Patent Application
20180186322
The present disclosure relates to an automobile console and passenger identification and communication equipment provided with the console.
Common automobile center consoles provide features such as a stereo, an emergency signal switch, and a screen providing features such as GPS navigation information, heating and cooling system controls, tire pressure warning systems, and contact information such as receipt of telephone calls and emails during vehicle operation. Sensor systems are known which utilize two or more sensors to triangulate features of the vehicle operator or a passenger such that a warning can be initiated if the operator begins to get drowsy or falls asleep. Such sensor systems require multiple sensors in order to locate and triangulate each passenger of the vehicle, and therefore do not limit the sensor locations to just the center console, or to the dashboard of the vehicle.
Thus, while current automobile center console systems achieve their intended purpose, there is a need for a new and improved system for observation of passengers and for detection of passenger gestures.
According to several aspects, a vehicle console camera system includes a console positioned in a motor vehicle passenger compartment. A camera is mounted to an upper surface of the console, the camera having a camera lens facing rearward. A viewing window of the camera captures at least an upper torso and a head of an operator of the motor vehicle.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera is incorporated into a camera unit, and wherein the console includes an upper portion which directly supports the camera unit.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera unit includes a camera housing incorporating the camera positioned above the upper portion.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera housing includes a motor vehicle front facing portion which is partially received and retained within a cavity of the upper portion of the console.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a camera body enclosure is integrally connected to the camera housing having a portion of the camera body enclosure received within the upper portion with a predefined length of the camera body enclosure extending outward from and above the upper portion.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a horizontal central axis of the camera lens is positioned at an elevation above the upper surface of the vehicle console, and wherein the camera lens is elevated above the upper surface of the upper portion.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the console is substantially centrally positioned in a dashboard of the motor vehicle.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera is positioned on a longitudinal central axis of the motor vehicle.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the viewing window further captures at least a front passenger of the motor vehicle.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the viewing window further captures at least one rear passenger of the motor vehicle.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical output of the camera is communicated to a central processing unit.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, an output of the camera defines a digital signal.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera is located at a minimum height above a floor of the motor vehicle permitting the viewing window to further include a front passenger and at least one rear seat passenger of the motor vehicle.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a range of the viewing window permits facial features and recognition of each of multiple motor vehicle passengers, as well as reception of gestures made by any of the motor vehicle passengers to be identified by software provided within a central processing unit.
According to several aspects, a vehicle console camera system includes a console positioned in a dashboard of a motor vehicle. A camera unit is mounted to an upper surface of the console, the camera unit including a camera having a camera lens facing rearward. A viewing window of the camera captures images of each of an operator and a front seat passenger of the motor vehicle. A range of the viewing window permits facial features and recognition of the operator and the front seat passenger to be identified by software provided within a central processing unit.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera unit is positioned on a longitudinal central axis of the motor vehicle and at a minimum height above a floor of the motor vehicle predetermined to maximize the range of the viewing window.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the range of the viewing window further permits reception of gestures made by the operator and the front seat passenger.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera lens defines a wide angle lens having an approximate 180 degree viewing area.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a camera body of the camera is partially received within a camera body enclosure of the camera unit. The camera body enclosure is positioned within an aperture of the upper portion of the console. The aperture of the upper portion provides access from below the upper portion to access a signal connector of the camera.
According to several aspects, a vehicle console camera system includes a console positioned in a dashboard of a motor vehicle passenger compartment. A camera unit is mounted to an upper portion of the console and is positioned on a longitudinal central axis of the motor vehicle. The camera unit includes: a single digital camera having a wide angle camera lens facing rearward into the passenger compartment; a camera housing having a motor vehicle front facing portion partially received and retained within a cavity of the upper portion of the console; and a camera body enclosure integrally connected to the camera housing. The camera is positioned within the camera body enclosure having the camera lens extending through a lens cavity created in a rear facing wall of the camera housing. A viewing window of the camera captures images of each of an operator and a front seat passenger of the motor vehicle. A range of the viewing window permits facial features and recognition of the operator and the front seat passenger, as well as reception of gestures made by the operator and the front seat passenger to be identified by software provided within a central processing unit.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
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The camera unit 12 is located at a minimum height “H” above a floor “F” of the motor vehicle 18 permitting the viewing window 20 to also include a front passenger and at least one rear seat passenger of the motor vehicle 18, which are shown and described in greater detail in reference to
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The gestures made by any of the passengers can be predefined gestures saved in a memory which indicate for example to increase or decrease a radio volume, to turn on or turn off a feature such as a ventilation system fan, or the like. The gestures are there repeatable and either pre-programmed into the memory or learned on a case-by-case basis. The computer of the central processing unit 30 can also be pre-programmed to recognize facial features of the operator such as eye movement which indicates drowsiness or sleep such that corrective action or operator warnings can be issued.
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A vehicle console camera system 10 of the present disclosure offers several advantages. These include the use of a single camera having a wide angle lens mounted to the upper surface of a motor vehicle console. The single camera replaces multiple sensors previously known for data acquisition, and is capable of viewing all of the passengers in the motor vehicle. The elevation and central axis placement of the camera maximize a viewing window of the camera. The collection of information via a single camera reduces system costs, and also reduces the need to triangulate passenger positions, and therefore reduces the chance of misinterpretation of gestures of any of the passengers.
The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
