Combined backup camera and driver alertness system for a vehicle

• US 8,890,956 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Rao, Manoharprasad K., Cuddihy, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perungavoor, Sath V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duley, Janese
• Application Number:
  US13/314,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148
• US Class Current: 348/148
• 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 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning

Abstract

A combined backup camera and driver alertness system for a vehicle includes an imaging device that is adapted to be supported on a vehicle for capturing images adjacent a rearward portion of the vehicle. A sensor is provided that generates a signal when either (1) a transmission contained in the vehicle is operated in the rearward operating mode or (2) the vehicle is actually moved in the rearward direction. The system also includes a driver alertness processor and an image display. A data router routes the images from the imaging device to the driver alertness processor when not the signal is generated by the sensor and to the image display when the signal is generated by the sensor.

Claims

1. A combined backup imaging device and driver alertness system for a vehicle comprising:

an imaging device adapted to be supported on a vehicle for capturing images adjacent a rearward portion of the vehicle;

a sensor that generates a signal when either (1) a transmission contained in the vehicle is operated in the rearward operating mode or (2) the vehicle is moved in a rearward direction;

a driver alertness processor;

an image display; and

a data router, wherein (1) when the signal is not generated by the sensor, the data router routes the images from the imaging device to the driver alertness processor and not the image display, and (2) when the signal is generated by the sensor, the data router routes the images from the imaging device to the image display and not to the driver alertness processor.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the imaging device is a camera.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor generates the signal when a transmission contained in the vehicle is operated in the rearward operating mode.

4. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor generates the signal when the vehicle is moved in the rearward direction.

5. A system as defined in claim 1 further including an image processor that receives the images from the data router and sends the images to the image display.

6. A system as defined in claim 5 further including a warning signal that is generated by the image processor when the image processor has calculated that a collision by the vehicle with an object is imminent.

7. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein the image processor highlighting objects in the images that are calculated to be in a path of the vehicle.

8. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein the image processor automatically implements a collision avoidance measure when the image processor has calculated that a collision by the vehicle with an object is imminent.

9. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the driver alertness processor is responsive to road lane drift for generating an alarm.

10. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the driver alertness processor includes an algorithm for determining or estimating a state of driver awareness, distraction, drowsiness, or fatigue.

11. A combined backup imaging device and driver alertness system in a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle containing a transmission;

an imaging device supported on the vehicle for capturing images adjacent a rearward portion of the vehicle;

a sensor that generates a signal when either (1) the transmission contained in the vehicle is operated in the rearward operating mode or (2) the vehicle is moved in a rearward direction;

a driver alertness processor;

an image display; and

a data router, wherein (1) when the signal is not generated by the sensor, the data router routes the images from the imaging device to the driver alertness processor and not the image display, and (2) when the signal is generated by the sensor, the data router routes the images from the imaging device to the image display and not to the driver alertness processor;

a data router that routes the images from the imaging device to the driver alertness processor when the signal is not generated by the sensor and to the image display when the signal is generated by the sensor.

12. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the imaging device is a camera.

13. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the sensor generates the signal when a transmission contained in the vehicle is operated in the rearward operating mode.

14. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the sensor generates the signal when the vehicle is moved in the rearward direction.

15. A system as defined in claim 11 further including an image processor that receives the images from the data router and sends the images to the image display.

16. A system as defined in claim 15 further including a warning signal that is generated by the image processor when the image processor has calculated that a collision by the vehicle with an object is imminent.

17. A system as defined in claim 15 wherein the image processor highlighting objects in the images that are calculated to be in a path of the vehicle.

18. A system as defined in claim 15 wherein the image processor automatically implements a collision avoidance measure when the image processor has calculated that a collision by the vehicle with an object is imminent.

19. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the driver alertness processor is responsive to road lane drift for generating an alarm.

20. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the driver alertness processor includes an algorithm for determining or estimating a state of driver awareness, distraction, drowsiness, or fatigue.