Vehicle camera display system

• US 6,611,202 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2001
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vadas, Keith J, Schofield, Kenneth, Larson, Mark L
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/776,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20020017985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 340/461, 340/903, 340/435, 348/118, 348/148
• US Class Current: 340/461
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/14 having dimming means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/054 Variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities different from standard intensities, e.g. continuous or stepped transitions of intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/056 Special anti-blinding beams, e.g. a standard beam is chopped or moved in order not to blind
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/21 Manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/3321 Detection of streetlights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• 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 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 : using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 : using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 : using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 : using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/107 : using stereoscopic 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 2300/302 : combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 : using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/304 : using merged images, e.g. merging camera image with stored images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/305 : merging camera image with lines or icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/307 : virtually distinguishing relevant parts of a scene from the background of the scene
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 : triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/50 : characterised by the display information being shared, e.g. external display, data transfer to other traffic participants or centralised traffic controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 : for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 : in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 : for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 : for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 : for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8086 : for vehicle path indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 : for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 : characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 : including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 : the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4204 : with determination of ambient light solar light G01J2001/4266
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 : arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 : Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 : using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0081 : Depth or disparity estimation from stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A vision system for a vehicle is provided that comprises a vehicle equipped with an image capture device. The image capture device captures an image external of the vehicle. A display screen viewable by an occupant of the vehicle is also provided and a control electronically generates indicia that are displayed on the screen. The image external the vehicle and the indicia are simultaneously displayed on the screen so as to be simultaneously viewable by the occupant of the vehicle. Preferably, the indicia generated on the screen are related to a function of the vehicle that is not associated with the image external the vehicle displayed on the screen.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle equipped with an image capture device, said image capture device capturing an image external of the vehicle;

a display screen viewable by an occupant of the vehicle;

the system comprising a control that electronically generates indicia, said indicia being displayed on said screen;

the vehicle being equipped with a distance-measuring system, said distance-measuring system adapted for measuring the distance from the vehicle to an object external the vehicle;

wherein said image external the vehicle and said indicia are displayed on said screen so as to be viewable by the occupant of the vehicle; and

wherein said indicia indicates distance from the vehicle to an object external to the vehicle;

wherein said image capture device is adapted to be heated in order to remove dew or frost that may collect on an optic of said device.

2. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said screen is positioned within the field of view of the driver without substantially obstructing the view through a windshield.

3. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said screen is mounted to one of a dashboard, a facia, a header and a windshield of vehicle.

4. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said screen is mounted at a position conventionally occupied by an interior rearview mirror.

5. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said screen comprises a display of one of a projected and a virtual image.

6. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said screen comprises a heads-up display.

7. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said indicia provides a visual clue of the location with respect to the vehicle of images appearing on said screen.

8. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said indicia varies as a function of at least one of a vehicle'"'"'s direction of travel and a rate of turn of the vehicle.

9. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said distance-measuring system comprises an ultrasonic sensor.

10. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said distance-measuring system comprises an infrared detector.

11. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said distance-measuring system comprises a radar system.

12. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said distance-measuring system comprises a stereoscopic distance sensing system.

13. The vision system for a vehicle in claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises at least one of vehicle speed, vehicle turn signal actuation, and vehicle heading.

14. The vision system for a vehicle in claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises at least one of navigation information and map information.

15. The vision system for a vehicle in claim 14 wherein said indicia comprises a graphical display of said at least one of navigation information and map information.

16. The vision system for a vehicle in claim 1 wherein said image capture device captures an image generally rearward of the vehicle.

17. The vision system for a vehicle in claim 16 wherein said indicia comprises an image captured generally forward of the vehicle.

18. The vision system for a vehicle in claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises the anticipated path of travel of the vehicle.

19. The vision for system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said image capture device has a field of view which is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

20. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said image capture device comprises a multi-pixel imaging array.

21. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 20 wherein said multi-pixel imaging array comprises a CMOS imaging array.

22. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said screen comprises one of a fiat panel display and a cathode ray tube.

23. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said screen comprises a flat panel display.

24. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 23 wherein said flat panel display comprises one of a liquid crystal display, a plasma display and a field emission display.

25. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 23 wherein said flat panel display comprises a liquid crystal display.

26. The vision system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises at least two functions of the vehicle not associated with the image external the vehicle.