Display system for vehicle environment awareness

• US 6,559,761 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Strumolo, Gary Steven, Miller, Ronald Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/682,693
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/435, 340/904, 367/909, 180/169, 701/301
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/305 merging camera image with lines or icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance

Abstract

An overhead-view display system for a vehicle is provided. The display system comprises a reference vehicle indicator within an overhead field of view and at least three field of view display segments. Each display segment represents a physical region adjacent the reference vehicle and includes a first indicator adapted to display the existence of another vehicle within the region and the relative distance between the reference vehicle and the other vehicle. In another embodiment, each field of view display segment includes a second indicator adapted to represent a direction of change of relative distance between the reference vehicle and the other vehicle, and possibly the vehicle types. Thus, the disclosed display system communicates information on the vehicle'"'"'s operating environment to the vehicle operator quickly, completely and with minimal driver distraction.

Claims

1. An overhead-view display system for a vehicle comprising:

a reference vehicle indicator within an overhead field of view, indicative of said vehicle within an operating environment; and

at least three field of view display segments wherein each display segment represents a physical region adjacent said vehicle and wherein each display segment comprises a first indicator element adapted to display the existence of another vehicle within said region and a relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle, and wherein each display segment comprises a second indicator element adapted to display a direction of change of relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle.

2. An overhead-view display system according to claim 1 wherein each display segment comprises multiple indicator elements.

3. An overhead-view display system according to claim 1 wherein each display segment comprises multiple indicator elements each representing a different distance from said vehicle.

4. An overhead-view display system according to claim 1 wherein each of said first indicator elements is adapted to indicate at least two different colors wherein each color is indicative of a relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle.

5. An overhead-view display system according to claim 3 wherein each indicator element is adapted to indicate at least two different colors wherein each color is indicative of a relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle.

6. An overhead-view display system according to claim 1 wherein said relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle is indicated by activating said first indicator element at a correlated distance within said display segment from said reference vehicle.

7. An overhead-view display system according to claim 1 wherein said second indicator element is adapted to change color as a function of said direction of change of relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle.

8. An overhead-view display system according to claim 1 wherein said second indicator element comprises a direction arrow.

10. An overhead-view display system according to claim 1 wherein said at least three field of view display segments correspond to regions rearward, left-rearward, and right-rearward of said vehicle.

11. An overhead-view display system according to claim 10 wherein said at least three field of view display segments includes regions left-forward and right-forward of said vehicle.

9. An overhead-view display system according to clairn 1 wherein said first indicator element is adapted to change color as a function of said relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle and said second indicator element comprises a direction arrow.

12. An overhead-view display system for a vehicle comprising:

a reference vehicle indicator within an overhead field of view, indicative of said vehicle within an operating environment; and

at least three field of view display segments wherein each display segment represents a physical region adjacent said vehicle and wherein each display segment comprises first indicator means for displaying the existence of another vehicle within said region and a relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle, and wherein each display segment comprises second indicator means for displaying a direction of change of relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle.

13. An overhead-view display system according to claim 12 wherein said first indicator means comprises an icon.

14. An overhead-view display system according to claim 12 wherein said first indicator means comprises a colored diode.

15. An overhead-view display system according to claim 12 wherein said second indicator means comprises a dual-colored diode wherein each color is activated as a function of a direction of change of relative distance between said vehicle and said another vehicle.