Abstract:
Video aids are disclosed to assist vehicle drivers for all phases of vehicle control and driving conditions. In one exemplary embodiment, a driver&#39;s vision augmentation system is flexibly configured for installation on virtually any vehicle for real-time video display to the vehicle driver of each tire&#39;s contact with the ground. Such a driver&#39;s vision augmentation system can improve one&#39;s ability to drive in off-road conditions, e.g., through an otherwise impassable terrain, in order to increase survivability and improve chances for mission success.

Description:
GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
       [0001]    The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, sold, imported, and/or licensed by or for the Government of the United States of America. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates in general to vehicular vision augmentation systems, and more particularly, to video aids to assist vehicle drivers for control under various driving conditions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) -all terrain vehicles may be hampered by limited visibility, affecting their off-road mobility and safe driving. Limited visibility may limit the driver&#39;s view of the immediate area(s) around the vehicle, particularly when driving in off-road conditions. 
         [0004]    Specifically, when operating an MRAP all-terrain vehicle, the driver may not be able to see the immediate area(s) around the vehicle when driving in off-road conditions. Further, there may be blind spots and other hazards associated with such a limited driving visibility. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A driver&#39;s vision augmentation system can be configured to enhance an all terrain vehicle to allow its driver to see the immediate area(s), e.g., around each tire, in order to enhance the vehicle in off-road mobility and/or reduce the number of vehicle accidents. Such a system may also provide up to 360 degree situation awareness. 
         [0006]    Video aids are disclosed to assist vehicle drivers for vehicle control under all types of driving conditions. For example, a driver&#39;s vision augmentation system (M-DVAS) can be flexibly configured for installation on virtually any vehicle, e.g., an MRAP-all terrain vehicle (M-ATV), for real-time video display to the vehicle driver of immediate area(s), e.g., display(s) of each tire&#39;s contact with the ground. 
         [0007]    In one exemplary embodiment, a vision augmentation system for installation on a vehicle provides video aids to assist vehicle drivers, comprising a plurality of cameras providing video inputs; a quad video processor powered by a power source, wherein the quad video processor receives the video inputs from the cameras and outputs an appropriate video display; and a touch screen display to receive the output from the quad video processor and display said appropriate video display, the touch screen display being separately connected to a converter unit for touch screen connection back to the quad video processor for touch-screen control of said appropriate video display. 
         [0008]    Yet, in another exemplary embodiment, a vision augmentation method for providing video aids to assist a vehicle driver comprises choosing video cameras for operation in a select portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; configuring said video cameras around an exterior of a vehicle to provide video inputs of respective real-time imagery, including video inputs of ground tire contacts; providing a touch screen display capable of displaying said real time imagery in a quadrant display layout; providing a control unit powered by a power source, wherein a programmable video quad unit inside the control unit receives the video inputs from the cameras and sends the appropriate video display to the touch screen display; and providing a control capability to switch between a full screen view of any selected camera input and a quad screen display with the use of the touch screen display. 
         [0009]    Enhancing the driver&#39;s ability to negotiate an off-road terrain can increase the vehicular survivability and increase the chance of mission success by successfully negotiating a terrain otherwise deemed impassable. Accordingly, such an M-DVAS system can improve a soldier&#39;s ability to more safely drive in off-road conditions, e.g., through an otherwise impassable terrain, in order to increase survivability and improve chances for mission success. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Additional advantages and features will become apparent as the subject invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an exemplary driver&#39;s vision augmentation system (M-DVAS); 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary M-DVAS camera placement around the periphery of an all terrain vehicle; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary M-DVAS touch screen display layout; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary M-DVAS driver display. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The disclosure relates to a driver&#39;s vision augmentation system, e.g., as exemplified as a control unit  100  based system in  FIG. 1 , to assist vehicle drivers during all phases of vehicle control and driving conditions. Shown in  FIG. 1  is such an exemplary driver&#39;s vision augmentation system with camera input(s)  110  to a quad video processor  120  powered from a power source, e.g., by a BA-5590 battery  130 . Alternatively, power can be externally provided, e.g., from the vehicle. The quad video processor  120  is shown connected to a digital video recorder  150  and a touch screen display  160 . The touch screen display is separately connected to a RS 232-to-hex converter unit  140  designated as STAMP, which unit  140  is connected back to the quad video processor  120 . Due to its flexibility, the variously described exemplary embodiments as shown in  FIG. 1  can be installed on virtually any vehicle to provide video aids to assist vehicle drivers as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0016]    An exemplary Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle  200  is shown in  FIG. 2  configured with cameras ( 250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280 ) associated with such a driver&#39;s vision augmentation system (M-DVAS) to allow its driver to see the immediate area(s), e.g., around each tire ( 210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ). A driver&#39;s vision augmentation system can be configured with such an MRAP vehicle to allow its driver to see the immediate area(s) around each tire in order to enhance the vehicle in off-road mobility and reduce the number of vehicle accidents. Such a system may also provide up to 360 degree situation awareness. 
         [0017]    An exemplary M-DVAS (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is a ruggedized camera system capable of being self-powered (e.g.,  130 ), with touch screen display  160  and compact flash-based digital video recording system  150  configured to provide M-ATV drivers with video aids showing the exact vehicle wheel placement(s), e.g., while driving in off-road or otherwise hazardous terrain conditions. See, e.g.,  FIG. 4 . 
         [0018]    As exemplified in  FIG. 2 , an exemplary M-DVAS is shown with four video cameras ( 250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280 ) deployed around the vehicle  200 . The control unit (CU)  100  and a touch-screen monitor  160  are separately shown in  FIG. 1 . Two cameras ( 250 ,  260 ) are shown mounted on the respective bracket ( 251  or  261 ) behind the respective rear wheel ( 210  or  220 ) looking forward. This configuration allowed driver display of the entirety of each wheel and its contact with the ground. (See, e.g., side views  410  and  420  of  FIG. 4 .) A third camera ( 270 ) is placed on the front of the vehicle  200  as shown for the frontal view. (See, front view  430  of  FIG. 4 .) A fourth camera ( 280 ) is placed on the rear of the vehicle for the rear view. (See, rear view  440  of  FIG. 4 .) As separately shown in  FIG. 1 , the respective camera outputs  110  are then sent to a configurable quad video processor  120  for display to the driver. (See, e.g., the display  160  of  FIG. 1  and an exemplary display  400  of  FIG. 4 .) The monitor as shown is a touch-screen display  160 , with a touch screen  161  which when touched can switch between a full-screen view  300  of a chosen camera, and a return to a quad display mode. (See, e.g., quad display layout of  310 ,  320 ,  330  and  340  of  FIG. 3 .) 
         [0019]    Included with the CU  100  can be a digital video recorder  150  that may be flash-memory based. The digital video recorder  150  can be configured to provide a record of video events for later review. With two 32 GB cards installed, full-sized, full-frame rate video can be collected for up to 16 hours, e.g., on internal battery power. Audio recording from an on-board microphone or line-in inputs can also be configured for optional audio recording features. The system can also be externally powered, e.g., via a cigarette lighter adapter or other conventional DC power connection(s). 
         [0020]    Returning now to the exemplary methods of driver&#39;s vision augmentation, the video cameras (e.g.,  250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280 ) can be chosen for operation in any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such video cameras can be configured around the exterior of a vehicle  200  to provide real-time imagery of ground contact, e.g., of all tires ( 210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ). See,  FIG. 3  for an exemplary quad display layout, and  FIG. 4  for exemplary quad displays. Video imagery based on such externally mounted video cameras can be used to avoid hazards, e.g., during an off-road terrain negotiation. (See, e.g., an exemplary edge of road or a cliff  421 , a front view horizon  431 , and a rear view horizon  440  variously depicted in  FIG. 4 .) Such a video can be displayed on a touch-screen monitor  161  for display  160 , e.g., to the driver. The monitor (e.g., a touch-screen display  160 ) can switch to full screen view  300  of any camera input, e.g., when a respective segment ( 310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ) of the touch screen  300  is touched. Touching the monitor again, e.g., anywhere on the touch-screen display  300 , can switch the display back to a quad screen display. (See, e.g., views  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440  of  FIG. 4 .) 
         [0021]    To give the vehicle driver a view, e.g., of wheel contact with the ground at all times, video cameras (e.g.,  250  and  260 ) can be placed behind the respective rear wheel (e.g.,  210  and/or  220 ) looking forward, along with a front view camera  270  and a rear view camera  280 . Video inputs from these cameras can then be input  110  for display  160  to the driver in a quad view (e.g.,  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ) arranged to represent the vehicle situation awareness. The touch screen itself can be used to switch display views. For example, the driver touching one of the quadrants (e.g.,  310 ,  320 ,  330  or  340 ) may effect a control  140  for the video quad  120  to switch the display output to a “full-screen” view of that camera. When touched again, it reverts to a normal quad mode. 
         [0022]    The video cameras (e.g.,  250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280 ) can be chosen to operate in any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to meet mission requirements. The system can have a control unit  100  powered by a power source  130 , e.g., BA-5590 (12 VDC) battery. A programmable video quad unit  120  inside the control unit  100  receives the video inputs  110  from the cameras and sends the appropriate video display (e.g., quad or full-screen) to the driver&#39;s monitor  160 . A digital video recorder  150  using compact flash media can be installed should video recording be desired. 
         [0023]    The video cameras (e.g.,  250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280 ) can be placed behind the rear wheels, e.g., with the use of extension brackets (e.g.,  251  and  261 ) that are attached to the vehicle based on fasteners, e.g., 3M “Dual Lock” reclosable fasteners. Should a camera or the associated extension bracket come in contact with a fixed ground object, such quick disconnect connectors can release the cameras in order to protect the installed cable. 
         [0024]    As implemented, the M-DVAS can be very simple to install and to operate. Being self-contained and capable of being self-powered, the M-DVAS can be installed in virtually any vehicle in a very short time. In darkness, Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) sensors associated with low intensity IR illuminated cameras can automatically activate LED illumination, which LED illumination was found to be effective up to approximately 45 feet, thereby providing adequate illumination to drive under the cover of darkness with “lights out”. Under such extreme conditions the M-DVAS demonstrated its effectiveness, including the ability to switch the video sources ( 250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280 ) to and from the full-screen mode simply by touching the touch screen  161  of the display  160 . 
         [0025]    It is obvious that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described.