Multi-directional observation camera system

Abstract

A multi-directional observation camera system for a motor vehicle includes a body defining an interior compartment and a body panel having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior compartment. The camera system includes a mirror module for mounting to the outer surface of the body panel. The mirror module is configured to capture and transmit incident light from at least one field of view (FOV) and has a polarization beamsplitter configured to reflect the s-polarized component of the incident light in the visible spectrum and transmit the p-polarized component of the incident light. The camera system also includes a camera module having a camera for mounting to the inner surface of the body panel. The camera module is configured to receive either the s-polarized or p-polarized component of the incident light from the mirror module and selectively display at least one FOV within the interior compartment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a multi-directional observation camera system for motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Side mirrors (or side mirrors) are reflective mirrors placed on the exterior panels of motor vehicles to help the vehicle operator see areas behind and to the sides of the vehicle that are outside the driver's peripheral vision (in the blind spot). Most modern vehicles mount their side mirrors on the doors, typically at the A-pillar. Typical side mirrors are equipped with manual or remote vertical and horizontal adjustments to provide adequate coverage for drivers of different heights and seating positions.

[0003] Some modern motor vehicles employ side mirrors in the form of camera systems with integrated displays for enhanced peripheral awareness by the vehicle operator while driving. Typically, such systems offer advantages over traditional reflective mirrors by providing a wider field of view and less air resistance without obstructing the driver's forward vision. These camera systems usually mount the camera itself on an external vehicle body surface, typically where a traditional reflective mirror would be, and position the display inside the vehicle's passenger compartment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A multi-directional observation camera system for a motor vehicle includes a body defining an interior compartment and a body panel having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior compartment. The multi-directional observation camera includes a mirror module for mounting to the outer surface of the body panel. The mirror module is configured to capture and transmit incident light from at least one field of view (FOV) and has a polarization beamsplitter configured to reflect the s-polarized component of the incident light in the visible spectrum and transmit the p-polarized component of the incident light. The multi-directional observation camera also includes a camera module having a camera for mounting to the inner surface of the body panel. The camera module is configured to receive one of the s-polarized and p-polarized components of the incident light from the mirror module and selectively display at least one FOV within the interior compartment.

[0005] The camera module may additionally include an electronically controlled polarizer disposed between the camera and the polarization beam splitter and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light.

[0006] Electronically controlled polarizers can be liquid crystal optical elements.

[0007] At least one FOV may include at least two of the rear, side and front FOVs, which can be selected individually.

[0008] The multi-directional observation camera system may additionally include an electronic controller configured to adjust the voltage across the polarizer to selectively transmit and reflect light. The electronic controller is thus configured to facilitate switching between at least two of the individually selectable rear, side, and front FOVs of the observation camera system.

[0009] The reflector module may additionally include a first polarizing filter configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, arranged perpendicular to the body panel, and facing the rear FOV to receive the incident light.

[0010] The light blocker can be arranged parallel to the first polarizing filter and configured to select between a light-passing mode and a light-blocking mode, wherein the light-passing mode is configured to facilitate the rear FOV of the display, and the light-blocking mode is configured to facilitate the front FOV of the display. Alternatively, the first polarizing filter can be electronically controlled to select between a light-passing mode and a light-blocking mode, wherein the light-blocking mode is configured to facilitate the front FOV of the display.

[0011] The reflector module may additionally include a second polarizing filter configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel, and facing the forward FOV to receive the incident light.

[0012] The reflector module may additionally include a polarizing mirror and a quarter-wave plate arranged sequentially with respect to the incident light from the side FOV and parallel to the vehicle body panel. The polarizing mirror may face the side FOV to receive the incident light from that side FOV. In such embodiments, a polarizing beam splitter may be arranged between the camera and the quarter-wave plate.

[0013] The polarizing mirror can be electronically controlled and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light, and the quarter-wave plate can be configured to add a constant phase factor to the polarized light transmitted by the polarizing mirror.

[0014] A motor vehicle having such a multi-directional observation camera system is also disclosed. The multi-directional observation camera system can be mounted to a body panel configured as a door, the inner surface of which faces the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0015] The present invention has the following solutions.

[0016] Option 1. A multi-directional observation camera system for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a body defining an interior compartment and a body panel having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior compartment, the multi-directional observation camera comprising:

[0017] A reflector module for mounting to the outer surface of the vehicle body panel is configured to capture and transmit incident light from at least one field of view (FOV) and has a polarizing beamsplitter configured to reflect the s-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum and transmit the p-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum; and

[0018] A camera module having a camera for mounting to the inner surface of the vehicle body panel and configured to receive one of the s-polarization component and the p-polarization component of the incident light from the mirror module and selectively display the at least one FOV within the interior compartment.

[0019] Option 2. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 1, wherein the camera module further includes an electronically controlled polarizer disposed between the camera and the polarizing beam splitter and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light.

[0020] Option 3. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 2, wherein the electronically controlled polarizer is a liquid crystal optical element.

[0021] Option 4. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 2, wherein the at least one FOV includes at least two of individually selectable rear, side, and front FOVs.

[0022] Option 5. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 4, further comprising an electronic controller configured to adjust the voltage across a polarizer to selectively transmit and reflect light, thereby facilitating switching between at least two of the individually selectable rear, side, and front FOVs.

[0023] Option 6. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 4, wherein the reflector module further includes a first polarizing filter configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel, and facing the rear FOV to receive the incident light.

[0024] Option 7. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 6, further comprising a light blocker arranged parallel to the first polarizing filter and configured to select between a light-passing mode and a light-blocking mode, wherein the light-passing mode is configured to facilitate the display of the rear FOV and the light-blocking mode is configured to facilitate the display of the front FOV.

[0025] Option 8. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 6, wherein the reflector module further includes a second polarizing filter configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel, and facing the front FOV to receive the incident light.

[0026] Option 9. A multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 8, wherein:

[0027] The reflector module further includes a polarizing mirror and a quarter-wave plate arranged sequentially relative to the incident light from the side FOV and parallel to the body panel;

[0028] The polarizing mirror faces the side FOV to receive incident light from the side FOV; and

[0029] The polarization beam splitter is positioned between the camera and the quarter-wave plate.

[0030] Option 10. A multi-directional observation camera system as described in Option 9, wherein the polarizing mirror is electronically controlled and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light, and wherein the quarter-wave plate is configured to add a constant phase factor to the polarized light transmitted by the polarizing mirror.

[0031] Option 11. A motor vehicle comprising:

[0032] The vehicle body defines an interior compartment and includes body panels having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior compartment; and

[0033] A multi-directional observation camera system, comprising:

[0034] A reflector module, mounted to the outer surface of the vehicle body panel, is configured to capture and transmit incident light from at least one field of view (FOV) and has a polarizing beamsplitter configured to reflect the s-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum and transmit the p-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum; and

[0035] A camera module having a camera mounted to the inner surface of the vehicle body panel and configured to receive one of the s-polarization component and the p-polarization component of the incident light from the mirror module and selectively display the at least one FOV within the interior compartment.

[0036] Option 12. The motor vehicle of Option 11, wherein the camera module further includes an electronically controlled polarizer disposed between the camera and the polarizing beam splitter and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light.

[0037] Option 13. The motor vehicle as described in Option 12, wherein the electronically controlled polarizer is a liquid crystal optical element.

[0038] Option 14. The motor vehicle as described in Option 12, wherein the at least one FOV comprises at least two of individually selectable rear, side, and front FOVs.

[0039] Option 15. The motor vehicle as described in Option 14, further comprising an electronic controller configured to adjust the voltage across the polarizer to selectively transmit and reflect light, thereby facilitating switching between at least two of the individually selectable rear, side, and front FOVs.

[0040] Option 16. The motor vehicle of Option 14, wherein the reflector module further includes a first polarizing filter configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel, and facing the rear FOV to receive the incident light.

[0041] Option 17. The motor vehicle of Option 16, wherein the first polarizing filter is electronically controlled to select between a light-transmitting mode and a light-blocking mode, and wherein the light-blocking mode is configured to facilitate the display of the front FOV.

[0042] Option 18. The motor vehicle of Option 16, wherein the reflector module further includes a second polarizing filter configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel, and facing the front FOV to receive the incident light.

[0043] Option 19. The motor vehicle as described in Option 18, wherein:

[0044] The reflector module further includes a polarizing mirror and a quarter-wave plate arranged sequentially relative to the incident light from the side FOV and parallel to the body panel;

[0045] The polarizing mirror faces the side FOV to receive incident light from the side FOV, and the polarizing beam splitter is arranged between the camera and the quarter-wave plate.

[0046] The polarizing mirror is electronically controlled and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light; and

[0047] The quarter-wave plate is configured to add a constant phase factor to the polarized light transmitted by the polarizing mirror.

[0048] Option 20. A motor vehicle comprising:

[0049] The vehicle body defines an interior compartment and includes body panels having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior compartment; and

[0050] A multi-directional observation camera system, comprising:

[0051] A reflector module, mounted to the outer surface of the vehicle body panel, is configured to capture and transmit incident light from at least one individually selectable rear, side, and front field of view (FOV) and has a polarizing beam splitter configured to reflect the s-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum and transmit the p-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum; and

[0052] A camera module having a camera mounted to the inner surface of the vehicle body panel, having an electronically controlled polarizer disposed between the camera and the polarizing beam splitter and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light, and configured to receive one of the s-polarization component and the p-polarization component of the incident light from the mirror module, and selectively displaying at least one of the individually selectable rear, side and front FOVs within the interior compartment.

[0053] The above-described features and advantages of this disclosure, as well as other features and advantages, will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments and preferred modes for carrying out the disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1 According to the plan view of the motor vehicle disclosed herein, the motor vehicle has a multi-directional observation camera system mounted on the body panel and having a reflector module and a camera module.

[0055] Figure 2 It is based on this disclosure Figure 1 The diagram shows an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multi-directional observation camera system, which includes optical devices for selectively generating and displaying rear, side, and front fields of view (FOV).

[0056] Figure 3 It is based on this disclosure Figure 2 The enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the multi-directional observation camera system shown illustrates the path of incident light from the rear FOV through the camera system.

[0057] Figure 4 It is based on this disclosure Figure 2 The enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the multi-directional observation camera system shown illustrates the path of incident light from the side FOV through the camera system.

[0058] Figure 5 It is based on this disclosure Figure 2 The enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the multi-directional observation camera system shown illustrates the path of incident light from the front FOV through the camera system.

[0059] Figure 6 It is based on this disclosure Figure 2 The diagram shows an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the multi-directional observation camera system, illustrating the negative lens and wedge polarizing beam splitter used to extend the side field of view (FOV). Detailed Implementation

[0060] Those skilled in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” etc., are descriptive uses of the drawings and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the teachings herein can be described in terms of functional and / or logical block components and / or various processing steps. It should be understood that such block components may consist of multiple hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform a specified function.

[0061] Referring to the figures, the same reference numerals denote the same parts. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a motor vehicle 10 is shown, comprising a body 12. As shown, the body 12 may have a front side or front end 12-1, a left side 12-2, a right side 12-3, a rear side or rear end 12-4, a top side or part (such as a roof) 12-5, and a bottom side or chassis 12-6. The body sides 12-1 to 12-6 generally define and enclose interior compartments, such as a passenger compartment 14, a cargo compartment 16, and a powertrain compartment 18. The body sides 12-2 and 12-3 may include corresponding body panels 20A and 20B. The body sides 12-2 and 12-3 may also define corresponding body openings 12-2A and 12-3A.

[0062] In one embodiment of the vehicle 10 having body openings 12-2A, 12-3A, panels 20A, 20B can operate as doors, configured to selectively cover and expose corresponding openings 12-2A, 12-3A for access to the passenger compartment 14 and optionally to the cargo compartment 16. Alternatively, body panels 20A, 20B can be configured as fixing elements, such as bolted fenders or structural columns (not shown, but understood by those skilled in the art). Each body panel 20A, 20B has an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 24. The outer surface 22 of each body panel 20A, 20B faces the surrounding environment, and the inner surface 24 faces the interior of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the inner surface 24 of the door embodiments of body panels 20A, 20B faces the passenger compartment 14.

[0063] Vehicle 10 may include multiple road wheels 26. Although in Figure 1 The diagram shows four wheels 26, but vehicles with fewer or more wheels or other devices such as tires (tracks) (not shown) are also envisioned for traversing road surfaces 28 or other terrain. Vehicle 10 also includes a powertrain 30, typically located within a powertrain compartment 18. Powertrain 30 includes a power unit 32, such as an internal combustion engine (shown) and / or a traction motor (not shown), for generating power unit torque on demand. Powertrain 30 may also include a transmission (not shown) that operatively connects the power unit 32 to at least some of the road wheels 26 for transmitting power unit torque thereto, thereby moving vehicle 10.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 10 also includes a multi-directional observation camera system 34. The multi-directional observation camera system 34 is configured to receive incident light 36 from multiple directions outside vehicle 10 and display individually selectable fields of view (FOV) inside the vehicle, specifically the rear FOV 38A, side FOV 38B, and front FOV 38C (in... Figure 2 (As shown in the diagram). While the multi-directional observation camera system 34 can be used to selectively display various FOVs, such as at least two of FOVs 38A, 38B, and 38C, the camera system can also be configured to lock onto a single FOV, such as the rear FOV 38A. The multi-directional observation camera system 34 includes a mirror module 40 and a camera module 50 operatively connected to the mirror module 40 (in the diagram). Figure 1-6 (As shown in the image).

[0065] The multi-directional observation camera system 34 may also include an electronic controller 60 operatively connected to each of the mirror module 40 and the camera module 50. The electronic controller 60 may alternatively be referred to as a control module, control unit, controller, vehicle 10 controller, computer, etc. The electronic controller 60 may include a computer and / or processor 62, and includes software, hardware, memory, algorithms, connections, etc., for managing and controlling the operation of various systems and functions of the vehicle 10. The electronic controller 60 may be implemented as one or more digital computers or host machines, each having one or more processors 62, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), optical drive, magnetic drive, etc., high-speed clock, analog-to-digital (A / D) circuitry, digital-to-analog (D / A) circuitry, input / output (I / O) circuitry, I / O devices and communication interfaces, and signal conditioning and buffering electronics.

[0066] Computer-readable storage may include non-transitory / tangible media that participate in providing data or computer-readable instructions. The storage may be non-volatile or volatile. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical discs or magnetic disks and other permanent storage. Exemplary volatile media may include dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that can constitute main memory. Other examples of storage embodiments include floppy disks or hard disks, magnetic tape or other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs and / or other optical media, and other possible storage devices such as flash memory. The electronic controller 60 also includes tangible non-transitory storage 64 on which computer-executable instructions, including one or more algorithms, are recorded for regulating the operation of the motor vehicle 10. Algorithms required by or thus accessible to the controller 60 may be stored in the storage and executed automatically to provide the required functionality.

[0067] The subject algorithm may specifically include an algorithm 66 for regulating the operation of the multi-directional observation camera system 34, for example, to assist the automatic or semi-automatic operation of the motor vehicle 10. Therefore, the electronic controller 60 can wirelessly communicate with the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) 68 via a vehicle navigation system 70 arranged within the vehicle's passenger compartment 14. The electronic controller 60 can capture images obtained via the multi-directional observation camera system 34 and use such images, along with data received from GPS 68, in perception and / or image recognition algorithms to assess the position of the vehicle 10 relative to the terrain it traverses in real time, and to classify, identify, and locate objects captured within the FOV. Based on this assessment, the position of the vehicle 10, along with object data, can be used for navigation of the vehicle over the terrain with or without operator input. Therefore, the regulation of the multi-directional observation camera system 34 is described in detail below and... Figure 2-6 This generally indicates that it can be implemented in a program or algorithm operable on the electronic controller 60.

[0068] like Figure 2-6 As shown, the aforementioned reflector module 40 of the camera system 34 is mounted within a housing 40A to the outer surface 22 of individual body panels 20A, 20B. The reflector module 40 is configured to capture and transmit incident light 36 from at least one FOV, such as the rear FOV 38A, side FOV 38B, and front FOV 38C. In its most complex embodiment (in Figure 2(As shown in the diagram), the mirror module 40 can be configured to selectively transmit incident light 36 from each of the rear FOV 38A, side FOV 38B, and front FOV 38C. The mirror module 40 includes a polarization beamsplitter 44. The polarization beamsplitter 44 is an optical element that operates in the visible spectral range of approximately 380 to 750 nanometers. The polarization beamsplitter 44 has a fixed optical orientation and is configured to reflect the s-polarization component 36A of the incident light 36 in the visible spectral range and transmit the p-polarization component 36B of the incident light in the visible spectral range from each of the rear FOV 38A, side FOV 38B, and front FOV 38C. As generally understood, the electric field direction of p-polarized light is parallel to the incident plane on the device, while the electric field orientation of s-polarized light is perpendicular to that plane. The polarization beamsplitter 44 is configured to support the visible spectral range at the incident angle of light corresponding to the selected FOV while maintaining its polarization-selective behavior.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, the polarization beam splitter 44 can be arranged at approximately a 45-degree angle relative to the corresponding body panel 20A or 20B. Arranged in this manner, the polarization beam splitter 44 can be specifically configured to reflect the s-polarization component 36A of the incident light 36 to display the rear FOV 38A. Furthermore, this position of the polarization beam splitter 44 can be used to transmit the p-polarization component 36B of the incident light 36 to selectively display the side FOV 38B and the front FOV 38C. The polarization beam splitter 44 can be configured as a substantially flat element with parallel sides (in... Figure 2-5 (as shown in the image), or has a wedge shape designed to minimize ghosting and other optical artifacts caused by stray light (in the image shown in ... Figure 6 (As shown in the figure). The wedge polarization beam splitter 44 may include different tilt angles with respect to the opposing light incident sides, namely the side facing the rear FOV 38A and the side facing the front FOV 38C.

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown, the reflector module 40 may additionally include a light blocker 45 and a first polarizing filter 46-1. The light blocker 45 is configured to facilitate the display of the front FOV 38C, while the polarizing filter 46-1 is configured to facilitate the display of the rear FOV 38A. Specifically, the first polarizing filter 46-1 may be arranged substantially perpendicular to the corresponding body panel 20A or 20B and facing the rear FOV 38A to receive incident light 36. When combined with the light blocker 45, the first polarizing filter 46-1 may have a fixed optical orientation to transmit the s-polarization component 36A of the incident light 36. As shown, the light blocker 45 is arranged parallel to the first polarizing filter 46-1 and is configured to select between a light-transmitting or light-blocking mode and a light-blocking mode. The light blocker 45 can be adjusted via an electronic controller 60 to select between the light-transmitting mode and the light-blocking mode.

[0071] The light-blocking mode of the light-blocking filter 45 is configured to allow incident light 36 to pass through the first polarizing filter 46-1 into the polarizing beam splitter 44, thereby facilitating the display of the rear FOV 38A. Conversely, the light-blocking mode of the light-blocking filter 45 is configured to prevent incident light 36 from the rear FOV 38A from entering the polarizing beam splitter 44, thereby facilitating the display of the front FOV 38C without overlapping or ghosting images from the rear FOV 38A. Alternatively, the first polarizing filter 46-1 may have a variable optical orientation, allowing the mirror module 40 to operate without incorporating the light-blocking filter 45. The variable optical orientation of the first polarizing filter 46-1 can be adjusted via an electronic controller 60, such as by changing the voltage across the first polarizing filter, to select between the light-blocking and light-blocking modes of the first polarizing filter. The blocking mode of the first polarizing filter 46-1 can be specifically configured to facilitate the display of the front FOV 38C, while its passing mode can be selected to facilitate the display of the rear FOV 38A without ghosting images from the rear FOV 38A.

[0072] like Figure 2 , 5 As shown in Figure 6, the reflector module 40 may additionally include a second polarizing filter 46-2, which has a fixed optical orientation and is configured to transmit the s-polarization component 36A of the incident light 36. The second polarizing filter 46-2 may be arranged substantially perpendicular to the corresponding body panel 20A or 20B and facing the front FOV 38C to receive the incident light 36. Therefore, the second polarizing filter 46-2 is configured to enable the multi-directional observation camera system 34 to capture and display the front FOV 38C. Figure 2 and 4 As shown in Figure 6, the reflector module 40 may additionally include polarizers 47 and quarter-wave plates 48 arranged sequentially relative to the path of the incident light 36 from the side FOV 38B, i.e., arranged one after another relative to the optical flow. Furthermore, as can be seen in the diagram, each of the polarizers 47 and quarter-wave plates 48 is positioned substantially parallel to the corresponding body panel 20A or 20B. Typically, a quarter-wave plate splits linearly polarized light impacting the panel into two components with different refractive indices. A quarter-wave plate can be used to convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light, and vice versa. This is typically achieved by adjusting the plane of the incident light to be at a 45-degree angle relative to the optical axis of the panel. The polarizers 47 and quarter-wave plates 48 may be spaced apart such that an air layer (not shown) remains between them. The polarizer 47 may face the side FOV 38B to receive the incident light 36 from it, while a polarizing beam splitter 44 may be arranged between the camera 52 and the quarter-wave plate 48.

[0073] Polarizing mirror 47 can be adjusted via electronic controller 60, such as by changing the voltage across the polarizing mirror to selectively transmit and reflect or block light. When the multi-directional observation camera system 34 is commanded to display the side FOV 38B, polarizing mirror 47 can operate in transmit mode. Conversely, when the multi-directional observation camera system 34 is commanded to display the front FOV 38C, polarizing mirror 47 can operate in block mode. The block mode of polarizing mirror 47 is designed to minimize the possibility of ghosting images appearing from the side FOV 38B during the display of the front FOV 38C. Quarter-wave plate 48 can have a fixed optical orientation and is configured to add a constant phase factor to the polarized light transmitted by polarizing mirror 47.

[0074] Typically, when a specific FOV 38A, FOV 38B, or FOV 38C is selected, the other two FOVs will cause corresponding two of the first polarizing filter 46-1, the second polarizing filter 46-2, and the polarizing mirror 47 to be in a cross-state, effectively blocking light from these other FOVs and thus preventing ghosting or stray light from appearing in the imaged FOV. Figure 6 As shown, the reflector module 40 may additionally include a negative lens 49 to extend the side FOV 38B. The negative lens 49 may be parallel to and positioned in front of the polarizer 47, i.e., such that the negative lens and the quarter-wave plate 48 extend along opposite sides of the polarizer.

[0075] The aforementioned camera module 50 is operatively connected to the mirror module 40. For example... Figure 2-6 As shown, camera module 50 includes camera 52, which is mounted to the inner surface 24 of the vehicle body panel and configured to receive, i.e., collect, the s-polarization component 36A or p-polarization component 36B of the incident light 36 from mirror module 40. Camera module 50 is further configured to selectively display (e.g., on a video screen (not shown)) at least one of the rear FOV 38A, side FOV 38B, and front FOV 38C within the interior compartment (e.g., passenger compartment 14). The orientation of the camera 52 screen can be adjusted relative to passenger compartment 14 to accommodate the vehicle operator when the operator is located therein.

[0076] Camera module 50 may additionally include electronically controlled polarizer 54 (in Figure 2-6(As shown in the diagram). Polarizer 54 may be arranged between camera 52 and polarizing beam splitter 44 and is configured to selectively transmit and reflect light. Electronic controller 60 may be specifically configured to adjust the voltage across polarizer 54 to selectively transmit and reflect light, thereby facilitating switching between at least two of the individually selectable rear FOV 38A, side FOV 38B, and front FOV 38C displays of observation camera system 34. Specifically, for displaying side FOV 38B, polarizer 54 may be switched to transmit the p-polarized component 36B of the incident light 36 received from mirror module 40 to camera 52. For displaying rear FOV 38A and front FOV 38C, polarizer 54 may be switched to transmit the s-polarized component 36A of the incident light 36 received from mirror module 40 to camera 52.

[0077] Each of the light blocker 45, the variable first polarizing filter 46-1, the polarizer 47, and the polarizer 54 can be configured as a liquid crystal optical element. Adjusting the voltage across the liquid crystal element (e.g., the light blocker 45, the variable first polarizing filter 46-1, the polarizer 47, and the polarizer 54) alters the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, which changes the phase of the incident light 36 passing through the target liquid crystal element. A specific polarization optical element, such as a polarization beam splitter 44, positioned behind the voltage-controlled liquid crystal element, then transmits the light component aligned with its polarization and reflects other light components. Therefore, in response to a request from the operator of vehicle 10, the target liquid crystal element can be controlled via electronic controller 60. For example, an operator request can be used to set the light blocker 45 or the first polarizing filter 46-1 in their respective light transmission modes so that camera 52 can display the rear FOV 38A, or to set the light blocker 45 or the first polarizing filter 46-1 in their respective light blocking modes so that camera 52 can display the side FOV 38B or the front FOV 38C.

[0078] In specific cases when FOV 38A is selected (in...) Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, incident light 36 will be transmitted through the first polarizing filter 46-1, and the s-polarization component 36A of the incident light 36 will be reflected by the polarizing beam splitter 44. The reflected s-polarization component 36A of the incident light 36 will then be focused by the imaging optics of the polarizer 54 in the camera module 50, thereby producing and displaying the rear FOV 38A. In certain cases when selecting the side FOV 38B (in... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, polarizer 47 will operate in light-transmitting mode with its opacity set to transparent. Incident light 36 transmitted through polarizer 47 will pass through quarter-wave plate 48, and then the p-polarized component 36B of the incident light 36 will pass through polarizing beam splitter 44. Thus, the light will be focused by the imaging optics of polarizer 54 in camera module 50 to produce and display a side field of view 38B.

[0079] In specific cases when selecting the front FOV 38C (in) Figure 5 (As shown in the diagram), polarizer 47 will operate in light-blocking mode, changing its opacity from transparent to reflective. Incident light 36 from the front FOV 38C will pass through the second polarizing filter 46-2 and will first strike the polarizing beam splitter 44 and be reflected by it into the fixed quarter-wave plate 48. The light will then propagate through the fixed quarter-wave plate 48, strike the polarizer 47, and be reflected. After this reflection, the light will then pass through the quarter-wave plate 48 again. Due to this second passage through the quarter-wave plate 48, the light will gain an additional phase shift, converting from circularly polarized light into a linear p-polarized component 36B of the incident light 36. The p-polarized component 36B will return and pass through the polarizing beam splitter 44. After being transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter 44, the light will be focused by the imaging optics of the polarizer 54 in the camera module 50, thereby producing and displaying the front FOV 38C.

[0080] In summary, the multi-directional observation camera system 34 comprises a combination of externally arranged optical elements, some of which may be electronically controlled, communicating with internally positioned cameras to provide selectable fields of view (FOV) relative to the host vehicle 10. The optical elements of the multi-directional observation camera system 34 are fixed relative to the vehicle 10, and therefore no moving parts or mechanical actuation are required to capture multiple FOVs and selectively display them within the vehicle. The multi-directional observation camera system 34 can set the rear FOV 38A as the default operating state to simulate a conventional reflective vehicle rearview mirror, with the additional capability to display the side FOV 38B or the front FOV 38C as needed.

[0081] Detailed description and drawings are provided to support and describe this disclosure, but the scope of this disclosure is defined only by the claims. While the best mode and some other embodiments for carrying out the claimed disclosure have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist to practice the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, features of the embodiments shown in the drawings or the various embodiments mentioned in this specification are not necessarily to be construed as independent embodiments. Rather, each of the features described in one example of an embodiment may be combined with one or more other desired features from other embodiments, resulting in other embodiments that are not described in words or with reference to the drawings. Therefore, such other embodiments fall within the framework of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-directional observation camera system for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a body defining an interior compartment and a body panel having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior compartment, the multi-directional observation camera comprising: A reflector module, for mounting to the outer surface of the vehicle body panel, is configured to capture and transmit incident light from individually selectable rear field of view / view area, side field of view / view area, and front field of view / view area, and has: A polarization beam splitter configured to reflect the s-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum and transmit the p-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum. A first polarizing filter, configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, is arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel and faces the rear field of view / view area to receive the incident light. A light blocker, which is arranged parallel to the first polarizing filter; A second polarizing filter, configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, is arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel and faces the front field of view / view area to receive the incident light. as well as A polarizing mirror and a quarter-wave plate are arranged sequentially and parallel to the vehicle body panel relative to incident light from the side field of view / view area. The polarizing mirror faces the side field of view / view area to receive incident light from the side field of view / view area. A camera module having a camera for mounting to the inner surface of the vehicle body panel and configured to receive one of the s-polarization component and the p-polarization component of the incident light from the mirror module and selectively display at least one of the rear field of view / view area, the side field of view / view area and the front field of view / view area within the interior compartment, wherein the polarization beam splitter is arranged between the camera and the quarter-wave plate; as well as The electronic controller is configured to: The first polarizing filter and the light blocker are set to light-passing mode, and the second polarizing filter and the polarizing mirror are set to light-blocking mode, in order to facilitate the display of the rear field of view / field of view area, or The polarizing mirror is set to the light-transmitting mode, and the first polarizing filter, the light blocker, and the second polarizing filter are set to the light-blocking mode to facilitate the display of the side field of view / view area, or The second polarizing filter is set to the light-passing mode, and the first polarizing filter, the light blocker, and the polarizing mirror are set to the light-blocking mode to facilitate the display of the front field of view / field of view area.

2. The multi-directional observation camera system of claim 1, wherein the camera module further includes an electronically controlled polarizer disposed between the camera and the polarizing beam splitter and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light.

3. The multi-directional observation camera system as described in claim 2, wherein the electronically controlled polarizer is a liquid crystal optical element.

4. The multi-directional observation camera system of claim 1, wherein the quarter-wave plate is configured to add a constant phase factor to the polarized light transmitted by the polarizing mirror.

5. A motor vehicle comprising: The vehicle body defines an interior compartment and includes a body panel having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior compartment; and A multi-directional observation camera system, comprising: A reflector module, mounted to the outer surface of the vehicle body panel, is configured to capture and transmit incident light from individually selectable rear field of view / view area, side field of view / view area, and front field of view / view area, and has: A polarization beam splitter configured to reflect the s-polarization component of incident light in the visible spectrum and transmit the p-polarization component of the incident light in the visible spectrum. A first polarizing filter, configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, is arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel and faces the rear field of view / view area to receive the incident light. A light blocker, which is arranged parallel to the first polarizing filter; A second polarizing filter, configured to transmit the s-polarization component of the incident light, is arranged perpendicular to the vehicle body panel and faces the forward field of view / view area to receive the incident light; and A polarizing mirror and a quarter-wave plate are arranged sequentially and parallel to the vehicle body panel relative to incident light from the side field of view / view area. The polarizing mirror faces the side field of view / view area to receive incident light from the side field of view / view area. A camera module having a camera mounted to the inner surface of the vehicle body panel and configured to receive one of the s-polarization component and the p-polarization component of the incident light from the mirror module and selectively display at least one of the rear field of view / view area, the side field of view / view area, and the front field of view / view area within the interior compartment, wherein the polarization beam splitter is disposed between the camera and the quarter-wave plate; and The electronic controller is configured to: The first polarizing filter and the light blocker are set to light-passing mode, and the second polarizing filter and the polarizing mirror are set to light-blocking mode, in order to facilitate the display of the rear field of view / field of view area, or The polarizing mirror is set to the light-transmitting mode, and the first polarizing filter, the light blocker, and the second polarizing filter are set to the light-blocking mode to facilitate the display of the side field of view / view area, or The second polarizing filter is set to the light-passing mode, and the first polarizing filter, the light blocker, and the polarizing mirror are set to the light-blocking mode to facilitate the display of the front field of view / field of view area.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein the camera module further includes an electronically controlled polarizer disposed between the camera and the polarizing beam splitter and configured to selectively transmit and reflect light.

7. The motor vehicle of claim 6, wherein the electronically controlled polarizer is a liquid crystal optical element.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein the quarter-wave plate is configured to add a constant phase factor to the polarized light transmitted by the polarizing mirror.

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