Methods and systems for providing a field of view, such as a rearward field of view, for use with motorcycles and other vehicles, such as bicycles, cars, trucks, watercraft, aircraft, and snowmobiles

• US 20040143373A1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy James Ennis
• Original Assignee: Timothy James Ennis
• Inventors: Ennis, Timothy James
• Granted Patent: US 7,353,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• 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 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• 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 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• 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 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• 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: B60R 2300/8073 for vehicle security, e.g. parked vehicle surveillance, burglar detection
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 29/00 Adaptations or arrangements of mirrors for use on cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/30 for providing power to equipment other than for propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/22 electronic, e.g. displays

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for using a camera and display screen to provide a vehicle operator with an image of all or part of the area surrounding the vehicle. A camera is attached to the vehicle that is in communication with a display screen viewable by the operator. A system for inverting the image from the camera makes the image more readily understandable to the operator when the operator is looking forward and the camera is pointed backward. The camera and display screen may be wired into a vehicle network. The network may comprise many other devices for added convenience and functionality. Many other advantages can be added to the basic system, for example an operator controlled zoom, automatic changes of camera angle, quick-release components, magnetic security keys, and the like.

Claims

1. A vision system for use with a vehicle configured to move primarily in a first direction, the vision system comprising:

a camera mountable to the vehicle and directable in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction;

a display screen mountable to the vehicle and viewable by the vehicle operator, wherein the display screen has a night illumination function for ease of viewing at night;

an image inverter mountable to the vehicle and electronically coupled to said display screen, wherein the image inverter receives a real-time image from the camera, inverts the real-time image, and transmits the inverted real-time image to the display screen for presentation to the vehicle operator; and

a power switch for providing electrical power to the display screen.

2. A vision system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

a camera mountable to the vehicle;

an angle adjusting component for changing the angle of the camera mountable to the vehicle;

a display screen mountable to the vehicle that displays an image from the camera mountable to the vehicle; and

a link between the turn signals of the vehicle and the angle adjusting component for changing the angle of the camera mountable to the vehicle, wherein activation of the turn signals of the vehicle activates the angle adjusting component for changing the angle of the camera mountable to the vehicle.

3. A vision system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

a camera mountable to the vehicle;

an angle adjusting component for changing the angle of the camera mountable to the vehicle;

a display screen mountable to the vehicle that displays an image from the camera mountable to the vehicle; and

a link between the transmission of the vehicle and the angle adjusting component for changing the angle of the camera mountable to the vehicle, wherein placing the vehicle in reverse activates the angle adjusting component for changing the angle of the camera mountable to the vehicle.

4. A vision system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

a camera mountable to the vehicle;

a display screen mountable to the vehicle that displays an image from the camera mountable to the vehicle; and

vehicle operator controls for changing the angle of the camera mountable to the vehicle, wherein said vehicle operator controls are substantially in proximity with other vehicle operator controls.

5. A vision system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

a first camera mountable to the vehicle positioned for viewing in a substantially forward direction;

a second camera mountable to the vehicle positioned for viewing in a substantially rearward direction;

an image inverter capable of inverting the image from the second camera mountable to the vehicle; and

a display screen mountable to the vehicle that optionally displays images from one or both of said two cameras mountable to the vehicle, wherein if said image inverter inverted an image, that image would be displayed as inverted.

6. A display screen that provides an image to a vehicle operator, comprising:

two or more cameras mountable to a vehicle; and

a display screen mountable to said vehicle and viewable a vehicle operator, wherein said display screen simultaneously displays to the vehicle operator more than one image from more than one of said two or more cameras mountable to said vehicle.

7. A means for providing a vehicle operator with a field of view, comprising:

a means for capturing an image that is mountable to a vehicle;

a means for displaying said image to a vehicle operator, wherein said means for displaying is also mountable to said vehicle, and wherein further said means for displaying has a night illumination function for ease of viewing at night;

a means for inverting said image, wherein said means for inverting is also mountable to said vehicle and is electronically coupled to said means for displaying, and wherein said means for inverting receives a real-time image from said means for capturing an image, inverts the real-time image, and transmits the inverted real-time image to the means for displaying for presentation to the vehicle operator; and

a means for providing electrical power to the display screen.