FIELD OF VIEW MATCHING VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM

• US 20130038732A1
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Waite, Sheldon, Klimecki, Marcin
• Granted Patent: US 9,102,269 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• 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 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• 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 2300/202 displaying a blind spot scene on the vehicle part responsible for the blind spot
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/605 the adjustment being automatic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system

Abstract

A field of view matching video display system may comprise a tracking device, a rear-facing camera, a processing device, and a display. The tracking device is configured to capture a first video image in a predefined area in the vehicle and provide a first video image signal. The rear-facing camera is configured to capture a second video image and provide a second video image signal. The processing device is configured to analyze the first video image obtained via the first video image signal to determine a head position of the driver, determine a first field of view for the driver based on the head position of the driver, generate a third video image that substantially corresponds with at least a portion of the first field of view of the driver, and provide a third video image signal. The display is configured to show the third video image.

Claims

1. A field of view matching video display system for a vehicle having a driver, the system comprising:

a tracking device, wherein the tracking device is configured to capture a first video image in a predefined area in the vehicle and provide a first video image signal;

a rear-facing camera, wherein the rear-facing camera is configured to capture a second video image and provide a second video image signal;

a processing device, wherein the processing device is configured to;

analyze the first video image obtained from the first video image signal to determine a head position of the driver;

determine a first field of view for the driver based on the head position of the driver;

obtain a third video image that substantially corresponds with at least a portion of the first field of view of the driver and provide a third video image signal; and

a display, wherein the display is configured to show the third video image obtained from the third video image signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to analyze the first image obtained from the first video image signal to determine the eye positions of the driver and determine the first field of view for the driver based on both the head position and eye positions of the driver.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a rearview mirror, wherein the display is located in a direction behind the driver, and the display is configured to be viewable from a reflection in the rearview mirror.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the display of the system has a front side and a back side and is configured to be positioned on a display of a rear-facing entertainment system having a second front side and a second back side, such that the first back side of the display is facing the second back side of the display of the rear-facing entertainment system.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the display completely covers the second back side of the display of the rear-facing entertainment system from the driver when viewing a reflection in the rearview mirror.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the rear-facing camera is located proximate to the display.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the rear-facing camera is located proximate to the rear of the vehicle.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a rearview mirror, wherein the display is located in a direction forward of the driver and is configured to be integrated with the rearview mirror.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the rear-facing camera is configured to capture the first video image by translational and rotational positioning of the rear-facing camera, and wherein the processing device is configured to determine the translational and rotational positioning of the rear-facing.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the system has a y-axis and the translational positioning of the rear-facing camera is substantially parallel to the y-axis.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the system has a z-axis, and the rotational positioning of the rear-facing camera may substantially pivot about a horizontal pivot axis substantially parallel to the z-axis.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the rotational positioning of the rear-facing camera may substantially pivot about a vertical pivot axis substantially parallel to the y-axis.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the rear-facing camera is immovable.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the rear-facing camera has a second field of view, and wherein the second field of view of the rear-facing camera is wider than the first field of view of the driver.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the rear-facing camera has a second field of view, wherein the first field of view of the driver is completely within the second field of view of the rear-facing camera.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the tracking device is configured to be integrated with a rearview mirror.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the display is configured to also display a textual message.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the textual message is displayed by scrolling across the screen.

19. A method of matching a field of view of a display system for a vehicle having a driver to the driver'"'"'s field of view, the method comprising:

obtaining a first video image of a predefined area in the vehicle with a tracking device;

determining whether the driver is present in the vehicle with a processing device that analyzes the first video image;

determining a head position of the driver based on the first video image with the processing device;

determining a first field of view for the driver based on the head position of the driver with the processing device;

positioning a rear-facing camera, such that a second field of view of the rear-facing camera substantially corresponds with the first field of view of the driver;

obtaining a second video image with the rear-facing camera;

generating a third video image based on the second video image; and

displaying the third video image on a display of the display system.

20. A method of matching a field of view of a display system for a vehicle having a driver to the driver'"'"'s field of view, the method comprising:

obtaining a first video image of a predefined area in the vehicle with a tracking device;

determining whether the driver is present in the vehicle with a processing device that analyzes the first video image;

determining a head position of the driver based on the first video image with the processing device;

determining a first field of view for the driver based on the head position of the driver with the processing device;

obtaining a second image with a rear-facing camera;

generating a third video image based on a portion of the second video image, wherein the portion of the second video image substantially corresponds with the first field of view of the driver; and

displaying the third video image on a display of the display system.