The present invention relates to discrete stand-alone vehicle sun-visor mounted apparatus for recording in the background a video-image of a journey including a possible vehicle incident, to an improved vehicle -based portable hand-holdable multi- application digital camera with video recorder function, and to enhancements for a standard digital camera for in-vehicle journey and event related use.

Digital cameras including video-image recording devices are well known and have been used for many years by both amateur and professional recordists to capture family, friends and professionally staged image data. However having a camera readily available while away from the home and/or missing an important event because the user has not pressed the recording or photo button ahead of the event are limitations on virtually every design.

In addition, standard digital cameras with video recording capabilities as we know and use today cannot easily, effectively and/or legally be used in vehicles unless physically held and operated by a passenger and without detrimentally impacting the driver's view. This is especially true for video recording a journey and/or an event such as a road accident, not least because standard digital cameras lack the functionality of specialist vehicle event recorders.

In addition, standard digital cameras with video recording capabilities are often limited by the fact they record in landscape capture mode, where the longest of the two dimensions is the length. This is a severe video recording limitation as it effectively prevents the camera being held at a 90 degree angle as is common with still photography and as may be required in certain video applications, such as in-vehicle use. A standard digital camera can be held at 90 degrees to produce still photos in portrait capture mode, where the longest dimension is the height, and where the image subject can easily be subsequently orientated correctly. But taking images, especially video, with a camera held at a 90 degree angle for other reasons such as special vehicle applications is totally impractical if not unsuitable as post manipulation of the orientation of video is difficult and the user may desire a landscape capture but have little or no choice but to hold the camera at 90 degrees.

Also, surveillance video recording apparatus of many types including property, street, traffic, vehicle and other cameras are also very well known. These generally make use of so called "looped" video recordings where unplanned events and incidents are recorded as a matter of course and can be subsequently be replayed, viewed and managed. However these tend to be expensive, complex, specialized multi-component devices, ill-suited for flexible multi-application and/or multi-location use and/or mass market adoption. Apparatus, such as event recorders, may be expensive partly due to the fact they often use complex proprietary video formats or complex software to be able to use industry standard formats in order to flag, portion off and then manage event video segments. Furthermore, so called "vehicle event recorders" normally cannot easily and/or quickly if at all be moved from vehicle to vehicle, as many integrate with components of the vehicle such as the air bag controller and/or require specialist installation. They also generally require permanent connection to an external power source, normally the vehicle's electrical system. On top of this, in many countries vehicle event recorders require special legislation or licensing to be used legally as their components almost invariably partly obscure the driver's road view and/or are distracting. The use of vehicle event recorders in many cases is therefore potentially dangerous and/or illegal.

Although it has also been known to incorporate simplified, less complex, stand-alone video-image devices into a vehicle to record an incident, these are not practical. For example, GB2465970 suggests window mounting a camera which can be operated by a decelerometer. Such methods however do not solve the problem of recording an entire incident, since energising a camera solely when sharp deceleration takes place is not preemptive and/or are not reliably quick enough to actually capture the preceding and initially occurring events.

Additionally, although GB246597 also provides for loop recording, the solar panel aspect of GB246597 that allows it to be stand-alone would either provide insufficient electrical output to maintain power for the lens, logic and recording components thereof for continuous loop recording if the solar panel was anywhere near the very small illustration size. Conversely, if the solar panel was made larger to provide sufficient power, this would render the entire device too large and/or cumbersome within the windscreen/dash area for its stated use.

In addition, many vehicle event recorders are designed for just that, even though they utilize loop recording technology. That is, vehicle event recorders forsake the non-event video they record, or otherwise make it difficult for the user to extract such non-event data, simply concentrating on providing and/or presenting event video often in a proprietary way. However, some road users may well prefer the easy opportunity of downloading certain segments of their journey onto their PC in an industry standard video format, for example, showing driving habits of other road users and/or objects or matters exterior to the vehicle. Specialist video event recorders generally make these extra non-event uses difficult or impossible.

With regard to siting equipment, it has also been known for potentially stand-alone electronic apparatus such as navigation devices to be integrated into, over and/or in conjunction with vehicle sun visors, such as EP0755827, DE102007029899 and JP2004136837. However these particular disclosures are all for navigation systems, not video-image recording apparatus. Although JP2004136837 has a generic camera lens option, it is solely for unspecified navigation enhancement, not least as no video storage element is cited.

In addition, all three disclosures are predominantly concerned with the cabin side of a vehicle sun visor, providing as they all do an LCD or similar viewing screen which may be unlawful in some countries. The same legal issues that apply to visor mounted TV screens/DVD players in many countries therefore occur. What is more, all three disclosures would replace, cover or interfere with any occupant side sun visor mirror and/or vanity light. Also, whereas one of the disclosures EP0755827 has a preferred configuration with a solar panel option, such photovoltaic implementation would require a large hole to be specially cut out of the visor for the entire apparatus housing, as it is part of the same housing that provides a LCD viewing screen on the cabin side.

Furthermore, although sun visor related disclosures, such as JP2004136837, state they are able to be easily moved from one vehicle and used in another vehicle, they fail to take into account the varied physical characteristics of many if not most sun visors in order to be able to achieve this. For example, in addition to any conflict with vanity mirrors and lights, JP2004136837's illustrated physical shape and dimensions would not actually allow it to fit over most sun visors, as the gap between the visor and vehicle roof interior is often very limited. In addition, many sun visors use two not one roof suspension rods/bars/sockets, which would make the likes of JP2004136837 virtually impossible to mount due to the resultant visor/roof confined space and restricted visor angle flexibility. In many visor cases, you simply cannot position the visor to be able to slide the device onto it. Wrap around mounting type variations, such as with EP0755827 in Figure 10 simply would not be able to fix over a visor's second suspension rod/bar/socket. It has been known for dedicated/specialist vehicle event recorder arrangements to provide for the use of a vehicle's sun visor for individual component mounting purposes, such as in US2008/0239077. However, as US2008/0239077 and other similar disclosures are for multi-component and/or integrated solutions, and because they make no cited provision for being discreet in the safety and legal senses, their use of the sun visor is therefore only partial and do not solve the issues of cost, portability, legality and safety. In reality, such generic provisions for multi-component recorders partly using sun visors are uninventive and impractical. For example, if the visor were solely used, as is most likely, to mount the lens, an installer would need to cable across or around the windscreen area to connect to other components and a suitable power source. It may be possible to utilise a wireless device to deliver the video stream data to the data processing component elsewhere in the vehicle, but the number of components are increased and reliability over that of a wired video data feed is reduced. Photovoltaic cells could also be used to power the lens and/or wireless device, but the installation then becomes increasingly complex with no apparent benefit. Furthermore, reliance on two power systems : one for the lens devices, one for the other components elsewhere in the vehicle becomes necessary.

In addition, generic statements regarding use a vehicle sun visor for a camera lens element fail to provide detailed and substantive means to ensure the correct leveling and orientation of the lens, so that the lens is level and points in the correct direction, so as to adequately and correctly record the road and traffic ahead. Since sun visors are generally not uniform in dimension, and often have inclined upper edges making level apparatus suspension difficult, and often are orientated at a slight horizontal angle to the windscreen and with it the road ahead, simply attaching a camera lens to the windscreen side of a sun visor would not orientate the lens correctly or perfectly in the vast majority of cases, especially if it were simply hung from the visor's upper edge. Even if one end of a suspended two rod/bar/socket sun visor were to be detached, so as to be able to correctly horizontally and vertically orientate a lens element that had simply been stuck or otherwise attached to the windscreen side thereof, the visor and with it video image would subsequently be prone to vibration and movement as one end of the sun visor would no longer be secured. As such, the visor may also become a safety risk and violate local/national vehicle laws.

Simple attachment of a camera lens apparatus to a sun visor may not provide or consequently allow the correct or optimum lens angle/orientation, as the weight of the apparatus may cause or require the visor to hang vertically, where the lens may not view the immediate road ahead from the point of horizon with the front of the vehicle. In fact, the lens may view too much sky and with that too much light so as to affect general video quality. In addition, if you simply glued or otherwise attached a camera to the windscreen side of a sun visor, you would likely damage the fabric of the visor and make it difficult to move from vehicle to vehicle. Even the simple use of Velcro RTM type hook-and-loop fabric fasteners would not solve this issue as a) you would need to use a heavy duty adhesive version, and b) you would need to position fabric fastener portions to every sun visor you wished to use the camera on. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the invention, there is provided discrete vehicle sun-visor apparatus comprising: a movable sun-visor element for shielding an occupants eyes from the sun and having a windscreen side and an occupant side, a correspondingly discreet standalone capable digital video recording device provided at the windscreen side of the sun- visor element positionable to be unviewable or substantially unviewable from the occupant side of the in use sun-visor element, the recording device including a housing, a lens unit on or connectable to the housing a microphone on or connectable to the housing, an image and sound processing element in the housing and communicable with the lens and microphone units for receiving outputs therefrom, an electronic-data storage element for storing image and/or audio data outputted from the image and sound processing element, a power source including at least one rechargeable battery and a photovoltaic power generator, and a data port for transferring data to and/or from the electronic-data storage element and/or image and sound processing element; and lens adjustment means for adjusting at least one of a separation distance between the lens unit and the windscreen side of the sun-visor element and a position of the lens unit within a plane parallel or substantially parallel with the windscreen side of the sun-visor element.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 37, inclusive. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a typical windscreen side of a fold-down sun- visor element forming part of a first embodiment of vehicle sun-visor apparatus, according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view of an occupant side of the sun-visor element shown in Figure 1, and including an optional external cabin side lens option;

Figure 3 shows an object lens side view of a portable hand-holdable video recorder forming part of the first embodiment of the vehicle sun-visor apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a view of the visor side of the portable hand-holdable video recorder shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows an end side of the portable hand-holdable video recorder shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of a visor side of the portable hand-holdable video recorder shown in Figure 3, together with two possible suspension bracket hook ends;

Figure 7 shows an object lens side view of a /third embodiment of the portable hand- holdable video recorder forming part of the first embodiment of the vehicle sun-visor apparatus; Figure 8 shows the user/visor side view of the portable hand-holdable video recorder shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a modification of a portable hand-holdable video recorder, having ventilation openings in one or all of sides of a solar panel portion or all portions;

Figures 10a to 10c show a possible form of an optional occupant cabin side mounted external lens for use with the preceding embodiments of portable hand-holdable video recorders; Figures 11a to lie show the preferred plastics and metal support hangers, respectively, for use with the two portable hand-holdable video recorders and their respective visor/user sides, as shown in Figures 4 and 8; Figures 12a and 12b show an alternative further embodiment of a, preferably metal, hanger adapted to accommodate variable sun visor thicknesses, and the mounting of an optional occupant/cabin side external lens;

Figures 13a to 13g show a further alternative embodiment of a, preferably plastics, hanger adapted to accommodate variable sun visor thicknesses and whose occupant/cabin side fittings include an external lens mounting element for the mounting of an optional external lens;

Figures 14a and 14b show a mounting plate for the external lens option shown in Figure 10 for use with the bracket in Figure lib; and

Figures 15a to 15d shows the connecting methods between an enhanced standard digital camera with video recorder and an in-vehicle base station, such as shown in Figures 7 and 8, providing photovoltaic electrical charging for the camera and/or journey/event video functionality when combined.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of vehicle sun-visor apparatus 10 which comprises a sun-visor element 12, two spaced- apart hangers 14 and 15, and a portable hand-holdable digital camera with video camera recorder 16. The sun-visor element 12 is provided in a cabin of a vehicle, typically adjacent to an upper edge of the front windscreen. The sun-visor element 12 is preferably located on the passenger side of the vehicle, and is pivotably mounted for folding between a storage condition against or close to the roof liner of the cabin and to an in use condition whereby it extends downwardly to block or occlude a portion of the windscreen.

The sun-visor element 12 has an elongate longitudinal extent, and is typically planar with a substantially flat windscreen side 18 and a substantially flat occupant side 20.

Regarding the hangers 14 and 15, which are preferably made of rigid or substantially rigid plastics, it may be feasible to have only a single hanger in some variants, or indeed more than two hangers. Hanger 14 provides a small discrete securing portion on the cabin side, and a full sized camera apparatus attaching portion on the windscreen side. Hanger 15 provides an extended discrete securing portion with mounting plate for an external cabin view lens 34 on the occupant side, and a full sized camera attaching portion on the windscreen side.

It would be possible to use two hangers 14, especially if no optional external occupant/cabin view lens were to be utilised.

Similarly, it would be possible to use two hangers 15.

The spaced upper hook portions 14a, 14b of hangers 14 and 15 are adapted for hooking over an upper hinged edge 30 of the sun-visor element 12 so as to be clear of any occupant side visor- mounted component, such as a vanity mirror. Occupant side lens units 34 may incorporate a single lens to simply provide cabin/occupant surveillance, or they may incorporate multiple lenses to offer cabin and/or side external surveillance.

The preferred method is for two or possibly more hangers 14, 15 to provide adequate stability and security for the camera apparatus 16. By being separate and spaced apart, the hangers 14, 15 allow for the camera apparatus 16 to be attached and also leveled when the sun-visor element 12has an inclined upper edge 30.

The portable hand-holdable digital camera with video camera recorder 16 seen in Figures 3 and 4 comprises a lightweight slim camera housing 32, a lens unit 34 provided on an object side 36 of the housing 32, a microphone 56, and an image processing element within the housing 32 and connected to the lens unit 34 to receive images typically on an internal CCD. The housing 32 also includes at least one data storage element 38, which may be a permanent internal and over writable memory element and/or a removable data storage device having, for example, flash memory. It may also be favorable to additionally employ an internal RAM memory in some variations. A power source 40 is included for energizing the camera recorder 16. The power source 40 in this case is preferably one or more rechargeable standard sized batteries 41 internally or integrally provided via a visor side 48 of the housing 32. Additionally or alternatively, the power source 40 may be provided with power and/or the batteries 41 may be charged/recharged by optional power generator, for example, photovoltaic cells 42 and/or an external power source, such as a vehicle's electrical system.

The photovoltaic cells 42 may directly energize the camera recorder 16 via the power supply 40 in the event of the absence of charged batteries and/or they may simply recharge the batteries 41. Equally, if an external power source connector 44 is provided, then any external electricity provided may not only energize the camera recorder 16 but also recharge the batteries 41, if required. Preferably, the camera recorder 16 may further optionally include a display 46 (see Figure 8) provided on the visor side 48 of the housing 32, or at least the ability to connect to a remote or external screen via a video/audio output socket. The, preferably integrated, display 46 may be touch- screen to provide a user with a user interface for inputting options and commands. However, any display would preferably not be located on the occupant side of the sun visor unless it was, preferably automatically, switched off while the vehicle was being driven, or it was specifically legally approved for such windscreen area use.

A controller 50 is also provided as part of the camera recorder 16. The controller 50 includes a user operable power switch 52, which may be a button, slider or switch, which is connected to an internal control circuit. The control circuit interfaces with the display 46 if provided, lens 34, microphone 56, power source 40, power generator 42, external power source connector 44, image processing element, RAM memory if provided, electronic data storage element 38, data port or ports 49, and/or any additional integral and/or connected enhancements or components, such as an external lens 34a as in Figure 10. When activated by the controller 50, subject to other elements of the camera recorder 16, the image processing element would cause photo and/or video images taken by the or each lens 34 and/or microphone 56 to be processed and accordingly stored for subsequent downloading, managing and/or viewing. Where an external lens 34a is attached and designated for use, the image processing element would merge and/or combine this with the data from the integral lens 34, unless in a personal surveillance mode where only data from an external lens was to be recorded.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a second embodiment of a portable hand-holdable digital camera with video camera recorder 16. This enhanced variation of a, preferably standard, digital camera 16 is similar to that of the first embodiment, and as such like references refer to parts which are similar to those of the first embodiment, and further detailed description is omitted. This camera recorder 16 includes other digital camera enhancements or components which may also connect to the image processing element and controller 50. For example, these components may include a camera mode dial 53, a dedicated function/menu control 54, with or without associated adjacent buttons 55, in the event that the display 46 is not a touch-screen or to supplement a touch-screen, tripod mount 58 (see Figure 3), function selector switches 59 (see Figure 3), viewing lens 60, still photo flash 61, a photo/video command press button 63, an LED battery/camera status/condition light 51 (see Figure 3), and various connectors 62 (as shown in Figure 3) for data and/or signal input/output to, for example, a peripheral device, such as an external lens 34a as shown in Figure 10, an event trigger device, a television or other screen/display apparatus, a computer, a mobile phone, a vehicle's security system, a vehicle's audio equipment, or a printer.

The camera recorder 16 in its most basic, low cost form would preferably have a minimum of two selectable recording modes, both video, both in industry standard video formats such as AVI or MPEG. The first would be "limited looped video mode", where the camera recorder 16 would record everything it saw until the available data storage element(s) became full, when it would stop, preferably signaling such status to the user by LED condition light or audible tone, such operation subject only to the camera recorder 16 being switched on and having power available. The second would be "continuous looped video mode", where the camera recorder 16 would record everything it saw, overwriting the previous oldest unprotected video recording when the data storage element(s) became/were full, subject only to the camera recorder 16 being switched on and having power available. In this basic low cost form, the user need only simply download the video data via the data port 49 onto a memory stick or directly onto a PC, then use industry standard computer tools and applications to replay, edit, manage, copy etc. any video segments they wanted.

It may also be preferable to have an enhanced camera recorder 16 to provide two additional recording modes. The third of the now four modes would be "standard video mode", where the user would need to start and/or stop the recording manually, for example by "double pressing" an on/off switch 52 or by depressing a dedicated photo/video command press button 63. The forth mode would be "event mode", where the camera recorder 16 continually loop recorded what it saw and then protected or copied elsewhere corresponding segments of video around a signaled event.

Further, the above "event mode" would extensively though not necessarily be a vehicle event feature. Event mode would preferably make use of two data storage devices, preferably a RAM memory chip/element resident on the image processing element, where the RAM memory was used to continually loop record what the lens 34 and/or 34a viewed, and then where the image processing element transferred a complete video segment corresponding to a signaled event onto a more permanent data storage device, such as a SD/SDHC flash memory card. Perhaps where preferably any such RAM memory would be capable of recording adequate time periods of data and/or transpose event data onto another memory source while it was still recording, so that event data was moved to a more secure memory source prior to it being overwritten in the RAM. Of course, other memory mediums could be used. It may also be possible to use a single data storage device where events were simply segmented and write protected. A video event segment would have a preset duration which may be programmable by the user, or it may be fixed; a typical video event segment would consist of recorded data from 15 seconds before the event signal to two minutes after the signal. Event signals coming from integral and/or connected components or devices, such as a sensor 90, that detected a possible event, such as one or more of an accident, sharp braking, pronounced vibration, pronounced movement, horn sounding or a pronounced verbal exclamation. The sensor 90 may therefore be at least one of a movement sensor, accelerometer, electrical input sensor, audio sensor, trembler device or motion detector for detecting relative motion between the sun-visor element and the windscreen. Although the sensor 90 is preferably integrated as part of the camera recorder 16, it may be or include a device as described above which is mountable externally of the vehicle cabin.

Figure 9 shows a modification of the camera recorder 16, wherein one or more of the sides or edges of the housing 32 includes a vent or vents 33 to promote ventilation and heat dissipation.

To enable the camera recorder 16 to be removably connected to the hangers 14 and 15 shown in Figures 3 and 4, one or more visor connectors 64 are provided in the first and second embodiments. In the case of Figures 4, 8, 11A and 11B the visor connectors 64 are typically slightly raised portions of the housing 32 fitted with one side of a flexible hook and loop fastener 66, such as Velcro RTM.

Regarding the upper edge 30 of the sun-visor element 12, which is used to suspend the hangers which support the camera recorder 16, if the upper edge 30 is inclined, the use of hook and loop fasteners allows the camera recorder 16 to be correctly vertically positioned on the hangers 14, 15, even if the hangers 14, 15 themselves are not perfectly aligned with each other. As such, the camera recorder 16 need not be perfectly square to each or both hangers 14, 15 to be safely secured. A further embodiment of the hangers 14, 15 is shown in Figure 6. As before, like references refer to like parts, and further detailed description is omitted. The hangers 14 and 15 no longer use fabric hook and loop fasteners as they are integrated as parts of the housing 32 of the camera recorder 16.

Although preferably removable, the hangers 14, 15 actually form part of and utilize vertical ratchet brackets 66 which are attached to or preferably integral components of the recorder's housing 32 on the recorder's visor side 48. The hangers 14, 15 are preferably removable primarily to allow flexibility as to which hanger 14 and/or 15 is used and where. In this embodiment, the hangers 14 and 15 preferably slide up and down within vertical ratchet brackets and are held in place by lugs 100 that are part of the hanger's body 102 and which click into place in the corresponding holes 104 of the brackets 66. The hangers 14, 15 are released by pushing the lug 100 into the bracket 66. Where the visor's upper edge 30, which is used to suspend the hangers 14, 15 and support the camera recorder 16 is inclined, the camera recorder 16 can be correctly or adequately leveled by allowing the lugs 100 to use higher or lower bracket holes 104 in comparison with the other hangers of the previously described embodiments. As the hangers 14 and 15 are integrated with the housing 32, the camera recorder 16 is thereby securely suspended from the sun-visor element 12.

With all of the above-mentioned hangers, it may be preferable to also provide additional lower connectors which are received or hook over the lower edge of the sun-visor element 12. This provides improved securement and potentially reduces camera vibration and/or movement during driving.

If the preferred angle of the sun-visor element 12 and/or if the sun-visor element 12 hangs absolutely vertically, or where the sun-visor element 12 is at a slight angle to the windscreen and thereby the road, these factors may well cause the camera lens 34 to point in a less than favorable direction. However, the vertical and/or horizontal adjustment of the camera recorder 16 and lens 34, 34a may be achieved by way of threaded platforms or feet 28 which screw into and out of correspondingly threaded holes 29, preferably being located at each corner of the housing 32. The feet 28 protrude from the housing 32 and come into contact with and/push against the sun-visor element 12. As the position of each foot 28 relative to the camera recorder 16 can be varied according to how far into the holes 29 each is received, the camera recorder 16 and associated lens 34, 34a can be adjusted to the optimum road recording angle. Correct orientation to achieve the optimum road recording angle should be achievable by simple visual examination. Absolute confirmation if required of the correct orientation of the lens could be achieved either by examining a recorded video segment or via a screen displaying video output of the camera recorder 16.

The preferred hangers 14 and 15 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 have a universally- sized hooked top portion 14a, 15a which fits and rests on the upper edge 30 of the sun-visor element 12. However, this universal "one size fits all" for the hooked top portions 14a, 15a may not be suitable for some particularly thin or thick sun-visor elements 12. Provision for hanger hooked top portions 14a, 15a of different sizes is one optional solution for evenly and safely securing the camera recorder 16. Use of semirigid plastics, for example being corrugated or concertinaed portion, or a thin metal joint to allow bending of the hooked portion may be options. As a further option, the plastics hooked portions 14a, 15a might be able to be heat treated initially, so to extend or mould it to better suit the sun-visor element 12. However, different design of hangers such as the additional embodiments shown in Figures 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b may be preferable for certain vehicles or applications. The embodiment of hanger 14, 15 shown in Figure 12 shows a metal body with a naturally sprung loop or hooked end 110 which allows it to securely clamp onto a range of visor thicknesses. The rounded occupant side portion 112 able to accept an external lens 34a, for example, as shown in Figures 10a to 10c. Figures 13a and 13b depict a plastics hanger 14, 15 which accommodates the thickness of the sun-visor element 12. The occupant side hanger portion 120 attaches and secures to the windscreen side hanger portion 122 by way of an adjustable ratchet and socket mechanism 124. The ratchet protrusion 126 can be cut down to size.

Figures 13c to 13g provide two occupant side hanger portion 120. The first shown in Figures 13c and 13d is small and very discrete, the other shown in figures 13e to 13g is enlarged and with a rounded protrusion 128 capable of accepting an external lens 34, for example, as shown in Figures 10a to 10c.

The embodiment of the camera recorder 16 shown in Figures 3 and 4, provides the photovoltaic element 42 as an integral part of the housing 32. In the second embodiment of the camera recorder 16 shown in Figures 7 and 8, the photovoltaic element 42 and optionally some of the vehicle related functionality and/or features of the recording apparatus 16 are within a separable charging portion 82, removably engagable with a digital camera portion 84. The embodiment of the camera recorder 16 described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 allows an enhanced variation of a standard digital camera to be used, so as to greatly enhance certain non-vehicle applications.

Figure 8 depicts the preferable windscreen or object side of the camera recorder 16. Figure 8 shows a visor mounting method which is substantially identical to the one used in by the first embodiment of the camera recorder 16 shown in Figure 4. However, the embodiment of Figure 8 could utilise the mounting and visor hanging method, as shown in Figure 6. Preferable additional features of the digital camera portion 84 of Figures 7 and 8 in addition to the features of the first embodiment of the camera recorder 16 may include a view finder 60, a flash 61, a wide angle and/or zoom function 81 with corresponding lens capabilities, an LCD screen 46, a screen based menu control 54 with or without corresponding menu control buttons 55, a manual photo/video start/stop button 63, and a mode dial 53. One or both embodiments of the camera recorder 16 may include one, more or all of these features. Preferable additional features of a digital camera portion 84, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, over a standard portable digital camera may include an external lens socket 62 and extra recording modes commensurate with the expanded and/or potential applications of the digital camera portion 84, such as a) loop video recording mode, where video is continually recorded and over-written until stopped, b) personal surveillance recording mode, where only video from an external lens is recorded, c) vehicle event video recording mode, where a signaled event protects or separates a corresponding segment of loop recorded video, d) standby security mode recording, where a signaled event initiates recording, and e) integration with a vehicle or another portion or component such as the charging portion 82. The last mentioned charging portion 82 preferably provides the digital camera portion 84 with a method of attachment as well as integration with a power source and/or features of the charging portion 82.

In addition, several additional features may be preferably provided to improve the stand-alone uniqueness and functionality of the camera recorder 16. A trembler movement detector preferably internally built into the housing 32 could be used a) to save power by switching off the camera recorder 16 when in- vehicle loop recording, when it is apparent the vehicle has been stationary for some time and/or the engine is not running or vibrating, and/or b) to signal an event when it detects pronounced movement.

A standard movement sensor 90 could be used, again preferably via an integrated circuit within the housing 32 to detect movement between the visor and windscreen, such as would be experienced during rapid deceleration and/or an impact to signal an event.

A sound sensor either as a function of a principle microphone 56, or as a separate noise detector 91 could be used to listen for pronounced and/or certain noises and act to signal an event. An external power cord with flexible or various attachment options could be used to tap into the power supply given by a vehicle to a visor's vanity light, to the cigar lighter, or other dash area vehicle electrical system, as a supplement to the charged batteries 41, integral power supply 40 or photovoltaic power generator 42.

An integral or removably connectable wireless communications transceiver could be used to download data from the camera recorder 16 onto a peripheral computer device, and/or to transmit a copy of the recorded data stream to a, for example, hidden, external data recorder. This latter option would be convenient for taxi and/or fleet vehicle use. The driver and/or occupants of the passenger cabin could not then easily erase or otherwise destroy any recorded evidence that implicated them. An integral or removably connectable GPS device 92 having data which can be superimposed over the video taken by the lens(es) to provide vehicle position, direction and speed onto the recorded video image, would also be of benefit.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Referring now to Figures 14a and 14b, there is shown a mounting plate 130 for the external lens 34a, shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 130 is generally square with a domed or convex major surface 131 on one side. On the other side, a mounting element 132 is included for attaching the plate 130 to the hook and loop fastening device 67 of the hanger 14, 15 shown in Figures 11a and lib. As such, a further said hanger 14, 15 can thus be utilised to mount the plate 130 allowing connection of the external lens 34a to the convex major surface 131 at any point along the upper edge 30 of the sun-visor element 12. The convex major surface 131 enables convenient multi-axis orientation of the external lens 34a for recording the cabin area and/or the road behind the vehicle visible through a rear window.

At least one additional lens unit which is remote from the lens unit on the camera recorder may be included and mountable within a vehicle cabin and in spaced relationship with the sun-visor element. Preferably, the additional lens unit is communicable with the image processing circuit, for example, wirelessly. For example, the additional lens unit may include a window mount for releasable connection therewith, such as by a window hook hanger or sucker.

Figures 15a to 15d show one example of the connection means utilised for the second embodiment of the camera recorder 16, described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The charging portion 82 includes a projecting data connector 140 on one end side thereof, and which is receivable in a data port 142 in a side of the digital camera portion 84.

Also on the end side of the charging portion 82 is provided a rotatable screw-threaded connector 144 having a rotatable head 146 mounted in the housing of the charging portion. A complementarily threaded socket 148 is provided in the end side of the digital camera portion 84.

A press stud 150 is also provided on the end side of the charging portion 82, spaced from the data connector 140 and the screw-threaded connector 144. The press stud 150 is push-fit receivable in a stud opening 152 and may provide electronics as well as securing functionality.

By utilising this connection means, the charging portion 82 can be conveniently mounted to the sun-visor element 12 and can remain there whilst the digital camera portion 84 can be removed for use by the user inside and outside of the vehicle to capture images and/or sound.

The discrete hanger for releasably mounting the recording device to a discreet convenient area of the windscreen side of the sun-visor element provides for safer and/or legally compliant use of a windscreen area recorder. Legally compliant meaning if the vehicle is being driven where it is legal to do so with the utilised sun-visor in the down position, irrespective of the fact the visor is thereby not necessarily being used to block the sun, courtesy of the fact the recorder is totally or extensively hidden from direct view of the driver and thereby does not obstruct the road view of the driver past that of the sun-visor itself. As an optional embodiment, the sun-visor element may include a mounting frame on or therewithin which is adapted to releasably receive the camera recorder. This thereby dispenses with the need for hangers. The mounting frame may be an aperture through the sun-visor element to enable occupant side control.

The photovoltaic element may be demountable from the housing, so that it can be placed at a convenient position, possibly being remote from the sun-visor element, to enable charging. Furthermore, the sun-visor element may include a dedicated PV mounting frame for the photovoltaic element, preferably being windscreen side.

The camera recorder preferably includes a data transfer element to allow event and/or currently recorded video and sound to be additionally sent to a remote data storage element, so that two copies are created. Integration with a mobile phone, data storage and/or a vehicle security system device is also feasible.

The in use camera preferably continually records and overwrites old data, but if and when it receives an event signal from an integrated or external component, the camera moves or otherwise segments an overwrite protected period/segment of video and sound data known as "event data".

The portable hand-holdable digital camera with video recorder may include an external lens connector whereby the remote external lens can provide video output for recording solely or to be combined with an output of the lens unit and/or microphone unit. Preferably, the camera recorder includes automatic recognition of a connected external lens and combination of its data stream thereof with the data stream outputted by the main integral lens unit. More preferably, the camera recorder provides user- selectable acceptance of a connected external lens and combination of its data stream thereof with the data stream of the main integral lens unit. This may be accomplished via the display screen.

Conveniently, the camera recorder may also take stills, as with a normal digital camera. By providing a power connector, for example, being a DC power jack-socket, the camera recorder can be powered and/or recharged, such as by a separate photovoltaic generator, an external mains adapter, the cigar lighter or other electrical system access point of a vehicle's electrical system.

Preferably, a specialised external/vehicle power cable is provided. The apparatus end is provided with a jack or other plug corresponding with the power in socket of the apparatus, a short power cable, and wire piercing connectors on the power supply side which allow a user to simply pierce into and connect to an available sun-visor element or nearby courtesy light electrical supply.

Furthermore, a dedicated external/vehicle power cable having a camera power- socket connector at one end to engage with a power-in socket of the camera, an in-cabin vehicle power- socket connector for connection with an in-cabin vehicle power socket and at the other end of the cable, and a cable body of sufficient length to run around a windscreen area of a vehicle and down to a central dash area may be included. The in- cabin vehicle power- socket connector in this case includes a supplementary power- socket for electrical communication with the in-cabin vehicle power socket to power an ancillary device. Alternatively and/or additionally, standard electrical connectors may be provided at the power supply side for securely connecting to a vehicle power supply system. A further option would be to provide a separate in-cabin vehicle power- socket adapter which is releasably connectable by way of standard electrical connector clamps corresponding to the conductors of the wires. Beneficially, one or a plurality of hook and loop cable tidies may be utilized to maintain a position and of the or each cable within the cabin.

Although the hangers described above are preferably separate of the housing of the camera recorder, they may be integrally formed, for example, to be pivotable or slidable out to an in use condition.

Although the base station may be part of the housing of the camera recorder, a dedicated base station may be mountable within the cabin of the vehicle. Preferably, this base station would remain permanently or primarily within the vehicle, thereby allowing the housing of the camera recorder to be connected and disconnected at will. Once connected, the camera recorder may be charged and/or may operate to record vehicle and/or traffic events.

The housing of the camera recorder and the base station may be clipable together or connected via button releasable spring clip spades, for example, on a side of the base station with corresponding sockets on one side of the camera housing, or vice versa. Additionally or optionally, a screw-threaded fastener may be provided on the base station which is engagable with a tripod- stand mounting socket in the bottom side surface of the camera recorder housing. The screw-threaded fastener preferably includes a rotatable head is housed within the base station but having an edge which projects from one main surface to enable a user to operate it.

Electrical communication between the base station and the camera recorder housing is preferably by one or more connectors comprising at least one jack and socket or conductor leaves. The connector may optionally include a terminal connector. Furthermore, the base station and camera recorder preferably include a switch which allows automatic energisation of the camera recorder on connection with the base station.

Preferably, connection of the said housing to the said base station automatically selects the event mode recording option via an electronic switching circuit in at least one of the housing and the base station. In this case, the automatic event mode selection typically only occurs if the camera is in a non-vehicle recording mode. Beneficially, the camera includes a data memory check function for checking its available data memory, and a warning circuit for outputting a warning signal to the user if the available memory was too low to adequately perform the function of the engaged vehicle recording mode.

The aforementioned switch or a further switch is preferably provided between the housing and the base station which automatically activates the lens unit of the camera recorder to open a lens shutter on connection of the housing and base station. Furthermore, the aforementioned switch or an additional switch between the housing and the base station preferably automatically reverts any telescopic lens aspect back to the camera's standard default wide angle aspect in preparation for vehicle and/or traffic recording.

Preferably, by incorporating a further switch or using an existing switch between the hosing and the base station, any display on the housing of the camera recorder is deactivated or temporarily disabled to prevent driver distraction and also to meet any national road laws.

The camera recorder may also include auto-rotation circuitry for deskewing the recorded video image to compensate for a skewed operating position. Auto-aspect circuitry may also be included which switches the camera recorder from portrait to landscape mode. One or both of these modes may be initiated by the or a switch between the housing and the base station which is operated on interconnection.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.