Apparatus and method for providing high mounted view of traffic

• US 6,384,741 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oʼleary, Jerry P. Sr.
• Original Assignee: Oʼleary, Jerry P. Sr.
• Inventors: OʼLeary, Jerry P. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/761,163
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/435, 340/903, 340/937, 340/905, 348/113, 348/118, 348/148, 348/149
• US Class Current: 340/937
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/80 characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A camera or fiber optic lens is raised from an automobile on a retractable support to a height sufficient to view over SUVs to perceive an image of traffic beyond an obstructive SUV and transmit the image to a display that is viewable by the driver.

Claims

1. A method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver, comprising:

raising an electronic viewing means to a high mounted forward-facing position above a moving automotive passenger vehicle, wherein said viewing means is directed to view traffic in front of said vehicle;

electronically processing at least one image of traffic in front of said vehicle as viewed from said high mounted position; and

displaying said at least one image to said driver;

wherein said viewing means is raised from a position adjacent said vehicle body to a height sufficient to view over an oversized vehicle.

2. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 1, wherein the electronic viewing means is raised telescopically.

3. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 1, wherein the electronic viewing means is raised pivotally.

4. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 3, further comprising pivoting said electronic viewing means in a direction transverse to traffic flow.

5. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 3, wherein the electronic viewing means uses a fiber optic lens.

6. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 3, wherein the electronic viewing means is a miniature electronic camera.

7. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 1, wherein displaying of said at least one image to said driver is provided by a display selected from the group consisting of a dashboard-mounted CRT, a console-mounted CRT, a ceiling-mounted CRT, a windshield-mounted CRT, a dashboard-mounted LCD, a console-mounted LCD, a ceiling-mounted LCD, a windshield-mounted LCD, an A-pillar mounted LCD, a HUD projected on a windshield, a dashboard-mounted printer, and a console-mounted printer.

8. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 1, comprising electronically processing a series of images.

9. The method of providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 8, wherein electronic processing of images includes image stabilization.

10. A system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver, comprising:

an electronic viewing means;

means to raise said viewing means to a high-mounted forward-facing position above a moving automotive passenger vehicle, wherein said viewing means is pointed to view traffic in front of said vehicle;

means to electronically process at least one image of traffic in front of said vehicle as viewed from said high-mounted position; and

means for displaying said at least one image to said driver;

wherein said means to raise said viewing means extends from a position adjacent said vehicle body to a height sufficient to view over an oversized vehicle.

11. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 10, wherein said means to raise said viewing means is a telescopic support.

12. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 10, wherein said means to raise said viewing means is a pivotal support.

13. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 12, further comprising means to pivot said electronic viewing means in a direction transverse to traffic flow.

14. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 11, wherein the electronic viewing means is a fiber optic lens connected to a remotely mounted camera.

15. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 12, wherein the electronic viewing means is a miniature electronic camera.

16. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 10, wherein said means for displaying at least one image to said driver is selected from the group consisting of a dashboard-mounted CRT, a console-mounted CRT, a ceiling-mounted CRT, a windshield-mounted CRT, a dashboard-mounted LCD, a console-mounted LCD, a ceiling-mounted LCD, a windshield-mounted LCD, an A-pillar mounted LCD, a HUD projected on a windshield, a dashboard-mounted printer, and a console-mounted printer.

17. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 10, wherein said means for electronically processing produces a series of images.

18. The system for providing a high-mounted view of traffic to a driver of claim 17, wherein said means for electronically processing includes image stabilization circuitry.