Vehicle event recorder systems
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a vehicle recorder system that is configured with a video camera, a light weight memory system, and a radio communications facility suitable for use in conjunction with an moving vehicle. An automobile equipped with such video recorder system that is used throughout a day of service provides a video record of unusual events which may occur from time-to-time. For example, events such as accidents, near-misses, and excessive speed, among others, trigger a system to preserve video images collected before and after the moment of the event. Replaying these images provides information regarding the cause and true nature of the event. These systems are particularly suitable for vehicle fleets, or other groups of vehicles that can communicate with a common system.
1. A vehicle fleet management system comprising:
a vehicle event recorder unit configured for mounting in a vehicle, the vehicle event recorder unit comprising:
a video camera having a field-of-view that includes an environment about the vehicle, the video camera configured to detect video images of the environment about the vehicle; and
a radio transceiver,
the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record video images responsive to an event trigger exceeding a predetermined threshold;
a vehicle on-board data system including one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying vehicle feedback information, the vehicle feedback information including information related to one or more of vehicle lights, an engine of the vehicle, a drive train of the vehicle, a transmission of the vehicle, vehicle brakes, and/or vehicle steering, the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record vehicle feedback information that corresponds to the recorded video images;
a network coupled to the Internet and including at least one wireless transceiver having a corresponding communication space;
a server computer coupled to the network; and
at least one workstation coupled to the network,
wherein the vehicle event recorder unit is configured to automatically establish a wireless link with the network when the vehicle enters the communication space,
wherein the vehicle event recorder unit is configured to initiate transmission of the recorded video images and the vehicle feedback information to the server computer over the wireless link, and
wherein the workstation is configured to facilitate, via the server, adjustment of the predetermined threshold and video camera image control settings through a web browser interface presented to a user on the workstation over the wireless link.
2. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle event recorder unit further comprises:
a connection manager configured to transfer the video images and the vehicle feedback information to the server via the radio transceiver of the vehicle event recorder unit.
3. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 2 , wherein the connection manager further comprises a server network address lookup system.
4. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 2 , wherein the connection manager further comprises a network address client.
5. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 2 , wherein the connection manager further facilitates an authentication process.
6. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 5 , wherein the connection manager further comprises a prescribed server network address.
7. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 5 , wherein the connection manager further comprises a proximity trigger configured to provide a triggering indication to the connection manager responsive to detection of a radio signal such that the connection manager transfers the video images and the vehicle feedback information to the server responsive to receiving the triggering indication.
8. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one audio microphone and recorder.
9. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a WiFi or WiMax transceiver and a wireline connection from the WiFi or WiMax transceiver to the Internet.
10. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 9 , wherein the communication space encompasses a parking facility suitable for accommodating a vehicle fleet.
11. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 9 , wherein the communication space encompasses a parking facility suitable for storage of vehicles.
12. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 1 , wherein the server computer comprises a web application arranged to exchange data with the vehicle event recorder unit.
13. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vehicle event recorder units, a first group of the plurality of vehicle event recorder units being associated with a first vehicle fleet, and a second group of the plurality of vehicle event recorder units being associated with a second, independent vehicle fleet.
14. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 13 , wherein the communication space includes first and second distinct and physically removed communication spaces, the first communication space being associated with the first fleet and the second communication space associated with the second fleet.
15. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 14 , wherein the server computer is in respective communication with the vehicle event recorder units of the first and second groups via the first and second communication spaces.
16. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 15 , wherein the vehicle event recorder units associated with the first fleet are not authorized to communicate with the second communication space.
17. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication space comprises a cellular network.
18. The vehicle fleet management system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle event recorder unit includes a user interface configured to receive entry and/or selection of information from the vehicle operator that identifies the vehicle operator while the vehicle operator is in the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle event recorder unit is configured to transmit the information that identifies the vehicle operator with the recorded video images and the vehicle feedback information to the server computer over the wireless link.
19. A method for monitoring a vehicle, the method comprising:
recording video images responsive to an event trigger exceeding a predetermined threshold,
wherein the recording is performed by a vehicle event recorder unit configured for mounting in a vehicle, the vehicle event recorder unit comprising:
a video camera having a field-of-view that includes an environment about the vehicle that is configured to detect the video images, the video images including video images of the environment about the vehicle; and
a radio transceiver;
generating, with one or more sensors of a vehicle on-board data system, output signals conveying vehicle feedback information, the vehicle feedback information including information related to one or more of vehicle lights, an engine of the vehicle, a drive train of the vehicle, a transmission of the vehicle, vehicle brakes, and/or vehicle steering, the vehicle event recorder unit configured to record vehicle feedback information that corresponds to the recorded video images;
automatically establishing a wireless link between the vehicle event recorder unit and a network when the vehicle enters a communication space, the network being coupled to the Internet and including at least one wireless transceiver having a corresponding communication space;
transmitting the recorded video images and the vehicle feedback information to a server computer over the wireless link; and
facilitating adjustment of the predetermined threshold and video camera image control settings through a web browser interface presented to a user on a workstation associated with the user over the wireless link.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the wireless communication space comprises a cellular network.
21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising receiving entry and/or selection of information from a vehicle operator that identifies the vehicle operator while the vehicle operator is in the vehicle, and transmitting the information that identifies the vehicle operator with the recorded video images and the vehicle feedback information to the server computer over the wireless link.