Automobile rearview imaging system

• US 20060290782A1
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jung-Ting Chen, Kuen-Hsing Lin
• Original Assignee: Jung-Ting Chen, Kuen-Hsing Lin
• Inventors: Lin, Kuen-Hsing, Chen, Jung-Ting
• Application Number:
  US11/159,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20060290782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• 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 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

An automobile rearview imaging system is provided herein, which mainly contains a number of image capturing devices and display devices, all connected to a control circuit. The image capturing devices are installed on the outside of an automobile at appropriate locations along the two sides and on the roof. The display devices are installed on the dashboard inside the automobile. The control circuit performs real-time image capture from the image capturing devices, processes and delivers the captured image to the display devices for presentation.

Claims

1. A rearview imaging system for an automobile, comprising:

a plurality of image capturing devices on the outside of said automobile at appropriate locations along the two sides and on the roof of said automobile;

a same number of display devices as said image capturing devices installed inside said automobile in front of the driver seat of said automobile; and

a control circuit which connects to both said image capturing devices and said display devices;

wherein rearview images captured by said image capturing devices are processed by said control circuit and then displayed via said control circuit in corresponding display devices respectively.

2. The rearview imaging system according to claim 1, wherein each of said image capturing devices is one of a CCD-based camera device and a CMOS-based camera device.

3. The rearview imaging system according to claim 1, wherein each of said image capturing devices is capable of automatic white balancing and working under a substantially low lux condition.

4. The rearview imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit is capable of real-time image capture and delivery, IR-based night vision, and noise filtering.

5. The rearview imaging system according to claim 1, wherein images captured by said image capturing devices are mirrored by said control circuit before being displayed on said displayed devices.

6. The rearview imaging system according to claim 1, wherein each of said image capturing devices is water-proof and vibration-proof.