MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A PASSING LANE CAMERA, METHOD AND PROGRAM BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a body; - a passenger compartment; - at least one camera (K) fixed to the body or passenger compartment; - at least one screen (E) connected to said camera (K), allowing the display of images captured by said camera (K), and / or at least one warning indicator connected to said camera (K), allowing the signaling of a vehicle detected in the image of said camera (K), characterized in that said camera (K) is oriented towards the front of the vehicle, so as to allow the capture of images of at least one lateral passing lane (D). The invention also relates to a method and a program based on such a vehicle. Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN OVERTAKING LANE CAMERA, METHOD AND PROGRAM BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to the field of driver assistance systems for motor vehicles, particularly in terms of visibility in overtaking situations while driving.

[0002] In this field, US patent 11975659B2 describes a system with a screen on each side of the dashboard combined with two external cameras in place of rearview mirrors to provide a camera-based rearview mirror function. This document therefore focuses on rear visibility of the user's vehicle, and not on front visibility in an overtaking lane.

[0003] Another solution is to use a camera in a high central position on the windshield of the user's motor vehicle, but visibility on an overtaking lane is not optimal.

[0004] An alternative solution involves using a technology called "LiDAR" for "Light Detection and Ranging," that is, a remote sensing technology using laser beams that makes it possible to measure the distance between a sensor (in the motor vehicle) and a target (surrounding vehicles). This solution is complex and requires time-consuming maintenance.

[0005] The most common solution, illustrated in the upper part of [Fig. 1], consists of moving into the overtaking lane to visually check whether an overtaking maneuver is possible. This can be dangerous if a vehicle V is approaching from the opposite direction in an overtaking lane D. The reference numeral ZA designates a blind spot in which vehicle V is located, and the reference numeral ZU designates the area visible to driver U.

[0006] The difficulty is greater or lesser depending on the position of the driver U. Indeed, a driver in a central position as in some vehicles will have to move significantly towards the overtaking lane; an English driver driving in France will have to move even more.

[0007] An objective of the present invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art, and in particular to propose a solution to improve, in a safe manner, the visibility of the driver in front of his motor vehicle on an overtaking lane.

[0008] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle in a frame of reference in space comprising a longitudinal axis along a direction of vehicle movement, a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral axes, the motor vehicle comprising: - a bodywork delimiting the exterior of the vehicle from the interior of the vehicle; - a passenger compartment located inside the bodywork, allowing for the accommodation of a driver; - at least one camera fixed to at least one lateral side of the bodywork or passenger compartment with reference to the lateral axis; - at least one screen connected to said camera, allowing the viewing of images captured by said camera, and / or at least one warning light connected to said camera, allowing the signaling of a vehicle detected in the image of said camera, characterized in that said camera is oriented towards the front of the vehicle with reference to the longitudinal axis, so as to allow the capture of images of at least one lateral overtaking lane with reference to the lateral axis.

[0009] Advantageously, the invention improves visibility because, since the camera is further from the vehicle's axis than the driver, its visibility potential on the oncoming lane is greater, and the need to move into the overtaking lane is reduced. Safety is consequently enhanced.

[0010] Moreover, the invention allows for better visibility potential than a central camera if the vehicle in front of the user obstructs the view.

[0011] Preferably, the motor vehicle further comprises at least one side mirror fixed to at least one lateral side of the bodywork with reference to the lateral axis, and said camera is fixed to said side mirror.

[0012] This allows said camera to be placed at the most lateral point of the vehicle for better visibility on the overtaking lane on the outside.

[0013] Preferably, the bodywork further comprises at least one side wing on at least one lateral side of the bodywork with reference to the lateral axis, and said camera is fixed to said side wing.

[0014] This allows said camera to be placed at the furthest point in front of the vehicle for better lateral visibility on the inside of the overtaking lane.

[0015] Preferably, the motor vehicle further comprises a windscreen fixed to a front and upper part of the bodywork with reference to the lateral axis and the vertical axis, and said camera is fixed to an upper part of the bodywork with reference to the vertical axis, above said windscreen, and preferably behind the windscreen with reference to the longitudinal axis.

[0016] This allows the camera to be positioned at the highest point of the vehicle for improved lateral visibility of the overtaking lane on the upper side. A camera behind the windshield protects the camera from the elements.

[0017] Preferably, the motor vehicle further comprises a windshield fixed to a front and upper part of the body with reference to the lateral axis and the vertical axis, and said camera is fixed below the windshield with reference to the vertical axis, and preferably behind the windshield with reference to the longitudinal axis.

[0018] This allows said camera to be placed close to the screen and / or the witness, and to shorten their connections in the case of wired connections, or to improve the efficiency of their connections in the case of non-wired connections.

[0019] Preferably, the motor vehicle further includes a means for sending an alert message connected to said camera or witness.

[0020] This allows the driver to be informed of a danger in case of overtaking.

[0021] The invention also relates to a detection kit for constructing a vehicle according to the invention, comprising: - at least one camera configured to be fixed to at least one side of the bodywork or passenger compartment; - at least one screen configured to be connected to said camera so as to view images captured by said camera, and / or at least one warning light connected to said camera, enabling the signaling of a vehicle detected in the image of said camera, characterized in that said camera is configured to be oriented towards the front of the vehicle so as to enable the capture of images of at least one lateral overtaking lane with reference to the lateral axis.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method of monitoring in a vehicle according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - a step of capturing images of at least one lateral overtaking lane with reference to the lateral axis using said camera: - a step of presenting images captured by said camera on said screen and / or a step of signaling a vehicle detected in the image of said camera by said warning light.

[0023] Preferably, the monitoring method further includes a step of issuing a dangerous exceedance alert message.

[0024] Another object of the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the monitoring method according to the invention, when said program is running on a computer.

[0025] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures, among which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a top view of a dangerous overtaking situation in the case of the prior art and in the case of the invention; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a top view of a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in an overtaking situation; and - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates four variant embodiments of motor vehicles according to the invention.

[0026] The invention provides a motor vehicle comprising a specific camera K illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The invention relates to the use of a camera K oriented towards the front of the vehicle and positioned as far as possible from the vehicle's axis to provide, via a screen E, a view of what is happening in the opposite lane (overtaking lane D in the figures). This allows the driver U to decide whether or not to overtake. The information can also be provided via a message or a warning signal in the event of a potentially dangerous overtaking maneuver.

[0027] The motor vehicle is described in the figures with reference to a frame of reference in space comprising a longitudinal axis X along a direction of movement of the vehicle, a lateral axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X; and a vertical axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and to the lateral axis Y.

[0028] A small camera K (which may be equivalent to the side rearview cameras) is placed or integrated on the exterior rearview mirror R, and directed forward.

[0029] The ZK area in [Fig.1] illustrates the area visible through the camera K, including the vehicle V of the blind area ZA of the prior art.

[0030] The image from this camera K is displayed on a screen E located inside the passenger compartment H, visible to the driver U, which may be positioned on the opposite side of the road for logical reasons and regulatory constraints in this example. This first embodiment is illustrated in variant VI of [Fig.3].

[0031] The camera K can also be located on the front side wing A (variant V2), integrated or not into the headlight L; at the top of the bay pillar M (variant V3), integrated or not behind the windscreen P; or at the bottom of the bay pillar M (variant V4), integrated or not behind the windscreen P.

[0032] The advantage of placing the camera K behind the windshield P is the possibility of being in the area swept by the windshield wipers, which allows the lens of the camera K to be cleaned.

[0033] In other cases, a small jet of cleaning liquid can conventionally perform this function.

[0034] The image display screen E can be located inside the passenger compartment H, at the bottom of the window pillar M or more centrally (variant V2) depending on the driver's position.

[0035] A potentially dangerous overshoot warning indicator T can supplement or replace the screen E.

[0036] A dangerous overtaking warning message may also appear on the screens normally present in the vehicle.

[0037] The K camera can be integrated originally on the vehicle, or fitted as an accessory after the sale (not integrated).

[0038] The screen E can be in a high position on the windscreen P, in a corner, or integrated into the roof.

[0039] The invention further relates to a method of monitoring in a motor vehicle as described above.

[0040] In this method, images of at least one lateral overtaking lane D are captured with reference to the lateral axis Y, by means of said camera K, and then these images are presented on said screen E and / or said warning light T is activated to signal a detected vehicle V in the image of said camera K.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle in a frame of reference in space comprising a longitudinal axis (X) along a direction of movement of the vehicle, a lateral axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X); and a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and to the lateral axis (Y), the motor vehicle comprising: - a body (C) delimiting the exterior of the vehicle from the interior of the vehicle; - a passenger compartment (H) arranged inside the body (C), allowing accommodation for a driver (U); - at least one camera (K) fixed to at least one lateral side of the body (C) or of the passenger compartment (H) with reference to the lateral axis (Y);- at least one screen (E) connected to said camera (K), allowing the viewing of images captured by said camera (K), and / or at least one warning indicator (T) connected to said camera (K), allowing the signaling of a vehicle detected (V) in the image of said camera (K), characterized in that said camera (K) is oriented towards the front of the vehicle with reference to the longitudinal axis (X), so as to allow the capture of images of at least one lateral overtaking lane (D) with reference to the lateral axis (Y).;

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising at least one side mirror (R) fixed to at least one lateral side of the body (C) with reference to the lateral axis (Y), characterized in that said camera (K) is fixed to said side mirror (R).

3. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the body (C) further comprises at least one side wing (A) to at least one side of the body (C) with reference to the side axis (Y), characterized in that said camera (K) is fixed to said side wing (A).

4. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a windshield (P) fixed to a front and upper part of the body (C) with reference to the lateral axis (Y) and the vertical axis (Z), characterized in that said camera (K) is fixed to a high part of the body (C) with reference to the vertical axis (Z), above the windshield (P), and preferably behind the windshield (P) with reference to the longitudinal axis (X).

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a windscreen (P) fixed to a front and upper part of the body (C) with reference to the lateral axis (Y) and the vertical axis (Z), characterized in that said camera (K) is fixed below the windscreen (P) with reference to the vertical axis (Z), and preferably behind the windscreen (P) with reference to the longitudinal axis (X).

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a means for emitting an alert message connected to said camera (K) or witness (T).

7. A detection kit for making a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: - at least one camera (K) configured to be fixed to at least one side of the body (C) or passenger compartment (H); - at least one display (E) configured to be connected to said camera (K) so as to view images captured by said camera, and / or at least one warning light (T) connected to said camera (K), enabling the signaling of a detected vehicle (V) in the image of said camera (K), characterized in that said camera (K) is configured to be oriented towards the front of the vehicle so as to enable the capture of images of at least one lateral overtaking lane (D) with reference to the lateral axis (Y).

8. A method of surveillance in a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - a step of capturing images of at least one lateral overtaking lane (D) with reference to the lateral axis (Y) by means of said camera (K): - a step of presenting images captured by said camera on said screen and / or a step of signaling a detected vehicle (V) in the image of said camera by said warning light (T).

9. A monitoring method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of emitting a dangerous overshoot warning message.

10. Computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of the monitoring process according to any one of claims 8 to 9, when said program is running on a computer.

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