Patent Application
20150042797
The subject invention relates to the art of motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a motor vehicle having a rear side view display system.
Traditionally, motor vehicles include a rear view mirror and one or two side view mirrors. The rear view mirror, as the name implies, provides a driver with a view behind the motor vehicle. The side view mirror(s) provide the driver with a view along one or both sides of the motor vehicle. Recently, many motor vehicles have been provided with rear looking cameras that broadcast a behind the vehicle view to a dashboard display. Typically, the camera is mounted centrally on a rear portion of the motor vehicle; often times over or around a license plate mounting zone. The rear view camera provides a good view of what is located centrally behind the vehicle. That view however may include dead zones, or areas of minimal coverage at rear corner portions of the vehicle that are also minimally perceivable through side view mirrors. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that enables a driver to clearly view not only what is located directly behind a motor vehicle, but also what is located at rear side portions of the motor vehicle.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a motor vehicle includes a body having a front end, a rear end, a first side extending between the front end and the rear end and a second, opposing side extending between the front end and the rear end. A side view mirror is mounted at the body. The side view mirror includes a reflective surface and a video display arranged behind the reflective surface. The side view mirror is selectively adjustable to provide a view along the first side. A camera is mounted at the body and operatively connected to the video display. The camera is configured and disposed to provide a first side rear view behind the rear end to the video display.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a method of displaying a rear corner view of a motor vehicle includes capturing an image at a rear corner of the motor vehicle, transmitting the image to a display provided in a side view mirror, and displaying the image on the display.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. A motor vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at 2, in
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment illustrated in
In further accordance with an exemplary embodiment, motor vehicle 2 includes a rear side view display system 50 operatively connected to first and second cameras 40 and 42 and first and second displays 27 and 37. Display system 50 includes a controller 52 having a central processor unit 56 and an image processor unit 60. When motor vehicle 2 is in reverse, display system 50 receives real time video images from first and second cameras 40 and 42. The image from camera 40 is passed through image processor 60 and sent to display 27 and the image from camera 42 is passed through image processor 60 and sent to display 37. Each camera 40 and 42 may include a corresponding variable zoom 62 and 64 that provides image enhancement. Each variable zoom 62 and 64 may be controlled by an operator of motor vehicle 2 or through an algorithm provided in controller 52. A portion of selectively reflective surface 26 ceases to be reflective when an image is sent to display 27. Similarly, a portion of selectively reflective surface 36 ceases to be reflective when an image is sent to display 37. In this manner, a driver can view left and right side view mirrors 24 and 34 and not only see a reflected image of an area behind motor vehicle 2, but can also view processed images of areas to the left and right sides of motor vehicle 2. Display system 50 provides enhanced driver operational awareness, increasing motor vehicle safety.
At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments describe a rear side view display system for a motor vehicle. Left and right rear mounted cameras provide real time video images to left and right side view mirror displays. The images increase situational awareness providing a driver with information regarding on-coming vehicles, pedestrians, or the like, that may otherwise not be viewable through traditional side view or rear view mirrors. It should also be understood that the location of the rear side view cameras may vary depending on motor vehicle model. Further, it should be understood that the location of the display with respect to the reflective surface may vary. Finally, it should be understood that a driver may be provided with an override system to disable the display system if so desired.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the application.
