VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH MASTER-SLAVE CAMERA CONFIGURATION

• US 20170223269A1
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Published: 08/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fluegel, Sebastian
• Granted Patent: US 11,277,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/173 Reversing assist
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/81 for controlling displays
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• 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 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• 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 2300/307 virtually distinguishing relevant parts of a scene from the background of the scene
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/408 using a data bus
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/607 from a bird's eye viewpoint
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/662 : by using master/slave camera arrangements for affecting the control of camera image capture, e.g. placing the camera in a desirable condition to capture a desired image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 : for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A vision system of a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A display device is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The plurality of cameras includes a master camera and at least one slave camera. The at least one slave camera communicates a signal to the master slave camera representative of image data captured by the at least one slave camera. The master camera includes an image signal processor for processing image data captured by at least the master camera. The master camera includes a view generator operable to generate images for display by the display device, with the generated images derived from image data captured by the master camera and the signal communicated by the at least one slave camera.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle;

a display device disposed in the vehicle and operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle;

wherein each camera of said plurality of cameras captures respective image data;

wherein said plurality of cameras comprises a master camera and at least one slave camera;

wherein said at least one slave camera communicates to said master slave camera the image data captured by the respective slave camera;

wherein said master camera comprises a view generator operable to generate images for display by said display device;

wherein said view generator of said master camera receives image data captured by said master camera and receives image data captured by said at least one slave camera; and

wherein the images generated by said view generator are derived from image data captured by said master camera and from image data received from said at least one slave camera.

2. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said master camera comprises an image signal processor for processing image data captured by at least said master camera.

3. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said at least one slave camera includes an image signal processor for processing image data captured by said at least one slave camera before communicating the image data to said master camera.

4. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said at least one slave camera comprises an encryptor that encrypts the image data that is communicated by said at least one slave camera.

5. The vision system of claim 4, wherein said master camera comprises a decryptor that decrypts the image data received from said at least one slave camera.

6. The vision system of claim 1, wherein the captured image data is communicated from said at least one slave camera to said master camera via an Ethernet communication.

7. The vision system of claim 1, wherein the images generated by said view generator of said master camera are communicated to said display device via an Ethernet communication.

8. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said at least one slave camera comprises at least three slave cameras.

9. The vision system of claim 8, wherein said master camera and said at least three slave cameras combine to have a field of view around the vehicle.

10. The vision system of claim 9, wherein said view generator generates a surround view image that is derived from image data captured by said master camera and from image data received from said at least three slave cameras.

11. The vision system of claim 8, wherein each of said slave cameras comprises an encryptor that encrypts the image data that is communicated by said at least one slave camera.

12. The vision system of claim 11, wherein said master camera comprises at least one decryptor that decrypts the image data received from said slave cameras.

13. The vision system of claim 12, wherein said master camera comprises a plurality of decryptors that each decrypts image data received from a respective one of said slave cameras.

14. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle;

a display device disposed in the vehicle and operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle;

wherein each camera of said plurality of cameras captures respective image data;

wherein said plurality of cameras comprises a master camera and at least three slave cameras;

wherein said slave cameras communicate to said master slave camera the image data captured by the respective slave cameras;

wherein said master camera comprises an image signal processor for processing image data captured by at least said master camera;

wherein each of said slave cameras includes an image signal processor for processing image data captured by the respective slave camera before communicating the image data to said master camera;

wherein said master camera comprises a view generator operable to generate images for display by said display device;

wherein said view generator of said master camera receives image data captured by said master camera and receives image data captured by said slave cameras; and

wherein the images generated by said view generator are derived from image data captured by said master camera and from image data received from said slave cameras.

15. The vision system of claim 14, wherein the captured image data is communicated from said slave cameras to said master camera via Ethernet communications.

16. The vision system of claim 14, wherein the images generated by said view generator of said master camera are communicated to said display device via an Ethernet communication.

17. The vision system of claim 14, wherein said master camera and said at least three slave cameras combine to have a field of view around the vehicle, and wherein said view generator generates a surround view image that is derived from image data captured by said master camera and from image data received from said at least three slave cameras.

18. The vision system of claim 14, wherein each of said slave cameras comprises an encryptor that encrypts the image data that is communicated by said at least one slave camera, and wherein said master camera comprises at least one decryptor that decrypts the image data received from said slave cameras.

19. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle;

a display device disposed in the vehicle and operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle;

wherein each camera of said plurality of cameras captures respective image data;

wherein said plurality of cameras comprises a master camera and at least three slave cameras;

wherein said master camera and said at least three slave cameras combine to have a field of view around the vehicle;

wherein said slave cameras communicate to said master slave camera the image data captured by the respective slave cameras;

wherein said master camera comprises an image signal processor for processing image data captured by at least said master camera;

wherein each of said slave cameras includes an image signal processor for processing image data captured by the respective slave camera before communicating the image data to said master camera;

wherein each of said slave cameras comprises an encryptor that encrypts the processed image data that is communicated by said at least one slave camera, and wherein said master camera comprises at least one decryptor that decrypts the communicated image data received from said slave cameras;

wherein said master camera comprises a view generator operable to generate images for display by said display device;

wherein said view generator of said master camera receives image data captured by said master camera and receives image data captured by said slave cameras;

wherein the images generated by said view generator are derived from image data captured by said master camera and from image data received from said slave cameras; and

wherein said view generator generates a surround view image that is derived from image data captured by said master camera and from image data received from said at least three slave cameras.

20. The vision system of claim 19, wherein the captured image data is communicated from each of said slave cameras to said master camera via a respective Ethernet communication, and wherein the images generated by said view generator of said master camera are communicated to said display device via an Ethernet communication.