Device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle

• US 20050072922A1
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Holz, Michael, Moisel, Joerg
• Application Number:
  US10/957,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20050072922A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/330
• 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 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, having an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, having a display unit for displaying collected image data, and having a control unit for controlling the device. In this context, the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off after a time period t which is selected as a function of the collected image data has expired. The camera is preferably selected in such a way that it is sensitive in the range of visible light. The time period t is preferably selected as a function of the brightness values and/or the contrast values of the collected image data. This device ensures very reliable operation for the user.

Claims

1. A device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having

a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle,

an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings,

a display unit for displaying collected image data, and

a control unit for controlling the device,

wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off after expiration of a time period t which is selected as a function of the collected image data.

2. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera is sensitive in the range of visible light and the time period t is selected as a function of the brightness values of the collected image data.

3. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the time period t is selected as a function of the contrast values of the collected image data.

4. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that, in addition to the display, the camera and/or the radiation source can be switched off after a predefined time period t_K.

5. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in addition to an on/off switch for the device, an additional switch is provided for switching on the display after switching off occurs.

6. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the additional switch is implemented in the region of the steering wheel, in particular by means of a headlamp flasher switch or a steering wheel rocker.

7. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is switched off suddenly.

8. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching off of the display is gradual.

9. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that before the switching off takes place it causes the switching off to be signalled.

10. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein a residual running time display is provided for the purpose of signaling.

11. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the time period t lies, and in particular can be set, in the minute range, in particular in the range of half a minute.

12. The device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is embodied in such a way that switching off occurs when a vehicle velocity V above a predefined maximum velocity V_max is exceeded.