Device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. A device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, a display unit for displaying collected image data, and a control unit for controlling the device, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off or on as a function of the collected image data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, having an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, having a display unit for displaying collected image data and having a control unit for controlling the device. Here, the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off or on as a function of the collected image data. The camera is preferably selected such that it is also sensitive in the range of visible light. The display is preferably switched off or on as a function of the brightness values and/or the contrast values of the collected image data. It has also proven effective to provide an image evaluation unit which is connected to the camera and to the control unit and which evaluates the collected image data with respect to the state of the surroundings, in particular with respect to the profile of the underlying surface, the state of the underlying surface, the state of the weather or the traffic volume, in such a way that the display is switched off or on as a function thereof. This device ensures that the vehicle with the device operates very safely for the user.
15 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having
a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, a display unit for displaying collected image data, and a control unit for controlling the device, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off or on as a function of the collected image data.
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6. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that it brings about signaling of the switching off before the delayed switching off is carried out.
Specification