Patent Publication Number: US-2023145572-A1

Title: Vehicle Security Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The disclosure relates to security devices and more particularly pertains to a new security device for recording surveillance footage of an area surrounding a vehicle and to facilitate remote communication between a driver of the vehicle and an individual near the vehicle. The device includes a plurality of camera units, a recording unit, a personal electronic device and a data sensor. The camera units are positioned at strategic locations around the vehicle and the camera units are in communication with the recording unit. The personal electronic device is in communication with the data sensor and the data sensor is in communication with an engine control module of the vehicle to facilitate the driver to monitor fault codes generated by the engine control module. 
     (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     The prior art relates to security devices including a variety of vehicle surveillance devices that each includes a plurality of digital cameras disposed at various locations on a vehicle. The prior art discloses a variety of vehicle security devices that includes a plurality of video cameras disposed on a vehicle and a personal electronic device that is in remote communication with the video cameras. In no instance does the prior art disclose a security device that includes video cameras, a personal electronic device a data sensor that is in communication with an engine control module of a vehicle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a vehicle and a plurality of camera units. Each of the camera units is coupled to the vehicle to record video footage of the immediate environment of the vehicle. The plurality of camera unit is positioned at strategic locations on the vehicle. A recording unit is positioned within the vehicle and the recording unit is in electrical communication with each of the camera units to record video footage captured by the camera units. A personal electronic device is positioned within the vehicle. A data sensor is provided which is placed in electrical communication with an engine computer module of the vehicle thereby facilitating the data sensor to receive diagnostic data from the engine computer module. Moreover, the data sensor is in communication with the personal electronic device to facilitate a driver of the vehicle to view the diagnostic data. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a vehicle security assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a camera unit of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a rear in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is an interior view of a vehicle of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a phantom in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS.  1  through  6    thereof, a new security device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  1  through  6   , the vehicle security assembly  10  generally comprises a vehicle  12  that has a pair of side mirrors  14 , a front end  16  and a back end  18 . The vehicle  12  may be a passenger vehicle, a cargo vehicle or any other type of motorized vehicle that is driven on public roadways. A plurality of camera units  20  is provided and each of the camera units  20  is coupled to the vehicle  12  to record video footage of the immediate environment of the vehicle  12 . Additionally, the plurality of camera units  20  is positioned at strategic locations on the vehicle  12 , including a respective one of the side mirrors  14 , the front end  16  of the vehicle  12  and the back end  18  of the vehicle  12 . In this way the plurality of camera units  20  can monitor blind spots with respect to a driver of the vehicle  12 . 
     Each of the camera units  20  comprises a camera housing  22  that has a forward wall  24 . The camera housing  22  is mounted to the vehicle  12  such that the forward wall  24  is directed in a strategic direction with respect to the vehicle  12 . Each of the camera units  20  includes a digital camera  26  that is integrated into the camera housing  22 , and the digital camera  26  includes a lens  28  that is integrated into the forward wall  24  to capture imagery related to the direction the forward wall  24  of the camera housing  22  is facing. Each of the camera units  20  includes a camera control circuit  30  that is integrated into the camera housing  22  and the digital camera  26  is electrically coupled to the camera control circuit  30 . Moreover the camera control circuit  30  is electrically coupled to a power source  29  comprising an electrical system  31  of the vehicle  12 . 
     Each of the camera units  20  includes a speaker  32  that is integrated into the camera housing  22  to emit audible sounds outwardly from the camera housing  22 , and the speaker  32  is electrically coupled to the camera control circuit  30 . Each of the camera units  20  includes a microphone  34  that is integrated into the camera housing  22  to capture audible sounds adjacent to the camera housing  22 , and the microphone  34  is electrically coupled to the camera control circuit  30 . Each of the camera units  20  includes a communication unit  36  that is integrated into the camera housing  22 . The communication unit  36  is electrically coupled to the camera control circuit  30  and the communication unit  36  broadcasts a communication signal comprising audio captured by the microphone  34  and video captured by the digital camera  26 . The plurality of camera units  20  includes a 360.0 degree camera  38  that includes a fish eye lens  40  to facilitate a 360.0 degree viewing angle. The 360.0 degree camera  38  may be positioned on within the cabin  42  of the vehicle  12  such that the 360.0 degree camera  38  can record video footage of the entirety of the cabin  42  of the vehicle  12 . 
     A recording unit  44  is provided and the recording unit  44  is positioned within the vehicle  12 . The recording unit  44  is in electrical communication with each of the camera units  20  thereby facilitating the recording unit  44  to record video footage captured by the camera units  20 . The recording unit  44  comprises a recorder housing  46  that is positioned in a trunk  48  of the vehicle  12  such that the recorder housing  46  is secured from unauthorized access. The recording unit  44  includes a recorder control circuit  50  that is integrated into the recorder housing  46  and the recorder control circuit  50  is in electrical communication with the communication unit  36  in each of the camera units  20 . 
     The recording unit  44  includes an electronic memory  52  that is positioned within the recorder housing  46  and the electronic memory  52  is electrically coupled to the recorder control circuit  50 . The electronic memory  52  receives video footage captured by the digital camera  26  in each of the camera units  20  and the electronic memory  52  receives audio captured by the microphone  34  in each of the camera units  20 . 
     The recording unit  44  includes a recorder transceiver  54  that is integrated into the recorder housing  46  and the recorder transceiver  54  is electrically coupled to the recorder control circuit  50 . The recorder transceiver  54  may comprise a radio frequency transceiver or the like which has an operational range of at least 50.0 feet. The recording unit  44  includes a power supply  56  that is integrated into the recorder housing  46 , the power supply  56  is electrically coupled to the recording control circuit and the power supply  56  comprises a rechargeable battery. The power supply  56  is in electrical communication with the communication unit  36  in each of the camera units  20  for supplying back up electrical power to each of the camera units  20  when the electrical system  31  of the vehicle  12  experiences a failure. A solar panel  58  is positionable on the vehicle  12  such that the solar panel  58  is configured to be exposed to sunlight. Furthermore, the solar panel  58  is electrically coupled to the power supply  56  in the recording unit  44  for charging the power supply  56  in the recording unit  44 . 
     As is most clearly shown in  FIG.  1   , the communication unit  36  in each of the camera units  20  may include a plurality of conductors  60  that are each electrically coupled to the camera control circuit  30  in a respective camera unit  20 . Respective ones of the conductors  60  may electrically coupled to the recorder control circuit  50  and respective ones of the conductors  60  may be electrically coupled to the electrical system  31  of the vehicle  12 . Additionally, the conductors  60  associated with each of the camera units  20  are routed behind trim panels and structural components of the vehicle  12  such that the conductors  60  are hidden from view. 
     As is most clearly shown in  FIG.  2   , the communication unit  36  may include a camera transceiver  62  that is electrically coupled to the camera control circuit  30  in a respective camera unit. The camera transceiver  62  may be in wireless communication with the recorder transceiver  54  and the camera transceiver  62  may broadcast the video footage and the audio footage to the recorder transceiver  54 . The camera transceiver  62  may comprise a radio frequency transceiver or the like, and each of the camera transceiver  62  and the recorder transceiver  54  may employ Bluetooth communication protocols. As is additionally most clearly shown in  FIG.  2   , each of the camera units  20  may include a card reader  64  that is recessed into the camera housing  22  which can insertably receive a data card for storing the audio footage and the video footage. 
     A personal electronic device  66  is provided and the personal electronic device  66  is positioned within the vehicle  12  to be accessible to a driver of the vehicle  12 . The personal electronic device  66  includes a receiver  68  and a touch screen display  70 . The receiver  68  is in wireless communication with the recorder transceiver  54  in the recording unit  44  such that the personal electronic device  66  is in communication with the speaker  32 , the digital camera  26  and the microphone  34  in each of the camera units  20 . The personal electronic device  66  has a data port  72  and the personal electronic device  66  may comprise a tablet, a smart phone or any other type of electronic device that has wireless communication capabilities and a touch screen display. 
     A data sensor  74  is provided which is placed in electrical communication with an engine computer module  76  of the vehicle  12  thereby facilitating the data sensor  74  to receive diagnostic data from the engine computer module  76 . The data sensor  74  is in communication with the personal electronic device  66  to facilitate the driver of the vehicle  12  to view the diagnostic data. Moreover, the data sensor  74  has an input port  78  and an output port  80 , and the input port  78  is matable to an on-board diagnostic port  82  of the vehicle  12 . The data sensor  74  may comprise an electronic on-board diagnostic device that complies with OBD 2 protocols. A data cable  84  is provided that has a first end  86  and a second end  88 ; a first plug  90  is electrically coupled to the first end  86  and a second plug  92  is electrically coupled to the second end  88 . The first plug  90  is matable to the output port  80  on the data sensor  74 . The second plug  92  is matable to the data port  72  on the personal electronic device  66 . 
     In use, each of the camera units  20  captures video footage of the immediate area around the vehicle  12  for security purposes. Additionally, the speaker  32  and the microphone  34  in each of the camera units  20  facilitate the driver to remotely communicate with an individual that is near the vehicle  12 . The recording unit  44  continually records the video footage and the audio footage captured by each of the camera units  20  for subsequent analysis by law enforcement, or other agency, in the event of theft or vandalism of the vehicle  12 . Additionally, the personal electronic device  66  facilitates the driver to view any diagnostic data that is received from the data sensor  74  for monitoring fault codes that are generated by the engine control module  76 . Moreover, the driver can monitor the vehicle when service is being performed on the vehicle at a service station, such as a mechanic&#39;s shop or a vehicle dealer, thereby facilitating the driver to ensure that service is performed properly. The personal electronic device may be wireless connected to the internet to facilitate video footage captured by the camera devices to be posted to social media sites, for example, or other hosting services on the internet. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.