Systems, methods, and apparatus for enhancing a camera field of view in a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9902340-B2
Application number	US-201113977508-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 29, 2011
Priority date	Dec 29, 2011
Publication date	Feb 27, 2018
Grant date	Feb 27, 2018

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for enhancing a field of view of a camera in a vehicle. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for executing computer executable instructions by one or more processors for enhancing a field of view associated with a camera in a vehicle. The method includes capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants in the vehicle; processing the image information; receiving trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle; configuring one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the received trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and adjusting the position of the one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information.

First claim

The claimed invention is:

1. A method comprising executing computer executable instructions by one or more processors for enhancing a camera field of view in a vehicle, the method further comprising:
capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants in the vehicle;
processing the image information;
receiving trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;
configuring first one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the first one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and
adjusting a position and a shape of the first one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information and a position of a second one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view; and
adjusting a focus associated with the camera based on the adjusted position and shape of the first one or more reflective surfaces.

2. A vehicle comprising:
at least one camera;
first one or more reflective surfaces, wherein the first one or more reflective surfaces are dynamically configurable;
second one or more reflective surfaces, wherein the second one or more reflective surfaces are dynamically configurable;
at least one memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions; and
one or more processors configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute computer executable instructions for:
capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;
processing the image information;
identifying trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;
configuring the first one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the first one or more reflective surfaces with respect to at least one camera field of view;
adjusting a position and a shape of the first one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information and a position of a second one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the at least one camera field of view; and
adjusting a focus associated with the camera based on the adjusted position and shape of the first one or more reflective surfaces.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the first one or more reflective surfaces comprise at least a portion of one or more of: a dome, cylinder, a multi-angular reflective array; or a complex shape.

4. An apparatus comprising:
at least one memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions; and
one or more processors configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute computer executable instructions for:
capturing image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants associated with a vehicle;
processing the image information;
identifying trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;
configuring first one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the first one or more reflective surfaces with respect to a field of view of a camera;
adjusting a position and a shape of the first one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information and a position of a second one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the field of view of the camera; and
adjusting a focus associated with the camera based on the adjusted position and shape of the first one or more reflective surfaces.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first one or more reflective surfaces comprise at least a portion of one or more of: a dome, cylinder, a multi-angular reflective array; or a complex shape.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
causing to capture image information from one or more objects or one or more occupants associated with a vehicle;
processing the image information;
identifying trigger information associated with one or more of the image information, the one or more objects, or the one or more occupants associated with the vehicle;
causing to configure first one or more reflective surfaces, based at least in part on the trigger information, wherein configuring comprises positioning the first one or more reflective surfaces with respect to a camera field of view; and
causing to adjust a position and a shape of the first one or more reflective surfaces based at least on the processing of the image information and a position of a second one or more reflective surfaces with respect to the camera field of view.

Assignees

• Graumann David L
• Montesinos Carlos R
• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Graumann David L
• Montesinos Carlos R

Classifications

• B60R2300/8006

  for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo · CPC title

• B60R2001/1253

  with cameras, video cameras or video screens · CPC title

• B60R1/025 Primary

  comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors · CPC title

• B60R2300/101

  using cameras with adjustable capturing direction · CPC title

• B60R11/04 Primary

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title