Device for improving view in a vehicle

• US 7,132,654 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Moisel, Joerg
• Primary Examiner(s): GAGLIARDI, ALBERT J
• Application Number:
  US10/811,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20040195508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 250/330, 250/332, 250/339.05
• US Class Current: 250/330
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/22 for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior 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 2300/103 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 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/20 for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A device for improving the view in a motor vehicle. It includes with a radiation source for illumination of the vehicle environment with infrared radiation, an infrared sensitive camera for detecting at least a part of the illuminated vehicle environment and a display for presenting the image information detected by the camera. In accordance with the invention, the camera is provided with an IR-filter which exhibits areas of differing transmission characteristics. The IR-filter thereby exhibits at least one area with a degree of transmission of approximately 70% for visible light or parts thereof and preferably at least a second area with a degree of transmission of approximately or less than 10⁻⁵ for visible light. By this design of the device for improving the view in a motor vehicle it is made possible to provide a reliable detection if the vehicle environment and thereby to more reliably map out the road traffic.

Claims

1. A device for improving the view in a motor vehicle, comprising

a radiation source for illumination of the vehicle environment with infrared radiation,

an infrared sensitive camera for detecting at least a part of the illuminated vehicle environment,

an IR-filter associated with the camera and disposed in front of the camera, and

a display for representing the image information acquired by the camera,

wherein different areas of the IR-filter area exhibit different transmission characteristics, and wherein at least one area of the IR-filter is almost transparent for visible light or a part thereof.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one area has a degree of transmission of approximately 10⁻

3 or greater for visible light or pans thereof.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one area is located at the edge area of the IR-filter.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one area is provided in the central area of the IR-filter.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one area of the IR-filter comprises less than 25% of the surface of the IR-filter.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one area of die IR-filter is in the shape of a circle, a star, a quadrilateral, a circle segment, a section of a circle or a ring.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one area of the IR-filter is formed by one of;

a hole in the IR-filter, a clear area in the coating of the IR-filter, and an open area in the coating of the IR-filter.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the IR-filter exhibits at least a second area with a degree of transmissivity of approximately 10⁻

5 or less for visible light.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said IR-filter is transmissive for infrared radiation emitted by said radiation source.