Sideview Vision System Displaying A View Dependent Upon Transmission Selector

• US 20100231715A1
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Garner, Timothy D.
• Application Number:
  US12/401,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20100231715A1
• 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 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• 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 2300/306 using a re-scaling of images
• 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 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking

Abstract

A sideview vision system in a vehicle and a method for operating the system. The sideview vision system has a camera fixedly mounted to the vehicle for capturing an image alongside and extending rearward the vehicle, and a display for displaying a view to a driver of the vehicle. The method includes capturing an image using the camera, the image having a first portion and a second portion different from the first portion, displaying a first view corresponding to the first portion in response to the vehicle transmission being in a forward gear, and displaying a second view corresponding to the second portion in response to the transmission being in a reverse gear.

Claims

1. A method for operating a sideview vision system in a vehicle comprising a transmission selector having a first position and a second position, said sideview vision system comprising a camera fixedly mounted to the vehicle for capturing an image alongside and extending rearward the vehicle, and a display for displaying a view to a driver of the vehicle, said method comprising:

capturing an image using the camera, said image comprising a first portion and a second portion different from the first portion;

displaying a first view corresponding to the first portion in response to the transmission selector being in the first position; and

displaying a second view corresponding to the second portion in response to the transmission selector being in the second position.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the first portion is characterized by a first portion center;

and

the second portion is characterized by a second portion center different from the first portion center.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the first position of the transmission selector corresponds to the transmission being in a forward gear;

and

the second position of the transmission selector corresponds to the transmission being in a reverse gear.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein

the first portion is directed at a first area beside the vehicle and forward of the vehicle rear wheel;

and

the second portion is directed at a second area beside the vehicle and rearward of the vehicle rear wheel.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the vehicle further comprises a turn signal device, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

when the transmission selector is in the forward gear and the turn signal device is not actuated, displaying the first view;

when the transmission selector is in the forward gear and the turn signal device is actuated, displaying a third view corresponding to a third portion of the image distinct from the first portion.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein

the third portion is directed at a third area rearward and outboard of the vehicle relative to the first portion.

7. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the vehicle further comprises a steering angle sensor, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

when the transmission selector is in the reverse gear and the steering angle sensor indicates that the vehicle is in a condition for straight travel, displaying the second view; and

when the transmission selector is in the reverse gear and the steering angle sensor indicates that the vehicle is in a condition for turning, displaying a third view corresponding to a third portion of the image distinct from the second portion.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein

the third portion is directed at a third area outboard of the vehicle relative to the second portion.

9. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the vehicle further comprises a speedometer, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

when the transmission selector is in the reverse gear and the speedometer indicates that the vehicle is not traveling, displaying the second view; and

when the transmission selector is in the reverse gear and the speedometer indicates that the vehicle is traveling, displaying a third view corresponding to a third portion of the image distinct from the second portion.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein

the third portion is directed to a third area rearward relative to the second portion.

11. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the vehicle further comprises a turn signal device, a steering angle sensor, and a speedometer, said method further comprising the steps of:

when the transmission selector is in the forward gear, the turn signal is not actuated, the speedometer indicates that the vehicle is traveling, and steering angle sensor indicates straight travel, displaying a forth portion; and

when the transmission selector is in the forward gear, the turn signal is actuated, the speedometer indicates that the vehicle is traveling, and steering angle sensor indicates straight travel displaying a fifth portion of the image distinct from the forth portion.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein

the forth portion is directed to a forth area beside and reward the vehicle;

and

the fifth portion is directed to a fifth area outboard of the vehicle relative to the forth portion.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the first portion is characterized by a first view magnification, and

the second portion is characterized by a second view magnification.

14. A sideview vision system for a vehicle, said vehicle comprising a transmission selector having a first position and a second position, said sideview vision system comprising:

a camera fixedly mounted to the vehicle and adapted for capturing an image alongside and extending rearward the vehicle, said image comprising a first portion and a second portion distinct from the first portion;

a display for displaying a view to a driver of the vehicle; and

a controller for receiving the image from the camera and configured to output the view to the display, wherein the view corresponds to the first portion when the transmission selector is in the first position, and to the second portion when the transmission selector is in the second position.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured so that:

the first portion is characterized by a first portion center; and

the second portion is characterized by a second portion center.

16. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the vehicle further comprises a transmission having a forward gear and a reverse gear so that:

the first position of the transmission selector corresponds to the transmission being in the forward gear; and

the second position of the transmission selector corresponds to the transmission being in the reverse gear.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured so that:

the first portion is directed at a first area beside the vehicle and forward of the vehicle rear wheel; and

the second portion is directed at a second area beside the vehicle and rearward of the vehicle rear wheel.

18. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the vehicle further comprises a turn signal device;

and wherein the controller is further configured to receive a turn signal activation from the turn signal device so that;

the view corresponds to the first portion when the transmission is in the forward gear and the turn signal is not activated; and

the view corresponds to a third portion distinct from the first portion when the transmission is in the forward gear and the turn signal is activated.

19. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein

the third portion is directed at a third area rearward and outboard of the vehicle relative to the first portion.

20. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the vehicle further comprises a steering angle sensor;

and wherein the controller is further configured to receive a steering angle indicative of the vehicle being in a condition for straight travel or turning so that;

the view corresponds to the second portion when the transmission is in the reverse gear and the vehicle is in the condition for straight travel; and

the view corresponds to a third portion distinct from the second portion when the transmission is in the reverse gear and the vehicle is in the condition for turning.

21. A system in accordance with claim 20, wherein

the third portion is directed at a third area outboard of the vehicle relative to the second portion.

22. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the vehicle further comprises a speedometer, and wherein the controller is further configured to receive a vehicle speed indicative of the vehicle traveling so that:

the view corresponds to the second portion when the transmission is in the reverse gear and the vehicle is not traveling; and

the view corresponds to a third portion distinct from the second portion when the transmission is in the reverse gear and the vehicle is traveling.

23. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein

the third portion is directed to a third area rearward relative to the second portion.

24. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the vehicle further comprises a turn signal device, a steering angle sensor, and a speedometer;

and wherein the controller is further configured to receive a turn signal activation from the turn signal device, a steering angle indicative of the vehicle being in a condition for straight travel or turning, and a vehicle speed indicative of the vehicle traveling so that;

the view corresponds to a forth portion when the transmission is in the forward gear, the turn signal device is not activated, the vehicle is in the condition for straight travel, and the vehicle is traveling; and

the view corresponds to a fifth portion distinct from the forth portion when the transmission is in the forward gear, the turn signal device is activated, the vehicle is in the condition for straight travel, and the vehicle is traveling.

25. A system in accordance with claim 24, wherein

the forth portion is directed to a forth area beside and reward the vehicle;

and

the fifth portion is directed to a fifth area outboard of the vehicle relative to the forth portion.

26. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured so that:

the first portion is characterized by a first portion magnification; and

the second portion is characterized by a second portion magnification.