VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20120229641A1
• Filed: 03/10/2011
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: KILMER, Casey A.
• Application Number:
  US13/045,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20120229641A1
• 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 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• 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: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring system comprises a detection device, a first sensor, a second sensor, a display and a controller. The detection device is coupled to the vehicle and configured to capture information relating to an area proximal to the vehicle. The first sensor is configured to detect a first vehicle condition relating to a user'"'"'s presence within the vehicle. The second sensor is configured to detect a second vehicle condition relating to an operation of the vehicle. The display is disposed within the vehicle and configured to provide the information captured by the detection device to the user. Also, the controller configured to control the display to provide the information in a first format when the first sensor detects the first vehicle condition and to provide the information in a second format, different from the first format, when the second sensor detects the second vehicle condition.

Claims

1. A vehicle monitoring system comprising:

a detection device coupled to the vehicle and configured to capture information relating to an area proximal to the vehicle;

a first sensor configured to detect a first vehicle condition relating to a user'"'"'s presence within the vehicle;

a second sensor configured to detect a second vehicle condition relating to an operation of the vehicle;

a display disposed within the vehicle and configured to provide the information captured by the detection device to the user; and

a controller configured to control the display to provide the information in a first format when the first sensor detects the first vehicle condition and to provide the information in a second format, different from the first format, when the second sensor detects the second vehicle condition.

2. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the detection device includes a video camera configured to capture an image external to the vehicle as the information.

3. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the detection device includes a video camera configured to capture an image internal to the vehicle as the information.

4. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the detection device includes a proximity sensor configured to detect an object external to the vehicle and provide information pertaining to the detected object as the information.

5. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the first vehicle condition includes at least one of starting ignition of the vehicle, closing a door of the vehicle, sensing of a vehicle key within the vehicle, and depressing a brake or clutch pedal of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the second vehicle condition includes at least one of shifting a transmission of the vehicle and pressing a button on the vehicle.

7. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the second sensor is configured to detect the second vehicle condition after the first sensor detects the first vehicle condition.

8. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is further configured to control the display to discontinue providing the information when the second sensor ceases to detect the second vehicle condition.

9. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the display is separate from a navigation display disposed within the vehicle that is configured to provide navigation information.

10. The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein

the detection device includes at least one of a rear view monitor that is configured to capture an image rearward of the vehicle as the information and an around view monitor that is configured to capture an image surrounding the vehicle as the information.

11. A vehicle monitoring method comprising:

capturing information relating to an area proximal to a vehicle;

detecting a first vehicle condition relating to a user'"'"'s presence within the vehicle;

detecting a second vehicle condition relating to an operation of the vehicle; and

controlling a display disposed within the vehicle to provide the information in a first format when the first vehicle condition is detected and to provide the information in a second format, different from the first format, when the second vehicle condition is detected.

12. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the capturing of information includes capturing an image external to the vehicle as the information.

13. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the capturing of information includes capturing an image internal to the vehicle as the information.

14. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the capturing of information includes detecting an object external to the vehicle and providing information pertaining to the detected object as the information.

15. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the first vehicle condition includes at least one of starting ignition of the vehicle, closing a door of the vehicle, sensing of a vehicle key within the vehicle, and depressing a brake or clutch pedal of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the second vehicle condition includes at least one of shifting a transmission of the vehicle and pressing a button on the vehicle.

17. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the detecting of the second vehicle condition occurs after the first vehicle condition has been detected.

18. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the controlling of the display includes controlling the display to discontinue providing the information when the detecting of the second vehicle condition ceases.

19. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the display is separate from a navigation display disposed within the vehicle that is configured to provide navigation information.

20. The vehicle monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein

the capturing of information includes at least one of capturing an image rearward of the vehicle as the information and capturing an image surrounding the vehicle as the information.