CAR SIDE MIRROR EQUIPPED WITH THERMAL INFRARED CAMERA

• US 20080203308A1
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hanvision Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hanvision Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: YOO, Sang Keun
• Application Number:
  US12/034,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20080203308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/352
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/31 providing stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/107 using stereoscopic cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0252 Constructional arrangements for compensating for fluctuations caused by, e.g. temperature, or using cooling or temperature stabilization of parts of the device; Controlling the atmosphere inside a photometer; Purge systems, cleaning devices protection against electromagnetic interferences G01J2001/0276
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/061 by controlling the temperature of the apparatus or parts thereof, e.g. using cooling means or thermostats

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a car side mirror equipped with a thermal infrared camera. The car side mirror includes a thermal infrared camera device, a video signal transmission device, a power unit. Associated with the side mirror device is a display device inside the car. The thermal infrared camera device includes a thermal image sensor for receiving infrared signals, an electronic circuit for determining whether an obstacle exists in front of a car, and containing an individual Identification (ID), and a video output unit for converting output signals into video signals. The thermal infrared camera device photographs one or more objects in a desired direction. The video signal transmission device transmits the video signals to a display device. The power unit supplies power to the thermal infrared camera device and the video signal transmission device. The display device identifies the individual ID of the thermal infrared camera and then receives the video signals.

Claims

1. A car side mirror equipped with a thermal infrared camera, comprising:

a thermal infrared camera device comprising a thermal image sensor for receiving thermal infrared light signals, an electronic circuit for determining whether an obstacle exists in front of a car using thermal signals that have passed through the thermal image sensor, and containing an individual Identification (ID), and a video output unit for converting output signals of the electronic circuit into video signals, the thermal infrared camera device being attached to a front surface of a side mirror member and photographing one or more objects in a desired direction;

a video signal transmission device for transmitting the video signals, acquired through the photographing of the thermal infrared camera device, to a display device inside the car;

a power unit for supplying power to the thermal infrared camera device and the video signal transmission device.

2. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thermal infrared camera device further comprises a cooling device that is configured to include a heat dissipation plate so as to dissipate heat generated in the thermal image sensor, and the side mirror member further comprises an opening that is formed through the front surface of the side mirror member so as to dissipate heat generated in the heat dissipation plate.

3. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the video signal transmission device comprises a radio communication unit, which converts signals output from the video output unit into radio communication signals, and a microstrip antenna.

4. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the video signal transmission device transmits the video signals, acquired through the photographing of the thermal infrared camera, to the display device inside the car via a wired connection.

5. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display device starts a voice service of providing notification of presence of an obstacle when the obstacle is detected while the car drives at a speed equal to or greater than a predetermined speed.

6. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thermal infrared camera device is installed in the one side or both sides of the two side mirror members.

7. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 6, wherein, when the two thermal infrared cameras are installed in the two side mirror members, stereo video information is extracted and displayed on a screen of the display device.

8. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 2, wherein the side mirror member itself functions as the heat dissipation plate.

9. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a brush for removing dirt that sticks to the thermal infrared camera device.

10. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the individual ID is encrypted.

11. The car side mirror as set forth in claim 1, wherein the video information, collected from the video output unit, is exchanged with any point inside the car, throughout which a network for a car data transmission and reception protocol is deployed, in a compressed data or original information form.