GB2408874A - Reduction of blind-spots using in-vehicle displays - Google Patents

Reduction of blind-spots using in-vehicle displays Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2408874A
GB2408874A GB0327949A GB0327949A GB2408874A GB 2408874 A GB2408874 A GB 2408874A GB 0327949 A GB0327949 A GB 0327949A GB 0327949 A GB0327949 A GB 0327949A GB 2408874 A GB2408874 A GB 2408874A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
camera
pillar
display panel
driver
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Withdrawn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
GB0327949A
Other versions
GB0327949D0 (en
Inventor
David Inch
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.)
Ford Global Technologies LLC
Original Assignee
Ford Global Technologies LLC
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 Ford Global Technologies LLC filed Critical Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority to GB0327949A priority Critical patent/GB2408874A/en
Publication of GB0327949D0 publication Critical patent/GB0327949D0/en
Publication of GB2408874A publication Critical patent/GB2408874A/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B60R1/25—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 to the sides of the vehicle
    • 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
    • B60R2300/202—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used displaying a blind spot scene on the vehicle part responsible for the blind spot
    • 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

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle (3) incorporates an external miniature video camera (1) mounted on the windscreen pillar (2) for capturing the scene external to the vehicle which is obscured from the driver's view by the presence of the pillar (2). Images from the camera (1) are relayed to and displayed on a flexible display panel (5) which is mounted on the interior trim of the pillar (2). The invention has the advantage of increasing safety by maximising driver visibility.

Description

Motor Vehicles This invention relates to motor vehicles having improved
driver visibility features.
Current legislation and vehicle design practice is placing increasing demands for strong and stiff structures which maximise occupant safety.
Meeting these demands has led to the incorporation of large pillars for supporting the passenger compartment. Whilst large 'A' pillars contribute to the structural safety of the vehicle, they have the disadvantage of producing blindspots which can obscure obstacles or other road users.
Thus, an arrangement which mitigates the problem of blindspots would be advantageous.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicle having a structural component which obscures a part of an occupant's view of the scene external to the vehicle, the vehicle being provided with; a camera mounted on the vehicle, for producing an image of the part of the scene which is obscured from the occupant's view, and a display panel mounted on an interior surface of the structural component and adapted to display the image produced by the camera to the occupant.
The display panel may comprise any appropriate display but advantageously may comprise a flexible display. Flexible displays, based on LCD, organic LED or Poly LED technology for example and incorporating a plastics substrate, have the advantage of conforming to the shape of an interior panel of the vehicle. r - 2
The camera may be a video camera and may be mounted on an external surface of the structural component. Alternatively it may be mounted inside the vehicle or incorporated within the structural component. Advantageously, the camera's line of sight may be aligned with the line of sight from the driver of the vehicle to the structural component In one embodiment, the camera is mounted on the external surface of the windscreen ('A') pillar and the corresponding image is displayed on the display panel which is mounted on the interior trim of the pillar.
Hence, the camera and display panel arrangement enable the driver to see an image of the scene which is obscured by the 'A' pillar.
Further camera and display panel systems may be incorporated on various structural parts of the vehicle in order to provide similar information to the driver and other vehicle occupants.
The invention has the advantages of enhancing the safety features of a vehicle (because driver visibility is improved) and also of improving the ambience of the vehicle's interior, by giving the impression of an unobstructed glass compartment.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawing which is a schematic diagram of a vehicle incorporating preferred features of the invention.
In the figure, a miniature video camera 1 is mounted on an 'A' pillar 2 of a vehicle 3.
The camera 1 is oriented so that its line of sight is aligned with the driver's line of sight as the driver 4 looks in the direction of the 'A' pillar 2. A flexible display panel 5 is secured to the interior trim of the 'A' pillar and conforms therewith. Electrical connections (not shown) - 3 are installed between the camera 1 and the display panel 5 and to a suitable power source (not shown) so that the camera and display can operate in the desired manner.
In use, the 'A' pillar normally creates a blind spot for the driver and obscures his view of a traffic hazard e.g. a pedestrian 6 as illustrated in the figure. However, the camera acts to continue the driver's line of view and relays a live image of the external scene to the display panel 5, giving the driver the impression that the 'A' pillar is transparent. Hence, an image of the pedestrian is captured and displayed to the driver on the interior surface of the A' pillar.
It will be appreciated that further camera / display combinations can be incorporated into the vehicle 3, for example, on the opposite 'A' pillar and on the rear windscreen pillars, to aid reversing.
With external images being reproduced on the display panels in a suitable orientation, the driver can see images of the obscured environment, as if the obscuring structure was either transparent or removed altogether. - 4

Claims (6)

1. A vehicle having a structural component which obscures a part of an occupant's view of the scene external to the vehicle, the vehicle being provided with; a camera mounted on the vehicle for producing an image of the part of the scene which is obscured from the occupant's view, and a display panel mounted on an interior surface of the structural component and adapted to display the image produced by the camera to the occupant.
2. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the display panel comprises a flexible display capable of conforming to the interior surface of the structural panel.
3. A vehicle according to either preceding claim in which the camera is a video camera.
4. A vehicle according to any preceding claim in which the camera is mounted on an external surface of the structural component.
5. A vehicle according to any preceding claim in which the camera is mounted on an external surface of a windscreen pillar of the vehicle and the display panel is mounted on an interior surface of the windscreen pillar.
6. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
GB0327949A 2003-12-03 2003-12-03 Reduction of blind-spots using in-vehicle displays Withdrawn GB2408874A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0327949A GB2408874A (en) 2003-12-03 2003-12-03 Reduction of blind-spots using in-vehicle displays

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0327949A GB2408874A (en) 2003-12-03 2003-12-03 Reduction of blind-spots using in-vehicle displays

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0327949D0 GB0327949D0 (en) 2004-01-07
GB2408874A true GB2408874A (en) 2005-06-08

Family

ID=29764444

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0327949A Withdrawn GB2408874A (en) 2003-12-03 2003-12-03 Reduction of blind-spots using in-vehicle displays

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2408874A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008012646A1 (en) 2008-03-05 2009-09-10 Carl Zeiss Microimaging Gmbh Scene observing arrangement for use in agricultural commercial vehicle e.g. tractor, classifies covered partial area, information related to scene and/or information related to influence of scene for observer of screen
WO2011149382A1 (en) * 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Miroshnichenko Vladimir Vitalievich Video vision system for vehicles
US8733938B2 (en) 2012-03-07 2014-05-27 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Virtual convertible tops, sunroofs, and back windows, and systems and methods for providing same

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001026283A (en) * 1999-07-12 2001-01-30 Hiroyuki Nishimuta Transparent front pillar of automobile
EP1285814A1 (en) * 2001-08-21 2003-02-26 Ford Global Technologies, Inc., A subsidiary of Ford Motor Company Monitoring device for vehicles
US20030151563A1 (en) * 2002-02-08 2003-08-14 Kulas Charles J. Reduction of blind spots by using display screens
EP1378395A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2004-01-07 Kia Motors Co., Ltd. A monitoring system for monitoring a dead zone related to a front pillar of a vehicle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001026283A (en) * 1999-07-12 2001-01-30 Hiroyuki Nishimuta Transparent front pillar of automobile
EP1285814A1 (en) * 2001-08-21 2003-02-26 Ford Global Technologies, Inc., A subsidiary of Ford Motor Company Monitoring device for vehicles
US20030151563A1 (en) * 2002-02-08 2003-08-14 Kulas Charles J. Reduction of blind spots by using display screens
EP1378395A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2004-01-07 Kia Motors Co., Ltd. A monitoring system for monitoring a dead zone related to a front pillar of a vehicle

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008012646A1 (en) 2008-03-05 2009-09-10 Carl Zeiss Microimaging Gmbh Scene observing arrangement for use in agricultural commercial vehicle e.g. tractor, classifies covered partial area, information related to scene and/or information related to influence of scene for observer of screen
WO2011149382A1 (en) * 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Miroshnichenko Vladimir Vitalievich Video vision system for vehicles
US8733938B2 (en) 2012-03-07 2014-05-27 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Virtual convertible tops, sunroofs, and back windows, and systems and methods for providing same
DE102013203162B4 (en) * 2012-03-07 2019-10-31 GM Global Technology Operations, LLC (n.d. Ges. d. Staates Delaware) Virtual convertible tops, sun roofs and rear windows, and systems and methods for providing the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0327949D0 (en) 2004-01-07

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)