Vehicle image acquisition and display assembly

• US 6,357,883 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Tech
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Tech
• Inventors: Strumolo, Gary S., Miller, Ronald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/789,072
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 359/857, 359/858, 359/838, 359/362, 348/148, 348/151, 348/153, 348/159, 348/161, 701/200, 701/213, 396/429, 396/502
• US Class Current: 359/857
• 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 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• 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 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system

Abstract

A vehicle image acquisition and display assembly 10 which is deployed within conventional vehicle rear-view mirror housing or shroud members 20, 22 and which selectively provides images of areas/regions and/or objects residing within the front and/or along the side of a vehicle 12

Claims

1. A viewing assembly for use with a vehicle, said viewing assembly comprising:

a housing having a rear portion, a front portion opposite to said rear portion, and a reflective member disposed upon the front portion of the housing, said reflective member being positioned to present an image of an object located behind said vehicle;

a camera which is contained within said housing, which has an image capturing portion which protrudes from said rear portion of said housing, said image capturing portion being effective to capture a certain image of a second object located in front of and alongside said vehicle and to provide said captured image and wherein said second object is not viewable by a driver of said vehicle when said captured image of said second object is initially captured by said camera; and

a display which is disposed within said vehicle, which receives said captured image, and which displays said captured image within said vehicle.

2. The viewing assembly of claim 1 further comprising a member which is movably coupled to said camera.

3. The viewing assembly of claim 2 further comprising a controller which is coupled to said member and which causes said member to selectively move from an open to a closed position in which said member overlays said image capturing portion.

4. The viewing assembly of claim 3 wherein said controller senses the presence of precipitation and, upon said sensed presence of precipitation, causes said member to move to said closed position.

5. A viewing assembly for use with a vehicle, said viewing assembly comprising:

a housing having a rear portion and a front portion opposite to aid rear portion and further having a reflective member which is disposed upon the front portion, said reflective member being positioned to present an image of an object located behind said vehicle, said housing further having a transparent member positioned upon said rear portion;

a camera which is wholly contained within said housing and which has an image capturing portion which communicates with said transparent member, said image capturing portion being effective to capture a certain image of a second object located in front of and alongside said vehicle and to provide said captured image and wherein said second object is not viewable by a driver of said vehicle when said image of said second object is initially captured by said camera; and

a display which is disposed within said vehicle, which receives said captured image, and which displays said captured image within said vehicle.

6. A viewing assembly for use with a vehicle, said viewing assembly comprising:

a housing having a rear portion and a front portion opposite to said rear portion and further having a reflective member which is disposed upon said front portion, said reflective member being positioned to present an image of an object located behind said vehicle, said housing further having an opening within said rear portion;

a camera which is wholly contained within said housing and which has an image capturing portion which is effective to capture and provide a certain image of a second object located in front of and alongside said vehicle by use of said opening, wherein said second object is not viewable by a driver of said vehicle when said image of said second object is initially captured by said camera; and

a display which is disposed within said vehicle, which receives said captured image, and which displays said captured image within said vehicle.

7. The viewing assembly of claim 6 further comprising a member which is movably coupled to said camera.

8. The viewing assembly of claim 7 further comprising a controller which is coupled to said member and which causes said member to selectively move from an open to a closed position in which said member overlays said image capturing portion.

9. The viewing assembly of claim 8 wherein said controller senses the presence of precipitation and, upon said sensed presence of precipitation, causes said member to move to said closed position.