Process for improving the view in vehicles

• US 20030025799A1
• Filed: 08/05/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Holz, Michael, Weidel, Edgar
• Application Number:
  US10/212,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025799A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• 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 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/107 using stereoscopic cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging

Abstract

Process for improving the view in a vehicle, in particular in darkness, bad weather and fog, wherein laser light with a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum is emitted in a predetermined spatial area, which is observed by a camera, of which the images are displayed to the vehicle operator. According to the invention the laser light and/or the camera is additionally used for optical communication with other vehicles.

Claims

1. Process for improving the view in a vehicle, in particular in darkness, bad weather and fog, wherein laser light with a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum is emitted into a predetermined spatial area, which is observed by a camera, of which the images are displayed to the vehicle operator, thereby characterized, that the laser light and/or the camera is additionally used for optical communication with other vehicles.

2. Process according to claim 1, thereby characterized, that the laser light is modulated with information to be transmitted.

3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, thereby characterized, that the laser light received by the camera is evaluated for information contained therein.

4. Process according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the laser light is emitted by at least two different types of laser headlights, which respectively illuminate different portions of the observed spatial area.

5. Process according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the laser light is produced at a location remote from the front of the vehicle and is supplied to the front of the vehicle via one or more light guides.

6. Process according to claim 5, thereby characterized, that a portion of the laser light is communicated to the rear of the vehicle.