Vehicular camera system with plural perspectives

• US 6,320,612 B1
• Filed: 05/12/1998
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jan J. Young
• Original Assignee: Jan J. Young
• Inventors: Young, Jan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIEP, NHON THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/076,699
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.718, H04/N.947, 348/148, 348/36, 348/118, 348/149, 348/151, 348/419, 348/207, 359/366
• US Class Current: 348/148
• 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 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A vehicular video system is provided including a vehicle having a plurality of controls including a turn lever. Also included is at least one camera adapted to generate video signals of a perspective which faces forward from either side of the vehicle. Next provided is a display mounted within the vehicle for displaying video images upon the receipt of corresponding video signals. A processor is adapted to transmit the video signals of a tight and left perspective of the camera to the display upon the biasing of the turn signal lever in a right and left direction respectively.

Claims

1. A vehicular video system comprising, in combination:

a vehicle having a pair of side rear view mirrors which are mounted to opposite doors of the vehicle, a dash, a turn signal lever and a gear shift stick;

a pair of side front view cameras each mounted within one of the pair of side rear view mirrors of the vehicle, the side front view cameras adapted to generate video signals of a perspective which faces forwardly and outwardly from the vehicle;

a central rear view camera mounted on a rear of the vehicle, the central rear view camera adapted to generate video signals of a perspective which faces directly rearwardly from the vehicle;

a display mounted on the dash of the vehicle for displaying video images upon the receipt of corresponding video signals;

a transmitter situated within the vehicle for transmitting the video signals via free space upon the receipt thereof;

a processor connected between the turn signal levers, gear shift stick, cameras, transmitter and display, the processor adapted to transmit the video signals of a right and left one of the side rear view cameras to the display and transmitter upon the biasing of the turn signal lever in a right and left direction, respectively, the processor further adapted to transmit the video signals of the central rear view camera to the display and transmitter upon the gear shift stick being situated in reverse; and

a manual override switch panel for unconditionally transmitting the video signals from a user selected camera to the display.

2. A vehicular video system comprising:

a vehicle having a plurality of controls including a turn lever;

at least one camera adapted to generate video signals of a perspective which faces rearwardly and outwardly from either side of the vehicle;

a display mounted within the vehicle for displaying video images upon the receipt of corresponding video signals;

a processor connected between the turn signal, camera, and display, the processor adapted to transmit the video signals of a right and left perspective of the camera to the display upon the biasing of the turn signal lever in a right and left direction, respectively; and

a central rear view camera mounted on a rear of the vehicle, the central rear view camera adapted to generate video signals of a perspective which faces directly rearwardly from the vehicle, wherein the processor is adapted to transmit the video signals of the central rear view camera to the display upon a gear shift stick of the vehicle being situated in reverse.

3. A vehicular video system as set forth in claim 2 wherein a transmitter is situated within the vehicle for transmitting the video signals via free space upon the receipt thereof, wherein the transmitter transmits the video signals via free space for remote viewing.

4. A vehicular video system as set forth in claim 2 wherein a pair of cameras are each mounted within one of a pair of side rear view mirrors of the vehicle.

5. A vehicular video system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a manual override switch panel for unconditionally transmitting the video signals from a user selected camera perspective to the display.

6. A vehicular video system for mounting on a vehicle having a pair of side rear view mirrors which are mounted to opposite doors of the vehicle, a dash, a turn signal lever and a gear shift stick, said system comprising:

a pair of side rear view cameras each mounted within one of the pair of side rear view mirrors of the vehicle, the side rear view cameras adapted to generate video signals of a perspective which faces rearwardly and outwardly from the vehicle;

a central rear view camera mounted on a rear of the vehicle, the central rear view camera adapted to generate video signals of a perspective which faces directly rearwardly from the vehicle;

a display mounted on the dash of the vehicle for displaying video images upon the receipt of corresponding video signals;

a transmitter situated within the vehicle for transmitting the video signals via free space upon the receipt thereof;

a processor connected between the turn signal levers, gear shift stick, cameras, transmitter and display, the processor adapted to transmit the video signals of a right and left one of the side rear view cameras to the display and transmitter upon the biasing of the turn signal lever in a right and left direction, respectively, the processor further adapted to transmit the video signals of the central rear view camera to the display and transmitter upon the gear shift stick being situated in reverse; and

a manual override switch panel for unconditionally transmitting the video signals from a user selected camera to the display.