Vision system for vehicle

• US 8,189,871 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Camilleri, Joseph, Gibson, Joel S., Schofield, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Jingge
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOTSINGER, SEAN T
• Application Number:
  US13/017,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20110122249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 382/104
• 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 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• 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 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/304 using merged images, e.g. merging camera image with stored images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/305 merging camera image with lines or icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/584 of vehicle lights or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/588 Recognition of the road, e.g. of lane markings; Recognition of the vehicle driving pattern in relation to the road
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 : Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 : Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 348/904 : Separation or joining of side and center panels

Abstract

A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having an imaging sensor with a field of view exterior the vehicle, a camera controller, a display device and a display controller. The display device is operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The imaging device communicates an image signal to the display device via a link. The display controller may affect the image signal, such as in response to a user input, and the camera controller may adjust a function of the imaging device in response to a detection of the affected image signal. The vision system may adjust an image displayed by the display device in response to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system of the vehicle, such as a distance sensing system of the vehicle that is operable to determine a distance to an object exterior the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

an imaging device having an imaging sensor, said imaging sensor having a field of view exterior the vehicle;

a camera controller;

a display device having a display element, said display device operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle;

a display controller;

at least two user inputs selectively actuatable by a user;

wherein said imaging device communicates an image signal to said display device via a link; and

wherein said display controller is operable to selectively apply at least two voltage levels in response to at least two user inputs and wherein said camera controller is operable to adjust a function of said imaging device in response to a respective one of the at least two voltage levels;

wherein said display controller is operable to affect said image signal and wherein said camera controller monitors said link and adjusts a function of said imaging device in response to a detection of an affected image signal, and wherein said display controller affects said image signal in response to said at least two user inputs, and wherein said display controller affects said image signal by disabling a video termination at said display device.

2. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said display controller applies said at least two voltage levels across said link.

3. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device stops communicating said image signal when said video termination is disabled.

4. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a video encoder, said video encoder communicating said image signal to said display device via said link.

5. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said link comprises at least one of a video plus wire and a video return wire.

6. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said link comprises a video plus wire and a video return wire.

7. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging sensor has a field of view rearwardly of the vehicle.

8. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said vision system is operable to adjust an image displayed by said display device in response to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system of the vehicle.

9. The vision system of claim 8, wherein said auxiliary sensing system comprises a distance sensing system operable to determine a distance to an object exterior the vehicle.

10. The vision system of claim 9, wherein said vision system, responsive to said object detection by said auxiliary sensing system, is operable to provide at least one of (a) enhanced imaging of the exterior scene in said exterior field of view of said imaging sensor, (b) enhanced processing of images captured by said imaging sensor and (c) enhanced display of images of the exterior scene and the detected object as captured by said imaging sensor.

11. The vision system of claim 9, wherein said vision system, responsive to said object detection by said auxiliary sensing system, is operable to at least one of (a) adjust said imaging sensor to provide enhanced imaging of the detected object, (b) adjust said camera processor to provide enhanced processing of at least a portion of captured images that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which an object is detected, (c) adjust said display device to enhance displayed images of a detected object and (d) adjust said display device to enhance display of at least a portion of the captured images that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which an object is detected.

12. The vision system of claim 9, wherein said distance sensing system comprises at least one of an ultrasonic sensor, a radar device, a sonar device, a laser sensing device, a lidar device and a laser scanning device.

13. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said camera controller and said display controller share a common processor.

14. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said display device is associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle.

15. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said display device is associated with an accessory module of the vehicle.

16. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

an imaging device having an imaging sensor, said imaging sensor having a field of view exterior the vehicle;

a camera controller;

a display device having a display element, said display device operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle;

a display controller;

wherein said imaging device communicates an image signal to said display device via a link;

wherein said display controller is operable to affect said image signal and wherein said camera controller is operable to adjust a function of said imaging device in response to a detection of the affected image signal, and wherein said display controller affects said image signal by disabling a video termination at said display device; and

wherein said vision system is operable to adjust an image displayed by said display device in response to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system of the vehicle, and wherein said auxiliary sensing system comprises a distance sensing system operable to determine a distance to an object exterior the vehicle.

17. The vision system of claim 16, wherein said camera controller monitors said image signal on said link to detect the affected image signal.

18. The vision system of claim 16, wherein said vision system, responsive to said object detection by said auxiliary sensing system, is operable to provide at least one of (a) enhanced imaging of the exterior scene in said exterior field of view of said imaging sensor, (b) enhanced processing of images captured by said imaging sensor and (c) enhanced display of images of the exterior scene and the detected object as captured by said imaging sensor.

19. The vision system of claim 16, wherein said vision system, responsive to said object detection by said auxiliary sensing system, is operable to at least one of (a) adjust said imaging sensor to provide enhanced imaging of the detected object, (b) adjust said camera processor to provide enhanced processing of at least a portion of captured images that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which an object is detected, (c) adjust said display device to enhance displayed images of a detected object and (d) adjust said display device to enhance display of at least a portion of the captured images that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which an object is detected.

20. The vision system of claim 16, wherein said display controller is operable to selectively affect said image signal in response to at least two user inputs selectively actuatable by a user.

21. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

an imaging device having an imaging sensor, said imaging sensor having a field of view exterior the vehicle;

a camera controller,

a display device having a display element, said display device operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle;

a display controller;

at least one user input actuatable by a user;

wherein said imaging device communicates an image signal to said display device via a link;

wherein said display controller is operable to affect said image signal in response to said at least one user input and wherein said camera controller monitors said image signal on said link to detect the affected image signal and wherein said camera controller is operable to adjust a function of said imaging device in response to detection of the affected image signal; and

wherein said vision system is operable to adjust an image displayed by said display device in response to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system of the vehicle, wherein said display controller affects said image signal by disabling a video termination at said display device.

22. The vision system of claim 21, wherein said imaging device stops communicating said image signal when said video termination is disabled.

23. The vision system of claim 21, wherein said imaging device comprises a video encoder, said video encoder communicating said image signal to said display device via said link.

24. The vision system of claim 21, wherein said auxiliary sensing system comprises a distance sensing system operable to determine a distance to an object exterior the vehicle.