Abstract: The present invention relates to vehicle systems to selectively record audio and video around a vehicle using a plurality of cameras and microphones dispersed on the exterior of the vehicle. The cameras and microphones are selectively activated using a pair of paddles installed on either side of the steering wheel. Audio and video obtained by the cameras and microphones are displayed through an electronic dashboard and can be stored in an internal memory. In one embodiment, the system detects emergency situations and automatically contacts one or more emergency services. The electronic dashboard is configured to connect to an electronic device for transmitting recorded audio and video. The invention can be integrated into a vehicle during manufacturing of the vehicle or added to a vehicle as an aftermarket system. The invention can also be used by law enforcement to detect emergencies and illegal activity.

Abstract: A spam fax filter which has been configured in accordance with the present invention can include a fax transformation processor configured to transform rasterized fax images into non-rasterized representations of fax images. The spam fax filter further can include a knowledge base of known spam characteristics. Finally, the spam fax filter can include a comparator configured to compare non-rasterized representations of fax images produced by the fax transformation processor to the characteristics in the knowledge base to detect spam fax in the spam fax filter.