Camera monitoring system with hazard location warning feature

Abstract

A camera monitoring system with a hazard location warning feature. A CMS for a commercial vehicle includes a vehicle camera, an electronic display, and a CMS controller. A vehicle camera records images of the surroundings of the commercial vehicle. The electronic display includes a first display area and a second display area adjacent to the first display area. The CMS controller displays an image as a video feed on an electronic display to a driver of the commercial vehicle, which provides a first legal field of view in a first display area and a second legal field of view in a second display area, and acquires a list of one or more dangerous locations along a current or planned route of the commercial vehicle, each dangerous location represents a dangerous road segment that satisfies one or more dangerous driving condition criteria. The CMS controller also provides, for each hazardous location in the list, an alert to the driver regarding the hazardous location based on the commercial vehicle approaching and within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location. A method for a commercial vehicle is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera monitoring system (CMS) for a vehicle, and in particular to a method and apparatus for using a CMS to warn a driver of hazardous locations on a planned or current path of a commercial vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Mirror replacement systems and camera systems for supplementing mirror views are used in commercial vehicles to enhance the vehicle operator's ability to see the surrounding environment. CMS utilizes one or more cameras to provide an enhanced field of view to the vehicle operator. In some examples, the camera system covers a larger field of view than conventional mirrors, or includes views that cannot be fully captured via conventional mirrors.

[0003] Driving a commercial vehicle with a tractor and trailer can be challenging, particularly on hazardous stretches of road, such as blind turns (i.e., turns, such as corners, where the view of what is behind the turn / corner is blocked), steep inclines or declines (with steep slopes), and areas of limited visibility. Such locations can be prone to accidents due to the challenges associated with safely driving a commercial vehicle along such stretches of road. Summary of the invention

[0004] A camera monitoring system (CMS) for a commercial vehicle according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a vehicle camera, an electronic display, and a CMS controller. The vehicle camera is configured to record images of the environment surrounding the commercial vehicle. The electronic display includes a first display area and a second display area adjacent to the first display area. The CMS controller is configured to display the image as a video feed to the driver of the commercial vehicle on the electronic display, the video feed providing a first legal field of view in the first display area and a second legal field of view in the second display area, and to obtain a list of one or more dangerous locations along the current or planned route of the commercial vehicle, each dangerous location representing a dangerous road section that meets one or more dangerous driving condition criteria. The CMS controller is also configured to, for each dangerous location in the list, provide a warning to the driver about the dangerous location based on the commercial vehicle being within a predetermined distance of the dangerous location. A method for a commercial vehicle is also disclosed.

[0005] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to also base providing the warning to the driver on the driver's driving history.

[0006] In a further embodiment of any of the preceding embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to display the warning on the electronic display.

[0007] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to display the warning as an indicator on the electronic display.

[0008] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the risk level is indicated by displaying a metric on the electronic display that indicates a frequency with which vehicle accidents occur at the hazardous location.

[0009] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by vibrating or emitting a sound from the electronic display.

[0010] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by transmitting the warning to a vehicle speaker separate from the CMS.

[0011] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the dangerous location includes a blind turn, has a visibility below a predetermined visibility threshold, corresponds to a road section with a tilt angle exceeding a predetermined tilt angle threshold, or corresponds to a road section with a turn angle exceeding a predetermined turn angle threshold.

[0012] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is further configured to restrict operation of the commercial vehicle when the commercial vehicle is approaching the hazardous location and is within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location.

[0013] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, to limit operation of the commercial vehicle, the CMS controller is configured to impose at least one of a maximum speed that the commercial vehicle can travel and a maximum steering angle that the commercial vehicle can utilize.

[0014] A method for a commercial vehicle according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes: recording an image of the commercial vehicle's surroundings from a CMS camera having a rearward field of view; displaying the image to a driver on an electronic display of the commercial vehicle as a video feed, the video feed providing a first legal field of view in a first display area of ​​the electronic display and providing a second legal field of view in a second display area of ​​the electronic display adjacent to the first display area, and acquiring a list of one or more hazardous locations along a current or planned route of the commercial vehicle, wherein each hazardous location represents a hazardous road section that satisfies one or more hazardous driving condition criteria. The method also includes, for each hazardous location in the list, providing a warning to the driver about the hazardous location based on the commercial vehicle being within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location. The displaying, acquiring, and providing are performed by a CMS controller.

[0015] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to also base providing the warning to the driver on the driver's driving history.

[0016] In a further embodiment of any of the preceding embodiments, providing the warning includes displaying the warning on the electronic display.

[0017] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, displaying the warning on the electronic display includes displaying the warning as an indicator on the electronic display.

[0018] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, indicating the risk level includes indicating a metric indicating a frequency with which vehicle accidents occur at the hazardous location.

[0019] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by vibrating or emitting a sound from the electronic display.

[0020] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by transmitting the warning to a vehicle speaker separate from the CMS.

[0021] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the dangerous location includes a blind turn, has a visibility below a predetermined visibility threshold, corresponds to a road section with a tilt angle exceeding a predetermined tilt angle threshold, or corresponds to a road section with a turn angle exceeding a predetermined turn angle threshold.

[0022] In a further embodiment of any of the preceding embodiments, the method further includes limiting operation of the commercial vehicle when the commercial vehicle is approaching the hazardous location and is within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location.

[0023] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, limiting the operation of the commercial vehicle includes imposing at least one of a maximum speed at which the commercial vehicle can travel and a maximum steering angle that the commercial vehicle can utilize.

[0024] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings (including any of its various aspects or corresponding individual features) can be adopted independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment apply to all embodiments, unless these features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present disclosure may be further understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1A is a schematic front view of an example commercial truck having a CMS for providing at least Class II and Class IV views.

[0027] Figure 1B is a schematic top view of an example commercial truck with a CMS providing Class II, Class IV, Class V, and Class VI views.

[0028] Figure 2A is a schematic top perspective view of an example commercial vehicle cab including a display and an interior camera.

[0029] Figure 2B An example CMS display is illustrated.

[0030] Figure 3 An example planned route for a commercial vehicle is illustrated.

[0031] Figure 4 A more detailed illustration Figure 1A-1B CMS.

[0032] Figure 5 An example method of providing hazardous location warnings from a CMS is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] exist Figure 1A and Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a commercial vehicle 10 is shown. The commercial vehicle 10 includes a vehicle cab or tractor 12 for pulling a trailer 14. Although commercial trucks are contemplated in the present disclosure, the present invention may also be applied to other types of vehicles. The vehicle 10 includes a camera monitoring system (CMS) 15 ( Figure 2A ), which has a driver-side camera arm 16a and a passenger-side camera arm 16b mounted to the exterior of the vehicle cab 12. If desired, the camera arms 16a, 16b may also include conventional mirrors integrated therewith, but the conventional mirrors may be completely replaced using the CMS 15. In other embodiments, each side may include multiple camera arms, each arm housing one or more cameras and / or mirrors.

[0034] Each camera arm 16a, 16b includes a base that is fixed to, for example, the cab 12. The pivot arm is supported by the base and can be articulated relative to it. At least one rear-facing camera 20a, 20b is disposed on or in the camera arm 16a, 16b, respectively. The camera 20a, 20b is fixed to the commercial vehicle 10 via the camera arm 16a, 16b. However, it should be understood that the camera 20a, 20b can be fixed to the commercial vehicle in other ways. The external cameras 20a, 20b provide an external field of view FOV, respectively. EX1 FOV EX2, each external field of view includes at least one of a type II field of view and a type IV field of view ( Figure 1B ), Class II and Class IV views are the legal views in the commercial trucking industry. If desired, multiple cameras may also be used in each camera arm 16a, 16b to provide these views. Each arm 16a, 16b may also provide a housing surrounding the electronics configured to provide the various features of the CMS 15.

[0035] A first video display 18 a and a second video display 18 b are disposed on each of the driver and passenger sides within the vehicle cab 12 on or near the A-pillars 19 a, 19 b to display a Class II view and a Class IV view on their respective sides of the commercial vehicle 10 that provide rearward-facing side views along the commercial vehicle 10 captured by the exterior cameras 20 a, 20 b.

[0036] If video of Class V and Class VI views is also desired, the camera housing 16c and camera 20c may be positioned at or near the front of the commercial vehicle 10 to provide those views ( Figure 1B A third display 18 c disposed within the cab 12 near the top center of the windshield may be used to display Class V and Class VI views toward the front of the commercial vehicle 10 to the driver in the driver's seat 26 .

[0037] If video of a Class VIII view is desired, camera housings may be provided on the sides and rear of the commercial vehicle 10 to provide a field of view that includes some or all of the Class VIII area of ​​the commercial vehicle 10. In such an example, the third display 18c may include one or more frames that display a Class VIII view. Alternatively, additional displays may be added adjacent to the first, second, and third displays 18a, 18b, 18c and provide displays dedicated to providing a Class VIII view. The displays 18a, 18b, 18c face the driver area 24 within the cab 22 where the driver sits on the driver's seat 26.

[0038] The CMS includes a CMS controller 23 including a processor and a memory storing instructions for configuring the CMS controller 23, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0039] Figure 2B An example CMS display 18A is illustrated, which includes a first display area 30A providing a Class II field of view and a second display area 30B providing a Class IV field of view. The display areas 30A-B are adjacent to each other. The CMS display 18A may also include a sound generating device 32, such as a speaker or buzzer. Although in Figure 2BOnly the CMS display 18A is shown in FIG. 1 , but it should be understood that the CMS display 18B can be similarly configured to also include two display areas, and in at least one example also include a sound device 32. An example warning 34 ("Warning: Blind Turn Ahead") is provided on the first display area 30A.

[0040] In the same or further embodiments, CMS display 18B may also include various telltales 33A-33D that may be used as follows:

[0041] - a left turn indicator 33A for warning of a sharp right turn or a blind right turn;

[0042] - Right turn indicator 33B for warning of sharp left turns or blind left turns;

[0043] - a downhill indicator 33B for warning of steep downhill incline angles; and

[0044] - Uphill indicator 33B for warning of steep uphill inclination angles.

[0045] Figure 3 An example planned route 40 for a commercial vehicle is illustrated having a start point 42 and an end point 44. The planned route 40 includes a plurality of hazardous locations 46A-46C that each represent a hazardous road segment that satisfies one or more hazardous driving condition criteria. Figure 3 In the example of , position 46a is a blind turn, position 46B corresponds to a road segment with visibility below a predetermined visibility threshold (i.e., visibility based on weather). Position 46C corresponds to a road segment with a turn angle exceeding a predetermined turn angle threshold, and position 46D corresponds to a road segment with a tilt angle exceeding a predetermined tilt angle threshold for uphill and / or downhill driving. In one example, different tilt angle thresholds are used for uphill driving and downhill driving. It should be understood that these are merely example hazardous locations and example hazardous driving condition criteria, and other locations and hazardous driving condition criteria may be used.

[0046] Figure 4 A more detailed illustration Figure 1A-1BCMS controller 23. As shown, the CMS controller 23 includes a processing circuit 50 operably connected to a memory 52 and a communication interface 54. The processing circuit 50 may include, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The memory 52 may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and / or non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). In addition, the memory 52 may contain electronic, magnetic, optical and / or other types of storage media. The memory 52 may also have a distributed architecture in which various components are remote from each other but can be accessed by the processor 50. In one or more embodiments, the memory 52 stores one or more of the following: route information 64, trailer data 65, and driver history data 66 of the commercial vehicle 10.

[0047] The route information 64 describes the planned and / or current route of the commercial vehicle 10 and includes the current location of the commercial vehicle 10. The trailer data 65 describes the trailer 14 itself (e.g., the number of trailers when there may be multiple trailers connected to the cab 12, the trailer height, the trailer length, the number of wheels), how the trailer 14 interacts with the commercial vehicle 10 (e.g., the "kingpin" position referring to the pivot point between the cab 12 and the trailer 14), and / or describes the load in the trailer 14 (e.g., the load weight, the trailer length, the number of wheels). For example, the trailer data 65 can be input by the driver (e.g., via the communication interface 54), can be downloaded from a fleet manager, or some combination of the two.

[0048] The driver history data 66 describes the driver's driving habits (such as whether the driver frequently exceeds the speed limit, ignores road signs, uses a mobile phone while driving, accelerates and / or decelerates quickly, performs a statistically large amount of hard braking, etc.), and / or describes the driver's experience level.

[0049] Despite Figure 4 Although not explicitly labeled herein, it should be understood that the memory 52 may also store the various thresholds discussed herein (eg, predefined bank angle thresholds, predefined turning angle thresholds, predefined visibility thresholds, and / or non-zero vehicle speed thresholds).

[0050] The communication interface 54 is configured to facilitate communication between the CMS controller 23 and other computing devices (such as a server 68), and may also connect to other data sources in the commercial vehicle 10 via a vehicle communication bus 56 (e.g., a controller area network "CAN" bus). The communication interface 54 may also include a human machine interface (HMI) (such as a touch screen) and / or one or more user input elements (such as buttons, etc.) for receiving input (e.g., trailer data 65) from a user (e.g., a driver or fleet manager). In one or more embodiments, the CMS controller 23 is configured to determine the vehicle speed 58, vehicle position 60, and steering wheel angle 62 of the commercial vehicle 10 from the vehicle communication bus 56. However, it should be understood that this is a non-limiting example, and the CMS controller may obtain such information itself (e.g., determine the vehicle position 60 from its own local global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and / or determine the steering wheel angle 62 from analyzing images recorded by the CMS camera 20).

[0051] The CMS controller 23 provides route information 64 of the commercial vehicle 10 to a server 68 and in return receives hazardous location data 67 including a list of one or more hazardous locations each representing a corresponding road segment on the planned route 40 that satisfies one or more hazardous driving condition criteria.

[0052] The route information 64 may describe a defined planned route including a start point 42 and an end point 44 that is known to the CMS controller 23, or may be a route that the CMS controller 23 can determine the commercial vehicle 10 is traveling (e.g., the current highway that the CMS controller 23 is traveling on without the CMS controller 23 necessarily being aware of the larger planned route).

[0053] The server 68 includes a processing circuit 70 operably connected to a memory 72 and a communication interface 74. Here, the processing circuit 70 may also include, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The memory 72 may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.) and / or non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). In addition, the memory 72 may contain electronic, magnetic, optical and / or other types of storage media. The memory 72 may also have a distributed architecture in which various components are remote from each other but can be accessed by the processor 50.

[0054] The CMS controller 23 and server 68 are configured to communicate with each other using their respective communication interfaces 54 , 74 (eg, using one or more defined wireless communication protocols).

[0055] For each hazardous location described in the hazardous location data list 67, and based on the commercial vehicle 10 approaching the hazardous location 46 and being within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location 46 (i.e., approaching the hazardous location 46 and being within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location 46), the processing circuitry 50 of the CMS controller 23 is configured to provide a warning to the driver regarding the hazardous location 46. In one or more embodiments, the warning is displayed on one or both of the CMS displays 18A-18B and / or is provided as an audible notification (e.g., as a vibration, beep, recorded sound, or verbal warning).

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the CMS controller 23 is configured to provide the driver with one or more available routes and hazardous location data for the trip (e.g., listed individually or summarized) to enable the driver to select which route to utilize. Although a first route may be more hazardous than a second route, the driver may still want to utilize the first route because it is faster and / or because the driver has driven the first route many times and knows how to navigate it safely.

[0057] In addition to basing warnings on hazardous location data 67, the CMS controller 23 may also determine whether to provide a warning, and may base the warning itself on a number of factors, including any one or combination of the following:

[0058] - trailer data 65 (which may describe the trailer 14 and / or the load in the trailer as described above);

[0059] - Driver History 66;

[0060] - a turning angle corresponding to the dangerous position data 67;

[0061] - environmental conditions along the planned and / or current route of the commercial vehicle 10 (e.g., the presence of precipitation such as rain or snow; visibility due to precipitation or fog; time of day and / or amount of available daylight);

[0062] - the time of day that the driver is traveling the planned or current route of the commercial vehicle 10; and

[0063] - Vehicle dynamics (e.g., vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle steering wheel angle).

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the CMS controller utilizes corresponding non-zero vehicle speed thresholds for some or all driving hazards. Some examples may include one or more of the following:

[0065] - a first speed threshold for blind turns (i.e., a blind turn warning is provided only if the blind turn dangerous driving criterion is met and the vehicle is approaching the blind corner at a speed exceeding the first speed threshold);

[0066] - a second speed threshold for a sharp turn exceeding a predetermined turning angle threshold (i.e. a sharp turn warning is provided only if the sharp turn dangerous driving criterion is met and the vehicle is approaching a sharp turn corner at a speed exceeding the second speed threshold);

[0067] - a third speed threshold for the uphill driving warning (i.e., the uphill driving warning is provided only if the vehicle is driving on or approaching a road section having an inclination angle exceeding the uphill driving inclination angle threshold at a speed exceeding the third speed threshold);

[0068] - A fourth speed threshold for the downhill driving warning (ie, a downhill driving warning is provided only if the vehicle is travelling on or approaching a road section having a slope angle exceeding a downhill slope angle threshold at a speed exceeding the fourth speed threshold).

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the various speed thresholds have a range that depends on one or more of the above factors, ranging from a lower, more conservative speed threshold (e.g., for use during nighttime driving, driving with limited visibility, heavy vehicle loads and / or higher risk of rollover, multiple trailers, the presence of precipitation, etc.) to a higher, less conservative speed threshold (e.g., for use during daytime driving, driving with unrestricted visibility, lighter vehicle loads and / or lower risk of rollover, a single trailer, multiple trailers, etc.). For example, the factors (as well as the driver history 66) may be weighted according to fleet manager preferences.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, driver history 66 data is also considered when determining whether to provide a hazardous location warning. Some examples of driver history 66 data include:

[0071] - providing more warnings to drivers with limited experience and / or whose driving history 66 does not meet one or more safe driving criteria, and providing fewer warnings to drivers with extensive experience and / or whose driving history meets one or more safe driving criteria; and / or

[0072] -Adjusting speed thresholds so that lower, more conservative speed thresholds are used for drivers with limited experience and / or a less safe driving history, and higher, less conservative speed thresholds are used for drivers with greater experience and / or a safer driving history).

[0073] In one or more embodiments, some or all warnings are provided even if the commercial vehicle 10 is not approaching a hazardous location and is stationary (e.g., idling or parked). Some example warnings of this nature include any one or combination of the following:

[0074] - any warnings as described above (e.g. blind turns, sharp bends, etc.), assuming that the commercial vehicle will eventually approach the section of road to which those warnings apply; and / or

[0075] - A parking warning (eg a downhill parking warning or an uphill parking warning) if the vehicle is located on a road section with an inclination angle exceeding a predefined inclination angle parking threshold.

[0076] Figure 5 An example method 100 for providing a warning from a CMS 15 is illustrated. The method includes recording an image of the environment surrounding a commercial vehicle 10 from a CMS camera 20 having a rearward field of view (e.g., a Class II or Class IV field of view) (step 102). The CMS controller 23 displays the image to the driver on an electronic display 18 of the commercial vehicle 10 as a video feed that provides a first legal field of view (e.g., a Class II field of view) in a first display area (e.g., the first display area 30A) and a second legal field of view (e.g., a Class IV field of view) in a second display area adjacent to the first display area (e.g., the second display area 30B) (step 104).

[0077] The CMS controller 23 retrieves a list of one or more hazardous locations 46 along the current route or planned route 40 of the commercial vehicle 10 , wherein each hazardous location represents a hazardous road segment that satisfies one or more hazardous driving condition criteria (step 106 ).

[0078] The CMS controller 23 determines whether the commercial vehicle 108 is approaching one of the one or more hazardous locations 46 and is within a predetermined distance of one of the one or more hazardous locations 46 (step 108). If the commercial vehicle 108 is within the predetermined distance of one of the one or more hazardous locations 46 ("yes" of box 108), the CMS controller 23 provides a warning to the driver regarding the hazardous location 46 (step 110). If the commercial vehicle 10 is not within the predetermined distance of one of the one or more hazardous locations 46 ("no" of box 108), the warning of step 110 is not provided. Steps 104, 106, and 108 are performed by the CMS controller 23. In one or more embodiments, the determination of step 108 also includes the CMS controller 23 determining whether the commercial vehicle 10 is approaching a hazard and also basing the warning thereon (such as in the above example).

[0079] In one or more embodiments, the CMS controller 23 is configured to further base the provision of the warning in step 110 on one or more non-zero speed thresholds, as described above. The hazard(s) of some hazardous locations may only be considered a problem at certain vehicle speeds (e.g., limited visibility may be considered a non-problem if the vehicle is traveling below a vehicle speed threshold). By utilizing non-zero vehicle speed threshold(s), the CMS controller 23 may be configured to limit the circumstances in which a warning is provided.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the CMS controller 23 is configured to limit the operation of the commercial vehicle 10 when the commercial vehicle 10 is approaching the hazardous location 46 and is within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location 46, such as by imposing a maximum speed at which the commercial vehicle can travel and / or imposing a maximum steering angle that the commercial vehicle 10 can utilize.

[0081] In one or more embodiments, providing a warning (step 110) includes displaying a warning on the electronic display 18 (e.g., Figure 2B Alternatively, the displayed warning may include an indication of a risk level associated with the hazardous location (e.g., including a measure of the frequency of vehicle accidents occurring at the hazardous location). In one example, the warning is displayed as an indicator on the electronic display 18 and / or another vehicle display (e.g., an instrument cluster).

[0082] In one or more embodiments, providing the warning (step 110) includes emitting a sound from the sound emitting device 32 (eg, as a vibration if the device 32 is a vibrating device, or as a beep, recorded sound, or verbal warning).

[0083] In one or more embodiments, providing the warning (step 110 ) includes sending the warning to a vehicle speaker separate from the CMS 15 .

[0084] In one example, the warning includes specific driving advice (eg, not to drive above a specific vehicle speed that is considered acceptable at the hazardous location 46 ).

[0085] The CMS controller 23 may be configured to operate in static and / or dynamic modes. In static mode, a predetermined vehicle path 40 having a start point 42 and an end point 44 is known, and the CMS controller 23 downloads hazard location data for the entire vehicle path 40 before and / or during the start of the route. In dynamic mode, the CMS controller 23 is configured to send route information 64 to a server 68 and to communicate with the server 68 as described above. Figure 3 Hazardous location data 67 is received at predetermined time intervals represented by tick marks 48 as shown.

[0086] The features and techniques discussed herein provide for warning drivers about upcoming hazardous locations, and do so using CMS hardware that may include limited computing resources. The solution is scalable for fleets utilizing CMS, providing improved fleet safety and safe load delivery. Moreover, because CMS systems are generally well suited for retrofitting, inclusion in CMS provides a convenient way to add hazardous location warning features to existing commercial vehicles.

[0087] Although example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. A camera monitoring system (CMS) for a commercial vehicle, comprising: a vehicle camera configured to record images of the commercial vehicle's surroundings; An electronic display, comprising: a first display area and a second display area adjacent to the first display area; and A CMS controller, wherein the CMS controller is configured to: displaying the image to a driver of the commercial vehicle on the electronic display as a video feed providing a first legal field of view in the first display area and a second legal field of view in the second display area; obtaining a list of one or more hazardous locations along a current or planned route of the commercial vehicle, each hazardous location representing a hazardous road segment that satisfies one or more hazardous driving condition criteria; and For each hazardous location in the list, a warning is provided to the driver regarding the hazardous location based on the commercial vehicle being within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location. 2 . The CMS of claim 1 , wherein the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning to the driver further based on the driver's driving history. 3 . The CMS of claim 1 , wherein the CMS controller is configured to display the warning on the electronic display. 4 . The CMS of claim 3 , wherein the CMS controller is configured to display the warning as an indicator on the electronic display.

5. The CMS of claim 3, wherein the risk level is indicated by displaying a metric on the electronic display, the metric indicating a frequency with which vehicle accidents occur at the hazardous location. 6 . The CMS of claim 1 , wherein the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by vibrating or emitting a sound from the electronic display. 7 . The CMS of claim 1 , wherein the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by transmitting the warning to a vehicle speaker separate from the CMS.

8. The CMS of claim 1, wherein the hazardous location comprises a blind turn, the hazardous location has a visibility below a predetermined visibility threshold, the hazardous location corresponds to a road section having an inclination angle exceeding a predetermined inclination angle threshold, or the hazardous location corresponds to a road section having a turning angle exceeding a predetermined turning angle threshold.

9. The CMS of claim 1, wherein the CMS controller is further configured to restrict operation of the commercial vehicle when the commercial vehicle is approaching the hazardous location and is within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location.

10. The CMS of claim 9, wherein to restrict the operation of the commercial vehicle, the CMS controller is configured to implement at least one of the following: The maximum speed at which the commercial vehicle is capable of travelling; and The maximum steering angle that the commercial vehicle can utilise.

11. A method for a commercial vehicle comprising: Recording images of the commercial vehicle's surroundings from a camera monitoring system (CMS) camera with a rear field of view; displaying the image to a driver on an electronic display of the commercial vehicle as a video feed that provides a first legal field of view in a first display area of ​​the electronic display and a second legal field of view in a second display area of ​​the electronic display adjacent to the first display area; obtaining a list of one or more hazardous locations along a current or planned route of the commercial vehicle, each hazardous location representing a hazardous road segment that satisfies one or more hazardous driving condition criteria; as well as for each hazardous location in the list, providing a warning to the driver regarding the hazardous location based on the commercial vehicle being within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location; The displaying, acquiring and providing are performed by the CMS controller. 12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning to the driver further based on the driver's driving history.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein providing the warning comprises: The warning is displayed on the electronic display.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein displaying the warning on the electronic display comprises: The warning is displayed as an indicator on the electronic display.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the indicating the risk level comprises: A metric is indicated, the metric being indicative of a frequency with which vehicle accidents occur at the hazardous location.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by vibrating or emitting a sound from the electronic display.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the CMS controller is configured to provide the warning by transmitting the warning to a vehicle speaker separate from the CMS.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the hazardous location comprises a blind turn, the hazardous location has a visibility below a predetermined visibility threshold, the hazardous location corresponds to a road section having an inclination angle exceeding a predetermined inclination angle threshold, or the hazardous location corresponds to a road section having a turning angle exceeding a predetermined turning angle threshold.

19. The method of claim 11, comprising limiting operation of the commercial vehicle when the commercial vehicle is approaching the hazardous location and is within a predetermined distance of the hazardous location.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein limiting the operation of the commercial vehicle comprises implementing at least one of: The maximum speed at which the commercial vehicle is capable of travelling; and The maximum steering angle that the commercial vehicle can utilise.

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