Abstract:
A display system and method for presenting scrolling text (24) on a display (22) is provided in a manner that generally minimizes driver distraction. The system includes a display (22) for displaying scrolling text (24). The system also includes a gaze monitor (40) having an imaging camera (30) oriented to capture images of a person (32), such as a vehicle driver, including at least portions of the driver's head (34), and determining a gaze vector g ‾ or head orientation vector. The system further includes a controller (50) for determining whether the driver (32) is expected to be viewing the display (22) based on the gaze vector g ‾ The controller (50) pauses the scrolling text (24) presented on the display (22) when the driver (32) is not viewing the display (22).
Abstract:
A lane change assist system (20) and method (80) are provided for assisting the driver of the vehicle in maneuvering a lane change. The system (20) includes a range sensor (24) mounted on a vehicle (10) for sensing range to an object (42) in a side detection zone (34) adjacent to one side of the vehicle (10). The system (20) also includes a controller (40) for determining when the side detection zone (34) is clear for the vehicle (10) to change lanes based on the sensed range signal. The controller (40) determines whether there is sufficient space to initial a lane change maneuver based on the sensed range signal and generates an output signal indicative thereof. An output is provided to warning lights (26, 28) indicative of the determined state for initiating the lane change maneuver.
Abstract:
A rear view mirror/video display (16) includes a one-way mirror (22) and a selectively activated video display (24) that is mounted immediately behind the one-way mirror (22) so that the driver is presented with a typical semi-obstructed rearward view when the video display (24) is deactivated, and an unobstructed rearward view of substantially the same size and aspect ratio when the video display (24) is activated. The video image is obtained from an imaging device (12) mounted to capture a rearward field-of-view that is unobstructed by vehicle body panels (26, 28, 30) but otherwise corresponds in content with that of the image reflected by the one-way mirror (22). Activation and deactivation of the video display (24) may be manual, but is preferably automatic based on vehicle operating conditions (36).
Abstract:
A display system (22) and method provides images viewable within an electrically controllable viewing window for controlled viewing by the driver (16) and passenger (18) in a vehicle (10). The display system (22) includes a display (34) for generating an image that is viewable within a viewing window (56, 56'), and a backlight (28) disposed behind the display (34) for generating light for illuminating the display (34). The display system (22) has a light control medium (30, 32) for controlling directivity of the light illuminated on the display (34). The display system (22) further has a control device (40, 42) for controlling the light control medium (30, 32) to change the viewing window (56, 56') to control images for viewing by the driver (16) to reduce distraction thereof.