Driver assistance system for vehicle

• US 8,768,568 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2013
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Uhlmann, Eugenie V., O'Farrell, Desmond J., Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIPALA, EDWARD J
• Application Number:
  US13/740,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20130131921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 701/49, 701/29.1, 701/29.4, 701/29.6, 701/31.4, 701/31.5, 701/32.3, 701/32.4, 701/32.7, 701/33.2, 701/33.4, 701/400, 701/408, 701/409, 701/431, 701/454, 701/467, 701/468, 701/515, 701/522, 701/523, 701/538, 340/815.4, 340/901, 340/902, 340/905, 340/907, 340/995.1, 340/995.12, 340/995.13, 340/995.26, 340/995.27, 345/156, 345/174, 345/173
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/24 Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3896 Transmission of map data from central databases
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096888 where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an information display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle. At least one camera is mounted at the vehicle and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle and is operable to capture image data. The information display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by the at least one camera and the information display screen is operable to display other information. A capacitive touch sensor is actuatable by the driver of the vehicle, and the information display screen is operable to display at least the other information responsive to actuation by the driver of the vehicle of the capacitive touch sensor.

Claims

1. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:

an information display screen viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle;

at least one camera mounted at the equipped vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, wherein said at least one camera is operable to capture image data;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by said at least one camera;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display other information and wherein said other information comprises at least one of (i) navigational information, (ii) weather information, (iii) information pertaining to an emergency vehicle, (iv) rail road crossing information, (v) traffic information, (vi) financial information, (vii) safety information, (viii) directional information, (ix) toll information, (x) service information and (xi) telematic information;

a capacitive touch sensor actuatable by the driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said information display screen is operable to display at least said other information responsive to actuation by the driver of the equipped vehicle of said capacitive touch sensor.

2. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises navigational information.

3. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises weather information.

4. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises information pertaining to an emergency vehicle.

5. The driver assistance system of claim 4, wherein said other information includes navigational information to guide the driver of the equipped vehicle away from the location of an accident.

6. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises rail road crossing information.

7. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises traffic information.

8. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises financial information.

9. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises safety information.

10. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises directional information.

11. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises toll information.

12. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises service information.

13. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information comprises telematic information.

14. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said at least one camera comprises a component of a multi-camera system of the equipped vehicle.

15. The driver assistance system of claim 14, wherein said multi-camera system comprises at least three cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle.

16. The driver assistance system of claim 15, wherein said at least three cameras comprise at least (i) a rear-facing camera at a rear portion of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a side-mounted camera at each side of the equipped vehicle.

17. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said at least one camera comprises a rear-mounted and rear-facing camera.

18. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said capacitive touch sensor comprises a touch sensitive portion of said information display screen and is actuatable by touching said touch sensitive portion of said information display screen.

19. The driver assistance system of claim 18, wherein said capacitive touch sensor is responsive to at least one of (a) close approach of the driver'"'"'s finger to said touch sensitive portion and (b) contact by the driver'"'"'s finger to said touch sensitive portion.

20. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said capacitive touch sensor comprises a touch sensitive element and wherein said touch sensitive element comprises a transparent conductive coating.

21. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said capacitive touch sensor is actuatable to at least one of (i) move between menu pages and (ii) select menu items.

22. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said capacitive touch sensor is operable to at least one of (i) select a function of said at least one camera and (ii) control a function of said at least one camera.

23. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said capacitive touch sensor is operable to control a telecommunication activity of the equipped vehicle.

24. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said capacitive touch sensor allows the driver to select a least traffic-congested route.

25. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said other information is at least in part derived from a hand-held portable device of said driver assistance system.

26. The driver assistance system of claim 25, wherein said hand-held portable device is wirelessly coupled with a communication port of said driver assistance system.

27. The driver assistance system of claim 26, wherein said hand-held portable device is wirelessly coupled via a BLUETOOTH®

wireless link.

28. The driver assistance system of claim 1, comprising a communication port positioned in an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, said communication port allowing wireless communication between a non-portable onboard vehicle-based navigation system and a hand-held portable device that is removably positioned in the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said communication port is adapted for wirelessly coupling with said hand-held portable device to allow said wireless communication between said hand-held portable device and said non-portable onboard vehicle-based navigation system when said hand-held portable device is positioned in the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, said wireless coupling of said communication port with said hand-held portable device when positioned in the interior of the equipped vehicle being via at least one wireless communication link selected from a radio-frequency link, an infra-red link, a radio link and a satellite link, and wherein said hand-held portable device may communicate with said vehicle-based navigation system through said communication port when wirelessly coupled with said communication port, and wherein said information display screen is operable to display navigation information derived at least in part from said wireless communication between said hand-held portable device and said non-portable onboard vehicle-based navigation system when said hand-held portable device is positioned in the interior portion of the equipped vehicle.

29. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:

an information display screen viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle;

at least one camera mounted at the equipped vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, wherein said at least one camera is operable to capture image data;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by said at least one camera;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display other information and wherein said other information comprises at least one of (i) menu pages and (ii) menu items;

a capacitive touch sensor actuatable by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said capacitive touch sensor is actuatable to at least one of (i) move between menu pages and (ii) select menu items; and

wherein said information display screen is operable to display at least said other information responsive to actuation by the driver of the equipped vehicle of said capacitive touch sensor.

30. The driver assistance system of claim 29, wherein said capacitive touch sensor is operable to at least one of (i) select a function of said at least one camera and (ii) control a function of said at least one camera.

31. The driver assistance system of claim 30, wherein said other information comprises at least one of (i) navigational information, (ii) weather information, (iii) information pertaining to an emergency vehicle, (iv) rail road crossing information, (v) traffic information, (vi) financial information, (vii) safety information, (viii) directional information, (ix) toll information, (x) service information and (xi) telematic information.

32. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:

an information display screen viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle;

at least one camera mounted at the equipped vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, wherein said at least one camera is operable to capture image data;

wherein said at least one camera comprises a rear-mounted and rear-facing camera;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by said at least one camera;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display other information;

a capacitive touch sensor actuatable by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said capacitive touch sensor comprises a touch sensitive portion of said information display screen and is actuatable by touching said touch sensitive portion of said information display screen; and

wherein said information display screen is operable to display at least said other information responsive to actuation by the driver of the equipped vehicle of said capacitive touch sensor.

33. The driver assistance system of claim 32, wherein said capacitive touch sensor is responsive to at least one of (a) close approach of the driver'"'"'s finger to said touch sensitive portion and (b) contact by the driver'"'"'s finger to said touch sensitive portion.

34. The driver assistance system of claim 32, wherein said other information comprises at least one of (i) navigational information, (ii) weather information, (iii) information pertaining to an emergency vehicle, (iv) rail road crossing information, (v) traffic information, (vi) financial information, (vii) safety information, (viii) directional information, (ix) toll information, (x) service information, (xi) telematic information, (xii) menu items and (xiii) menu pages.

35. The driver assistance system of claim 32, wherein said rear-mounted and rear-facing camera comprises a component of a multi-camera system of the equipped vehicle.

36. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:

an information display screen viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle;

at least one camera mounted at the equipped vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle, wherein said at least one camera is operable to capture image data;

wherein said at least one camera comprises a component of a multi-camera system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said multi-camera system comprises at least three cameras disposed at the equipped vehicle, and wherein said at least three cameras comprise at least (i) a rear-facing camera at a rear portion of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a side-mounted camera at each side of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by said at least one camera;

wherein said information display screen is operable to display other information;

a capacitive touch sensor actuatable by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said capacitive touch sensor comprises a touch sensitive portion of said information display screen and is actuatable by touching said touch sensitive portion of said information display screen; and

wherein said information display screen is operable to display at least said other information responsive to actuation by the driver of the equipped vehicle of said capacitive touch sensor.

37. The driver assistance system of claim 36, wherein said capacitive touch sensor is responsive to at least one of (a) close approach of the driver'"'"'s finger to said touch sensitive portion and (b) contact by the driver'"'"'s finger to said touch sensitive portion.

38. The driver assistance system of claim 36, wherein said at least one camera comprises said rear-facing camera.

39. The driver assistance system of claim 36, wherein said other information comprises at least one of (i) navigational information, (ii) weather information, (iii) information pertaining to an emergency vehicle, (iv) rail road crossing information, (v) traffic information, (vi) financial information, (vii) safety information, (viii) directional information, (ix) toll information, (x) service information and (xi) telematic information.