Vehicular image display system and image display control method

• US 20050128061A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yanai, Tatsumi
• Granted Patent: US 8,553,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• 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 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple 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 2300/70 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 2300/804 for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

An image display system provided on a vehicle, which takes a side-rear view image of a first area alongside and to the rear of the vehicle, computes running conditions of the vehicle and an obstacle in the first area using the side-rear view image, determines a time point to start displaying the side-rear view image based on the computed running conditions, and presents the side-rear view image at the time point.

Claims

1. An image display system provided on a vehicle, which takes a side-rear view image of a first area alongside and to the rear of the vehicle, computes running conditions of the vehicle and an obstacle in the first area using the side-rear view image, determines a time point to start displaying the side-rear view image based on the computed running conditions, and presents the side-rear view image at the time point.

2. The image display system according to claim 1, comprising:

an image taking device which takes both a rear view image of a second area to the rear of the vehicle and the side-rear view image, or at least the side-rear view image;

a first running condition computing unit which processes data of the side-rear view image or the rear view image to compute the running condition of the vehicle;

a second running condition computing unit which processes data of the side-rear view image or the rear view image to compute the running condition of the obstacle in the first area or in the second area;

a display start judgment unit which determines the time point to start displaying the side-rear view image based on the running conditions of the vehicle and the obstacle computed by the first and second running condition computing units; and

a presenting device for presenting the side-rear view image at the time point determined by the display start judgment unit.

3. The image display system according to claim 2, wherein

the first running condition computing unit processes data of the side-rear view image or the rear view image to detect a lane in which the vehicle is running and to set a threshold line positioned relative to the lane, and

the display start judgment unit determines the time point based on whether or not a point in a defied region of the obstacle in the side-rear view image or the rear view image passes the threshold line.

4. The image display system according to claim 3, wherein

the threshold line is set to maintain its position relative to the lane as the vehicle changes the lane.

5. The image display system according to claim 3, wherein,

when the second running condition computing unit computes the running condition of the obstacle in the second area, the threshold line is set along a side of the lane in which the vehicle is running.

6. The image display system according to claim 3, wherein

when the second running condition computing unit computes the running condition of the obstacle in the first area, the threshold line is set along a boundary of a blind-spot area of the vehicle.

7. The image display system according to claim 3, further comprising:

an image creating unit for creating a high lighted side-rear view image with the obstacle highlighted therein depending on the running conditions of the vehicle and the obstacle computed by the first and second running condition computing units.

8. The image display system according to claim 7, wherein

the presenting device presents the highlighted side-rear view image with the obstacle causing the determination of the time point highlighted, as the first running condition computing unit detects the vehicle changing the lane.

9. The image display system according to claim 7, wherein

the second running condition computing unit computes a relative position, direction, or speed of the obstacle, and

the image creating unit includes a display of data thereof in the highlighted side-rear view image.

10. The image display system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an annunciator which beeps at the time point determined by the display start judgment unit.

11. A vehicle provided with the image display system according to claim 1.

12. A image display control method comprising:

taking a side-rear view image of a first area alongside and to the rear of a vehicle;

computing running conditions of the vehicle and an obstacle in the first area using the side-rear view image;

determining a time point to start displaying the side-rear view image based on the computed running conditions; and

presenting the side-rear view image at the time point.

13. The image display control method according to claim 12, further comprising:

taking both a rear view image of a second area to the rear of the vehicle and the side-rear view image, or at least the side-rear view image;

processing data of the side-rear view image or the rear view image to compute the running condition of the vehicle; and

processing data of the side-rear view image or the rear view image to compute the running condition of the obstacle in the first area or in the second area.

14. The image display control method according to claim 13, wherein

a lane in which the vehicle is running is detected and a threshold line is set in a position relative to the lane by processing data of the side-rear view image or the rear view image;

and

the time point is determined based on whether or not a point in a defied region of the obstacle in the image passes the threshold line.

15. The image display control method according to claim 14, wherein the threshold line is set to maintain its position relative to the lane as the vehicle changes the lane.

16. The image display control method according to claim 14, wherein, when computing the running condition of the obstacle in the second area, the threshold line is set along a side of the lane in which the vehicle is running.

17. The image display control method according to claim 14, wherein, when computing the running condition of the obstacle in the first area, the threshold line is set along a boundary of a blind-spot area of the vehicle.

18. The image display control method according to claim 13, further comprising:

creating a highlighted side-rear view image with the obstacle highlighted therein depending on the computed running conditions of the vehicle and the obstacle.

19. The image display control method according to claim 18, wherein the highlighted side-rear view image is presented with the obstacle causing the determination of the time point highlighted, as the vehicle changing the lane is detected by processing data of the side-rear view image or the rear view image.

20. The image display control method according to claim 18, wherein a relative position, direction, or speed of the obstacle is computed, and a display of data thereof is included in the highlighted side-rear view image.