Title: Device and method for adjusting view range of vehicular monitoring device
Abstract: A device for adjusting a view range of a vehicular monitoring device includes an overtaking pre-motion detector outputting an adjusting signal when an overtaking operation is predicted; and a controller in communication with the overtaking pre-motion detector and the vehicular monitoring device, controlling the vehicular monitoring device to move in response to the adjusting signal. The device may further output a warning signal to sound the horn or twinkle the vehicle lamp when the overtaking operation is predicted for safety consideration.
Patent Number: 6,900,739 Issued on 05/31/2005 to Su, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Su; Wen-Wei (Taoyuan, TW);
Chen; Kuei-Hung (Taoyuan, TW);
Hsiao; Shun-Hsiang (Taoyuan, TW)
|
| Assignee:
|
Exon Science, Inc. (Taoyuan, TW)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
374160 |
| Filed:
|
February 25, 2003 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Feb 25, 2002[CN] | 02105275 A |
| Current U.S. Class: |
340/904; 340/467; 340/470; 340/903; 359/843; 359/849 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G08G 001/00 |
| Field of Search: |
340/438,435,466,467,436,903,463,464,470,475,478,425.5,904
359/843,849,838,844
701/48
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hofsass; Jeffery
Assistant Examiner: Blount; Eric
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Volpe and Koenig, P.C.
Claims
1. A device for adjusting a view range of a vehicular monitoring device of a
vehicle, comprising:
an overtaking pre-motion detector outputting an adjusting signal when an overtaking
operation is predicted by detecting a change in powertrain output of said vehicle;
and
a controller in communication with said overtaking pre-motion detector and said
vehicular monitoring device, controlling said vehicular monitoring device to move
in response to said adjusting signal.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said overtaking pre-motion detector
further outputs a warning signal to a video and/or audio warning device when said
overtaking operation is predicted.
3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said warning device is a horn which
sounds in a desired pattern in response to said warning signal.
4. The device according to claim 2 wherein said warning device is a vehicular
lamp which twinkles in a desired pattern in response to said warning signal.
5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said overtaking pre-motion detector
outputs said adjusting signal when the over-drive (OD) gear is shut off.
6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said overtaking pre-motion detector
outputs said adjusting signal when the revolving speed of the engine exceeds a
threshold value.
7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said overtaking pre-motion detector
outputs said adjusting signal when the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value.
8. The device according to claim 1 wherein said vehicular monitoring device is
a rearview mirror.
9. The device according to claim 1 wherein said vehicular monitoring device is
a camera.
10. The device according to claim 1 wherein said vehicular monitoring device
is a display.
11. The device according to claim 1 wherein a movement speed of said vehicular
monitoring device between an initial position and a working position depends on
a velocity of the vehicle.
12. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a vehicular digital bus
for communicating said overtaking pre-motion detector with said controller.
13. The device according to claim 12 wherein said vehicular digital bus is a
controller area network (CAN) bus or a vehicle area network (VAN) bus.
14. The device according to claim 1 wherein said controller asserts a recovering
signal to said vehicular monitoring device to force said vehicular monitoring device
to return to an initial position suitable for the normal driving mode when an emergency
state is determined.
15. The device according to claim 14 wherein said emergency state is determined
when emergency brake is done.
16. The device according to claim 14 wherein said emergency state is determined
when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is enabled.
17. The device according to claim 14 wherein said emergency state is determined
when the traction control system is enabled.
18. The device according to claim 1 wherein said controller asserts a recovering
signal to have said vehicular monitoring device return to an initial position suitable
for the normal driving mode when the OD gear is entered again, the revolving speed
of the engine changes to a level below the threshold value, the acceleration of
the vehicle is lowered, or the specific light signal is stopped for a predetermined
period of time.
19. The device according to claim 1 wherein said controller asserts a recovering
signal to have said vehicular monitoring device move toward an initial position
suitable for the normal driving mode in a predetermined period of time after the
vehicular monitoring device reaches a working position suitable for overtaking motion.
20. A device for adjusting a view range of a vehicular monitoring device of a
vehicle, comprising:
a pre-motion detector outputting an adjusting signal when a pre-motion that the
driver is ready to get off said vehicle is predicted; and
a controller in communication with said pre-motion detector and said vehicular
monitoring device, controlling a view range of said vehicular monitoring device
to be changed for monitoring various regions in response to said adjusting signal
whether a vehicle ignition is on or off.
21. The device according to claim 20 wherein said pre-motion detector further
outputs a warning signal to a video and/or audio warning device when said pre-motion
is predicted.
22. The device according to claim 21 wherein said warning device is a horn which
sounds in a desired pattern in response to said warning signal.
23. The device according to claim 21 wherein said warning device is a vehicular
lamp which twinkles in a desired pattern in response to said warning signal.
24. The device according to claim 20 wherein said pre-motion detector outputs
said adjusting signal in response to the enabling of the emergency flasher switch.
25. The device according to claim 20 wherein said pre-motion detector outputs
said adjusting signal in response to substantially zero velocity of the vehicle.
26. The device according to claim 20 wherein said pre-motion detector outputs
said adjusting signal in response to the turning-off of the engine.
27. The device according to claim 20 wherein said pre-motion detector outputs
said adjusting signal in response to the entering of the parking gear.
28. The device according to claim 20 wherein said vehicular monitoring device
is a rearview mirror, a camera and/or a display.
29. The device according to claim 20 wherein a movement speed of said vehicular
monitoring device between an initial position and a working position depends on
a velocity of the vehicle.
30. The device according to claim 20 further comprising a vehicular digital bus
for communicating said pre-motion detector with said controller.
31. The device according to claim 30 wherein said vehicular digital bus is a
controller area network (CAN) bus or a vehicle area network (VAN) bus.
32. The device according to claim 20 wherein said controller asserts a recovering
signal to said vehicular monitoring device to force said vehicular monitoring device
to return to an initial position suitable for the normal driving mode when an emergency
state is determined.
33. The device according to claim 32 wherein said emergency state is determined
when emergency brake is done, or the anti-lock brake system (ABS) or the traction
control system is enabled.
34. The device according to claim 20 wherein said controller asserts a recovering
signal to have said vehicular monitoring device return to an initial position suitable
for the normal driving mode when the emergency flasher switch is disabled, the
vehicle has a non-zero velocity, the engine is started, or the parking gear is disengaged.
35. The device according to claim 20 wherein said controller asserts a recovering
signal to have said vehicular monitoring device move toward an initial position
suitable for the normal driving mode in a predetermined period of time after the
vehicular monitoring device reaches a working position suitable for overtaking motion.
36. A method for adjusting a view range of a vehicular monitoring device of a
vehicle, comprising:
detecting a status of said vehicle;
determining whether a pre-motion operation that the driver is ready to get off
said vehicle is performed according to said status of said vehicle;
outputting an adjusting signal to move said vehicular monitoring device between
a first view range for monitoring a first region and a second view range for monitoring
a second region when said pre-motion operation is performed; and
outputting a warning signal to enable a warning device when said pre-motion operation
is performed.
37. The method according to claim 36 wherein said pre-motion operation is to
enable the emergency flasher switch, to zero the velocity of the vehicle, to turn
off of the engine, or to enter the parking gear.
38. The method according to claim 36 wherein said vehicular monitoring device
is moved by a single trip from an initial position to a working position when said
pre-motion operation is performed.
39. The method according to claim 36 wherein said vehicular monitoring device
is moved by a to-and-fro scanning mode between an initial position and a working
position when said pre-motion operation is performed.
40. The method according to claim 36 wherein said vehicular monitoring device
is moved in two dimensions.
41. The method according to claim 36 wherein said warning device is a vehicular
horn which sounds in a desired pattern in response to said warning signal.
42. The device according to claim 36 wherein said warning device is a vehicular
lamp which twinkles in a desired pattern in response to said warning signal.
43. A device for adjusting a view range of a vehicular monitoring device of a
vehicle, comprising:
an overtaking pre-motion detector outputting an adjusting signal when an overtaking
operation is predicted by detecting a specific light signal to be outputted by
the vehicular lamp or lamps; and
a controller in communication with said overtaking pre-motion detector and said
vehicular monitoring device, controlling said vehicular monitoring device to move
in response to said adjusting signal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a view-range adjusting device, and more particular
to a device for adjusting the view range of a vehicular monitoring device in response
to a pre-motion operation. The present invention also relates to a method for adjusting
a vehicular monitoring device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a driver is seated in a vehicle, he should adjust all of the interior and
exterior rearview mirrors according to his need. The rearview mirror can be adjusted
manually or automatically by pushing buttons. After the adjustment of rearview
mirrors is done, the view angle of each rearview mirror seen by the driver is constant,
and it is difficult and also dangerous for the driver to further change the view
angles while driving.
In practice, when a driver would like to change to another lane, turn to another
direction or overtaking a car, he will need to realize more about the situation
of the adjacent lane to see whether there is any vehicle oncoming. Therefore, the
horizontally turning of the rearview mirror toward the target lane will be helpful
for the lane-changing or overtaking operation. In addition, while moving up or
down a slope, it is advantageous to turn the rearview mirror vertically to obtain
a view range similar to that on the flat road.
Aside from the above situations, there are more situations needing a proper
view range different from that required in the normal driving mode.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device and
a method for adjusting the view range of the rearview mirror in various cases so
as to provide a suitable view range for the driver.
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for adjusting a view
range of a vehicular monitoring device. The device comprises an overtaking pre-motion
detector outputting an adjusting signal when an overtaking operation is predicted;
and a controller in communication with the overtaking pre-motion detector and the
vehicular monitoring device, controlling the vehicular monitoring device to move
in response to the adjusting signal.
Preferably, the overtaking pre-motion detector further outputs a warning
signal to a video and/or audio warning device when the overtaking operation is predicted.
For example, the warning device is a horn which sounds in a desired pattern in
response to the warning signal. For another example, the warning device is a vehicular
lamp which twinkles in a desired pattern in response to the warning signal.
In an embodiment, the overtaking pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
when the over-drive (OD) gear is shut off.
In an embodiment, the overtaking pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
when the revolving speed of the engine exceeds a threshold value.
In an embodiment, the overtaking pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
when the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value.
In an embodiment, the overtaking pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
when a specific light signal is outputted by the vehicular lamp or lamps.
The vehicular monitoring device, for example, can be a rearview mirror, a camera
such as CCD or CMOS camera and/or a display such as a liquid crystal display.
Preferably, a movement speed of the vehicular monitoring device between
an initial position and a working position depends on a velocity of the vehicle.
Preferably, the device further comprises a vehicular digital bus such
as a controller area network (CAN) bus or a vehicle area network (VAN) bus for
communicating the overtaking pre-motion detector with the controller.
Preferably, the controller asserts a recovering signal to the vehicular
monitoring device to force the vehicular monitoring device to return to an initial
position suitable for the normal driving mode when an emergency state is determined.
The emergency state, for example, can be determined when emergency brake is done,
when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is enabled, or when the traction control
system is enabled.
In an embodiment, the controller asserts a recovering signal to have the vehicular
monitoring device return to an initial position suitable for the normal driving
mode when the OD gear is entered again, the revolving speed of the engine changes
to a level below the threshold value, the acceleration of the vehicle is lowered,
or the specific light signal is stopped for a predetermined period of time.
Alternatively, the controller asserts a recovering signal to have
the vehicular monitoring device move toward an initial position suitable for the
normal driving mode in a predetermined period of time after the vehicular monitoring
device reaches a working position suitable for overtaking motion.
A second aspects of the present invention relates to a device for adjusting a
view
range of a vehicular monitoring device, comprising a getting-off pre-motion detector
outputting an adjusting signal when a getting-off operation is predicted; and a
controller in communication with the getting-off pre-motion detector and the vehicular
monitoring device, controlling the vehicular monitoring device to move in response
to the adjusting signal.
In an embodiment, the getting-off pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
in response to the enabling of the emergency flasher switch.
In an embodiment, the getting-off pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
in response to substantially zero velocity of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the getting-off pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
in response to the turning-off of the engine.
In an embodiment, the getting-off pre-motion detector outputs the adjusting signal
in response to the entering of the parking gear.
In an embodiment, the controller asserts a recovering signal to have the vehicular
monitoring device return to an initial position suitable for the normal driving
mode when the emergency flasher switch is disabled, the vehicle has a non-zero
velocity, the engine is started, or the parking gear is disengaged. Alternatively,
the controller asserts a recovering signal to have the vehicular monitoring device
move toward an initial position suitable for the normal driving mode in a predetermined
period of time after the vehicular monitoring device reaches a working position
suitable for overtaking motion.
A third aspects of the present invention relates to a method for adjusting a
view
range of a vehicular monitoring device. The method comprises steps of detecting
a status of a vehicle; determining whether a pre-motion operation is performed
according to the status of the vehicle; outputting an adjusting signal to move
the vehicular monitoring device between an initial position and a working position
when the pre-motion operation is performed; and outputting a warning signal to
enable a warning device when the pre-motion operation is performed.
In an embodiment, the pre-motion operation is an overtaking pre-motion operation.
For example, the pre-motion operation is to shut off the over-drive (OD) gear,
to significantly step on the accelerator, to sudden change up the vehicle, or to
output a specific light signal.
In an embodiment, the pre-motion operation is a getting-off pre-motion operation.
For example, the pre-motion operation is to enable the emergency flasher switch,
to zero the velocity of the vehicle, to turn off of the engine, or to enter the
parking gear.
The vehicular monitoring device can be moved by a single trip or a to-and-fro
scanning mode between an initial position and a working position when the pre-motion
operation is performed.
Depending on practice, the vehicular monitoring device can be moved in
one or two dimensions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may best be understood through the following description
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a device for adjusting the view
range of a vehicular monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a device for adjusting the view
range of a vehicular monitoring device according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference
to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions
of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of
illustration and description only; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be
limited to the precise form disclosed.
Please refer to FIG. 1 which schematically shows a device for adjusting the
view range of a vehicular monitoring device according to a first embodiment of
the present invention. The device includes a overtaking pre-motion detector
11
and a controller
12 in communication with the overtaking pre-motion detector
11 and the vehicular monitoring device
13 such as a rearview mirror,
a camera and/or a display. The camera, for example, can be a CCD or CMOS camera.
The display, for example, can be a liquid crystal display. When the overtaking
pre-motion detector
11 detects the over-drive (OD) gear is shut off, the
revolving speed of the engine exceeds a threshold value, which for example can
be achieved by significantly stepping on the accelerator, the vehicle suddenly
changes up, or a specific light signal known to the public is outputted, e.g. the
twinkling of the headlamp, it is predicted that an overtaking operation is ready
to launch. Meanwhile, the overtaking pre-motion detector
11 outputs an adjusting
signal to the controller
12. The controller
12 then controls the
movement of the rearview mirror
13 between an initial position and a working
position in response to the adjusting signal.
Herein and hereinafter, the term "move", "moving", "moved" or "movement" broadly
means the change of the vehicular monitoring device on location, orientation, focus,
zooming effect etc., due to for example shift, rotation, pivoting or the combination
thereof, in order to obtain a suitable view range. The movement between the initial
position and the working position may indicate the single trip from the initial
position to the working position suitable for the overtaking motion or the signal
trip from the working position to the initial position suitable for normal driving
mode. Alternatively, the movement between the initial position and the working
position may be a to-and-fro scanning motion or a two-dimensional motion, depending
on practice.
During the movement of the vehicular monitoring device from the initial position
to working position, the vehicular monitoring device is preferably forced to return
to the initial position if an emergency state occurs. For example, the emergency
state is determined when emergency brake is done, when the Anti-lock brake system
(ABS) or the traction control system is enabled, etc.
After the movement of the vehicular monitoring device form the initial position
to the working position in response to the above-described pre-motion operation
has been done, the vehicular monitoring device should return to the initial position.
For example, when the pre-motion detector
11 detects that the OD gear is
entered again, the revolving speed of the engine changes below the threshold value,
the acceleration of the vehicle is lowered, or the specific light signal is stopped
for a predetermined period of time, a recovering signal is outputted from the pre-motion
detector
11 to the controller
12 to have the vehicular monitoring
device return to the initial position.
Please refer to FIG. 2 which schematically shows a device for adjusting the
view range of a vehicular monitoring device according to a second embodiment of
the present invention. The device includes a getting-off pre-motion detector
21
and a controller
22 in communication with the getting-off pre-motion detector
21 and the vehicular monitoring device
23 such as a rearview mirror,
a camera and/or a display. When the getting-off pre-motion detector
21 detects,
for example, the enabling of the emergency flasher switch, zero velocity of the
vehicle, the turning-off of the engine, or the entering of the parking gear, it
frequently implies that there would be people getting off the vehicle. Therefore,
the getting-off pre-motion detector
21 outputs an adjusting signal to the
controller
22. The controller
22 then controls the movement of the
rearview mirror
23 between an initial position and a working position in
response to the adjusting signal. The definition of movement is similar to that
described in the first embodiment.
After the movement of the vehicular monitoring device form the initial position
to the working position in response to the above-described pre-motion operation
has been done, the vehicular monitoring device should return to the initial position.
For example, when the emergency flasher switch is disabled, the vehicle has a non-zero
velocity, the engine is started, or the parking gear is disengaged. Meanwhile,
a recovering signal is outputted from the pre-motion detector
21 to the
controller
22 to have the vehicular monitoring device return to the initial position.
For the above embodiments, the recovery of the vehicular monitoring device can
also be determined by timing. For example, the vehicular monitoring device is moved
toward the initial position in a few seconds after the vehicular monitoring device
reaches the working position.
For the above embodiments, the pre-motion detector
11 or
21 can
also output a warning signal to the controller
11 or
21 in addition
to the adjusting signal. The controller
11 or
21 enables a warning
device
14 or
24 in response to the warning signal for safety purpose.
For example, the horn sounds or the vehicular lamp twinkles in a desired pattern.
For the above embodiments, the functions of the pre-motion detector
11
or
21 and the controller
12 or
22 can be performed by a micro-controller
in a way of programs.
It is to be noted that the automatic view-angle adjusting function can be designed
as a basic response of the vehicle. Alternatively, the function can be enabled
by pressing a key or a button.
In another aspect of the present invention, preferably, the movement speed of
the vehicular monitoring device between the initial position and any of the working
positions depends on the velocity of the vehicle. The faster the vehicle runs,
the faster the vehicular monitoring device moves. As such, the driver can realize
the environment situation quickly. For efficiently achieving the above purpose,
a vehicular digital bus such as a controller area network (CAN) or a vehicular
area network (VAN) bus is preferred used to transfer signals.
While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered
to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that
the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary,
it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with
the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
*
