Vehicle driver information method
A driver information method is provided, wherein an image of the surrounding area is captured by at least one side camera attached to the motor vehicle. The image contains an image capturing area that lies essentially laterally relative to the motor vehicle. A display unit, which is visible to the driver of a motor vehicle, outputs a screen image that contains a reproduction of the image of the surrounding area, the reproduction being graphically processed, if desired, and being preferably in essence photo-realistic. The output of the screen image is only temporary; and an obstructed view situation, in which an obstructed lateral view of the driver is to be assumed, is detected on the basis of distance signals of at least one environment detection system that is not based on a camera. The output of the screen image is automatically started when an obstructed view situation is detected.
1. A method of providing information to a driver of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle being equipped with at least one side camera attached to a first side of the motor vehicle for capturing an image of an image capturing area lying laterally to said first side of the motor vehicle, and a display unit visible to the driver on which a screen image is output that is a reproduction of the image of the image capturing area, the method comprising the acts of:
detecting that an obstacle is present laterally to said first side of the motor vehicle, wherein said detecting is based on distance signals of at least one environment detection system, the environment detection system not being a camera-based system;
determining from the obstacle's detected presence that the obstacle is causing an obstructed lateral view situation in which a lateral view of the driver to said first side of the motor vehicle is obstructed; and
in response to determining the obstructed lateral view situation, starting automatically an output of the screen image upon detecting the obstructed lateral view situation such that the output of the screen image is only temporary, wherein the screen image is a reproduction of the image capturing area provided by the at least one side camera attached to the first side of the motor vehicle.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the act of:
only temporarily capturing the image of the image capturing area; and
upon detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation, starting the temporary capturing of the image of the image capturing area.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of an image processing of the image of the image capturing area of at least one side camera.
4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of an image processing of the image of the image capturing area of at least one side camera.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the image processing of the image uses a motion-stereo vision method of image processing.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of a determination of a driving speed of the motor vehicle.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of a determination of steering angle of the motor vehicle.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of a determination of steering angle of the motor vehicle.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of a determination of a gear selection of the motor vehicle.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of a determination of a gear selection of the motor vehicle.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of a determination of a geographical position of the motor vehicle.
12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based additionally on a result of a determination of a geographical position of the motor vehicle.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one environment detection system that is not a camera-based system comprises an ultrasonic-based parking assistance system.
14. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one environment detection system that is not a camera-based system comprises an ultrasonic-based parking assistance system.
15. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the acts of:
detecting obstacles in a surrounding area of the motor vehicle and classifying said obstacles via the environment detection system that is not a camera-based system; and
wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based on a result of a determination of a presence of at least one obstacle of a certain class and its position relative to the motor vehicle.
16. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising the acts of:
detecting obstacles in a surrounding area of the motor vehicle and classifying said obstacles via the environment detection system that is not a camera-based system; and
wherein the detecting of the obstructed lateral view situation is based on a result of a determination of a presence of at least one obstacle of a certain class and its position relative to the motor vehicle.
17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the reproduction is essentially photo-realistic.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the reproduction is graphically processed and is essentially photo-realistic.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image capturing area extends in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the motor vehicle.