Gary N Lucas

US Patent:

51112892, May 5, 1992

Filed:

Apr 27, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/515104

Inventors:

Gary L. Lucas - Columbia SC
Tracy E. Brewer - Charleston SC

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

358108

Abstract:

A vehicular surveillance system comprising a video recorder and monitor in a housing mounted within the passenger compartment of the vehicle to a bracket and a small camera rotatably mounted to the windshield of the vehicle. An FM microphone transmits audio signals to the vehicle's antenna whence it is carried to the recorder by a cable and added to the video images. Date and time information is superimposed on the video image on the top right of the image so as to interfere as little as possible with the image being recorded. The video recorder has a locking mechanism to prevent ejecting the video cassette by unauthorized personnel and its on/off switch is combined with the start record/stop recording function so that one button applies power to the system and starts the recording after a short delay. The housing may be removed from the vehicle for portable use in presenting recorded events as evidence and both video recorder and monitor may operate on the car battery or standard household current.