Patent Application
20230076410
The present invention relates generally to video cameras and more particularly to a camera system for mounting to a windshield of a motor vehicle.
Video cameras are increasingly being used in motor vehicles, such as law enforcement motor vehicles. The functionality now being required of such devices is becoming more challenging to integrate within a camera system. When a user, such as a police officer, is positioned outside of the vehicle it can be difficult to ascertain the current functionality of the camera, as the viewing capability may be blocked by brackets and mounting apparatus.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved camera system that facilitates viewing of camera functionality.
The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in a camera system which facilitates the ability to provide and view functional indicators. Accordingly, the components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
In accordance with some embodiments, the operational status of the camera system is one of a camera on function, camera on and recording function, and camera off function. For example, a green light may represent the camera on function, a red light may indicate the camera recording function, and the lights being off may indicate the camera off indicator function. In accordance with some embodiments, the operational status of the camera system provided by visually perceptible light indicators 114 may also provide a low storage memory indicator function of the camera system, such as a digital video recorder (DVR) of the camera system.
The camera system 100 is provided with at least one microprocessor, memory, and video analytics capability (not shown). The camera system may be powered by a vehicular battery and interoperates with radio communications equipment within the vehicle as well as external communication systems, such as public safety radio systems via a server, such as a wireless cloud based server. In accordance with some embodiments, the visually perceptible light indicators 114 of the camera system 100 may further provide an indication of a dispatched emergency alert received from the external communication systems.
In accordance with some embodiments, the visually perceptible light indicators 114 of the camera system 100 may further provide an indication of one of a plurality of triggered preset functions associated with the motor vehicle itself. For example, a vehicle door being opened or closed, a broken window, or conditions within the vehicle exceeding predetermined thresholds, such a temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold. These indicators provide the benefit of maintaining vehicle safety and minimization of acts of vandalism against the vehicle.
In accordance with some embodiments, the visually perceptible light indicators 114 of the camera system 100 may further indicate one of a plurality of contextual awareness functions from video and video analytics derived by the camera system. Such indicators may provide, for example, a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert, warrant alert, or other computer aided dispatch (CAD) alert indicating that an individual. approaching the vehicle within the field of view of the camera system 100 may be a suspect or subject to a warrant. The operational status may indicate, for example, a license plate recognition (ALPR) alert (e.g. a HOT HIT), in response to a vehicle plate being recorded and analyzed. These alerts are advantageously viewable by an officer/user standing outside of the vehicle improving safety conditions.
The visually perceptible light indicators 114 may provide operational status using a plurality of colors, flashing lights, and intermittent pulses, such as a pulsed 10-code communication function. Using a pulsed code indication may be used to provide a non-verbal communication indicative of, for example, a warrant or potential suspect, to the officer without alerting the individual being recorded.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
