Patent Application
20190255997
The present disclosure relates generally to a camera or imaging system for use in a vehicle and more particularly, to an imaging system configured to have a field of view of at least a portion of the interior of a vehicle, where the imaging system may be positioned within a rearview assembly or other interior vehicle location and have a low profile so it is not visually unappealing.
Cameras and imaging devices are increasingly being employed for various functions in motor vehicles. Some of the imaging systems are to be used in the interior of a vehicle. They may be used, for example, to monitor vehicle occupants. Due to space and configuration restrictions, it may be difficult to have an unobtrusive imaging system with high quality video in the interior of a vehicle. The imaging systems may be difficult to disguise, and may be considered aesthetically displeasing.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a rearview display for a vehicle may comprise a housing at least partially defining a cavity; at least one light diverter disposed in the housing; at least one lens configured to direct light to the light diverter; and an imager disposed in the housing and in optical communication with the at least one lens and the at least one light diverter. The at least one lens may be disposed either in the cavity or on a surface of the housing. The rearview display may further comprise a power supply in communication with the imager, and may be configured to provide power to the imager. The imager may comprise a processor. A power supply may be in communication with the imager. The power supply may be configured to provide power to the imager. The light diverter may be one of a mirror and a prism. The rearview display for a vehicle may be disposed in one of a rearview assembly, a pillar, a headliner, a vehicle dashboard, an instrument panel, a vehicle infotainment console, a heads-up display, and a visor of a motor vehicle. The rearview display for a vehicle may further comprise at least a second lens in optical communication with the at least one light diverter. The rearview display for a vehicle may further comprise at least a second light diverter in optical communication with the at least one light diverter and the imager. The imager may be one of a charge coupled device and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, and the imager may convert optical images to digital signals. The rearview display for a vehicle may further comprise a communication system, wherein images produced by the imaging system are transmitted through the communication system. The imager may be one of a charge coupled device and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor; and the imager converts optical images to electronic signals. The imager may transmit images to at least one of a receiver exterior of the vehicle and a display element in the interior of the vehicle. The display element may be disposed on one of a rearview assembly, an A pillar, a visor, a heads-up display, and an infotainment console of a vehicle. The rearview display for a vehicle may further comprise an image stabilizer disposed to stabilize images captured by the imaging system.
The rearview display for a vehicle may further comprise a housing configured to optically isolate the at least one light diverter and the imager from ambient light. The rearview display for a vehicle may further comprise at least a second light diverter in optical communication with the imager. The second light diverter may be optically isolated from ambient light. When a second lens and a third lens are present, the second lens and the third lens may be optically isolated from ambient light. The rearview display may further comprise a barrier that at least partially defines a chamber from which ambient light is restricted. The first and second light diverters and the second and third lenses may be disposed within the chamber.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, an imaging system may comprise a first lens; a second lens; a first light diverter configured to direct light from the first lens to the second lens; a third lens in optical communication with the second lens; a second light diverter in optical communication with the third lens; an imager in optical communication with the second light diverter; and a housing enclosing at least the second lens, the third lens, the first light diverter, and the second light diverter; wherein light enters first light diverter from a first direction and is redirected to a second direction; and wherein light enters second light diverter from a second direction and is redirected to a third direction. The imaging system may be disposed in the interior of a vehicle. The imager may receive an optical image and transforms the optical image to a digital image. The imaging system may further comprise a communication system in communication with the imager; the communication system may transmit an image collected by the imaging system to at least one receiver. The first lens may be disposed in one of a lip and a bezel of a rearview assembly of a vehicle.
The present disclosure provides a camera or imaging system for the interior of a vehicle. The imaging system may have a field of view of at least a portion of the interior of the vehicle. The field of view may include a driver or other occupant of the vehicle, and the imaging system may provide for the acquisition of video or still images of a driver or other vehicle occupant. The imaging system may further may provide for the transmission of a continuous video stream or still images to at least one device within or outside of the vehicle. The exterior or visible portion of the camera or imaging system may have a low profile, and the portion of the imaging system that is not visible to a user may be configured to fit within an available space within a vehicle component with minimal or no unsightly exterior protrusions or extensions from the vehicle component in which the imaging system is disposed. In some embodiments, a lens may be the only portion of the imaging system visible to a user, and the rest of the system may be hidden within, for example, a rearview assembly or an A-pillar of the vehicle.
As used herein, a “rearview assembly” is a structure that may provide an image of a scene to the rear of a driver such rearview assemblies may include an electrochromic rearview assembly. Rearview assembly may alternatively include a simple prismatic mirror. Rearview assembly may additionally or alternatively include an electronic display element that displays an image as sensed by a rearward facing camera or other imaging system (see, for example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,949 entitled “SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS FOR ENHANCING REAR VISION FROM A VEHICLE,” filed on Sep. 15, 1998, by Frederick T. Bauer et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). Additionally or alternatively, rearview assembly may include both an electrochromic rearview assembly and a display device for providing an image from a rearward facing camera or other imaging system.
An example of a rearview assembly 10 is shown in
In general, rearview assemblies 10 include a housing 12 that may have a wide variety of possible designs, such as, for example, the mirror housing taught and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,397. Rearview assemblies 10 may also include at least one of a rearview device 14 and a video display element 16, mounted in housing 12, and a mounting element 17 that attaches housing 12 to the vehicle. The various components described below may be mounted in housing 12 of rearview assembly 10 or may be mounted in mounting element 17, with appropriate electrical connections made therebetween. In some embodiments, rearview assembly 10 may include at least some components of a vehicle communication system, and the components of the vehicle communication system may comprise at least one of a speaker 26, a microphone 24, a camera or imager 18, and an RF antenna 22. The vehicle communication system may enable communication between vehicle occupants and users outside the vehicle.
Display element 16 may be selectively activated, and may include a display screen or display surface 48 for the electronic display of images which may be transmitted from at least one camera 18 or other imaging systems. Rearview device 14 may comprise a partially reflective, partially transmissive element such as an electrochromic mirror. In some embodiments, rearview device 14 may be disposed in housing 12 in front of display element 16, thereby allowing display surface 48 to be viewable through the partially reflective, partially transmissive element 14 when display element 16 is activated.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, at least one additional lens 35 may be provided in lens system 33. The at least one additional lens 35 may be disposed between first lens 34 and first light deflector 36. The at least one additional lens 35 may be generally parallel to first lens 34.
Lens system 33 and first lens 34 of lens system 33 may be in optical communication with first light deflector 36. First light deflector 36 may be disposed within housing 12 of rearview assembly 10, and may be disposed to redirect the light coming from lens system 33. First light deflector 36 may comprise a prism or a mirror. Light may enter first light deflector 36 in a first direction 44, be deflected by light deflector 36, and exit first light deflector in a second direction 46 different from the first direction 44 from which it entered. In some embodiments, light may exit first light deflector 36 approximately 90 degrees from the angle at which it entered. In some embodiments, first direction 44 may be generally orthogonal to a display surface 48 of rearview assembly 10, and second direction may be generally parallel to display surface 48 of rearview assembly 10. In some embodiments, light leaving first light deflector 36 may be focused on imager 32.
Imager 32 may comprise a processor (not shown), and may be configured to capture and process images. In some embodiments, imager 32 may be disposed within housing 12, and in optical communication with first light deflector 36. In embodiments having a single light deflector or an odd number of light deflectors, imager 32 may be oriented to receive images traveling generally in second direction 46. In some embodiments. Imager 32 may comprise one of a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Imager 32 may receive and process captured images, and the processor may convert optical images received from a lens or a light diverter into an electronic signal such as a digital signal. The captured images may be video images or may be one or more discrete still images. Images may be transmitted through wireless transmission capabilities of the vehicle communication system associated with rearview assembly 10, or rearview assembly 10 may be linked wired or wirelessly with a mobile telephone, and images may be transmitted through the mobile telephone network.
Referring now to
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Referring now to
In some embodiments, a housing or barrier 62 may optically isolate the one or more light deflectors 36, 54 from ambient light in housing 12. Housing or barrier 62 may be opaque, and may prevent ambient light inside housing 12 from interfering with the transfer and capture of the image being processed by imaging system 30. Housing or barrier 62 may be configured to enclose the at least one light deflector 36, 54. Housing or barrier 62 may also enclose and optically isolate any lenses disposed between light deflectors 36, 54, or between first light deflector 36 and imager 32, including second and third lenses 50, 52. In some embodiments, housing or barrier 62 may extend from first lens 34 to imager 32. Imager 32 may be enclosed by housing or barrier 62 to be optically isolated from any ambient light. In some embodiments, housing or barrier 62 may at least partially define a chamber 63 from which ambient light is restricted. The one or more light deflectors 36, 54 and the one or more lenses 34, 50, 52 may be disposed within chamber 63.
In some embodiments, components of imaging system 30, such as any lenses 34, 50, 52, light deflectors 36, 54 and imager 32 may be disposed in different components or accessories or elsewhere in the interior of the vehicle, such as in a headliner or a visor of a vehicle, an A-pillar, a door panel, a heads-up display, a vehicle dashboard or instrument panel, a headrest, or a vehicle infotainment console.
In some embodiments, imaging system 30 may further comprise an image stabilizer 64. In some embodiments, image stabilizer 64 may be a digital image stabilizer. In some embodiments, image stabilizer may be an optical image stabilizer. Image stabilizer 64 may be associated with a lens 34, 50, 52 of imaging system 30.
In some embodiments, imaging system 30 disclosed herein may operate in conjunction with the communication system in a vehicle. The vehicle communication system may comprise both audio and video components. Components of the vehicle communication system may be located m proximity to imaging system 30; for example, imaging system 30 and some or all components of a vehicle communication system may be disposed within rearview assembly 10 of the vehicle. In some embodiments, portions of or the entirety of the vehicle communication system may be disposed in a separate location of the vehicle or disposed in different vehicle components or accessories than imaging system 30. Some components of imaging system 30 may be disposed in a location remote from other components. Certain aspects or components of the vehicle communication system may be implemented in a rear-view assembly, a headliner or visor of a vehicle, a heads-up display, an A-pillar, a door panel, a vehicle dashboard or instrument panel, a headrest, a vehicle infotainment console, or other locations within the interior of the vehicle.
Imaging system 30 may be in communication with the vehicle communication system, and the vehicle communication system may transmit the images captured by imaging system 30. A video stream or still image produced by imager 32 may be transmitted to a receiver external to the vehicle, be displayed on a surface in the interior of the vehicle, or both. In some embodiments, the images may be transmitted to and displayed on at least one of rearview assembly 10 and an external receiver such as a video-conferencing or video-chatting application on a mobile device, tablet, computer, or smart television. When displayed on display surface 48 of rearview assembly 10, image may extend across entire display surface 48 or may use only a portion of display surface 48.
It should be noted that references to “front,” “back,” “rear,” “inner.” “outer,” “right.” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGURES. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62632029 | Feb 2018 | US |
