CarRec 9000 is a car alarm system with integrated cameras that automatically start recording video when a bump is detected on the car. The system uses two panoramic cameras, one in front and one in back, that have 360 degree views and night vision. When a sensor detects a bump, the alarm is triggered and the cameras begin recording video for a preset time period. The recorded video can later be accessed via USB to help identify what happened while the car was unattended.

1. CarRec 9000Car alarm with camerasReimo, Kätlin, Argo, Kerstin, Norbert, MariaIMKE 2011

2. Our solution offers a grand relief for this - automated video recorders that get activated, when the car feels a bump.Concept of CarRec 9000Often youcan get an unwanted bump in a random parking lot.

3. A car is equipped with 2 panorama cameras located inside the car, one located at the front windshield and one at the back. Cameras

4. Recording starts only when the car is under an alarm.RecordingRecording is made from all angles creating a 360° view. Panorama cameras are located at the ends of the cars.Cameras are equipped with night vision.

5. The vehicle has to have a balance-aware alarm. In our prototype project we used a touch and an infrared sensors to detect the bump.Technical details

6. If a sudden hit is felt by a car (another vehicle bumps the object), Technical detailsthe alarm (balance or touch sensor) emits an electro-magnetic impulse to the alarm center.

7. The impulse triggers the start of the operation:the computer program activates the cameras which will be set on recording mode Technical details

8. The local data collecting device (car computer system) starts importing visual input from the cameras, saving it.Technical details

9. The recording of the visual image continues for a preconfigured time since the initiation of the alert.Technical detailsWhen the owner enters the car, he hears a continuous beep from the data collecting device. This is a sign that the system has recorded something.

10. The information record now can be then obtained from the system (e.g. via USB stick).PHIDGET SENSORS for the car to determine the bumpTools used for prototypeCOMPUTER for software programs to connect the Phidgets and camera

11. Logitech WEBCAM to capture the bumping car after hitInfrared or touch sensor is connected via PhidgetSBC to computer.The prototype testingWhen a bump is detected, the computer program listening the Phidgets starts the webcam.Webcam starts capturing video (for certain time).

12. The video is saved in the computer.In the prototype testing weused Flash ActionScript 3.0The scriptsWhen the bump was detected, ActionScript code ran the .bat file..bat file started the FFMPEG program to stream the video from WebCamstart C:\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg –f vfwcap -r 25 -s cif -t 0:0:20 -i :0.0 -y C:\ffmpeg\bin\outputfile.mpg

13. Thank you!