Multiple-view imaging system

• US 20040233277A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miller, Eric A., Taylor, Ronald M.
• Application Number:
  US10/440,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233277A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An improved imaging system includes a single solid state interlaced imager device such as a CCD camera chip, a positionable mirror, and a controller for re-positioning the mirror in synchronism with the capture of video information by the imager device so as to obtain interlaced video information from multiple selected views.

Claims

1. An imaging system, comprising:

an interlaced imaging device;

a first mirror that is adjustable about an axis for presenting a view to said imaging device;

means for adjusting said first mirror about said axis in response to a position control signal to change the view presented to said imaging device; and

means including a controller for generating said position control signal in response to a data acquisition control signal of the imaging device such that interlaced video data produced by said imaging device includes data pertaining to two or more different views.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said data acquisition control signal is a vertical synchronization control signal that coordinates readout of said video data.

3. The imaging system of claim 2, wherein the position control signal generated by said controller produces adjustment of said first mirror during a video data readout period of said imaging device.

4. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said first mirror is planar with two major surfaces that each reflect incident light.

5. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second mirror that is fixed with respect to said imaging device, and that works in concert with said first mirror to present the view to said imaging device.

6. The imaging system of claim 5, wherein said second mirror is a convex mirror.

7. An imaging system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an interlaced imaging device;

a first mirror that is adjustable about an axis for presenting a view of said vehicle or a region in proximity to said vehicle to said imaging device;

means for adjusting said first mirror about said axis in response to a position control signal to change the view presented to said imaging device; and

means including a controller for generating said position control signal in response to a data acquisition control signal of the imaging device such that interlaced video data produced by said imaging device includes data pertaining to two or more different views.

8. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein said imaging system is located on a longitudinal axis of said vehicle.