Panoramic view blind spot eliminator system and method

• US 20150296140A1
• Filed: 04/11/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Grey Matter Fusion, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Grey Matter Fusion, Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Philos
• Application Number:
  US14/251,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20150296140A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

A panoramic view system for eliminating blind spots in a vehicle includes: at least two video cameras, a panoramic screen, a panoramic controller, such that the panoramic screen shows a combined video stream from the video cameras, which provides a driver with a panoramic rear-view of the vehicle surroundings without any blind spots. The panoramic controller includes a processor, a non-transitory memory, an input/output, and a video manager. Also disclosed is a method for automotive panoramic viewing, including receiving video, combining video streams, and viewing a panoramic video stream.

Claims

1. A panoramic view system for eliminating blind spots in a vehicle, comprising:

a) at least two video cameras; and

b) a panoramic screen;

wherein the panoramic screen shows a panoramic video stream that combines individual video streams from the video cameras, whereby a driver can view a complete video stream of the rear-view vehicle surroundings without any blind spots.

2. The panoramic view system of claim 1, further comprising a panoramic controller, wherein the individual video streams from the video cameras are received by the panoramic controller, wherein the panoramic controller is configured to combine the individual video streams to form a panoramic video stream, which can be displayed on the panoramic screen.

3. The panoramic view system of claim 1, wherein the video cameras are comprised of:

a) a front right side video camera;

b) a rear center camera; and

c) a front left side video camera.

4. The panoramic view system of claim 2, wherein the panoramic controller is configured to combine individual video streams, such that a panoramic video stream is formed as a combination of individual video streams, wherein a rightmost border of a first individual video stream is matched with a leftmost border of a second individual video stream, and so on for additional individual video streams, whereby the panoramic video stream contains all of the content of the individual video streams.

5. The panoramic view system of claim 2, wherein the panoramic controller is configured to combine individual video streams, such that a panoramic video stream is formed as a combination of individual video streams, such that a right border of a first individual video stream can be selected by a user, such that it is matched with a selected left border of a second individual video stream, and further if applicable, a selected right border of the second individual video stream is aligned with a selected left border of a third individual video stream, and so on for additional individual video streams, whereby the panoramic video stream contains all of the non-overlapping content of the individual video streams.

6. The panoramic view system of claim 2, wherein the panoramic controller is configured to combine individual video streams, such that a panoramic video stream is formed as a combination of individual video streams, such that a right border of a first individual video stream, can calculated by the video manager, such that it matches with a left border of a second individual video stream, and further if applicable, a calculated right border of the second individual video stream is matched with a calculated left border of a third individual video stream, and so on for additional individual video streams, such that the individual video stream contains all of the non-overlapping content of the individual video streams.

7. The panoramic view system of claim 1, wherein the panoramic screen is mounted in the normal center top position for a rear-view mirror.

8. The panoramic view system of claim 1, wherein the video cameras further comprise at least one curb mounted video camera,

9. The panoramic view system of claim 8, wherein the at least one curb mounted video camera further comprises curb mounted video cameras:

a) a front right curb mounted video camera; and

b) a front left curb mounted video camera;

wherein the panoramic screen can show a video stream that combines video streams from the curb mounted video cameras;

wherein video streams from the curb video cameras are received by the panoramic controller, which can combine the individual curb video streams to form a combined curb video stream, which can be displayed on the panoramic screen;

whereby the combined curb video stream can assist a driver during parking maneuvering to avoid curb damage to tires and wheels.

10. The panoramic view system of claim 9, wherein the combined curb video stream is displayed when the vehicle is travelling below a pre-determined speed.

11. The panoramic view system of claim 2, wherein the panoramic controller further comprises a video transformer, wherein the video transformer is configured to perform a night vision enhancement of the panoramic video stream.

12. The panoramic view system of claim 11, wherein the video transformer is further configured to perform a high dynamic range transformation of the panoramic video stream.

13. The panoramic view system of claim 1, wherein the video cameras are configured to be retractable.

14. The panoramic view system of claim 2, wherein the panoramic controller further comprises a voice controller, wherein the voice controller is configured to control functions of the panoramic view system via voice commands.

15. A method for automotive panoramic viewing for eliminating blind spots in a vehicle, comprising:

a) Receiving video, wherein a plurality of individual video streams are received;

b) Combining video streams, wherein the plurality of individual video streams are combined into a panoramic video stream;

c) Viewing panoramic video stream, wherein the panoramic video stream can be viewed by a driver of the vehicle.

16. The method for automotive panoramic viewing of claim 15, wherein the plurality of video streams comprises three video streams, wherein the video streams are received from respectively:

a) a front right side video camera;

b) a rear center camera; and

c) a front left side video camera.

17. The method for automotive panoramic viewing of claim 15, wherein the step of combining video streams is adapted to form the panoramic video stream as a combination of individual video streams, wherein a rightmost border of a first individual video stream is matched with a leftmost border of a second individual video stream, and so on for additional individual video streams, whereby the panoramic video stream contains all of the content of the individual video streams.

18. The method for automotive panoramic viewing of claim 15, wherein the step of combining video streams is adapted to form the panoramic video stream as a combination of individual video streams, such that a right border of a first individual video stream, can be selected by a user, such that it is matched with a selected left border of a second individual video stream, and further if applicable, a selected right border of the second individual video stream is matched with a selected left border of a third video stream, and so on for additional individual video streams, whereby the panoramic video stream contains all of the non-overlapping content of the individual video streams.

19. The method for automotive panoramic viewing of claim 15, wherein the step of combining video streams is adapted to form the panoramic video stream as a combination of individual video streams, such that a right border of a first individual video stream, is calculated such that it matches with a left border of a second individual video stream, and further if applicable, a calculated right border of the second individual video stream is matched with a calculated left border of a third video stream, and so on for additional individual video streams, such that the panoramic video stream contains all of the non-overlapping content of the individual video streams.

20. The method for automotive panoramic viewing of claim 15, wherein the panoramic video stream is viewed in the normal top position for a rear-view mirror.