Reduction of blind spots by using display screens
US6809704B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2300/8066
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for reducing blind spots in various situations, such as in an automobile. The invention uses display screen surfaces to cover objects that are opaque, or objects which it is difficult to see through. Small cameras are used to generate images on the display screens that correspond to images that a viewer would see in the absence of the objects. For example, where the left windshield post of a car is covered with a display screen, the invention uses a camera that receives image information from the left-front of the car. The image information is used by a processor to compute what the driver would see if the door post were not there. A preferred embodiment uses the driver's viewpoint to generate a more accurate screen display. The screen display approximates images that the driver would see so that the images mesh, or are coherent with, other images presented to the driver such as the views through the front windshield and driver's side window. Another aspect of the invention provides movable mirrors to provide dual modes of viewing and to increase the mirror's field of view. Different modes, or mirror positions can be invoked manually or by automated detection of a viewer's…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.