Patent Publication Number: US-6215518-B1

Title: Headrest and seat video imaging apparatus

Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/252,265, filed Feb. 18, 1999, as a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 09/121,155 filed Jul. 22, 1998. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to apparatus for mounting video imaging equipment in motor vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to video and audio imaging apparatus incorporated with seats in motor vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, military, taxis, private persons, police and private detectives have added video cameras to their equipment list for video recording of activities, persons, races, passing scenes, patrols and investigations. For police particularly, the video camera provides a visual record of events such as traffic stops, chases, and other incidents of law enforcement. Private detectives also record incidents for evidentiary purposes during investigations. 
     Various devices have been provided for supporting video cameras in motor vehicles. Stationary investigations allow use of tripods mounted in the motor vehicle to support the video cameras. The tripod readily stands in many vans or other trucks which have room for the legs to spread and thereby provide a stable foundation for using a video camera attached thereto. Tripods however are not readily adaptable for use in passenger vehicles which have limited space in the rear seat portion of the car. Generally, the legs are insufficiently separated for image recording stability. 
     For military, taxi, and police vehicles particularly, video cameras typically mount on U-shaped brackets attached to the forward portion of the roof adjacent the windshield. The bracket receives the video camera for a forward view through the windshield in order to provide a record of traffic stops, automobile chases, and the like. Other camera mounts have been used to secure video or television cameras within automobiles, such as race cars to provide a driver&#39;s perspective during an automobile race being broadcasted on television. One known device for mounting a camera in a car maintains the camera level with respect to the roads surface regardless of acceleration or gravitational forces. The camera is supported on a pendulum suspended from a gimble and constrained with spring and damping elements which match the vehicle suspension system in order to produce equal and opposite rotations of the pendulum in response to the movements of the vehicle. 
     Other devices are less complicated. One such device mounts a camera in a protective box which attaches to the rear deck of the vehicle near the back window. Telescoping members connect the box to the rear deck. Coil springs absorb shock in order to dampen vibrations communicated to the camera. Another device provides a channel member with a depending plate at one end. The plate is received in a slot of an upper edge of a car seat which normally receives a tongue or support member of a headrest. A distal end of the channel rests on top of the dashboard of the vehicle. A camera mounts with a bolt through an opening in the channel. An elastic hold-down and stabilizing cord is used to secure the distal end of the channel to the dashboard. 
     My U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/919,298 discloses a transverse bar which connects at opposing distal ends to the supports for headrests in the seats of motor vehicles. The video camera mounts to a pivotable support attached to the transverse bar, whereby the camera may be oriented at a selected angle for recording. 
     While these devices have generally functioned to support a camera within a car, there are drawbacks to their use. Mounting the camera on a rear deck of a car does not satisfactorily show dashboard information which is useful and important during automobile races. Also this perspective view differs from that seen by the driver. On the other hand, placing the camera closer to the windshield may have the camera to far forward to show the dashboard of the car which had key gauges, such as the speedometer, displaying information about the car. Brackets which are cantilevered in the car are susceptible to vibration as the distal end is not adequately secured. Further, such brackets that mount to the seat slot for headrest supports occupies one of the headrests and takes the space otherwise occupied by a passenger. 
     Also, surveillance security and other police activities however need the camera to be less visible from casual observation, which the present devices do not provide. 
     Further, while some video cameras incorporate a recording apparatus within the camera, often, the recorder is a separate component connected to the video camera by communication cables. As a separate component, the recorder is usually permanently mounted to a portion of the wall of the trunk of the motor vehicle. This makes access to the recorder and tapes cumbersome, time consuming, and unsatisfactory. Space within a police vehicle however is at premium for storage of equipment and materials. The video recorder needs to be secure so that it is not independently moving while the vehicle is traveling, yet must be readily and easily accessible for retrieval and exchange of recording tapes. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved mounts for video recording equipment in motor vehicles. It is to such that the present invention is directed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a video and audio imaging apparatus incorporated with a motor vehicle seat for positioning in a motor vehicle for receiving video and audio images. The apparatus comprises a frame for a seat having cushioning pads thereon defining a seat portion and a seat back portion. The frame defines a shape of the seat and the seat back portions. The seat back portion has a headrest portion. A cover encloses the frame. The seat back further defines a second portion spaced-apart and lateral of the headrest portion, which second portion includes means for mounting a video imaging apparatus thereto. A drawer is slidably received within the seat portion for moving between a first position recessed within the seat and a second position extending outwardly of the seat for accessing a video image recorder secured within the drawer. The video image recorder is operatively connected with a control cable to the video imaging apparatus mounted to the seat back portion. A controller selectively operates the camera and the recorder for recording images. 
     Objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the invention and claims in view of the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view a headrest camera mount for attaching to the seat of a motor vehicle, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cutaway detailed illustration of the headrest camera mount illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of an embodiment of the headrest camera mount including a support or pivotally positioning the camera at a selected angle. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed exploded perspective view of the camera mount illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a seat back for a motor vehicle having an integral headrest with a camera mount according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seat in a motor vehicle including the video headrest illustrated in FIG. 1, with a pivotable seat cushion for accessing a video recorder mounted in the seat. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seat in a motor vehicle with a video recorder slidably mounted in the seat. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seat in a motor vehicle with a video recorder mounted in the back of the seat. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like parts have like identifiers, FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view a headrest  10  that attaches to a seat  12  of a motor vehicle while containing a video camera  14  shown exploded away. The headrest  10  has an elongate member  16  in which a distal end  18  defines a bore  20 . A threaded connector  22  extends through the bore  20 . The connector  22  includes a groove which receives a C-ring. The C-ring conventionally prevents the connector  22  from coming out to the bore  20 . 
     A cushion  28  for the headrest  10  includes a resilient cover  30  that encloses a foam core  32 . The cushion  28  attaches conventionally to the elongate member  16 . The core  32  does not extend the full length of the elongate member, so that a portion  34  of the cover  30  defines a cavity  36 . The cavity  36  receives the video camera  14 , which has a threaded bore in a bottom surface for engaging the connector  22 . The video camera  14  thereby sits on the elongate member  16  and the connector  22  secures the video camera to the member. The headrest  10  defines an open end  33 . The headrest  10  defines an open end  33  which is covered by a removable detachable plate  35 . Pins  37  extend laterally from the plate  35  for engaging mating portions of the cover  30 , whereby the headrest has a selectively closed distal end. Further, removal of the plate  35  permits access to control buttons on the video camera  14 . A support  38  attaches conventionally to the member  16  and depends away from the headrest  10 . The support  38  is received within a slot  39  in the seat  12  for connecting the headrest  10  to the seat  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a front surface of the cover  30  defines an opening  40  through which a lens  41  receives light for communicating an image to the video camera  14 . A detachable cap  42  exploded from the headrest  10  covers the opening  40  when the video camera  38  is removed or is not in use. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the open end  33  is a closed by a door  44  that defines a side face of the cushion  28 . The door  44  attaches along a hinge  46  to a lower portion of the cover  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the door  44  also defines an open port  45 , which may be closed by a detachable cover (not illustrated) for a purpose discussed below. Other doors may be gainfully used; for example, a door which slides from a closed position to an open position. A pin  48  projects laterally from a distal portion of the door  44 . A plate  50  attaches to an upper portion  52  of the side of the headrest  10 . The plate  50  defines an opening  54  for receiving the pin  48  when the door for selectively holding the door closed. As may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a back surface of the headrest  10  likewise may include an opening for the lens of video camera to record images from a rearward perspective. In an alternate embodiment, a recorder separate from the camera is mounted in the motor of the seat is an extension of the seat back, and may be planer, or arcuate, to conform in style to the seat. In the particular illustrated embodiment, the core body has a main portion that defines a first concave recess  100  on a forward face of the core body. The recess  100  receives a head of a person occupying the seat. A second portion  102  of the core body  98  defines a second concave recess on the forward face of the core body lateral of the main portion  100 . The first and second recesses  100  and  102  are separated by a forwardly projecting ridge  104 . In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the second portion  103  defines a planer forward face. It should be noted that the ridge  104  cooperates with the extending opposite side of the recess  100  to receive the head of a seat occupant, while restricting the head from inadvertently blocking the view of the video camera  14 . 
     The cavity  94  is defined within the second portion of the core body  102 . A port in a side wall of the seat  90  is closed by a cover  106 . The frame  96  engages a support member which defines a bore for receiving a threaded connector to which the video camera  14  is secured. The forward surface of the headrest  92  defines an opening in the second recess  102  whereby the lens of the video camera receives light for recording images. It is the noted that the support  60  illustrated in FIG. 3 may gainfully be installed in the cavity  94  for selectively positioning the video camera  14  in the integral seat back  90  for recording images. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seat  120  in a motor vehicle, including the video headrest  10  with a seat cushion  122  shown in a pivoted position for accessing a video recorder  124  mounted within the seat. The seat  120  includes a frame  126  from which a seat back  128  extends. Conventional seatback adjustment mechanism may be included and are not otherwise illustrated for adjusting an angle of the seatback. The headrest  10  includes the camera  14  and mounts on supports  38  which extend from an upper portion of vehicle, for instance in the trunk. A cable (not illustrated) connects between the video camera  14  and the recorder. 
     FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the headrest  10  having a pivot support  6  rigidly connected to the members  16  a bolt  62  locks the pivot support  60  in a selected position whereby the video camera  14  is positioned at a selected angle. FIG. 4 provides a detailed exploded view of the pivot support  60  comprises a base plate  64  having a pair of upwardly extending spaced-apart parallel flanges  66 ,  68 . The base  64  is rigidly connected to the member  16  with a fastener  70  such as bolts, rivets, or the like. The flanges  66 ,  68  in the illustrated embodiment have a trapezoid shape in end view, with the wider base of the trapezoid integral with the base plate  64 . The flange  66  defines a bore  72 . The flange  68  defines a threaded bore  74  co-axially aligned with the bore  72 . 
     A pivot plate  76  defines a surface  78  on which the video camera  14  rests. The pivot plate  76  defines a bore  80  which receives a connector  82  for engaging the threaded bore in the video camera  14  whereby the video camera is rigidly connected to the pivot plate  76 . A flange  84  depends from the surface  78  at one side. The flange  84  defines a bore  86  which is aligned with the bores  72  and  74  when the flange  84  is positioned between the flanges  66 ,  68 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a seat back for a seat in a motor vehicle. The seat back  90  includes an integral headrest generally  92  which defines a cavity  94  for receiving the video camera  14 . The seat  92  has a frame  96  which defines a perimeter shape of the seat back  90  and the headrest  92 . A core member formed of cushioning materials is received by the frame. A seat cover over lies the core member and the frame to define the seat back. 
     The headrest  92  includes a portion of the core member generally, a core body  98 . Typically, the headrest portion the seat back  128 . The seat cushion  122  is selectively movable from a first position for sitting and a second position for accessing the video recorder  124 . In the illustrated embodiment, the seat cushion  122  connects at a forward edge with hinges  130  to the seat frame  126 . The hinges  130  permit the seat cushion  122  to move from the first position with the cushion received within the frame  126  for seating purposes and the second position, as illustrated. In the first position, a back edge  132  of the cushion  122  is received against a lower side face  134  of the seat back  128 . The hinges  130  permit the seat cushion  122  to pivot forward, as illustrated, to the second position for providing access to the video recorder  124 . 
     The video recorder  124  includes an access door  136  for receiving a video recording tape (not illustrated). In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of supports  138 ,  140  are fixedly secured within the seat frame  126  to a floorboard of the motor vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of threaded fasteners  142  extend through the supports  138 ,  140  to rigidly connect the recorder  124  to the supports. A cover  137  connects with hinges  139  to the support  138 . A lip  141  of the cover  137  over hangs the support  140 . The lip  141  includes a slot  143  for receiving a key that engages a lock  145  to secure the cover  137  closed over the video recorder  124 . 
     A wiring harness  144  communicates between the recorder  124  and the video camera  14 . A coupler  146  connects to a mating coupler  148  of a harness  150  for providing electrical power to the video recorder  124  and the camera  14  as well as providing control wiring for operation of the recorder and the camera. The video camera  14  and the recorder  124  also communicate with a video display screen  152  and can incorporate other functions such as position locating and speed detection devices. In the illustrated embodiment the video display screen  152  mounts in the dashboard  154 . The video display screen  152  connects through a harness  156  to the harness  150 ,  144  for the video recorder  124  and the video camera  14 , for display of images received by the camera or on a tape played by the recorder. 
     As illustrated, the present invention further provides a plurality of video cameras  160  that mount in the headrest  10 . It should be appreciated that the video camera  14  is illustrated as a conventional type camera, and it is noted that smaller CCD (charge-coupled devices) functioning as cameras  160  provide the ability to receive images from a forward, side, and rear view. Similar cameras mounted in the adjacent headrest (not illustrated) provides coverage in the remaining side direction. Accordingly, multiple configurations of video image receiving cameras  14 ,  160  are available. In one embodiment, one video camera is preset for telephoto imaging and a CCD device  160  is preset for wide angle viewing. A controller enables a user to select between the cameras  14 ,  160  depending on the image to be recorded. For example, the camera  14  preset to telephoto would be used for recording a license plate and car from a long distance. 
     While the present invention is disclosed with respect to a single headrest in a motor vehicle, it is to be appreciated that the cameras  14 ,  160  could readily be mounted in the opposing end of the headrest for use on a driver&#39;s portion of the seats, whereby the cameras would also receive dashboard information, such as the speed of the motor vehicle or other vehicle speed via a detection device. In the embodiment having a plurality of side, rear, and forward view cameras  14 ,  160 , a camera control module provides functional controls over the cameras and the recorder for on/off, telephoto, and camera selection, whereby the user can readily switch among selected views provided by the cameras. Further, in an alternate embodiment, the seat cushion  122  pivots about the back side, rather than the front. In a second alternate embodiment, the seat cushion  122  pivots from one side. It is noted that the present invention is likewise installable in either a passenger side or a driver side of the seat in the motor vehicle. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the video equipment communicates with a transmitter placed preferably behind the dashboard for broadcasting a video signal to a remote receiver, such as an operations control center. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seat  170  in a motor vehicle, including a seat cushion  172  which encloses a sliding drawer  174  for holding the video recorder  124  mounted within the seat  170 . A shield  173 , such as a plastic sheet, prevents spilled liquids from entering the video recorder  124 . The shield  173  in an alternate embodiment is a metal sheet to further restrict access to the video recorder  124 . The video recorder  124  mounts securely, preferably with fasteners such as bolts (not illustrated), into the drawer  174 . The sliding drawer  174  has a pair of opposing sliding arms  176  that define a channel in which pairs of aligned roller  178  travel. The rollers  178  connect with axles to the drawer  174 ; the sliding arms attach to the frame of the seat. Conventional drawer slides may be gainfully used, whereby the drawer  174  is movable from a first position recessed within the seat  170  and a second position outwardly of a forward face  180  of the seat  170 . A front panel  182  of the drawer  174  includes a lock  184  for securing the drawer in the first position. The seat  170  includes a frame from which a seat back  186  extends. Conventional seatback adjustment mechanism may be included and are not otherwise illustrated for adjusting an angle of the seatback. One embodiment of this apparatus gainfully uses the headrest  10  that includes the camera  14  and mounts on supports  38  which extend from an upper portion of the seat back  186 . The illustrated embodiment has a conventional headrest  192 . A support  194  extends laterally from a should portion of the back  186 . The support  194  defines at least one hole for receiving a threaded fastener whereby the camera  14  is secured to the support  194 . A housing is illustrated in phantom for enclosing the camera  14 . In an alternate embodiment, the pivot support  60  is attached to the support  194  for engaging the camera  14 . 
     The wiring harness  144  communicates between the recorder  124  and the video camera  14 . The couplers  146 ,  148  connect to the harness  150  for providing electrical power to the video recorder  124  and the camera  14  as well as providing control wiring for operation of the recorder, the camera, and a microphone for audio signals. The microphone can be a conventional wireless microphone/transmitter such as the vest and shoulder microphone  190  typically used by police or a directly wired microphone for communicating with the video recorder  124 . The video camera  14  and the recorder  124  also communicate with a video display screen  152  and can incorporate other functions such as position locating and speed detection devices. In the illustrated embodiment, the video display screen  152  mounts in the dashboard  154 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing for the video display  152  includes a plurality of control buttons for controlling the operation of the video camera  14 , the video recorder  124 , and the display  152 . A controller is disclosed in my patent application Ser. No. 09/353,113, filed Jul. 14, 1999, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which application is incorporated herein by reference. The video display screen  152  connects through a harness  156  to the harness  150 ,  144  for the video recorder  124  and the video camera  14 , for display of images received by the camera or on a tape played by the recorder. 
     As illustrated, the present invention gainfully uses the plurality of video cameras  160 , which are preferably the smaller CCD (charge-coupled devices),CMOS, and the like, that function as cameras to provide the ability to receive images from forward, side, and rear views, selectively, with multiple configurations of video image receiving cameras  14 ,  160 . The controller enables a user to select between the cameras  14 ,  160  depending on the image to be recorded. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the video recorder  124  is mounted in the seat back  186 . The video recorder  124  connects securely with fasteners to a door  200  that pivots on hinges  202  connected to a member  204  of the seat frame. The door  200  selectively includes a lock (not illustrated) for controlling access to the video recorder. The control cables  144  interconnect the video recorder  124 , the camera  14 ,  160 , and the controller/display  152 , for operation of the video and audio imaging apparatus, with power supplied from the motor vehicle by a connector generally  210  into the wiring harness  144 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the video camera headrest mount of the present invention is incorporated in motor vehicles for use in recording images and audio from the motor vehicle. The disclosed embodiment shows the camera mount on a right side of the headrest  10  and the seat  90 . It should be noted that the camera cavity  36  and  94  may be located on the left side thereof, or the cavity may be formed on both sides of the headrest and seat. The support  38  is slidingly received in the slot  39  in the back of the seat  12 . As may be appreciated, some seats in motor vehicles have a pair of spaced-apart slots which each receive a tubular member extending from a conventional headrest, and such supports are likewise included with the scope of the present invention as alternative supports  38 . Other headrests include apparatus for pivoting the headrest to accommodate personal preferences in positioning, and the present invention may include such additional features. 
     The door  44  is pivoted open by detaching the pin  48  from the opening  54  and pulling the door at its distal end  52  downwardly towards the seat  12 . The video camera  14  is inserted through the opening in the side of the headrest  10  into the cavity  36 . The connector  22  is threadably engaged to the video camera  14  to secure the video camera  14  with the lens aligned with the opening  40 . The cap  42  is detached during operation of the video camera. The door  44  is pivoted closed with the pin  48  engaging the opening  54 . Also, the video camera maybe oriented so that the lens is pointed towards the port  45 , for recording images to the side of the motored vehicle. 
     With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cavity  36  may include the pivot plate  60 . The connector  82  extending through the pivot plate  76  engages the video camera  14 . The bolt  62  is loosened and the pivot plate  76  tilted about the bolt with the flange  94  disposed between the flanges  66 ,  68 . The bolt  62  is tightened when the pivot plate  76  is at the selected angle. The lens of the video camera aligns with the opening in the headrest for recording images. 
     With reference to FIG. 5, the seat back  90  is preferably installed as original equipment by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, although a secondary market is not excluded. The cover  106  is detached from the side of the seat back  90 . The video camera  14  is inserted into the cavity  94  and attached to the support by the threaded connector. The cover  106  is reinstalled, after the video camera  14  is started. In an alternate embodiment, remote control devices are used to control the operation of the camera. 
     For police operations, the video camera  14  is connected by a cable to a controller for activation of the recording. The video camera  14  records automatically when the siren or lights are activated, and such control device is conventional. The headrest according to the present invention provides a conventional appearing headrest independently insertable into the backs of seats in motor vehicles or integrally included in seatbacks, with the cavity for holding a video camera for recording. It is preferred that the video recorder  124  be digital, for a smaller size to fit a conventional size seat bottom. In an alternate embodiment, the headrest  10  and seat  90  receive a lens device which communicates by a cable to a separate recorder mounted elsewhere in the motor vehicle. 
     With reference to FIG. 6, the video recording mount for motor vehicles according to the present invention is operated by pivoting the seat  122  from the closed position for seating to the upright open position for accessing the video recorder  124  as illustrated in FIG.  6 . The cover  137  is unlocked and pivoted open. The video recorder  124  is operated to open the door  136  for insertion or removal of video recording tapes as appropriate. The cover  137  is then moved to the second position and secured closed with the lock  145 . The seat  122  is pivoted to the closed position for seating. The video recorder  124  accordingly is readily accessible to a police officer for exchange of video tapes without undue difficulty. The video recorder  124  and cameras  14 ,  160  are preferably linked by the controller to the operation of the vehicle emergency lights and siren. The cameras  14 ,  160  and the recorder  124  commence operation upon activation of the emergency lights or siren. However, the controller also provides for manual activation of the cameras  14 ,  160  and the recorder  124 . The controller further allows selecting between the cameras  14 ,  160  for selective recording of various views from around the motor vehicle. The video image received by the cameras is selective recorded on the tape in the video recorder  124 , or two or more of the video signals can be recorded on the tape for subsequent playback and use. A conventional remote control device as well as a wireless microphone communicates with the recorder  124 . The wireless microphone permits the audio of the activity outside the vehicle to be recorded. The present invention accordingly provides a comprehensive video surveillance monitoring and recording apparatus in a motor vehicle, together with ready and convenient access to the recorder  124 , the video camera  14 , and a display screen  152 . In an alternate embodiment, the video cameras  14 ,  160  are incorporated within an integral headrest as illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
     With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the video recorder  124  is accessible by unlocking the lock  184  and sliding the drawer  174  from the first position to the second position outwardly of the face  180  of the seat  170 . The video tape is inserted, or replaced, by operating the controls of the video recorder  124  which are conventional, for opening and closing the video tape chamber. The drawer  174  in the illustrated embodiment moves on the rollers  178 , or glides, plastic blocks, and the like, traveling in the channel arms  176 , although other sliding members may be gainfully used. The drawer  174  is pushed back into the seat  170  to the second position, and the lock  184  is locked. 
     As discussed above, the video recorder  124  and cameras  14 ,  160  are preferably linked by the controller to the operation of the vehicle emergency lights and siren. The controller can be in-dash, such as the illustrated video display  152  or locally to the seat. The cameras  14 ,  160  and the recorder  124  commence operation upon activation of the emergency lights or siren. However, the controller also provides for manual activation of the cameras  14 ,  160  and the recorder  124 . The cameras  14 ,  160  are disposed laterally of the central portion of the seat back  186  to avoid interference by a person in the seat to the images received by the cameras. The controller further allows selecting between the cameras  14 ,  160  for selective recording of various views from around the motor vehicle. The video image received by the cameras is selective recorded on the tape in the video recorder  124 , or two or more of the video signals can be recorded on the tape for subsequent playback and use. A conventional remote control device as well as a wireless microphone  190  (or direct microphone) communicates with the recorder  124 . The wireless microphone permits the audio of the activity outside the vehicle to be recorded. The present invention accordingly provides a comprehensive video surveillance monitoring and recording apparatus in a motor vehicle, together with ready and convenient access to the recorder  124 , the video camera  14 , and a display screen  152 . In an alternate embodiment, the video cameras  14 ,  160  are incorporated within an integral headrest as illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
     The apparatus of FIG. 8 is used similarly, by accessing the recorder  124  through the door  200 , which pivots on the hinge  202 , whereby tapes can replaced as necessary. 
     It is thus seen that an improved headrest and seat video imaging apparatus is provided for mounting a video camera and recorder in a motor vehicle as an integrated system. While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred 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, modifications, variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims.