Vehicular black box monitoring system

Abstract

A vehicular “black box” provides recording means by which driver action can be reviewed after an accident or collision, as well as indicating immediate vehicle disposition status to the driver. Using cameras (which may be very small), the disposition of the vehicle in its lane is determined by detecting the highway lines painted on the road. The data is also recorded so that should an accident or collision occur, the events leading up to such an event are made available for later review and analysis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 991,509 filed Nov. 21, 2001 entitled Vehicular Black Box Monitoring System which is patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 252,537 filed Nov. 22, 2000 entitled Vehicular Black Box Monitoring System which applications are incorporated herein by this reference thereto.COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION [0002] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright and / or mask work protection. The copyright and / or mask work owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and / or mask work rights whatsoever. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] This invention re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Generally, two video cameras are used in order to determine the highway lane through which the vehicle is traveling (although it may be possible to use any number of cameras). For a solid line, a continuous signal is given. For a broken line, an intermittent signal is given. In conjunction with association with a turn signal, the present invention can evaluate the driver's performance in keeping the vehicle on the roadway and alert the driver when the vehicle is not properly disposed in its lane.

[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vehicular black box that allows reconstruction of an accident by providing a record of events prior to the occurrence of an accident.

[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a combination driver-drowsiness system as well as a vehicular black box in order to promote better driving and fewer accidents on the highways.

Problems solved by technology

This often leads to driver fatigue and drowsiness, sometimes resulting in the failure of the driver to control the rig and, possibly, collisions, accidents, or crashes involving the rig.

Not only do long-haul truck drivers experience fatigue and drowsiness, but also drivers of other vehicles as well, with there being certain groups or categories of individuals being more susceptible to such risks than others.

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