Automatically activated blind spot camera system

摘要

A method is provided for automatically activating a car's side view camera during lane changes and displaying the camera feed on a dashboard mounted display, thereby eliminating blind spots and making the maneuver safer. The system can be configured to anticipate an upcoming lane change based on use of the turn signal alone, or the turn signal in combination with vehicle speed and/or determination of a second vehicle located in the primary car's blind spot. The display of the camera's data feed is terminated after completion of the lane change, where lane change completion is typically based on deactivation of the turn signal or the vehicle crossing over the lane markers.

主权项

1. A method of automatically activating a side view camera mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a first indicator, wherein said first indicator corresponds to an imminent lane change by the vehicle, and wherein said first indicator is received by a vehicle system controller; determining a vehicle speed; comparing said vehicle speed to a preset speed; displaying a data feed from the side view camera upon receipt of said first indicator by said vehicle system controller if said vehicle speed is greater than said preset speed, wherein said displaying step is performed automatically by said vehicle system controller, wherein said displaying step is not performed if said vehicle speed is less than said preset speed; completing said imminent lane change by the vehicle; receiving a second indicator, wherein said second indicator corresponds to said step of completing said imminent lane change, and wherein said second indicator is received by said vehicle system controller; and terminating said step of displaying said data feed from the side view camera, wherein said terminating step is performed after said second indicator is received by said vehicle system controller, and wherein said terminating step is performed automatically by said vehicle system controller.