Patent ID: 6650359
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: B60R,G07C

Abstract:
Apparatus for obtaining and recording visual data relating to a vehicle having an engine, the engine having a status of either operating or not operating; a battery for supplying electrical energy to the engine; a selectively controllable ignition switch, the ignition switch having a closed position permitting the flow of electrical energy from the battery to the engine, and an open position preventing the flow of electrical energy from the battery to the engine; said apparatus comprising:shutoff means for changing the status of the engine from operating to not operating, independently of the ignition switch position, independently of any signal generated externally to the vehicle and without the necessity of any operator intervention; activation means responsive to said status of the engine for activating the apparatus when the engine is in its operating status, and for deactivating the apparatus when the ignition switch is closed and the shutoff means changes the status of the engine from operating to not operating; visual data gathering means, responsive to the activation means, for gathering the visual data; and recording means, at the vehicle and responsive to the visual data gathering means, for continuously recording and sequentially over-writing the visual data.