VIDEO PROCESSOR MODULE FOR VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A video processor module suitable for use in a vehicle, said video processor module comprising:
- a plurality of video interfaces;
each configured for wired connection to a respective camera of a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle equipped with said video processor module;
wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, image data captured by each camera of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle is provided to said video processor module via the respective video interface that camera is in wired connection with;
a data processor operable to process image data captured by cameras of the plurality of cameras;
a power supply;
memory;
wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives and said data processor processes image data provided by cameras of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle;
wherein the plurality of cameras comprises at least four vehicular cameras;
wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a first vehicular camera disposed at a driver-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a second vehicular camera disposed at a passenger-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle,wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a third vehicular camera disposed at a rear exterior portion of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a fourth vehicular camera disposed at a front exterior portion of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the first vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a first field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the first vehicular camera is operable to capture first image data;
wherein the second vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a second field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the second vehicular camera is operable to capture second image data;
wherein the third vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a third field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the third vehicular camera is operable to capture third image data;
wherein the fourth vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a fourth field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the fourth vehicular camera is operable to capture fourth image data;
wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a first interface for wired connection to the first vehicular camera and for receiving first image data from the first vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle;
wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a second interface for wired connection to the second vehicular camera and for receiving second image data from the second vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle;
wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module, comprises a third interface for wired connection to the third vehicular camera and for receiving third image data from the third vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle;
wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a fourth interface for wired connection to the fourth vehicular camera and for receiving fourth image data from the fourth vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle;
wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives first image data captured by the first vehicular camera at said first interface;
wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives second image data captured by the second vehicular camera at said second interface,wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives third image data captured by the third vehicular camera at said third interface;
wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives fourth image data captured by the fourth vehicular camera at said fourth interface;
wherein, with said video processor nodule disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module communicates with other vehicle systems via a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle;
wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module electronically reduces distortion in first, second, third and fourth image data captured by the first;
second, third and fourth vehicular cameras, respectively;
wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, and responsive at least in part to processing of first, second, third and fourth image data at said video processor module, said video processor module is operable to merge image data captured by at least the first, second and fourth vehicular cameras to provide a panoramic view image that is output by said video processor module to a video display screen of a display system of the equipped vehicle to visually inform a driver of the equipped vehicle of what is occurring in the area surrounding the equipped vehicle as would be viewed by a single virtual camera located exterior the equipped vehicle; and
wherein said video processor module is operable to generate on-screen displays, said on-screen displays comprising a graphic overlay output by said video processor module for superimposition onto images displayed at the video display screen of the display system of the equipped vehicle, the superimposed graphic overlay providing additional information to the driver of the equipped vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video processor module for a vehicle includes a plurality of video interfaces, each configured for wired connection to a respective camera of a plurality of cameras. The video processor module receives and processes image data provided by the cameras. The plurality of interfaces include interfaces for wired connection to the cameras and for receiving image data from the cameras. The video processor module communicates with other vehicle systems via a vehicle bus. The video processor module may electronically reduce distortion in captured image data. The video processor module may merge captured image data to provide a panoramic view image that is output to a video display screen. The video processor module may receive radar data sensed by a radar sensor of the vehicle, and may, responsive at least in part to processing of image data and radar data, detect at least one other vehicle present exterior of the vehicle.
0 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A video processor module suitable for use in a vehicle, said video processor module comprising:
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a plurality of video interfaces;
each configured for wired connection to a respective camera of a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle equipped with said video processor module;wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, image data captured by each camera of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle is provided to said video processor module via the respective video interface that camera is in wired connection with; a data processor operable to process image data captured by cameras of the plurality of cameras; a power supply; memory; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives and said data processor processes image data provided by cameras of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein the plurality of cameras comprises at least four vehicular cameras; wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a first vehicular camera disposed at a driver-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a second vehicular camera disposed at a passenger-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle, wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a third vehicular camera disposed at a rear exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a fourth vehicular camera disposed at a front exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the first vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a first field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the first vehicular camera is operable to capture first image data; wherein the second vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a second field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the second vehicular camera is operable to capture second image data; wherein the third vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a third field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the third vehicular camera is operable to capture third image data; wherein the fourth vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a fourth field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the fourth vehicular camera is operable to capture fourth image data; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a first interface for wired connection to the first vehicular camera and for receiving first image data from the first vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a second interface for wired connection to the second vehicular camera and for receiving second image data from the second vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module, comprises a third interface for wired connection to the third vehicular camera and for receiving third image data from the third vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a fourth interface for wired connection to the fourth vehicular camera and for receiving fourth image data from the fourth vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives first image data captured by the first vehicular camera at said first interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives second image data captured by the second vehicular camera at said second interface, wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives third image data captured by the third vehicular camera at said third interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives fourth image data captured by the fourth vehicular camera at said fourth interface; wherein, with said video processor nodule disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module communicates with other vehicle systems via a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module electronically reduces distortion in first, second, third and fourth image data captured by the first;
second, third and fourth vehicular cameras, respectively;wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, and responsive at least in part to processing of first, second, third and fourth image data at said video processor module, said video processor module is operable to merge image data captured by at least the first, second and fourth vehicular cameras to provide a panoramic view image that is output by said video processor module to a video display screen of a display system of the equipped vehicle to visually inform a driver of the equipped vehicle of what is occurring in the area surrounding the equipped vehicle as would be viewed by a single virtual camera located exterior the equipped vehicle; and wherein said video processor module is operable to generate on-screen displays, said on-screen displays comprising a graphic overlay output by said video processor module for superimposition onto images displayed at the video display screen of the display system of the equipped vehicle, the superimposed graphic overlay providing additional information to the driver of the equipped vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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2. The video processor module of claim wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle;
- and responsive at least in part to processing by said data processor of said video processor module of image data captured by at least one of the first, second, third and fourth vehicular cameras, at least one object present exterior of the equipped vehicle is detected.
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22. A video processor module suitable for use in a vehicle, said video processor module comprising:
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a plurality of video interfaces, each configured for wired connection to a respective camera of a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle equipped with said video processor module; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, image data captured by each camera of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle is provided to said video processor module via the respective video interface that camera is in wired connection with; a data processor operable to process image data captured by cameras of the plurality of cameras; a power supply; memory; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives and said data processor processes image data provided by cameras of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein the plurality of cameras comprises at least four vehicular cameras; wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a first vehicular camera disposed at a driver-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a second vehicular camera disposed at a passenger-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a third vehicular camera disposed at a rear exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least four vehicular cameras comprises a fourth vehicular camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of the equipped vehicle and viewing forwardly through the windshield of the equipped vehicle; wherein the first vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a first field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the first vehicular camera is operable to capture first image data; wherein the second vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a second field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the second vehicular camera is operable to capture second image data; wherein the third vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a third field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the third vehicular camera is operable to capture third image data; wherein the fourth vehicular camera has a fourth field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the fourth vehicular camera is operable to capture fourth image data; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a first interface for wired connection to the first vehicular camera and for receiving first image data from the first vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a second interface for wired connection to the second vehicular camera and for receiving second image data from the second vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a third interface for wired connection to the third vehicular camera and for receiving third image data from the third vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a fourth interface for wired connection to the fourth vehicular camera and for receiving fourth image data from the fourth vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said video processor module comprises a radar sensor interface configured for receiving radar data sensed by a radar sensor of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives first image data captured by the first vehicular camera at said first interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives second image data captured by the second vehicular camera at said second interface; wherein, with said video processor nodule disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives third image data captured by the third vehicular camera at said third interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives fourth image data captured by the fourth vehicular camera at said fourth interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives radar data sensed by the radar sensor of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with said video processor nodule disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module communicates with other vehicle systems via a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle; and wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, and responsive at least in part to processing of image data and radar data at said video processor module, at least one other vehicle present exterior of the equipped vehicle is detected. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A video processor module suitable for use in a vehicle, said video processor module comprising:
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a plurality of video interfaces, each configured for wired connection to a respective camera of a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle equipped with said video processor module; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, image data captured by each camera of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle is provided to said video processor module via the respective video interface that camera is in wired connection with; a data processor operable to process image data captured by cameras of the plurality of cameras; a power supply; memory; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives and said data processor processes image data provided by cameras of the plurality of cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein the plurality of cameras comprises at least five vehicular cameras; wherein the at least five vehicular cameras comprises a first vehicular camera disposed at a driver-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least five vehicular cameras comprises a second vehicular camera disposed at a passenger-side exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least five vehicular cameras comprises a third vehicular camera disposed at a rear exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least five vehicular cameras comprises a fourth vehicular camera disposed at a front exterior portion of the equipped vehicle; wherein the at least five vehicular cameras comprises a fifth vehicular camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of the equipped vehicle and viewing forwardly through the windshield of the equipped vehicle; wherein the first vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a first field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the first vehicular camera is operable to capture first image data; wherein the second vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a second field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the second vehicular camera is operable to capture second image data; wherein the third vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a third field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the third vehicular camera is operable to capture third image data; wherein the fourth vehicular camera has a wide angle lens and a fourth field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the fourth vehicular camera is operable to capture fourth image data; wherein the fifth vehicular camera has a fourth field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the fifth vehicular camera is operable to capture fifth image data; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a first interface for wired connection to the first vehicular camera and for receiving first image data from the first vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a second interface for wired connection to the second vehicular camera and for receiving second image data from the second vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a third interface for wired connection to the third vehicular camera and for receiving third image data from the third vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a fourth interface for wired connection to the fourth vehicular camera and for receiving fourth image data from the fourth vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said plurality of interfaces of said video processor module comprises a fifth interface for wired connection to the fifth vehicular camera and for receiving fifth image data from the fifth vehicular camera when said video processor module is disposed at the equipped vehicle; wherein said video processor module comprises a radar sensor interface configured for receiving radar data sensed by a radar sensor of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives first image data captured by the first vehicular camera at said first interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives second image data captured by the second vehicular camera at said second interface, wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives third image data captured by the third vehicular camera at said third interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives fourth image data captured by the fourth vehicular camera at said fourth interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives fifth image data captured by the fifth vehicular camera at said fifth interface; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module receives radar data sensed by the radar sensor of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module communicates with other vehicle systems via a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, said video processor module electronically reduces distortion in first, second, third and fourth image data captured by the first, second, third and fourth vehicular cameras, respectively; wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, and responsive at least in part to processing of first, second, third and fourth image data at said video processor module, said video processor module is operable to merge image data captured by at least the first, second and fourth vehicular cameras to provide a panoramic view image that is output by said video processor module to a video display screen of a display system of the equipped vehicle to visually inform a driver of the equipped vehicle of what is occurring in the area surrounding the equipped vehicle as would be viewed by a single virtual camera located exterior the equipped vehicle; and wherein, with said video processor module disposed at the equipped vehicle, and responsive at least in part to processing of image data and radar data at said video processor module, at least one other vehicle, present exterior of the equipped vehicle is detected. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification