IP Library Granted Patent US 9,131,123
Granted Patent B2
US 9,131,123 · App. 13/635,834 · Granted Sep 8, 2015

Device for monitoring surroundings of vehicle and method for monitoring surroundings of vehicle

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,131,123
App. No.
13/635,834
Granted
Sep 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a method for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle, with which vehicle driving safely can be improved. The disclosed method for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle involves: a step (S 1100: YES; S 1400 ) of activating a notification section that gives off an alarm to the driver of the vehicle when the vehicle starts to move; and a step (S 1400 ) of displaying, on a screen inside the vehicle, a display item that accepts an operation for cancelling the alarm, as well as a image which is based on captured video-image data of the surroundings of the vehicle, when the vehicle starts to move.

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus for monitoring surrounds of a vehicle, comprising:

a report output section that activates a report section to issue an alert directed to a driver in the vehicle provided that the vehicle starts to move and regardless of detection of obstacles; and

a control section that causes a display item and images to be displayed together on a screen in the vehicle when the vehicle starts to move, the display item being displayed to receive a cancelling operation of the alert, the images being based on captured image data of the surrounds of the vehicle,

wherein the control section randomly determines a display position of the display item to receive the cancelling operation of the alert, and causes the display item to receive the cancelling operation of the alert to be displayed at a corresponding random position of the screen.

2. The apparatus for monitoring surrounds of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein:

the images are captured images of an area behind the vehicle, and

the report output section activates the report section when the vehicle starts to move backward.

3. The apparatus for monitoring surrounds of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the alert changes with an elapsed time after the vehicle started to move.

4. The apparatus for monitoring surrounds of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the alert includes output of sound, vibration, or light.

5. The apparatus for monitoring surrounds of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the alert includes stop of the vehicle.

6. A method of monitoring surrounds of a vehicle, comprising:

activating a report section to issue an alert directed to a driver in the vehicle provided that the vehicle starts to move and regardless of detection of obstacles; and

randomly determining a display position of a display item and causing the display item and images to be displayed together on a screen in the vehicle when the vehicle starts to move, the display item being displayed to receive a cancelling operation of the alert, the images being based on captured image data of the surrounds of the vehicle, and

wherein randomly determining the display position of the display item and causing the display item to be displayed to receive the cancelling operation of the alert includes causing the display item to be displayed at a corresponding random position of the screen.

7. The apparatus for monitoring surrounds of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the report output section activates the report section to issue the alert provided that the vehicle starts to move backward and regardless of detection of obstacles.

8. The method of monitoring surrounds of a vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the activating activates the report section to issue the alert provided that the vehicle starts to move backward and regardless of detection of obstacles.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2024
From: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 066703/0223 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2013
From: ICHIKAWA, TORU
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029661/0990 →