-charging battery 39. The telecameras 24 and 25 are connected to the automatic switching circuit 46, worked by rotation or command, to gain a wider frontal view of what goes on outside the vehicle, or else a front view from the vehicle and of its inside at the same time. The switching circuit 46 is connected to the circuit 47 that picks up the images together with the signals sent by the speed recorder 18 connected to the speedometer 16. The images from the circuit 47 are compressed in the circuit 48 that also overprints the date and time for future reference, and are then transferred to the memory circuit 49 connected to a device 19 for possible intentional stoppage should it be desired to hold the recorded images for any subsequent need and prevent them from being replaced by those following.

The memory circuit 49 is also connected to the reader 50. This reader 50 may be connected to a monitor 43 or to a computer 44 to be read some time later on.

Reading can also be done by means of the magnetic card 40, of a flexible or hard disk, a CD or DVD 41 or using some other means. Figure 4 illustrates the possible practical effects of a telecamera 25 placed on the windshield of a vehicle 10 forming a visual cone 27. As the images are progressively recorded, following those alrready acquired, gradually filling up the time set for the memory circuit, obviously starting from the earliest images, and as said capacity can permit images to be recorded for at least a certain length of time, the event illustrated in Figure 4 will clearly be recorded from when the motorcycle 60 emerges from the side road 61 , moving onto the main road 62-64, along which the vehicle 10 is passing. If the cyclist had behaved in a normal manner and turned into the correct lane 62, while the car was on the other lane, the image recording the advancing motorcycle would have been eliminated by subsequent images as the car proceeded on its way Figure 5 shows the motorcyclist crossing the midway line 63, either due to carelessness or sudden illness, and so hitting the oncoming vehicle.

The impact, or else the blocking control 19 worked by the driver of the car, ensures recording continuity, as previously explained, for a few minutes after the accident has occurred, following which recording is stopped. A subsequent study of the recorded images would clearly enable accurate and incontrovertible information to be produced showing the motorcyclist's full responsibility for the accident.

Claims

1. Electronic system (11) for continuous recording, by means of images, of events involving the inside and outside of a motor-driven vehicle (10) when moving, characterized in that it comprises one or more telecameras (24), (25) placed at one or more points on the vehicle to view the space (61 , 62, 64) through which the vehicle passes, and possibly chosen spaces inside it, a recording device (30) with memory circuit (49) for recording the images photographed by the telecameras (24), (25), utilizing the entire recording capacity of the memory (49) in time and with continuous substitution of recorded images, starting from the earliest ones, and a circuit (50) for reading the recorded images.

2. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an automatic device for cessation of recording, after a certain interval of time but considerably less than the memory's full recording time capacity, starting from the moment when the vehicle receives an impact.

3. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a device (19) operated by the user to stop recording of images.

4. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that one or more telecameras (25) are placed on the front of the vehicle (10) facing towards the road, to cover the space (61 , 62, 64) through which the vehicle (10) passes.

5. System (11) as in claim 4, characterized in that the telecameras are situated on the dashboard (15).

6. System (11) as in claim 4, characterized in that the telecameras (25) are situated behind the windshield (14).

7. System as in claim 4, characterized in that the telecameras are placed inside public transport vehicles such as busses, trams, steamers, boats, aeroplanes and others at the most suitable points for photographing whatever happens.

8. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the telecameras (25) are of the miniature type with a built-in lens (26).

9. System (11) as in claim 7, characterized in that the lens (16) is a wide-angle lens.

10. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the telecameras (24, 25) can take colour pictures.

11. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the telecameras (24, 25) take monochrome pictures.

12. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the device (30) that records the images comprises electronic circuits (46) for switching connections, in rotation or not in rotation, with one or another of the telecameras (24, 25) for reception (47) of the images, for compressing (48), storing (49) and reading (50) them.

13. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the recording device (30) is connected to a means (18) associated to the speedometer (16) on the vehicle (10) so that, together with the images taken by the telecameras (25), the speed of the vehicle (10) itself can also be recorded.

14. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the recording device (30) is placed inside the vehicle (10) in the most well protected area (13) to avoid damage to it as far as possible in the event of an impact.

15. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the recording device (30) is fed off the battery (20) of the vehicle(10), but also has a self-charging battery (39), to enable the system (11) to operate for a certain previously set time, even after complete destruction of the main battery (20) following an impact.

16. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that each of the telecameras (24, 25) is connected to the recording device (30) by a single, composite or double co- axial wire (28) for feeding the telecameras (24, 25) and for conveying the video signal to the recording device (30).

17. System (11 ) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the images are stored by a coded system to make them readable only after the personal code has been put in.

18. System (11 ) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the memories (49) are of the static type.

19. System (11 ) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the memories (49) are put into a magnetic card (40).

20. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the memories (49) are put into a flexible disk.

(41)

21. System (11 ) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the reading circuit (50) can be read by a monitor (43) connected to the device (30).

22. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the reading circuit (50) can be read by connecting it to an ordinary computer (44).

23. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the switching circuit (46) transfers to the detection circuit (47) the images photographed by the telecameras (24, 25), in cycles.

24. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that memory capacity of the recording device (30) provides 120 minutes for storing the time covered by events.

25. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that images are photographed at the rate or two or three per second.

26. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the recording device (30) records images at variable speeds, faster when the vehicle accelerates and slower when the vehicle slows down.

27. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the reading circuit can be taken out at will to permit reading of recordings made in one or more vehicles.

28. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that one telecamera has a VSB output connected direct to the recording device (30).

29. System (11) as in claim 1 , charcterized in that compression of the images can be done in different ways to increase the number of images recorded with a single memorizing capacity.

30. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that an automatic means stops the recording process if the recording device (30) is not working properly.

31. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that an acoustic warning is sounded if the recording device (30) is not working properly.

32. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that a special device is provided to keep a check on recording efficiency.

33. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that memory storage capacity (49) can be varied according to the needs of the vehicle.

34. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the recording system (30) is placed in a box (38) affording a high degree of protection

35. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that a manually operated activating device enables recording to be done even if the vehicle is standing still in a car park or some place where it is subject to high risk.

36. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that electric feed is supplied by independent batteries (39).

37. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a circuit (49) for storing data, in addition to images, from a computer (43) present in the vehicle.

38. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that a circuit overprints the images with the date and time they were taken.

39. System (11) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the static memory (49) can be taken out for rereading even if the recording device (30) has been partially destroyed.