Driver information feedback and display system

Abstract

A driver information feedback and display system is disclosed. The architecture of the system includes a controller (30), a channel / window manager (10), and front and rear image capture units (11-13). The system can be further incorporated with a speed recorder (40), a backing sensor (50), or a GPS unit (60). When a vehicle enters an intersection from a narrow alley, the left and right image capture units (11,12) installed at the nose of the vehicle will be activated for scanning road conditions on the main road in both directions, thereby eliminating the need for the driver to strain to see the traffic situation or pulling out the car half way. The speed recorder (40) can be used for detection of low speed and activation of left and right image capture units (11, 12). The present system can effectively minimize the chance of vehicle collisions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a driver information feedback and display system, in particular to a road condition detection system for automobiles that fully makes use of sophisticated detection devices to monitor road conditions instead of relying only on a driver's eyesight to enhance safe driving, especially for passenger cars. [0003] 2. Description of Related Arts [0004] Conventionally, drivers have to rely on rear-view and side view mirrors to monitor the road conditions alongside and behind the vehicle. For more challenging tasks such as lane switching, backing up, parking alongside the road, and passing through narrow alleys, there is virtually no better helper other than the accumulated experience of the driver. However, the latest technological developments have ushered in many innovative driving aids that can relieve many average drivers of such challenges. For example, the backing sensor can help drive...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The main object of the present invention is to provide a road condition detection system that can help drivers collect intelligent information and monitor the road situations in front, at the rear and around the vehicle for enhancing driving safety.

[0016] This road condition detection system can be especially useful for drivers taking a turn from a blind corner or backing up in an alley. When driving in a narrow alley, the display monitor is automatically set to display the video images fed by the left and right image capture units installed at the nose of the passenger car, and when the passenger car approaches an intersection with a main road, these image capture units will be able to use the wide-angle cameras to scan the road conditions on the main road without having to pull out half way first. The driver's view is much enhanced with the aid of these image capture units that can instantly feed back the video images of the scenes in front and behind the car. As such, the driver can make a correct judgment without facing any risk of an accident with the on-coming traffic.

[0018] To enhance the capabilities of the road condition detection system, it can be further incorporated with a speed recorder that is able to monitor the driving speed constantly, especially for low speed detection. In that case, the controller is linked to the speed recorder for activation of the front image capture units for automatic scanning.

[0019] The controller can also be linked to a backing sensor to enable precise and safe parking.

Problems solved by technology

For more challenging tasks such as lane switching, backing up, parking alongside the road, and passing through narrow alleys, there is virtually no better helper other than the accumulated experience of the driver.

Doing the right thing on wide and open roads will not be so hard for average drivers, but, in situations such as blind corners, sharp curves, or crossing from alleys to the main road, it will be difficult to avoid every potentially dangerous move by the other driver, however wary the driver might be.

Therefore, when a car pulls out from an alley, the driver normally cannot see on-coming traffic on the main road until the car has already pulled out half way.

This surprise move often causes serious accidents for other cars traveling on the main road, as they are not aware of the car turning out from an alley or blind corner, and therefore run into the emerging car.

Such risks also appear when someone backs up on a curved road or backs out from an alley.

These unexpected moves certainly are a shock for unprepared drivers on the other side of the road.

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