Patent Application
20150381941
The present invention relates to headrests for seats in motor vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for driver point of view imaging during operation of motor vehicles with headrests for seats populated for imaging, correlating vehicle operational data and communicating correlated images and operational data to a servicer for monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
While video imaging devices have been available for use in motor vehicles to provide a reasonable approximation of the driver's viewpoint during operation of the motor vehicle, there are drawbacks to the use of such. Installation and integration of current apparatus that provides video/audio imaging and interconnections with vehicle performance monitoring devices is difficult for new vehicle production, and particularly for aftermarket retrofit into a motor vehicle.
The difficulties arise from the need to maintain the cockpit safety constructs for motor vehicle driver and passenger occupancy and operation yet provide effective capturing of the vehicle interior, vehicle operational data such as is available for dashboard display, and driver local and remote distant views. Equipment installation must meet interior secure mounting requirements for retention during accident circumstances to avoid or prevent occupant body or head injury from such equipment. Prior spaces in the motor vehicle are less available in recent production vehicles that in prior productions. This is due to the installation of active safety systems within the frontal strike zones of motor vehicles, which systems occupy previously available space, such as in front of the rear view mirror. Placement of imaging device or camera becomes structurally difficult and tends to be off-center such that a second or multiple imaging devices are necessary to provide reasonable viewpoint imaging. In addition to labor and installation time, there is also the issue of creating appropriate wiring harnesses necessary to achieve the important imaging and data collection features for appropriate recordation of vehicle operation. This is includes interfaces with vehicle information systems, such as OBDII or J1939 information systems. In addition to the structural positioning and securing requirements and the information collection functions, the real-time generation and collection of vehicle operational data requires recording and communicating of data to appropriate information usage facilities. This involves recording mediums with attendant chain of custody issues and/or communication of data through networks that require appropriate connectivity and transmission apparatus including communicators, connectors and cabling, and antenna links to networks and communication systems.
Further, the recent rapid adoption of global positioning systems (GPS) location and tracking, text messaging, and electronic mail, particularly via smart mobile communication devices, has not translated into improvements in the safety of the driver and passenger occupants. At least two issues—driver distraction and loss of sight—may be attributed to accidents. The issues, while independent, may also be connected and contributory. The electronics available to a driver include radio systems (both conventional and satellite), CD, GPS, network interconnectivity, mobile cellular telephone, and other, may lead to driver distraction in operation of such devices. Indeed, many states restrict driver use of cellular phones during motor vehicle operations. Repositioning information into a “far view” presentation window or to a heads-up display has been costly and is generally limited as to the scope of information that is displayable (such as limited to motor vehicle speed). The use of a heads-up display may beneficially require voice activation in order for the driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel and maintain constant view of roadway.
There are challenges in deploying video cameras and data access and information systems as standardized equipment packages due to the variables and designs involved with the interior of a motor vehicle. The field of view problems also arises in obtaining not just the driver's view but those of other occupants, and the suitable positioning of imaging devices to collect such viewpoints. The lack of uniform structures across manufacturer platforms for motor vehicles (and multi-manufacturer platforms), presents implementation issues but the present need may lead to further joint agreements on standardized structures. Installation presents difficulties (both OEM and aftermarket retro-fit) particularly utilizing cables for power, control, and data communication, as well as device and equipment housings, secure mountings, and placement. Around these issues also revolves the attendant safety requirements for motor vehicle occupants, as well as installation labor and time.
Accordingly, there is a need in the motor vehicle art for an improved readily installed imaging video/audio/data/connecting apparatus and method for real-time monitoring of motor vehicle operations. It is to such that the present invention is directed.
The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a modular camera recording connecting headrest available in embodiments for original equipment manufacturer installation in production motor vehicles and in embodiments configured for aftermarket retro-fit installation in existing motor vehicles. In accordance with the present invention, the headrest device (either OEM seating headrest structure or shape-comparable conforming sleeve, as discussed below) incorporates system components for the imaging, data collection, and data communication functions, with optionally incorporated devices, connectors, cabling, and equipment therefore. The headrest houses the imaging devices, cameras, recorders, data interface devices for vehicle information systems, wiring harnesses, communicators, network connection devices and network communications devices, and antennas. The modular camera recording connecting headrest comprises in one embodiment an OEM manufactured and installed headrest for a motor vehicle and in yet another embodiment a sleeve for aftermarket retro-fit installation in a motor vehicle, thereby providing a simple, quickly installed safe modular imaging and recording system. In a further embodiment, the system configures for using wireless connectivity to networks for operation within the motor vehicle such as for connection to ODBII devices and/or cellular by tethering to cell phones, mobile computer devices, personal data assistant devices, tablets, or other computer-based communications modules that may eliminate additional antennas. Connectivity may also be near but outside the motor vehicle, such as a local data communications station, for example, for tethering to a collection system for secure access to motor vehicle and engine operation information. Further, the headrest may also include either attached or embedded antenna system to wirelessly connect over great range, wi-fi or near field network communications. Other features include narrow cables and connectors, such a flat band wiring harnesses and connectors, wired cables and connectors, power supply cables, and the like, suitable use within the headrests, for example, for no-exposure passage through conventional narrow tubular headrest support posts. The system may use vehicle specific connectors to power supply and/or vehicle information systems, or may apply generic connectors for appropriate use with a range of motor vehicles (such as a common manufacturer vehicle platforms or multiple-manufacturer cross-platform industry standard comparable motor vehicles). The modular camera recording connecting headrest in accordance with the present invention provides costs savings, reduced cabling and connectors, yet provide a safe attractive apparatus for imaging and memorializing motor vehicle operational information appropriate for government, police, commercial business and personal applications with mass market appeal.
More particularly described, the present invention meets the need in the art by providing a motor vehicle usage tracking system, comprising a servicer configured for monitoring operations of a plurality of motor vehicles that are each equipped with a data bus that periodically receives one or more signals representative of motor vehicle operational data, the data bus including a timer for associating the motor vehicle operational data with a time of occurrence and a bi-directional communications device, for tracking usage and situational circumstances of the motor vehicle operations, evaluating motor vehicle operations, and reporting on motor vehicle operations. A communications device operatively engaged to a communications network and to the servicer communicates between the servicer and a respective communications device of the plurality of motor vehicles. A geophysical locating device for determining periodically a location of the geophysical locating device and an associated time thereof is configured for communicating the determined location and associated time to the data bus of the motor vehicle. A plurality of modular headrests, each for being installed in a respective one of the plurality of motor vehicles, contains at least one imaging device mounted therein for being disposed between an upper edge of a driver's seat and an interior surface of a roof of the motor vehicle proximate and lateral of a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle for imaging in a selected direction that is substantially in alignment with a proximate oriented viewpoint from a driver's seating position within the motor vehicle to generate at least an image proximate the motor vehicle at a time of operation of the imaging device, and a controller for connecting to the data bus of the motor vehicle for receiving the operational data thereof and the associated time and configured for correlating the imaging with the motor vehicle operational information. The respective communications device of the motor vehicle for communicating the periodic location and time and correlated operational data to the servicer, and upon demand, communicating at least a portion of the imaging generated by the imaging device.
In another aspect, the present invention meets the need in the art with an aftermarket motor vehicle usage tracking device, comprising a sleeve having a back, a front, and opposing sides open at a first end, with a housing extending from one of the opposing sides, and the sleeve sized for aftermarket retro-fit installation by being slidably received on a headrest of a motor vehicle. At least one imaging device mounts in a wall of the housing, to dispose the imaging device between an upper edge of a driver's seat and an interior surface of a roof of the motor vehicle proximate and lateral of a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle for imaging in a selected direction that is substantially in alignment with a proximate oriented viewpoint from a driver's seating position within the motor vehicle to generate at least an image proximate the motor vehicle at a time of operation of the imaging device. A recorder stores an electronic representation of the imaging by the imaging device. A communications device communicates the stored electronic representation of the imaging to a servicer configured for monitoring operations of a plurality of motor vehicles.
Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be readily apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings and appended claims.
With reference to the drawings, in which like parts have like reference numerals,
A board 50 mounts rigidly within the headrest 10. The various required and optional components attach to the board 50, including the power module 36 that distributes current to operate the components. A wiring harness 52 attaches the board 50 for supplying current to the power module 36. The wiring harness 52 extends through one of the tubular members 46 into the back of the seat 11. An opposing distal end of the wiring harness 52 detachably connects with a connector 54 to a mating connector 56 of a wiring harness generally 58 of the motor vehicle. A cable 60 for power and image/audio transfer connects to an imaging device 22 or camera such as CCD device. The imaging device 22 mounts in a laterally extending arm 64. Multiple imaging devices 22 may be used, such as forward view, rear view, lateral view, and 360° imaging. Further, the imaging device may be capable of infrared or normal optical wavelengths. In an alternate embodiment, the wiring harness 52 is external, disposed in a secure wiring race, or other damage resisting package. The wiring harness 52 may selectively connect to a separate power connector such as a power receptacle for powered equipment or a cigarette lighter. An antenna 66 configured for the communications module 24 mounts in the headrest 10 and connects to the communication module 24.
Disposing the imaging devices 22 proximate the head of the driver allows the images therefrom to be substantially that observed by the driver and proximate a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle providing a view of the dashboard and the forward view close by and far view as may be observed by the driver. More particularly, the at least one imaging device 22 mounted in the modularly connected headrest 10 thereby is disposed between an upper edge of a driver's seat and an interior surface of a roof of the motor vehicle proximate and lateral of a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle for imaging in a selected direction that is substantially in alignment with a proximate oriented viewpoint from a driver's seating position within the motor vehicle to generate at least an image proximate the motor vehicle at a time of operation of the imaging device. The images may be video or individual separate images imaged periodically. Further, the imaging may include, or exclusively, comprise signals representative of sounds received by a microphone as an exemplary sound imaging device.
A multiple digital video recorder device 162 includes camera inputs as well as I/O ports 164 (such as CAN bus, OBD or OBDII, RS232, RS485 (PTZ and/or other), and Bluetooth or other networked communications. Sensor inputs 166 include door switches, turn signal indicators, reverse, forward gear and the like. These inputs generally 168 include speed 170, temperature 172, motor vehicle status 174 available from CAN bus or OBD or equivalent, public address or intercom 1876. Output ports 178 include audio, visual, alarms, warning indicators and the like. Microphone inputs 180 include channeled inputs from the various installed optional microphones with optional volume control. The illustrated embodiment provides for four (4) imaging device (camera) inputs 182. The image or camera inputs 182 include NTSC or PAL signal configurations, MDVR powered adjustments, frame rates, motion detection, D1, HD1, and CIF. A control module 183 operates a data display screen 184 such as an LCD monitor (touch sensitive optionally). A handheld microphone 186 such as a Bluetooth wireless mic may be worn by the driver. A panic button 188 activates all available information devices, such as automatic recording during emergency situations. An IC card reader 190 communicates with the on-board controller. An IR remote control 192 provides system access and control when outwardly of the configured motor vehicle. The card reader 190 receives SDHC or equivalent cards 194. Clients 196 selectively access the service center 18, such as through network (internet) communications 198 connected to microprocessor computers 199. The clients include vehicle fleet operators (taxi, police, rental, transportation, delivery, and the like) as well as individual vehicle owners, sports car enthusiasts, motor vehicle owner/operators, motor vehicle manufacturers and equipment/component suppliers.
The system 120 is configured for audio/video and imaging recording, tracking accelerometer data, GPS (location), RF tag logs, event triggers (including speed, deceleration, alarm, air bag, and geofencing for tracking restricted or permissive locations), vehicle maintenance (mileage, oil pressure and quality, coolant temperature and life status, CAN bus, and OBDII data). The service center analysis is configured for driver scoring in comparison with predetermined established standards, including mileage (accumulated and trip-based), routing and re-routing, lane departure indication and tracking, trip recording, vehicle performance (such as fuel savings and costs and maintenance tracking and advisory), linked GPS and particularly tractor and trailer tracking and location. Pass-through outputs may include live data feed (such as via 3G cellular), data and document scanning and transmission. Meaningful differences are readily determined by the analyzer and reported as exceptions for investigation and servicing as appropriate. In an alternate embodiment, the system 120 initiates real-time communications with a selected one of the motor vehicles for receiving motor vehicle operational data as well as video and audio imaging. Such real-time tracking and evaluation may be particularly useful for accident matters as well as other unsafe operational issues.
The connectors 96, 98 join the straps 92, 94 to secure the sleeve 82 to the headrest 84. The straps 92, 94 extend upon a bottom side of the headrest 84. A pair of loops 101 spaced apart on interior opposing sides of the sleeve 82 provide guide channels for holding wiring harnesses for communicating power for a supply connector in the motor vehicle, for connecting the communications device 24 with the antenna 66, and for connecting with the imaging devices 22.
With reference to
Cable loops 101 disposed on inward surfaces provide a cable race for the cables, wires, and other elongated communication carriers and wires of the present apparatus.
With reference to
With reference to
It is to be appreciated that communication of motor vehicle data may be accomplished with cellular systems, wi-fi, wide area networks, local area networks, or other suitable data communicating systems including Bluetooth, 3 or 4 G cellular.
The apparatus and method of the present invention provides safe and continuous M2M communications connecting the driver and passenger occupants of a motor vehicle with a central stationary remote monitoring complex and system including appropriate information collection and storage equipment configured for receiving, storing, analyzing and reporting on the motor vehicle information. The apparatus system permits driver action monitoring and review, motor vehicle and driver analytics for real-time (instantaneous) or after fact circumstance evaluation and reporting. The apparatus is readily social media connected. The system promotes and facilitates motor vehicle care and servicing, assists with accident and vehicle warranty and operations claims processing by insurers, manufacturers, owners, operators, servicers, and others engaged with the operation, use, maintenance, servicing, ownership, and monitoring of the motor vehicle. Logistics is improved and coordinated for timely response and operation of the motor vehicle. Importantly, accident reconstruction is aided and facilitated by the coordinated compilation of real-time vehicle information coupled with driver point-of-view and vehicle view (selectively, forward, back, sides, 360 degree) imaging.
Target markets appropriate for installation and use of the apparatus and method include business fleet vehicles, trucks, cars, and motor vehicles, commercial transport fleets including local and long distance carriers, bus and transit services, and products and goods transport; youthful drivers, parents, and insurance carriers; driving enthusiast, club driving, or racing participants and facilities service providers; tourists including sight seers and vacationers; social media postings and blogs of recorded imagery.
The application of the present integrated system of imaging, correlating real-time motor vehicle information, and communicating for memorialization though a headrest of a motor vehicle facilitates near center-line driver view imaging providing a reasonable overall picture of the interior and the roadway, while integrating a package of connectivity devices for the operational features. Headrests, due to safety issues, are generally similar in size and shape, and with standardized support posts may interchange readily, and in the alternate embodiment, configure with the aftermarket retro-fit sleeve that readily connects for power, information acquisition for correlation, and for communication. The headrest, behind the driver, lends itself as a safe location of the equipment, and facilitates ease of installation. Specialized equipment, while suitable as special design for the application, may not be necessary as off-the-shelf components may be readily obtained and configured for safe installation within the headrest volume.
Computer networks suitable for use with the embodiments described herein include local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), Internet, or other connection services and network variations such as the world wide web, the public internet, a private internet, a private computer network, a public network, a mobile network, a cellular network, a value-added network, and the like. Computing devices coupled or connected to the network may be any microprocessor controlled device that permits access to the network, including terminal devices, such as personal computers, workstations, servers, mini computers, main-frame computers, laptop computers, mobile computers, palm top computers, hand held computers, mobile phones, TV set-top boxes, or combinations thereof. The computer network may include one of more LANs, WANs, Internets, and computers. The computers may serve as servers, clients, or a combination thereof.
The microprocessor controlled modular headrest imaging apparatus and method can be a component of a single system, multiple systems, and/or geographically separate systems. The modular headrest imaging apparatus and method can also be a subcomponent or subsystem of a single system, multiple systems, and/or geographically separate systems. The modular headrest imaging components can be coupled to one or more other components (not shown) of a host system or a system coupled to the host system.
One or more components of the modular headrest imaging apparatus and method and/or a corresponding interface, system or application to which the modular headrest imaging apparatus is coupled or connected includes and/or runs under and/or in association with a processing system. The processing system includes any collection of processor-based devices or computing devices operating together, or components of processing systems or devices, as is known in the art. For example, the processing system can include one or more of a portable computer, portable communication device operating in a communication network, and/or a network server. The portable computer can be any of a number and/or combination of devices selected from among personal computers, personal digital assistant devices, portable computing devices, and portable communication devices, but is not so limited. The processing system can include components within a larger computer system.
The processing system of an embodiment includes at least one processor and at least one memory device or subsystem. The processing system can also include or be coupled to at least one database. The term “processor” as generally used herein refers to any logic processing unit, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), etc. The processor and memory can be monolithically integrated onto a single chip, distributed among a number of chips or components, and/or provided by some combination of algorithms. The methods described herein can be implemented in one or more of software algorithm(s), programs, firmware, hardware, components, circuitry, in any combination.
The components of any system that include the modular headrest imaging apparatus and method can be located together or in separate locations. Communication paths couple the components and include any medium for communicating or transferring files among the components. The communication paths include wireless connections, wired connections, and hybrid wireless/wired connections. The communication paths also include couplings or connections to networks including local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), proprietary networks, interoffice or backend networks, and the Internet. Furthermore, the communication paths include but are not limited to, removable fixed mediums like floppy disks, hard disk drives, and CD-ROM disks, as well as flash RAM, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections, RS-232 connections, telephone lines, buses, and electronic mail messages.
Aspects of the modular headrest imaging apparatus and corresponding systems and methods described herein may be implemented as functionality programmed into any of a variety of circuitry, including programmable logic devices (PLDs), such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable array logic (PAL) devices, electrically programmable logic and memory devices and standard cell-based devices, as well as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Some other possibilities for implementing aspects of the modular headrest imaging apparatus and method and corresponding systems and methods include: microcontrollers with memory (such as electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM)), embedded microprocessors, firmware, software, etc. Furthermore, aspects of the modular headrest imaging apparatus and method and corresponding systems and methods may be embodied in microprocessors having software-based circuit emulation, discrete logic (sequential and combinatorial), custom devices, fuzzy (neural) logic, quantum devices, and hybrids of any of the above device types. Of course the underlying device technologies may be provided in a variety of component types, e.g., metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) technologies like complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), bipolar technologies like emitter-coupled logic (ECL), polymer technologies (e.g., silicon-conjugated polymer and metal-conjugated polymer-metal structures), mixed analog and digital, etc.
It should be noted that any system, method, and/or other components disclosed herein may be described using computer aided design tools and expressed (or represented), as data and/or instructions embodied in various computer-readable media, in terms of their behavioral, register transfer, logic component, transistor, layout geometries, and/or other characteristics. Computer-readable media in which such formatted data and/or instructions may be embodied include, but are not limited to, non-volatile storage media in various forms (e.g., optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage media) and carrier waves that may be used to transfer such formatted data and/or instructions through wireless, optical, or wired signaling media or any combination thereof. Examples of transfers of such formatted data and/or instructions by carrier waves include, but are not limited to, transfers (uploads, downloads, e-mail, etc.) over the Internet and/or other computer networks via one or more data transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.). When received within a computer system via one or more computer-readable media, such data and/or instruction-based expressions of the above described components may be processed by a processing entity (e.g., one or more processors) within the computer system in conjunction with execution of one or more other computer programs.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “hereunder,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the word “or” is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.
The above description of embodiments of the modular headrest imaging apparatus and method and the corresponding systems and methods is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the systems and methods to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the modular headrest imaging apparatus and method and corresponding systems and methods are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the systems and methods, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the modular headrest imaging apparatus and method and corresponding systems and methods provided herein can be applied to other systems and methods, not only for the systems and methods described above.
The various embodiments described above can be combined and modified to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the modular headrest imaging apparatus and methods and corresponding systems and methods in light of the above detailed description. While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to illustrative, non-limiting embodiments thereof, the principles and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed because these are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, those skilled in the art may make modifications, variations and changes thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims.
The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/019,166, filed Jun. 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62019166 | Jun 2014 | US |
