DUAL-MODE VISION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE SAFETY
First Claim
1. A dual-mode imaging system for a vehicle having a passenger cabin, the system comprising:
- an electro-optical imaging device;
a rotating mount for mounting the imaging device inside of the passenger cabin and comprising a drive unit for moving the imaging device between a rear view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image a back-up area rearward of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle and a seating view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image a seating area within the passenger cabin, the drive unit operable to move the imaging device to the rear view position when the vehicle is in a reverse travel mode and to the seating view position when vehicle powertrain is in a non-reverse travel mode;
at least one electronic control module operable when the vehicle is in a non-reverse travel mode to determine an occupancy status for at least one seating position in the seating area based upon imagery received from the imaging device, and further operable to direct a function change in at least one safety system based on the occupancy status; and
a video display screen displaying images from the imaging device when the imaging device is in the rear view position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual-mode imaging system for a vehicle includes an electro-optical camera mounted inside the passenger cabin and a drive unit for rotating the camera between a rear view position wherein the camera images an area rearward of the vehicle and a seating view position wherein the camera images a seating area within the cabin. When the vehicle is in a non-reverse travel mode, an electronic control module (ECM) directs the camera to the seating view position and analyzes imagery to determine an occupancy status for at least one seating position. A safety system undergoes a function change based on the occupancy status. When the powertrain is in a reverse travel mode, the ECM directs the camera to the rear view position and imagery from the camera is presented on a display screen displays for viewing by the vehicle operator while backing up.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dual-mode imaging system for a vehicle having a passenger cabin, the system comprising:
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an electro-optical imaging device; a rotating mount for mounting the imaging device inside of the passenger cabin and comprising a drive unit for moving the imaging device between a rear view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image a back-up area rearward of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle and a seating view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image a seating area within the passenger cabin, the drive unit operable to move the imaging device to the rear view position when the vehicle is in a reverse travel mode and to the seating view position when vehicle powertrain is in a non-reverse travel mode; at least one electronic control module operable when the vehicle is in a non-reverse travel mode to determine an occupancy status for at least one seating position in the seating area based upon imagery received from the imaging device, and further operable to direct a function change in at least one safety system based on the occupancy status; and a video display screen displaying images from the imaging device when the imaging device is in the rear view position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A dual-mode imaging system for a vehicle having a passenger cabin, the system comprising:
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an electro-optical imaging device mountable inside of the passenger cabin for rotating movement between a rear view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image a back-up area rearward of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle and an seating view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image a seating area within the passenger cabin; a drive unit moving the imaging device between the rear view position and the seating view position; at least one electronic control module selectively operable in an occupant safety mode and in a backup mode based upon a status of at least one vehicle system, the at least one electronic control module operative in the occupant safety mode to direct movement of the imaging device to the seating view position and to determine an occupancy status for at least one seating position in the seating area based upon imagery received from the imaging device, and the at least one electronic control module operative in the backup mode to direct movement of the imaging device to the rear view position; at least one electronic control module receiving the occupancy status and directing a function change in at least one safety system based on the occupancy status; and
a video display screen displaying images from the imaging device when the imaging device is in the rear view position. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of operating an imaging system for a vehicle comprising the following steps:
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detecting a status of at least one vehicle system; based upon the detected status, activating a drive unit to rotate an electro-optical imaging device rotatably mounted inside of a passenger compartment of the vehicle between a rear view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image an area rearward of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle and an seating view position wherein the imaging device is oriented to image a seating area within the passenger cabin; when the imaging device is in the rear view position, providing information related to objects imaged by the imaging device to a vehicle operator;
when the imaging device is in the seating view position, using the imagery from the imaging device to determine an occupancy status for at least one seating position in the seating area; anddirecting a function change in at least one safety system of the vehicle based upon the determined occupancy status. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification