Method and system with multiple camera units installed in protective enclosure
A system and method for simultaneously and continuously capturing video from the interior and exterior of a vehicle. The system includes, for example, a first housing including a first connection mechanism, first and second cameras and a memory disposed in the first housing. The system also includes a second housing including a second connection mechanism adapted to be removably connected to the first connection mechanism of the first housing and encasing said first housing within the second housing. A mounting mechanism is adjustably connected to said second housing and configured to maintain at least one of the first camera and the second camera in a predetermined position by adjusting the second housing. Additional embodiments are also described including a method for capturing data.
1 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data, comprising:
a housing having a first camera and a second camera, the first camera is aligned with a first viewing area of the vehicle and the second camera is aligned with a second viewing area of the vehicle;
a first data recorded by the first camera;
a second data recorded by the second camera;
at least one of: the first data or the second data comprising a recorded video to enable review of events;
at least one memory configured to store at least one of: the first data or the second data;
a timer configured to determine a predetermined amount of time during which video will be captured by the first and second cameras after the vehicle has been turned off; and
a plurality of sensors for measuring at least one of: a vehicle acceleration, a vehicle speed, a direction of travel, or a location of the vehicle, wherein distractions to the driver can be detected by using at least one of the first data or the second data.
2 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 1 , wherein an oldest captured video is overwritten with a newest captured video when the at least one memory is full.
3 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 1 , wherein the recorded video is in a continuous loop recording over the oldest captured video with the newest captured video without recording over a protected portion.
4 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 1 , further comprising a trigger, wherein upon activation of the trigger, the system is configured to at least one of: store the recorded video in a protected portion of the at least one memory or store the recorded video with a predetermined length of video from at least one of the first camera or the second camera.
5 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 1 , further comprising an accelerometer to enable measurement of at least one of: the vehicle stopped, the vehicle decelerating, the vehicle accelerating, a frontal collision, a rear collision, a vehicle left turn, or a vehicle right turn.
6 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to determine the occurrence of a predetermined event, including at least one of: a braking event or a predetermined vehicle operation, and store an additional data associated with the predetermined event.
7 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to determine the occurrence of a predetermined event including at least one of: the vehicle decelerating faster than a predetermined rate, the vehicle accelerating faster than a predetermined rate, or a collision.
8 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 7 , wherein the system is configured to protect at least a portion of first and second data to enable a reviewer to view the interior and exterior of the vehicle for a portion of time leading to, during or after, the occurrence of the predetermined event.
9 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the at least one memory for review at another location.
10 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data, comprising:
a housing having a first camera and a second camera, the first camera is aligned with a first viewing area of the vehicle and the second camera is aligned with a second viewing area of the vehicle;
a first data recorded by the first camera;
a second data recorded by the second camera;
at least one of: the first data or the second data comprising a recorded video to enable review of events including distractions to a driver;
at least one memory having a protected portion and configured to store at least one of: the first data or the second data; and
at least one accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration applied to the vehicle in at least two directions, wherein upon activation of a trigger, the system is configured to at least one of: store the recorded video in the protected portion of the at least one memory or store the recorded video with a predetermined length of video from at least one of the first camera or the second camera.
11 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 10 , wherein an oldest captured video is overwritten with a newest captured video when the at least one memory is full.
12 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 10 , wherein the recorded video is in a continuous loop recording over the oldest captured video with the newest captured video without recording over the protected portion.
13 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 10 , wherein the accelerometer is configured to enable measurement of at least one of: the vehicle stopped, the vehicle decelerating, the vehicle accelerating, a frontal collision, a rear collision, a vehicle left turn, or a vehicle right turn.
14 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 10 , wherein the system is configured to determine the occurrence of a predetermined event, including at least one of: a braking event or a predetermined vehicle operation, and store additional data associated with the predetermined event.
15 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 10 , wherein the system is configured to determine the occurrence of a predetermined event including at least one of: the vehicle decelerating faster than a predetermined rate, the vehicle accelerating faster than a predetermined rate, or a collision.
16 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 15 , wherein the system is configured to protect at least a portion of first and second data to enable a reviewer to view the interior and exterior of the vehicle for a portion of time leading to, during or after, the occurrence of the predetermined event.
17 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 10 , further comprising a timer configured to determine a predetermined amount of time during which video will be captured by the first and second cameras after the vehicle has been turned off.
18 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 10 , further comprising a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit data stored the at least one memory for review at another location.
19 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data, comprising:
a housing having a first camera and a second camera;
a first data recorded by the first camera toward a first viewing area of the vehicle;
a second data recorded by the second camera toward a second viewing area of the vehicle, said second viewing area is different from the first viewing area;
at least one of: the first data or the second data comprising a recorded video to enable review of events including distractions to a driver;
at least one memory configured to receive and store at least one of: the first data or the second data; and
a detector configured to detect a plurality of vehicle motions or impacts including: when the vehicle is stopped, decelerated, accelerated, having a frontal collision, having a rear collision, having a left turn, and having a right turn.
20 . A system for determining driver distraction when operating a vehicle while recording vehicle data according to claim 19 , further comprising a trigger, wherein upon activation of the trigger, the system is configured to at least one of: store the recorded video in a protected portion of the at least one memory or store the recorded video with a predetermined length of video from at least one of the first camera or the second camera.