Patent Application
20180170261
The embodiments described herein are related to systems for providing rear views out of a motor vehicle when a rear view mirror is obstructed.
For several years, motor vehicles have included a small video screen that shows the image of a rear backup camera. This camera turns on when the transmission is put into reverse, and turns off when the transmission is shifted out of reverse. Newer motor vehicles have applied an interior rearview mirror with a full screen video screen capable of displaying a rear view of the motor vehicle that is activated by a toggle lever.
There are instances, however, when the rear view as viewed in the rearview mirror can be obstructed. One example of such a scenario may occur when hauling larger objects in the trunk, and the trunk needs to be left open while driving. Another example is for a motor vehicle with a convertible top that may raised or lowered during low-speed operation of the motor vehicle. Yet another example may be a motor vehicle with two or three rows behind the front row that are occupied by passengers, potentially with head rests in a raised position that block the rear view of the motor vehicle as observed in the rearview mirror.
The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.
According to one aspect a rear view display system for a motor vehicle having a rearview mirror providing an exterior rear view of the motor vehicle includes a camera located at a rear of the motor vehicle, a display within an interior of the motor vehicle, a sensor for detecting an obstruction obstructing the exterior rear view of the motor vehicle, and a control circuit adapted to send a video feed from the camera to the display when the obstruction is detected.
According to another aspect, a method of operating a rear view display system for a motor vehicle having a rearview mirror providing an exterior rear view of the motor vehicle, a camera located at a rear of the motor vehicle, and a display within an interior of the motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes the steps of detecting an obstruction obstructing the exterior rear view of the motor vehicle, and sending a video feed from the camera to the display when the obstruction is detected.
The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the embodiments described herein.
Currently, a motor vehicle 100 may include a display 102, usually a built in LCD display, that automatically shows the view from a camera 200, typically located above the rear license plate 202, when the motor vehicle 100 is put in reverse. The embodiments described herein are related applications for using this camera 200 to automatically show the rear view 204, as the motor vehicle 100 is in a forward gear, when an obstruction is detected that blocks the rear view 204 of the driver 104 in the rearview mirror 106.
Referring now to the Figures,
As shown in
Referring again to
When an obstruction is detected, the switch 510 is actuated, the circuit for +12V reverse power 502 is broken and the circuit for +12V ignition switched power 504 is completed. Thus, the rear view display 102 is on when an obstruction is detected, and a video feed from the camera 200 is displayed on the display 102. When the motor vehicle 100 is both in reverse and an obstruction is detected, the camera 200 is still on and receives power from the +12 ignition switched power 504 source. Any other suitable operating circuit and switching system known to one skilled in the art may be used.
The switch 510 is activated by a sensor 514 when the sensor 514 detects the presence of an object creating an obstruction. As illustrated in
Either alternatively or additionally, the motor vehicle 100 may include an internal occupant detection system utilizing a camera 802 that is capable of detecting the presence of obstruction 702 in the rearward seats 600 of the motor vehicle 100 that may obstruct the view out the rear window 606 of the motor vehicle 100. One example may include an image based occupant classification system, such as the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,036,795, which is incorporated fully herein by reference. When the internal occupant detection system, utilizing images from camera 802, identifies an obstruction 702 creating an obstructed rear view, the internal occupant detection system may activate the switch 510 to engage the rear camera 200. Any other image-based or proximity sensors known to those skilled in the art may also be used. The obstruction 702 may be located in a rearward seat 600, in the rear window 606, or anywhere else that may obstruct the view out the rear window 606 of the motor vehicle 100.
With continuing reference to
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
In addition, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the embodiments, which is set forth in the claims.
While particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatuses of the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined in the appended claims.
