Visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions

• US 20090002141A1
• Filed: 01/18/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sonia Balzanelli
• Original Assignee: Sonia Balzanelli
• Inventors: Rinaldi, Tazio
• Application Number:
  US12/009,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20090002141A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.500
• 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 2300/308 by overlaying the real scene, e.g. through a head-up display on the windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to a visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions of the type essentially comprising a thermal camera (2) installed on a vehicle and connected to a viewing means positioned in the interior thereof, by means of a connection cable. The visual device is designed to operate from a resting condition in which it provides inactive, with no image present on the viewing means, to an operative condition in which a driver sees what is happening ahead of his own vehicle.

Claims

1. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions characterized by the fact that said device is essentially constituted of a thermal camera (2) installed on a vehicle and connected to a viewing means (4) positioned in the interior thereof, by means of a connection cable, said visual device being designed to operate from a resting condition in which it proves inactive, with no image present on the viewing means, to an operative condition in which a driver sees what is happening ahead of his own vehicle.

2. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said thermal camera (2) is housed in the centre of the vehicle, either at the top of the windshield or positioned laterally, depending on the driver'"'"'s position.

3. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said thermal camera (2) presents a protective structure.

4. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the connection of said thermal camera (2) to the viewing means (4) is realized by means of a coaxial or fiber optic cable.

5. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said viewing means (4) is constituted of a video display.

6. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said viewing means (4) is constituted of a monocular viewer.

7. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said viewing means (4) is constituted of a second display which is able to project the images onto the windshield.

8. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said visual device is supported by a thermal signaling device which can be positioned on the sides of the carriageway and fixed to supports or posts, or positioned along the length of the white line painted on the asphalt.

9. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 8 characterized by the fact that said thermal signaling device can be positioned on an airport runway.

10. ) A visual device for vehicles in difficult climatic/environmental conditions according to claim 8 characterized by the fact that said thermal signaling device can be positioned so as to delimit a port or navigation channels for guiding boats.