Device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle

• US 20050073582A1
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Holz, Michael, Moisel, Joerg
• Application Number:
  US10/957,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/22 for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior 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 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/20 for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

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. An image evaluation unit is also provided, which is connected to the camera and the control unit and which evaluates the collected image data with respect to the recommended velocity V_richt and makes it available to a vehicle driver as a velocity recommendation.

In addition the recommended maximum velocity V_max is optionally evaluated from the image data. A velocity sensor is provided, which is connected to the control unit in such a way that the control unit causes the display to be switched off when the vehicle velocity V exceeds the maximum velocity V_max. This device ensures that the vehicle with the device operates in a very safe way for the user.

Claims

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,

a control unit for controlling the device, and

an image evaluation unit connected to the camera and to the control unit, which evaluates the collected image data with respect to a recommended velocity V_richt and makes it available to a vehicle driver as a velocity recommendation.

2. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image evaluation unit additionally evaluates the collected image data with respect to a recommended maximum velocity V_max, wherein a velocity sensor is provided which is connected to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off when a vehicle velocity V exceeds the maximum velocity V_max.

3. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched on when a vehicle velocity V drops below the maximum velocity V_max.

4. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched on when a vehicle velocity V drops below the maximum velocity V_max by the velocity difference V₀.

5. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the velocity difference V₀ is selected in the region of a few percent of the maximum velocity V_max, in particular in the region of 5% thereof.

6. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sensing unit or the image evaluation unit is provided, said unit evaluating the state of the surroundings, in particular the position, the profile of the underlying surface, the state of the underlying surface, the state of the weather, the road signs which are present or the volume of traffic in such a way that the recommended velocity V_richt and/or the maximum velocity V_max are determined as a function thereof.

7. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that the recommended velocity V_richt and/or the maximum velocity V_max can be displayed on the display.

8. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein, in addition to an on/off switch for the device, an additional switch for switching on the display after switching off has been carried out is provided.

9. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional switch is implemented in the vicinity of the steering wheel, in particular by means of a headlamp flasher switch or a steering wheel rocker.

10. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display is switched off suddenly.

11. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display is switched off gradually.

12. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein a signal transmitter is provided which is connected to the control unit and which is actuated in such a way that, before or as the vehicle velocity V exceeds the recommended velocity V_richt and/or the maximum velocity V_max, a visual, audible and/or haptic warning signal is issued.

13. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that, in addition to the display, the camera and/or the radiation source can also be switched off and on as a function of the velocity.