A camera system for vehicles captures panoramic video, has a unique identifier, and has an image processor that compresses the video and detects events. It transmits compressed video with one or more of a timestamp, a unique identifier, a location, and event flags through a network (e.g., cellular) to a server. A GPS device (or the like) may be adapted to determine location. Particular embodiments process the video to detect events, and, upon detecting these events, transmit video at a high data rate while using a low data rate at other times.

A vehicle monitoring apparatus is described, comprising: a vehicle state detector detecting whether the vehicle is in a parking state; a motion detection sensor detecting whether an object is moving relative to the vehicle; an image recorder recording image data relating to the surrounding environment of the vehicle; a touch sensor sensing whether the object is touching the vehicle; a main control unit configured to: start the motion detection sensor when the vehicle state detector detects that the vehicle is in a parking state, turn on the image recorder and the touch sensor when the motion detection sensor detects that an object is moving with respect to the vehicle, and trim the image data recorded during a predetermined time period when the touch sensor senses that the object is touching the vehicle, the predetermined time period comprising the duration of the object being in touch with the vehicle; and a storage storing the trimmed image data. With this, the capacity of the storage can be utilized effectively.

A vehicle can include one or more movably mounted cameras that are able to move to adjust a viewing angle of the camera(s) relative to a body of the vehicle. The camera(s) may be movable by virtue of being coupled to a movable side mirror, such that movement of the side mirror changes a field of view of the camera coupled to the side mirror. For example, the side mirror can be rotated about a rotational axis between a first position in which a field of view of the camera is directed in a first direction (e.g. toward a ground proximate the vehicle), and a second position in which the field of view of the camera is directed in a second direction, different than the first direction (e.g., outward from the vehicle or toward a door of the vehicle).

A system for detecting unauthorized access to an area includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a body and to detect access to an area inside the body. The sensor is configured to transmit a signal in response to detecting access to the area. The system also includes an alert feature configured to receive the signal and to generate an alert in response to receiving the signal.

A vehicle is disclosed which includes a controller having at least one of a vehicle security module and a playback module. The vehicle security module may operate in a secure once mode of operation or in a secure all mode of operation. The playback module records ride information associated with the vehicle. The ride information may be provided to an external device.

A server device obtains, from a primary device associated with a first vehicle, event data concerning an event, video data concerning the event, and/or location data concerning a location of the first vehicle. The server device processes the event data to determine a type of the event, and determines, based on the type of the event and the location data, a proximity zone around the location of the first vehicle. The server device determines additional devices within the proximity zone, where each additional device is associated with a different vehicle. The server device sends, to the additional devices, a message requesting additional video data concerning the event, and obtains the additional video data from at least one additional device. The server device performs, based on relevant event information based on the event data, the video data, and the additional video data, an action concerning the event.

Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.

A vehicle alarm system includes motion sensors to detect motion outside the vehicle, cameras disposed on an interior of the vehicle capable of recording activity on an exterior perimeter of the vehicle, redundant control panels that control settings related to the vehicle alarm system and are distributed in and outside the vehicle, an alarm triggered by one of the redundant control panels in response to the motion sensors to provide a visual and an audible warning in a vicinity of the vehicle, an independent battery configured to power only the vehicle alarm system independent of an electrical power delivery of the vehicle, and a security box to record all vehicle alarm system activities, an access to the security box based on an access code matched to a registration of the vehicle. Wolf pack security for multiple vehicles, imprinting alpha and beta masters and voice recognition call features are also included.

A server device obtains, from a primary device associated with a first vehicle, event data concerning an event, video data concerning the event, and/or location data concerning a location of the first vehicle. The server device processes the event data to determine a type of the event, and determines, based on the type of the event and the location data, a proximity zone around the location of the first vehicle. The server device determines additional devices within the proximity zone, where each additional device is associated with a different vehicle. The server device sends, to the additional devices, a message requesting additional video data concerning the event, and obtains the additional video data from at least one additional device. The server device performs, based on relevant event information based on the event data, the video data, and the additional video data, an action concerning the event.

Incident capture systems and methods for a vehicle. One example system includes a head unit that displays a user interface to view and manage incident images. The system also includes an existing vehicle sensor configured to sense conditions outside of the vehicle, an existing vehicle camera configured to capture conditions outside of the vehicle, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to detect a change in the conditions outside of the vehicle from the existing sensor; determine a state of the system, wherein the state of the system is one selected from the group consisting of an on state and an off state; and in response to determining an on state, receive at least one image from the existing vehicle camera; and store the at least one image in a stack located in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.