VIDEO RECORDING MIRROR

A video recording system for a vehicle comprises a rearview mirror assembly and at least one imager. The rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing; a mirror element supported by the housing; and a processor disposed within the rearview mirror assembly. The at least one imager is capable of capturing images and of being in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to process data from the captured images.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to video recording systems for vehicles, and in particular, to video recording systems to be integrated with rearview mirror assemblies in vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Dashboard cameras are camera systems that may be adhered either to a dashboard or to a windshield of a vehicle. Dashboard cameras are designed to record events occurring in or around a vehicle. In particular, they are useful in the event of an accident, as they may provide indications of what may have transpired. They may also enable users to review and/or track the driving habits of drivers of the vehicle such as parents monitoring driving of a newly-licensed teen driver. As dashboard camera technology improves, dashboard cameras, or dash cams, are becoming more ubiquitous.

However, current dashboard cameras suffer from several shortcomings. For example, those that are adhered to a dashboard may have a relatively low point of view. This may mean that the dashboard camera does not capture some important details of the scene outside the vehicle. Some dashboard-mounted cameras may receive power from a cord that runs to the camera from a port in the vehicle which may be unsightly and inconvenient. In some cases, dashboard-mounted cameras may be able to be hardwired to the vehicle, but that may be costly.

Dashboard cameras adhered to a windshield may provide users with a higher point of view. However, power must be supplied to the dashboard camera, either via a power cord or from a battery. For dashboard cameras that receive power from a power cord, the power cord may extend from a port in the vehicle to the windshield-mounted camera, thereby causing an obstructed view and a potential distraction. Battery-powered dashboard cameras may stop working when the battery runs out, and thus may be less reliable. Some windshield-mounted dashboard cameras may be capable of being hard-wired into the vehicle, but that may be costly.

Additionally, there may be legal issues surrounding dashboard cameras. Some states prohibit mounting devices that may obstruct a driver's view on a vehicle windshield or dashboard, thereby effectively banning after-market windshield- and dashboard-mounted dashboard cameras in those states.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, video recording system for a vehicle may comprise a rearview mirror assembly and a first imager capable of capturing video images. The rearview mirror assembly may comprise a housing; a mirror element supported by the housing; and a processor disposed on a printed circuit board within the rearview mirror assembly. The first imager may be in selective communication with the processor. The processor may be configured to process data from the captured images. The user interface may be capable of allowing a user to selectively save video captured by the imager.

The housing may define an opening configured to accept a media storage card capable of storing data from the captured images. The opening defined by the housing may be disposed at a distance from the processor. The video recording system further may comprise a memory disposed on the printed circuit board and configured to be in communication with the processor. The processor may be disposed on a first end of the printed circuit board; and the memory may be disposed on a second of the circuit board a distance from the processor. The captured images may comprise video images.

The first imager may be disposed in a vehicle, and the first imager may be configured to capture images of scenes to the front of the vehicle and to transmit data on the captured images to the processor. The first imager may be a wide-angle imager. The first imager may be disposed on one of a headliner of a vehicle and a windshield of a vehicle.

The video recording system further may comprise a second imager in communication with the processor. The second imager may be disposed in a vehicle and may be configured to capture images to the rear of the vehicle and to transmit data on the captured images to the processor. Upon a determination that there may be not sufficient memory to store new images, the system may be configured to store new images over older images. The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise a display element, and at least a portion of the display element may be configured to selectively display images captured by one of the first and the second imagers.

The housing may define an opening and the opening may be configured to accept a removable media storage card. The opening defined by the housing may be disposed toward a first side of the housing; and the processor may be disposed within the housing toward a second side of the housing a distance from the first side of the housing.

The video recording system may be configured to receive power from a vehicle power supply. The video recording system may be configured to be activated upon the vehicle ignition being turned on, and the video recording system may be configured to be turned off upon one of the vehicle ignition being turned off and power to the vehicle accessories being turned off. The video recording system further may comprise a back-up battery; the back-up battery may be capable of providing sufficient power to allow the video recording system to save any images captured after power to the video recording system may be turned off.

The user interface may be capable of, upon receipt of a user input, saving images captured within a predetermined time interval prior to the receipt of the user input. The rearview mirror assembly of the video recording system may comprise a display element, and at least a portion of the display element may be configured to selectively display images captured by the first imager. The video recording system further may comprise at least one indicator disposed so as to be selectively visible through the mirror element. The indicator may be configured to indicate a status of the video recording system. The video recording system may be capable of transmitting captured images wirelessly to another device.

The video recording system further may comprise a microphone in communication with the processor, and the microphone may be configured to capture audio.

The video recording system may be in communication with accident detection system(s) of vehicle; and the video recording system may be configured to automatically, upon receipt of an input from the accident detection system(s) that an accident may have been detected, save images captured for a predetermined amount of time prior to the receipt of the input. The video recording system further may comprise an accident-detection sensor configured to be in communication with the processor. The video recording system may be configured to automatically, upon receipt of an input that an accident may have occurred, save images captured for a predetermined amount of time prior to the receipt of the input.

The video recording system further may comprise a heat sink disposed within the rearview mirror assembly and a thermally conductive spacer disposed between the heat sink and the processor and configured to transfer heat from the processor to the heat sink.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle may comprise a housing; a mirror element supported by the housing; and a processor disposed on a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board at least partially enclosed within the housing. The processor may be configured to be in communication with and to receive inputs from at least one imager. The at least one imager may be disposed in a vehicle. At least one imager may be configured to capture images from the exterior of the vehicle.

The housing may define an opening configured to accept a media storage card capable of storing data from the captured images. The opening defined by the housing may be disposed in a spaced-apart relationship with the processor. The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise a memory disposed on a printed circuit board and configured to be in communication with the processor. The processor may be disposed on a first end of the printed circuit board; and the memory may be disposed on a second of the circuit board a distance from the processor. The captured images may comprise video images. At least one imager may be configured to capture images of scenes to the front of the vehicle and to transmit image data from the captured images to the processor. The at least one imager may be disposed on one of a headliner of a vehicle and a windshield of a vehicle.

The processor may be configured to be in communication and may be configured to receive inputs from at least two imagers. A first imager may be disposed in the vehicle and may be configured to capture images of scenes to the front of the vehicle. A second imager may be disposed in the vehicle. The second imager may be configured to capture images to the rear of the vehicle. The first and the second imagers may be configured to transmit data on the captured images to the processor. Upon a determination that there may not insufficient memory to allow newly-captured images to be stored, the system may be configured to store the new images over older images and to erase the older images.

The processor and the at least one imager may be configured to be activated upon the vehicle ignition being turned on, and the processor and the at least one imager may be configured to be turned off upon one of the vehicle ignition being turned off and power to the vehicle accessories being turned off. The processor may be capable of transmitting captured images wirelessly to another device.

The housing may define an opening; and the opening may be configured to accept a removable media storage card.

The rearview mirror assembly may be configured to receive power from a vehicle power supply. The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise a back-up battery. The back-up battery may be capable of providing sufficient power to allow the processor to cause any captured images not saved before the power to the video recording system is turned off to be saved.

The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise a user interface capable of, upon receipt of a user input, causing the saving of images captured within a predetermined time interval prior to the receipt of the user input. The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise a display element, and at least a portion of the display element may be configured to selectively display images captured by the at least one imager. The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise at least one indicator disposed so as to be selectively visible through the mirror element. The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise a microphone in communication with the processor, the microphone may be configured to capture audio.

The rearview mirror assembly may be in communication with accident detection systems of vehicle; and the video recording system may be configured to automatically, upon receipt of an indication that an accident may have been detected, save images captured for a predetermined amount of time prior to accident. The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise an accident-detection sensor configured to be in communication with the processor. The processor may be configured to automatically, upon receipt of an input from the accident-detection sensor that an accident may have occurred, save images captured for a predetermined amount of time prior to the receipt of the input.

The rearview mirror assembly further may comprise a heat sink disposed within the rearview mirror assembly and a thermally conductive spacer disposed between the heat sink and the processor and configured to transfer heat from the processor to the heat sink.

According to another aspect, a method for capturing and storing images exterior to a vehicle, may comprise capturing images of scenes to the exterior of the vehicle with at least one imager disposed within the vehicle; transmitting data from the captured images to a processor disposed within a rearview assembly of the vehicle; processing, by the processor, data from the captured images; transmitting the data from the captured images to a memory; and storing the newly-captured images in the memory.

The method for capturing and storing images of scenes exterior to a vehicle further may comprise providing power to a video recording system for a vehicle upon starting the vehicle. The method for capturing and storing images of scenes exterior to a vehicle further may comprise determining, by the processor, whether there is sufficient storage in a memory to store newly-captured images; and directing, upon a determination that there may be insufficient storage in the memory to store the newly-captured images, that the data on the newly-captured images be re-written over the oldest images that are not in a saved status.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a video recording system for a vehicle is shown generally at10. Video recording system10may comprise a processor20, and at least a first camera or other imager24capable of being in communication with processor20. Processor20may be disposed in a rearview mirror assembly28of the vehicle. Rearview mirror assembly28may further comprise a housing32, as shown inFIG. 2. A printed circuit board (PCB)36may be disposed within housing32, and processor20may be disposed on PCB36.

In some embodiments, housing32may support a mirror element40. Mirror element40may be configured to allow a driver of a vehicle to see objects or scenes behind the vehicle when rearview mirror assembly28is mounted on a windshield of a vehicle. In some embodiments, rearview mirror assembly28may further comprise an electro-optic element48. Mirror element40may be disposed between electro-optic element48and a support plate44. Support plate44may be disposed between mirror element40and PCB36. In some embodiments, mirror element may comprise a display element such as a liquid crystal display.

First camera or imager24may be disposed within or secured to an interior or exterior surface of the vehicle. First imager24may be disposed in a location remote from rearview mirror assembly28. In some embodiments, first imager24may be disposed at the top of the vehicle windshield, adjacent to or within a headliner of a vehicle ceiling, or on a ceiling console. In some embodiments, first imager24may be disposed within rearview mirror assembly28. Housing32of rearview mirror assembly28may define an imager opening (not shown). First imager24may be configured to capture an image of a scene to the exterior of housing32through imager opening.

First imager24may be disposed so as to be capable of capturing images of an area in front of first imager24. First imager24may be capable of capturing video images. First imager24may have a wide-angle lens having a wide field of view. First imager24may be in electrical communication with processor20. Data from images captured by first imager24may be sent directly to processor20for processing.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, housing32may define an opening52configured to allow a removable media storage card56to be inserted into rearview mirror assembly28. When in place, media storage card56may be placed in selective communication with processor20. Media storage card56may comprise non-volatile storage, and may comprise one of a secure digital card (SD card), a mini SD card, a microSD card, multimedia storage cards, and the like. When media storage card56is inserted into opening52of housing and is in communication with processor20, data from images captured by first imager24may be capable of being stored on media storage card56.

In some embodiments, processor20of rearview mirror assembly28may additionally or alternatively comprise a memory62. Memory62may be disposed on PCB36. Memory62may be random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, hard disk storage, flash memory storage, solid state drive memory, and the like. Memory62may be non-removable from rearview mirror assembly. Data from captured images may be stored in memory62. The data may be accessible or downloadable by a wired or wireless connection between video recording system10and a remote device, such as a user's mobile telephone, a laptop, or a tablet computer. In some embodiments, the data may be accessed, viewed, and/or downloaded via a wireless connection such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, or radio frequency communication. In some embodiments, to access, view, or download the data from memory62, a user may connect a wired connector to a dedicated port (not shown) defined in housing32of rearview mirror assembly28. The dedicated port may be configured to accept the wired connection to enable a user to access, view, or download data from captured images. In some embodiments, images may be transmitted directly to a user's account, and the user may view the images contemporaneously. For example, a parent may be able to monitor a child's driving by viewing images from a remote device such as a mobile telephone, computer, or smart television as they are generated.

In some embodiments, PCB36may be configured to hold media storage card56when media storage card56is inserted into rearview mirror assembly28. In some embodiments, a secondary PCB60may be configured to hold media storage card56. Secondary PCB60may be configured to be in communication with PCB36. In some embodiments, secondary PCB60may be directly connected to PCB36. In some embodiments, secondary PCB60may be connected to PCB36via a cable, harness or other wiring (not shown). Data from images captured by first imager24may be transmitted from imager24to processor20for processing. After data from the images has been processed by processor20, the data may be transmitted to media storage card56or memory62for storage.

Media storage card56may be capable of being removed from rearview mirror assembly28by a user, thereby allowing the user to view captured and stored images. Images may be viewed on a device that is compatible with media storage card56and is capable of displaying images. Data on images from media storage card56may be downloaded to and saved on remote devices such as mobile telephones, laptop computers, or tablet computers. Similarly, a user may view, transmit, and/or download images stored on memory62. Images may be downloaded or transmitted to or viewed on rearview mirror assembly28, or a remote device such as a mobile telephone, a computer, or a smart television.

Video recording system10may be configured to be activated upon the vehicle being turned on or the ignition of the vehicle being started. In some embodiments, once video recording system10has been activated, first imager24may begin capturing images. In some embodiments, first imager24may begin capturing images once a particular event has occurred. The particular event may be, for example, putting the vehicle into a forward gear or interacting with a user interface76of video recording system10.

Power may be supplied to video recording system10by a power supply72associated with the vehicle. In some embodiments, vehicle recording system10may be configured to turn off after the vehicle ignition and/or power to the vehicle accessories is turned off. In some embodiments, video recording system10may continue to operate until the occurrence of a particular event or for a predetermined period of time after the vehicle ignition and/or power to vehicle accessories is turned off.

In some embodiments, rearview mirror assembly28may further comprise a battery74. Battery74may be configured to provide power to video recording system10upon power from the vehicle10being turned off. Battery74may be capable of providing sufficient power to allow video recording system10to save any images captured and not stored prior to the receipt, by video recording system10, of an indication to turn off.

In some embodiments, rearview mirror assembly28may comprise a capacitor, supercapacitor, solar cell, or other energy storage device (not shown) to provide power to the system, especially after the vehicle power supply has been disrupted or stopped. In some embodiments, other energy storage devices may be configured to provide the power necessary to save data related to images that have not yet been saved in the event that power to video recording system10is turned off prior to all recently-captured images being saved. The saved images may be saved in memory62or on media storage card56. The saved images may additionally or alternatively be transmitted to cloud storage or may be displayed on rearview mirror assembly28or on an external device such as a smart phone or computer. Once stored, the saved images may be transmitted to an external device or displayed at a user's convenience.

Video recording system10may further comprise a user interface76. User interface76may be disposed on rearview mirror assembly28or may be located remotely from rearview mirror assembly28. For example, in some embodiments, user interface76may comprise a plurality of buttons mounted on housing32or elsewhere on rearview mirror assembly28. In some embodiments, user interface additionally or alternatively may be accessed through a program accessible through a remote device78such as a user's mobile telephone, laptop computer, or tablet computer.

User interface76may be configured to allow users to save particular images or images captured during a particular time period. For example, user interface76may, upon receipt of an appropriate user input, cause recently-recorded images to be placed in a saved status in media storage card56or memory62. The saved images may include images recorded over a certain time interval, such as images recorded in the two minutes just prior to the receipt of the user input.

In some embodiments, user interface76may allow a user, upon receipt of an appropriate user input, to display images. In some embodiments, rearview mirror assembly28may comprise a display element80. Display element80may be capable of selectively displaying digital images. In some embodiments, display element80may comprise a liquid crystal display. Upon receipt of an appropriate user input, captured images may be displayed on at least a portion82of display element80of rearview mirror assembly28, as shown inFIG. 5B. In some embodiments, a menu for controlling video playback and the like may be selectively displayed on at least a portion of display element80.

In some embodiments, video recording system10may be capable of transmitting captured images and audio to another device such as a user's mobile telephone, laptop, or tablet computer. The transmission of the captured images may be done wirelessly or via a wired connection. Video recording system10may utilize Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, radio frequency communication or combinations thereof. Upon receipt of a user input, images captured by video recording system10may be displayed on a user's mobile telephone or computer. The transmitted images may also be downloaded to and saved on a remote device such as a user's mobile telephone or computer.

In some embodiments, video recording system10may further comprise at least one indicator84as shown inFIG. 5A. The at least one indicator84may comprise, for example, a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED). The at least one indicator84may be capable of selectively illuminating and of being seen through mirror element40of rearview mirror assembly28. The at least one indicator84may be configured to indicate to the user a status of video recording system10, such as that video recording system10is actively recording or that a save request was successful.

In some embodiments, opening52in housing32may be disposed on or toward one side of rearview mirror assembly28, and processor20may be disposed on the opposite side. For example, opening52may be disposed toward the right side of housing32and processor20may be disposed within housing32toward the left side of rearview mirror assembly28. This arrangement, with the heat-generating processor20disposed at a distance from the location of media storage card56, may reduce the amount of heat that media storage card56is exposed to. Similarly, memory62may be disposed on the opposite side of housing32from processor20, thereby reducing the amount of heat that memory62is exposed to.

In some embodiments, a heat sink88may be disposed within housing32proximate to processor20. A spacer92of thermally conductive material may connect processor20to heat sink88. Spacer92may comprise silicon or other conductive material, and may be capable of conducting heat generated by processor20to heat sink88for dissipation.

In some embodiments, a PCB holder94may be disposed within housing32and be configured to hold secondary PCB60. PCB holder94may be of a plastic or other low- or non-thermally-transmitting material. PCB holder94may act to provide a layer of insulation between media storage card56and PCB36, thereby reducing the amount of heat that media storage card56is exposed to. In some embodiments, secondary PCB60may be disposed directly on PCB36.

In some embodiments, video recording system10may further comprise a microphone or other audio input device96. Microphone96may be in communication with processor20and with media storage card56. Microphone96may be configured to capture audio from within the cabin of the vehicle or from the exterior of the vehicle. Microphone96may be configured to transmit the captured audio to media storage device56or memory62for storage. The captured audio may be linked with stored video.

In some embodiments, video recording system10may be in communication with the accident detection system(s) of the vehicle. The accident detection systems may include, for example, accelerometers or devices that determine whether airbags have been deployed. Upon receipt of an input indicating that an accident has occurred, video recording system10may be configured to cause processor20to save recently captured images. The saved images may be from a predetermined amount of time prior to the receipt of the indication of the accident, and may extend at least through the time at which video recording system10received the indication of the accident. This may give users an opportunity to access images of the events that preceded the accident.

In some embodiments, an accident-detection sensor (not shown) may be disposed within rearview mirror assembly28. The accident-detection sensor may comprise, for example, an accelerometer. Video recording system10may be in communication with the accident-detection sensor. Upon receipt of an input from the accident-detection sensor that an accident may have occurred, video recording system10may be configured to cause processor20to save recently captured images covering a predetermined period of time, thereby providing users with images of events leading up to the incident that triggered the accident-detection sensor to indicate that an accident occurred.

In some embodiments, video recording system10may comprise at least a second camera or imager64. Second imager64may be disposed within or secured to the vehicle. Second imager64may be disposed so as to have a field of view that enables it to capture images from the rear of the vehicle. Second imager64may have a wide-angle field of view. Second imager64may be in electrical communication with processor20. Images captured by second imager64may be transmitted to processor20for processing, and data from images may then be transmitted to media storage card56or memory62for storage. More than two imagers may be used to capture images exterior to the vehicle and still remain within the scope of this disclosure. This may include imagers disposed to capture images to the side(s) of the vehicle, imagers to capture images at angles from the vehicle, and imagers to capture images above the vehicle.

Rearview mirror assembly28may be mounted to a windshield or ceiling of the vehicle by a mounting element68. Mounting element68may define a channel70through which wires (not shown) may extend. The wires may connect at least one imager24,64with processor20, transmitting data from images captured by the at least one imager24,64to processor20.

Media storage card56may be configured to hold a certain amount of data. For example, media storage card56may be configured to hold data covering ninety minutes of images. If a determination is made that media storage card56does not have sufficient remaining storage to store additional images, data will be stored over existing images, thereby erasing the previously-stored images. In general, the erased images will be the oldest stored images. However, images that are in a saved status will not be erased until the occurrence of a predetermined event, such as the receipt of a particular user input or the passage of a predetermined amount of time.

The rearview mirror assembly28of this disclosure may include an electro-optic rearview assembly. Rearview mirror assembly28may alternatively include a prismatic mirror. Rearview mirror assembly28may additionally or alternatively include an electronic display that displays an image as sensed by a rearward facing camera or other imaging system (see, for example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,949 entitled “SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS FOR ENHANCING REAR VISION FROM A VEHICLE,” filed on Sep. 15, 1998, by Frederick T. Bauer et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). Additionally or alternatively, rearview mirror assembly28may include both an electro-optic rearview assembly and a display device for providing an image from a rearward facing camera or other imaging system.

A method for capturing and storing images, including video images, exterior to a vehicle may include activating video recording system10upon the turning on of the vehicle. Once video recording system10has been activated, at least one imager24,64may begin capturing images of scenes exterior to the vehicle. In some embodiments, at least one additional imager (not shown) may be configured to capture images of the interior of the vehicle. Data from the captured images may be transmitted to a processor20disposed within a rearview mirror assembly28of the vehicle. Processor20may be configured to process the data from the captured images.

Video recording system10may further comprise a memory56,62. Memory56,62may be permanent memory62or removable memory56. Processor20may be configured to determine whether there is sufficient storage in memory56,62to store the data from the newly-captured images. Upon a determination that there is insufficient data, processor20may direct the data from the newly-captured images be written over the data from the oldest images in memory56,62that are not in a saved status. Processor20may then transmit the data to memory56,62for storage.

In some embodiments, images may be put into a saved status upon the receipt from the vehicle's accident-detection system of an indication that an accident may have occurred. In some embodiments, video recording system10may comprise an accident-detection sensor, and images may be put into a saved status upon the receipt from the video recording system's accident-detection sensor of an indication that an accident may have occurred. Upon receipt of an indication that an accident may have occurred, video recording system10may cause the saving of images captured for a predetermined interval prior to the receipt of the indication that an accident may have occurred by putting the images in a saved status.

In some embodiments, a user may indicate through user interface76that the user desires images be saved. For example, video recording system10may receive, through user interface76, an input indicating that images should be saved. Upon receipt of the indication, processor20may place images captured within a predetermined period of time, such as the ninety seconds prior to the receipt of the input, into a saved status.

Images in a saved status may remain in the saved status until the receipt of a user input indicating that the particular saved images no longer need to be in a saved status and may be over-written with new images. This may be done by a user after viewing the image in the saved status. In some embodiments, images in a saved status may be removed from a saved status after the occurrence of a predetermined event. The predetermined event may include the passage of a predetermined period of time, such as one year.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, front and back, left and right, vertical, horizontal, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship, order, or number of such entities or actions. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the device may assume various orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.