EP1456058A1 - Vehicle imaging system - Google Patents

Vehicle imaging system

Info

Publication number
EP1456058A1
EP1456058A1 EP02788123A EP02788123A EP1456058A1 EP 1456058 A1 EP1456058 A1 EP 1456058A1 EP 02788123 A EP02788123 A EP 02788123A EP 02788123 A EP02788123 A EP 02788123A EP 1456058 A1 EP1456058 A1 EP 1456058A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
imaging system
monitor
vehicle
display
camera
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02788123A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Christopher Clarke
Margaret Clarke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1456058A1 publication Critical patent/EP1456058A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—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
    • B60R1/20—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
    • B60R1/22—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 for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle
    • B60R1/23—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 for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle with a predetermined field of view
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—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
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—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
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B60R2001/1253—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks with cameras, video cameras or video screens
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/10—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used
    • B60R2300/105—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used using multiple cameras
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/20—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used
    • B60R2300/205—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used using a head-up display
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/80—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
    • B60R2300/802—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/80—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
    • B60R2300/8066—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement for monitoring rearward traffic

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an imaging system for installation in a road vehicle, to provide the driver with assistance when overtaking or performing other manoeuvres.
  • the driver's view is somewhat limited, both in the forward direction and, via the vehicle's mirrors, in the rearward direction.
  • an imaging system installed in or arranged to be installed in a road vehicle, the system comprising a monitor mounted or for mounting in a position to display an image to the vehicle driver, and a pair of cameras mounted or arranged to be mounted on a side of the vehicle, with one camera directed forwardly and the other camera directed rearwardly.
  • the monitor may comprise a compact cathode ray tube or a flat screen, preferably arranged to be mounted on the dashboard to be easily viewed by the driver. Instead, the monitor may comprise a head-up display.
  • the pair of cameras are mounted in the housing of a wing mirror of the vehicle, therefore providing views from a point spaced as far as possible out from the side of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle housing may have an aperture through which the forwards view camera is directed, preferably provided with a protective lens cover.
  • the mirror is formed with a half-mirrored section through which the rearwards view camera is directed.
  • the video output of the cameras may be transmitted to the monitor via an electrical cable or fibre optic cable or by wireless transmission such as infrared or radio.
  • the system may include a manually operable switch to allow the driver to select either the forward-looking view or the rearward-looking view for display on the monitor. Instead, the monitor may display the two views alternately, or both together.
  • FIGURE 1 is a view of a car which is equipped with an imaging system in accordance with the present invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a view of the dashboard of the car, also showing its wing mirrors;
  • FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the wing mirror on the driver's side (off-side) of the car; and
  • FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged view of the face of the off-side wing mirror.
  • the imaging system comprises a monitor 10 mounted on the dashboard 12 and arranged to present an image to the driver of the vehicle.
  • the car has a pair of wing mirrors MR, ML, mounted to the driver's door and front passenger's door, respectively, on stalks 14.
  • a pair of video cameras 16, 18 are mounted in the housing of the off-side wing mirror MR. Camera 16 is directed forwardly and the mirror housing is formed with an aperture through which the camera lens is directed to view the road ahead: this aperture- is preferably provided with a protective lens cover. Camera 18 is directed rearwardly through a half-mirrored section 20 of the mirror itself. In the example shown, the two cameras 16, 18 are mounted back-to-back on a common support 17.
  • the video output signals of the cameras 16, 18 are passed to the monitor 10 via electrical cables fed through the mirror support 14.
  • a manually operable switch (not shown) is provided to allow the driver to select either the forward-looking view or the rearward-looking view for display on the monitor 10.
  • the monitor may operate automatically to display the two views alternately, or it may display both views at the same time, in separate display areas.
  • a manual control may also be provided, for use by the driver, to alter the orientation of each camera and so alter the axis along which that camera is directed.
  • the invention has been described with the pair of cameras mounted to the off-side of a right-hand drive vehicle, intended to be used in the UK and other countries where vehicles are driven on the left of the road.
  • the system may also include a similar pair of cameras mounted to the rear-side of the vehicle, for use when the vehicle is used in countries where the vehicles are driven on the right .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)

Abstract

An imaging system for a road vehicle comprises a monitor to display an image to the driver, and a pair of cameras (16, 18) mounted to a side of the vehicle (preferably in the wing mirror housing), one camera being directed forwardly and the other rearwardly.

Description

Vehicle Imaging System
The present invention relates to an imaging system for installation in a road vehicle, to provide the driver with assistance when overtaking or performing other manoeuvres.
Often when performing a vehicle manoeuvre, the driver's view is somewhat limited, both in the forward direction and, via the vehicle's mirrors, in the rearward direction.
.We have now devised an imaging system which substantially improves the views available to the driver.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an imaging system installed in or arranged to be installed in a road vehicle, the system comprising a monitor mounted or for mounting in a position to display an image to the vehicle driver, and a pair of cameras mounted or arranged to be mounted on a side of the vehicle, with one camera directed forwardly and the other camera directed rearwardly.
The monitor may comprise a compact cathode ray tube or a flat screen, preferably arranged to be mounted on the dashboard to be easily viewed by the driver. Instead, the monitor may comprise a head-up display. Preferably the pair of cameras are mounted in the housing of a wing mirror of the vehicle, therefore providing views from a point spaced as far as possible out from the side of the vehicle. The vehicle housing may have an aperture through which the forwards view camera is directed, preferably provided with a protective lens cover. Preferably the mirror is formed with a half-mirrored section through which the rearwards view camera is directed.
The video output of the cameras may be transmitted to the monitor via an electrical cable or fibre optic cable or by wireless transmission such as infrared or radio.
The system may include a manually operable switch to allow the driver to select either the forward-looking view or the rearward-looking view for display on the monitor. Instead, the monitor may display the two views alternately, or both together.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a view of a car which is equipped with an imaging system in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a view of the dashboard of the car, also showing its wing mirrors; FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the wing mirror on the driver's side (off-side) of the car; and
FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged view of the face of the off-side wing mirror.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a right-hand drive car C having an imaging system in accordance with the invention installed in it. The imaging system comprises a monitor 10 mounted on the dashboard 12 and arranged to present an image to the driver of the vehicle. The car has a pair of wing mirrors MR, ML, mounted to the driver's door and front passenger's door, respectively, on stalks 14. A pair of video cameras 16, 18 are mounted in the housing of the off-side wing mirror MR. Camera 16 is directed forwardly and the mirror housing is formed with an aperture through which the camera lens is directed to view the road ahead: this aperture- is preferably provided with a protective lens cover. Camera 18 is directed rearwardly through a half-mirrored section 20 of the mirror itself. In the example shown, the two cameras 16, 18 are mounted back-to-back on a common support 17.
The video output signals of the cameras 16, 18 are passed to the monitor 10 via electrical cables fed through the mirror support 14.
A manually operable switch (not shown) is provided to allow the driver to select either the forward-looking view or the rearward-looking view for display on the monitor 10. Alternatively, the monitor may operate automatically to display the two views alternately, or it may display both views at the same time, in separate display areas.
A manual control may also be provided, for use by the driver, to alter the orientation of each camera and so alter the axis along which that camera is directed.
The invention has been described with the pair of cameras mounted to the off-side of a right-hand drive vehicle, intended to be used in the UK and other countries where vehicles are driven on the left of the road. The system may also include a similar pair of cameras mounted to the rear-side of the vehicle, for use when the vehicle is used in countries where the vehicles are driven on the right .

Claims

Claims
1) An imaging system installed in or arranged to be installed in a road vehicle, the system comprising a monitor mounted or for mounting in a position to display an image to the vehicle driver, and a pair of cameras mounted or arranged to be mounted on a side of the vehicle, with one camera directed forwardly and the other camera directed rearwardly.
2) An imaging system as claimed in Claim 1, in which said monitor comprises a cathode ray tube or flat screen mounted or for mounting on the vehicle dashboard.
■3) An imaging system as claimed in Claim 1, in which said monitor comprises a head-up display.
4) An imaging system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said pair of cameras are mounted in the housing of a wing mirror of the vehicle.
5) An imaging system as claimed in Claim 4, in which said mirror housing includes an aperture through which the forwards view camera is directed.
6) An imaging system as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 , in which the mirror is formed with a half-mirrored section through which the rearwards view camera is directed.
7) An imaging system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the video outputs of said cameras are transmitted to said monitor by wireless transmission.
8) An imaging system as claimed in any preceding claim, including a manually-operable switch to allow the driver to select either the forward-looking view or the rearward-looking view for display on said monitor.
9) An imaging system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, in which said monitor is arranged to display the forward- looking view and the rearward-looking view alternately.
EP02788123A 2001-12-18 2002-12-16 Vehicle imaging system Withdrawn EP1456058A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0130292 2001-12-18
GB0130292A GB2383315B (en) 2001-12-18 2001-12-18 Vehicle imaging system
PCT/GB2002/005710 WO2003051672A1 (en) 2001-12-18 2002-12-16 Vehicle imaging system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1456058A1 true EP1456058A1 (en) 2004-09-15

Family

ID=9927882

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02788123A Withdrawn EP1456058A1 (en) 2001-12-18 2002-12-16 Vehicle imaging system

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1456058A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002352403A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2383315B (en)
WO (1) WO2003051672A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JO3267B1 (en) 2009-10-23 2018-09-16 Janssen Pharmaceutica Nv DISUBSTITUTED OCTAHYDROPYRROLO[3,4-c]PYRROLES AS OREXIN RECEPTOR MODULATORS
JP5848251B2 (en) 2009-10-23 2016-01-27 ヤンセン ファーマシューティカ エヌ．ベー． Fused heterocyclic compounds as orexin receptor modulators
EP2581267A1 (en) * 2011-10-10 2013-04-17 Robert Bosch GmbH Driving assistance device
GB201118623D0 (en) 2011-10-27 2011-12-07 Land Rover Uk Ltd Wading apparatus and method
DE202012005641U1 (en) * 2012-06-08 2012-08-06 Karl-Heinz Stabnow Camera in the exterior mirror housing of motor vehicles
JP2014061808A (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-04-10 Ichikoh Ind Ltd Rearward visual recognition apparatus
RS63296B1 (en) 2016-03-10 2022-07-29 Janssen Pharmaceutica Nv Methods of treating depression using orexin-2 receptor antagonists
IT201600093818A1 (en) * 2016-09-19 2018-03-19 Iveco Spa CABIN FOR INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH VISION SENSORS

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0550397A1 (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-07-07 Wolfgang Kainz Observation and surveillance device for vehicles or the likes
US5756988A (en) * 1995-06-27 1998-05-26 Furuta; Yoshihisa Device for checking lateral views at front/rear ends of vehicle
DE19749363B4 (en) * 1997-11-07 2005-10-27 Volkswagen Ag Motor vehicle with distance sensor
GB9915848D0 (en) * 1999-07-06 1999-09-08 Clarke Christopher D Overtaking vehicle imaging system
DE10037130B4 (en) * 1999-09-13 2015-10-29 Volkswagen Ag Parking and / or Rangierhilfeeinrichtung for cars or trucks
DE19951376A1 (en) * 1999-10-26 2001-06-07 Silvio Foerst Mirror replacement system for vehicle; has combination of cameras on left-hand and right-hand side of vehicle, and facing backwards, and monitors to display camera images instead of usual mirrors
EP1244572A1 (en) * 2000-01-06 2002-10-02 Johnson Controls Technology Company System and method for vision enhancement in a vehicle
DE10030359A1 (en) * 2000-06-21 2002-02-21 Volkswagen Ag Dynamic control of the background lighting of in road vehicle displays used to show external camera inputs
DE20021458U1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2001-07-26 Matuscheck Udo Obstacle detection device for motor vehicles
DE10059786B4 (en) * 2000-12-01 2007-04-26 Volkswagen Ag Monitoring device for vehicles

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *
See also references of WO03051672A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002352403A1 (en) 2003-06-30
GB2383315A (en) 2003-06-25
GB2383315B (en) 2005-04-06
WO2003051672A1 (en) 2003-06-26
GB0130292D0 (en) 2002-02-06

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