Real time video rear and side viewing device for vehicles void of rear and quarter windows

• US 6,421,081 B1
• Filed: 01/07/1999
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernard Markus
• Original Assignee: Bernard Markus
• Inventors: Markus, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelley, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): Philippe, Gims
• Application Number:
  US09/227,050
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 348/73, 348/143, 348/144, 348/148, 348/151, 348/152, 348/159, 348/169, 348/155, 348/118, 340/436, 340/435, 340/901, 340/903, 340/937, 340/426, 340/429, 701/1
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A real time video device for viewing the images at the rear and the sides of a vehicle. The real time video device includes a video camera movably mounted to the vehicle for capturing images of events occurring surrounding the vehicle and a video screen mounted within the vehicle and connected to display the images captured by the video camera. A device for moving the video camera along a horizontal plane to capture images along the horizontal plane and a device for moving the video camera along a vertical plane to capture images along the vertical plane are connected to the video camera. A manual control device is connected to the devices for moving the video camera along both the horizontal and vertical planes for capturing images along both the horizontal and vertical planes based upon desires of the driver for real time viewing by the driver of the vehicle on said video screen. An automatic control device is connected to the device for moving the video camera along the horizontal plane for capturing images along said horizontal plane based upon sensed conditions along the sides of the vehicle for display on said video screen to alert the driver to the sensed conditions thereby avoiding blind spots which inhibit the driver from driving safely.

Claims

1. A real time video device for viewing the images at the rear and the sides of a vehicle, said real time video device comprising:

a) means for movably mounting video camera on a top of the vehicle for capturing images of events occurring surrounding the vehicle;

b) a video screen mounted within the vehicle and connected to display said images captured by said video camera;

c) means for moving said video camera along a horizontal plane to capture images along said horizontal plane;

d) means for moving said video camera along a vertical plane to capture images along said vertical plane;

e) manual control means connected to both said means for moving said video camera along said horizontal plane and means for moving said video camera along said vertical plane for capturing images along both said horizontal and vertical plans based upon desires of the driver for real time viewing by the driver of the vehicle on said video screen;

f) automatic control means comprising motion sensors connected to said means for moving said video camera along said horizontal plane for turning said camera toward an object moving on either side of the vehicle for display on said video screen to alert the driver to the sensed conditions thereby avoiding blind spots which inhibit the driver from driving safely;

g) a video cassette recorder connected between said video camera and video screen for recording images on a looped video tare captured by said video camera and displayed on said video screen;

h) said means for moving said video camera along said horizontal plane is positioned within said means for mounting the video camera and includes a movable fork portion, a fixed horizontal span motor having a horizontal span gear and a revolving shaft with a free end, said horizontal span gear being affixed to said free end of said revolving shaft of said fixed horizontal span motor;

i) said movable fork portion of said mount having a substantially cylindrical 180°

horizontal span range actuated by either of said manual and,automatic control means;

j) said movable fork portion having a left fork and a right fork, said left fork including a throughbore extending therethrough and further comprising a stationary pin having an end with a fixed vertical span gear within said camera;

k) said means for moving said video camera along said vertical plane comprising a fixed vertical span motor within said camera engaged with said fixed vertical span gear and having a vertical span range of 90°

extending along said vertical plane; and

l) said right fork includes a throughbore extending therethrough and said device further comprises a pivot pin rigidly affixed to said video camera and pivotally passing through said throughbore extending through said right fork.