Device for improving view in a vehicle
View Patent ↗A device for improving the view in a motor vehicle. It includes with a radiation source for illumination of the vehicle environment with infrared radiation, an infrared sensitive camera for detecting at least a part of the illuminated vehicle environment and a display for presenting the image information detected by the camera. In accordance with the invention, the camera is provided with an IR-filter which exhibits areas of differing transmission characteristics. The IR-filter thereby exhibits at least one area with a degree of transmission of approximately 70% for visible light or parts thereof and preferably at least a second area with a degree of transmission of approximately or less than 10 −5 for visible light. By this design of the device for improving the view in a motor vehicle it is made possible to provide a reliable detection if the vehicle environment and thereby to more reliably map out the road traffic.
1. A device for improving the view in a motor vehicle, comprising
a radiation source for illumination of the vehicle environment with infrared radiation,
an infrared sensitive camera for detecting at least a part of the illuminated vehicle environment,
an IR-filter associated with the camera and disposed in front of the camera, and
a display for representing the image information acquired by the camera,
wherein different areas of the IR-filter area exhibit different transmission characteristics, and wherein at least one area of the IR-filter is almost transparent for visible light or a part thereof.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one area has a degree of transmission of approximately 10 −3 or greater for visible light or pans thereof.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one area is located at the edge area of the IR-filter.
4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one area is provided in the central area of the IR-filter.
5. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one area of the IR-filter comprises less than 25% of the surface of the IR-filter.
6. The device according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one area of die IR-filter is in the shape of a circle, a star, a quadrilateral, a circle segment, a section of a circle or a ring.
7. The device according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one area of the IR-filter is formed by one of; a hole in the IR-filter, a clear area in the coating of the IR-filter, and an open area in the coating of the IR-filter.
8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the IR-filter exhibits at least a second area with a degree of transmissivity of approximately 10 −5 or less for visible light.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said IR-filter is transmissive for infrared radiation emitted by said radiation source.