TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle camera system. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle camera system, a camera system for a vehicle, a method and a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Road vehicle drivers often encounter driving scenarios where their view is obstructed by, for example, neighbouring vehicles, hedges, etc. Camera systems have been employed to aid the driver. The systems consist of cameras that obtain images for presentation inside the vehicle when the driver expresses a wish to see those images by pressing a switch inside the vehicle. The cameras are positioned at the front end of the vehicle and directed outwards in left and right directions. Images obtained by the cameras are presented to the driver via a conventional screen in the dashboard when the driver presses the switch. The camera system is thus able to provide the driver with a view relatively forward of their eye position. The driver may use information provided by the camera system to aid them in obstructed situations. For example, the driver might press the switch to engage the camera system when exiting a car parking space where cars are parked beside the driver. The driver can then use the presented images to inform their decision of whether it is safe or not to begin to move out of the space before directly checking that it is safe to completely move out of the space. Similarly, the driver might press the switch to engage the camera system when encountering a road junction, for example a T-junction. The driver can use the presented images to inform their decision of whether it is safe or not to begin to move out of or onto the junction before directly checking that it is safe to proceed.

The requirement on the driver to engage the camera system by pressing a switch represents a burden to the driver, which sometimes leads to drivers forgetting to utilise the camera system or forgetting to turn the camera system off. Aspects of the invention seek to mitigate the burden on the driver.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle camera system comprising:

a camera arranged to capture image data from a field of view surrounding a host vehicle;

a display arranged to display the image data; and a processor arranged to:determine the presence of obstructions in the field of view; andcontrol the display to display the image data in dependence on the detection of obstructions in the field of view.

The system is particularly advantageous in that it automates the use of camera systems on the vehicle to enable the driver to see past obstructions in their view.

Optionally, the processor is arranged to:determine the speed of movement of the host vehicle; andcontrol the display to display the image data when the speed of the host vehicle is below a predetermined threshold.

The processor may be arranged to:determine the speed of movement of the host vehicle; andprevent the display of image data when the speed of the host vehicle is above a predetermined threshold.

In one embodiment, the processor is arranged to:determine the location of the host vehicle; andcontrol the display to display the image data when the host vehicle is at a predetermined location.

Alternatively, the processor is arranged to:determine the location of the host vehicle; andprevent the display of image data when the host vehicle is at a predetermined location.

Optionally, the processor is arranged to:determine the mode of the host vehicle; andcontrol the display to display the image data in dependence on the mode of the host vehicle.

In one embodiment, the processor determines the presence of obstructions in the field of view using an object detection algorithm wherein the field of view is referenced against a known reference and determination of the presence of obstructions in the field of view is made in dependence on differences found in the comparison.

The expected field of view may comprise a substantially empty three dimensional space having an expected depth.

In one embodiment, the camera is positionable at the front of the host vehicle and the field of view encompasses a view perpendicular to a forward facing of the host vehicle.

In another embodiment, the camera is positionable at the rear of the host vehicle and the field of view encompasses a view perpendicular to a rearward facing of the host vehicle.

Optionally, a further camera is arranged to capture further image data from a further field of view surrounding the host vehicle, wherein the display is arranged to display the further image data and the processor is arranged to:determine the presence of obstructions in the further field of view;control the display to display the further image data in dependence on the detection of obstructions in the field of view,

wherein the processor is arranged to:determine a direction heading of the host vehicle; andcontrol the display to display one of the image data or the further image data in dependence on the direction heading.

Optionally, the vehicle camera system comprises a wide angle lens wherein the field of view is equal to or greater than 180°.

In one embodiment, the vehicle camera system comprises an override switch operable to control the display to display or not display the image data.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for selectively displaying information to a driver of a host vehicle, the method comprising:capturing image data from a field of view surrounding the host vehicle;determining the presence of obstructions in the field of view; anddisplaying the image data in dependence on the detection of obstructions in the field of view.

The method may comprise:determining the speed of movement of the host vehicle; andcontrolling the display to display the image data when the speed of the host vehicle is below a predetermined threshold.

Optionally, the method comprises:determining the location of the host vehicle; andcontrolling the display to display the image data when the host vehicle is at a predetermined location.

Alternatively, the method comprises:determining the location of the host vehicle; andpreventing the display of image data when the host vehicle is at a predetermined location.

In another embodiment, the method comprises:determining the mode of the host vehicle; andcontrolling the display to display the image data in dependence on the mode of the host vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle camera system arranged to perform the method of the foregoing aspect.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a host vehicle comprising a vehicle camera system according to a foregoing aspect.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

