Vehicle blind spot monitoring system

• US 6,737,964 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ebenstein, Samuel Edward, Rankin, James Stewart II, Smith, Gregory Hugh, Samman, Amer Mohammed
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/682,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/937, 340/425.5, 340/903, 340/435, 340/461, 340/462, 340/471, 348/148, 348/116, 348/51, 348/42, 348/43, 348/118, 382/154, 382/100, 382/270, 359/630, 359/866, 345/7, 345/4, 345/9
• US Class Current: 340/436
• 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 1/31 providing stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/107 using stereoscopic cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.

Claims

1. A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle comprising:

two pairs of stereo cameras located in said vehicle and monitoring a vehicle blind spots, said pairs of stereo cameras generating pairs of digital signals;

two displays located in said vehicle and displaying rearward vehicle views;

a controller located in said vehicle, said controller coupled to said pairs of stereo cameras and receiving said pairs of digital signals, said controller coupled to and controlling said displays, said controller including control logic operative to analyze a stersopsis effect between said pairs of stereo cameras and an optical flow over time to control said displays to show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in said vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in said vehicle blind spot.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said pairs of stereo cameras are mounted on a driver and passenger side roof post facing rearwards.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said two pairs of stereo cameras are CMOS cameras.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said two pairs of stereo cameras are suitable for night driving and are not blinded by vehicle lights or sunlight.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said displays are used to replace a side view mirrors.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said normal rearward view has approximately a 30°

viewing angle.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said expanded rearward view has approximately a 60°

viewing angle.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to highlight said hazard.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, display is used in tandem with a side view mirror.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein stereopsis effect allows said hazard to be detected based on proximity to said vehicle.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein optical flow technique allows said hazard to be detected based on behavior relative to said vehicle.

12. A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle comprising:

a pair of stereo cameras located in the vehicle and monitoring a vehicle blind spot, said stereo pair of cameras generating digital signals;

a display located in said vehicle and displaying a rearward vehicle view;

a controller located in said vehicle, said controller coupled to said stereo pair of cameras and receiving said digital signals, said controller coupled to and controlling said display, said controller including control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect from said pair of stereo cameras and an optical flow over time to control said display to show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in said vehicle blind spot and a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in said vehicle blind spot.