Vehicle safety system

• US 7,804,421 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2008
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen; Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US12/035,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20080197997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 340/461, 340/540, 340/815.4, 340/815.45, 340/435, 340/901, 348/148
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• 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 1/25 to the sides of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0022 Pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/202 displaying a blind spot scene on the vehicle part responsible for the blind spot
• 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 2300/60 characterised by monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior scenes from a transformed perspective
• 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: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A vehicle safety system includes a vehicle having at least one pillar. The at least one pillar includes an inner surface covered with a display surface. An exterior focused camera linked to the display surface for displaying an image taken by the camera upon the display material, wherein the camera takes an image of the exterior area of the vehicle that a driver would otherwise see if the at least one pillar were not blocking the view of the driver. A camera control mechanism links a driver sitting within a driver seat of the vehicle to the camera such that the camera may be adjusted to optimize the view provided upon the display surface along the inner surface of the at least one pillar.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety system, comprising:

a vehicle including at least one pillar, the at least one pillar including an inner surface covered with a display surface;

an exterior focused camera linked to the display surface for displaying an image taken by the camera upon the display surface, wherein the camera takes an image of an exterior area of the vehicle that a driver would otherwise see if the at least one pillar were not blocking a view of a driver; and

a camera control mechanism linking a driver sitting within a driver seat of the vehicle to the camera such that the camera may be adjusted to optimize the view provided upon the display surface along the inner surface of the at least one pillar, wherein the camera control mechanism includes a driver position monitoring system including sensors to monitor the position of a driver as he or she sits within the vehicle.

2. The vehicle safety system according to claim 1, wherein the display surface is an organic LED.

3. The vehicle safety system according to claim 1, further including a plurality of pillars wherein each pillar is provided with a camera.

4. The vehicle safety system according to claim 3, wherein the camera control mechanism is manually adjusted by a driver.

5. The vehicle safety system according to claim 4, wherein the camera control mechanism includes a toggle member linked to the cameras for controlling movement thereof.

6. The vehicle safety system according to claim 5, wherein the toggle member includes an associated switch for switching transmission of movement signals generated by the toggle member among the cameras.

7. The vehicle safety system according to claim 5, further including a servo-motor coupled to each of the cameras for controlling movement thereof.

8. The vehicle safety system according to claim 1, wherein the sensors include proximity sensors associated with, and connected to, a processor.

9. The vehicle safety system according to claim 8, further including a servo-motors coupled to the cameras for controlling movement thereof based upon signals received from the processor.

10. The vehicle safety system according to claim 9, wherein the proximity sensors are a series of lasers.

11. The vehicle safety system according to claim 1, wherein the camera control mechanism is manually adjusted by a driver.

12. The vehicle safety system according to claim 11, wherein the camera control mechanism includes a toggle member linked to the camera for controlling movement thereof.

13. The vehicle safety system according to claim 12, further including a servo-motor coupled to the camera for controlling movement thereof.

14. The vehicle safety system according to claim 1, wherein the camera is secured to the at least one pillar.

15. A vehicle safety system comprising:

a vehicle including at least one pillar, the at least one pillar including an inner surface covered with a display surface;

an exterior focused camera linked to the display surface for displaying an image taken by the camera upon the display surface, wherein the camera takes an image of an exterior area of the vehicle that a driver would otherwise see if the at least one pillar were not blocking a view of a driver; and

a camera control mechanism linking a driver sitting within a driver seat of the vehicle to the camera such that the camera may be adjusted to optimize the view provided upon the display surface along the inner surface of the at least one pillar, wherein the display surface is provided with a default mode in which the display surface is presented with an image coordinated with an interior decor of the vehicle.