D e s c r i p t i o n

The present invention relates to an apparatus for video- recording fortuitous events related to moving means of any nature.

In particular, the present invention can apply to any motor vehicle travelling on the road, on railways, in the air or in the sea, for recording events such as accidents or damages that, obviously, have a fortuitous occurrence and therefore cannot be established a priori.

It is known that many accidents on the road for example give rise to disputes which may even have criminal implications, tending to establish causes, nature and responsibilities of the occurred accident.

Ascertainment of causes and responsibilities is very often rather difficult because it substantially relie.° on testimonial evidences and not on documents capable of supplying a complete, precise and objective information about the accident arising and subsequent development.

In order to meet these requirements, the same Applicant has in the past developed an apparatus being the object of the Italian Patent for industrial invention No. 1095061, European Patent No. 005532 and US Patent No. 4288354. This apparatus aimed at carrying out video- recording of fortuitous events such as accidents and damages at reduced operating costs, when related to moving means or vehicles, in particular cars.

In more detail, the above listed patents disclose an apparatus comprising a telecamera for acquisition of images and a loop-shaped memory, that is capable of recording a predetermined sequence of images and then go on recording, while deleting earlier (older) images. The video-signal sequence from telecamera to the memory could be stopped upon intervention of a sensor capable of recognizing anomalies in driving due to sudden decelerations, impacts or still other events, for e.xample. In this manner, in the loop-shaped memory a sequence of images was stored that corresponded to a time interval immediately preceding the anomaly in driving and/or simultaneous therewith. This sequence of images could then be transferred to a data recording medium and then displayed on a monitor.

At that time this type of apparatus proved to be greatly revolutionary because it offered the possibility of having a clear documented evidence of the cinematographic type of the events immediately preceding or simultaneous with a road accident, although operating costs were rather low.

However the above described apparatuses, although innovatory relative to the prior art of that time, have proved to be of little reliability in terms of operation, practical use and efficiency in use, in particular with reference to modalities for image recording.

More specifically, the above described devices have shown poor reliability due to the presence of many movable mechanical parts (transducers, tape recorders) that inevitably can be damaged during an accident, thereby preventing the device from performing its task.

Under this situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for recording fortuitous events related to moving means capable of integrating analog electronics and digital components in an efficient manner so as to furnish a new discovery capable of ensuring a flexibility of use and a reliability never achieved until now.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the operating parameters, and in particular the recording interval can be personalized in order to meet the different requirements that may occur each time, depending on the transport means on which the apparatus is installed (cars, boats, aircraft or still other vehicles).

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that while being very flexible from an operating point of view, does not show negative repercussions in terms of operating costs.

The foregoing and further objects that will become more apparent in the progress of the present description are substantially achieved by an apparatus for recording fortuitous events related to moving means in accordance with the description set forth in the appended claims.

Further features and advantages will be best understood from the detailed description of a preferred but non- exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for video-recording fortuitous events related to moving means of any nature in accordance with the present invention.

This description will be taken hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of

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non-limiting example, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus being the object of the present invention;

- Fig. 2 diagra matically shows, still in the form of a block diagram, the essential operating steps of the apparatus in question.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an apparatus for video-recording fortuitous events related to moving means of any nature in accordance with the present invention has been generally identified by reference numeral 1.

Apparatus 1 comprises acquisition means 2 arranged to detect images surrounding the vehicle on which the apparatus is installed and to convert these images into corresponding electric output signals.

In particular, the acquisition means 2 can be made of a given number of detector members 3, such as telecameras, suitably distributed on the vehicle, so that they can offer a complete picture of the situation around the vehicle. By way of example, if acquisition means 2 is to be installed on a car, a pair of telecameras could be provided, one of which is directed to the front and the other to the rear of the vehicle.

From the construction point of view, telecameras 3 preferably are microcameras of the CCD type and they are provided with wide-angle lenses 4 so that the number of cameras required for substantially viewing the whole area surrounding the vehicle may be reduced to the minimum. The electric signals emitted from the image-detecting members 3 are sent to an analog-to-digital conversion block 5 arranged to input signals corresponding to the

image of each detector member and generate corresponding coded output sequences. Said output sequences can be stored in storing means 6 of the volatile type consisting of conventional random access memories (RAMs), for example.

The apparatus is also provided with sensor means 7 which is arranged to detect any sudden anomaly in driving, such as abrupt decelerations, sudden steering, impacts or still other anomalies and to generate a predetermined output control signal.

A processing unit 8 operatively connected both with the acquisition means 2 and the storing means 6 as well as the sensor means 7 is adapted to selectively inhibit or enable transferring of images to the storing means, depending on whether or not said sensor means has sent said predetermined control signal to the processing unit.

In other words, as soon as the processing unit 8 receives a control signal from sensor means 7, a procedure is started that will led to stopping of image transferring from the acquisition means to the storing means β.

The processing unit 8 comprises a data compressing block operatively active on the coded output sequences from the analog-to-digital conversion block to reduce the required memory amount for storage of images in means 6.

It is to note that the processing unit 8 is also provided with a memory management block arranged to give the storing means 6 a virtual loop structure so that sequential storage of a predetermined number of images is enabled which corresponds to a predetermined useful time interval beyond which the new coming images become

superimposed on the previously stored (older) images. In this way the storing means 6 will e.xclusively retain a predetermined sequence of the events occurring in the vehicle neighbourhood, while gradually "forgetting" the earlier or older images.

It is to note that use of a RAM or in any case a rapid- access memory is important for provisional storage of images so that said images may be transferred to the storing means substantially in real time.

Also provided by the processing unit 8 is timing means to define an interval of time following and preceding the instant at which the control signal is received by the sensor means 7. In other words, the useful time interval, i.e. the image recording interval in the storing means 6 is divided into a time interval preceding the fortuitous event that causes starting of said predetermined control time, and a time interval following or subsequent to the occurrence of such a fortuitous event. By virtue of this particular structure of the new apparatus, not only a documented evidence of that which happens some instants before the fortuitous event is possible, but also an evidence of that which happens in the immediately next instants.

It is to note that the processing unit advantageously comprises an adjustment block, by which it is possible to vary the duration of each of said time intervals preceding and following the events, in order to conform them to requirements that may occur each time.

From a physical point of view, the data compressing block, memory management block, timing means and adjustment block can consist of true dedicated chips or

program routines to be executed by unit 8.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention also comprises a bulk storage unit 9, preferably consisting of at least a static hard disc in which the processing unit carries out transferring of the images contained in the storing means 6 as soon as storage of images in the storing means is inhibited.

Use of static hard discs substantially eliminates the presence of any mechanical element during the recording step and therefore the system reliability is maximized. In other words, association between a RAM, as the volatile loop memory, and a static hard disc, as the fixed memory, gives rise to a reliable, cheap and very flexible storage system.

Still with reference to the bulk storage unit 9, it is to note that said unit can be such organized, by virtue of appropriate software means, that a plurality of events can be managed and stored.

In particular, recording of each event can be disposed sequentially or organized in random access directories, and overwriting can be excluded for particular events that are judged of importance.

From a construction point of view, it is pointed out that the sensor means too may comprise a predetermined number of transducers both of the force and displacement type as well as of still other nature.

In this way these transducers can be responsive both to speed variations and, if suitably positioned, to deformations of parts of the vehicle structure on which

they are installed.

It is also to note that the apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a power supply unit 10 connected in circuit with the vehicle's power supply network and provided with a filtering and adjustment block for ensuring an appropriate protection from discontinuity in power supply. The power supply unit 10 is provided with an emergency power supply 11 substantially representing a power supply storage capable of ensuring correct operation of apparatus ^' 1 even if power supply from the network of the vehicle on which the apparatus is installed is stopped, which may frequently occur in case of accidents.

Finally, a manual drive element 12 is also provided for operation of the processing unit 8 so that image storage into the storing means 6 is stopped and subsequent transferring of said images to the bulk storage unit 9 is caused. This enables the recording cycle to be carried out also by intervention of an operator, both when operating tests are to be carried out and when one wishes to voluntarily store a predetermined event.

In more detail, with reference to the example shown in fig. 1, it is to point out that sensor 7 and the manual drive element or push-button 12 are connected to unit 8 upon interposition of a serial port 12 X

In addition, apparatus 1 can be provided with a keyboard 13 or other input means, suitably connected with unit 8, as well as with video cards and/or printer cards 14, 15 for output on a monitor 16 or an appropriate hardcopy 17.

Operation of the apparatus for recording fortuitous

events on a moving vehicle in accordance with the invention described above mainly as regards structure, is as follows also referring to Fig. 2.

Under operating conditions, apparatus 1 carries out recording in the storing means 6 of the images that are progressively caught by telecameras 3. Since the storing means has a virtual-loop configuration, images stored in the memory will correspond to a given time interval.

As soon as sensor means 7 signals anomalies in driving or impacts and sends the corresponding signal to the processing unit 8, the latter intervenes in order to stop recording after a certain time interval (subsequent interval) has elapsed from occurrence of the event. In this manner recording of images relating to a time interval before and after detection of the anomaly in running is obtained.

Once storage in means 6 has been stopped, the processing unit 8 transfers images to the bulk storage unit 9 thereby enabling sure data storage and the possibility of sending information relating to said images to output members such as printers or monitors. The cycle is shown in a schematic manner in fig. 2 where block A identifies beginning of the procedure, block 2 the cyclic reading step of the image until stopping, due to detection of anomalies in running, block C identifies data saving in the bulk storage unit and block D end of the procedure.

The invention achieves important advantages

Firstly, it is to point out that, due to the presence of a processing unit controlling and managing the whole apparatus, a great operating flexibility is possible, the

apparatus itself being capable of easily adaptation, by mere programming, to all requirements that may be encountered.

In a particular manner, both the overall duration of the image recording interval (useful time interval) and the duration of the recording interval following detection of the anomaly in running (subsequent or following time interval) can be adjusted at will and with great ease.

This enables information to be obtained both as regards moments preceding a possible accident and moments immediately following said accident, which will enable a complete and very detailed picture of the situation to be obtained, while also offering the possibility of getting aware of a longer or shorter period of time as regards either moments preceding or following the accident or moments simultaneous therewith.

It is also important to note that, since a processing unit is provided which temporarily stores images in volatile storing means (RAM) and subsequently discharges them, when appropriate, to a static hard disc, a great velocity in image management is ensured even with medium- capacity processors while, at the same time, all problems concerning reliability and present in the prior art apparatuses are overcome.

In particular, static hard discs are not adversely affected by vibrations and ensure a practically timeless residence of the stored data therein.

Finally, due to the fact of providing an emergency power supply unit, operation of the apparatus in question is ensured under any operating conditions.

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lt is also to note that, with reference for example to cars, due to the presence of the emergency power supply, the apparatus can be activated even when the car engine is switched off (when the car is parked, for example) so that possible accidents (car bumping into one another or others) that may take place in the absence of witnesses, can be recorded as well.

Obviously, many modifications and variations may be made to the invention as conceived, all of them failing within the scope of tho inventive idea characterizing it.