Dual display reverse camera system

A display system for a vehicle includes a first imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward of the vehicle. A second imager is also configured to capture image data in the field of view rearward of the vehicle. The display system additionally includes a first display device disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and a second display device also disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The display system also includes a controller in communication with the first and second imagers and the first and second display devices wherein the controller is operable to adjust at least one of an orientation and a scale of two desired views of the image data for display on the first and second display devices.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a display system for a vehicle and more particularly, to a display system providing a rearward view from the vehicle.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display system for a vehicle is provided. The display system includes a first imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward of the vehicle, a second imager configured to capture image data in the field of view rearward of the vehicle, and a first display device disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The display system further includes a second display device disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the first and second imagers and the first and second display devices wherein the controller produces two desired views of the image data for display on the first and second display devices.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for simultaneously displaying two desired views of image data is provided. The method includes capturing image data in a field of view rearward of the vehicle using a first imager, capturing image data in the field of view rearward of the vehicle using a second imager, processing the image data captured from the first and second imagers, and displaying the two desired views on a first and a second display device.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for displaying a rearward directed field of view for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a display device disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the display device comprising a first and a second screen and a controller in communication with the display device and a first imager and a second imager configured to capture image data in the rearward directed field of view, wherein the controller is operable to process the image data and produce the two desired views of the image data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a display system10is shown for a vehicle14. The display system10includes a first imager18configured to capture image data in a field of view22rearward of the vehicle14. A second imager26is also configured to capture image data in the field of view22rearward of the vehicle14. The display system10additionally includes a first display device30disposed in a passenger compartment34of the vehicle14and a second display device38also disposed in the passenger compartment34of the vehicle14. The display system10also includes a controller42in communication with the first and second imagers18,26and the first and second display devices30,38wherein the controller42is operable to produce two desired views of the image data for display on the first and second display devices30,38.

The first and second display devices30,38may correspond to a rearview display device configured to provide a rearward directed view relative to the vehicle14. In this configuration, the display system10is operable to display a series of images captured corresponding to the field of view22behind the vehicle14. The first and second imagers18,26are in communication with the controller42and include a pixel array configured to capture the image data in the form of pixel information. In the various implementations discussed herein, the display system10is configured to process the image data captured by the first and second imagers18,26and apply at least one image analysis technique to identify and display the at least two desired views of the image data.

The first and second imagers18,26may be integrated or in connection with a side view mirror, a rearview display device, a rear windshield, a front windshield, a door, a bumper, a rear deck-lid (trunk), a paneling member, or various other portions of the vehicle14as desired to produce the desired image for a particular application. In some embodiments, the first display device30can be a rearview mirror display device74(shown inFIG. 3B). In other embodiments, the first display device30can be a rearview display device. In some embodiments, the second display device38is a dash display device78(shown inFIG. 3B). In other embodiments, the first and second display devices30,38may both be positioned in a rearview mirror display device. In still other embodiments, the first and second display devices30,38may both be positioned in a dash display device.

In some embodiments, one or more supplemental imagers (not shown) may be configured to capture image data in a field of view complementary and/or different from the field of view rearward of the vehicle. One of the advantages of using additional imagers in combination with the first and second imagers18,26is the ability to expand the field of view under surveillance or consideration by the user and/or occupants. For example, the ability to produce one or more better inclusive images from the data generated by the imagers as processed by the controller as shown inFIG. 4would better allow the user to appreciate and maneuver through their surroundings. The one or more supplemental imagers may be positioned on or within a side view mirror, a rearview display device, a rear windshield, a front windshield, one or more doors, a bumper, a trunk, a paneling member, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, one or more supplemental display devices (not shown) may be disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle14. In embodiments where additional supplemental display devices are used, they may be used to complement or provide different display views of the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, each imager18,26may be displayed on its own display device30,38to provide the user with separate views of different images. In some embodiments, one or more imagers may capture image data in the field of view22that may be combined or cropped to provide one or more images that may be displayed on the one or more display devices. In some embodiments, the controller42in communication with three imagers and three display devices may produce three desired views of the image data on the three display devices. In some embodiments, the controller42in communication with three imagers and two display devices may produce two desired views of the image data on the two display devices. In still other embodiments, the controller42in communication with four or more imagers and two display devices may produce two desired views of the image data on the two display devices. In other embodiments, one or two display devices may be used to provide image data for one, two, three, four, or more views.

The use and activation of the first and second imagers18,26and the corresponding first and second display devices30,38may vary depending on the application or the preferences of the user. In some embodiments, the desired views of the image data displayed on the respective first and second display devices30,38may be triggered or activated when the vehicle14is put into reverse to back the vehicle14up. In other embodiments, the desired views of the image data displayed on the respective first and second display devices30,38may be triggered or activated when the vehicle14is put into drive to move the vehicle14forward. In still other embodiments, the desired views of the image data displayed on the respective first and second display devices30,38may be triggered or activated through an interface on the vehicle for the user to interact with. The use of the display system10can be variable and may depend, for example, on the preferences of the user or as required by certain state or federal regulations. In some embodiments, the desired views of the image data displayed on the respective first and second display devices30,38may be changed or manipulated based on the surrounding environment of the vehicle14. For example, the field of view22of the display system10may be shifted or adjusted based on the steering wheel position or if the vehicle14is in drive or reverse.

Referring toFIG. 1, the side view of the vehicle14is shown illustrating the field of view22being imaged by the display system10in some embodiments. The first imager18captures image data from the field of view22to provide a long view image46as a first desired view. The second imager26captures image data from the field of view22to provide a short wide angle view image50as a second desired view. In some embodiments, the first imager18may be positioned in the passenger compartment34and the second imager26may be positioned on or in a rear bumper52of the vehicle14. In some embodiments, the long view image46and the short wide angle view image50may partially overlap to provide a continuous view of the image data collected in the field of view22. In other embodiments, the long view image46and the short wide angle view image50may not provide overlapping image data so the field of view22may offer different perspectives provided by the first and second imagers18,26. In still other embodiments, the one or more supplemental imagers (not shown) are configured to capture additional image data in a field of view complementary and/or supplemental from the field of view22rearward of the vehicle14to provide more inclusive and/or additional images.

Referring toFIG. 2, the top view of the vehicle14is shown illustrating the area imaged by the first imager18and the second imager26as shown inFIG. 1in the field of view22. As shown inFIG. 2, the long view image46projects into the region behind the vehicle14while the short wide angle view image50projects into the area located directly behind the rear bumper52. In some embodiments, the long view image46may be displayed on the first display device30and the short wide angle view image50may be displayed on the second display device38. In other embodiments, the long view image46may be displayed on the second display device38and the short wide angle view image50may be displayed on the first display device30. In still other embodiments, a user may select whether the first display device30or the second display device38is used to display the long view image46or the short wide angle view image50. The first display device30and the second display device38may both be positioned in the passenger compartment34of the vehicle14to be viewed by the user and/or occupants.

Although the embodiments disclosed herein provide for the first imager18and the second imager26to capture image data, the number of imagers is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, a third imager may additionally be coupled or positioned to the side view mirror, the rear windshield, the front windshield, one or more doors, the bumper, the trunk, or various other portions of the vehicle14to complement and/or add additional data to the image data captured by the first and second imagers18,26. The image data collected from additional third or supplemental imagers may be used to provide additional desired views to be displayed on additional display devices or may be shared or split with other desired views on existing display devices like the rearview mirror display device74and/or the dash display device78(both shown inFIG. 3B). In other embodiments, a single imager could capture image data represented a wide field of view22(low focal length) and the controller42as shown inFIG. 4could be configured to crop different portions of the image data from the single imager and display two or more desired images on the first and second display devices30,38.

Referring now toFIG. 3A, a side view of the vehicle14is shown illustrating the first imager18capturing image data of a first object54in the field of view22and the second imager26capturing image data of a second object58also in the field of view22. The first object54can appear as the first desired view positioned in the long view image46. The second object58can appear as the second desired view positioned in the short wide angle view image50. The first and second objects54,58are not meant to be limiting and in some embodiments a plurality of different objects could be captured in the image data collected by the respective imagers. Objects that could be detected by the first and/or second imagers18,26include obstacles, vehicles, potholes, children, pets, etc.

Referring now toFIG. 3B, a front dash62is shown positioned in the passenger compartment34of the vehicle14. Additionally shown in the passenger compartment34is the rearview mirror display device74used as the first display device30. This first display device30displays the long view image46including a first object image66as shown inFIG. 3A. The second display device38includes the dash display device78displaying the short wide angle view image50including a second object image70as shown inFIG. 3A. The objects imaged in the first and second display devices30,38may change as the vehicle moves through different environments but the long view image46and the short wide angle view image50will each represent the same respective areas in the field of view22to the rear of the vehicle14.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a block diagram of the display system10is shown. The first imager18and the second imager26are shown in communication with the controller42. A pixel array of the first and second imager18,26may correspond to a CMOS image sensor, for example a CMOS active-pixel sensor (APS) or a charged couple device (CCD). Each of the pixels of the pixel array may correspond to a photo sensor, an array of photo-sensors, or any grouping of sensors configured to capture light. The controller42may comprise a processor82operable to process the image data as supplied in analog or digital form from the first and second imagers18,26. In various embodiments, the processor82may be implemented as a plurality of processors, a multicore processor, or any combination of processors, circuits, and peripheral processing devices.

The controller42may further include a memory86. The memory86may include various forms of memory, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and other forms of memory configured to store digital information. The memory86may be configured to store the image data for processing. Processing the image data may include scaling and cropping the image data to adjust a position and apparent size of the image data as it is output to a screen of the first and second display devices30,38. In some embodiments, the memory86may further be configured to store a plurality of user profiles, each corresponding to a specific desired view that may be recalled in relation to a particular operator of the vehicle14.

The controller42may further be in communication with a plurality of inputs for example, a speed input90, a proximity sensor input94, and a vehicle bus input98. The speed input90may provide a signal communicating a speed of the vehicle14via a speedometer or any device operable to measure and communicate data corresponding to the speed of the vehicle14. The proximity sensor input94may be configured to receive signals from one or more of the proximity sensors to adjust the desired view of the image data within the field of view22. The vehicle bus98may be implemented using any suitable standard communication bus, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus, etc. The vehicle bus98may be configured to provide a variety of additional information to the controller42. Such information may correspond to one or more vehicle states, for example a gear selection, passenger occupancy, a headlight activation, the steering wheel position, etc.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a method100for simultaneously displaying two or more desired views of image data in the vehicle14is provided. The method100includes capturing image data in the field of view22rearward of the vehicle14using the first imager18(step104) and capturing image data in the field of view22rearward of the vehicle using the second imager26(step108). The method100further includes processing the image data captured from the first and second imagers18,26(step112) and adjusting at least one of an orientation and a scale of the two desired views of the image data (step116). Lastly, the method100includes displaying the two desired views on the first and second display devices30,38(step120). In some embodiments, the method may further include capturing image data complementary and/or different from the field of view rearward of the vehicle using one or more supplemental imagers (not shown).

In some embodiments, the long view image46and the short wide angle view image50may partially overlap to provide a continuous view of the image data collected in the field of view22. In these embodiments, overlapping the long and short wide angle view images46,50may be optimized to help eliminate blind spots for the user and offer a continuous field of view22in a readily accessible manner. In other embodiments, the long view image46and the short wide angle view image50may not overlap the image data at all so the field of view22may offer greater and/or different perspectives provided by the first and second imagers18,26. In still other embodiments, the controller42could be configured to crop different portions of the image data collected from the first and second imagers18,26and display two or more desired images on the first and second display devices30,38. By using the controller42to process different or varying portions of the collected image data, the display system10can provide flexibility to the user in determining how the field of view22, blind spots, objects, and the general surroundings are presented on the first and second display devices30,38.

The disclosed display system and method for simultaneously displaying two or more desired views of image data in the vehicle14is able to eliminate blind spots in the images displayed inside the vehicle14to the driver and/or occupants. Prior attempts to eliminate blind spots was based on physically moving the available imager or imagers to obtain a field of view having no blind spots. Alternatively, using the currently disclosed method, the display system10is able to strategically overlap the image data from the corresponding field of views using the first and second imagers18,26using the controller42rather than a physical or mechanical alignment. The ability to effectively and efficiently convert the vehicle's14surroundings to one or more images displayed on one or more display devices gives the driver and/or the occupants more data to safely maneuver through their surroundings. In addition to the controller42being able to adjust the image data from the corresponding field of views using the first and second imagers18,26, in some embodiments, the first and second imagers18,26may be able to modify and adjust the image data collected through focusing and detection features.

LISTING OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment A is a display system for a vehicle comprising: a first imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward of the vehicle; a second imager configured to capture image data in the field of view rearward of the vehicle; a first display device disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; a second display device disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a controller in communication with the first and second imagers and the first and second display devices wherein the controller produces two desired views of the image data for display on the first and second display devices.

The display system of Embodiment A wherein the first display device is a rearview mirror display device.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features wherein the second display device is a dash display device.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features wherein the first and second display devices are both positioned in a rearview mirror display device or a dash display device.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features wherein the desired view of the image data from the first imager is displayed on the first display and the desired view of the image data from the second imager is displayed on the second display.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features wherein the image data captured from the first imager corresponds to a long view image and the image data captured from the second imager corresponds to a short wide angle view image.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features further comprising: one or more supplemental imagers configured to capture image data in a field of view complementary and/or different from the field of view rearward of the vehicle; and one or more supplemental display devices disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features further comprising: one or more supplemental imagers configured to capture image data in a field of view complementary and/or different from the field of view rearward of the vehicle.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features further comprising: one or more supplemental display devices disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features wherein the first and second imagers may be positioned on or within a side view mirror, a rearview display device, a rear windshield, a front windshield, one or more doors, a bumper, a trunk, a paneling member, or combinations thereof.

The display system of Embodiment A or Embodiment A with any of the intervening features wherein the one or more supplemental imagers may be positioned on or within a side view mirror, a rearview display device, a rear windshield, a front windshield, one or more doors, a bumper, a trunk, a paneling member, or combinations thereof.

Embodiment B is a method for simultaneously displaying two desired views of image data, the method comprising: capturing image data in a field of view rearward of the vehicle using a first imager; capturing image data in the field of view rearward of the vehicle using a second imager; processing the image data captured from the first and second imagers; and displaying the two desired views on a first and a second display device.

The method of Embodiment B further comprising displaying the desired view of the image data collected from the first imager on the first display device; and displaying the desired view of the image data collected from the second imager on the second display device.

The method of Embodiment B or Embodiment B with any of the intervening features wherein the first display device is a rearview mirror display device and the second display device is a dash display device.

The method of Embodiment B or Embodiment B with any of the intervening features wherein the first and second display devices are both positioned in a rearview mirror display device or a dash display device.

The method of Embodiment B or Embodiment B with any of the intervening features wherein the image data captured from the first imager corresponds to a long view image and the image data captured from the second imager corresponds to a short wide angle view image.

The method of Embodiment B or Embodiment B with any of the intervening features further comprising: capturing image data complementary and/or different from the field of view rearward of the vehicle using one or more supplemental imagers.

Embodiment C is an apparatus for displaying a rearward directed field of view for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a display device disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the display device comprising a first and a second screen; and a controller in communication with the display device and a first imager and a second imager configured to capture image data in the rearward directed field of view, wherein the controller is operable to process the image data and produce two desired views of the image data.

The apparatus of Embodiment C wherein the display device is a rearview mirror display device or a dash display device.

The apparatus of Embodiment C or Embodiment C with any of the intervening features further comprising: one or more supplemental imagers configured to capture image data in a field of view complementary and/or different from the field of view rearward of the vehicle.

The display system of Embodiment C or Embodiment C with any of the intervening features further comprising: one or more supplemental display devices disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The apparatus of Embodiment C or Embodiment C with any of the intervening features wherein the image data captured from the first imager corresponds to a long view image and the image data captured from the second imager corresponds to a short wide angle view image.