Vehicle imaging apparatus, vehicle monitoring apparatus, and rearview mirror

• US 7,136,091 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2002
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Takashi, Suyama, Terumasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Philippe, Gims
• Assistant Examiner(s): REKSTAD, ERICK J
• Application Number:
  US10/217,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 348/36, 348/143, 348/148, 348/149, 340/937, 340/425.5, 340/437, 359/727
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/002 specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle, e.g. for viewing tyres, bumpers or the like integrated in the windows B60R1/001; combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• 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 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision

Abstract

A vehicle imaging apparatus for generating a picture of a wide are in an inexpensive manner without affecting the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. The vehicle imaging apparatus generates a picture of a predetermined area outside a vehicle having a rearview mirror. The vehicle imaging apparatus includes a reflection mirror arranged in the rearview mirror and having a curved surface. An imaging device is arranged in the rearview mirror to generate a picture from an image reflected on the reflection mirror. The rearview mirror is located on the passenger side of the vehicle and has a housing. The reflection mirror is arranged in a lower portion of the rearview mirror so that an upper portion of the reflection mirror is covered by the housing and a portion excluding the upper portion is exposed.

Claims

1. A vehicle imaging apparatus for generating a picture of a predetermined area outside a vehicle having a rearview mirror, wherein the rearview has a housing and is located on the passenger side of the vehicle, wherein the housing includes an opening located at a lower portion of the rearview mirror and extending from a rear side to a front side of the housing, and wherein the opening is covered by a transparent cover, the vehicle imaging apparatus comprising:

a reflection mirror arranged in the housing of the rearview mirror and having a curved surface; and

an imaging device arranged in the opening of the housing of the rearview mirror to generate a picture from an image reflected on the reflection mirror, wherein the reflection mirror is arranged in the opening of the housing of the rearview mirror so that an upper portion of the reflection mirror is covered by the housing and a portion excluding the upper portion is exposed, and wherein the reflection mirror is generally conical, has an apex facing a basal portion of the rearview mirror, and is located closer to a distal end of the rearview mirror than the imaging device.

2. A vehicle monitoring apparatus for monitoring a predetermined area outside a vehicle having a rearview mirror, wherein the rearview mirror has a housing and is located on the passenger side of the vehicle, wherein the housing includes an opening located at a lower portion of the rearview mirror and extending from our rear side to a front side of the housing, and wherein the opening is covered by a transparent cover, the vehicle monitoring apparatus comprising:

a vehicle imaging apparatus arranged in the rearview mirror, wherein the vehicle imaging apparatus includes a reflection mirror arranged in the housing of the rearview mirror and having a curved surface and an imaging device arranged in the opening of the housing of the rearview mirror, for generating a picture from an image reflected on the reflection mirror, wherein the reflection mirror is arranged in the opening of the housing of the rearview mirror so that an upper portion of the reflection mirror is covered by the housing and a portion excluding the upper portion is exposed, and wherein the reflection mirror is generally conical, has an apex facing a basal portion of the rearview mirror, in is located closer to a distal end of the rearview mirror than the imaging device;

a processor for receiving the picture from the imaging device and processing the picture; and

a display connected to the processor to display a processing result of the processor;

wherein the processor selects a certain section of the picture in accordance with a driving condition of a vehicle and shows the selected section on the display.

3. The vehicle monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor selects a first section corresponding to an area close to the front of the vehicle when the vehicle is moved toward the front, a second section corresponding to an area close to the middle of the vehicle when the vehicle is turned in the direction of the passenger side of the vehicle, and a third area corresponding to an area close to the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is moved toward the rear.

4. The vehicle monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor performs a correction that decreases the curvature of a curved portion of the picture.

5. A rearview mirror located on the passenger side of a vehicle comprising:

a housing including an opening located at a lower portion of the rearview mirror and extending from a rear side to a front side of the housing;

a transparent cover for covering the opening;

a reflection mirror arranged in the housing and having a curved surface; and

an imaging device arranged in the opening of the housing, for generating a picture from an image reflected on the reflection mirror, wherein the reflection mirror is arranged in the opening of the housing so that an upper portion of the reflection mirror is covered by the housing and a portion excluding the upper portion is exposed, and wherein the reflection mirror is generally conical, has an apex facing a basal portion of the rearview mirror, and is located closer to the distal end of the rearview mirror than the imaging device.