Cabin monitoring system for a vehicle

• US 9,843,777 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2017
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, O'Brien, Frank, Bingle, Robert L., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US15/583,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20170237946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 225 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5037 the display content changing automatically, e.g. depending on traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• 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 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 : with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/29 : for viewing an area inside the vehicle, e.g. for viewing passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 : providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 : of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 : for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 : for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 : Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 : with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 : with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 : Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 : Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 : outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 : collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 : with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 : around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0282 : for the use of several passengers, e.g. simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 : Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 : Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 : Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 : using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 : using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 : using night vision cameras
• 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 2300/406 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 : in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 : for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 : for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 : characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 : including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 : the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 : comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 : comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 : Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 : characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 : Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A cabin monitoring system for a vehicle includes a video display screen disposed in a cabin of the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera assembly is disposed at a ceiling of the cabin of the vehicle and includes a camera having an imager and a lens, with the camera having a field of view that encompasses a rear seat area of the vehicle. An illumination device is operable to illuminate the rear seat area encompassed by the field of view of the camera. The illumination device, when operated, illuminates the rear seat area and the camera captures image data representative of the illuminated rear seat area. The image data captured by the camera is provided to the video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A cabin monitoring system for a vehicle, said cabin monitoring system comprising:

a video display screen disposed in a cabin of a vehicle equipped with said cabin monitoring system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is driving the equipped vehicle;

a camera assembly disposed at a ceiling of the cabin of the equipped vehicle, said camera assembly comprising a camera comprising an imager and a lens, said camera having a field of view that encompasses a rear seat area of the equipped vehicle;

an illumination device operable to illuminate the rear seat area encompassed by the field of view of said camera;

wherein said illumination device, when operated, illuminates the rear seat area and wherein said camera captures image data representative of the illuminated rear seat area; and

wherein image data captured by said camera is provided to said video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

2. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen is disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

3. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen is disposed in an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle and is viewable through a reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

4. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen is part of a module attached at a windshield of the equipped vehicle.

5. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said camera assembly is part of an interior dome light of the equipped vehicle.

6. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said illumination device is operable to emit near infrared radiation and wherein said camera is sensitive to near infrared radiation.

7. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said illumination device operates, responsive at least in part, to an ambient light level in the cabin of the equipped vehicle.

8. The cabin monitoring system of claim 7, wherein said illumination device, responsive to lower ambient light level, emits illumination at a reduced intensity and, responsive to higher ambient light level, emits illumination at an increased intensity.

9. The cabin monitoring system of claim 7, wherein said illumination device, responsive to lower ambient light level, emits near infrared radiation.

10. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises an infrared filter element.

11. The cabin monitoring system of claim 10, wherein said infrared filter element is disposed in front of said imager during higher ambient light levels and is moved away from in front of said imager during lower ambient light levels.

12. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said illumination device comprises at least one light emitting diode.

13. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said illumination device comprises at least one light emitting diode operable to emit near infrared radiation.

14. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said camera assembly includes said illumination device.

15. The cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said illumination device and said camera assembly are co-located at the ceiling of the cabin of the equipped vehicle.

16. A cabin monitoring system for a vehicle, said cabin monitoring system comprising:

a video display screen disposed in a cabin of a vehicle equipped with said cabin monitoring system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is driving the equipped vehicle;

a camera assembly disposed at a ceiling of the cabin of the equipped vehicle, said camera assembly comprising a camera comprising an imager and a lens, said camera having a field of view that encompasses a rear seat area of the equipped vehicle;

an illumination device operable to illuminate the rear seat area encompassed by the field of view of said camera;

wherein said illumination device comprises at least one light emitting diode operable to emit near infrared radiation;

wherein said illumination device and said camera assembly are co-located at the ceiling of the cabin of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said illumination device, when operated, illuminates the rear seat area and wherein said camera captures image data representative of the illuminated rear seat area; and

wherein image data captured by said camera is provided to said video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

17. The cabin monitoring system of claim 16, wherein said video display screen is disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

18. The cabin monitoring system of claim 16, wherein said video display screen is part of a module attached at a windshield of the equipped vehicle.

19. The cabin monitoring system of claim 16, wherein said camera is sensitive to near infrared radiation.

20. A cabin monitoring system for a vehicle, said cabin monitoring system comprising:

a video display screen disposed in a cabin of a vehicle equipped with said cabin monitoring system so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is driving the equipped vehicle;

a camera assembly disposed at a ceiling of the cabin of the equipped vehicle, said camera assembly comprising a camera comprising an imager and a lens, said camera having a field of view that encompasses a rear seat area of the equipped vehicle;

an illumination device operable to illuminate the rear seat area encompassed by the field of view of said camera;

wherein said illumination device comprises at least one light emitting diode operable to emit near infrared radiation;

wherein the rear seat area illuminated by said illumination device and encompassed by the field of view of said camera comprises a portion of the vehicle rear seat that is configured to be occupied by a baby or child in a car seat;

wherein said illumination device, when operated, illuminates the rear seat area and wherein said camera captures image data representative of the illuminated rear seat area; and

wherein image data captured by said camera is provided to said video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

21. The cabin monitoring system of claim 20, wherein said video display screen is disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

22. The cabin monitoring system of claim 20, wherein said video display screen is part of a module attached at a windshield of the equipped vehicle.

23. The cabin monitoring system of claim 20, wherein said illumination device is operable to emit near infrared radiation and wherein said camera is sensitive to near infrared radiation.

24. The cabin monitoring system of claim 20, wherein said illumination device and said camera assembly are co-located at the ceiling of the cabin of the equipped vehicle.