Large vehicle blindspot monitor

• US 6,115,651 A
• Filed: 01/15/1998
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diogenes J. Cruz
• Original Assignee: Diogenes J. Cruz
• Inventors: Cruz, Diogenes J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Louis-Jacques, Jacques H.
• Application Number:
  US09/007,415
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/93, 701/301, 701/117, 701/119, 701/23, 701/28, 342/66, 342/104, 342/70, 342/71, 340/936, 340/937, 340/903, 340/435, 340/436, 340/901, 340/904, 348/143, 348/148, 348/118, 348/116, 348/151, 348/152, 348/153, 348/154, 348/155, 348/159, 382/100, 382/104
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/005 using a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• 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 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• 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 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

A large vehicle blind spot monitor is provided including a vehicle having a rear face, a front face, and an interior driver compartment with a steering wheel and dashboard. At least one camera unit includes a camera for generating a real time continues video image only during the actuation thereof. Associated therewith is a detector for generating an activation signal only upon the detection of a person. At least one screen is mounted to the dash of the vehicle and connected to the camera unit for displaying the video image upon the receipt thereof. An alarm is provided for generating an alarm upon the receipt of the activation signal. Finally, a control mechanism is adapted to transmit the activation signal to the alarm upon the receipt thereof and further actuate each camera unit only upon the receipt of the activation signal from the camera unit thus allowing a driver to view a blindspot.

Claims

1. A large vehicle blind spot monitor comprising, in combination:

a large vehicle having a rear face, a front face, and an interior driver compartment with a steering wheel and dash;

a pair of camera units each including a wide angle camera for generating a real time continuous video image only during the actuation thereof, a heat sensor for generating an activation signal upon the detection of a temperature greater than a predetermined amount, a sound detector for generating the activation signal upon the detection of a sound with a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount, and a motion detector for generating the activation signal only upon the detection of motion;

said pair of cameras units including a front camera unit mounted to a top edge of the front face of the large vehicle and directed forwardly and downwardly and a rear camera unit mounted to a top edge of the rear face of the large vehicle and directed rearwardly and downwardly;

a pair of screens mounted to the dash of the large vehicle in a side-by-side relationship, each screen connected to an associated one of the camera units for displaying the video image upon the receipt thereof;

an audible alarm situated on the dash of the large vehicle for emitting an audible sound upon the receipt of the activation signal;

a visual alarm situated on the dash of the large vehicle adjacent the screens for providing a visual alarm upon the receipt of the activation signal; and

control means connected between the camera units, screens, audible alarm and visual alarm, the control means adapted to transmit the activation signal to the audible and visual alarms upon the receipt thereof and further actuate each camera unit only upon the receipt of the activation signal from the corresponding camera unit thus allowing a driver to view blind spots to the front and rear of the large vehicle.

2. A vehicle blind spot monitor comprising:

a vehicle having a rear face, a front face, and an interior driver compartment with a dash;

a pair of camera units each including a wide angle camera for generating a real time continuous video image during the actuation thereof, a heat sensor for generating an activation signal upon the detection of a temperature greater than a predetermined amount, a sound detector for generating the activation signal upon the detection of a sound with a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount, and a motion detector for generating the activation signal only upon the detection of motion;

said pair of cameras units including a front camera unit mounted to a top edge of the front face of the vehicle and directed forwardly and downwardly, and a rear camera unit mounted to a top edge of the rear face of the vehicle and directed rearwardly and downwardly;

a pair of screens mounted to the dash of the large vehicle in a side-by-side relationship, each screen connected to an associated one of the camera units for displaying the video image upon the receipt thereof;

an audible alarm situated on the dash of the vehicle for emitting an audible sound upon the receipt of the activation signal;

a visual alarm situated on the dash of the vehicle adjacent the screens for providing a visual alarm upon the receipt of the activation signal; and

control means connected between the camera units, screens, audible alarm and visual alarm, the control means adapted to transmit the activation signal to the audible and visual alarms upon the receipt of the activation signal and further actuate each camera unit upon the receipt of the activation signal from the corresponding camera unit thus allowing a driver to view blind spots to the front and rear of the vehicle.