Abstract:
A camera may be disposed near a license plate receiving portion of a vehicle and samples of image data obtained by the camera are stored in a storage unit. The storing of image samples only begins when the vehicle comes close to another vehicle or object, or when the brakes are forcefully activated. The rate at which the samples are stored may be varied as a function of the distance between the vehicle and another object, such as or example, a vehicle. The storing of image samples ends when the storage unit is full after the occurrence of an accident has been detected by a detector such as an impact detector, a hard-braking detector, an airbag inflation detector, a proximity detector or a sound detector. The stored image data, along with other saved data may be accessed by a person such as a police officer or insurance agent.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is directed to the field of vehicle logging systems.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Many vehicle accidents occur every day. Obtaining data related to a vehicle accident is important for purposes of assigning responsibility, settling insurance claims, providing evidence for court cases and designing vehicle improvements to reduce the occurrence of future accidents.  
           [0003]    To obtain data related to a vehicle accident, systems have been created whereby a camera or other image capturing device is placed on a vehicle and images obtained from the camera are periodically sampled and stored in a memory device. The sampled images are stored sequentially in a memory device that holds a certain number of images, and when the memory device becomes full of images, the process repeats and continues with the first image being overwritten with a new image. The sampling of visual images continues until an accident occurs, and then the sampling of images ends when the memory device becomes full. In this manner, a visual record of the events leading up a vehicle accident may be recorded and referred to after the accident.  
           [0004]    A shortcoming of these methods of obtaining accident data is that the camera is positioned within the cockpit, or occupant area of the vehicle. A camera positioned within the cockpit of a vehicle may have an obstructed view of an accident and may not be able to view, for example, a license plate on another vehicle. Other drawbacks of a cockpit mounted camera are that the vehicle operator&#39;s view may be obstructed, and cameras within the cockpit may provide a poor aesthetic appearance, and that the cameras may be blocked or disabled by occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, cameras mounted within the cockpit, such as, for example, on a rear view mirror, may be subject to vibrations that may limit their effectiveness.  
           [0005]    Another shortcoming of these systems is that by continuously viewing, sampling and storing visual data on a full-time basis, the components of the system are subjected to relatively high wear and tear, and the life of the components of the system may be subject to a relatively short life or mean time between failures.  
           [0006]    Another shortcoming of these systems is that the sampling rate is fixed such that the image storage rate is not related to the proximity of other objects or vehicles or the likelihood that an accident will occur.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to an automatic vehicle logging system. A camera is disposed on a vehicle and samples of image data obtained by the camera are stored in a storage unit. The camera may be disposed on a license plate or near a license plate receiving portion of the vehicle, or elsewhere on the vehicle. The storing of image samples only begins when the vehicle comes close to another vehicle or object, or when the brakes are forcefully activated. The rate at which the samples are stored may be varied as a function of the distance between the vehicle and another object, such as or example, another vehicle. The storing of image samples ends when the storage unit is full after the occurrence of an accident has been detected by a detector such as an impact detector, a hard-braking detector, an airbag inflation detector, a proximity detector or a sound detector. A person such as a police officer or insurance agent may access the stored image data, along with other saved data.  
           [0008]    Alternatively, more than one camera may be used. For example, cameras may be positioned at front and rear license plate receiving portions of a vehicle. The cameras may be disposed in vehicle lights in the front or rear of the vehicle, or may be disposed on a vehicle license plate. Also, the stored data may include additional vehicle related data in addition to the stored image data.  
           [0009]    By having a camera positioned near the license plate receiving portion of the vehicle, the bumper portion of the vehicle or the headlight/taillight portion of the vehicle, the system of the present invention may provide an unobstructed view of an accident, which may include a good view of, for example, a license plate on another vehicle. Further, a camera positioned near the license plate receiving portion of the vehicle does not obstruct the vehicle operator&#39;s view, is relatively hidden such that it does not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the cockpit of the vehicle, and the camera is not easily blocked or disabled by occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, a camera mounted proximate the license plate receiving portion of a vehicle may be easily secured such that it is subject to a relatively lower amount of vibrations than would be a cockpit mounted camera.  
           [0010]    Further, because, with the present invention, viewing, sampling and storing of visual data is not performed on a full-time basis, but is only begun when the vehicle comes close to another vehicle or object, or when the brakes are forcefully activated, the components of the system are subjected to relatively less wear and tear, thereby providing the system components with a relatively longer life and mean time between failure.  
           [0011]    Still further, because the rate at which the image data is stored is varied as a function of the distance between the vehicle and another vehicle, the sampling or storage rate may be adjusted such that more information is obtained as the likelihood of an accident occurring increases. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    In the drawing figures, which are not to scale, and which are merely illustrative, and wherein like reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle logging system of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle having the vehicle logging system of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle having another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a method of logging vehicle data in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    An exemplary embodiment of the vehicle logging system  12  of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Vehicle logging system  12  includes a processor unit  44  coupled to a camera unit  30 . Processor unit  44  may be any type of microprocessor-based controller as is known in the art. Processor unit  44  may be a unit distinct from other processors in the vehicle, or may be a processor unit having shared functionality wherein functions related to the vehicle logging system  12  of the present invention, as well as other vehicle logging functions are performed. Camera unit  30  may be a digital or analog camera adapted to be placed on a vehicle. Camera unit  30  may also be a charge coupled device (CCD) type, as is known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera unit  30  may be a video-on-chip type unit, as in known in the art, wherein a camera unit is disposed on an integrated circuit chip. The specific type of camera used would be a matter of application specific design choice as would be determined by one skilled in the art.  
         [0019]    Images obtained by camera unit  30  may be stored on storage unit  46 . Storage unit  46  may be a ready access memory device or any other storage device adapted to store digital data. The specific type of storage device used would be a matter of application specific design choice as would be determined by one skilled in the art.  
         [0020]    Vehicle logging system  12  may also include a detector unit  40  coupled to processor  44 . Detector unit  40  may be a proximity detector  50  adapted to detect and sense the proximity of objects such as, for example, other vehicles. In an exemplary embodiment, proximity detector  50  may be a radio frequency (RF) type, ultrasonic type, electromotive force (EMF) type, or other type as is known in the art.  
         [0021]    Detector unit  40  may also be an event detector  54 , adapted to detect the occurrence of some vehicle related event, such as, for example, conditions related to a vehicle accident. Event detector  54  may be, for example, a sound detector, a sudden or hard-braking detector, an impact detector, or an airbag inflation detector. The specific type of detector device used would be a matter of application specific design choice as would be determined by one skilled in the art.  
         [0022]    Additionally, detector unit  40  may include multiple detectors, with different detectors, as described above, being used in combination.  
         [0023]    Vehicle logging system  12  may also include a communication unit  48 . Communication unit  48  may be adapted to allow a third party entity, such as, for example, a police officer or Motor Vehicle Department personnel, to retrieve data stored from storage unit  46 . Communication unit  48  may be a radio frequency device, an infrared device, or other device as is known in the art.  
         [0024]    Vehicle logging system  12  may also have a display unit  58 , adapted to display image data obtained from camera unit  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, display unit  58  may be adapted such that an operator of a vehicle may be able to view images obtained by camera unit  30 , the specific type of display device used being a matter of application specific design choice as would be determined by one skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, display unit  58  may be a liquid crystal display flat panel device, or other similar type as is known in the art.  
         [0025]    Vehicle logging system  12  may also interface with a vehicle control unit  60 , such that vehicle related information and internal vehicle electronic data and signals, such as vehicle speed, may be obtained by vehicle logging system  12 . This vehicle related information may be stored in storage unit  46  along with the image data.  
         [0026]    Referring to FIG. 2, vehicle  10  is shown, having a license plate receiving portion  20 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, camera unit  30  may be disposed proximate license plate receiving portion  20 . By disposing camera unit  30  proximate license plate receiving portion  20  of vehicle  10 , camera unit  20  may obtain image data related to the occurrence of an event, or accident. An operator (not shown) in the cockpit  8  area of vehicle  10  does not have his field of view obstructed by camera unit  30 , as it might be if camera unit  30  were to be positioned, for example, within cockpit  8 . While vehicle  10  is shown as being an automobile, the present invention may be used on a variety of vehicles such as, but not limited to, automobiles, small trucks, commercial trucks, boats, buses, motorcycles and any other vehicles that may benefit from the logging of vehicle data.  
         [0027]    Further, camera unit  30 , when disposed proximate license plate receiving portion  20 , may be securely mounted to vehicle  10  via shock mounts (not shown) such that vibrations may be minimized. This positioning of camera unit  30  also allows for a vehicle design whereby the cockpit  8  is free of poor aesthetic qualities that may result if camera unit  30  were to be positioned within cockpit  8 .  
         [0028]    Still further, by positioning camera unit  30  proximate license plate receiving portion  20 , an improved field of view of other objects such as other vehicles may be provided. This improved field of view may also be beneficial to an operator (not shown) of the vehicle  10 , if he uses display unit  58  to view images obtained by camera unit  30  to, for example, park or position a vehicle.  
         [0029]    Detector unit  40  may also be disposed proximate license plate receiving portion  20 , such that the distance between vehicle  10  and another object such as, for example, another vehicle, may be determined.  
         [0030]    Further, while the invention is described above with camera unit  30  being disposed proximate license plate receiving portion  20  of the vehicle  10 , camera unit  30  may alternatively be disposed proximate a bumper region, grill region, headlight region or taillight region (not shown) of vehicle  10 . Any of these regions would tend to provide a relatively low vantage point for obtaining image data related to vehicle  10 . The exact position camera unit  30  being an application specific matter of design choice for one skilled in the art.  
         [0031]    Referring to FIG. 3, in another embodiment of the invention, vehicle  10  may have first camera unit  30 , disposed proximate first license plate receiving portion  20 , and a second camera unit  32 , disposed proximate second license plate receiving portion  22 . Additionally, vehicle  10  may have first detector unit  40 , disposed proximate first license plate receiving portion  20 , and a second detector  42 , disposed proximate second license plate receiving portion  22 . By way of using first and second camera units  30 ,  32  and detector units  40 ,  42 , image data may be obtained and stored from two different positions on vehicle  10 . Accordingly, image data related to accidents and other vehicle events may be obtained from two different positions, providing additional data regarding the event. Additionally, more than two camera units  30 ,  32  may be used as an application specific matter of design choice.  
         [0032]    With reference to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown by vehicle logging system  90 . Vehicle logging system  90  may include a housing  92 . A camera unit  94  may be disposed on housing  92 , and processor unit  96  may be disposed at or in housing  92 . Additionally, other portions of the invention such as storage unit  46  and communication unit  48 , and first proximity detector  50  may be disposed on or in housing  92 . One or all of these portions of the invention, however, may be disposed outside housing  92 , and coupled to the portions that are in or on housing  92 . In an exemplary embodiment, housing  92  may be adapted to fit in a license plate receiving portion  20  of a vehicle  10 , and may be an actual vehicle license plate. Housing  92  may be formed of metal, plastic, or other materials as a matter of application specific design choice for one skilled in the art.  
         [0033]    In use, vehicle logging system  12  may provide for the storage of image data. Turning to FIG. 4 (with reference back to FIGS. 1 and 2), an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle logging method  70  of the invention is shown. First, it is determined whether the vehicle  10  is started or turned on (as is shown in step  72 ). Next, when the vehicle is turned on, a camera unit  30  may be turned on, or put in active mode (as is shown in step  74 ). Next, it is determined via a detector unit  40  whether an object, such as another vehicle, is close, or within a certain distance of the vehicle  10  (as is shown in step  76 ). Additionally, a hard-braking condition, such as would result when the operator of the vehicle forcefully applies the brakes in an emergency situation, may be detected. If either a hard-braking condition, or a close object is detected, storage in storage unit  46  of the image data obtained by camera unit  30  may be started (as is shown in step  78 ). Image data may be stored sequentially in storage unit  46 , with obtained images being saved at a periodic sampling rate. As a portion of storage unit  46  becomes full with image data, the storing process may continue with the oldest image data being overwritten by new image data.  
         [0034]    Next, a detector unit  40  detects when an event occurs that is indicative of an accident (as is shown in step  80 ). Events that may be indicative of the occurrence of an accident include one or more of a loud sound, a sudden impact, the inflation of a vehicle airbag, or sudden or hard braking. Additionally, other events may be included as a matter of application specific design choice.  
         [0035]    When an event indicative of an accident occurs, the storage of image data continues until the storage device (or that portion thereof dedicated to storing the image data) is full (as is shown in step  82 ). Once the storage device becomes full, the storing of image data is terminated (as is shown in step  84 ).  
         [0036]    By way of the present system and method, component life and mean time between failure for components may be extended as storage of image data does not occur on a full-time basis, but only under certain circumstances, such as when an object is close, or the operator of the vehicle applies the brakes in a hard or forceful manner. At other times, when these circumstances are not present, the storing of image data is stopped, such that all of the components of the system are not in use.  
         [0037]    Alternatively, while it is shown that camera unit  30  may turn on, or become active when the vehicle  10  is turned on (as is shown in step  74 ), an instant-on camera unit may also be used that would remain in an off state until an object is determined to be close, or hard-braking occurs, and then turns on substantially concurrently with the storing of image data (as is shown in step  78 ).  
         [0038]    Further, the distance or proximity between the vehicle  10  and an object required to initiate the storage of image data may be varied as a function of the speed of the vehicle. A vehicle traveling relatively fast, for example, might require a larger trigger distance than a vehicle traveling at a relatively slower speed. Accordingly, processor  44  may be configured such that the trigger distance between the vehicle and an object may be varied as a function of the speed of the vehicle.  
         [0039]    Still further, with the present invention, as stated above, the image data samples are stored in the storage device at a specific sample rate. By way of the present invention, the processor unit is configured such that the sample rate may be varied as a function of the distance between the vehicle and another object, such as another car. In this manner, the sampling rate may be increased as the vehicle and the object come closer together so that more data may be collected closer in time to the accident, where it may be more important to obtain additional data.  
         [0040]    Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method of logging vehicle data embodied by the invention does not require placement of a camera unit  30  proximate a license plate, bumper, grill, headlight or taillight region of vehicle  10 , but in addition, may be used with camera unit  30  placed an a wide variety of positions on vehicle  10 .  
         [0041]    Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to exemplary embodiments thereof, it would be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claim appended hereto.