Area of representation in an automotive night vision system

• US 20060152384A1
• Filed: 12/04/2003
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Seekircher, Juergen, Eggers, Helmuth, Wohlgemuth, Thomas, Kurz, Gerhard
• Granted Patent: US 7,408,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• 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 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• 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: 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 method for detecting surroundings by means of an automotive night vision system comprising several areas, including a detection area (3) in which surroundings-related data is detected, an evaluation area within which the surroundings-related data detected by means of the night vision system is evaluated, and an area of representation in which information about the surroundings-related data detected therein is represented to the driver by means of an optical display unit. All previous commercially available night vision systems are configured so as to be able to display objects at the greatest possible distance. However, said systems involve the great risk of leading the driver into driving faster than would be possible without the night vision system in situations where visibility is poor or in the dark. The area of representation is therefore restricted in the inventive method for detecting surroundings such that the area of representation comprises no more than the high beam area (2). The driver is shown only the surroundings-related data which he/she would see anyway when actuating the conventional high beam due to the fact that the area of representation is restricted.

Claims

1. A method for detecting surroundings by means of an automotive night vision system comprising several areas, including

a detection area, wherein the night vision system is sensitive at least to optical radiation in the IR wavelength region and detects data relating to the surroundings, and

an area of representation, wherein information from the data relating to the surroundings detected by the night vision system is represented optically to the driver by means of a display device,

wherein said vehicle has a high beam headlight illuminating a high beam area and a low beam headlight illuminating a low beam area, and wherein the area of representation comprises at most the high beam area of the vehicle.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an evaluation area is provided within which the data relating to the surroundings detected by means of the night vision system are subjected to evaluation.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tolerance area adjoins the area of representation.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area of representation comprises at least a part of the low beam area.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation area comprises at least the high beam area.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the objects detected by means of the evaluation in the area of representation are emphasized in the optical representation.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information relating to the objects detected during the evaluation in the evaluation area is made available to internal vehicle systems for further evaluation.

8. The method as in claim 2, wherein said evaluation is object recognition.