SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING A CAMERA FIELD OF VIEW IN A VEHICLE

• US 20150085116A1
• Filed: 12/29/2011
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Carlos R. Montesinos
• Inventors: Graumann, David L., Montesinos, Carlos R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,902,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for enhancing a field of view of a camera in a vehicle. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for executing computer executable instructions by one or more processors for enhancing a field of view associated with a camera in a vehicle. The method includes capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants in the vehicle; processing the image information; receiving trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle; configuring one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the received trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and adjusting the position of the one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information.

Claims

1. A method comprising executing computer executable instructions by one or more processors for enhancing a field of view associated with a camera in a vehicle, the method further comprising:

capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants in the vehicle;

processing the image information;

receiving trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;

configuring one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the received trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and

adjusting the position of the one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a focus associated with the camera based at least on the processing of the image information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the image information comprises transforming the image information based at least in part on a shape associated with the one or more reflective surfaces.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring further comprising adjusting a shape of the one or more reflective surfaces.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising projecting a pattern onto the one or more objects or occupants.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein capturing the image information comprises imaging at least a portion of the projected pattern.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein projecting a pattern comprises emitting a structured light pattern comprising one or more of visible light, near infrared light, or ultraviolet light.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the one or more reflective surfaces comprises moving or rotating at least one of the one or more reflective surfaces to alter the field of view associated with the camera.

9. A vehicle comprising:

at least one camera;

one or more reflective surfaces, wherein the one or more reflective surfaces are dynamically configurable;

at least one memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions; and

one or more processors configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute computer executable instructions for;

capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;

processing the image information;

identify trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;

configuring the one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the received trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and

adjusting the position of the one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the one or more reflective surfaces comprise at least a portion of one or more of:

a dome, cylinder, a multi-angular reflective array;

or a complex shape.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising one or more servo motors in communication with the one or more reflective surfaces.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the trigger information comprises one or more of:

opening a door associated with the vehicle;

identifying an identity of an occupant in the vehicle;

or identifying a gesture or movement associated with an occupant of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein configuring the one or more reflective surfaces comprises moving or rotating at least one of the one or more reflective surfaces to alter a field of view associated with the camera.

14. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising adjusting a focus associated with the camera based at least on the processing of the image information.

15. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein processing the image information comprises transforming the image information based at least in part on a shape associated with the one or more reflective surfaces.

16. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein configuring further comprising adjusting a shape of the one or more reflective surfaces.

17. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a light source and diffuser for projecting a pattern onto the one or more objects or occupants, wherein the light source comprises one or more of visible light, near infrared light, or ultraviolet light.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein capturing the image information comprises imaging at least a portion of the projected pattern.

19. An apparatus comprising:

at least one memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions; and

one or more processors configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute computer executable instructions for;

capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants associated with a vehicle;

processing the image information;

identifying trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;

configuring one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the received trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and

adjusting the position of the one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more reflective surfaces comprise at least a portion of one or more of:

a dome, cylinder, a multi-angular reflective array;

or a complex shape.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are configured to control one or more servo-motors in communication with the one or more reflective surfaces.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the information comprises one or more of:

opening a door associated with the vehicle;

identifying an identity of an occupant in the vehicle;

or identifying a gesture or movement associated with an occupant of the vehicle.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein configuring the one or more reflective surfaces comprises moving or rotating at least one of the one or more reflective surfaces to alter a field of view associated with the camera.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising adjusting a focus associated with the camera based at least on the processing of the image information.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein processing the image information comprises transforming the image information based at least in part on a shape associated with the one or more reflective surfaces.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein configuring further comprising adjusting a shape of the one or more reflective surfaces.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are configured to control a light source for projecting a pattern onto the one or more objects or occupants, and wherein capturing the image information comprises imaging at least a portion of the projected pattern.

28. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for enhancing a field of view associated with a camera in a vehicle, the method further comprising:

capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;

processing the image information;

receiving or identifying trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;

configuring one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the received trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and

adjusting the position of the one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information.

29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein processing the image information comprises transforming the image information based at least in part on a shape associated with the one or more reflective surfaces.

30. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein configuring further comprising adjusting a shape of the one or more reflective surfaces.

31. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein processing the image information further comprises analyzing a pattern associated with the image.

32. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein configuring the one or more reflective surfaces comprises moving or rotating at least one of the one or more reflective surfaces to alter the field of view associated with the camera.