Sensor device for a motor vehicle used for detecting environmental parameters

• US 6,840,342 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2000
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Hahn, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): FISCHMANN, BRYAN R
• Application Number:
  US10/070,567
• Time in Patent Office: 1,574 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/169, 280/735, 701/300, 701/301, 701/302, 348/148, 307/10.1, 340/901, 340/903
• US Class Current: 180/169
• 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 1/24 in front 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 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor device for a motor vehicle used for detecting environmental parameters. The sensor has at least one camera system. At least two camera systems are used, each operating in a different region of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to improve the functionality of such a sensor device.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle sensor system for detecting an outer environment, the sensor system comprising:

at least two camera systems operable to image the outer environment; and

wherein each camera system operates in a different spectral region and is adjusted to a different distance range.

2. The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein one of said at least two camera systems is an infrared camera operating in an infrared range.

3. The sensor system according to claim 2, wherein another of said at least two camera systems is a CCD camera.

4. The sensor system according to claim 3, wherein the CCD camera distance range is for detection within a close range.

5. The sensor system according to claim 4, wherein the close range substantially corresponds with a headlight cone range of a vehicle driven with its headlights on.

6. The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein one of said at least two camera systems is a CCD camera.

7. The sensor system according to claim 6, wherein the CCD camera distance range is for detection within a close range.

8. The sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the close range substantially corresponds with a headlight cone range of a vehicle driven with its headlights on.

9. The sensor system according to claim 1, further comprising an analyzing device operatively coupled with said at least two camera systems and receiving inputs therefrom.

10. The sensor system according to claim 9, wherein said analyzing device includes means for performing differential contrast evaluation.

11. The sensor system according to claim 10, further comprising:

a memory device in which is stored a visual range model; and

a visual range determining device operatively coupled to the memory device, said visual range determining device operating to draw a conclusion with respect to a visual range from information from the analyzing device.

12. The sensor system according to claim 11, wherein said information from the analyzing device is differential contrast evaluation information.

13. The sensor system according to claim 9, further comprising:

a memory device in which is stored a visual range model; and

a visual range determining device operatively coupled to the memory device, said visual range determining device operating to draw a conclusion with respect to a visual range from information from the analyzing device.

14. The sensor system according to claim 13, wherein said information from the analyzing device is differential contrast evaluation information.

15. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle body;

at least two camera systems arranged in a forward portion of the vehicle body for imaging areas in a traveling direction of the motor vehicle;

wherein each of said at least two camera systems has a different spectral operating region; and

further wherein each of said at least two camera systems is adjusted to a different distance range in the traveling direction.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein one of said at least two camera systems is an infrared camera operating in an infrared spectral region.

17. The motor vehicle according to claim 16, wherein another of said at least two camera systems is a CCD camera.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein said CCD camera distance range corresponds with a headlight cone range of a headlight arranged in the forward area of the vehicle.

19. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein one of said at least two camera systems is a CCD camera.

20. The motor vehicle according to claim 19, wherein said CCD camera distance range corresponds with a headlight cone range of a headlight arranged in the forward area of the vehicle.

21. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, further comprising an analyzing device operatively coupled to said at least two camera systems, said analyzing device outputting a display signal.

22. The motor vehicle according to claim 21, further comprising a display arranged in an interior of the vehicle within a driver'"'"'s viewing range, said display receiving the display signal from the analyzing device to provide environmental situation information to the driver.