Vehicular blind spot vision system

• US 6,424,272 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Trajkovic, Miroslav, Gutta, Srinivas, Colmenarez, Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US09/822,434
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 340/937, 340/936, 340/435, 340/436, 701/301
• US Class Current: 340/937
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/307 virtually distinguishing relevant parts of a scene from the background of the scene
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

A blind spot vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view. The camera is positioned on the vehicle such that the field of view corresponds with at least a portion of an area proximate the vehicle which is not visible to a driver while the driver looks in mirrors that are positioned on the vehicle. The system also includes an object identifier electrically coupled to the camera, a relative speed identifier which determines the relative speed of an object which is in the field of view of the camera, and a display electrically coupled to the camera which displays an image generated by the camera and provides an indication of the type of object identified by the object identifier which is in the field of view of the camera and displayed on the display.

Claims

1. A blind spot vision system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one camera having a field of view, the at least one camera being positioned on the vehicle such that the field of view corresponds with at least a portion of an area proximate the vehicle which is non-visible to a driver while the driver looks in mirrors that are positioned on the vehicle;

an object identifier electrically coupled to the at least one camera, the object identifier identifying an object which is in the field of view of the at least one camera;

a display electrically coupled to the at least one camera and the object identifier which displays an image generated by said at least one camera and provides an indication of the type of object identified by the object identifier which is in the field of view of the at least one camera.

2. The blind spot vison system according to claim 1 further comprising a relative speed identifier which determines a relative speed of the object which is in the field of view the at least one camera and which is identified by the object identifier.

3. The blind spot vision system according to claim 1 wherein the identification of the object which is in the field of view of the at least one camera is displayed on the display.

4. The blind spot vision system according to claim 3 wherein the object identifier determines the type of vehicle which is in the field of view of the at least one camera.

5. The blind spot vision system according to claim 4 wherein the type of vehicle is one of a car, truck, light-truck, van, motorcycle, sport utility vehicle, and bus.

6. The blind spot vision system according to claim 5 wherein the type of vehicle is displayed on the display.

7. The blind spot vision system according to claim 4 wherein the type of vehicle is displayed on the display.

8. The blind spot vision system according to claim 1 wherein the relative speed identifier comprises at least first and second speed determining cameras which provide position information at specific instants in time with respect to the object in the field of view of the at least one camera.

9. The blind spot vision system according to claim 1 further comprising an image processor coupled to the at least one camera for receiving a signal generated by the at least one camera which corresponds to the field of view of the camera, the image processor generating a signal which is provided to the display for displaying the field of view of the at least one camera on the display.

10. A blind spot vision system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one camera having a field of view, the at least one camera being positioned on the vehicle such that the field of view corresponds with at least a portion of an area proximate the vehicle which is non-visible to a driver while the driver look in mirrors that are positioned on the vehicle;

a relative speed identifier which determines a relative speed of an object which is in the field of view of the at least one camera; and

a display electrically coupled to the at least one camera and the relative speed identifier which displays an image generated by said at least one camera and provides an indication of the relative speed of the object which is in the field of view of the at least one camera.

11. The blind spot vision system for a vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the relative speed of the object which is in the field of view of the at least one camera is displayed on the display.

12. The blind spot vision system according to claim 10 wherein the relative speed identifier comprises at least first and second speed determining cameras which provide position information with respect to the object in the field of view of the at least one camera.

13. The blind spot vision system according to claim 10 wherein the relative speed identifier comprises one of a radar type system, sonar type system, stereo cameras or a single camera system.

14. The blind spot vision system according to claim 10 further comprising an image processor coupled to at least the blind spot camera for receiving a signal generated by the at least one camera which corresponds to the field of view of the camera, the image processor generating a signal which is provided to the display for displaying the field of view of the at least one camera on the display.