Video seating system for a vehicle

Abstract

A seat ( 22 ) for mounting in a vehicle generally includes an entire video recording system ( 20 ). The video recording system ( 20 ) has a camera ( 40 ) extending above the seat ( 22 ) and mounted, via a support ( 42 ), to a back frame ( 26 ) of the seat ( 22 ). The camera ( 40 ) is spaced from the headrest ( 29 ) and is preferably close to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. An audio receiver ( 48 ) and controller ( 80 ) are mounted in the seat back ( 28 ), while a recorder ( 68 ) and display unit ( 54 ) are mounted to the seat bottom ( 32 ). A power and communications wire bundle ( 82 ) is disposed to connect the recording system ( 20 ) to the vehicle's systems. The recording system ( 20 ) may include a mechanism for limiting access to the videotape and a mechanism for heating and cooling the recorder.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A seat for a vehicle, with the vehicle including a generally longitudinal centerline, the seat comprising: 
 a seat back that is adapted to mount generally vertically in the vehicle, with the seat back including a seat back frame and a seat back cover generally surrounding the seat back frame;    a seat bottom that is adapted to mount generally horizontally in the vehicle adjacent the seat back, with the seat bottom including a seat bottom frame and a seat bottom cover generally surrounding the bottom frame;    a headrest mounted to the seat back;    a camera support secured to the seat back frame and extending through the seat back cover, with the camera support spaced from the headrest; and    a video camera mounted to the camera support.    
     
     
         2 . The seat of  claim 1  wherein the camera support mounts the video camera such that the video camera is adapted to be generally adjacent to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when the seat is mounted in the vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The seat of  claim 1  wherein the camera support is adapted to remain generally intact under both normal vehicle operating conditions and under forces created by a significant vehicle impact.  
     
     
         4 . The seat of  claim 1  further including a controller mounted to the seat and in communication with the video camera.  
     
     
         5 . The seat of  claim 4  wherein the controller is mounted to the seat back frame, within the seat back cover.  
     
     
         6 . The seat of  claim 1  further including an audio receiver mounted to the seat and adapted to receive signals from a wireless microphone.  
     
     
         7 . The seat of  claim 6  wherein the audio receiver is mounted to the seat back frame, within the seat back cover.  
     
     
         8 . The seat of  claim 1  further including a display arm, including a first end and a second end, with the first end mounted to the seat, and with a display unit mounted to the second end of the display arm.  
     
     
         9 . The seat of  claim 8  wherein the first end of the display arm is mounted to the seat bottom frame.  
     
     
         10 . The seat of  claim 8  wherein the display arm includes means for adjusting the position and orientation of the first end relative to the second end.  
     
     
         11 . The seat of  claim 1  further including a recorder mounted under the seat bottom.  
     
     
         12 . The seat of  claim 11  further including a cover generally surrounding a bottom and side surfaces of the recorder.  
     
     
         13 . The seat of  claim 12  wherein the cover includes a heater that selectively heats the recorder.  
     
     
         14 . The seat of  claim 12  wherein the cover includes a cooler that selectively cools the recorder.  
     
     
         15 . The seat of  claim 11  wherein the recorder is slidably mounted under the seat bottom.  
     
     
         16 . The seat of  claim 11  wherein the recorder includes a removal location that is adapted to receive removable media for recording thereon, and wherein the seat further includes a media access limiter.  
     
     
         17 . The seat of  claim 16  wherein the media access limiter comprises a door mounted adjacent the removal location, with a lock on the door for limiting access to the removal location.  
     
     
         18 . The seat of  claim 16  wherein the media access limiter comprises an ejection mechanism in the recorder, and a security circuit, in communication with the ejection mechanism, for preventing the ejection mechanism from ejecting the recordable media unless a predetermined security code is communicated to the circuit.  
     
     
         19 . A seat for a vehicle comprising: 
 a seat back that is adapted to mount generally vertically in the vehicle, with the seat back including a seat back frame and a seat back cover generally surrounding the seat back frame;    a seat bottom that is adapted to mount generally horizontally in the vehicle adjacent the seat back, with the seat bottom including a seat bottom frame and a seat bottom cover generally surrounding the bottom frame;    a camera support mounted to the seat;    a video camera mounted to the camera support;    a controller mounted to the seat and in communication with the video camera;    an audio receiver mounted to the seat and adapted to receive signals from a wireless microphone;    a display arm, including a first end and a second end, with the first end mounted to the seat, and with a display unit mounted to the second end of the display arm; and    a recorder mounted under the seat bottom.    
     
     
         20 . The seat of  claim 19  wherein the vehicle includes a generally longitudinal centerline, and wherein the seat includes a headrest mounted to the seat back, the camera support is secured to the seat back frame and extends through the seat back cover, with the camera support spaced from the headrest, and the camera support mounts the camera such that the video camera is adapted to be generally adjacent to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when the seat is mounted in the vehicle.  
     
     
         21 . The seat of  claim 19  wherein the controller is mounted to the seat back frame, within the seat back cover, and the audio receiver is mounted to the seat back frame, within the seat back cover.  
     
     
         22 . The seat of  claim 19  wherein the first end of the display arm is mounted to the seat bottom frame, and the recorder is mounted under the seat bottom.  
     
     
         23 . The seat of  claim 19  wherein the recorder includes a removal location that is adapted for receiving removable media for recording thereon, and wherein the seat further includes a media access limiter.  
     
     
         24 . The seat of  claim 23  wherein the media access limiter comprises an ejection mechanism in the recorder, and a security circuit, in communication with the ejection mechanism, for preventing the ejection mechanism from ejecting the recordable media unless a predetermined security code is communicated to the circuit.  
     
     
         25 . A video imaging system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a seat back that is adapted to mount generally vertically in the vehicle;    a seat bottom that is adapted to mount generally horizontally in the vehicle adjacent the seat back, with the seat bottom including a seat bottom frame;    a video camera adapted to be mounted in the vehicle; and    a display arm, including a first end and a second end, with the first end mounted to the seat, and with a display unit mounted to the second end of the display arm.    
     
     
         26 . The video imaging system of  claim 25  wherein the first end of the display arm is mounted to the seat bottom frame.  
     
     
         27 . The video imaging system of  claim 25  wherein the display arm includes means for adjusting the position and orientation of the first end relative to the second end.  
     
     
         28 . A video imaging system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a seat back that is adapted to mount generally vertically in the vehicle;    a seat bottom that is adapted to mount generally horizontally in the vehicle adjacent the seat back, with the seat bottom including a seat bottom frame;    a video camera adapted to be mounted in the vehicle; and    a recorder slidably mounted under the seat bottom.    
     
     
         29 . The video imaging system of  claim 28  further including a recorder cover, with the recorder mounted therein, and with the cover including rollers slidably mounted in tracks on the seat bottom frame.  
     
     
         30 . The video imaging system of  claim 28  wherein the recorder includes a removal location that is adapted to receive removable media for recording thereon, and wherein the video imaging system further includes a media access limiter, and with the media access limiter including an ejection mechanism in the recorder, and a security circuit, in communication with the ejection mechanism, for preventing the ejection mechanism from ejecting the recordable media unless a predetermined security code is communicated to the circuit.  
     
     
         31 . A video imaging system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a seat back that is adapted to mount generally vertically in the vehicle;    a seat bottom that is adapted to mount generally horizontally in the vehicle adjacent the seat back;    a video camera adapted to be mounted in the vehicle;    a recorder mounted under the seat bottom, with the recorder including a removal location that is adapted to receive removable media for recording thereon; and    wherein the video imaging system further includes a media access limiter, and with the media access limiter including an ejection mechanism in the recorder, and a security circuit, in communication with the ejection mechanism, for preventing the ejection mechanism from ejecting the recordable media unless a predetermined security code is communicated to the circuit.    
     
     
         32 . A vehicle seat with video imaging equipment mounted thereon for positioning in a motor vehicle for receiving video images, comprising: 
 a frame for a seat having cushioning pads thereon defining a seat portion and a seat back portion, said frame defining a shape of the seat and the seat back portions, said seat back portion having a headrest portion thereon;    a cover covering the frame;    the seat back portion further defining a second portion spaced-apart and lateral of the headrest portion, which second portion includes means for mounting a video imaging device thereto, whereby said video imaging device is substantially centrally disposed relative to a central axis of a vehicle that receives said seat for imaging forwardly so that the video imaging device is unobstructed by a passenger's head when the passenger's head is located immediately in front of the headrest portion;    an attacher for securing a video image recorder within the seat portion for being operatively connected to the video imaging device; and    a controller for selectively operating the camera and the recorder for recording images.    
     
     
         33 . The motor vehicle seat as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the second portion comprises: 
 a cavity defined within the seat back portion;    a support member disposed in the cavity and engaged to the frame of the seat back portion, the support member adapted for rigidly engaging said at least one video imaging apparatus; and    a port in a side wall of the seat for entrance to the cavity, whereby the video imaging apparatus is inserted into the cavity for engagement to the support member.    
     
     
         34 . A seat including a camera imaging apparatus fixedly attached to said seat, said attachment disposing said camera imaging apparatus substantially centrally relative to a central axis of a vehicle receiving said seat, for imaging forwardly from said seat such that said camera imaging apparatus is unobstructed by a passenger's head when the passenger's head is located immediately in front of a headrest portion of said seat; 
 said camera imaging apparatus including one or more lenses and adapted to co create one or more electrical signal representative of the images received by said one or more lenses;    signal transmitting pathway transmitting said one or more electrical signal to a signal recorder;    said signal recorder adapted for remote operation by a control module;    said control module including operator operable indicia for changing one or more mode of operation of said camera imaging apparatus, said control module including a display for displaying images.    
     
     
         35 . A seat including a camera imaging apparatus, comprising: 
 a camera imaging apparatus fixedly attached to said seat laterally offset from a central axis thereof and centrally disposed relative to a central axis of a vehicle for receiving said seat for imaging forwardly from said seat such that said camera imaging apparatus is unobstructed by use of said seat by a passenger when the passenger's head is immediately central to the central axis of the seat during use of the seat as a seat;    said camera imaging apparatus including one or more lens and adapted to create one or more electrical signal representative of the images received by said one or more lens;    signal transmitting pathway transmitting said one or more electrical signal to a signal receiver for processing the signal,    whereby the signal receiver processes said one or more electrical signal for visual display, recording, or communication thereof to a remote receiver.    
     
     
         36 . A video and audio imaging apparatus and motor vehicle seat for positioning in a motor vehicle for receiving video images and audio, comprising: 
 a frame for a seat having cushioning pads thereon defining a seat portion and a seat back portion, said frame defining a shape of the seat and the seat back portions, said seat back portion having a headrest portion therein;    means for covering the frame;    the seat back further defining a second portion spaced-apart and lateral of the headrest portion, which second portion includes means for mounting a video imaging apparatus thereto, whereby the video imaging apparatus is disposed laterally of the seat back and centrally relative to for imaging a central axis of said motor vehicle forwardly while being unobstructed by a passenger's head when the passenger's head is located immediately in front of the headrest portion;    a drawer slidably received within the seat portion for moving between a first position recessed within the seat and a second position extending outwardly of the seat for accessing a video image recorder secured within the drawer and being operatively connected with a control cable to the video imaging apparatus mounted to the seat back portion; and    control means for selectively operating the camera and the recorder for recording images.    
     
     
         37 . A video and audio imaging apparatus and vehicle seat for positioning in a vehicle for receiving video images, comprising: 
 a frame for a seat having cushioning pads thereon defining a seat portion and a seat back portion, said frame defining a shape of the seat and seat back portions, said seat back portion having a headrest portion therein;    a cover for the frame;    the seat back further defining a second portion spaced apart and lateral of the headrest portion;    a support disposed in the second portion for mounting a video imaging apparatus thereto, whereby the video imaging apparatus is disposed laterally of the seat back and centrally relative to a central axis of said vehicle for imaging forwardly while being unobstructed by a passenger's head when the passenger's head is located immediately in front of the headrest portion; and    a drawer slidably received within the seat portion for moving between a first position recessed within the seat and a second position extending outwardly of the seat for accessing a video image recorder secured within the drawer and being operatively connected with a signal communication cable to the video imaging apparatus mounted to the seat back portion.    
     
     
         38 . The video imaging apparatus and vehicle seat as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the second portion comprises a cavity defined within the seat back portion; and 
 wherein the support comprises a member disposed in the cavity and engaged to the frame of the seat back portion, the support member adapted for rigidly engaging said at least one video imaging apparatus.    
     
     
         39 . A video and audio imaging apparatus and vehicle seat for positioning in a vehicle for receiving video images, comprising: 
 a frame for a seat having cushioning pads thereon defining a seat portion and a seat back portion, said frame defining a shape of the seat and the seat back portions, said seat back portion having a headrest portion therein;    a cover for covering the frame;    a seat back further defining a second portion spaced-apart and lateral of the headrest portion;    a support disposed in the second portion for mounting a video imaging apparatus thereto, whereby the video imaging apparatus is disposed laterally of the seat back and centrally relative to a central axis of said vehicle for imaging forwardly while being unobstructed by a passenger's head when the passenger's head is located immediately in front of the headrest portion;    a drawer slidably received within the seat portion for moving between a first position recessed within the seat and a second position extending outwardly of the seat for accessing a video image recorder secured within the drawer and being operatively connected with a signal communication cable to the video imaging apparatus mounted to the seat back portion;    a controller for selectively operating the video image apparatus and the video image recorder for recording images;    a microphone with a communication pathway for providing an audio signal to the video image recorder; and    a video image display operatively connected to the video image recorder for display of video images, said video image display mounted to a structure of the vehicle