Dash Camera Emergency Calling via Sensor Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems that provide emergency calling services rely on specialized hardware and offer limited data, whereas portable video cameras/recorders, such as dash cameras, can only capture and store video footage without the capability to initiate emergency calls.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle camera/recorder system that can detect accident conditions, communicate video sequences wirelessly to a user device, and initiate an emergency call, allowing for the transfer of video, audio, and detailed data to assist emergency responders, using available aftermarket cellular or smart phones without professional installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized hardware devices are installed for emergency calling, then emergency calling capability is provided, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The video camera/recorder is designed to perform multiple functions: it records video footage, detects accident conditions through sensors, initiates emergency calls, and transfers data. By making the device universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate specialized emergency calling hardware, thereby reducing device complexity and installation requirements while maintaining emergency calling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects accident conditions using integrated sensors and autonomously initiates emergency calls and data transfer without requiring external specialized hardware or manual intervention. The video camera/recorder serves itself by integrating all necessary functions into a single device that operates independently
2Reliability
If specialized emergency calling hardware is used, then emergency services are activated, but the amount of data transferred is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines emergency calling functionality with video recording and sensor data collection capabilities into a single integrated system. This merging allows the transfer of comprehensive data including video footage, audio, sensor readings, and metadata simultaneously with emergency call activation, thereby eliminating the data transfer limitations of specialized emergency hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional device transfers diverse types of data (video, audio, sensor data) in addition to initiating emergency calls, providing emergency responders with comprehensive information that specialized emergency calling hardware cannot provide
3Loss of information
If video footage is stored in memory or flash cards, then video capture is achieved, but automatic emergency calling cannot be initiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges video recording storage with accident detection sensors and emergency call initiation functionality into a single integrated system. The video camera/recorder combines memory storage for video footage with sensors that detect accident conditions and automatically trigger emergency calls, thereby achieving both video capture and automatic emergency calling
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system automatically detects accident conditions through sensors and autonomously initiates emergency calls without requiring external specialized hardware. The device serves itself by combining storage, detection, and communication functions in one unit that operates independently
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated for accident detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video camera/recorder is designed as a universal device that integrates multiple sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, collision sensors) along with video recording and emergency call functionality. By making the device multi-functional, the patent achieves improved accident detection accuracy through multiple sensors without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as all functions are consolidated into a single unit
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a processing device and a personal communication device. The dash camera may be configured to be removably mounted in a vehicle with a view of a direction ahead of the vehicle and no further installation to said vehicle. The personal communication device is generally separate from the dash camera and the vehicle. The dash camera generally comprises a processing device and one or more sensors configured to generate data related to motion of the vehicle. The processing device generally collects (i) the data related to motion of the vehicle and (ii) video, and, in response to the data being indicative of an accident, automatically communicates collected data and a video sequence recorded prior to the data being indicative of the accident to the personal communication device and automatically initiates an emergency call using the personal communication device.