Driver-assisting apparatus

• US 20060170771A1
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cimb Chien, Eric Chien
• Original Assignee: Cimb Chien, Eric Chien
• Inventors: Chien, Eric, Chien, Cimb
• Granted Patent: US 7,982,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views

Abstract

A driver-assisting apparatus is disclosed. The driver-assisting apparatus includes a video camera and a display. The video camera is attached to a vehicle for taking pictures in a field further than a driver'"'"'s field of view with bare eyes. The display is connected with the camera for displaying the pictures. With the driver-assisting apparatus, the driver can see an object that is too far for her or him to see with the bare eyes. Thus, the driver can take actions to avoid running over or bumping into the object earlier with the driver-assisting apparatus than without.

Claims

1. A driver-assisting apparatus comprising at least one camera attached to a vehicle for taking pictures in a camera field of view further than a driver'"'"'s field of view and a display connected with the camera for displaying the pictures.

2. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the camera comprises a zoom lens.

3. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the zoom of the zoom lens is at least 2×

.

4. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the zoom lens is an optical type.

5. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the zoom lens is a digital type.

6. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the camera comprises a wide-angle lens.

7. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the camera is a CCD camera.

8. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the focus of the camera is adjusted based on the speed of the vehicle.

9. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the camera is installed in the vehicle.

10. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the camera is installed on the vehicle.

11. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

12. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the display is a plasma display.

13. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the display is a head-up display.

14. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of cameras for taking pictures in various fields.

15. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein various combinations of the cameras are turned on based on the speed of the vehicle.

16. The driver-assisting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the cameras are turned on simultaneously.