Method and device for visualizing a driving path

• US 6,564,122 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Poechmueller, Werner, Huertgen, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/762,014
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/23, 701/41, 180/168, 180/204, 340/435, 340/436, 340/461, 340/525, 348/115, 348/118, 348/148
• US Class Current: 701/1
• 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 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• 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 2300/305 merging camera image with lines or icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8086 for vehicle path indication
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0295 by overlaying a vehicle path based on present steering angle over an image without processing that image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for displaying maneuvering room are proposed, in which a maneuvering course of a vehicle to be expected if a steering angle is unchanged is shown in a display in which at least some of the maneuvering space at the rear of a vehicle is shown. Via the maneuvering course to be expected, a driver is informed in such a way that he can adapt the actual steering angle to an obstacle that can be detected in the maneuvering space at the rear.

Claims

1. A method for displaying maneuvering room of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in which in a first method step, a picture is taken of at least part of the maneuvering space at the rear of the vehicle, and this picture is shown in a display, characterized in that in a second method step, a maneuvering course (7, 70, 71) of the vehicle to be expected if the steering angle is unchanged is ascertained, and in a third method step, the maneuvering course of the vehicle to be expected if the steering angle is unchanged is displayed in the picture, wherein a maximum range (8, 9, 80, 90, 81, 91) within which a possible maneuvering course can be located is displayed, and wherein the maximum range is limited by a maximum turning angle of steering of the vehicle to the left and to right.

2. The method for displaying maneuvering room of claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle maneuvering course (7, 70, 71) to be expected if the steering angle is unchanged is ascertained from an actual steering angle of a steering system of the vehicle.

3. The method for displaying maneuvering room of claim 1, characterized in that the data of a steering angle sensor (24) are detected via a CAN bus.

4. The method for displaying maneuvering room of claim 1, characterized in that along with the portion of the maneuvering space at the rear, at least part of the vehicle bumper (3) is also detected.

5. The method for displaying maneuvering room of claim 1, characterized in that the distortion in the ascertained picture caused by a camera lens (25) is detected, and that distortion suppression of the picture is effected by means of a processor.

6. The method for displaying maneuvering room of claim 1, characterized in that the picture of the maneuvering space at the rear is taken by a camera (2);

that an output signal of the camera (2) is output in dependence on the brightness; and

that the dependence is specified by means of a nonlinear and in particular logarithmic characteristic conversion curve.

7. The method for displaying maneuvering room of claim 1, characterized in that the display of the picture of the maneuvering space at the rear is effected in a freely programmable multipurpose instrument (21).

8. An apparatus for performing the method of claim 1, characterized in that in a rear region of a vehicle, a camera (2) is provided, with which at least a portion of the maneuvering space at the rear of the vehicle can be detected;

that a display (6, 21) that is connected to the camera (2) is disposed in the vehicle (1);

that there is a steering angle sensor (24) in the vehicle for ascertaining the actual steering angle; and

that a maneuvering course (7, 70, 71) of the vehicle (1) to be expected if the steering angle is unchanged is capable of being shown in the display (6, 21).

9. The apparatus for performing the method of claim 8, characterized in that the apparatus has a control unit (20), which is preferably embodied as a digital processor;

and that the display for the maneuvering course (7, 70, 71) to be expected if the steering angle is unchanged, and/or for the range (8, 9, 80, 90, 81, 91) within which the possible maneuvering course can be located is deactivatable via the control unit (20).

10. A method for displaying maneuvering room of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in which in a first method step, a picture is taken of at least part of the maneuvering space at the rear of the vehicle, and this picture is shown in a display, characterized in that in a second method step, a maneuvering course (7, 70, 71) of the vehicle to be expected if the steering angle is unchanged is ascertained, and in a third method step, the maneuvering course of the vehicle to be expected if the steering angle is unchanged is displayed in the picture, wherein lines for display of the maneuvering course are dark when a brightness limit is exceeded, and wherein the lines for display of the maneuvering course are bright when the brightness limit is not reached.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method is automatically activated upon shifting of the vehicle into reverse.