Vision system for vehicle

• US 8,483,439 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• 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): Zarka, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOTSINGER, SEAN T
• Application Number:
  US13/481,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20120236150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 382/104
• 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, a camera controller, a display device and a display controller. The camera controller and the display controller share a common processor. The vision system is operable to adjust a displayed image responsive to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system. The vision system, responsive to object detection by a sensor, is operable to (a) provide enhanced imaging of the detected object, (b) provide enhanced processing of at least a portion of captured image that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which an object is detected, (c) adjust the display device to enhance displayed images of a detected object, and/or (d) adjust the display device to enhance display of at least a portion of a captured image that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which the object is detected by the sensor.

Claims

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

an imaging device 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 camera controller and said display controller share a common processor;

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;

a sensor operable to detect an object exterior the vehicle;

wherein said vision system, responsive to said object detection by said sensor, is operable to at least one of (a) provide enhanced imaging of the detected object by said imaging device, (b) provide enhanced processing of at least a portion of an image captured by said imaging device that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which an object is detected by said sensor, (c) adjust said display device to enhance displayed images of an object detected by said sensor and (d) adjust said display device to enhance display of at least a portion of an image upturned by said imaging device that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which the object is detected by said sensor; and

wherein said display controller is operable to affect an image signal of said imaging device by disabling a video termination at said display device.

2. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said sensor 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.

3. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a video encoder.

4. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said display device is associated with one of (i) an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and (ii) an accessory module of the vehicle.

5. The vision system of claim 1, comprising at least one user input.

6. The vision system of claim 5, wherein said vision system is operable to adjust at least one function of said imaging device in response to actuation of said at least one user input.

7. The vision system of claim 5, wherein said at least one user input is disposed at said display device.

8. The vision system of claim 5, wherein said display controller affects an image signal of said imaging device in response to actuation of said at least one user input.

9. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data, and wherein said vision system is operable to at least two of (i) capture image data suitable for lane detection and process said captured lane detection image data in a manner that is suitable for lane detection, (ii) capture image data suitable for headlamp detection and process said captured headlamp detection image data in a manner that is suitable for headlamp detection and (iii) capture image data suitable for ambient light detection and process said captured ambient light detection image data in a manner that is suitable for ambient light detection.

10. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said vision system is operable to adjust said imaging device to at least two settings, and wherein said vision system is operable to process image data captured by said imaging device via at least two processing techniques for respective ones of said at least two settings.

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

an imaging device 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 camera controller and said display controller share a common processor;

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;

a sensor operable to detect an object exterior the vehicle;

wherein said sensor 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;

at least one user input, wherein said vision system is operable to adjust at least one function of said imaging device in response to actuation of said at least one user input;

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

wherein said display controller affects an image signal of said imaging device in response to actuation of said at least one user input; and

wherein said display controller is operable to affect said image signal by disabling a video termination at said display device.

12. The vision system of claim 11, wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data, and wherein said vision system is operable to at least two of (i) capture image data suitable for lane detection and process said captured lane detection image data in a manner that is suitable for lane detection, (ii) capture image data suitable for headlamp detection and process said captured headlamp detection image data in a manner that is suitable for headlamp detection and (iii) capture image data suitable for ambient light detection and process said captured ambient light detection image data in a manner that is suitable for ambient light detection.

13. The vision system of claim 11, wherein said vision system is operable to adjust said imaging device to at least two settings, and wherein said vision system is operable to process image data captured by said imaging device via at least two processing techniques for respective ones of said at least two settings.

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

an imaging device 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 camera controller and said display controller share a common processor;

wherein said vision system is operable to adjust an image display by said display device in response to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system of the vehicle;

a sensor operable to detect an object exterior the vehicle;

wherein said sensor 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;

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

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data, and wherein said vision system is operable to at least two of (i) capture image data suitable for lane detection and process said captured lane detection image data in a manner that is suitable for lane detection, (ii) capture image data suitable for headlamp detection and process said captured headlamp detection image data in a manner that is suitable for headlamp detection and (iii) capture image data suitable for ambient light detection and process said captured ambient light detection image data in a manner that is suitable for ambient light detection; and

wherein said display controller is operable to affect an image signal of said imaging device by disabling a video termination at said display device.

15. The vision system of claim 14, comprising at least one user input.

16. The vision system of claim 15, wherein at least one of (i) said vision system is operable to adjust at least one function of said imaging device in response to actuation of said at least one user input and (ii) said display controller affects an image signal of said imaging device in response to actuation of said at least one user input.