Split screen rear view display

• US 9,096,175 B1
• Filed: 10/04/2012
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ervin Harris
• Original Assignee: Ervin Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Ervin
• Primary Examiner(s): Elahi, Shan
• Application Number:
  US13/644,400
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

The present invention features a split screen rear view system for a vehicle driver for improved road situation viewing. The system includes a left rear view camera installed on left side mirror, a right view camera installed on right side mirror, a central camera installed on rear side of a vehicle and a display monitor installed within the vehicle where the driver can view conveniently, such as the position of the traditional rear review mirror. The display monitor has a split screen which as three display areas aligned to display the images sending from the cameras respectively. The system also comprises radar sensors installed near each camera to measure the closest vehicle relative speed with the additional input of the speed information from either the vehicle on-board signal or built-in GPS receiver. The relative speed information is also displayed on each split display area.

Claims

1. A split screen rear view system for a vehicle driver for improved road situation viewing, the system comprising:

(i) a vehicle having a cabin with cabin front end and cabin rear end, a first side, a second side and a vehicle rear side, wherein the cabin front end is located at or near a vehicle windshield;

(ii) a camera rear view subsystem installed on the vehicle, wherein the camera rear view system comprising;

(a) a first rear view camera installed on first side mirror on the vehicle first side to capture video images behind vehicle on the first side;

(b) a second rear view camera installed on second side mirror on the vehicle second side to capture video images behind vehicle on the second side;

(c) a third rear view camera installed on vehicle rear side or cabin rear side to capture video images right behind vehicle;

(d) a display monitor installed inside the vehicle cabin at cabin front end, wherein the display monitor has a split screen with a first display area, a second display area and a third display area, wherein the three display areas are aligned horizontally with the third display in the middle between the first display area and the second display area, where the display monitor comprises a microprocessor module; and

(iii) a first radio transmitter and a first radio receiver installed on first side mirror;

(iv) a second radio transmitter and a second radio receiver installed on second side mirror;

(v) a third radio transmitter and a third radio receiver installed adjacent to the third rear view camera;

wherein the microprocessor module is operatively connected to the first rear view camera, second rear view camera, third rear view camera, split screen, wherein the microprocessor module receives a first video image input from the first rear view camera and subsequently sends a first signal carrying the first video image to the split screen, wherein the first video image is displayed on the first display area, wherein the microprocessor module receives a second video image input from the second rear view camera and subsequently sends a second signal carrying the second video image to the split screen, wherein the second video image is displayed on the second display area, wherein the microprocessor module receives a third video image input from the third rear view camera and subsequently sends a third signal carrying the third video image to the split screen, wherein the third video image is displayed on the third display area;

wherein the first radio transmitter, first radio receiver, second radio transmitter, second radio receiver, third radio transmitter and third radio receiver all operatively connect to the microprocessor module;

wherein the microprocessor module instructs the first radio transmitter to emit a first radio signal toward left rear direction, wherein the first radio receiver receives a first echo signal from a vehicle on the left side behind the vehicle, wherein the first radio receiver forward the first echo signal to the microprocessor module, wherein the microprocessor module compares the first radio signal, first echo signal and the speed of the vehicle to calculate a first relative speed between the vehicle and vehicle, wherein the first relative speed is the remaining after vehicle speed subtracted by vehicle speed, wherein the microprocessor module sends the first relative speed signal to the split screen and instructs the signal displayed on the first display area;

wherein the microprocessor module instructs the second radio transmitter to emit a second radio signal towards right rear direction, wherein the second radio receiver receives a second echo signal from a vehicle on the right side behind the vehicle, wherein the second radio receiver forward the second echo signal to the microprocessor module, wherein the microprocessor module compares the second radio signal, second echo signal and the speed of the vehicle to calculate a second relative speed between the vehicle and vehicle, wherein the second relative speed is the remaining after vehicle speed subtracted by vehicle speed, wherein the microprocessor module sends the second relative speed signal to the split screen and instructs the signal displayed on the second display area; and

wherein the microprocessor module instructs the third radio transmitter to emit a third radio signal toward rear direction, wherein the third radio receiver receives a third echo signal from a vehicle on the left side behind the vehicle, wherein the third radio receiver forward the third echo signal to the microprocessor module, wherein the microprocessor module compares the third radio signal, third echo signal and the speed of the vehicle to calculate a third relative speed between the vehicle and vehicle, wherein the third relative speed is the remaining after vehicle speed subtracted by vehicle speed, wherein the microprocessor module sends the third relative speed signal to the split screen and instructs the signal displayed on the third display area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein if vehicle speed is higher than vehicle speed, the first relative speed signal is displayed as red color, wherein if vehicle speed is lower than vehicle speed, the first relative speed signal is displayed as green color, wherein if vehicle speed is higher than vehicle speed, the second relative speed signal is displayed as red color, wherein if vehicle speed is lower than vehicle speed, the second relative speed signal is displayed as green color, wherein if vehicle speed is higher than vehicle speed, the third relative speed signal is displayed as red color, wherein if vehicle speed is lower than vehicle speed, the third relative speed signal is displayed as green color.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein if vehicle speed is higher than vehicle speed, the first relative speed signal is displayed as a negative number, wherein if vehicle speed is lower than vehicle speed, the first relative speed signal is displayed as a positive number, wherein if vehicle speed is higher than vehicle speed, the second relative speed signal is displayed as a negative number, wherein if vehicle speed is lower than vehicle speed, the second relative speed signal is displayed as a positive number, wherein if vehicle speed is higher than vehicle speed, the third relative speed signal is displayed as a negative number, wherein if vehicle speed is lower than vehicle speed, the third relative speed signal is displayed as a positive number.