James Roy Rankin

US Patent:

20030085806, May 8, 2003

Filed:

Nov 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/682981

Inventors:

Amer Samman - Pleasanton CA, US
Gregory Smith - Ann Arbor MI, US
James Rankin - Novi MI, US
Samuel Ebenstein - Southfield MI, US

International Classification:

B60Q001/00

US Classification:

340/435000

Abstract:

A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.