Visual positioning with direction orientation navigation system

• US 10,051,242 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evan Joe
• Original Assignee: Evan Joe
• Inventors: Joe, Tobby
• Primary Examiner(s): Pontius, James
• Application Number:
  US14/209,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20140307093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,615 Days
• 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 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/00 Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3658 Lane guidance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A visualization system is provided for permitting a driver of a vehicle to observe a 180 degree rearward view of his or her vehicle and surroundings. The visualization system can include a display device which provides a 180 degree substantially rearward view. The 180 degree substantially rearward view can be seamless and/or undistorted. The display device can be positioned within the vehicle in front of the driver. The display device can be mounted on the inside surface of a windshield of the vehicle. At least a portion of the display device can be positioned above the eyes of the driver of the vehicle when the driver is seated in the driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A visualization system for a vehicle comprising:

a display device attached to a portion of the vehicle in front of a driver viewing position, the display device having a width, the display device having a height less than a height of a windscreen of the vehicle, the display device having a display portion facing the driver viewing position;

wherein the display device displays an at least 180°

rearward view that is defined by an arc spanning at least 180° and

a vertex point of the arc is positioned forward of the driver viewing position, wherein the at least 180°

rearward view overlaps an at least 180°

forward view from the driver viewing position and wherein the at least 180°

rearward view is undistorted, seamless and without breaks.

2. The visualization system of claim 1, further comprising an image capturing device attached to a portion of the vehicle, the image capturing device configured to capture a 180°

seamless view of an environment rearward of the display device.

3. The visualization system of claim 2, wherein the image capturing device is connected to the display device.

4. The visualization system of claim 2, wherein the image capturing device is a camera.

5. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein the display device is a convex mirror.

6. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein the at least 180°

rearward view is perpendicular to a centerline of the vehicle.

7. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein the display device is attached to the windscreen of the vehicle.

8. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein, from the driver viewing position, the display device is configured to display at least one driving lane on a left side of the vehicle and at least one driving lane on a right side of the vehicle.

9. The visualization system of claim 8, wherein, from the driver viewing position, the display device is configured to display at least two driving lanes on the left side of the vehicle behind the display and at least two driving lanes on the right side of the vehicle behind the display.

10. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein, from the driver viewing position, the display device is configured to display a position and a direction of travel of vehicles behind and adjacent to the vehicle to which the display device is attached.

11. The visualization system of claim 10, wherein it is safe for the driver to move the driver'"'"'s vehicle into a target position in an adjacent lane when no other vehicle is shown in the display, from the driver viewing position, to be positioned in or to be entering into the target position in the adjacent lane.

12. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein, from the driver viewing position, the display device displays:

a right rearward view defined between a right edge of a rear window of the vehicle as displayed in the display device and a viewing direction rightward of and lateral to the display device;

a left rearward view defined between a left edge of a rear window of the vehicle as displayed in the display device and a viewing direction leftward of and lateral to the display device; and

a rearward driving perspective view between the left rearward view and the right rearward view.

13. A visualization system for a vehicle comprising:

a convex mirror attached to a portion of the vehicle in front of a driver viewing position, the convex mirror having a width, the convex mirror having a height less than a height of a windscreen of the vehicle, the convex mirror having a reflective surface facing the driver viewing position;

wherein the reflective surface displays an at least 180°

view that is defined by an arc spanning at least 180° and

a vertex point of the arc is positioned forward of the driver viewing position; and

wherein the at least 180°

view is undistorted, seamless and without breaks.

14. The visualization system of claim 13, wherein the convex mirror has a constant radius of curvature.

15. The visualization system of claim 13, wherein the convex mirror is mounted to an interior of the windscreen of the vehicle.

16. The visualization system of claim 13, wherein the convex mirror is mounted above the driver viewing position.

17. A visualization system for a vehicle comprising:

a display device inside of the vehicle, the display device having a width, the display device having a height less than a height of a windscreen of the vehicle, the display device having a display portion facing a driver viewing position;

wherein the display portion displays an at least 180°

rearward view that is defined by an arc spanning at least 180° and

a vertex point of the arc is positioned forward of the driver viewing position; and

wherein the at least 180°

rearward view is undistorted, seamless and without breaks.

18. The visualization system of claim 17, wherein the at least 180°

rearward view of an environment rearward of the display device overlaps an at least 180°

forward view from the driver viewing position.

19. The visualization system of claim 17, wherein the display device is positioned in front of the driver viewing position.

20. The visualization system of claim 19, wherein the at least 180°

rearward view rearward of the display device includes a view of the driver of the vehicle.

21. The visualization system of claim 19, wherein the at least 180°

rearward view rearward of the display device includes a portion of an interior of the vehicle.

22. A method of preventing collisions between a vehicle and its surrounds, the method comprising:

attaching a display device to a portion of a vehicle in front of a driver viewing position, the display device having a height less than a height of a windscreen of the vehicle and a width; and

orienting the display device to produce an at least 180°

rearward view that is defined by an arc spanning at least 180° and

a vertex point of the arc is positioned forward of the driver viewing position, and wherein the at least 180°

rearward view and an at least 180°

forward view from the driver viewing position together form a 360°

driving view, wherein the at least 180°

rearward view is undistorted, seamless and without breaks.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the display device is a convex mirror.

24. A method of creating a seamless 360 degree full awareness driving environment for a driver, comprising the steps of:

displaying a seamless 180 degree full rearward view in front of the driver on a display device at an interior of a driver'"'"'s vehicle, wherein the at least 180°

rearward view is defined by an arc spanning at least 180° and

a vertex point of the arc is positioned forward of a driver viewing position, and wherein the at least 180°

rearward view is undistorted, seamless and without breaks;

blending the seamless 180 degree full rearward view with a seamless 180 degree full forward view from the driver viewing position to form a seamless 360 degree full awareness driving view with respect to the driver viewing position; and

through the seamless 360 degree full awareness driving view, determining an orientation, location, and position of the driver'"'"'s vehicle by positioning from the driver viewing position perspective in relation with one or more moving vehicles surrounding the driver'"'"'s vehicle, such that, from the driver viewing position, the driver is able to precisely track and pinpoint the position and a direction of the driver'"'"'s vehicle and a position and a direction of each and every other moving vehicle around the driver'"'"'s vehicle in order to visually maintain and adjust the driver'"'"'s vehicle position and direction properly and safely relative to the positions and the directions of the moving vehicles surrounding the driver'"'"'s vehicle for safe driving.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein blending the seamless 180 degree full rearward view with the seamless 180 degree full forward view from the driver viewing position further comprises a step of forming an overlapped vision portion for the seamless 360 degree full awareness driving view when blending the seamless 180 degree full rearward view with the seamless 180 degree full forward view, such that when the moving vehicle appears at the overlapped vision portion, the moving vehicle is visible in both the seamless 180 degree full rearward view and the seamless 180 degree full forward view.

26. A visual positioning orientation navigation system for a driver'"'"'s vehicle, comprising:

a display adapted for mounting at an interior of the vehicle at a position in front of a driver thereof, the display displaying a seamless 180 degree full rearward view for being viewed by the driver in the driver'"'"'s vehicle and for blending with a seamless 180 degree full forward view from a driver viewing position to form a seamless 360 degree full awareness driving view with respect to the driver, wherein the at least 180 °

rearward view is defined by an arc spanning at least 180 ° and

a vertex point of the arc is positioned forward of the driver viewing position and wherein the at least 180 °

rearward view is undistorted, seamless and without breaks; and

a guidance arrangement shown in the seamless 180 degree full rearward view at the display for determining an orientation, location, and position of the driver'"'"'s vehicle by positioning from the driver viewing position in relation with one or more moving vehicles surrounding the driver'"'"'s vehicle;

wherein the driver is able to precisely track and pinpoint the position of the driver'"'"'s vehicle and a position of every other moving vehicle around the driver'"'"'s vehicle in order to visually maintain and adjust the driver'"'"'s vehicle position properly and safely relative to the positions of moving vehicles surrounding the driver'"'"'s vehicle for safe driving.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the guidance arrangement includes an overlapped vision portion for the seamless 360 degree full awareness driving view when blending the seamless 180 degree full rearward view with the seamless 180 degree full forward view from the driver viewing position, such that the overlapped vision portion is adapted for enabling the moving vehicle being visible in both the seamless 180 degree full rearward view and the seamless 180 degree full forward view when the moving vehicle appears in the overlapped vision portion.