Driver observation system

• US 7,172,300 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morgan Plaster
• Original Assignee: Morgan Plaster
• Inventors: Plaster, Morgan
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, EUNCHA P
• Application Number:
  US10/856,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20050111120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 359/850, 359/857
• US Class Current: 359/850
• 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 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/08 Periscopes arrangements on floating structures of underwater viewing devices B63C11/49; arrangement of visual watch equipment on submarines B63G8/38
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence

Abstract

A driver observation system for extending the driver'"'"'s point of vision to the corners of a vehicle by transmitting forward, side and rear light images from camera mirror assemblies at or near the front and rear corners of a vehicle to monitors within the driver'"'"'s view at the controls of the vehicle. The system is suitable for either front or rear or both front and rear applications, as well as left or right or both left and right and may be installed after factory manufacture of the vehicle or as part of the original manufacture.

Claims

1. A driver observation system for use with a driver-operated vehicle, said driver observation system comprising;

a) at least one corner camera mirror assembly disposed to receive light images from a front corner of the vehicle, said corner camera assembly comprising;

a video camera for receiving forward light images and side light images; and

at least one side facing mirror to receive and reflect the side light image not within the vision of the driver, the at least one side facing mirror reflecting the side light image to the video camera;

b) transmitting means from said video camera to communicate said light image;

c) a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive said light image from the transmitting means.

2. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 1 where the transmitting means comprises at least one cable between the video camera and display monitor.

3. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 1 where the transmitting means comprises wireless communication between the video camera and display monitor.

4. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 1, where at least one said side facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the video camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

5. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 2, where at least one said side facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the video camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

6. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 3, where at least one said side facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the video camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

7. A driver observation system for use with a driver-operated vehicle, said driver observation system comprising;

a) at least one corner camera assembly disposed to receive light images from a rear corner of the vehicle, said corner camera assembly comprising;

a video camera for receiving forward light images and side light images; and

at least one side facing mirror to receive and reflect a light image not within the vision of the driver and said video camera to receive said light image reflected from said mirror;

b) transmitting means from said camera to communicate said light image;

c) a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive said light image through the transmitting means.

8. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 7 where the transmitting means comprises at least one cable between the video camera and display monitor.

9. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 7 where the transmitting means comprises wireless communication between the video camera and display monitor.

10. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 7, where at least one said side facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the video camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

11. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 8, where at least one said side facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the video camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

12. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 9, where at least one said side facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the video camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

13. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising;

a) at least one corner camera mirror assembly disposed to receive light images from a rear corner of the vehicle with a right facing mirror and a left facing mirror to receive and reflect light images not within the vision of the driver and a camera to receive said light images reflected from said mirrors;

b) transmitting means from said camera to communicate said light images;

c) a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive said light images through the transmitting means.

14. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 13 where the transmitting means comprises at least one cable between the camera and display monitor.

15. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 13 where the transmitting means comprises wireless communication between the camera and display monitor.

16. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 13, where the right facing mirror and left facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

17. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 14, where the right facing mirror and left facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.

18. A driver observation system for use with a driver operated vehicle according to claim 15, where the right facing mirror and left facing mirror further comprises a pivotal mount and control means to rotate said side facing mirror to allow the camera to receive a light image not reflected from said mirror, and a display monitor within the vision of the driver to receive the light image not reflected from said mirror through the transmitting means.