REARVIEW OBSTRUCTION CAMERA SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

• US 20160119586A1
• Filed: 10/23/2014
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Riad, Yousuf, Mullaly, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 9,661,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A rearview obstruction camera system provides rearward view if visibility to a driver as a result of cargo impacts a view directly out the rear windshield. Likewise, an occupant(s) sitting in the rear seats can obstruct the view of the driver out the rear the vehicle. In both instances the rearward view is potentially compromised. By using a sensor(s), the rearview obstruction camera system can detect if the line of sight of the driver out the rear of the vehicle is obstructed. If obstructed, the rearview camera captures a live feed of traffic behind a vehicle and the image is displayed in front of the driver (e.g. on the rearview mirror, navigation display, or the like).

Claims

1. A system for monitoring potential obstruction of rearview mirror and implementing a rearview camera in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly;

a processor operatively receiving a signal from the sensor assembly to indicate whether there is a potential rearward view obstruction; and

activating a camera for displaying a rearward view of the vehicle in response to a signal from the processor suggesting that there is a potential rearward obstruction.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly is integrated in a rearview mirror assembly.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly uses either a light curtain assembly, or a forward detecting first sensor, a rearward detecting second sensor and a processor that compares the signals from the first and second sensors to determine whether there is a potential rearward view obstruction.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the first sensor is located on a first face of the rearview mirror.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the second sensor is located on a second face of the rearview mirror opposite the first face.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a monitor receiving a video image from the camera.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor further includes an input in operative communication with headlights of the associated vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying an image from the rearview obstruction camera.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the display includes at least a portion of the rearview mirror.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the display includes at least a portion of a navigation screen.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor compares the signals from the first and second sensors periodically.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the rearview camera is pivotally mounted and adopts a first position when the rearward view is not potentially obstructed and a different, second position when the rearward view is potentially obstructed.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the camera is directed toward a first rearward view in case of a detected rearview obstruction, and the camera is directed toward a different, second rearward when the vehicle is positioned in reverse gear.

14. A method of assisting an associated vehicle driver with monitoring a rearward view, the method comprising:

sensing a rearward line of sight of a vehicle driver; and

displaying an image from a rearview camera if at least a partial obstruction is sensed.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the sensing step includes sensing ambient light forward from a vehicle interior, sensing ambient light rearward from a vehicle interior, and comparing the sensed forward ambient light to the sensed rearward ambient light to determine if the sensed rearward ambient light is less than the sensed forward ambient light.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the displaying step includes displaying an image from the rearview camera on at least a portion of the rearview mirror.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the displaying step includes displaying an image from the rearview camera on at least a portion of a navigation display monitor.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining if headlights of the vehicle are on or off.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the forward and rearward ambient light sensing steps include sensing from opposite front and rear faces, respectively, of a rearview mirror.

20. The method of claim 14 including one of pivoting the camera toward a different rearward view when the rearward view of the driver is obstructed, or directing the camera toward a different rearward view when the vehicle is in reverse gear.