I-WITNESS

DISPOSITIF « I-WITNESS »

English Abstract

The present invention relates to a unique digital video capturing device
primarily
intended for automotive use. The device is unique in that it is constantly
recording one or
more video signals, while external power is applied from the vehicle's power.
The
recording is terminated by an internal impact switch, or by manually
depressing a stop
switch. Activation of either trigger device will cause the recording to
continue for a
predetermined amount of time and then automatically stop, saving the complete
loop of
video data to non-volatile memory. The device has provisions for a removable
solid state
media chip, as well as an internal non-removable memory chip. Internal back-up
power
is provided, in the event of a collision that disabled vehicle power. In
integrated version
could be built into the vehicle's interior rear-view mirror, and be powered
through the
ignition switch. Video capture can occur from a forward facing sensor or a
pair of
opposing sensors for an expanded view.

Claims

We claim:

1. A device which will continuously record a digital video signal to an
internal, non-
volatile memory chip and optionally, a removable memory card, from one or
more internal video capture sources, for the primary purpose of recording the
actual events of an automobile accident or other unusual events.

2. The device as claimed in claim one will be fastened to the interior of an
automobile or other vehicle, in a location which presents a clear view of the
path
of the automobile, ideally, attached to or mounted inside the rear view
mirror.

3. The device as claimed in claim one will contain an impact (shut-off) switch
and
electronic timer, for the purpose of terminating the video recording process a
short time after the switch is triggered, capturing events leading to the time
of
triggering and a short time after the triggering. The purpose of this
terminating of
the recording will be to preserve a video record of the events that caused the
impact switch to trigger.

4. The device as claimed in claim one will also contain a manual trigger to
preserve
any unusual event that would not cause the impact sensor to trigger the
device.
This process would be similar to that described in claim three, above.

5. The device as claimed in claim one will contain one forward facing video
capture
sensor an optionally contain an additional rear-facing sensor to increase the
video
coverage area.

6. The device as claimed in claim one will contain an internal, short term
power
supply, sufficient to complete the shut down process described in claim three,
in
the event that external power is disengaged due to impact.

7. The device as claimed in claim one, in its portable form, will attach to
the vehicle
at a good vantage point and obtain power through an external power cord that
plugs into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket. Optionally, a model can be
directly
housed within the rear view minor of the vehicle and hard wired into the
ignition
circuit.

Description

CA 02469728 2004-06-02
Description:
A small 12 volt digital cameralrecorder that records an endless loop of data
in 5 or 10
minute increments. The data would be overwritten on the internal memory but
would be
copied to a removable memory device (s.d. memory or c.f. memory) in the event
of an
accident or by manual activation. 'The unit would be mounted to the rear view
mirror as
an aftermarket device, or built in as an OEM unit. The unit would be forward
facing,
incorporating a low light image capturing device, with the possibility of dual
capturing
devices fcing in opposite directions.
Features:
Dual download using push button or crash sensor. Both allow some time to
elapse before
downloading.
Backup battery or high value cap to complete download in the event of car
battery failure.
SD or similar memory card for download
Single and Dual input sensor models
Possibility of a personal device that can be worn or attached to bike
Format could be avi or some other compresed video.
Ideal record time would be 10 minutes with a shut off delay of 1 minute.
Uses:
Record accidents and near misses as they really happened, thus reducing court
costs and
the need to hunt down witnesses.
Reduce aggressive driving (once established) since the touch of a button will
store the
past 5 minutes of events.
Serve as a tool to report erratic or offensive driving.
Future potential:
Personal version for the feeling of added security
Automotive version can incorporate data like speed and direction.
Bicycle and motorcycle version
Mufti angle view version