Device and method for monitoring the surroundings of an object

• US 6,923,080 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Dobler, Günter, Enigk, Holger, Rothe, Siegfried, Stechow, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Charles
• Application Number:
  US10/333,409
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 738/661, 348/135, 348/148, 345/204
• US Class Current: 73/866.1
• 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 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/102 using 360 degree surveillance camera system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• 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 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/607 from a bird's eye viewpoint
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9317 Driving backwards
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/10 Providing two-dimensional and co-ordinated display of distance and direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus having an obstacle-detecting system comprises a plurality of detecting devices fastened on the object, an evaluation unit and an optical display device.

For the purpose of displaying the surrounding situation more effectively, the fields of view of two neighbouring detecting devices intersect, the individual images of these detecting devices are combined to form an overall image, and the object can be projected on the display device into the overall image and can be displayed as part of the overall image.

Claims

1. An obstacle-detecting system for monitoring the surroundings of an object, said system comprising:

a plurality of obstacle-detecting devices fastened directly on the object providing a corresponding plurality of individual images;

an evaluation unit for at least one of evaluating and producing at least one image of an obstacle from said plurality of individual images, and;

an optical display device for displaying the at least one image, wherein fields of view of neighbouring ones of said plurality of obstacle-detecting devices intersect, wherein the individual images of said neighbouring obstacle-detecting devices are combined to form a coherent overall image, and wherein a representation of the object is superimposed on the optical display device into an overall image, and is displayed as part of the overall image.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object is a vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object is arranged in a stationary fashion.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the obstacle-detecting devices are arranged distributed over the circumference of the object for the purpose of representing a 360°

perspective.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the viewing axes of two of said plurality of obstacle-detecting devices arranged directly next to one another run substantially parallel to one another.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein viewing axes of all the obstacle-detecting devices are directed towards the ground.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object is displayed as an artificially produced equivalent image on the optical display device.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one obstacle-detecting device is an optical camera.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one obstacle-detecting device is an infrared scanning system.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one obstacle-detecting device is a radar system.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one obstacle-detecting device is an acoustic system.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical display device is a monitor.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one obstacle-detecting device is arranged on the object in a moveable fashion.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one external obstacle-detecting device arranged outside the object whose signals are transmitted to the evaluation unit.

15. A method for monitoring the surroundings of an object, comprising:

providing a plurality of obstacle detecting devices fastened directly on the object and outputting a corresponding plurality of individual images with mutually intersecting fields of view;

evaluating said individual images;

combining said individual images to form a first overall image from a zone near said object;

superimposing a representation of the object into said first overall image; and

optically displaying a second overall image including said representation of said object superimposed into said first overall image.

16. An apparatus for monitoring the surroundings of an object, comprising:

at least one obstacle detecting device positioned directly on said object for producing at least one image when neighboring ones of said at least one obstacle detecting device provide intersecting fields of view;

an evaluation unit for combining said neighboring ones of said at least one image to form a coherent first overall image wherein said evaluation unit includes a projecting device for superimposing a representation of the object unto the first overall image to provide a second overall image; and

an optical display device for displaying said second overall image.