US6535242B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for acquiring and displaying vehicular information
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 2000-10-24
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Granted: 2003-03-18
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Expires: 2020-10-24
Abstract
Abstract An image acquisition and display system 10 is provided for use on a vehicle. System 10 includes a three-dimensional display and two stereo camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24 which are respectively mounted on the driver-side and passenger-side of the vehicle. Camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24 are adapted to receive images of objects located in the front of the vehicle from both sides of the vehicle regardless of the ambient light level surrounding the vehicle. A controller 14 processes the image data from cameras 18-24 and provides three-dimensional image data to display 12 which utilizes the data to display the images to the driver 52 in a three-dimensional format. A user input device 26 allows a driver 52 of the vehicle to select between camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24, to reposition camera pairs 18, 20 and 22, 24, and to selectively magnify and minimize images acquired by cameras pairs 18,20 and 22,24.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Steven Strumolo
- 👤 Ronald Hugh Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An image acquisition and display system for use with a vehicle comprising: a first stereo camera pair which is mounted on a driver-side of said vehicle and which is effective to acquire and transmit first three-dimensional image data; a second stereo camera pair which is mounted on a passenger-side of said vehicle and which is effective to acquire and transmit second three-dimensional image data; a controller which is communicatively coupled to said first and second stereo camera pairs and which is effective to receive and process said first and second three-dimensional image data and to transmit a signal representing said processed image data; and a three-dimensional display assembly which is communicatively coupled to said controller and which is effective to receive said signal and to display said processed image data in a three-dimensional format.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image acquisition and display system for use with a vehicle comprising: a first stereo camera pair which is mounted on a driver-side of said vehicle and which is effective to acquire and transmit first three-dimensional image data; a second stereo camera pair which is mounted on a passenger-side of said vehicle and which is effective to acquire and transmit second three-dimensional image data; a controller which is communicatively coupled to said first and second stereo camera pairs and which is effective to receive and process said first and second three-dimensional image data and to transmit a signal representing said processed image data; and a three-dimensional display assembly which is communicatively coupled to said controller and which is effective to receive said signal and to display said processed image data in a three-dimensional format.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first stereo camera pair is operatively disposed within a driver-side mirror shroud and wherein said second stereo camera pair is operatively disposed within a passenger-side mirror shroud.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a user input device which is communicatively coupled to said controller and which is effective to receive commands from an operator and to transmit said commands to said controller; and wherein said controller is further effective to utilize said commands to operate said first and second stereo camera pairs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said commands comprise camera selection commands which are effective to allow a user to selectively acquire and view images from said first stereo camera pair or said second stereo camera pair.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said commands further comprise zoom commands which allow a user to selectively magnify and minimize images acquired by said first and second stereo camera pairs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said user input device comprises a microphone and voice recognition software.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said user input device comprises a manual input device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second stereo camera pairs comprise infrared illuminators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second stereo camera pairs are directed in front of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a first motor assembly on which said first stereo camera pair is mounted and which is effective to selectively rotate and pivot said first stereo camera pair; and a second motor assembly on which said second stereo camera pair is mounted and which is effective to selectively rotate and pivot said second stereo camera pair.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said controller comprises image recognition software which is effective to identify objects which are within a field of view of said first and second camera pair based upon image data provided by said objects.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
195 words
An image acquisition and display system for use with a vehicle comprising: a first stereo camera pair which is mounted on a first side of said vehicle and which selectively receives and provides image data from said first side of said vehicle; a second stereo camera pair which is mounted on a second side of said vehicle and which selectively receives and provides image data from said second side of said vehicle; a user input device which is effective to receive and transmit a camera selection command from a user; a controller which is communicatively coupled to said first and second stereo camera pairs and to said user input device, said controller being effective to receive said camera selection command and to selectively activate said first or said second stereo camera pair based upon said camera selection command, said controller further being effective to receive and process image data received from said activated camera pair and to transmit said processed image data; and a three-dimensional display assembly which is communicatively coupled to said controller and which is effective to receive said processed image data and to display said processed image data in a three-dimensional format.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
195 words
An image acquisition and display system for use with a vehicle comprising: a first stereo camera pair which is mounted on a first side of said vehicle and which selectively receives and provides image data from said first side of said vehicle; a second stereo camera pair which is mounted on a second side of said vehicle and which selectively receives and provides image data from said second side of said vehicle; a user input device which is effective to receive and transmit a camera selection command from a user; a controller which is communicatively coupled to said first and second stereo camera pairs and to said user input device, said controller being effective to receive said camera selection command and to selectively activate said first or said second stereo camera pair based upon said camera selection command, said controller further being effective to receive and process image data received from said activated camera pair and to transmit said processed image data; and a three-dimensional display assembly which is communicatively coupled to said controller and which is effective to receive said processed image data and to display said processed image data in a three-dimensional format.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image acquisition and display system of claim 12 wherein said display assembly comprises a flat panel display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image acquisition and display system of claim 12 wherein said display assembly comprises a holographic display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The image acquisition and display system of claim 12 wherein said first stereo camera pair is mounted in a driver-side mirror shroud of said vehicle and said second stereo camera pair is mounted in passenger-side mirror shroud of said vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The image acquisition and display system of claim 12 wherein said controller is further effective to selectively and simultaneously activate a unique one of said first stereo camera pair and a unique one of said second stereo camera pair, and to utilize said activated cameras to acquire images remote from said vehicle with improved resolution.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for acquiring and displaying images for use with a vehicle and comprising the steps of: providing a three-dimensional display; mounting said display within said vehicle; providing a first and a second stereo camera pair; mounting said first stereo camera pair on a driver-side of said vehicle; mounting said second stereo camera pair on a passenger-side of said vehicle; selectively acquiring images from said first and said second stereo camera pair; and selectively displaying said acquired images in a three-dimensional format on said display.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for acquiring and displaying images for use with a vehicle and comprising the steps of: providing a three-dimensional display; mounting said display within said vehicle; providing a first and a second stereo camera pair; mounting said first stereo camera pair on a driver-side of said vehicle; mounting said second stereo camera pair on a passenger-side of said vehicle; selectively acquiring images from said first and said second stereo camera pair; and selectively displaying said acquired images in a three-dimensional format on said display.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said first and second stereo camera pair include infrared illuminators, said method further comprising the steps of: monitoring an ambient light level surrounding said vehicle; and automatically activating said infrared illuminators when said ambient light level falls below a predetermined threshold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: providing pattern and image recognition software; utilizing said pattern and image recognition software to identify said acquired images; and selectively providing a notification of said identity of said acquired images.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said notification comprises an audible notification.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-17 | 2006-09-16 | 2007-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-17 | 2010-09-16 | 2011-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-17 | 2014-09-16 | 2015-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |