DRIVER INFORMATION FEEDBACK AND DISPLAY SYSTEM

• US 20050010342A1
• Filed: 07/08/2003
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Coligen Corp.
• Original Assignee: Shih-Hsiung Li
• Inventors: Li, Shih-Hsiung
• Granted Patent: US 6,847,873 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• 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 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• 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 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A driver information feedback and display system is disclosed. The architecture of the system includes a controller (30), a channel/window manager (10), and front and rear image capture units (11-13). The system can be further incorporated with a speed recorder (40), a backing sensor (50), or a GPS unit (60). When a vehicle enters an intersection from a narrow alley, the left and right image capture units (11,12) installed at the nose of the vehicle will be activated for scanning road conditions on the main road in both directions, thereby eliminating the need for the driver to strain to see the traffic situation or pulling out the car half way. The speed recorder (40) can be used for detection of low speed and activation of left and right image capture units (11, 12). The present system can effectively minimize the chance of vehicle collisions.

Claims

1. A driver information feedback and display system comprising:

multiple image capture units disposed at a front end and a rear end of a vehicle to capture exterior peripheral scenes of the vehicle;

a data display unit for outputting video images fed from the left and right front image capture units and the rear image capture unit;

a channel/window manager for controlling window splitting and view switching through the control of video channels, having multiple video input ports respectively connected to left and right front image capture units and rear image capture unit, and an output port to the data display unit for video output; and

a controller connected to the data display unit and the channel/window manager, to act as a control center for the window display mode through control of the video input ports and the output port.

2. The driver information feedback and display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left and right front image capture units are embedded in left and right head lamp sets of the vehicle.

3. The driver information feedback and display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear image capture unit is a micro-camera with a wide-angle lens.

4. The driver information feedback and display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is further linked to a speed recorder, such that when the vehicle speed drops to a preset level, the controller will automatically activate the left and right front image capture units for full scanning.

5. The driver information feedback and display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is further linked to a backing sensor for obstacle detection and distance estimation.

6. The driver information feedback and display system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller is further linked to a backing sensor for obstacle detection and distance estimation.

7. The driver information feedback and display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein controller is further linked to a GPS unit, such that an electronic map is displayed on the screen of the data display unit by window splitting for tracking the current location and charting the electronic map dynamically through the synchronous satellite services.