SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20170297493A1
• Filed: 04/15/2016
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Gillespey, Brian
• Application Number:
  US15/130,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20170297493A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

A situational awareness system is provided for a motor vehicle. That situational awareness system includes a rear view mirror having a right side section, a left side section and a center section. In addition, the situational awareness system includes: an imaging system including a right side camera, a left side camera and a center rear camera and a display system including a right side display, a left side display and a center rear display. Still further, the situational awareness system includes a control module configured to activate the imaging system and the display system to project images through the various sections of the rear view mirror.

Claims

1. A situational awareness system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a rear view mirror including a right side section, a left side section and a center section;

an imaging system including a right side camera, a left side camera and a center rear camera;

a display system including a right side display, a left side display and a center rear display; and

a control module configured to selectively activate (a) said right side display to project an image from said right side camera through said right side section of said rear view mirror, (b) said left side display to project an image from said left side camera through said left side section of said rear view mirror and (c) said center rear display to project an image from said center rear camera through said center section of said rear view mirror.

2. The situational awareness system of claim 1, further including a right side blind spot warning element and a left side blind spot warning element.

3. The situational awareness system of claim 2, wherein said right side blind spot warning element comprises a right side portion of a rim of said rear view mirror that illuminates.

4. The situational awareness system of claim 3, wherein said left side blind spot warning element comprises a left side portion of said rim of said rear view mirror that illuminates.

5. The situational awareness system of claim 1, wherein said control module is further configured to automatically activate said right side camera and said right side display when an operator of said motor vehicle initiates a right turn signal.

6. The situational awareness system of claim 5, wherein said control module is further configured to automatically activate said left side camera and said left side display when said operator of said motor vehicle initiates a left turn signal.

7. The situational awareness system of claim 6, wherein said control module is further configured to activate said right side camera and said right side display, said left side camera and said left side display and said center rear camera and said center rear display when the operator of the motor vehicle places a transmission of said motor vehicle in reverse.

8. A method for improving situational awareness for an operator of a motor vehicle, comprising:

monitoring, by an imaging system, a first area on a right side of said motor vehicle, a second area behind said motor vehicle and a third area on a left side of said motor vehicle; and

selectively projecting, by a display system, a first image of said first area through a right side section of a rear view mirror, a second image of said second area through a center section of said rear view mirror and a third image of said third area through a left side section of said rear view mirror.

9. The method of claim 8, further including activating by a control module, said imaging system and said display system.

10. The method of claim 9, including providing a blind spot warning.

11. The method of claim 10, including illuminating a right rim portion of said rear view mirror when an object is detected in said first area.

12. The method of claim 11, including illuminating a left rim portion of said rear view mirror when an object is detected in said third area.

13. The method of claim 12, including automatically activating by said control module, said imaging system and said display system when said operator of said motor vehicle initiates a turn signal.

14. The method of claim 13, including imaging said first area on said right side of said motor vehicle and projecting said first image of said first area through said right side section of said rear view mirror when said operator initiates a right turn signal.

15. The method of claim 14, including imaging said third area on said left side of said motor vehicle and projecting said third image of said third area through said left side section of said rear view mirror when said operator initiates a left turn signal.

16. The method of claim 15, including (a) activating said imaging system, by said control module, and imaging said first area, said second area and said third area, (b) activating said display system by said control module and projecting, by said display system, said first image through said right side section of said rear view mirror, said second image through said center section of said rear view mirror and said third image through said left side section of said rear view mirror when said operator places a transmission of said motor vehicle in reverse.

17. The method of claim 8, including automatically activating, by said control module, said imaging system and said display system when said operator of said motor vehicle initiates a turn signal.

18. The method of claim 17, including imaging said first area on said right side of said motor vehicle and projecting said first image of said first area through said right side section of said rear view mirror when said operator initiates a right turn signal.

19. The method of claim 18, including imaging said third area on said left side of said motor vehicle and projecting said third image of said third area through said left side section of said rear view mirror when said operator initiates a left turn signal.

20. The method of claim 8, including (a) activating said imaging system, by said control module, and imaging said first area, said second area and said third area, (b) activating said display system by said control module and projecting, by said display system, said first image through said right side section of said rear view mirror, said second image through said center section of said rear view mirror and said third image through said left side section of said rear view mirror when said operator places a transmission of said motor vehicle in reverse.