Abstract:
An extendable surround image capture system having an image capture device or a video capture device mounted on an extension apparatus. The extension apparatus is capable of extending beyond the edges of the vehicle, thus allowing the image capture device to have at least a 180° view angle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an extendable surround image capture system, and more particularly, an image capture device mounted on an extension apparatus fitted onto a vehicle, such as cars, trucks, watercraft, and aircraft. The extendable surround image capture system can be equipped with sensors, and visual and/or audio alert signals. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    A variety of vehicle-mounted image and video capture systems are available for vehicles. These image capture systems allow drivers to see areas outside their vehicles by transmitting the captured images in real time to a display located in the interior of the vehicle, such as on the vehicle dashboard. For example, many of these systems are mounted on the rear of vehicles to show drivers the area behind their vehicles as they are reversing the vehicle, thus helping to prevent accidents. 
         [0005]    One of the disadvantages of vehicle-mounted image capture systems was limited scope of view. Currently, the primary solutions to this issue are to use multiple cameras and/or cameras with wide angle capabilities, such as those equipped with fisheye lenses. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,130,270 discussed using a vehicle-mounted image capture system of multiple cameras equipped with fisheye lenses. However, due to the fact that the cameras lenses are fitted at or near the surfaces of the vehicle exterior, these image capture systems still resulted in large blind spots, especially within the area immediately next to the vehicle. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a vehicle-mounted image capture system capable of capturing images around the vehicle, including the area immediately next to the vehicle. 
         [0007]    All patents, patent applications, articles, books, specifications, other publications, documents and things referenced herein are hereby incorporated herein by this reference in their entirety for all purposes. To the extent of any inconsistency or conflict in the definition or use of a term between any of the incorporated publications, documents or things and the text of the present document, the definition or use of the term in the present document shall prevail. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art discussed above. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide a vehicle-mounted image capture system that can capture images around the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide a vehicle-mounted image capture system capable of capturing a wide angle view, preferably more than 180° view angle. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide a compact extendable image capture system for vehicles. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the invention to assist drivers during certain driving maneuvers and to prevent accidents. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to alert pedestrians and other drivers of a driver&#39;s intent to make a maneuver. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the invention to provide a simple, efficient, durable, and cost effective extendable surround image capture system for vehicles. 
         [0015]    To address the aforementioned objectives and other objectives that will become apparent from the description of the invention, the present invention provides a surround image capture system with an extension apparatus with additional visual and/or audio alert signals. 
         [0016]    One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a sliding bar, which is secured onto the vehicle by a bracket. One or more cameras are provided near a distal end of the bar. The bar can slide from a retracted position to an extended position. When in the extended position, the camera is positioned beyond the edge of the vehicle and is capable of capturing images of the area directly behind the vehicle, preferably more than 180° view angle. 
         [0017]    A second embodiment of the present invention utilizes an extendable and retractable apparatus, such as a telescopic extension. A proximal end of the extension is affixed to the vehicle, while one or more cameras are provided near a distal end of the extension. When in use, the extension deploys from a retracted position to an extended position. For example, if the vehicle is in reverse, the extension moves to the extended position such that the camera reaches past the back end of the vehicle, thereby allowing the camera to capture images of the area directly behind the vehicle. 
         [0018]    Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a swing arm extension. As with the previous embodiment, one or more cameras are provided near a distal end of the swing arm extension and a proximal end of the extension is affixed to the vehicle. However, rather than extending and retracting, the swing arm extension swings the camera about one or more pivot points and swings the camera off the edge of the vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with one image capture device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with two image capture devices. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the sliding bar in a retracted position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the sliding bar in an extended position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the telescopic extension in a retracted position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the telescopic extension in an extended position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the swing arm extension in a retracted position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a top view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the swing arm extension in an extended position with the swing arm pointed toward the side. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a top view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the swing arm extension in an extended position with the swing arm pointed toward the back. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Referring to the drawings, a description will be made with regards to preferred embodiments of an extendable surround image capture system according to the present invention. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows one preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted on a vehicle. One or more image or video capture devices, such as a camera  20 , are provided on a distal end  11  of an extension device  10 . The extension device  10  is capable of extending to an appropriate length and positioning the camera  20  away from the vehicle and beyond the edge of the vehicle. This allows the camera  20  to capture a fuller view of the immediate vicinity around the vehicle, preferably more than 180° view angle. 
         [0030]    The extension device  10  can be affixed on the surface of the vehicle, or placed in a recessed or hollowed section of the vehicle. One skilled in the art will recognize that the extension device  10  can be placed anywhere on the vehicle as appropriate. For example, for use as a rear view image capture system, the extension device  10  can be deployed toward the back of the vehicle and can sit atop the vehicle, be secured beneath the vehicle, be housed within the vehicle, or otherwise be placed so that the extension can be deployed behind the vehicle. When the driver is ready to reverse the vehicle, the system can be manually or automatically deployed to an extended position. A sensor is provided, preferably on the distal end  11 , to determine whether there is enough space to deploy the extension device  10 . In addition, lights and/or speakers can be provided on the extension device  10  to emit warning lights and sounds, respectively. 
         [0031]    When the extension device  10  is in the extended position, at least one camera  20  is moved beyond the back edge of the vehicle. When appropriately positioned, the camera  20  is capable of capturing images of the area immediately behind the vehicle within the camera&#39;s scope of view  22   a.    
         [0032]    The extendable surround image capture system can be similarly used for other sides of the vehicle when the extension device  10  and/or the camera  20  are appropriately positioned around the vehicle. In some embodiments of the invention, the extension device  10  and/or the camera  20  can be remotely controlled by the driver to obtain the desired view. Captured images and videos are then preferably transmitted in real time, either wirelessly or by wire, to a display near the driver. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing two cameras  20  positioned at a distal end  11 . The use of additional cameras can capture a wider scope of view. One skilled in the art will recognize that the positioning of the cameras  20  is not restricted to the distal end  11  of the extension device  10 . While this preferred embodiment positions both cameras  20  at the distal end  11 , one or more cameras  20  can be positioned anywhere along the extension device  10 , on the vehicle itself, or elsewhere, depending on the requirements of the application. In embodiments of the invention where a first scope of view  22   a  of one or more of the cameras  20  intersects with a second scope of view  22   b  of another camera  20 , an image processor can be used to combine in real time the images captured within the scopes of view  22   a  and  22   b  to form one combined image. The combined image can then be relayed in real time to a display. 
         [0034]    Various arrangements of the cameras  20  can be provided depending on the vehicle dimensions, environmental conditions, or requirements of a particular application. For example, in the two camera arrangement depicted in  FIG. 2 , a first center beam  23   a  of the first scope of view  22   a  is directed at a downward angle slightly toward the vehicle, while a second center beam  23   b  of the second scope of view  22   b  is directed at a downward angle slightly away from the vehicle. To provide a longer range view, the second center beam  23   b  can be pointed at an angle further away from the vehicle. Similarly, to provide a wider scope of view, the second center beam  23   b  can be pointed at an angle further away from the first center beam  23   a.    
         [0035]      FIGS. 3 and 4  depict a preferred embodiment of a rear view image capture system according to the present invention using a sliding bar  100  as the extension device. The sliding bar  100  is secured onto the vehicle by a bracket  101  and is capable of deploying to an appropriate length. Upon deployment of the sliding bar  100  as shown in  FIG. 4 , a camera  20  located at a distal end  11  is moved away from the back edge of the vehicle. When not in use, the sliding bar  100  is stored in a retracted position as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5 and 6  depict a preferred embodiment of a rear view image capture system according to the present invention using a telescopic extension  110  as the extension device. The proximal end  12  of the telescopic extension  110  is fixedly attached to the vehicle. As with the sliding bar, the telescopic extension  110  deploys into an extended position when the driver intends to reverse the vehicle and returns back to the retracted position when not in use. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9  depict a preferred embodiment of an image capture system according to the present invention using a swing arm extension  120  with one or more arms  122  as the extension device. The swing arm extension  120  can rotate to any appropriate angle about one or more pivots  121  to position a camera  20  to a desired position. 
         [0038]    The drawings feature preferred embodiments that operate generally within a horizontal plane. However, other preferred embodiments of the invention are capable of deploying in other directions. 
         [0039]    While the foregoing is a description of the preferred embodiments carried out the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments shown and described herein, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims. For example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the extension device  10  can also comprise of alternative extensions such as an accordion extension, or a combination of the above embodiments such as a pivoting telescopic extension. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               10  extension device 
               11  distal end 
               12  proximal end 
               20  camera 
               22   a  scope of view 
               22   b  scope of view 
               23   a  center beam 
               23   b  center beam 
               100  sliding bar 
               101  bracket 
               110  telescopic extension 
               120  swing arm extension 
               121  pivot 
               122  arm