On-vehicle video camera

• US 7,050,089 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2002
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Yoshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): An, Shawn S.
• Application Number:
  US10/079,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/151, 348/156, 348/143, 348/207, 348/118, 359/872, 359/604, 340/901, 340/904, 362/459, 362/494, 362/466
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides 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 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• 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 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An on-vehicle video camera includes an imaging unit which converts image light into an electrical imaging signal to output the imaging signal as a video signal in a predetermined format, a light emitting unit for lighting an imaging area of the imaging unit, and a control unit for controlling the imaging operation of the imaging unit and the lighting operation of the light emitting unit so as to be operably synchronized with each other. The light emitting unit includes a unit for emitting infrared light in a predetermined band. The imaging unit does not filter out an infrared signal component in the predetermined band which is contained in the imaging signal. The imaging unit and the light emitting unit are housed by a housing which forms an outside mirror of a vehicle.

Claims

1. An on-vehicle video camera comprising:

imaging means incorporated in an exterior sideview mirror of the vehicle for converting image light into an electrical imaging signal and outputting the imaging signal as a video signal in a predetermined format;

light emitting means for lighting an imaging area of said imaging means at the exterior of the vehicle; and

control means for controlling an imaging operation of said imaging means and a lighting operation of said light emitting means so as to be operably synchronized with each other,

wherein said control means determines illuminance of the surroundings of the vehicle, and causes said light emitting means to emit light during the imaging operation of said imaging means according to a determined illuminance.

2. The on vehicle video camera according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means includes means for emitting infrared light in a predetermined band, and said imaging means is responsive to an infrared signal component in the predetermined band.

3. The on vehicle video camera according to claim 1, wherein said control means causes said light emitting means to emit light during the imaging operation of said imaging means when said control means detects that a vehicle turn signal has been turned on.