Patent Publication Number: US-2021176393-A1

Title: Method and system for managing a recording device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/943,346 filed 4 Dec. 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth verbatim. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to recording device managing apparatuses that include computer programs, methods, apparatus, and systems for managing a recording device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recording devices are commonly used to record events of interest and preserve evidence. In particular, the law enforcement field depends on recording devices to preserve evidence (e.g., cameras and audio recorders). Dash-cams, hidden cameras, and personal recording devices can be worn to obtain crucial evidence. However, managing the underlying recording device remains problematic. 
     For example, recording devices often use different cues to start recording or require manual operation which can result in the devices failing to record at a crucial time. Manually managing recording devices can also be problematic if an officer forgets to start recording because he or she is distracted, which is common in dangerous situations. In courts, evidence typically must be corroborated or forensically verifiable, but this can be difficult based solely on the recorded content. Finally, organizing evidence is time-consuming and creates unnecessary work for police departments. 
     The solution of this disclosure resolves these and other problems in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the inventors of this disclosure have recognized that there is a need for the following solution. 
     In some examples, a sensor monitoring assembly is disclosed for use with a recording device. The sensor monitoring assembly can include a controller and a receiver in communication with the controller and operable to receive a first communication signal from a sensor. The sensor can be configured to transmit the first communication signal in response to detecting an event of interest. The sensor monitoring assembly can also include a transmitter in communication with the controller and operable to transmit a second communication signal to a recording device to cause the recording device to begin recording data. The controller can be configured to cause the transmitter to transmit the second communication signal to the recording device in response to the receiver having received the first communication signal. 
     The controller can be further configured to periodically scan, with the receiver, for the first communication signal to determine presence of the sensor in an activated state within an operating range of the sensor monitoring assembly. The controller can also be configured to periodically scan, with the receiver, for a third communication signal from the recording device to determine presence of the recording device within an operating range of the sensor monitoring assembly. As an example, the controller can be further configured to periodically scan for the first communication signal at least every three seconds and the controller can be configured to periodically scan for the third communication signal at least every thirty seconds. 
     The controller can be further configured to, in response to determining that a connection between the recording device and the sensor monitoring assembly is interrupted, periodically transmit, with the transmitter over a predetermined time interval, a fourth communication signal to reestablish a connection between the recording device and the sensor monitoring assembly. The controller can also be configured to periodically scan, with the receiver, for a predetermined Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon associated with the recording device, and, in response to detecting a presence of the predetermined BLE beacon, link the recording device with the sensor monitoring assembly. 
     In some examples the sensor monitoring assembly can include a controller including at least one receiver and a transmitter, wherein the at least one receiver is operable to receive a first communication signal from at least one sensor transmitting an output signal, wherein the transmitter is operable to transmit a second communication signal to a recording device to instruct the recording device to begin recording data, wherein the transmitter transmits the second communication signal to the recording device in response to the receiver having received the first communication signal from the at least one sensor transmitting an output signal. 
     In some examples, the assembly comprises a beacon device configured to activate the recording device. 
     In some examples, at least one sensor is configured to detect an event of interest to transmit the output signal, and wherein detecting the event of interest by the at least one sensor causes the second communication signal to begin recording. 
     In some examples, the event of interest comprises at least one of door movement, window movement, a garage door opening, movement of a mailbox, activation of a siren, disconnection of the recording device from a connector or mount, disconnection of the recording device from an officer, turning off a vehicle, turning on the vehicle, movement of a vehicle trunk, a sudden change in movement, and a sudden change in sound. 
     In some examples, the assembly consists of only one recording device configured for wear by a police officer, the recording device being a body camera. 
     In some examples, the assembly consists of only one transmitter. 
     In some examples, the recording device is configured to operatively communicate with the sensor monitoring assembly within a predetermined range. 
     In some examples, the predetermined range is approximately 200 feet. 
     In some examples, the predetermined range is approximately 25 feet. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly is contained in a computer with a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) in the housing, a FT232 USB connector in communication with the PCB, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module in communication with the PCB, a wireless (WI-FI) communication module in communication with the PCB. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a receiver capable of receiving Bluetooth Low Energy communication signals. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a receiver capable of receiving Wi-Fi communication signals. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a receiver capable of receiving communication signals through a Universal Serial Bus connection. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a transmitter capable of transmitting Blue Tooth Low Energy communication signals. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a transmitter capable of transmitting Wi-Fi communication signals. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a recording device which is a camera worn by an individual. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a recording device which is a camera mounted on a vehicle. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a recording device which is a camera mounted to monitor a premises. 
     In some examples, the assembly includes a recording device which is an internet service with a receiving application programming interface. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly is operable to scan for the first communication signal at least every three seconds. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly is operable to scan at least every thirty seconds for a third communication signal being transmitted by the recording device to ensure the recording device is in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly communicates only with a device having a predetermined service set identifier. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly is operable to communicate with more than one recording device at a time. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly is operable to maintain a log of events. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly comprises a laptop computer. 
     In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly comprises a printed circuit board housed within an enclosure. 
     In some examples, a system is disclosed consisting of a sensor assembly according to any preceding example; and a recording device, wherein the sensor assembly transmits a beacon signal at least every thirty seconds to ensure the recording device is in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly. 
     The disclosed technology can also include a method of automatically managing a recording device to record data. The method can include scanning, by a sensor monitoring assembly, for a first communication signal to determine presence of a recording device within an operating range of the sensor monitoring assembly; scanning, by a sensor monitoring assembly, for a second communication signal to determine presence of a sensor in an activated state within an operating range of the sensor monitoring assembly; and transmitting, by a sensor monitoring assembly, a third communication signal to instruct the recording device to begin recording data. The sensor monitoring assembly can automatically transmit the third communication signal in response to having received a second communication signal from at least one sensor. 
     The method can also include repeatedly scanning for the first communication signal periodically over a time interval until the presence of the recording device is detected. The time interval can be approximately 30 seconds. 
     The method can also include, if a connection is disrupted between the recording device and the sensor monitoring assembly, repeatedly transmitting over a second time interval, a third communication signal to reestablish a connection between the recording device and the sensor monitoring assembly. The second time interval can be approximately 3 seconds. Scanning, by the sensor monitoring assembly, for the second communication signal can include repeatedly scanning for the second communication signal periodically over a time interval (e.g., approximately 3 seconds) until the presence of a sensor in an activated state is detected. 
     The automatically transmitting, by the sensor monitoring assembly, the third communication signal in response to having received a second communication signal from at least one sensor can include detecting, by the at least one sensor, an event of interest, and recording data, by the recording device, in response to detecting the event of interest. The event of interest can be at least one of door movement, window movement, a garage door opening, movement of a mailbox, activation of a siren, disconnection of the recording device from a connector or mount, disconnection of the recording device from an officer, turning off a vehicle, turning on the vehicle, movement of a vehicle trunk, a sudden change in movement, and a sudden change in sound. The event of interest can also be a vehicle door or trunk has moved, the recording device disconnecting from a charger or a mount, a vehicle siren being activated, a sudden movement, and/or a noise exceeding a predetermined decibel level. 
     The method can further include determining presence of the recording device by monitoring for predetermined Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons associated with the recording device and, upon detection of the predetermined BLE, linking the recording device with the sensor monitoring assembly. The method can also include transmitting an output notification indicating one or more sensors of the sensor monitoring assembly have been activated. 
     The method can determine presence of the recording device by monitoring for predetermined voltage activity associated with the recording device transmitting voltage output signals and, upon detection of the predetermined voltage activity, linking the recording device with the sensor monitoring assembly. The method can also include transmitting an output notification indicating one or more sensors of the sensor monitoring assembly have been activated. 
     The method can also include activating the recording device, upon receipt of the first communication signal, and registering an identifier of the recording device into a local sensor database file. 
     The at least one sensor can be configured to detect door movement, window movement, a garage door opening, movement of a mailbox. The first and second communication signal can be a Bluetooth Low Energy communication signal, a Wi-Fi communication signal, a signal sent via a Universal Serial Bus connection 
     The recording device is a camera worn by an individual, a camera mounted on a vehicle, a camera mounted to monitor a premises, and/or an internet service with a receiving application programming interface. 
     The sensor monitoring assembly can be configured to communicate only with a device having a predetermined service set identifier or more than one recording device at a time. The sensor monitoring assembly can be operable to maintain a log of events and can be a laptop computer and/or a printed circuit board housed within an enclosure. 
     The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter described herein, it is believed the subject matter will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the disclosure. The figures depict one or more implementations of the inventive devices, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a recording device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a body-worn recording device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of an exemplary system with multiple recording devices, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a laptop, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a component diagram of an exemplary sensor monitoring assembly, according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a logic diagram of a method of managing an exemplary system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of an example user interface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a recording device combined with a controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a recording device and sensor combined with a controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The features of the presently disclosed solution may be economically molded or assembled by using one or more distinct parts and associated components which, may be assembled together for removable or integral application. Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other scientific terms or terminology used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. 
     In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, application, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.” As used herein, the term “user”, “subject”, “end-user” or the like is not limited to a specific entity or person. 
     In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, “about” or “approximately” may refer to the range of values 20% of the recited value, e.g. “about 90%” may refer to the range of values from 71% to 99%. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a recording device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary system can comprise a sensor  120 , a sensor monitoring assembly  100 , and a recording device  130 . The sensor monitoring assembly can comprise a controller  102 , a receiver  104 , and a transmitter  106 . The recording device  130  and the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be in communication with each other via a first communication signal  140  and a third communication signal  144 . The sensor  120  and the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be in communication with each other via a second communication signal  142 . The components and arrangements shown in  FIG. 1  are not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments as the components used to implement the disclosed processes and features may vary. 
     In some examples, the sensor  120  can be any type of sensor used to detect a desired event. For example, the sensor can be configured to sense motion, capacitance, temperature, voltage, impact, or any other predetermined event. If the sensor  120  is configured to sense motion, the sensor  120  can be designated to detect a specific event, such as a garage door opening, a house door opening, a car pulling into a driveway, a mailbox being opened, window movement, or any other predetermined event. Or the sensor  120  can be configured to sense any number of events depending on where the camera is placed. For example, if the sensor  120  is intended to be carried to various locations by the user, the sensor  120  can be configured by the user to detect an event of interest specific to that location. Furthermore, the sensor  120  can be physically integrated with the recording device  130  or it can be separate and distinct from the recording device  130 . 
     Although only one sensor  120  is shown in  FIG. 1 , it is contemplated that more than one sensor  120  can be connected to the sensor monitoring assembly  100  and configured to indicate when any number of events of interest have occurred. Thus, in some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be connected to multiple sensors  120 , all positioned at different locations around an area of interest, so that the recording device  130  can be instructed to begin recording when any one of the sensors  120  is activated. 
     The sensor  120  can be configured to be in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100  in various ways, including both wired and wireless type connections. For example, if the sensor  120  is in wireless communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , the sensor  120  can be configured to send a Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ low-energy (BLE), Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, infrared, radio frequency, or any other appropriate type of wireless communication for the application. In some examples of the present disclosure, the sensor  120  is a beacon device in wireless communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100  via a BLE signal. Throughout this disclosure, the term “beacon” and “beacon device” are used interchangeably and intended to mean a wireless transmitting device which periodically transmits (transmits repeatedly with predetermined amounts of time between transmissions) a signal to communicate with another device, such as the sensor monitoring assembly or a recording device. The term “beacon device” can include a device which transmits any form of a signal such as Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ low-energy (BLE), Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, infrared, radio frequency, or any other appropriate type of wireless communication for the application. 
     Furthermore, if the sensor  120  is in wired communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , sensor  120  can be configured to send a signal through a USB, HDMI, Ethernet, twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optic, hard-wired, or any other appropriate form of cable for the application. For example, in some examples of the present disclosure, the sensor  120 , in wired communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , can send a signal via a FT232 USB cable. 
     The sensor monitoring assembly  100  can comprise a receiver  104 , a controller  102 , and a transmitter  106 . The various components of the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be contained in the same housing or can be various interconnected parts not contained in the same housing. As will be appreciated, the receiver  104  and the transmitter  106  can be separate components, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , or can be combined into a single component such as a transceiver. Furthermore, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be configured to be portable or stationary, battery-operated, waterproof, dustproof, impact resistant, camouflaged, or any other modification which would be appropriate for the application. 
     The receiver  104  can be configured to receive wireless communication transmissions or signals sent via a wired connection. For example, the receiver  104  can be configured to receive wireless communications from the sensor  120  via Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ low-energy (BLE), Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, infrared, radio frequency, or any other appropriate type of wireless communication for the application. Alternatively, if the receiver  104  is configured to receive communication signals sent via a wired connection, receiver  104  can be configured to receive a signal sent via USB, HDMI, Ethernet, twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optic, a hard-wired, or any other appropriate form of cable for the application. For example, the receiver  104  can be configured to receive a signal through a FT232 USB cable from a Mobile Digital Video Recorder (MDVR) which is wired to send an output voltage when an event occurs (e.g., powering on the MDVR). Thus, a 5-volt signal sent via the FT232 USB cable would be received by the receiver  104  and used by the controller  102  to direct the recording device  130  to begin recording. 
     The receiver  104  can be configured to receive communication signals at various distances depending on the particular application. For example, the receiver  104  can be configured to receive a signal within an operating range of up to 200 feet. Alternatively, the receiver  104  can be configured to receive a signal up to 25 feet. The actual range can vary depending on the particular application and configuration. 
     The transmitter  106  can be configured to send wireless transmissions, wired transmissions, or both. For example, the transmitter  106  can be configured to send wireless transmissions via Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ low-energy (BLE), Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, infrared, radio frequency, or any other appropriate type of wireless communication for the application. The transmitter  106  can also be configured to transmit a signal over a wired connection such as a USB, HDMI, Ethernet, twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optic, a hard-wired, or any other form of wired connection appropriate for the application. In some examples, the transmitter  106  is configured to send communication signals via BLE. In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter  106  is configured to send communication signals via Wi-Fi™. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter  106  can be configured to send communication signals via a FT232 USB cable. In still another embodiment, the same transmitter  106  can be configured to transmit various forms of communication signals interchangeably, including Wi-Fi™, BLE, and USB. The specific configuration of the transmitter  106  may vary depending on the particular application. 
     The transmitter  106  can be configured to transmit communication signals at various distances depending on the particular application. For example, the transmitter  106  can be configured to transmit a signal over several miles, one mile, 1,000 feet, 500 feet, 250 feet, 100 feet, 50 feet, 25, 10 feet or 5 feet. These ranges are given merely for illustration purposes and the actual range can vary depending on the particular application and configuration. 
     The controller  102  can be any form of computing device configured to receive a signal, determine a necessary action based on having received the signal, and then transmit a signal to instruct a recording device  130  to begin recording an event. For example, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be a laptop computer running a windows operating system which would perform the function of the controller  102 . Alternatively, the controller  102  can be a printed circuit board (PCB) capable of running Python or .net Framework software. The actual configuration and function of the controller  102  may vary depending on the particular application. In some examples, the controller  102  is a laptop computer configured to detect a second communication signal  142  received by the receiver  104  from the sensor  120 , make a determination based on having received the second communication signal  142 , and then output to the transmitter  106  to transmit a third communication signal  144  to a recording device  130  to instruct the recording device  130  to begin recording. 
     In some examples, the controller  102  is configured to determine the presence of a recording device  130  by monitoring for a predetermined voltage activity associated with the recording device. Once the predetermined voltage activity has been detected by the controller  102 , the controller  102  then links to the recording device  130  to ensure the recording device is in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 . In another example, the controller  102  is configured to detect the presence of a wireless communication signal from a recording device  130  that is a beacon device within a predetermined range. Once the controller  102  detects the presence of the beacon device&#39;s signal, the controller  102  connects with the beacon device to ensure the recording device  130  is in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 . 
     In another embodiment, the controller  102  can be configured to frequently check for communication signals from the recording device  130  and the sensor  120 . For example, the controller  102  can scan for a first communication signal  140  from a recording device  130  to ensure the recording device  130  remains connected and available for recording when demanded. The scanning for the recording device  130  can be done automatically or manually by a user (e.g., depressing a button on the recording device  130  or elsewhere on the sensor monitoring assembly  100 ). Furthermore, automatic scanning for the recording device  130  can occur on a frequency of once every few minutes or as often as multiple times a second while the manual scanning for the recording device can occur as frequently as initiated by the user. Similarly, the controller  102  can scan for a second communication signal  142  from a sensor  120  either automatically or manually to determine if a sensor  120  has been actuated. The automatic scanning for the sensor  120  can occur on a frequency of once every few minutes or as often as multiple times a second while the manual scanning for the sensor  120  can occur as frequently as initiated by the user. 
     Furthermore, the scanning for either the sensor  120  or the recording device  130  can be configured to change depending on whether a sensor  120  or recording device  130  has recently been detected. For example, the controller  102  can be configured to scan for the presence of a recording device  130  once every thirty seconds so long as a recording device  130  is detected as present. However, the controller  102  can alter the frequency of scanning to scan once every three seconds if it is unable to detect the presence of a recording device  130  and continue at that frequency until a recording device  130  is detected. The foregoing examples are given only for illustration purposes and the actual configuration and function of the controller  102  will depend on the particular application. 
     In an example of the present disclosure, the controller  102  can be configured to scan for a first communication signal  140  at least once every thirty seconds to ensure the recording device  130  is in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 . The controller  102  can also be configured to scan for a second communication signal  142  at least once every 5 seconds to check if a sensor  120  has been activated. The controller  102 , upon determining that the sensor  120  has been activated, can then send a third communication signal  144  to the recording device  130  to instruct the recording device  130  to begin recording. 
     The controller  102  can additionally be configured to scan for recording devices  130  having specific service set identifiers (SSIDs). For example, the controller  102  can be configured to scan and connect with recording devices  130  which have a specific SSID name or to connect with the first recording device  130  having a SSID beginning with certain characters. Thus, a user may have multiple recording devices  130  having SSIDs beginning with the same characters but the controller  102  only connects with the first recording device  130  which it detects having a SSID beginning with certain characters. 
     The controller  102  can also be configured to send, by the transmitter  106 , a notification that a sensor  120  has been activated. The notification can be sent to any connected device which would provide a notice to a user. For example, the controller  102  can send, by the transmitter  106 , a notification to a user&#39;s mobile phone, computer, car, or any other connected device as would be appropriate for the application to notify the user that a sensor  120  has been activated. 
     The sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be further configured to record a log of events as they occur. For example, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can begin recording time stamps of when a sensor  120  was activated and when the recording device  130  was instructed to begin recording. The sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be further configured to record additional data for the log of events as is appropriate for the particular application. 
     The recording device  130  can be any form of recording device used to record an event. For example, the recording device  130  can be a video recorder (such as a body worn camera, a camera mounted to monitor a home, an automobile camera, etc.), a sound recorder (such as a microphone mounted in a discreet location or in a location of interest), a temperature recorder, a seismic recorder, a radiation recorder, a voltage recorder, an acceleration recorder, or any other recording device used to capture data of interest during an event. Alternatively, the recording device can be configured to be an internet service with a receiving application programming interface (API). In some examples, the recording device  130  is a camera worn by an individual, including law enforcement officers, and is configured to begin recording when it has received a signal from the sensor monitoring assembly  100  that a sensor  120  has been activated. In other examples, the recording device  130  is a camera worn by an individual, including law enforcement officers, and is configured to begin recording when it has received a signal from the sensor monitoring assembly  100  that the MDVR has been powered on or that an alarm has been detected in the vehicle. 
     The recording device  130  can also be activated when an event has occurred that would indicate the recording device  130  should begin recording. Such activation triggering events can include disconnecting the recording device  130  from the charger, disconnecting the recording device  130  from a mount in a vehicle, disconnecting the recording device  130  from a responding officer, opening or closing a car door, opening or closing a trunk, turning on the vehicle siren, turning off the vehicle, placing the recording device  130  into a designated mount, a sudden change in movement as detected from one or more sensors (e.g., motion activated), a loud noise such as a notice exceeding a predetermined decibel level (e.g., noise activated), or any other event which would be indicate to the recording device  130  that it should begin recording. Particularly, the foregoing examples would be relevant to a law enforcement officer so that he or she does not need to remember to turn on the recording device prior to responding to an event because the recording device  130  will automatically activate. 
     The actual configuration of the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can vary depending on the particular application. For example, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can comprise a controller  102  which is a printed circuit board, a receiver  104  which is configured to receive communication signals from sensors  120  over a FT232 USB connector, and two separate wireless communication receivers  104  and transmitters  106  configured to receive and send BLE or Wi-Fi™ communication signals respectively. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a body-worn recording device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Other components shown in  FIG. 2 , including a sensor  120 , a sensor monitoring assembly  100 , a controller  102 , a receiver  104 , a transmitter  106 , a first communication signal  140 , a second communication signal  142 , and a third communication signal  144 , have been previously discussed. The actual configuration of the various components can vary depending on the particular application. 
     The body-worn camera  200 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , is a specific application of a recording device  130  as previously discussed. The body-worn camera  200  can be any type of body-worn camera as would be appropriate for the application and can be in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100  through a wireless or a wired connection. For example, if the body-worn camera  200  is in wireless communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , the body-worn camera  200  can be configured to communicate over a Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ low-energy (BLE), Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, infrared, radio frequency, or any other appropriate type of wireless communication for the application. In some examples of the present disclosure, body-worn camera  200  is a beacon device in wireless communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100  and can send a BLE signal. Furthermore, if the body-worn camera  200  is in wired communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , it can be configured to send a signal through a USB, HDMI, Ethernet, twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optic, a hard-wired, or any other appropriate form of cable for the application. For example, in some examples of the present disclosure, body-worn camera  200 , in wired communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , can send a signal via a FT232 USB cable. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of an exemplary system with multiple recording devices  130 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be configured to communicate simultaneously with multiple recording devices  130 . As with the above described examples which connect with only a single recording device, the sensor monitoring assembly in this embodiment only instructs the multiple recording devices  130  to begin recording when it has received a signal from a sensor  120  or when manually instructed to do so. Therefore, the multiple recording devices  130  are all configured to respond to a signal from the sensor monitoring assembly  100  only when a sensor  120  has been actuated or when manually instructed to do so. The sensor  120  can be any form of sensor as previously described. The recording devices  130  can all be the same type of recording device or a combination of several different types of recording devices. For example, in some examples, a sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be connected to multiple recording devices  130  which are all body-worn cameras worn by multiple individuals. Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be connected to multiple recording devices  130  which are different types of recording devices. For example, the multiple recording devices  130  can comprise a combination of a body-worn camera, a vehicle-mounted camera, a temperature sensor, an audio recording device, and an accelerometer. Thus, multiple aspects of a given event can be recorded simultaneously. For example, the just described combination of recording devices would give law enforcement officers multiple sets of data to consider when reviewing an event which occurred while on patrol, such as a vehicle crashing into a police vehicle during a traffic stop. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a laptop, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can be a laptop  400  configured to function as the sensor monitoring assembly  100 . In some examples, the laptop  400  is configured to be in communication with the sensor  120  and the recording device  130  via built-in or add-on wireless and wired connections. For example, the sensor  120  and the recording device  130  can be in communication with the laptop  400  through a USB, a Bluetooth™, or a Wi-Fi™ connection. Furthermore, the laptop  400  can be configured to run a Windows™ program, or any other operating system program, which performs the function of the sensor monitoring assembly  100 . The actual configuration of the laptop  400  can be modified for the specific application. 
       FIG. 5  is a component diagram of a controller, according to the present disclosure. As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the sensor monitoring assembly  100  can comprise a housing  502 , a PCB  504 , a USB connection  506 , a BLE connection  508 , and a Wi-Fi™ connection  510 . These various connections can be both a receiver  104  and a transmitter  106  as would be appropriate for the specific application. The exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5  is shown merely for illustration purposes and the actual configuration may vary depending on the specific application. 
       FIG. 6  is a logic diagram of an exemplary system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some examples, the sensor monitoring assembly  100  scans  602  for a first communication signal  140  to determine the presence of a recording device  130 . The scanning  602  can occur periodically to ensure the recording device  130  remains in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 . For example, scanning  602  periodically can include repeatedly determining if the recording device  130  is in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , waiting a predetermined length of time, and once again determining if the recording device  130  is in communication with the sensor monitoring assembly  100 . The predetermined length of time can be a few minutes, a few seconds, or multiple times a second. For example, the predetermined length of time between scans can be approximately 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 15, seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second, two times a second, five times a second, ten times a second, fifty times a second, hundreds of times a second, etc., depending on the particular application. The scanning can be for a wireless connection, such as BLE, or Wi-Fi™, or the scanning can be for a wired connection, such as a USB connection. The sensor monitoring assembly  100  then scans  604  for a second communication signal  142  to determine the presence of sensor  120  in an activated state. The scanning  604  can occur periodically or continuously to monitor for a sensor  120  in an activated state. The scanning  604  can be for a wireless connection, such as BLE, or Wi-Fi™, or the scanning  604  can be for a wired connection, such as a USB connection. Once a sensor  120  is in an activated state, the sensor monitoring assembly  100 , upon receiving a signal from a sensor  120  in an activated state  606 , transmits  608  a third communication signal  144  to a recording device  130 . The recording device  130  then begins to record  610  an event of interest. The sequence of events in  FIG. 6  is given merely for illustration purposes and the actual sequence performed by the sensor monitoring assembly may vary depending on the specific application. 
       FIG. 7  is an example user interface  702  which can be used to manage the sensor monitoring assembly  100  but should not be construed as a limiting example because the user interface  702  can be designed in many different configurations for different applications and user preferences. In particular, the user interface  702  is depicted as being configured to manage a recording device  130  via a Wi-Fi connection and/or BLE connection. The user interface  702  is not so limited and can be applicable to other wired or wireless communication signals, including those wired or wireless communication signals described herein. The user interface  702  can be displayed directly on a built-in screen or remotely on a separate screen and can show which one or more recording devices  130  are available for connection. The user interface  702  can identify the recording device  130  by its wireless network, media access control address (MAC address), or other identifying information which can show which recording devices  130  are available. The user interface  702  can also allow for the user to select which recording device  130  to connect to and include command buttons which allow the sensor monitoring assembly  100  to refresh and continue searching for available recording devices  130 , connect to available recording devices  130 , and disconnect from a connected recording device  130 . The user interface  702  can also include command buttons which instruct the recording device  130  to start and stop recording when a recording device  130  is connected. The user interface  702  can also show the status of a pending action or command as well as adapter information if an adapter is used. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of an exemplary system  800  with a recording device  130  combined with a controller  102 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, by combining the recording device  130  with the controller  102  to form the recording system  800 , the disclosed technology can be a compact device that can be configured to record an event of interest. As depicted in  FIG. 8 , in some examples the recording device  130  can be combined with the controller  102  to form a recording system  800 . The recording system  800  can be in communication with the sensor  120  and can be configured to begin recording once the receiver  104  receives a communication signal from the sensor  120 . Furthermore, the recording system  800  can include a transmitter  106  that can be configured to transmit data from the recording system  800 . Each of the components depicted in  FIG. 8  can be or include the same elements and attributes of like components as previously described herein. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of an exemplary system with a recording device and sensor combined with a controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, by combining the recording device  130  and the sensor  120  with the controller  102  to form the recording system  900 , the disclosed technology can be a compact device that can be configured to record an event of interest. As depicted in  FIG. 9 , in some examples the recording device  130  and the sensor  120  can both be combined with the controller  102  to form a recording system  900 . The recording system  900  can thus be configured to begin recording once the sensor  120  detects an event of interest. Furthermore, the recording system  800  can include a transmitter  106  that can be configured to transmit data from the recording system  800  and a receiver  104  configured to receive data from a device in communication with the recording system  900 . Each of the components depicted in  FIG. 9  can be or include the same elements and attributes of like components as previously described herein. 
     In some examples, the sensor  120  of the recording system  900  can be a global positioning system (GPS) sensor that can be used to determine a location of the recording system  900  and, based on the speed of the recording system  900  as indicated by the GPS signal (e.g., falling down, driving, running, or otherwise moving, etc.), the controller  102  can determine that an event of interest should be recorded and output a signal to the recording device  130  to begin recording. 
     The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. It is also contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination(s). 
     Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments. 
     What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.