US6970184B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image display method and apparatus for rearview system
Assignee: Panasonic Corp
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Filing: 2002-03-28
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Granted: 2005-11-29
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Expires: 2022-03-28
Abstract
Abstract An image display method for a rearview camera for displaying an image shot by a rearview camera mounted on a vehicle on a screen that can be viewed from a driver's seat, the method includes the step of displaying an auxiliary line image indicating the straight rear direction of the vehicle superimposed on the image shot by the vehicle on the screen. When the vehicle has approached the trailer within a predetermined range, an image from the rearview camera is converted to an image from a virtual overhead viewpoint then displayed on the screen. The driver easily back the vehicle to bring the hitch in the blind spot at the rear of the vehicle to coincide with a coupling member on the trailer while watching the screen display.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuichi Hirama
- 👤 Satoru Masuda
- 👤 Hidetoshi Mimura
- 👤 Kazuki Miyama
- 👤 Masahiro Takata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/80; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/18; B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/58; B60D1/62; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/002; B60R1/003; B60R1/20; B60R1/22; B60R1/23; B60R1/26; B60R1/28; H04N7/183; B60R2300/00; B60R2300/80; B60R2300/808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An image display method for a rearview camera for displaying an image shot by a rearview camera mounted on a vehicle on a screen that is viewed from a driver's seat, comprising the step of: displaying an auxiliary line image indicating the straight rear direction of the vehicle superimposed on the image shot by the camera on the screen, wherein said auxiliary line image extends from the position of a hitch attached at the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image display method for a rearview camera for displaying an image shot by a rearview camera mounted on a vehicle on a screen that is viewed from a driver's seat, comprising the step of: displaying an auxiliary line image indicating the straight rear direction of the vehicle superimposed on the image shot by the camera on the screen, wherein said auxiliary line image extends from the position of a hitch attached at the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 1 , wherein said auxiliary line image has a distance marker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 1 , wherein a portion where said auxiliary line image overlaps a rearward obstacle is hidden.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 1 , wherein said auxiliary line image is discriminated from other images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 4 , wherein said auxiliary line image is displayed by blinking.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: converting the image shot by said rearview camera to an image from an overhead viewpoint, wherein the resulting image is displayed in said screen when the distance between the vehicle and the rearward obstacle has become within a predetermined range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 6 , wherein said auxiliary line image is superimposed on said image from said overhead viewpoint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of displaying a zoomed image from said overhead viewpoint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of: superimposing a horizontal line image crossing said auxiliary line image at a right angle and passing through the center of said hitch on said image from the overhead viewpoint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: displaying the auxiliary line image to blink at predetermined intervals when said image of the hitch and an image of the coupling counterpart have approached each other within a predetermined distance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: displaying a horizontal line image crossing said auxiliary line image at a right angle and passing through the center of said hitch by illustration data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 11 , wherein the vertical position of said horizontal line image in the screen is able to be adjusted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
The image display method for a rearview camera according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: displaying a horizontal line image of the coupling counterpart crossing said auxiliary line image at a right angle and passing through the predetermined section of said coupling counterpart of the hitch by using illustration data so that said horizontal line image of said coupling counterpart and said auxiliary line image can be discriminated from each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image display apparatus for a rearview camera for displaying an image shot by a rearview camera mounted on a vehicle on a screen that is viewed from a driver's seat, comprising: a display unit for superimposing an auxiliary line image indicating the straight rear direction of the vehicle on the image shot by the camera on the screen, wherein said auxiliary line image extends from the position of a hitch attached at the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image display apparatus for a rearview camera for displaying an image shot by a rearview camera mounted on a vehicle on a screen that is viewed from a driver's seat, comprising: a display unit for superimposing an auxiliary line image indicating the straight rear direction of the vehicle on the image shot by the camera on the screen, wherein said auxiliary line image extends from the position of a hitch attached at the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , wherein said auxiliary line image has a distance marker.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , wherein the portion where said auxiliary line image overlaps a rearward obstacle is hidden.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , wherein said auxiliary line image is discriminated from other images.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 17 , wherein said auxiliary line image is blinking.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , further comprising: a converting unit for converting an image shot by said rearview camera to an image from an overhead viewpoint, wherein the resulting image is displayed in said screen when the distance between the vehicle and the rearward obstacle has become within a predetermined range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 19 , wherein said auxiliary line image is superimposed on said image from said overhead viewpoint.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 19 , wherein the image from said overhead viewpoint is displayed to be zoomed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 19 , wherein a horizontal line image crossing said auxiliary line image at a right angle and passing through the center of said hitch is superimposed on said image from the overhead viewpoint.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , the auxiliary line image is displayed to blink at predetermined intervals when said image of the hitch and an image of the coupling counterpart have approached each other within a predetermined distance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , wherein a horizontal line image crossing said auxiliary line image at a right angle and passing through the center of said hitch is displayed by using illustration data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 24 , further comprising: an operating unit for adjusting the vertical position of said horizontal line image in the screen.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , wherein a horizontal line image of the coupling counterpart crossing said auxiliary line image at a right angle and passing through the predetermined section of said coupling counterpart of the hitch is displayed by using illustration data so that said horizontal line image of said coupling counterpart and said auxiliary line image can be discriminated from each other.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 14 , further comprising: a calculating unit for calculating the position of said hitch based on the difference between the length of a reference axis in an image shot by a shooting unit and a predetermined length of a reference check unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
65 words
The image display apparatus for a rearview camera according to claim 27 , further comprising: an adjusting unit for adjusting the position of a horizontal line image based on the calculation result calculated by a calculating unit when a horizontal line image crossing said auxiliary line image at a right angle and passing through the center of said hitch is displayed by using illustration data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-11-28 | 2009-05-30 | 2009-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-11-28 | 2013-05-30 | 2013-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-11-28 | 2017-05-30 | 2017-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |