FIELD

This arrangement relates to a system and method for providing rearward images for viewing by a driver of a vehicle utilizing electronic image displays instead of sideview mirrors and a rearview mirror. Further features include changing the electronic image in response to movement of a head of a driver, and augmenting images to increase visibility of difficult objects to detect visually.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is directed to rearward viewing system for a driver of a vehicle. The rearward viewing system comprises a left side video camera for obtaining left side video images taken rearwardly and outwardly from a left side of the vehicle, a left side electronic image display disposed near a front left side window for displaying portions of the left side video images received from the left side video camera, a right side video camera for obtaining right side video images taken rearwardly and outwardly from a right side of the vehicle, a right side electronic image display disposed near a front right side window for displaying portions of the right side video images received from the right side video camera, a vehicle interior driver monitoring camera for sensing an upper body position of a driver, and an electronic processor and a memory. The electronic processor is configured to: receive an upper body position of a driver from the vehicle interior driver monitoring camera; from an upper body position, determine portions of the left side video images to display on the left side electronic image display, and to determine portions of the right side video images to display on the right side electronic image display; determine movements of an upper body position of a driver from the vehicle interior driver monitoring camera; and adjust a field of view of the left side video images that are displayed on the left side electronic image display by changing portions of the left side video images that are provided to the left side electronic image display in response to the movements of an upper body position of a driver.

Another embodiment is a method for providing rearward viewing to a driver of a vehicle including an electronic processor. The method includes: obtaining rearward video images with a rearwardly oriented video camera; receiving the rearward video images at the electronic processor; determining an upper body position of a driver with a vehicle interior driver monitoring camera; receiving an upper body position at the electronic processor; from an upper body position of a driver, the electronic processor determining a portion of the rearward video images for display on a rearview electronic image display disposed at an upward, front central location in an interior of the vehicle; determining movements of an upper body position of a driver; and adjusting a field of view of the rearward video images displayed on the rearview electronic image display based on the movements of an upper body position of a driver by changing the portion of the rearward video images provided to the rearview electronic image display.

Another embodiment is directed to a method for providing rearward and outward viewing to a driver of a vehicle including an electronic processor. The method includes obtaining side video images rearwardly and outwardly from a side of a vehicle with a side video camera; determining an upper body position of a driver with a vehicle interior driver monitoring camera; from an upper body position of a driver, determining a portion of the side video images for display on a side electronic image display; displaying portions of the side video images on the side electronic image display disposed near a front side window of the vehicle; determining movements of an upper body position of a driver; and adjusting the field of view by changing the portions of the side video images displayed on the side electronic image display based on the movements of an upper body position of a driver by changing the portions of the side video images provided to the side electronic image display.

Other aspects, features, and embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

