Camcorder mounting and control system

A camcorder mounting and control system providing for the quick connection and disconnection of a camcorder from a vehicle dash mount, comprising:

• a camera box for attachment to the camcorder, the camera box containing a camera interface circuit board and having an opening to provide access to an electronic interface on the circuit board, the circuit board having power and charging voltage interface connections to the camcorder;
• a mounting tray for receiving the camera box, the mounting tray including a quick disconnect adapter board having a first adapter electronic interface complimentary to the circuit board electronic interface and, in electrical communication therewith, a second adapter electronic interface for receiving a cable from an in-vehicle system control unit, whereby power and charging voltage from the system control unit is carried by the circuit board to the camcorder;
• and
• wherein the adapter board is a double-sided circuit board.

A camcorder mounting and control system providing for the quick connection and disconnection of a camcorder from a vehicle dash mount and for secure control of camera functions independent of whether the camcorder is in the dash mount, comprising:

• a camera box for attachment to the camcorder, the camera box containing a camera interface circuit board and having an opening to provide access to an electronic interface on the circuit board, the circuit board having power and control line interface connections to the camcorder, a detection circuit electronically connected to the power line to sense the voltage being transmitted thereover, a control circuit electronically connected to the control line interface connections to provide secure camera function control for out-of-vehicle use, and a transfer circuit electronically connected to the detection circuit to receive a signal indicative of the detected voltage transmission across the power line and, if negligible voltage transmission is detected, to thereafter assume a position electronically connecting the control circuit with the control line interface connections;
• and
• a mounting tray for receiving the camera box, the mounting tray including a quick disconnect adapter board having a first adapter electronic interface complimentary to the circuit board electronic interface and, in electrical communication therewith, a second adapter electronic interface for receiving a cable from an in-vehicle system control unit, whereby power and charging voltage from the system control unit is carried by the circuit board to the camcorder.

A vehicle observation and audiovisual recording system with secure camera function control for both in-vehicle and out-of-vehicle use, comprising:

• a camcorder having audio and visual recording capabilities;
• a dash mount for holding the camcorder in an operable position for in-vehicle use;
• a system control unit for managing the system for in-vehicle use;
• a control console electrically interfaced with the system control unit provided with operator switch controls for in-vehicle use;
• a camera box for attachment to the camcorder, the camera box containing a camera interface circuit board and having an opening to provide access to an electronic interface on the circuit board, the circuit board having power and control line interface connections to the camcorder, a detection circuit electronically connected to the power line to sense the voltage being transmitted thereover, a control circuit electronically connected to the control line interface connections to provide secure camera function control for out-of-vehicle use, and a transfer circuit electronically connected to the detection circuit to receive a signal indicative of the detected voltage transmission across the power line and, in response thereto, assume at least two positions, namely, in response to the detection of a normal operating voltage supplied through the system control unit to assume a first position electronically connecting the system control unit with the control line interface connections, or, in response to the detection of negligible voltage transmission across the power line to assume a second position electronically connecting the control circuit with the control line interface connections;
• and
• a mounting tray for receiving the camera box, the mounting tray including a quick disconnect adapter board having a first adapter electronic interface complimentary to the circuit board electronic interface and, in electrical communication therewith, a second adapter electronic interface for receiving a cable from the in-vehicle system control unit, whereby power and charging voltage from the system control unit is carried by the circuit board to the camcorder.