Patent Publication Number: US-2021181600-A1

Title: Camera System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/250,260, filed on Jan. 17, 2019, which claims priority from U.K. Patent Application No. GB 1801002.5 filed on Jan. 22, 2018, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a camera system for a vehicle and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a camera system comprising a tamper-inhibiting housing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Camera systems for vehicles such as, for example, on-board camera systems, dashboard cameras (“dashcams”), in-vehicle systems, etc. are increasing in use and popularity as a means to capture images of an area around a vehicle. Images captured by such systems may be used as evidence in the case of an accident, damage, or the like. Often, such camera systems are configured to continuously record video footage of a view through a windscreen of a vehicle in which they are mounted. Such camera systems may be attached to the interior of the vehicle windscreen or to the top of the dashboard of the vehicle. 
     Some known camera systems are operative to capture an image, a sequence of images, and/or record video footage when the vehicle is started, responsive to a user input, and/or automatically responsive to detection of movement of the vehicle. 
     Known camera systems typically capture image and/or video data in a cyclic buffered manner, i.e. regularly recording and overwriting data when the data is no longer relevant, for example after a period of time deemed to be sufficiently long for the data not to comprise relevant data, and storing a segment of the buffered data securely on a memory device responsive to a dangerous event e.g. a collision. 
     Such camera systems are being increasingly used not only in personal vehicles, but also in commercial fleet vehicles such as, for example, taxis, delivery vehicles, etc., i.e. where more than one driver may have access to and/or use of the vehicle. In such non-private, commercial environments, business owners may wish to monitor driving habits of personnel when using such vehicles. It may be desirable in such environments to prevent access to a camera system in order to prevent tampering with recorded image/video data and/or to prevent tampering with an image capture function, or a recording function, of such a camera system. Likewise, insurance companies may wish to monitor driving habits of insured persons or driving insured vehicles whether in a commercial fleet or for private use. 
     Aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been devised with the foregoing in mind. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system, comprising: a camera operative to capture an image, the camera comprising a power input port for coupling to a power supply assembly; a housing for supporting the camera, the housing comprising an opening, wherein the opening is arranged to provide access to the power input port; a removable panel engageable to the housing to cover the opening by a security fastener to secure the removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration, the removable panel comprising a formation for engaging with at least one portion of the power supply assembly in the cover configuration to restrain movement of the power supply assembly to maintain a coupled arrangement of the power supply assembly and the power input port in the cover configuration. 
     Securing the removable panel to the housing, by way of a security fastener, to cover the opening via which a power supply assembly can enter the housing (to be coupled to a power input port of the camera) may inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to tamper with the camera system (i.e. an attempt to prevent the camera from capturing image date by disconnecting the camera from a power supply). 
     Optionally, the formation may comprise a first formation for engaging with a power cable portion of the power supply assembly. Further optionally, the first formation may comprise a yoke comprising a channel through which the power cable portion can pass, and a securing point via which the first formation can be fixed to a securing point on the housing by the security fastener to form the cover configuration, wherein surfaces of the channel and the security fastener are engageable with the power cable portion in the cover configuration. 
     Engagement of the first formation with the power cable portion, or combination of the surfaces of the channel and of the security fastener acting on the power cable portion may effectively form a cable-grip, which may inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to disconnect the power supply assembly from the camera by way of pulling, or tugging, on the power cable portion. 
     Optionally, a surface of the yoke is configured to abut a cable-end region of an electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. 
     Abutment of the surface of the yoke with the cable-end region of the electro-mechanical connector portion may prevent movement of the electro-mechanical connector relative to the power input port (e.g. caused by pulling, or tugging, on the power cable portion) and may further inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to disconnect the power supply assembly from the power input port. 
     Optionally, the formation may comprise a second formation for engaging with an electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. Further optionally, the second formation may comprise at least one surface complementary in form to at least one surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion, the second formation configured to abut a corresponding the at least one surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion. Yet further optionally, a first surface of the second formation may be configured to abut a first surface at, or adjacent to, a cable-end region, or the cable-end region, of the electro-mechanical connector portion and a second surface of the second formation may be configured to abut a second surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion. 
     This may further limit movement of the electro-mechanical connector portion relative to the power input port and may provide another means to inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to disconnect the power supply assembly from the power input port. 
     Optionally, the removable panel may be engageable to the housing to cover the opening by cooperative engagement of complementary engagement elements on the removable panel and on the housing. 
     This arrangement may be provided as an engagement arrangement between the panel and the housing that may supplement engagement arrangement between security fastener, panel and housing. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a camera system, comprising: a camera operative to capture an image, the camera comprising a power input port for coupling to a power supply assembly and a data storage device port for receiving a removable data storage device; a housing for supporting the camera, the housing comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is arranged to provide access to the data storage device port and the second opening is arranged to provide access to the power input port; a first removable panel engageable to the housing to cover the first opening by a security fastener to secure the first removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration; and a second removable panel engageable to the housing to cover the second opening by a security fastener to secure the second removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration, the second removable panel comprising a formation for engaging with a portion of the power supply assembly in the cover configuration to restrain movement of the power supply assembly to maintain a coupled arrangement of the power supply assembly and the power input port in the cover configuration. 
     Securing the first removable panel to the housing, by way of a security fastener, to cover the opening via which a removable data storage device can be inserted into a data storage device port (or removed therefrom) may inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to tamper with the camera system (i.e. an attempt to prevent the camera from capturing image date by removing a data storage device, or damaging a data storage device to prevent captured data being stored thereon). 
     Securing the second removable panel to the housing, by way of a security fastener, to cover the opening via which a power supply assembly can enter the housing (to be coupled to a power input port of the camera) may inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to tamper with the camera system (i.e. an attempt to prevent the camera from capturing image date by disconnecting the camera from a power supply). 
     Optionally, the formation may comprise a first formation for engaging with a power cable portion of the power supply assembly. Further optionally, the first formation may comprise a yoke comprising a channel through which the power cable portion can pass, and a securing point via which the first formation can be fixed to a securing point on the housing by the security fastener to form the cover configuration, wherein surfaces of the channel and the security fastener are engageable with the power cable portion in the cover configuration. 
     Engagement of the first formation with the power cable portion, or combination of the surfaces of the channel and of the security fastener acting on the power cable portion may effectively form a cable-grip, which may inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to disconnect the power supply assembly from the camera by way of pulling, or tugging, on the power cable portion. 
     Optionally, a surface of the yoke is configured to abut a cable-end region of an electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. 
     Abutment of the surface of the yoke with the cable-end region of the electro-mechanical connector portion may prevent movement of the electro-mechanical connector relative to the power input port (e.g. caused by pulling, or tugging, on the power cable portion) and may further inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to disconnect the power supply assembly from the power input port. 
     Optionally, the formation may comprise a second formation for engaging with an electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. Further optionally, the second formation may comprise at least one surface complementary in form to at least one surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion, the second formation configured to abut a corresponding the at least one surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion. Yet further optionally, a first surface of the second formation may be configured to abut a first surface at, or adjacent to, a cable-end region, or the cable-end region, of the electro-mechanical connector portion and a second surface of the second formation may be configured to abut a second surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion. 
     This may further limit movement of the electro-mechanical connector portion relative to the power input port and may provide another means to inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to disconnect the power supply assembly from the power input port. 
     Optionally, the housing may further comprise a third opening arranged to provide access to camera control buttons of the camera, and further wherein the camera system comprises a third removable panel engageable to the housing to cover the third opening by a security fastener to secure the third removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration. 
     Securing the first removable panel to the housing, by way of a security fastener, to cover the opening via which camera control buttons may be accessed may inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to tamper with the camera system (i.e. an attempt to prevent the camera from capturing image date by turning the camera off and/or by resetting the camera). 
     Optionally, the housing may comprise a first part and a second part. Image capture features, processing features and/or capture image data storage device(s) may be located in one part and power supply features may be located in the other part. 
     Optionally, the first part of the housing may be coupleable to the second part of the housing by cooperative engagement of complementary engagement elements on the first part and on the second part. Further optionally, the first part may be securely coupleable to the second part by way of at least one security fastener configured to interact with complementary engagement elements on the first part and the second part. 
     Access to a security fastener coupling a security panel to a respective one of the parts may only be possible after the first and second parts are uncoupling of the first and second parts. This may further inhibit and/or frustrate attempts to tamper with the camera system (e.g. to prevent data relating to a user&#39;s driving behaviour being captured and/or to damage or erase existing captured data), whether that be an attempt to remove a data storage device or interfere with the storage device, or data stored thereon, or an attempt to uncouple the camera system from a power source. 
     Optionally, the second opening and the power input port may be located in the second part. Further optionally, the first opening and the data storage device port may be located in the first part. Yet further optionally, the third opening and the camera control buttons may be located in the first part. 
     Optionally, at least one security fastener may be insertable into the first part via the first opening to interact with the complementary engagement elements. Further optionally, at least one security fastener may be insertable into the first part via the third opening to interact with the complementary engagement elements. 
     Optionally, the security fastener may comprise a non-standard actuation formation for accommodating a non-standard drive bit. The term “non-standard” is used to convey that a special tool is required to drive the fastener—i.e. not just a slot in the head of the fastener that can accommodate any blade (e.g. a flat-head screwdriver), nor a cross-recess head (e.g. Phillips® or Pozidriv® head), or a hexagonal head or aperture, for accommodating tools having those types of head. All fasteners having heads of this type are ubiquitous and so are the tools for them. Instead the fasteners may have heads with, obscure, non-standard, tamper-inhibiting formations such as, for example: a Bristol spline screw drive formation; a line screw drive formation; a one-way screw drive formation; a pentalobe screw drive formation; a polydrive screw drive formation; a protruding obstacle screw drive formation; spanner screw drive formation; 12-spline flange screw drive formation; cruciform screw drive formation; TA screw drive formation; TP3 screw drive formation; tri-point screw drive formation; tri-groove screw drive formation; and/or a tri-wing screw drive formation. 
     Optionally, the security fastener to secure the first removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration and the security fastener to secure the second removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration may comprise different non-standard actuation formations. Further optionally, the security fastener to secure the third removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration may comprise a different non-standard actuation formation to that of the security fastener to secure the first removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration and/or that of the security fastener to secure the second removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration. Yet further optionally, at least one security fastener configured to interact with complementary engagement elements on the first part and the second part may comprise a different non-standard actuation formation to that of the security fastener to secure the first removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration and/or that of the security fastener to secure the second removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration and/or that of the security fastener to secure the third removable panel to the housing in a cover configuration. Still further optionally, a first one of the at least one security fasteners configured to interact with complementary engagement elements on the first part and the second part may comprise a different non-standard actuation formation to that of a second one of the at least one security fasteners configured to interact with complementary engagement elements on the first part and the second part. 
     Optionally, at least one of the first and second removable panels may be engageable to the housing to cover the first and/or second opening by cooperative engagement of complementary engagement elements on the at least one of the first and second removable panels and on the housing. Further optionally, the third removable panel may be engageable to the housing to cover the third opening by cooperative engagement of complementary engagement elements on the third removable panel and on the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more specific embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    illustrates an isometric view of a first side of a camera system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1 b    illustrates an isometric view of a second side of the camera system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1 c    illustrates a top plan view of the camera system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1 d    illustrates a top plan view of a mount of the camera system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 a    illustrates a removable panel of a housing of the camera system and a second part of the housing of the camera system; 
         FIG. 2 b    illustrates a stage of removing the removable panel from the second part of the housing; 
         FIG. 2 c    illustrates a stage of coupling a power supply assembly of a first type to the second part of the housing; 
         FIG. 2 d    illustrates a first stage of replacing the removable panel on the second part of the housing; 
         FIG. 2 e    illustrates a second stage of replacing the removable panel on the second part of the housing; 
         FIG. 2 f    illustrates a stage in coupling the removable panel to the second part of the housing; 
         FIG. 2 g    illustrates the removable panel coupled to the second part of the housing in a cover configuration; 
         FIG. 2 h    illustrates the camera system and a power supply assembly of a second type coupled to the camera system in a first arrangement; 
         FIG. 2 i    illustrates the camera system and a power supply assembly of the second type coupled to the camera system in a second arrangement; 
         FIG. 3 a    illustrates another removable panel of a housing of the camera system coupled to a first part of the housing in a cover configuration; 
         FIG. 3 b    illustrates a stage of removing the another removable panel from the first part of the housing; 
         FIG. 3 c    illustrates the first part of the housing with the another removable panel removed; 
         FIG. 3 d    illustrates the first part of the housing with the another removable panel removed and a step for inserting a removal data storage device; 
         FIG. 3 e    illustrates a stage in returning the another removable panel to the cover configuration with respect to the first part of the housing; 
         FIG. 4 a    illustrates a further removable panel of a housing of the camera system coupled to the first part of the housing in a cover configuration; 
         FIG. 4 b    illustrates a stage of removing the further removable panel from the first part of the housing; 
         FIG. 4 c    illustrates the first part of the housing with the further removable panel removed; 
         FIG. 4 d    illustrates a stage in returning the further removable panel to the cover configuration with respect to the first part of the housing; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the camera system in a typical orientation for mounting to an inside of a vehicle windscreen; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the camera system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention located in a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1 a    illustrates a camera system  10  viewed from an end and a first side. The camera system  10  comprises a housing  12 . The housing  12  comprises two parts: a first part  13 ; and a second part  14 , for supporting a camera  16 . In all figures of this specification, only a part of camera  16  is shown extending from first part  13  of housing  12 . Greater, or fewer, features of camera  16  may be disposed outside of housing  12  in optional arrangements of the present invention (i.e. non-illustrated arrangements). 
     In the illustrated one or more embodiments, the portion of the camera  16  visible in the figures comprises a lens unit  18 . 
     In one or more embodiments, some components of camera  16  are located within first part  13  of housing  12  and remaining components of camera  16  are located within second part  14  of housing  12 . 
     In the illustrated one or embodiments, user controls and image processing components of the camera  16  are contained within first part  13  of housing  12 . Those components relating to a power supply for the camera  16  are contained within second part  14  of housing  12 . 
     First part  13  of housing  12  is coupleable to second part  14  by way of cooperation of coupling elements located on the first part  13  with complementary coupling elements located on the second part  14 . 
     A surface  20  of the second part  14  (i.e. the surface of the second part  14  on an opposite side of the surface of second part  14  that abuts a portion of the first part  13 ) is configured for mounting against an inside of a vehicle windscreen and/or against a region of a vehicle dashboard. The surface  20  may be provided with an adhesive substrate for this purpose. 
     The first and second parts  13 ,  14  of housing  12  each comprise at least one opening therein via which access is possible to parts of camera  16 . In  FIG. 1 a    one of the openings (i.e. an opening in first part  13 ) is covered by a removable panel  22 . The removable panel  22  can be securely attached to the first part  13  of housing  12  to cover the opening to prevent access to some parts of the camera  16  via the opening, i.e. the removable panel  22  is locked in place. 
     In a particular example, the removable panel  22  is attached to the first part  13  of the housing  12  by way of a security fastener. That is, a fastener requiring a specialized tool for removal. In this way, unauthorized access to some features of the camera  16  may be prevented, because only those authorized to access features of the camera will have access to a tool to remove the security fastener. 
     Optionally, or additionally, the removable panel  22  may also be attached to the first part  13  of the housing  12  by cooperative engagement of complementary engagement elements on said removable panel  22  and on said first part  13 . For example, a snap-fit arrangement. 
       FIG. 1 b    illustrates the camera system  10  viewed from an end and a second, opposite side. 
     Another removable panel  24  is securely attachable to the first part  13  of housing  12  to cover another opening in the first part  13  of housing  12  on the second side. Removable panel  24  can be attached to the first part  13  of housing  12  in a similar manner to removable panel  22 . 
       FIG. 1 c    illustrates a top plan view of the camera system  10  and shows the first part  13  of housing  12 , removable panel  22  and removable panel  24 . 
       FIG. 1 d    illustrates a top plan view of the second part  14  of housing  12  (i.e. of the “top” of the second part  14 —a surface for mounting against an underside of the first part  13 ). 
     Yet another removable panel  26  is securely attachable to the second part  14  to cover another one of the at least one openings in housing  12 . Removable panel  26  can be attached to second part  14  of housing  12  in a similar manner to the manner in which removable panels  22  and  24  are attached to the first part  13  of housing  12 . In this regard, removable panel  26  comprises an aperture  28  that, when removable panel  26  is located in a cover configuration with respect to second part  14  of housing  12 , aligns with a similar aperture (not shown) in the second part  14  so that a security fastener can pass through aperture  28  to be received in corresponding aperture in the second part  14 . 
     The “top” surface of the second part  14  of the housing  12  also comprises coupling elements  30 ,  32  for cooperative engagement with corresponding coupling elements of the first part  13  of the housing  12 . In the illustrated examples, coupling elements of the second part  14  comprise pins for receipt in corresponding apertures in the first part  13 . Of course, the locations of these coupling elements could be reversed and so the first part  13  may comprise pins for receipt in corresponding apertures in the second part  14 . 
       FIG. 2 a    illustrates a perspective view of a “top” surface of the second part  14  of the housing  12  (i.e. the surface for mounting against a “bottom” surface of first part  13 ). 
     Second part  14  of housing  12  comprises a power input port aperture  34   a  via which a power supply assembly can be coupled to a power input port of the part of the camera housed within second part  14  of housing  12 . The power input port aperture  34   a  is configured to allow a portion of an electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly to pass therethrough so as to be electro-mechanically coupled to the power input port of the camera. Power input port aperture  34   a  may be convenient for receiving a portion of an electro-mechanical connector portion of a power supply assembly where the electro-mechanical connector portion is of an “elbow” type, i.e. one end of the connector portion is at an angle (e.g. 90 degrees) to another end of the connector portion. 
     Optionally, or additionally, the second part  14  of housing  12  may comprise a power input port aperture  34   b  via which a power supply assembly can be coupled to a power input port of the part of the camera housed within second part  14  of housing  12 . The power input port aperture  34   b  is configured to allow a portion of an electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly to pass therethrough so as to be electro-mechanically coupled to the power input port of the camera. Power input port aperture  34   b  may be convenient for receiving a portion of an electro-mechanical connector portion of a power supply assembly where the electro-mechanical connector portion is of a “straight” type, i.e. one end of the connector portion is in-line with another end of the connector portion. 
     Power received in the part of the camera housed in the second part  14  of the housing  12  is transferred to camera components located in the first part  13  of the housing  12  by way of an electro-mechanical coupling  35  configured to couple with a complementary coupling feature on the first part  13 . 
     An inner surface of removable panel  26  comprises a first formation  36 , which comprises a yoke  38 . The yoke  38  comprises two arms  40   a,    40   b  between which there is a channel  42 . A power cable portion of the power supply assembly can pass between the two arms  40   a,    40   b  via channel  42 . 
     The inner surface of the removable panel  26  also comprises a second formation  44 , which comprises a first surface  46  and a second surface  48 . The second formation is configured to abut a corresponding at least one surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion of power supply assembly. 
     The first surface  46  is configured to be complementary in form to at least one surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. The second surface  48  is configured to be complementary in form to at least one surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. 
     In a particular arrangement, to be discussed further below, the first surface  46  of the second formation  44  is configured to abut a first surface at, or adjacent to, a cable-end region of the electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. The second surface  48  of the second formation  44  is configured to abut a second surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly. 
       FIG. 2 b    illustrates the second part  14  of the housing  12  of the camera system where a security fastener has been removed to allow the removable panel  26  to be removed from the housing. 
     A first end of the removable panel  26  can be attached to the second part  14  of housing  12  by means of a security fastener that passes through aperture  28  to engage with an aperture  50  in a securing point  52  of the second part  14  of the housing. A second end of the removable panel can be coupled to the second part  14  of housing by way of a set of features configured to interlock, i.e. a first interlocking component  54   a  at the second end of the removable panel  26  for engagement with a complementary component  54   b  in the second part  14  of the housing. For example a tongue and groove arrangement. In particular, the set of features configured to interlock may comprise a snap-fit arrangement. 
       FIG. 2 c    illustrates the second part  14  of the housing  12  of the camera system with the removable panel  26  removed. With the removable panel  26  removed, a power supply assembly  56 , comprising an electro-mechanical connector portion  58  and a power cable portion  60  can be brought into proximity with the power input port aperture  34   a.  Movement of the power supply assembly  56  in a direction indicated by the arrow in the figure can allow a portion of the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  to pass through the power input port aperture  34  so as to be in a coupled arrangement with a power input port of the part of the camera housed within second part  14  of housing  12 . 
       FIGS. 2 d  and 2 e    illustrate the second part  14  of housing  12  after the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  of power supply assembly has been coupled to the power input port of the camera and when the removable panel  26  has been returned to the cover configuration (see  FIG. 2 e   ). 
     As can be seen, the power cable portion  60  of the power supply assembly passes through the channel of yoke  38  (i.e. between the arms of yoke  38 ). 
     Location of first interlocking component  54   a  at the second end of the removable panel  26  in second interlocking component  54   b  of the second part  14  of housing  12  engages the second end of the removable panel  26  with the second part  14  of housing  12 . At the first end, the yoke  38  can be secured to the securing point  52  of the second part  14  of housing  12  when the aperture  28  is vertically aligned with aperture  50  (see  FIG. 2 e   ) to allow a security fastener  62  to pass through the aperture  28  into the aperture  50  (see  FIG. 2 f   ). 
     Security fastener  62  passes across an open end of the channel in which the power cable portion  60  can reside. In combination, the security fastener  62  and the sides of the channel formed by the arms of the yoke can restrict movement of the power cable portion  60  relative to the second part  14  of housing. These features may effectively form a cable grip, which may frustrate attempts to uncouple the power supply assembly from the camera by way of pulling, or tugging, on the power cable portion  60 . 
       FIG. 2 g    illustrates a top plan view of the second part  14  of housing  12  of the camera system with the removable panel  26  in the cover configuration and in which the power supply assembly is securely held in a coupled arrangement with the second part  14  of housing  12  through secure engagement of the removable panel  26  to the second part  14  of housing  12 . 
     As can be seen, first surface  46  of the second formation of the removable panel  26  abuts a cable-end region of the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  of power supply assembly and second surface  48  of the second formation abuts a side surface of the electro-mechanical connector portion  58 . These interactions between the first and second surfaces  46 ,  48  of the second formation of the removable panel  26  may inhibit movement of the power supply assembly relative to the power input port of the camera and may serve to inhibit disconnection, or uncoupling, of the electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly from the power input port of the camera. 
       FIGS. 2 h  and 2 i    illustrate the second part  14  of the housing  12  of the camera system with the removable panel  26  in the cover configuration and in which power supply assemblies of a different type from that disclosed with reference to  FIGS. 2 a  to 2 g    are employed. 
     In the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 2 h   , the second surface  48  of the second formation of the removable panel  26  may abut a cable-end region of the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  of power supply assembly. In this arrangement, disconnection, or uncoupling, of the electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly from the power input port of the camera may be inhibited by way of the second surface  48  acting on the cable-end of the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  to urge the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  into a coupled arrangement with the power input port of the camera. 
     In the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 2 i   , the first surface  46  of the second formation of the removable panel  26  may abut a cable-end region of the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  of power supply assembly. In this arrangement, disconnection, or uncoupling, of the electro-mechanical connector portion of the power supply assembly from the power input port of the camera may be inhibited by way of the first surface  46  acting on the cable-end of the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  to urge the electro-mechanical connector portion  58  into a coupled arrangement with the power input port of the camera. 
       FIGS. 3 a  to 3 e    illustrate another removable panel of the camera system and steps for removal of the removable panel from, and return to, a first part  13  of the housing  12  of the camera system. 
       FIG. 3 a    illustrates a side view of a first side of the first part  13  of housing  12  of the camera system with removable panel  22  in a cover configuration, i.e. securely attached to first part  13  of the housing  12  to cover an opening in the housing. 
     Removable panel  22  comprises an aperture for receiving therethrough a security fastener  64 , which extends through aperture  66  (see  FIG. 3 b   ) in removable panel  22  to be received in an aperture  68  (see  FIG. 3 b   ) in the first part  13  of the housing. The security fastener  64  serves to securely attach the removable panel  22  to the first part  13  of the housing in a cover configuration. 
       FIG. 3 b    illustrates a perspective side view of the first side of the first part  13  of the housing of the camera system with security fastener removed, to allow removal of removable panel  22  from the first part  13  of the housing in order to uncover an opening  70  in the first part  13  of the housing. The opening  70  provides access to components of the camera housed within the first part  13  of the housing. In particular, one of the components accessible via opening  70  comprises a data storage device port  72  for receiving a removable data storage device. 
       FIG. 3 c    illustrates a side view of the first side of the first part  13  of the housing of the camera system with removable panel  22  removed. 
     In the view illustrated in  FIG. 3 c   , there can be seen a security fastener  74 , which extends into a body of the part of the camera located in the first part  13  of housing through an aperture formed in a side of that part of the camera. The security fastener  74  is configured to lock the first part  13  of housing  12  (and the parts of the camera located therein) to the second part  14  of housing  12  (and the other parts of the camera mounted therein) via interaction of security fastener  74  with coupling element  32  of second part  14  of housing. 
     Coupling element  32  of second part  14  of the housing can enter the first part  13  of housing in a direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 3 c    via an aperture in the underside of the first part  13  of the housing. The fastener  74  interacts with the coupling element  32  transversely. 
       FIG. 3 d    illustrates a perspective side view of the first side of the first part  13  of the housing of the camera system with removable panel  22  removed to allow a data storage device  76  (e.g. an SD card) to be inserted into the data storage device port  72 . 
       FIG. 3 e    illustrates a perspective side view of the first side of the first part  13  of the housing of the camera system with removable panel  22  being returned to a position in which the opening in the first side of the first part is covered (i.e. the removable panel  22  is in a cover configuration. 
       FIGS. 4 a  to 4 d    illustrate a further removable panel of the camera system and steps for removal of the removable panel from, and return to, a first part  13  of the housing of the camera system. 
       FIG. 4 a    illustrates a side view of a second side of the first part  13  of housing  12  of the camera system with removable panel  24  in a cover configuration, i.e. securely attached to first part  13  of the housing  12  to cover an opening in the housing. 
     Removable panel  24  comprises an aperture for receiving therethrough a security fastener  78 , which extends through aperture  80  (see  FIG. 4 b   ) in removable panel  22  to be received in an aperture  82  (see  FIG. 4 b   ) in the first part  13  of the housing. The security fastener  64  serves to securely attach the removable panel  24  to the first part  13  of the housing in a cover configuration. 
       FIG. 4 b    illustrates a perspective side view of the first side of the first part  13  of the housing of the camera system with security fastener removed, to allow removal of removable panel  24  from the first part  13  of the housing in order to uncover an opening  84  in the first part  13  of the housing. The opening  84  provides access to components of the camera housed within the first part  13  of the housing. In particular, some of the components accessible via opening  84  comprise a reset button  86  and a power button  88  (e.g. an on/off button). 
       FIG. 4 c    illustrates a side view of the second side of the first part  13  of the housing of the camera system with removable panel  24  removed. 
     In the view illustrated in  FIG. 4 c   , there can be seen a security fastener  90 , which extends into a body of the part of the camera located in the first part  13  of housing through an aperture formed in a side of that part of the camera. The security fastener  90  is configured to lock the first part  13  of housing  12  (and the parts of the camera located therein) to the second part  14  of housing  12  (and the other parts of the camera mounted therein) via interaction of security fastener  90  with coupling element  30  of second part  14  of housing. 
     Coupling element  30  of second part  14  of the housing can enter the first part  13  of housing in a direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 4 c    via an aperture in the underside of the first part  13  of the housing. The fastener  90  interacts with the coupling element  30  transversely. 
       FIG. 4 d    illustrates a perspective side view of the second side of the first part  13  of the housing of the camera system with removable panel  24  being returned to a position in which the opening in the second side of the first part is covered (i.e. the removable panel  24  is in a cover configuration. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the camera system  10  in a typical orientation for mounting to an inside of a vehicle windscreen. The surface  20  of the second part  14  of housing  12  can be provided with an adhesive substrate thereon to provide a bonding medium to bond the camera system  10  to the inside of a vehicle windscreen. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the camera system  10  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention located in a vehicle. The camera system  10  is bonded to an inside of a windscreen  92  of the vehicle. A power cable for providing power to the camera system  10  is not shown. 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, a particular series and sequence of steps is required to remove a data storage device and uncouple the camera system from the power supply assembly. Specifically, both panels  22  and  24  must be removed (using a special tool compatible with the security fasteners coupling those panels to first part  12  of housing  13 ). The data storage device can be removed at this stage. 
     To uncouple the power supply assembly from the camera system, the first part  13  of the housing must first be removed from the second part  14 . This is achieved by actuating security fasteners  74  and  90  to cause disengagement of the engagement elements in the first part and second part that engage to couple the two parts together. Again a special tool compatible with the security fasteners  74  and  90  is required. Once the first part  13  is removed from the second part  14  to uncover the second part  14 , security fastener  62  must be actuated (again using a special tool compatible with fastener  62 ) to permit panel  26  to be uncoupled from the second part  14  of housing  12 . With the panel  26  removed, the cable can then be removed. 
     These steps and/or their sequence may frustrate attempts to tamper with the camera system (e.g. to prevent data relating to a user&#39;s driving behaviour being captured and/or to damage or erase existing captured data), whether that be an attempt to remove a data storage device or interfere with the storage device, or data stored thereon, or an attempt to uncouple the camera system from a power source. 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, the housing  12  comprises a housing of two parts: a first part  13 ; and a second part  14 , with some parts of the camera located in the first part  13  and other parts of the camera located in the second part  14 . However, in an optional arrangement, the housing  12  may comprise a single unit housing all components of the camera therein. 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, security fasteners  62 ,  64 ,  74 ,  78  and  90  may all be of the same type. However, optionally, each one may be of a different type to the others. Further optionally, some may be of the same type as some others, but the remainder may differ. 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, removable panels  22  and  24  have respective apertures  66  and  80  through which security fasteners  64  and  78  can extend to secure the removable panels  22  and  24  to first part  13  of housing  12 . However, in an optional arrangement, the removable panels  22  and  24  may have no apertures and may be attachable to the first part  13  of the housing  12  by cooperative engagement of complementary engagement elements on the removable panels  22  and  24  on the first part  13  of housing  12 , e.g. a snap-fit arrangement. This optional arrangement may be employed where removable panels  22  and  24  are not required to be made secure. 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, security fasteners  62 ,  64  and  78  are received in apertures  50 ,  68  and  82  respectively of the housing  12 . The apertures  50 ,  68  and  82  may comprise a threaded bore for cooperative engagement with a corresponding threaded shaft of respective security fasteners  62 ,  64  and  78 . Also, the apertures for receiving security fasteners  74  and  90  may also comprise a threaded bore for cooperative engagement with a corresponding threaded shaft of respective security fasteners  74  and  90 . 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, the interaction of the security fasteners and respective apertures into which they are received comprises a male-fastener, female aperture arrangement. However, in an optional arrangement, the arrangement may be reversed such that a male element extends from the housing to extend through the apertures in the panels, onto which can be coupled a female element (e.g. a locking nut and/or a nut having a head with a security feature). A mixture of fastener types may be employed, e.g. some male fastener-female receiver arrangements and some female fastener-male element arrangements. Optionally, the security fastener may be a security screw and/or a security bolt. 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, security fasteners  64  and  78  extend through removable panels  22  and  24  to secure the removable panels  22  and  24  to first part  13  of housing  12 . However, in an optional arrangement, the removable panels  22  and  24  may have no apertures and may be attachable to the first part  13  of the housing  12  by cooperative engagement of complementary engagement elements on the removable panels  22  and  24  on the first part  13  of housing  12 , e.g. a snap-fit arrangement. This optional arrangement may be employed where removable panels  22  and  24  are not required to be made secure. 
     In the above described one or more embodiments, the camera system comprises a port for receiving a removable data storage device. Optionally, the camera system may comprise an integral data storage device in addition to a port for receiving a removable data storage device. Further optionally, the camera system may comprise an integral data storage device instead of a port for receiving a removable data storage device. 
     Having different security fasteners means that multiple different tools are required in order to removal all of them, e.g. a different tool for each fastener. This may further frustrate attempts to tamper with the camera system. 
     In this description the term “security fastener” is used to invoke a concept of a fastening component that can inhibit removal. The fastener may typically be a screw-type component with a head having non-standard actuation formations. The term “non-standard” is used to convey that a special tool is required to drive the fastener—i.e. not just a slot in the head of the fastener that can accommodate any blade (e.g. a flat-head screwdriver), nor a cross-recess head (e.g. Phillips® or Pozidriv® head), or a hexagonal head or aperture, for accommodating tools having those types of head. All fasteners having heads of this type are ubiquitous and so are the tools for them. Instead the fasteners may have heads with, obscure, non-standard, tamper-inhibiting formations such as, for example: a Bristol spline screw drive formation; a line screw drive formation; a one-way screw drive formation; a pentalobe screw drive formation; a polydrive screw drive formation; a protruding obstacle screw drive formation; spanner screw drive formation; 12-spline flange screw drive formation; cruciform screw drive formation; TA screw drive formation; TP3 screw drive formation; tri-point screw drive formation; tri-groove screw drive formation; and/or a tri-wing screw drive formation. 
     All references made herein to orientation (e.g. top, bottom, etc.) are made for the purposes of describing relative spatial arrangements of features, and are not intended to be limiting in any sense. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the drawings are merely diagrammatic and that further items of equipment may be required in a commercial apparatus. The position of such ancillary items of equipment forms no part of the present invention and is in accordance with conventional practice in the art. 
     As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. 
     The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.