On-vehicle infrared image display unit

• US 20030043029A1
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Takashi, Ito, Michimasa
• Application Number:
  US10/224,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20030043029A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/307 virtually distinguishing relevant parts of a scene from the background of the scene
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays

Abstract

A portable device is detachably attached to the dashboard of a vehicle. The image of the condition outside the vehicle is taken by an infrared camera. The taken image is shown on a display, which is part of the portable device. The infrared image shown on the display is projected onto a translucent screen.

Claims

1. An on-vehicle infrared image display unit, wherein the unit takes an image of the condition outside a vehicle with an infrared camera and shows the taken image in the vehicle, the unit comprising:

a portable device;

a display for showing the infrared image taken by the infrared camera, said display being a portion of the portable device, ;

a translucent screen, onto which the infrared image shown on the display is projected; and

a dashboard located inside the vehicle, wherein the portion of the portable device including the display is detachably attached to the dashboard.

2. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the translucent screen is attached to the portable device, and wherein the angle of the translucent screen is adjustable relative to the display.

3. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the portable device includes a personal computer.

4. The display unit according to claim 1, said dashboard having an upper surface that includes a receptacle for receiving the personal computer, wherein the size of the receptacle conforms to the personal computer, and wherein the display has an surface that is flush with the upper surface of the dashboard.

5. The display unit according to claim 4, further comprising a female connector located in the receptacle, and a male connector provided with the computer, wherein the male connector is electrically connected to the female connector.

6. The display unit according to claim 5, further comprising:

a CPU located in the vehicle and connected to the infrared camera and the female connector; and

a memory located in the vehicle and connected to the CPU, wherein, when the male connector of the personal computer is connected to the female connector, the CPU controls the personal computer according to a program previously stored in the memory, and the infrared image taken by the infrared camera is shown on the display in a predetermined mode.

7. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein, when a subject the image of which-is taken by the infrared camera satisfies a predetermined condition, the CPU shows infrared image of the subject in a different manner on the display.

8. The display unit according to claim 7, wherein the CPU distinguishes the infrared image of a subject when the temperature of the subject is in a predetermined range.

9. The display unit according to claim 8, wherein the CPU shows the image of a subject in a warm color when the temperature of the subject is in the predetermined range.

10. An on-vehicle infrared image display unit, wherein the unit takes an image of the condition outside a vehicle with an infrared camera and shows the taken image in the vehicle, the unit comprising:

a personal computer;

said computer having for showing the infrared image taken by the infrared camera;

a translucent screen, onto which the infrared image shown on the display is projected, wherein the translucent screen is attached to the personal computer, and wherein the angle of the translucent screen is adjustable relative to the display; and

a dashboard located inside the vehicle, wherein a portion of the personal computer including the display is detachably attached to the dashboard.

11. The display unit according to claim 10, said dashboard having an upper surface that includes a receptacle for receiving the personal computer, wherein the size of the receptacle conforms to the personal computer, and wherein the display has a surface that is flush with the upper surface of the dashboard.

12. The display unit according to claim 11, further comprising a female connector located in the receptacle and a male connector provided with the personal computer, wherein the male connector is electrically connected to the female connector.

13. The display unit according to claim 12, further comprising:

a CPU located in the vehicle and connected to the infrared camera and the female connector; and

a memory located in the vehicle and connected to the CPU;

wherein, when the male connector of the personal computer is connected to the female connector, the CPU controls the personal computer according to a program previously stored in the memory, and the infrared image taken by the infrared camera is shown on the display in a predetermined mode.

14. The display unit according to claim 13, wherein, when a subject the image of which is taken by the infrared camera satisfies a predetermined condition, the CPU shows the infrared image of the subject in a different manner on the display.

15. The display unit according to claim 14, wherein the CPU distinguishes the infrared image of a subject when the temperature of the subject is in a predetermined range.

16. The display unit according to claim 15, wherein the CPU shows the image of a subject in a warm color when the temperature of the subject is in the predetermined range.

17. An on-vehicle infrared image display unit, wherein the unit takes an infrared image of the condition outside a vehicle with an infrared camera and shows the taken infrared image in the vehicle, the unit comprising:

a display for showing the infrared image of a subject taken by an infrared image taking means;

a translucent screen, onto which the infrared image is projected;

distinguishing means for distinguishing infrared images based on a predetermined condition; and

image controlling means for showing the distinguished infrared image in a different manner on the display.

18. The display unit according to claim 17, wherein the distinguishing means distinguishes the infrared image of a subject when the temperature of the subject is in a predetermined range.

19. The display unit according to claim 18, wherein the distinguishing means shows the image of a subject in a warm color when the temperature of the subject is in the predetermined range.