Image sensing system for a vehicle

Abstract

An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a logic and control circuit. The imaging sensor comprises a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements formed on a semiconductor substrate, and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The logic and control circuit comprises an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The image sensing system may generate an indication of the presence of an object within the field of view of the imaging sensor. Preferably, video images may be captured by said imaging sensor and may be displayed by a display device for viewing by the driver when operating the vehicle. The logic and control circuit may generate at least one control output, and the at least control output may control an enhancement of the video images.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 643,602, filed Aug. 19, 2003 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1087), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 776,625, filed on Feb. 5, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,202, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 313,139, filed on May 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,447, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 935,336, filed on Sep. 22, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,331, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 445,527, filed on May 22, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,935, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 08 / 023,918, filed Feb. 26, 1993, by Kenneth Schofield and Mark Larson, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,677.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to vision systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to rearview vision systems which provide the vehicle operator with scenic ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about improving the interpretation of visual information in a rearview vision system by displaying images from multiple image capture devices in a way that doesn't require the driver to concentrate too much. The invention uses a virtual camera positioned forward of the driver to capture all the necessary information behind and along side of the vehicle. The images captured by the multiple devices are combined to create an image that would be achieved by a single rearward-looking camera with a unobstructed view. The image synthesized from the multiple devices has a dead space that the driver can use to determine the location of vehicles behind and along side of the equipped vehicle. The invention also provides techniques for compressing the image to eliminate distortion and produce a visual representation of the vehicle's surroundings. Additionally, the invention includes image enhancement means to provide useful information to the driver, such as a distance grid indicating the distance of objects behind the vehicle."

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, rearview mirrors protrude a substantial distance from the side of the vehicle, which makes maneuvering in tight spaces more difficult.

The driver cannot perceive vehicles, objects, or other road users in such blind spots without turning his or her body, which interferes with forward-looking visual activities.

Camera-based rearview vision systems for vehicles have not obtained commercial acceptance.

One difficulty with proposed systems has been that they present a large amount of visual information in a manner which is difficult to comprehend.

This difficulty arises from many factors.

This may confuse the driver as to whether more than one object is present.

This results in different vertical positions on the display causing the elongated image to appear disjointed.

This makes the ability to judge distances in a camera system a problem.

Therefore, known camera systems fail to provide to the driver important information where that information is most needed—at small separation distances from surrounding objects.

Another difficulty with camera systems is that, in order to provide a sufficient amount of information, the camera system typically presents the driver with a greatly increased field of view.

However, an increased field of view is often obtained by utilizing a wide-angle lens which introduces distortion of the scene and further impairs the ability of the driver to judge distances of objects displayed.

The problem with such distortion of the scene is that the driver must concentrate more on the display and take a longer time to interpret and extract the necessary information.

This further distracts the driver from the primary visual task of maintaining awareness of vehicles and other objects in the vicinity of the driven vehicle.

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