Patent Publication Number: US-9902355-B2

Title: Camera activation response to vehicle safety event

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to vehicles, and more particularly relates to methods and systems for transmitting video data using one or more cameras of the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Theft, acts of vandalism, and other events can occur to a vehicle. Also, a vehicle owner may, in certain circumstances, desire an enhanced feel of security for the vehicle. 
     Accordingly, it may be desirable for a vehicle owner, the relevant authorities and other parties to be able to ascertain the cause of a vehicle event, or the culprits of theft and vandalism. In the case of thefts and vandalism, it would be desirable to prevent such acts wherever possible or at least provide a tool to assist such. Further, it may be desirable to provide a tool to allow an owner to be reassured on the security of a vehicle. 
     The present disclosure provides methods, systems and vehicles for achieving one or more of these desires in various embodiments and other related desires in various embodiments. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of transmitting video data associated with a vehicle is provided. The method comprises the steps of determining, via a vehicle processor, a vehicle safety event based on one or more safety sensors, activating, via the vehicle processor, one or more vehicle cameras that capture video data in response to the determined vehicle safety event, recording, via the vehicle processor, the video data in a vehicle data storage device, and, if the vehicle processor determines that a suitable connection to a telecommunications network is available when the video data is being captured, then transmitting, via the vehicle processor, the video data over the telecommunications network in substantially real time. 
     In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle control system for transmitting video data associated with a vehicle is provided. The control system comprises one or more safety sensors and a vehicle processor. The one or more safety sensors are responsive to a vehicle safety event. The vehicle processor is configured to activate one or more vehicle cameras to capture video data in response to the vehicle safety event, record the video data in a vehicle data storage data device, and, if the processor determines that a suitable telecommunications network connection is available when the video data is being captured, then the vehicle processor is configured to transmit the video data over the telecommunications network in substantially real time. 
     In accordance with a further exemplary embodiments, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises one or more vehicle cameras, one or more safety sensors responsive to a vehicle safety event, a vehicle data storage data device, and a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system is for transmitting video data associated with the vehicle, and comprises a vehicle processor configured to activate the one or more vehicle cameras to capture video data in response to the determined vehicle safety event, record the video data in the vehicle data storage data device, and, if the processor determines that a suitable telecommunications network connection is available when the video data is being captured, then the vehicle processor is configured to transmit the video data over the telecommunications network in substantially real time. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a vehicle that includes one or more vehicle cameras and a remote communications module for communicating video data to a remote server or remote user device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a network of a vehicle, a remote server and a remote user device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of a vehicle control system, a remote server control system and a remote user device control system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process for transmitting video data to a remote server or a remote user device and activating or deactivating the transmission of video data by one or more vehicle control commands from the remote server or the remote user device, in connection with the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a process for transmitting video data to a remote server or a remote user device and transmitting one or more vehicle control commands from the remote server or the remote user device to change a parameter of the video data or the one or more vehicle cameras in connection with the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram of a graphical user (operator) interface for selecting control commands; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a process for transmitting video data in response to a trigger signal, in connection with the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of an in-vehicle video data transmission button arrangement, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a key fob button arrangement or a graphic user interface button arrangement including a vehicle data transmission button, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a process for transmitting video data to a remote server for viewing by an operator, in connection with the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle  100 , or automobile, according to an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle  100  may be any one of a number of different types of automobiles, such as, for example, a sedan, a wagon, a truck, or a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and may be two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive), four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). 
     As described in greater detail further below, the vehicle  100  includes various doors  101  as well as a control system  102  for controlling video data, particularly the transmission thereof. In the depicted embodiment, the doors  101  include side doors  110  on the driver&#39;s side and passenger&#39;s side of the vehicle  100  as well as a rear door  111  in a rear portion (or rear region)  146  of the vehicle  100 . In one embodiment, the rear door  111  comprises a rear hatch for the vehicle  100 . In other embodiments, the rear door  111  may comprise a trunk door and/or other type of rear door. It will be appreciated that the number and/or configuration of doors  101  may vary in different embodiments. 
     Also as discussed further below, the control system  102  includes one or more cameras  103 , a sensor array  104 , a controller  106 , and a display system  108  (also referred to herein as a display unit). In various embodiments, the control system  102  is configured to control the one or more cameras  103  and to control transmission of video data captured by the one or more cameras  103 . 
     In one embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , vehicle  100  includes, in addition to the above-referenced doors  101 , rear region  146 , and control system  102 , a chassis  112 , a body  114 , four wheels  116 , an electronic system  118 , a powertrain  129 , a rear view mirror  140 , side mirrors  142 , a front grill  144 , an infotainment system  148  (e.g. radio, video, navigation, and/or other system providing information and/or entertainment for a user of the vehicle  100 ) a steering system  150 , a braking system  155 , and one or more other driver input systems  160 . The body  114  is arranged on the chassis  112  and substantially encloses the other components of the vehicle  100 . The body  114  and the chassis  112  may jointly form a frame. The wheels  116  are each rotationally coupled to the chassis  112  near a respective corner of the body  114 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , each wheel  116  comprises a wheel assembly that includes a tire as well as a wheel and related components (and that are collectively referred to as the “wheel  116 ” for the purposes of this Application). In various embodiments the vehicle  100  may differ from that depicted in  FIG. 1 . For example, in certain embodiments the number of wheels  116  may vary. By way of additional example, in various embodiments the vehicle  100  may not have a steering system, and for example may be steered by differential braking, among various other possible differences. 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the powertrain  129  includes an actuator assembly  120  that includes an engine  130 . In various other embodiments, the powertrain  129  may vary from that depicted in  FIG. 1  and/or described below (e.g. in some embodiments the powertrain may include a gas combustion engine  130 , while in other embodiments the powertrain  129  may include an electric motor, alone or in combination with one or more other powertrain  129  components, for example for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like). In one embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the actuator assembly  120  and the powertrain  129  are mounted on the chassis  112  that drives the wheels  116 . In one embodiment, the engine  130  comprises a combustion engine, and is housed in an engine mounting apparatus  131 . In various other embodiments, the engine  130  may comprise an electric motor and/or one or more other transmission system  129  components (e.g. for an electric vehicle). 
     It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the actuator assembly  120  may include one or more other types of engines and/or motors, such as an electric motor/generator, instead of or in addition to the combustion engine. In certain embodiments, the electronic system  118  comprises an engine system that controls the engine  130  and/or one or more other systems of the vehicle  100 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the engine  130  is coupled to at least some of the wheels  116  through one or more drive shafts  134 . In some embodiments, the engine  130  is mechanically coupled to the transmission. In other embodiments, the engine  130  may instead be coupled to a generator used to power an electric motor that is mechanically coupled to the transmission. In certain other embodiments (e.g. electrical vehicles), an engine and/or transmission may not be necessary. 
     The steering system  150  is mounted on the chassis  112 , and controls steering of the wheels  116 . In one embodiment, the steering system may include a non-depicted steering wheel and a steering column. In various embodiments, the steering wheel receives inputs from a driver of the vehicle  100 , and the steering column results in desired steering angles for the wheels  116  via the drive shafts  134  based on the inputs from the driver. In certain embodiments, an autonomous vehicle may utilize steering commands that are generated by a computer, with no involvement from the driver. 
     The braking system  155  is mounted on the chassis  112 , and provides braking for the vehicle  100 . The braking system  155  receives inputs from the driver via a non-depicted brake pedal, and provides appropriate braking via brake units (not depicted). 
     Other driver input systems  160  may include an acceleration input system comprising an accelerator pedal  161  that is engaged by a driver, with the engagement representative of a desired speed or acceleration of the vehicle  100 . The other driver input systems  160  may also include, among other possible systems, various other inputs for various vehicle devices and/or systems, such as for the infotainment system  148 , and/or one or more environmental systems, lighting units, and the like (not depicted). Similar to the discussion above regarding possible variations for the vehicle  100 , in certain embodiments steering, braking, suspension, acceleration, and/or other driving features can be commanded by a computer instead of by a driver. 
     In one embodiment, the control system  102  is mounted on the chassis  112 . As discussed above, the control system  102  provided is configured to control various aspects of operation of the one or more cameras  103  and transmission, e.g. streaming, of video data captured by the one or more cameras  103 . 
     As noted above and depicted in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment the control system  102  comprises a plurality of cameras  103 , a sensor array  104 , a controller  106 , a remote communications module  202 , and a display system  108 . While the components of the control system  102  (including the cameras  103 , the sensor array  104 , the controller  106 , and the display system  108 ) are depicted as being part of the same system, it will be appreciated that in certain embodiments these features may comprise two or more systems. In addition, in various embodiments the control system  102  may comprise all or part of, and/or may be coupled to, various other vehicle devices and systems, such as, among others, the actuator assembly  120 , the electronic system  118 , and/or one or more other systems of the vehicle  100 . 
     The plurality of cameras  103  are operable to obtain video data with respect to various different locations associated with the vehicle  100 . As depicted in one embodiment, cameras  103  are included within or proximate each of the rear view mirror  140 , side mirrors  142 , front grill  144 , and rear region  146  (e.g. trunk  147  or rear door/hatch  111 ). In one embodiment, the cameras  103  comprise video cameras controlled via the controller  106 . In various embodiments, the cameras  103  may also be disposed in or proximate one or more other locations of the vehicle  100 . For example, more or less than four cameras  103  could be included, such as six cameras  103  for capturing video data of the vehicle&#39;s outside surroundings. Although the one or more cameras  103  are shown for capturing video data of the outside of the vehicle  100 , the one or more cameras  103  can include one or more cameras  103  for capturing video data of the interior of the vehicle  100 . Such one or more interior cameras  103  may be arranged for capturing videos data of the driver of the vehicle  100  and optionally also at least one of a front passenger and any rear passengers. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle  100  comprises one or more microphones  289  for picking up interior and/or exterior sound. The one or more microphones  289  may be included as part of the one or more cameras  103  or may be separate devices. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more cameras  103  are each associated with a camera washer or wiper  280 . The camera washer or wiper  280  may comprise a blade for wiping a lens or other front optic of the camera  103 . Alternatively, the camera washer or wiper  280  may comprise a nozzle and be associated with a pump for directing cleaning fluid (e.g. water) onto a front optic of the camera  103 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more cameras  103  are each associated with an articulator  282  for articulating the camera  103  to change the field of view. The articulator may comprise a motor (not shown), a transmission and a pivot to allow the camera  103  to change angle. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle  100  is equipped with one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286 . The one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286  may comprise one or more exterior illumination devices  284  for illuminating outside of the vehicle  100  or one or more interior illumination devices  286  for illuminating inside of the vehicle  100 . The one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286  may comprise the front headlamps of the vehicle and/or rear taillights and/or indicator lights and/or any other lights already required in vehicle design. Alternatively, or additionally, the one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286  may be dedicated to the function of illuminating a field of view of the one or more cameras  103 . Exemplary dedicated illumination devices  284 ,  286  may be located adjacent or co-located with the one or more cameras  103 . The vehicle  100  may comprise front, rear and/or side illumination devices  284 ,  286  corresponding to front, rear and/or side cameras  103 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle  100  comprises one or more sound devices  288 , e.g. speakers  288 . The one or more speakers  288  in conjunction with the vehicle control system  102 , are configured to sound an alarm or horn. The alarm may be a siren like sound or a continuous sound. Alternatively, speech may be sounded to provide a comprehendible warning, such as a repeat warning of “stay away from the vehicle, you are being video monitored, police have been notified”. 
     The sensor array  104  includes various sensors (also referred to herein as sensor units) that are used for providing measurements and/or data for use by the controller  106 . In various embodiments, the sensors of the sensor array  104  comprise one or more detection sensors  162 , event sensors  167 , one or more security sensors  166 , interface sensors  163 , gear sensors  164 , and/or wheel speed sensors  165 . The detection sensors  162  (e.g. radar, lidar, sonar, machine vision, Hall Effect, and/or other sensors) detect objects in proximity to the vehicle  100 . The interface sensors  163  detect a user&#39;s engagement of an interface of the vehicle  100  (e.g. a button, a knob, a display screen, and/or one or more other interfaces), for example in initiating a request for a display of the display system  108  with respect to the doors  101  of the vehicle  100 . The gear sensors  164  detect a gear or transmission state of the vehicle  100  (e.g. park, drive, neutral, or reverse). The wheel speed sensors  165  measure a speed of one or more of the wheels  116  of the vehicle  100 . It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments the cameras  103  may be considered as part of the sensor array  104 . In various embodiments, the one or more security sensors  166  provide a sense signal relating to possible theft or vandalism of the vehicle  100 . For example, the one or more security sensors  166  may include a force sensor such as a vibration sensor, an accelerometer or some other motion sensor for sensing that the vehicle  100  is the subject of a force possibly indicative of a theft event. The one or more security sensors  166  may comprise a sensor for indicating a key copy, which is an unauthorized copy of a key for unlocking the vehicle doors  101 . The one or more security sensors  166  may comprise a door sensor for indicating that one or more of the vehicle doors  101  are open. Other sensors for indicating the security of the vehicle  100  with respect to theft and vandalism could also be included in the one or more security sensors  166 . 
     In various embodiments, the one or more event sensors  167  comprise any one or more of at least one acceleration sensor, at least one impact sensor, at least one force sensor, at least one roll over sensor, and at least one pressure sensor. 
     The controller  106  is coupled to the remote communications module  202 . The remote communications module  202  is configured to transmit, e.g. stream video captured by the one or more cameras  103  to a remote server  900  or to a remote user device  800  via a cellular network  1000 , as will be discussed in further detail below. In some embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to transmit, e.g. stream, sound data captured by the one or more microphones  289 . The sound data may be transmitted along with the video data to allow synchronized sound and video replay at the remote server  900  or the remote user device  800 . The remote communications module  202  may comprise a control unit (not shown) and a transceiver (not shown) for transmitting and receiving data over the cellular network  1000 . The remote communications module  202  may operate through third generation (3G) or fourth generation (4G) standards or any other telecommunications standard. 
     The controller  106  is coupled to the cameras  103 , the sensor array  104 , the remote communications module  202  and the display system  108 . The controller  106  is configured to utilize the various measurements and information from the sensor array  104 , particularly the one or more security sensors  166 , and is configured to operate the one or more cameras  103  and stream captured video data via the remote communications module  202  in response thereto. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the controller  106  comprises a computer system. In certain embodiments, the controller  106  may also include one or more of the sensors of the sensor array  104 , one or more other devices and/or systems, and/or components thereof. In addition, it will be appreciated that the controller  106  may otherwise differ from the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 . For example, the controller  106  may be coupled to or may otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and/or other systems, such as the electronic system  118 , the infotainment system  148  of the vehicle  100 , and/or one or more other systems of the vehicle  100 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the computer system of the controller  106  includes a processor  172 , a memory  174 , an interface  176 , a storage device  178 , and a bus  180 . The processor  172  performs the computation and control functions of the controller  106 , and may comprise any type of processor or multiple processors, single integrated circuits such as a microprocessor, or any suitable number of integrated circuit devices and/or circuit boards working in cooperation to accomplish the functions of a processing unit. During operation, the processor  172  executes one or more programs  182  contained within the memory  174  and, as such, controls the general operation of the controller  106  and the computer system of the controller  106 , generally in executing the processes described herein, such as the processes described with reference to the figures below. 
     The memory  174  can be any type of suitable memory. For example, the memory  174  may include various types of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as SDRAM, the various types of static RAM (SRAM), and the various types of non-volatile memory (PROM, EPROM, and flash). In certain examples, the memory  174  is located on and/or co-located on the same computer chip as the processor  172 . In the depicted embodiment, the memory  174  stores the above-referenced program  182  along with one or more stored values  184 . 
     The bus  180  serves to transmit programs, data, status and other information or signals between the various components of the computer system of the controller  106 . The interface  176  allows communication to the computer system of the controller  106 , for example from a system driver and/or another computer system, and can be implemented using any suitable method and apparatus. In one embodiment, the interface  176  obtains the various data from the sensors of the sensor array  104 . The interface  176  can include one or more network interfaces to communicate with other systems or components. The interface  176  may also include one or more network interfaces to communicate with technicians, and/or one or more storage interfaces to connect to storage apparatuses, such as the storage device  178 . 
     The storage device  178  can be any suitable type of storage apparatus, including direct access storage devices such as hard disk drives, flash systems, floppy disk drives, an SD card and optical disk drives. In one exemplary embodiment, the storage device  178  comprises a program product from which memory  174  can receive a program  182  that executes one or more embodiments of one or more processes of the present disclosure, as will be described further below, particularly with respect to  FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 10 . In another exemplary embodiment, the program product may be directly stored in and/or otherwise accessed by the memory  174  and/or a disk (e.g., disk  186 ), such as that referenced below. The storage device  178  may also store video data  204  captured by the one or more cameras  103 . The video data  204  may be stored when the remote communications module  202  is not able to connect to a cellular network  1000  or even if the video data has also been streamed or otherwise sent to a remote server  900  or remote user device  800 . 
     The bus  180  can be any suitable physical or logical means of connecting computer systems and components. This includes, but is not limited to, direct hard-wired connections, fiber optics, infrared and wireless bus technologies. During operation, the program  182  is stored in the memory  174  and executed by the processor  172 . 
     It will be appreciated that while this exemplary embodiment is described in the context of a fully functioning computer system, those skilled in the art will recognize that the mechanisms of the present disclosure are capable of being distributed as a program product with one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable signal bearing media used to store the program and the instructions thereof and carry out the distribution thereof, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium bearing the program and containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor (such as the processor  172 ) to perform and execute the program. Such a program product may take a variety of forms, and the present disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of computer-readable signal bearing media used to carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include: recordable media such as floppy disks, hard drives, memory cards and optical disks, and transmission media such as digital and analog communication links. It will be appreciated that cloud-based storage and/or other techniques may also be utilized in certain embodiments. It will similarly be appreciated that the computer system of the controller  106  may also otherwise differ from the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , for example in that the computer system of the controller  106  may be coupled to or may otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and/or other systems. 
     The display system  108  is coupled to the controller  106 . The display system  108  comprises a display screen  191 . In one embodiment, the display screen  191  provides a visual display of photographic and/or recorded video images and data from the one or more cameras  103 , via instructions provided by the processor  172 , for viewing by a user within the vehicle  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a network  400  of the vehicle  100 , specifically the control system  102  of the vehicle  100 , a remote server  900  including a server control system  902 , and one or more user devices  800  including one or more device control systems  802 . The vehicle control system  102 , the remoter server  900  and the device control systems are in communication over a cellular network  1000 . The network  400  allows video to be streamed from the vehicle  100  to either the remote server  900  or the user device  800 . The network also allows control commands to be sent from the remote server  900  or the user device  800  to the vehicle  100  relating to operation of the one or more cameras  103  and/or transmission, e.g. streaming, of video captured by the one or more cameras  103  and/or other vehicle control commands, as will be described in further detail below. 
     The remote server  900  may be staffed by one or more (human) operators (not shown) to allow audio and optionally also video communications with a driver of the vehicle (or a passenger). Such conferencing between the remote operator and the driver may be required to allow the driver to speak to a live operator at any time of day. The vehicle control system comprises one or more conferencing input devices  622 ,  624  or other input devices to initiate a remote conference between an operator at the remote server  900  and a driver or passenger of the vehicle  100 . The operator can set up turn-by-turn directions, look up the address of a point of interest, or make changes to an account. The vehicle driver can also request a live diagnostic checkup, in which case the operator will pull information from the vehicle control system  102 . Such conferencing also allows connection with an operator who is trained to deal with emergencies. The operator is able to contact the police, fire department, or request medical assistance in the case of an emergency. As will be explained below, the vehicle control system  102  may comprise two input buttons or other input devices  622 ,  624 ; one for conferencing with an operator for non-emergency situations and one for emergencies. It should be understood that the input buttons  622 ,  624  may be mechanical, electromechanical or graphics buttons on a display screen (such as vehicle display screen  191 ). 
     The user device  800  may be a mobile telephone, a tablet device, a desktop computer, a laptop or any other computing and communications device. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of control systems  102 ,  802 ,  902  configured for carrying out the network  400  and the various processes described further below. The vehicle control system  102  has been described in detail in the foregoing. Also shown is a server control system  902  and a user device control system  802 . These control systems  102 ,  802 ,  902  are in communication with one another via a cellular network  1000 . In various embodiments, the server control system  902  and the user device control system  802  are both included. In alternative embodiments, just one of the server control system  902  and the user device control system  802  is included in the network  400 . 
     The server control system  902  comprises a computer system including a controller  910 , a remote communications module  904 , a memory  908 , a data storage device  912  and an operator interface  906 . In the depicted embodiment, the computer system of the controller  910  includes a processor (not shown), the memory  908 , the storage device  912 , and a bus (not shown). The processor performs the computation and control functions of the controller  910 , and may comprise any type of processor or multiple processors, single integrated circuits such as a microprocessor, or any suitable number of integrated circuit devices and/or circuit boards working in cooperation to accomplish the functions of a processing unit. During operation, the processor or controller  910  executes one or more programs contained within the memory  908  and, as such, controls the general operation of the controller  910  and the computer system of the controller  910 , generally in executing the processes described herein, such as the processes described with reference to the figures below. The one or more programs may include the app described further below. 
     The memory  908  can be any type of suitable memory. For example, the memory  908  may include various types of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as SDRAM, the various types of static RAM (SRAM), and the various types of non-volatile memory (PROM, EPROM, and flash). In certain examples, the memory  908  is located on and/or co-located on the same computer chip as the processor. In the depicted embodiment, the memory  908  stores one or more programs for executing at least part of the processes described herein, particularly the server controlled aspects of the processes. 
     The bus serves to transmit programs, data, status and other information or signals between the various components of the computer system of the controller  910 . 
     The storage device  912  can be any suitable type of storage apparatus, including direct access storage devices such as hard disk drives, flash systems, floppy disk drives and optical disk drives. In one exemplary embodiment, the storage device  912  comprises a program product from which memory  908  can receive a program that executes one or more embodiments of one or more processes of the present disclosure, as will be described further below. In another exemplary embodiment, the program product may be directly stored in and/or otherwise accessed by the memory  908 . The storage device  912  may also store video data  920  captured by the one or more cameras  103  of the vehicle  100  and sent to the remote server  900  via the cellular network  1000 . 
     The bus can be any suitable physical or logical means of connecting computer systems and components. This includes, but is not limited to, direct hard-wired connections, fiber optics, infrared and wireless bus technologies. During operation, one or more programs are stored in the memory  908  and executed by the processor. 
     The server control system  902  also comprises an operator interface  906 , which may include an input unit  916 . The input unit  916  may include audio, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen and other input capabilities. The operator interface  906  may include audio, image and video output capabilities. The operator interface  906  may include a display unit  914  and speakers for outputting image, video and audio data to an operator. 
     The controller  910  is operable with the remote communications module  904  to receive video data sent over the cellular network  1000 . In various embodiments, the controller  910  is operable to receive sound data transmitted over the cellular network  1000 . The remote communications module  904  may comprise a control unit and a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data over the cellular network  1000 . The remote communications module  904  may operate through third generation (3G) or fourth generation (4G) standards or any other telecommunications standard. In various embodiments, the controller  910  is configured to store the video data (and optionally the sound data) received over the cellular network  1000  in the data storage device  912 . In various embodiments, the controller  910  is configured to output video data (and sound data) received from the vehicle  100  over the cellular network through the operator interface  906  to allow an operator to view outside surroundings of the vehicle  100  and/or the interior of the vehicle  100 . In various embodiments, sound data is stored in the data storage device  912  and/or is output through the operator interface so that the video data and the sound data can be synchronously replayed. In this way, it is possible to ascertain further information on any event of interest. 
     The user device control system  802  comprises a computer system including a controller  810 , a remote communications module  804 , a memory  808 , data storage device  812  and a user interface  806 . In the depicted embodiment, the computer system of the controller  810  includes a processor (not shown), the memory  808 , the storage device  812 , and a bus (not shown). The processor performs the computation and control functions of the controller  810 , and may comprise any type of processor or multiple processors, single integrated circuits such as a microprocessor, or any suitable number of integrated circuit devices and/or circuit boards working in cooperation to accomplish the functions of a processing unit. During operation, the processor  810  executes one or more programs contained within the memory  908  and, as such, controls the general operation of the controller  810  and the computer system of the controller  810 , generally in executing the processes described herein, such as the processes described with reference to the figures below. The one or more program may include the app described in further detail below. 
     The memory  808  can be any type of suitable memory. For example, the memory  808  may include various types of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as SDRAM, the various types of static RAM (SRAM), and the various types of non-volatile memory (PROM, EPROM, and flash). In certain examples, the memory  808  is located on and/or co-located on the same computer chip as the processor. In the depicted embodiment, the memory  808  stores one or more programs for executing at least part of the processes described herein, particularly the user device controlled aspects of the processes. 
     The bus serves to transmit programs, data, status and other information or signals between the various components of the computer system of the controller  810 . 
     The storage device  812  can be any suitable type of storage apparatus, including direct access storage devices such as hard disk drives, flash systems, floppy disk drives and optical disk drives. In one exemplary embodiment, the storage device  812  comprises a program product from which memory  808  can receive a program that executes one or more embodiments of one or more processes of the present disclosure, as will be described further below. In another exemplary embodiment, the program product may be directly stored in and/or otherwise accessed by the memory  808 . The storage device  812  may also store video data  820  captured by the one or more cameras  103  of the vehicle  100  and sent to the user device  800  over the cellular network  1000 , either from the vehicle  100  or from the remote server  900 . 
     The bus can be any suitable physical or logical means of connecting computer systems and components. This includes, but is not limited to, direct hard-wired connections, fiber optics, infrared and wireless bus technologies. During operation, one or more programs are stored in the memory  908  and executed by the processor. 
     The user device control system  802  also comprises a user interface  806 , which may include an input unit  916 . The input unit  916  may include audio, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen and other input capabilities. The operator interface  906  may include audio, image and video output capabilities. The user interface  806  may include a display unit  814 , optionally in the form of a touchscreen display, and speakers for outputting image, video and audio data to a user. The user interface  806  allows a user to view video and/or images captured by the one or more cameras  103 . In various embodiments, the user interface  806  and the controller  910  allows a user to send control commands to controller  106  of the vehicle control system  102  to control operation of the one or more cameras  103  and sending of video data from the vehicle  100 . The control commands may be sent via the remote server  900  or more directly to the vehicle  100 . 
     The controller  810  is operable with the remote communications module  804  to receive video and image data sent over the cellular network  1000 , which may be received from the remote server  900  or from the vehicle  100 . In some embodiments, the controller  810  is operable with the remote communications module  804  to receive sound data from the vehicle  100  in addition to the video data. The sound data is captured by the one or more microphones  289 . In various embodiments, video data (and optionally also sound data) from the vehicle  100  must first be transmitted to the remote server  900  from which video data is then transmitted to the user device  800 . The remote communications module  804  may comprise a control unit and a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data over the cellular network  1000 . The remote communications module  804  may operate through third generation (3G) or fourth generation (4G) standards or any other telecommunications standard. In various embodiments, the controller  810  is configured to store the video and image data (and optionally sound data) received over the cellular network  1000  in the data storage device  812 . In various embodiments, the controller  810  is configured to output video data (and optionally sound data) received from the vehicle  100  over the cellular network  1000  through the user interface  806  to allow a user to view (and optionally hear) outside surroundings of the vehicle  100  and/or the interior of the vehicle  100 . 
     Remote Video Access and Control 
     In various embodiments, the one or more cameras  103  are configured to capture video data of the outside surroundings of the vehicle  100  and/or the interior of the vehicle  100 . Further, the one or more microphones  289  are configured to capture sound data of the outside surroundings of the vehicle  100  and/or the interior of the vehicle  100 . The controller  106  is configured to send, e.g. stream, the video data and any sound data over a cellular or other telecommunications network  1000  via a remote communications module  202 . The controller  910  of the server  900  and/or the controller  810  of the user device  800  is/are configured to receive the video data and any sound data via the respective remote communications module  804 ,  904 . The controller  910  of the server  900  may receive the video data and any sound data via an internet connection included in the remote communications module  904 . The internet connection may be wired broadband access such as DSL, wireless broadband such as satellite or mobile broadband through the cellular network  1000 . The controller  810  of the user device  800  may receive the video data and any sound data via an internet connection included in the remote communications module  804 . The internet connection may be wired broadband access such as DSL, wireless broadband such as satellite or mobile broadband through the cellular network  1000 . In an embodiment, the controller  810  of the user device is a mobile telephone and is able to receive the video data and any sound data through wireless internet connection. The user device  800  may be configured to connect to the remote server  900  (which are themselves remote from each other) in order to receive the video data and any sound data from the remote server  900 . In this instance, the remote server  900  is configured to receive the video data and any sound data from the vehicle  100  first and to send the video data to the user device  800 . 
     In various embodiments, the one or more cameras  103  include a plurality of cameras  103  able to capture video data from respective sides of the vehicle  100 . The controller  106  may be configured to stitch the video data from respective cameras  103  together in order to provide panoramic video data of most of the outside surroundings of the vehicle or even 360° panoramic surround video data of the vehicle  100 . In another embodiment, the controller  106  may be configured to capture and send the video data in the form of a mosaic of video data, with each video of the mosaic corresponding to a view from a respective camera  103 . The controller  106  is configured to send or stream the panoramic or mosaic video data from the vehicle  100  over the cellular network  1000  via the remote communications module  202 . In an alternative embodiment, the controller  106  is configured to send or stream the video data from the plurality of cameras  103  over the cellular network  1000  via the remote communications module and stitching of the video data to create panoramic video data is carried out by a remote controller, such as the server controller  910  or the user device controller  810 . The panoramic video data may include sound data as mentioned above. 
     In an embodiment, the display unit  914  of the server control system  902  is configured to display the video data, thereby enabling a server operator to view the interior and/or the outside surroundings of the vehicle  100 . Further, the server control system  902  may comprise one or more speakers (not shown) to play the sound data. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the display unit  814  of the user device control system  802  is configured to display the video data, thereby enabling a user to view the interior and/or the outside surroundings of the vehicle  100 . Further, the user device  800 , via the user device control system  802  and speakers (not shown) is configured to play the sound data. The video data and any sound data may be streamed from the vehicle  100  such that the server operator and/or the user is viewing real-time video and can hear any sound data in real time. 
     In various embodiments, the server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  is/are configured to send one or more control commands to the vehicle control system  102 . The control commands may be transmitted at least partly over the cellular network. The one or more control commands may be transmitted via the remote communications module  804 ,  904 . In particular, the control commands are able to control the one or more cameras  103  or the video data captured thereby in one embodiment. 
     In various embodiments, a graphical user interface  600  as shown in  FIG. 6  may be provided for display on a display unit  814 ,  914  of the remote server  900  or the user device  800 . The graphical user interface  600  is configured to display selection graphics  602  to  618  to allow a user or operator to select an appropriate control. 
     Various such control commands are discussed in the following in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. The various control commands may be provided alone or in any combination. 
     Wake-Up and Standby Commands 
     One exemplary control command is a wake-up or video ON command. The wake-up command, when received and processed by the vehicle control system  102 , is configured to activate the one or more cameras  103  and to activate sending or streaming of captured video data over the cellular network  1000  to the server control system  902  or the user device control system  802 . The wake-up command could be initiated by a user wanting to check on the security of the vehicle, particularly in instances where the vehicle has been parked in a potentially unsecure location such as a public parking lot. Other situations can be envisaged when a remote activated check of a vehicle&#39;s surroundings and/or interior would be useful. The wake-up command, when received and processed by the vehicle control system  102 , may also be configured to activate the one or more microphones  289  such that sound and video data are sent or streamed over the cellular network  1000 . 
     In particular, a user may operate the input unit  816  of the user device  800  to select the wake-up or video ON command. This may involve launching of an application on the user device  800 , which is run by the controller  810 . In an embodiment, the wake-up command may be selected within an app being run on the user device  800 . The controller  810 , responsive to the user input through the input unit  816 , is configured to send the wake-up command using the remote communications module  804 . The user input may be carried out by operation of a touch-screen display embodying the input unit  816 . Alternatively, an operator may operate the input unit  916  of the server  900  to select a wake-up command. This may involve launching of an application on the server  900 , which is run by the controller  910 . In an embodiment, the wake-up command may be selected within an app being run on the server  900 . The controller  910 , responsive to the user input through the input unit  916 , is configured to send the wake-up command using the remote communications module  904 . The user input may be carried out by operation of a touch-screen display embodying the input unit  916 . 
     The vehicle control system  102  is configured to be responsive to the wake-up command, received via the remote communications module  202 , to activate the one or more cameras  103  and optionally the one or more microphones  289  and to activate sending of the video data and sound data captured thereby. The user device control system  802  and/or the remote server control system  902  is/are configured to receive the video data via the remote communications module  804 ,  904 . The controller  810  of the user device  800  may be operable to display the video data on the display unit  814  and the controller  910  of the service may be operable to display the video data on the display unit  914 . In this way, the user is able to view video data remotely, which is streamed from the vehicle  100 . Further, the vehicle  100  is not required to continuously operate the one or more cameras  103  and to send the captured video data. This is able to save data costs as well as vehicle power consumption. 
     In various embodiments, the server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  is/are configured, in conjunction with the input unit  816 ,  916 , so that a user or operator is able to select to turn video OFF. The server control system and/or the user device control system  802  is/are configured to responsively transmit a standby command to the vehicle control system  102 . The vehicle control system  102  is configured to be responsive to the standby command to place the one or more cameras  103  (and optionally also the one or more microphones  289 ) in a standby mode so that video data is not captured and/or the vehicle control system  102  is configured to disable sending of video data. In this way, cellular data is not transmitted when it is not requested by a user to save on data costs and power consumption. Alternatively, the user device control system  802  and/or the server control system  902  is configured to periodically transmit the wake-up command or a similar command indicating that video data should be streamed by the vehicle control system  102  as long as a video selection on the user device  800  and/or the remote server  900  persists. When a selection is made to turn OFF the video, the user device control system  802  and/or the server control system  902  is/are configured to discontinue transmitting the wake-up or similar command. The vehicle control system  102  is configured to respond to the absence of the wake-up or similar command by entering the one or more cameras  103  into a standby mode or disabling sending of video data. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exemplary flowchart of a process of selectively activating one or more cameras of a vehicle  100  from a remote site. 
     In step  500 , capturing of the video data by the one or more cameras  103  and sending of the captured video data over the cellular network  1000  is in a standby state. It may be that the one or more cameras  103  are in a standby state by video data not being captured by the one or more cameras  103  (i.e. the cameras  103  themselves are on standby) or that the video data is being captured by the one or more cameras  103 , but sending of the video data over the cellular network or the telecommunications network  1000  is currently disabled. 
     In step  502 , a user or operator initiates a wake-up or video ON command that is transmitted from the user device  800  or from the remote server  900 . The user or operator may initiate such a wake-up command by a selection within a graphical user interface of an application running on the controller  810 ,  910  (as described further with reference to  FIG. 6 ) or by launching the application itself. The selection within the application may correspond to a graphical button, icon, etc., where the button, icon, etc. represents a selection of viewing of one or more vehicle cameras  103 . The selection within the application or launching of the application may be carried out by touchscreen selection, mouse input, keyboard input, etc. The application or app referred to herein may correspond to a computer program being executed by a processor of at least one of the controllers  106 ,  810 ,  910 . 
     In step  504 , the one or more vehicle cameras  103  are, in response to the wake up command, operated to capture video data. In various embodiments, the one or more microphones  289  are, in response to the wake up command, operated to capture sound data. In certain embodiments, a plurality of video cameras  103  are operated to allow generation of panoramic video data. The video data from each camera  103  may be stitched before or after the video data transmission step  506 . Alternatively, the video data may remain unstitched to allow video data from each camera  103  to be separately viewed in various embodiments. 
     In step  506 , the captured video data and any sound data are transmitted to the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800 . In embodiments, the video data and any sound date are transmitted at least partly over a cellular network  1000 . The video data and any sound data are received and processed at the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800 . The processing may involve decompression of the video data and/or stitching of video data from different vehicle cameras  103  to provide a panoramic view. The processing may involve integrating a sound channel including the sound data into the video data to allow for synchronous sound and video replay. 
     In step  508 , the received video data is displayed at the remote server  900  or the user device  800 . The remote server  900  and the user device  800  include respective display units  814 ,  914  that are operable with the respective controllers  810 ,  910  to display the video data. Further, the remote server  900  or the user device  800  may be operable to reply the sound data through one or more speakers (not shown). 
     In step  510 , the user or operator selects to turn the video off by operation of the input unit  816 ,  916 . Once the selection to turn off the video has been made, receipt, i.e. streaming, of the video data and any sound data is stopped and display of the video data is also stopped. The user may select to turn the video off by operating a touchscreen, mouse, etc. embodying the input unit. In particular, a graphic or icon corresponding to video OFF may be selected, as described further below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     In step  512 , after the user or operator selects to turn OFF the video, capturing of video data by the one or more cameras  103  and sending of the captured video data from the vehicle  100  is returned to standby. In this way, cellular data use is not extended beyond the user&#39;s requirements. The server  900  or the user device  800  may return a standby command after the video OFF selection is made. The standby command is transmitted from the user device  800  or the remote server  900  to the vehicle  100  at least partly over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000 . Alternatively, the absence of a command from the user device  800  or the server  900  may be interpreted by the vehicle control system  102  as a standby command. 
     Video Responsive Commands 
     Another exemplary control command that may be remotely transmitted to the vehicle control system  102  is a video responsive control command, which is responsive to the content of the video. For example, a video enhancement control command may be sent. In various embodiments, the video responsive command is selected from a camera wash command, a camera articulation command, an illumination command, a camera change command, camera low light enhancement command, and a sound activation command. These commands are all responsive to the content of video data being viewed. For example, if the video being viewed is unclear, a camera wash may be required. If the video being viewed is not showing information of relevance, a change of camera or camera articulation may be required. If the video being viewed shows vandalism or theft in progress, the illumination and sound activation may be of assistance. If the video being viewed is too dark, illumination may be required. The illumination command and the sound activation command may also have a theft or vandalism deterrent effect and thus can be considered security related alarms. Similarly, if the video being viewed is too dark, a camera low light enhancement command may be instructed. The low light enhancement command may adjust settings of the camera, such as frame rate, exposure time or frequency sensitivity, to enhance captured video data depending upon the lighting conditions. 
     The server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  may be configured to send such a video responsive control command at least partly over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  via the respective remote communications module  804 ,  904 . The vehicle control system  102  is configured to receive the video responsive control command via the remote communications module  202 . The vehicle controller  106  is configured to be responsive to the control command by running a process to implement the command. 
     For example, in one embodiment the vehicle controller  106  is configured to respond to a camera wash command by issuing a corresponding control command to the one or more camera washers or wipers  280  to clean the associated camera  103 . In various embodiments, the camera wash command transmitted from the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800  may be camera specific, i.e. designates a subset (e.g. just one) of a set of cameras  103  of the vehicle  100  or it may be non-specific. The vehicle controller  106  may be configured to respond to the specific wash command by initiating a wash or wipe cycle of the washers or wipers  280  of the subset of cameras  103 . The vehicle controller  106  may be configured to respond to the non-specific wash command by initiating a wash or wipe cycle of the washers or wipers  280  of all of the cameras  103 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to respond to a camera articulation command by issuing a corresponding command to the one or more camera articulators  282  to change the field of the view of the associated camera  103 . Subsequently, video data captured by the camera  103  will have a different view than before articulation of the camera  103 . The vehicle control system  102  is configured to send the video data from the new camera view, which can be received and displayed by the server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802 . In this way, a user or operator is able to control, from a remote location, a view of the camera  103 . In various embodiments, the camera articulation command transmitted from the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800  is camera specific, i.e. designates a subset (e.g. just one) of a set of cameras  103  of the vehicle  100 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to respond to an illumination command to illuminate a field of view of the one or more cameras  103 . In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to be responsive to the illumination command by switching ON the one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286 . The vehicle controller  106  may be configured to switch OFF the one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286  after a predetermined amount of time or the switch OFF of the illumination devices may be embodied in an illumination OFF command from the remote server and/or the remote user device  800  to which the vehicle controller  106  is responsive. The illumination command transmitted from the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800  may be illumination device specific, i.e. designates a subset (e.g. just one) of a set of illumination device  284 ,  286  of the vehicle  100  or it may be non-specific such that all illumination devices  284 ,  286  are designated. For example, a user or operator may be viewing video data captured by a subset (e.g. just one) of a plurality of cameras  103 . The user or operator may note that the view from the subset of cameras  103  is insufficiently bright and select an illumination ON input through the input unit  816 ,  916 . In embodiments, the server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  is/are configured to respond to the user input by transmitting an illumination device specific illumination control command to light the view of the subset of cameras  103 . The vehicle control system, particularly the vehicle controller  106 , is configured to respond to the specific or non-specific illumination command by switching ON the corresponding illumination device or devices  284 ,  286 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to respond to a low light enhancement command by adjusting one or more settings of the one or more cameras  103  to enhance video data as capture by the one or more cameras  103  in low light conditions. For example, settings of the camera, such as frame rate, exposure time or frequency sensitivity may be adjusted. The frame rate may be lowered, the exposure time increased or the frequency sensitivity shifted to the infrared region to provide enhanced video data under low lighting conditions. The user or operator may note that the view from the subset of cameras  103  is insufficiently bright and select a low light enhancement command through the input unit  816 ,  916 . In embodiments, the server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  is/are configured to respond to the user input by transmitting a low light enhancement control command to capture video data using camera settings optimized for low lighting conditions. The vehicle control system, particularly the vehicle controller  106 , is configured to respond to the low light enhancement command by adjusting one or more settings of the one or more cameras  103 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle  100  comprises a plurality of cameras  103 , each providing a different camera view. The vehicle controller  106  is configured to respond to a camera change command by switching from one or more currently active cameras  103  to one or more other cameras  103  to change the view of video data being transmitted from the vehicle  100 . This can be implemented by the vehicle controller  106  being configured to switch OFF one or more of the currently active cameras  103  and switching ON one or more other cameras  103 . Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle controller  106  can be configured to capture video data with each of the plurality of cameras  103  and to switch sending video data from one or more cameras  103  to one or more other cameras  103  over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  via the remote communications module  202 . A user or operator is able to select a camera view using the respective input unit  816 ,  916 . The server control system  902  and/or the user device control system is/are configured to respond to the user input by transmitting the camera change command based on the user or operator selection of camera view. The user or operator may, for example, select a left side, right side, front or rear view (or combinations thereof). The vehicle control system  102  is configured to respond to the camera change command by returning the video data corresponding to user&#39;s camera view selection or the operator&#39;s camera view selection. The controller  810 ,  910  of the server  900  or the user device  800  is/are configured to render the returned video data to the display unit  814 ,  914  to show a change of view according to the selection of the user or the operator. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to respond to a sound activation command by operating the one or more sound devices or speakers  288  so as to sound the horn, an alarm or speech warning, or the like, to warn third parties away from any security breach of the vehicle  100 . The vehicle controller  106  may be configured to sound the warning through the one or more speakers  288  for a predetermined amount of time. Additionally or alternatively, the server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  is/are configured to transmit a sound activation OFF command to which the vehicle control system  102  is responsive to switch OFF the sound warning. The server control system  902  and/or the user device control system is/are configured to generate the sound activation OFF command responsive to a corresponding selection by a user or operator through the input unit  816 ,  916 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a flowchart illustrating steps of an exemplary process of transmitting video responsive control commands from a remote user device  800  or a remote server  900  to a vehicle  100 . 
     In step  520 , video data, captured by one or more cameras  103  (and optionally sound data captured by the one or more microphone  289 ), is transmitted from a vehicle  100  at least partly over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000 . 
     In step  522 , the video data is received at the remote server  900  and/or the remote user device  800  and displayed on the respective display unit  814 ,  914 . The user or operator is able to view the interior and/or the surroundings of the vehicle on the display unit  814 ,  914 . In various embodiments, the user and/or operator may note a video content issue such as a video quality issue or a problem with the camera view and/or a security issue by viewing the video data. 
     In step  524 , the user and/or operator is able to take action in response to the video content issue and/or the security issue. In particular, the user and/or operator is able to operate the input unit  816 ,  916 , e.g. by way of mouse click, keyboard entry, touchscreen selection, etc., to select a video responsive control action. The video responsive control action may comprise a video quality enhancement action (such as camera wash action, illumination action, and/or sound action) or a video view change action (such as camera articulation action and/or active camera change action) and/or a security response action (such as a sound activation action and/or an illumination action). 
     In step  526 , the remote server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  responds to the user or operator selection to transmit a corresponding video responsive control command. 
     According to step  528 , in various embodiments, the vehicle control system  102  changes one or more parameters of the video data or affecting the video data sent from the vehicle  100  to the remote server  900  and/or the remote user device  800 . For example, the video data may come from one or more different cameras  103  as a result of a camera change command. In another example, the video data may be captured from one or more cameras that have been articulated as a result of an articulation command. In another example, the video data may come from one or more cameras  103  that have been washed or wiped as a result of a camera wash command. In another example, the video data may from one or more cameras  103  for which a field of view has been illuminated as a result of an illumination command. 
     According to step  528 , in various embodiments, the one or more vehicle speakers are sounded and/or one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286 , are switched ON. These steps can act as a vandalism and theft deterrent. 
     In step  530 , video data is sent from the vehicle control system  102  to the remote server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802 . The remote server control system  902  and/or the user device control system  802  renders and displays the video data on the display unit  814 ,  914 , which can be viewed by a user or operator. Depending on the command, the user or operator may be able to see a better illuminated video, a video enhanced for low lighting conditions, a video taken from a different camera or a different camera angle of the same camera or the quality of the video may have been enhanced by camera washing or wiping. The user or operator is thus able to remotely control the one or more cameras  103 , video data from the one or more cameras  103  or other aspects affecting the usefulness of the video data. Since these changes are made at the vehicle end, data costs can be saved. Further, the user or operator may be able to view in the video an effective deterrent of sound activation or illumination device activation. 
     Amount of Data Command 
     Another exemplary control command that can be sent from the remote server  900  and/or the remote user device  800  to the vehicle  100  could relate to the amount of video data being sent. In particular, the user or operator may wish to reduce or increase the amount of video data being sent from a vehicle  100  and received by the remote user device  800  and/or the remote server  900 . Such control capability is facilitated by an amount of data control command as described in the following. 
     In various embodiments, the user device control system  802  and/or the server control system  902  is/are configured to allow a user or operator to select, through the input unit  816 ,  916 , one or more parameters relating to an amount of video data received. The input  816 ,  916  may be configured so that a user can select to increase or decrease the amount of video data received. The input unit  816 ,  916  is configured to allow a user to select any one or more of data resolution, data compression, color or grayscale, frames per second, number of active cameras  103 , etc. in order to allow control of increase or decrease of amount of data. 
     In various embodiments, the controller  810 ,  910  of the user device  800  or the remote server  900  is configured to interpret the user or operator input selection and to generate an amount of data control command. The controller  810 ,  910  is configured to operate in conjunction with the remote communications module  804 ,  904  to transmit the amount of data control command over the internet and/or the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  to the vehicle control system  102 . The vehicle controller  106  is configured to operate with the remote telecommunications module  202  to receive the amount of data control command from the cellular or telecommunications network  1000 . The controller  106  is configured to interpret the amount of data control command and to adjust one or more parameters of video data that has been captured by the one or more cameras  103 . Depending on the amount of data control command, the controller  106  is configured to change the amount of data transmitted over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  in order to increase or decrease data usage depending upon user preferences as defined by the amount of data control command. 
     There are a number of exemplary parameters that may be adjusted to change data usage in transmitting video data from a vehicle  100 . In various embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to change the frame rate or frequency of transmission of the video data to change the amount of data being transmitted. In various embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to change the resolution of the video data captured by the one or more cameras to change data usage. Thus, a camera setting may be changed by the controller  106  to change the resolution of the video data being captured. In various embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to change the data rate of the video data transmitted from the vehicle  100 . That is, the controller  106  is configured to compress the video data to change the data rate. To do so, settings of an encoder used for data compression are changed. The data rate may be changed from tens of kilobytes per second to at least one and even tens of megabytes per second. In various embodiments, the video data may be captured by the one or more cameras  103  or transmitted, under the instruction of the controller  106 , in grayscale or color to change the amount of data. Further, the level of grayscale and color may be changed to change the amount of data being transmitted from the vehicle. 
     In various embodiments, the amount of data control command is able to adjust a size of a field of view of video data transmitted from the vehicle  100  when received, interpreted and executed by the vehicle controller  106 . For example, the data control command may define a number of cameras  103  from which video data is transmitted. In one embodiment, the vehicle  100  may include sufficient cameras  103  to provide substantially 360° surround video data. Such surround video data may be stitched together or be provided by a mosaic of separated videos. The amount of data control command is able to select a subset (e.g. just one) of the cameras  103  to limit the view size, thereby limiting the data usage requirement. That is, the amount of data control command may change from 360° surround video data from a single camera and vice versa. Further, gradations between maximum surround and video data from a single camera  103  are possible, such as video data from two cameras  103  where the vehicle  100  includes four or more cameras  103 . In another possibility, the amount of data control command may define a honing of the video data. That is, partial views included in the video data, such as video data from a single camera, may be defined. The amount of data control command may be able to define the size of the partial view when received and executed by the controller  106 . According to these various embodiments, the amount of data transmitted by the vehicle  100  is able to be adjusted through an amount of data control command generated as a result of a user or operator selection at a remote server  900  or a remote user device  800 . 
     The amount of data control command allows for control of the amount of data transmitted from a vehicle  100 , thereby potentially reducing upstream data costs, as well as potentially reducing downstream data costs at the remote server  900  or the remote user device  800 . The data control command also allows a user or operator to increase the amount of data, and thus the quality of the video, on command. Such functionality may be useful if a user or operator notes a security threat as a result of viewing the video data. 
     In various embodiments, a process for controlling the amount of data used by the network  400  of vehicle  100  and remote server  900  and/or the remote user device  800  is also shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In step  520  video data is streamed or transmitted in real time from the vehicle  100  to the remote server  900  and/or the remote user device  800  at least partly over the cellular network  1000 . 
     In step  522 , the video data received at the remote server  900  and/or the remote user device  800  is displayed on the display unit  814 ,  914 . The video data may be substantially 360° surround video data or video data from one, some or all of the front, rear, left side, ride side and interior of the vehicle  100 . In the case of surround video data, such as substantially 360° surround video data, the user or operator is able to scroll through the stitched surround view or through respective views of a mosaic of videos by operating the input unit  816 ,  916 . 
     In step  524 , the operator or user selects to change the data usage using the input unit  816 ,  916 . This may be a qualitative selection such as low, medium or high. For a qualitative selection, the controller  810 ,  910  may access predetermined settings from the memory  808 ,  908  defining an amount of data transmitted from the vehicle  100 . The operator or user may additionally or alternatively be able to select specific data usage parameters for adjustment such as frame rate, view size, grayscale or color, data rate, etc. as described above. The operator or user may make use of a scroll bar, data usage values, buttons, icons, arrows, etc. in order to make the data usage selection. 
     In step  526 , one or more data usage parameters or settings are formulated into one or more data amount control commands by the controller  810 ,  910 . The one or more data amount control commands are transmitted from the remote user device  800  and/or the remote server  900  by operation of the controller  810 ,  910  in conjunction with the remote communications module  804 ,  904 . The one or more amount of data control commands are received by the vehicle control system  102  from the cellular or telecommunications network  1000 . The remote communications module  202  and the vehicle controller  106  operate together to receive the one or more amount of data control commands. 
     In step  528 , the vehicle controller  106  is responsive to the amount of data control command to adjust the amount of data being transmitted over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  to the remote server  900  and/or the remote user device  800 . For example, the controller  106  may change any one or more of the data transmission rate, the video frame rate, the size of the view of the video data, the grayscale or color of the video data, gradation in color or grayscale of the video data or any other parameter relating to the amount of video data transmitted from the vehicle  100 . The specific parameters to change may be defined by the amount of data control command. For example, a user or operator may select a cropped view of the video data, a reduced frame rate, etc., which selections will be embodied in the one or more data control commands. Alternatively, the one or more data control commands may be more generic and specify that data usage should be changed and the vehicle controller  106  may determine one or more data usage parameters for change. 
     The present disclosure thus allows remote control of the amount of data sent over the telecommunication network  1000 , thereby allowing user or operator control of data usage as well as video quality, depending upon the circumstance. 
     Smart Vehicle Video Transmission Control 
     In various embodiments, any one or more of the vehicle control system  102 , the user device control system  802  and the remote server control system  902  include a video data analyzer  107  (shown in  FIG. 3  to be included as part of the vehicle control system) configured to analyze the video data from a plurality of cameras  103  to determine activity in a view of a subset (for example, just one) of the plurality of cameras  103 . For example, the video data analyzer  107  may be configured to analyze time spaced frames of video data to determine movement in the video data to determine activity in the video data from a subset of the cameras  103 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to be responsive to the video data analyzer  107  to adjust the amount of data transmitted from the vehicle  100 . For example, should no activity or substantially no activity be determined by the video data analyzer  107 , then the controller  106  can be configured to respond by defining one or more data transmission parameters corresponding to a relatively low amount of video data being transmitted from the vehicle  100 . Conversely, should activity be detected or determined by the video data analyzer  107 , then the controller  106  can be configured to respond by defining one or more data transmission parameters corresponding to a relatively high amount of video data being transmitted from the vehicle  100 . Any one or more of the parameters described above for adjusting the amount of data transmitted from the vehicle  100  may be utilized. The following exemplary parameters may be adjusted: the size of the view defined by the transmitted video data, the frame rate of the video data, the data rate of the video data (as defined by an encoder for compressing the video data, for example), grayscale or color settings, and the like. 
     In various embodiments, the video data analyzer  107  is configured to output a direction or location of the determined activity. The vehicle controller  106  is configured to be responsive to the determination of activity and the direction thereof by the video data analyzer  107  and to crop the field of view defined by the video data based thereon. In this way, a field of view of video data may be transmitted from the vehicle  100  based on a determination by the vehicle controller  106  of a relevant part of the video data available from the one or more cameras  103 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to be responsive to the determination of activity by the video data analyzer  107  and the direction thereof by transmitting video data from one or a subset of the one or more cameras  103 . The one camera  103  or the subset of the plurality of camera  103  selected based on the field of view of that camera and the direction of activity determined by the video data analyzer  107  to ensure the relevant video data is transmitted. 
     For example, the vehicle  100  may comprise a plurality of cameras  103  and the vehicle controller  106  is configured to select one or a subset of the a plurality of cameras  103  based on the direction of activity from the video data analyzer  107 . Alternatively, a surround video (e.g. a mosaic of video data from respective cameras  103  or stitched together video data from the cameras  103 ) may be constructed by the vehicle controller  106  from the video data from the plurality of cameras  103  and the vehicle controller  106  may determine that activity is present in one or more parts of the video data based on the activity determination from the video data analyzer  107 . The controller  106  is configured to transmit the video data from the selected one or the subset of cameras  103  or is configured to transmit the one or more parts of the video data, thereby sending activity relevant video data and allowing reduced data usage. 
     Safety Triggered Video 
     In various embodiments, the one or more security sensors  166  or the one or more event sensors  167  are configured to output a trigger signal. The one or more security sensors  166  may comprise a door sensor configured to output a trigger signal when one or more of the doors  101 ,  110  have been opened and the vehicle doors  101 , 110  are in a locked state (thereby indicating a break-in). The one or more security sensor  166  may comprise a trunk, gate or hood sensor configured to output a trigger signal when the trunk or gate  101 ,  111  has been left open. The one or more security sensors  166  may comprise a key fob copy sensor configured to determine a counterfeit key fob. The one or more security sensors  166  may comprise a force sensor such as a vibration sensor or such as an accelerometer configured to output a trigger signal when a force is applied to the vehicle  100  indicative of a potential break-in or vandalism of the vehicle  100 . The one or more vehicle cameras  103  may also be comprised in a security sensor  166 . Specifically, the video data analyzer (also referred to as a theft event analyzer)  107  may be configured to analyze the video data for activity and based on a determination of duration and/or proximity of the activity be configured to output a trigger signal. 
     In various embodiments, the one or more event sensors  167  may also output a trigger signal. The one or more event sensors  167  are operable with an event sensing module run on the vehicle controller  106  to determine an event (e.g. in which the vehicle contacts another vehicle or object) and to responsively output the trigger signal. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to receive the trigger signal and respond thereto by activating the one or more cameras  103  to capture video data (if not already activated) and to initiate transmission of a safety event notification signal by using the remote communications module  202 . Further, the one or more microphones  289  may be activated to capture sound data. The vehicle controller  106  is configured to transit the video data and/or the safety event notification signal and any sound data at least partly over the telecommunications or cellular network  1000 . 
     A vehicle event, attempted vandalism or theft may be determined by the one or more safety sensors  166  or the one or more event sensors  167  (e.g. that may detect contact between the vehicle and another vehicle or object). Such events are referred to herein as safety events. The vehicle controller  106  is responsive thereto by initiating video streaming and/or video data recording. 
     In various embodiments, the server controller  910  and/or the user device controller  810  is/are configured to be responsive to a safety event notification signal by displaying a corresponding notification on the display unit  814 ,  914 . The notification on the display unit  814 ,  914  may comprise an initiate video selection graphic, which when selected by way of the input unit  816 ,  916 , causes initiating of display of video data on the display unit  814 ,  916  and play of any sound data on one or more speakers (not shown). The video data displayed may be substantially 360° surround video (e.g. a mosaic of video data or stitched video data). The video data may come from internal and/or outside video cameras  103 . Further, the sound data may come from internally directed and/or externally directed microphones. 
     In various embodiments, the server controller  910  and/or the user device controller  810  is/are configured to initiate recording of the video data in the respective data storage device  812 ,  912 . The sound data may also be recorded. The recoding of the video data may be initiated automatically for safety events, i.e. as a predetermined step of a program being run by the controller  810 ,  910 , or it may first require user or operator authorization. To obtain such authorization, the controller  810 ,  910  is configured to prompt, though the display unit  814 ,  914 , a begin recording selection graphic  616  (or other selectable input) via the input unit  816 ,  916 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to record the video data (and any sound data) in the data storage device  178  in response to the trigger signal. The data storage device  178  may be a non-volatile storage device as discussed above. The data storage device  178  may be capable of recording or storing at least 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes of the video data from the one or more cameras  103  or at least 1 hour of the video data. The data storage device  178  is thus able to record the video data captured over a sufficient period of time corresponding to the vehicle safety event, e.g. vandalism, theft, other event, or the like. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to change one or more parameters of the video data in response to the trigger signal. For example, the controller  106  may be configured to change the settings of the video data to default settings. In various embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to set an appropriate frame rate for the video data either as captured or as transmitted. In various embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to set an appropriate data rate for the video data as transmitted. In various embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to set the video data to be captured or transmitted in color. In various embodiments, the controller  106  is configured to set the resolution of the video data either as captured or as transmitted. The various default settings ensure sufficient video data quality during a safety event so that real/time or subsequent display of the video data is useful in identifying the events and the perpetrator(s). 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to be responsive to the trigger signal and to the video data analyzer  107  to transmit activity specific video data. In particular, the video data analyzer  107  is configured to output an indication of direction of the activity. The vehicle controller  106  is configured to transmit video data from one or more cameras  103 , being one of a plurality of vehicle cameras  103  or a subset of the plurality of vehicle cameras  103 , having a field of view including a location of the indicated direction of activity. The activity specific transmission of data has been discussed in more detail above and is applicable to the present embodiments. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to determine whether a connection to a telecommunications network  1000  is available in response to the trigger signal. If not, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to record video data captured by the one or more cameras  103  in the vehicle data storage device  178 . In embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to record the video data in the vehicle data storage device irrespective of whether a telecommunications network  100  is available. In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to transmit the recorded video data from the vehicle  100  at least partly over the telecommunications or cellular network  1000  when the connection to the telecommunications or cellular network  1000  becomes available. In other embodiments, the recorded video data need not be transmitted over the cellular network  1000  by the vehicle controller  106 . The recorded video data can be transferred to another computing device, e.g. by removing an SD card embodying the vehicle data storage device  178 , and/or viewed on the vehicle display screen  191 . The video data may be transmitted from the vehicle  100  to the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800  either from the vehicle controller  106  or from the another computing device. The server controller  910  and/or the user device controller  810  is configured to receive the video data and display the video data through the display unit  814 ,  914 . In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to first transmit over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  a safety event notification signal. The server controller  910  and/or the user device controller  810  is configured to display a prompt for the user or operator in response to the safety event notification signal. The prompt invites the user or operator to select to receive the video data of the safety event. Assuming a selection is entered through the input unit  816 ,  916  corresponding to a request to receive the video data, the controller  810 ,  910  is configured to transmit a control command to the vehicle control system  102  for transmission of the recorded video data. The vehicle controller  106  is responsive to the control command for transmission of the recorded video data by sending the recorded video data at least partly over the cellular or telecommunications network. 
     In various embodiments, recording of the video data in the vehicle data storage device  178  may continue until a predetermined time has elapsed (e.g. 1 to 30 minutes, in one embodiment, although this may vary in other embodiments) or the vehicle controller  106  may be configured to determine when the safety event has come to an end. For example, the video data analyzer  107  may be configured to determine activity as described above. When a determination is made of a lack of activity, a corresponding activity output is provided to the controller  106 . The controller  106  is configured to discontinue recording of the video data based on the determination of a lack of activity. In other alternatives, the one or more security sensors  166  or the one or more event sensors  167  may provide an output indicative of safety event end to which the vehicle controller  106  is responsive. 
     The video data corresponding to the safety event may be labelled as such when stored to prohibit overwriting and/or to assist subsequent playback. For example, the vehicle controller  106  may be configured to record video data (for example, all video data) captured by the one or more cameras  103  and to do so in a recording loop on the vehicle data storage device  167 . The vehicle controller  106  may be configured not to overwrite the video data labelled as a safety event (or other scheme for prohibiting overwriting of a selected part of the video data). The recording loop can, therefore, exclude the part prohibited from recording. 
     In various embodiments, the recorded video data is able to be viewed (and any sound data heard) at the vehicle  100 . In particular, the controller  106  is configured to display the recorded video data on the vehicle display screen  191  and to output any sound data through one or more vehicle speakers (not shown), such as on request through a user input such as through a touchscreen input on the display screen  191 . As such, the recorded video data can be played back at the vehicle  100 , as well as through a remote user device  800  and a remote server  900 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a flowchart of a process according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In step  540 , an output trigger signal is generated. The output trigger signal may be generated by, in cooperation with the vehicle controller  106 , one or more security sensors  166  based on vibration, door/trunk/gate/hood open condition, activity around the vehicle  100  as determined by the video data analyzer  107 , key copy determination, or the like. Further, the trigger signal may be responsive to an event as indicated to the vehicle controller  106  by the one or more event sensors  167 . The output trigger signal may, when instigated by the one or more security sensors  166 , cause the vehicle&#39;s alarm system to become active, which may include a loud sound, such as a siren sound, being issued through the sound device  188  and/or activation of one or more illumination devices  284  such as flashing thereof. The output trigger signal may, when instigated by the one or more event sensors  167 , cause the vehicle&#39;s event response to become active such by releasing one or more air bags. 
     In steps  542  to  550 , the output trigger signal also leads to transmission of video data (and optionally sound data) to a user device  800  and/or a remote server  900  so that the safety event can be viewed in real time or substantially real time when a connection is available and so that a recording of the safety event can be played back when a connection becomes available. 
     In step  542 , a determination is made, via the vehicle controller  106 , as to whether a connection to a telecommunications or cellular network  1000  is available. If a connection is available, then the process proceeds to stream the video (and optionally) data according to steps  544  to  546 . If no connection is available, then the process proceeds to record the video (and optionally sound) data and subsequently upload the video data when the connection to the telecommunications or cellular network  1000  becomes available. The recording of video data may proceed without dependence on determination of no connection being available. 
     In step  544 , when a connection to the network  1000  is available, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to transmit, using the remote communications module  202 , a safety event notification to the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800 . The remote server controller  910  and/or the user device controller  810  is/are configured to receive the safety event notification and to display an invitation to the user or operator to accept a video streaming request relating to the safety event. Video data may be recorded in the data storage device  178 ,  812 ,  912  of any one of the vehicle  100 , the remote server  900  and the user device  800  in addition to the video data being streamed. 
     When the user or operator accepts the video streaming request, and according to step  546 , the vehicle controller  106  is configured to stream video data captured by the one or more vehicle cameras  103  to the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800 . 
     The server controller  910  and/or the user device controller  810  are configured to receive the video data and display the streamed video data on the display unit  814 ,  914 . Sound data may also be replayed. The user or operator is thus able to view the safety event in real time. Further, the user or operator can trigger control commands through the input unit  816 ,  916  as discussed above and as detailed further with reference to  FIG. 6 . For example, control commands corresponding to sound activation, low light enhancement, illumination activation, video data record activation, camera wash activation, camera articulation activation may all be useful. Further, video data corresponding to the safety event may be stored in the data storage device  178 ,  812 ,  912  of any one of the vehicle  100 , the remote server  900  and the user device  800 . The video data corresponding to the safety event may be labelled as such when stored to prohibit overwriting and/or to assist subsequent playback. 
     If a determination is made that no connection is available in step  542 , the vehicle controller  106  is configured to commence recording video data (and sound data) in step  550 . The video data continues to be recorded until safety event end time. The safety event end time may be determined by a predetermined time having elapsed from the trigger signal or until the video data analyzer  107 , or the sensors  166 ,  167  indicate that activity has finished. A safety event occurs from the trigger signal to the safety event end time. The recorded video data may be labelled in the data storage device  178  as a safety event so that the vehicle controller  106  is able to prohibit overwriting of the safety event video data. The step  550  of recording video data may take place independent of the determination of whether a connection is available. 
     Optionally, the process continues to check for a network connection in step  552 . Once a connection is available, the video data including the safety event, and labelled as such in the data storage device  178 , is uploaded or otherwise transmitted to the remote server  900  or the user device  800  in step  556 . The video data is transmitted at least partly over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  from the vehicle  100 . The recorded video data need not necessarily be subsequent transmitted to the remote server  900  by the vehicle controller  106 . 
     Before transmitting or uploading the video data in step  556 , a safety event notification signal may first be transmitted over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  in step  554 . The safety event notification  554 , when received by the server controller  910  or the user device controller, may cause the respective controller  810 ,  910  to display a prompt on the display unit  814 ,  914 . The prompt may comprise an invitation to the user or operator to request, through the input unit  816 ,  916 , to upload or other transmission of the video data. 
     In step  558 , the video data transmitted to the remote server  900  and/or the user device  800  is displayed on the display unit  814 ,  914  under the control of the controller  810 ,  910 . 
     The present disclosure thus allows prompt notification, a record of and real-time view of theft and vandalism attempts and/or other vehicle events that are activated in an automated, sensor initiated way. These features may assist in reducing crime and identifying causes of vehicle events. 
     User (Operator) Interface 
     The user device control system  802  and/or the server control system  902  may include a program, e.g. an app, stored on the respective memory  908 ,  808 . The program, when run by the controller  910 ,  810  is able to implement the various functions of the remote server  900  and the remote user device  800  that have been described above, particularly with reference to  FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 , such as receiving video data and notifications from the vehicle  100 , recording the video data, generating control commands and transmitting the control commands to the vehicle  100 . The app is also able to implement the further server and/or user device aspects of the present disclosure detailed below with reference to  FIG. 10 . Further, the program is configured to generate a graphical user interface  600  that is displayed on the display unit  814 ,  914  and to handle operator and/or user inputs through the input unit  816 ,  916 , thereby allowing the control command selections to be made that have been described in the foregoing. It is to be understood that the input of control commands by using a graphical user interface  600 , as described below, is merely exemplary. One, some or all of the inputs allowed by the graphical user interface  600  described below may be achieved by other input devices such as mechanical buttons. 
     An exemplary graphical user interface  600  is shown in  FIG. 6 , which may be displayed on the display unit  814 ,  914  of the remoter server  900  or the user device  800 . This graphical user interface  600  is particularly described with respect to the remote server  900  or the user device  800 . However, such a graphical user interface  600 , and the various control functions allowed by it, may also be included within the vehicle  100 , and displayed on the vehicle display screen  191 . 
     In various embodiments, the graphical user interface  600  includes a video display portion  621 . The video display portion  621  constitutes a major part of the graphical user interface  600  and defines an area in which the video data captured by the one or more vehicle cameras  103  is displayed. 
     In various embodiments, the graphical user interface  600 , generated by the program run on the controller  810 ,  910 , is able to display substantially 360° surround video data as a mosaic of videos from respective cameras  103  or a video stitched together from the video data of each camera  103 , as has been indicated in the foregoing. A mosaic of videos can be displayed in the display portion  621  by way of a split screen, with each part of the display portion displaying video data from a respective camera  103 . The display portion  621  may show video data from respective cameras  621 , with surround video data able to be viewed by successively showing video data from different camera  103 . Toggling between camera views may be carried out automatically by the controller  810 ,  910  or it may be user or operator controlled as described below. Alternatively, the display portion  621  may show a stitched together display of video data from plural cameras  103 . 
     The graphical user interface  600  comprises one or more selection graphics  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608 ,  610 ,  612 ,  614 ,  616  that can be selected through the input unit  816 ,  916 . The selection graphics  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608 ,  610 ,  612 ,  614 ,  616  allow for user or operator selection of control commands to be generated. The input unit  816 ,  916  may be embodied as a mouse, a keyboard, a touchscreen, and the like. 
     In various embodiments, one or more directional selection graphics  602  are provided as part of the graphical user interface  600 . In the shown embodiment, the directional selection graphics  602  are provided as one or more arrows  602 . However, other graphics are possible such as one or more scroll bars. The one or more directional selection graphics  602  allow, in one use, a user or operator to control a viewing direction within a substantially 360° surround video sent from the vehicle  100  and displayed in the display portion  621 . The controller  810 ,  910  is responsive to a selection of the one or more directional selection graphics  602  to change the view accordingly in the display portion  621  of the graphical user interface  600 . The directional selection graphics  602  may allow changing view within a stitched together panoramic video from plural cameras  103  or toggling between respective camera views. 
     In various embodiments, a camera wash or wipe selection graphic  604  is included in the graphical user interface  600 . The camera wash selection graphic  604  allows a user or operator to select generation of a camera wash or wipe command as discussed above. 
     In various embodiments, the graphical user interface  600  includes a camera change selection graphic  610  corresponding to the controller  810 ,  910  displaying in the display portion  621  a view from one or a subset of a plurality of the vehicle cameras  103 . The camera change selection graphic  610  may include a plurality of further selection graphics (not shown) each corresponding to a particular one or subset of the plurality of vehicle cameras  103 . In one possibility, the vehicle control system  102  is configured to transmit video data from each of the plurality of cameras  103 . In this possibility, the server or user device controller  810 ,  910  is configured to display the camera view according to the user or operator selection of the camera change selection graphic  610  through the input unit  816 ,  916 . In another possibility, the server or user device controller  810 ,  910  is configured to transmit a camera change command depending on the user or operator preference selected using the camera change selection graphic  610  and the input unit  816 ,  916 . The vehicle control system  102  is configured to respond to the camera change command and transmit video data according to the selected camera  103 , as described above. 
     In various embodiments, an illumination device selection graphic  608  is included in the graphical user interface  600 . The illumination device selection graphic  608  allows a user or operator to select to have the controller  810 ,  910  generate an illumination device control command as discussed above. The illumination device selection graphic  608  is configured to allow an illumination device ON command and optionally also an illumination device OFF command. The illumination device selection graphic  608  may also include a plurality of further graphics (not shown) corresponding to each of a plurality of vehicle illumination devices  284  to allow for one or a subset of each of the illumination devices  284  to be turned ON and optionally also OFF depending on the user or operator selection through the input unit  816 ,  916 . The controller  810 ,  910  is configured to generate an illumination device  284  specific control command corresponding to the selection made. The ON and OFF control commands have been described further above. 
     In various embodiments, a low light enhancement selection graphic (not shown) is included. The low light enhancement selection graphic allows a user or operator to select to have the controller  810 ,  910  generate a low light enhancement control command as discussed above. 
     In various embodiments, a camera articulation selection graphic  606  is included in the graphical user interface  600 . The camera articulation selection graphic  606  corresponds to the controller  810 ,  910  generating a camera articulation control command as discussed above, when selected through the input unit  816 ,  916 . The camera articulation selection graphic  606  may include a plurality of further selection graphics (not shown) that allow a user to select a camera  103  for articulation and/or a direction of articulation (e.g. left or right or up or down). The controller  810 ,  910  is configured to generate a control command corresponding to the articulation selection made. 
     In various embodiments, a sound activation selection graphic  612  is included as part of the graphical user interface  600 . The sound activation selection graphic  612 , when selected through the input unit  816 ,  916 , corresponds to the controller  810 ,  910  generating a sounds activation control command as described above. 
     In various embodiments, the graphical user interface  600  includes a wake-up or video ON selection graphic  614 . When the wake-up or video ON selection graphic  614  is selected through the input unit  816 ,  916 , the remote server controller  910  or the user device controller  810  is configured to generate and transmit a wake-up or video ON control command to the vehicle control system  102 , thereby initiating transmission of video data from the vehicle  100  to the remote server  900  or user device  800 . The wake-up or video ON selection graphic  614  may also be deselected to allow a user or operator to turn OFF transmission of video data from the vehicle  100 . 
     In various embodiments, the graphical user interface  600  includes a video size selection graphic  618 . The video size selection graphic  618  may include a plurality of further graphics to allow the size of the field of view to be selected. The video size selection graphic  618  is operable to allow a user or operator to select the size of the field of view through the input unit  816 ,  916 . The server controller  910  or the user device controller  810  is configured to receive the user or operator selection and generate a corresponding control command as described above. 
     In various embodiments, the graphical user interface  600  includes a record selection graphic  616 , which, when selected through the user input  816 ,  916 , begins or ends recoding of video data in the data storage device  812 ,  912 . 
     It will be appreciated that the user interface  600  may include one, some or all of the various graphics  602  to  618 . Further, although describe here as a graphical user interface, other user interfaces are possible such as command line, drop down box, etc. The user may be presented with various control selection possibilities through other non-graphical user interfaces. 
     In various embodiments, the user interface of the present disclosure allows a number of control commands to be transmitted through a remote user device  800  or a remote server  900  to implement many useful functions described herein, including data usage control, security features control, video quality control, view selection, etc. These functions may be achieved through a coherent and intuitive user interface. 
     Video Transmission Button 
     In various embodiments, a video transmission button  624  is provided that allows for a video transmission, which may be included as part of a conference, to an operator of the remote server  900 . The video transmission button  624  may also allow for transmission of sound data captured by the one or more microphones  289 . The button  624  may be included as part of the vehicle  100  or as part of a key fob or key fob app. The video transmission button  624  utilizes video data from one or more cameras  103  as the source of video data for the video transmission. The one or more cameras  103  may comprise one or more cameras  103  having the outside surroundings in their field of view and may optionally include a camera  103  having the interior of the vehicle  100  in its field of view. The one or more microphones  289  may also capture sound data from the outside surround and/or the interior of the vehicle  100 . The video data for the video transmission may constitute substantially 360° surround video data or otherwise video data patched together from more than one camera  103 . The video transmission button  624  may be useful in the event of an event, theft or other emergency situation to allow an operator at the remote server  900  to assist one or more occupants of the vehicle with provision of emergency and other services. 
     In one example shown in  FIG. 9 , the rear view mirror  140  includes the video transmission button  624 , which is an emergency button in this embodiment. The rear view mirror can, but need not, also include any one of a camera  103  for capturing video of the interior of the vehicle  100  (and particularly of the driver), a non-emergency conference button  622  and a call button  620 . The emergency video transmission button  624  places a priority connection that is given higher priority at the remote server  900  than a connection initiated by the non-emergency conference button  622 . The non-emergency conference button  622  allows for a lower priority conference with an operator of the remote server  900 , who may provide turn by turn directions and other assistance. The call button  620  allows various voice commands to be communicated to the vehicle control system  102  to contacts other than operators of the remote serer  900 . 
     The buttons  620 ,  622 ,  624  may be in wired communication with the controller  106 . The buttons, when selected by a user, may generate a corresponding signal that is sent to the controller  106 . The controller  106  is configured to respond to the signal by executing the associated function such as placing a conference call with an operator of the remote server  900  or placing some other telephone call. 
     The arrangement of buttons  620 ,  622 ,  624  on the rear view mirror  140  is merely exemplary. The one or more buttons  620 ,  622 ,  624 , particularly the emergency button  624 , may be located elsewhere in the vehicle  100  such as on a dashboard or as a graphic on the display screen  191 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, the emergency button  624  may be included on as a button on a key fob or on a key fob app  640 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 10 , the key fob or key fob app includes the emergency button  624 , thereby allowing video transmission to an operator (which may be included as part of a conference call with the operator) of the remote server  900  to be initiated from outside of the vehicle  100 . The key fob or key fob app  640  may include any one or more of the following further buttons: ignition start and optionally stop buttons  626 ,  628 , door lock and unlock buttons  630 ,  632 , sound and light activation and deactivation buttons  634 ,  636 . 
     In the example of a key fob, the buttons  624  to  636  may be provided as mechanical buttons. The key fob  640  may be configured to generate a wireless signal representative of a button pressed. The wireless signal, such as an infrared signal, is receivable by the vehicle controller  106  via the remote communications module  202 . The vehicle controller  106  is configured to execute a control operation to perform the operation associated with the button pressed such as unlocking the doors  101 ,  110 , starting the ignition, switching on the sound device  188  or the one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286 . 
     In the example of a key fob app, the buttons  624  to  636  may be provided as a graphical button displayed on a remote and portable user device  800 , such as a smart mobile telephone or tablet. The controller  810  of the user device  800  is configured to generate and transmit a wireless signal representative of one of the buttons  624  to  636  selected by a user. The buttons  624  to  626  may be selected through the input unit  816  in the form of a touchscreen. The user device controller  810  is configured to generate a wireless signal, either in the form of direct line of communication such as an infrared signal, or through the telecommunications or cellular network  1000 , which is receivable by the vehicle controller  106  via the remote communications module  202 . The vehicle controller  106  is configured to perform a control operation to execute the function associated with the received wireless signal such as unlocking the doors  101 ,  110 , starting the ignition, switching on the sound device  188  or the one or more illumination devices  284 ,  286 . 
     In various embodiments, when the video transmission button  624  (which may be an emergency button) is selected by a user or operator, a corresponding signal is sent to the vehicle controller  106 . The vehicle controller  106  is configured to capture video from one or more cameras  103  (one or more outside cameras  103  and/or one or more interior cameras  103 ) and stream or otherwise transmit the captured video (and any sound data captured by the one or more microphones  289 ) to the remote server  900  at least partly over the telecommunications or cellular network  1000  via the remote communications module  202 . The vehicle controller  106  may be further configured to open a two-way audio channel at least partly over the cellular or remote telecommunications network  1000  to allow the operator and one or more occupants of the vehicle  100  to talk to one another. The transmission of video data and the two-way audio channel provides for a conference between the operator and the vehicle occupant that includes video data. Sound data from outside the vehicle  100  may also be transmitted. It is envisaged that two-way video transmission could also be established such that the operator may be viewed in the vehicle display  191 . 
     The remote server  900  is configured to display the video data and optionally to play the audio through one or more speakers (not shown) such that the operator can take part in the conference. The operator may be able to see the vehicle surroundings and/or the vehicle interior through the video transmission displayed on the display unit  814 , which may be enough to be able to establish the assistance required. Thus, even if the emergency button  624  is selected from outside the vehicle  100 , e.g. through the key fob or key fob app  640 , the video transmission may be sufficient to establish that emergency services are required. In fact, an audio and video conference may not be required. Mere transmission of the video data captured by the one or more cameras  103  and communicated to the remote server  900  may be sufficient to alert the operator to the service needed. 
     In various embodiments in which the emergency button  624  is provided as part of a key fob app run on the user device  800 , the video data may be transmitted from the vehicle  100  as explained above, but the conference between the operator and the user may take place through the user device. That is, the two-way audio channel is connected between the user device  800  and the remote server, optionally over the cellular or telecommunications network  1000  and the video transmission is connected between the vehicle  100  and the remote server  900 . 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to store the captured video data (and any sound data) in the data storage device  178  in response to the video transmission button  624  being selected. 
     In various embodiments, the remote server control system  902  is configured to store on the data storage device  912  the video data transmitted in response to the video transmission button  624  being selected. Any audio transmissions may also be stored on the data storage device  912  including sound data from the conference between operator and user and/or sound data from the vehicle&#39;s outside surroundings. 
     The remote server  900  is also configured to generate and transmit operator selected control commands, as described above. 
       FIG. 11  shows a flowchart describing a process for transmitting video data to a remote server  900  in response to a video selection button  624  being selected according to various embodiments. 
     In step  560 , a user selects the video transmission button  624 . The video transmission button  624  may be included on a key fob  640 , a key fob app  640  or in the vehicle  100 , as described above. 
     In step  562 , a video transmission request signal is generated and transmitted to the vehicle controller  106  in response to the video transmission button  624  being selected. The signal may be transmitted via wired connection, line of sight wireless connection (e.g. infrared) or telecommunications network connection. 
     In step  564 , the video transmission request signal is received by the vehicle controller  106 , via the remote communications module  202 . The vehicle controller  106  responds to the received signal by operating the one or more cameras  103  to capture video data and by streaming the video data over the telecommunications network  1000  via the remote communications module  202 . 
     In step  566 , the video data is received by the remote server  900  via the remote communications module  904 . The remote server  900  displays the received video data on the display unit  914 , which is viewed by the operator. The operator may be able to control the video data using any one of the control selections shown in  FIG. 6  and discussed above. For example, when plural camera views are streamed, such as 360° video data, the operator is able to change the camera view. 
     In step  568 , the vehicle occupant may also be placed in conference with the operator via establishment of a two way audio channel. To do so, the vehicle  100  includes one or more interior speakers (not shown) and a microphone (not shown) and the remote server includes one or more speakers (not shown) and a microphone (not shown) for the operator. The operator is thus able to have an interactive conversation with the vehicle occupant, as well as to view the vehicle&#39;s outside surroundings and/or interior through the streamed video data. The operator is able to take suitable action based on the video data and the optional conference call. For example, the appropriate emergency services can be informed. The GPS of the vehicle  100  is also communicated to the remote server such that this information can be passed on to the emergency service(s). 
     In step  570 , the remote server control system  902  and/or the vehicle control system  102  is configured to record the streamed video data in the respective data storage device  178 ,  912 . 
     The various aspects of the present disclosure are combinable in any combination. Thus, any one or more of the following aspects of the present disclosure may be combined: the remote video access and control, the smart vehicle video transmission control, the alarm triggered video, the user interface, and the video transmission button. 
     In various embodiments, when no network connection is available, the vehicle controller  106  is configured to record the video data in the vehicle data storage device  178  and later transmitted to the remote server  900  when a telecommunications or cellular network connection becomes available. This aspect of the present disclosure has been discussed above with respect to  FIG. 7 . The operator of the remote server  900  is able to playback the recorded video data as has been previously described. 
     It will be appreciated that the disclosed methods, systems, and vehicles may vary from those depicted in the Figures and described herein. For example, the vehicle  100 , the control system  102 , and/or various components thereof may vary from that depicted in  FIG. 1  and described in connection therewith. It will similarly be appreciated that the graphical user interface may differ from that depicted in  FIG. 6 . Also, the arrangement of in-vehicle buttons  620  to  624  may differ from that depicted in  FIG. 9 . Further, it will be appreciated that the key fob or key fob app may differ from that shown in  FIG. 10 . In addition, it will be appreciated that certain steps of the processes may vary from those depicted in  FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 11  and/or described above in connection therewith. It will similarly be appreciated that certain steps of the methods described above may occur simultaneously or in a different order than that depicted in  FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 11  and/or described above in connection therewith. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.