U.S. patent application number 09/969592 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-10 for distance measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile reverse radar.
Invention is credited to Yang, Wu-Chung.
Application Number | 20030067383 09/969592 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25515711 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030067383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang, Wu-Chung |
April 10, 2003 |
DISTANCE MEASURING AND MONITORING DEVICE EQUIPPED AUTOMOBILE
REVERSE RADAR
Abstract
A distance measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile
reverse radar comprises: a photocoupler camera with a wide-angle
lens installed at an automobile rear end for taking pictures of
possible obstacles behind the automobile body; a distance measuring
inductor for calculation of lateral distance between two lateral
corners of the automobile body and an obstacle; and a power supply
for supplying power to the photocoupler camera, the distance
measuring inductor, and the display. The image of the obstacle is
mirror-image processed, then forwarded to an image synthesizer for
image synthesization, and transferred to a video processor and
shown in a display. A reverse gear signal is the effective signal
for triggering the power supply.
Inventors: |
Yang, Wu-Chung; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
25515711 |
Appl. No.: |
09/969592 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/435 ;
348/148 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 2013/9317 20130101;
G01S 15/87 20130101; G01S 15/86 20200101; G01S 15/931 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/435 ;
348/148 |
International
Class: |
G08G 001/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A distance measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile
reverse radar, comprising: a photocoupler camera disposed at an
automobile's rear end for taking pictures behind the automobile
with a wide-angle lens; a distance measuring inductor disposed at
the rear end between two lateral corners of the automobile body for
calculation of the lateral distance between an obstacle and those
lateral corners of the automobile body basing on the ultrasonic
principle; a video processor for treating pictures taken by the
photocoupler camera, forwarding the treated pictures to a video
synthesizer for synthesization, and transferring the same to an
internal display; a display disposed inside the automobile at a
proper position for showing the taken pictures and the distance
from the obstacle to those lateral corners of the automobile body;
and a power supply triggered by a gear signal for providing power
to the photocoupler camera, the distance measuring inductor, and
the display; whereby the detected distance between the obstacle and
the automobile body is processed and shown in digits in the display
to keep a user informed.
2. The automobile reverse radar according to claim 1, wherein when
the gear stick is shifted to the reverse gear, the power supply is
triggered to supply power to the video synthesizer, the
photocoupler camera and the distance measuring inductor via the
video synthesizer.
3. The automobile reverse radar according to claim 1, wherein the
photocoupler camera and the distance measuring inductor are
actuated to transmit the pictures taken and the distance data
measured to the video synthesizer for synthesization, then
forwarded to the display.
4. The automobile reverse radar according to claim 1, wherein the
distance measuring inductor generates a train of ultrasonic waves
at 40 KHz by taking advantage of an oscillation circuit for
calculating the distance by multiplying the time elapsed and the
speed of the ultrasonic waves.
5. The automobile reverse radar according to claim 1, wherein the
photocoupler camera is a wide-angle lens equipped camera.
6. The automobile reverse radar according to claim 1, wherein the
distance measuring inductor contains a warning device for sounding
in different rhythms according to the distance lengths.
7. The automobile reverse radar according to claim 1, wherein the
distance measuring inductor provides pictures and distance digits
depending on variation of the distance.
8. The automobile reverse radar according to claim 1, wherein the
treated pictures of the photocoupler camera is displayed in
non-inverse posture with the obstacle without mizzling a driver.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to an automobile reverse
radar, in particular, it relates to a distance measuring and
monitoring device equipped automobile reverse radar, which is
provided to measure the distance between an automobile body and an
obstacle by an ultrasonic measuring method and show them on a
display to facilitate a safe reversing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In driving reversely, through back mirrors, a driver is
still inevitably blinded in some dead angles that may occasionally
incur bumps or scrapes. Therefore, to drive in reverse for roadside
parking is considered a neither-too-big-nor-too-small challenge to
a veteran during rush hours, and it is particularly a big trouble
to a green-hand.
[0003] For improvement, a local patent No. 297374 (abbreviated as
"the cited" hereinafter) has disclosed that three monitors are
mounted on a car's lateral sides and rear side respectively to
eliminate any possible dead angle when reversing by selecting
different pictures in the monitors. However, the cited would
distract a driver by putting him busy in switching the monitors
back and forth, which doesn't help in reality but worsen the
situation according to the general opinion.
[0004] In view of abovesaid imperfection, after years of constant
efforts in research, the inventor of this invention has
consequently developed an improved mechanism to be described below
pertaining to the subject matter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The primary object of this invention is to provide a
distance measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile
reverse radar that unites the video synthesis technology and a
distance measuring inductor to enable a driver to see clearly the
circumstance behind an automobile body and thereby eliminate any
dead angle when viewing through the back mirrors on the one hand
and to see a digitized distance in a display to ensure a safe
reversing.
[0006] Another object of this invention is to provide a distance
measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile reverse radar,
which can express the distance between an obstacle and an
automobile body in sound as an auxiliary measure.
[0007] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
distance measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile
reverse radar, which can express non-inverse pictures of an
obstacle in a display without mizzling a driver. In order to
realize abovesaid objects, the distance measuring and monitoring
device equipped automobile reverse radar of this invention
comprises: a photocoupler camera with a wide-angle lens installed
at an automobile rear end for taking pictures of possible obstacles
behind the automobile body; a distance measuring inductor for
calculation of the lateral distance between two lateral corners of
the automobile body and an obstacle; and a power supply for
supplying power to the photocoupler camera, the distance measuring
inductor, and the display. The image of an obstacle is mirror-image
processed, then forwarded to an image synthesizer for image
synthesization, and transferred to a video processor and shown in
the display. A reverse gear signal is the effective signal for
triggering the power supply.
[0008] For more detailed information regarding advantages or
features of this invention, at least an example of preferred
embodiment will be elucidated below with reference to the annexed
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The related drawings in connection with the detailed
description of this invention to be made later are described
briefly as follows, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is the system block diagram of a distance measuring
and monitoring device equipped automobile reverse radar of this
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is the block diagram of a power supply of the
distance measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile
reverse radar of this invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is the circuitry block diagram of a video processor
of the distance measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile
reverse radar of this invention; and
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a distance measuring inductor of the distance
measuring and monitoring device equipped automobile reverse radar
of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] A distance measuring and monitoring device equipped
automobile reverse radar of this invention shown in FIG. 1 mainly
comprises a photocoupler camera 1, a distance measuring inductor 2,
a video processor 3, and a power supply 4.
[0015] The photocoupler camera 1 is provided for taking pictures of
possible obstacles behind a car's rear bumper and transmitting the
pictures to be shown in a display settled adjacent to the
dashboard.
[0016] The distance measuring inductor 2 is mounted on a car's rear
end adjacent to the rear bumper at two lateral positions
respectively for measuring distance between a possible obstacle and
both lateral ends of a car basing on the ultrasonic principle. The
measured results together with the taken video signals are shown in
a display 5 to keep the driver informed of the peripheral
situation.
[0017] The video processor 3 is implemented for mirror-image
processing the photographed pictures and the measured results, and
transmitting them to a video synthesizer, which then forwards the
synthesized pictures to the display 5.
[0018] The power supply 4 is actuated by a gear signal to provide
power to the photocoupler camera 1, the distance measuring inductor
2, and the display 5.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2--a block diagram of power supply of this
invention--when power is effected by a gear signal, power 41 is
provided to a video synthesizer 6, then to the photocoupler camera
1 and the distance measuring inductor 2 through respective power
cords 61, 62. After the photocoupler camera 1 and the distance
measuring inductor 2 have been actuated, the measured data and the
taken pictures will be transmitted to the video synthesizer 6
through a signal line 63, 64, then the synthesized data is
forwarded to the display 5 through a signal line 66.
[0020] That is, a driver is supposed to shift the gear to the
reverse, the power supply 4 is effected, meanwhile the display 5
shows the mirror-image processed obstacles and the data expressing
the distance between the automobile body and the obstacles measured
by an ultrasonic method.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 3--a circuitry block diagram of video
processor of this invention--the video processor includes three
portions, namely: a distance measuring induction circuit 21, a
video synthesizing circuit 65, and a photocoupler camera circuit
11. When power is supplied, the distance measuring induction
circuit 21, the video synthesizing circuit 65, and the photocoupler
camera circuit 11 would start detection, wherein the distance
measuring induction circuit 21 urges an inductor to produce a train
of waves at 40 KHz by taking advantage of an oscillation circuit to
further drive an ultrasonic wave inductor 211 to transmit an
ultrasonic signal (A) which is supposed to reflect as an ultrasonic
signal (B) toward the inductor 211 when hitting upon an obstacle.
At this moment, the inductor 211 starts to calculate for the
distance between the automobile body and an obstacle by multiplying
the transmission speed of ultrasonic wave in air by the time
elapsed since being transmitted. Meanwhile, a photograph device 111
of the photocoupler camera circuit 11 has obtained a synchronous
video signal too, so that the respective signals of the distance
measuring induction circuit 21 and the photocoupler camera circuit
11 are forwarded through signal lines 12, 22 to the video
synthesizing circuit 65 simultaneously for synthesization, then
transferred through the signal line 66 to the display 5.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4--a schematic view of distance measuring
inductor of this invention--an oscillation circuit is provided to
drive an ultrasonic wave inductor to produce ultrasonic waves at 40
KHz, and when the emitted ultrasonic waves hit upon an obstacle,
the ultrasonic waves will be reflected to the inductor, which would
start to calculate for the distance between the automobile body and
an obstacle by multiplying the transmission speed of ultrasonic
wave in air by the time elapsed since being transmitted. The
distance measuring inductor 2 is bisected and separately installed
at proper positions on back of the automobile body 8. When an
obstacle 7 is located at a position out of a predetermined alert
range, the display 5 shows the image of the obstacle 51 and the
distance in digits 52, which is variable from time to time
according to change of the distance. If the obstacle 7 at this time
is located within said alert range, the display 5 would trigger a
buzzer (not shown) to warn the driver in addition to display of
image and distance, and the buzz would become hasty accompanied
with a warning phrase as the distance is shortened to locate in the
scope of a "Stop range". Moreover, the photocoupler camera 1 of
this invention is equipped with a 150.degree. super wide-angle lens
to cover almost the entire visual field behind the automobile
body.
[0023] FIG. 4 also shows that the photocoupler camera 1 is
separately disposed at an automobile's rear end for taking pictures
of an obstacle 7 and the distance measuring inductor 2 is
separately arranged on two sides of the automobile body 8
respectively.
[0024] Suppose now the obstacle 7 is irregularly shaped and the
distance at the left and the right side between the obstacle 7 and
the automobile body 8 are, for example, 50 cm and 60 cm
respectively. The photocoupler camera 1 will take the pictures of
the obstacle 7 and have them processed and shown in the display 5
in non-inverse postures without mizzling a driver.
[0025] The distance measuring and monitoring device equipped
automobile reverse radar is merited as the following when compared
with the cited patent or other prior arts:
[0026] 1. This invention can digitize the distance between an
obstacle and the automobile body and show it specifically in a
display instead of a mere picture.
[0027] 2. This invention is capable of providing a wider visual
field so as to avoid any accident when reversing.
[0028] 3. To lessen bumping accident or traffic conflict is
possible.
[0029] In the above described, at least one preferred embodiment
has been described in detail with reference to the drawings
annexed, and it is apparent that numerous variations or
modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit
and scope thereof, as set forth in the claims below.
* * * * *