AUTOMATED VEHICLE SURROUNDING AREA MONITOR AND DISPLAY SYSTEM

• US 20110115913A1
• Filed: 11/15/2010
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC, Mekra Lang GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC, Mekra Lang GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Fellner, Johann, Hohenhaus, Jon, Witzke, Michael, Geißendörfer, Peter, Lang, Werner
• Application Number:
  US12/946,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20110115913A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/186 Displaying information according to relevancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/155 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/186 Displaying Information according to relevancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/213 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• 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 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/306 using a re-scaling of images
• 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

Abstract

At least a first and second monitoring device that outputs display signals to a control device. A display device connected with the control device is able to display the display signals from the monitoring devices in at least two sections in split screen mode. The control device is connected to an actual state of motion signal line, so that depending on the actual state of motion of the vehicle, the display device displays at least two display signals originating from at least two different monitoring devices in split screen mode.

Claims

1. An automated monitoring system for monitoring the area surrounding a vehicle comprising:

at least a first monitoring device and a second monitoring device each monitoring a different portion of the area surrounding the vehicle and outputting display signals;

a control device connected to said first and second monitoring devices;

a display device that is connected to the control device for displaying the display signals from said first and second monitoring devices; and

, wherein said control device is connected to an actual state signal line for receiving signal information from at least one actual state sensor as to the actual state of the vehicle so that depending on the actual state of the vehicle said control device selectively displays at least one display signal selected from at least said first monitoring device and said second monitoring device on the display device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said control device depending on the actual state of the vehicle, displays at least two display signals originating from at least said first monitoring device and said second monitoring device in a split screen mode on the display device.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said actual state of the vehicle is defined by a state of motion of the vehicle and/or a configuration of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said state of motion of the vehicle transmitted over the actual state signal line is selected from the group consisting of “

Forward travel—

straight ahead”

, “

Forward travel—

turning left”

, “

Forward travel—

turning right”

, “

Reverse travel” and

“

Standstill”

.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said first and second monitoring devices detect different fields of view around the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said first monitoring device is a first camera positioned to monitor a field of view in front of the vehicle, and wherein said second monitoring device is a second camera positioned on one of a side or rear of the vehicle to view a different area around the vehicle from said first camera.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said first camera 16 detects and displays a wide angle mirror field of view in said display device, and said second camera 18 detects and displays a primary mirror field of view.

8. The system of claim 7 including a third monitoring device provisioned with a third camera that detects a field of view of a roof mirror.

9. The system of claim 8 including a fourth monitoring device provisioned with a fourth camera that detects a field of view behind the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9 including a fifth monitoring device that includes sensors for detecting objects and obstacles within a defined range lateral to the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said fifth monitoring device detecting distances to objects and obstacles.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein warning signals resulting from said fifth monitoring device are displayable on said display device using said control device in addition to said display signals represented on said display device.

13. A method for operating an automated monitoring system of claim 12 including simultaneously displaying on said display device said field of view in front of the vehicle and said primary mirror field of view when in said actual state “

Forward travel—

straight ahead”

.

14. The method of claim 13 including displaying said primary mirror field of view larger than said field of view in front of the vehicle in said display device.

15. The method of claim 14 including automatically changing the display on said display device to simultaneously display on said display device said field of view in front of the vehicle and a field of view to the left of the vehicle when said control device receives signal information from said at least one actual state sensor that the vehicle is in said actual state “

Forward travel—

turning left”

.

16. The method of claim 14 including automatically changing the display on said display device to simultaneously display on said display device said field of view in front of the vehicle and a field of view to the right of the vehicle when said control device receives signal information from said at least one actual state sensor that the vehicle is in said actual state “

Forward travel—

turning right”

.

17. The method of claim 14 including automatically changing the display on said display device to simultaneously display on said display device said field of view in front of the vehicle and a field of view to the left, right or behind of the vehicle when said control device receives signal information from said at least one actual state sensor that the vehicle is in said actual state “

Standstill”

.

18. The method of claim 14 including automatically changing the display on said display device to simultaneously display on said display device a field of view directly behind the vehicle and a field of view to the left or right of the vehicle when said control device receives signal information from said at least one actual state sensor that the vehicle is in said actual state “

Reverse travel”

.

19. The method of claim 18 including displaying said field of view behind the vehicle larger than said field of view to the left or right of the vehicle in said display device.