GB2161668A - Apparatus for monitoring field of view from a road vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring the field of view observed from the interior of a road vehicle comprises a base structure 1a for support by a front seat within the vehicle, a pair of video cameras (36a) 36b carried by the base structure, and a V.D.U. (not shown) for monitoring the field of view observed by the video cameras. The video cameras may be placed side by side, in a binocular-like manner or, alternatively, one above the other so as to monitor different fields of view. When placed side by side, the video cameras are movable in a substantially horizontal plane, so as to simulate eye movement of the occupant of the front seat of the vehicle, and the direction of view may be measured on a protractor 41 imaged by one or other camera via beam splitter 44. The ion displays the image from a selected camera. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to Field of View Monitoring Apparatus Background to the Invention This invention relates to field of view monitoring apparatus and is concerned with apparatus for monitoring the field of view observed from the interior of a road vehicle.

As used herein, the term "road vehicle" applies to vehicles such as trucks, as well as to cars.

Summary of the invention According to the invention, apparatus for monitoring the field of view observed from the interior of a road vehicle, comprises a base structure for support by a front seat within the vehicle, a pair of camera devices carried by the base structure, and means for monitoring the field of view observed by the camera devices.

The camera devices, which preferably comprise video camera units, may be placed side by side, or, alternatively, one above the other, so as to monitor different fields of view.

When placed side by side, the camera devices may be movable in a substantially horizontal plane, so as to simulate eye movement of the occupant of the seat.

When video camera units are employed, a V.D.U.

(Visual Display Unit) is also used, so as to provide instantaneous monitoring of the field of view.

The invention also comprises every novel subject matter or combination including subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the succeeding claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure lisa side view, in perspective, of a 3dimensional "H-Point" machine, Figure 2 is a side view, in section, of a base structure forming part of the present invention, Figure 3 is a front view of part of the base structure, Figures 4,5 and 6 are plan, side and rear views respectively, of a "binocular"-like camera unit, Figure 5 being partly in section, and Figures 7, 8 and 9 are, respectively, plan, side and rear views of a "superimposed" camera unit, Figure 8 being partly in section.

In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like components and features.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention complies with the requirements of the Council of the European Communities Directive of 27th September 1977, which is concerned with the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the field of vision of motor vehicle drivers (hereafter the EEC Directive). For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the EEC Directive.

With reference now to Figure 1, a 3-dimensional "H-Point" machine or manikin 1 is shown placed in the driver's seat 2 of a right-hand drive motor car 3.

The manikin 1, which is of the type designed and manufactured by Motor Manikin Limited of Totton, Southampton, U.K., represents the weight and contour of a 10th, 50th and 95th persentilemale and is used to define vehicle seating accommodation.

The manikin 1 is constructed of reinforced plastics material and metal and comprises a back pan 4 and seat pan 5, mechanically hinged at the hip of "H" point 6, which simulates the actual pivot point centre of the human torso and thigh. A slidable probe 7 extends upwardly from the "H" point 6 to measure the effective headroom. The probe 7 is carried by a hinge bracket 10. Weights 8, 9 are used to bring the weight of the manikin 1 to the required level. Weights 8 are carried by a weight hanger 11.

Pivotal leg segments 12 are provided, mounted on a thigh bar 13.

With reference now to Figures 2 and 3, a modified manikin (1a) is used to provide a base structure in accordance with the present invention.

The base structure comprises the same back and seat portions, i.e. pans 4 and 5, plus other existing components, but the support pillar used to carry the measuring probe (7) has been replaced by a support pillar 20. The pillar 20 provides a neck attachment which is used to facilitate the mounting thereon of separate head units, as described below.

The pillar 20 is mounted on the existing hinge bracket 10 and extends upwardly therefrom, being supported by a pair of arms 21, the ends of which are pivotally connected to the weight hanger 11 and a clamp 22. The clamp 22 is slidably mounted on the pillar 20 and provides for adjustment of the pillar 20 to and from the vertical. Pins 23 connect the arms 21 to the clamp 22.

The pillar 20 comprises inter-connected upper and lower portions 20a, 20b demountably attached to each other by a coupling nut 24. The nut 24 has a knurled outer surface, to assist dismantling of the pillar 20, at the neck portion thereof.

The pillar 20 is hollow, the bore of the pillar telescopically locating a measuring probe 25 with markings 26 engraved thereon. A locking screw 27 is provided to secure the probe 25 in any desired position. Reference numerals 28, 29,30 represent the "V1 Point", "P1 and P2 Points" and "V2 Points" respectively.

The "V Points" are the points whose position in the passenger compartment is determined as a function of vertical longitudinal planes passing through the centres of the outmost designated positions on the front seat, and are used for verifying compliance with the field of vision requirements.

The "P Points" are the points about which the driver's head rotates when he views objects on a horizontal plane at eye level.

Reference should be made to the EEC Directive for a fuller understanding of the meaning of "V and P Points", as well as the "H Point" referred to above.

When the structure la has been set up to determine the "V and P Points", the nut 24 is used to release upper portion 20a of the pillar 20.

With reference now to Figures 4, and 6, pillar portion 20a is now replaced by a pillar portion 20c, and secured in place by the nut 24.

The pillar 20c, 20h is now used to support a camera unit 35 comprising a pair of T.V. video camera devices 36a, 36b mounted on a platform 37.

The camera devices 36a, 36b are placed side by side, in a binocular-like manner, with the central axes of their lenses disposed in a substantially vertical plane coinciding with the "P1 and P2 Points" 29.

(See also Figure 2).

A V.D.U. (Visual Display Unit), i.e. a television monitor set, is provided, (but not shown), whereby the field of view observed by the video camera devices 36a, 36b may be monitored. The V.D.U. is provided with a changeover switch whereby either of the views provided by camera devices 36a, 36b can be made to appear on the screen of the V.D.U.

The arrangement illustrated is in a left-hand mode. It will be appreciated however that it can readily be adapted to suit a right-hand drive car.

The platform 37, which can swivel about a substantially vertical axis 40, relative to the pillar portion 20c, also supports a pair of protractors 41, 42 which carry markings indicative of angles. Axis 40 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the pillar 20c, 20b. The markings of the protractor 42 are used to set the angular position of the platform 37 and hence that of the camera devices 36a, 36b, so as to simulate neck movements whereby the camera devices rotate in a substantially horizontal plane, relative to the pillar 20c/20b. A releasable locking handle 43 is used to move the pair of camera devices 36a, 36b together in a parallelogram-like manner und to lock the camera devices in any desired position.

Protractor 41 is disposed beneath video camera unit 36b. A beam splitter device 44 is used to ensure that the camera unit 36b views the protractor 41 as well as the scene in front of the unit, so that an image of the markings of the protractor 41 appears on the screen of the V.D.U., superimposed on the "straight-ahead" view provided by the camera unit 36b. The protractor 41 and beam splitter device 44 providing this dual image are demountable, so as to be used in conjunction with camera unit 36a, if required, instead of with camera unit 36b.

The video camera devices 36a, 36b of Figures 4,5 and 6 are used to represent the "E Points", that is to say, the points representing the centres of the driver's eyes, whereby the extent to which the pillars 50 (Figure 1) flanking the vehicle's front windscreen and obscuring his field of vision can be accurately assessed. (See also the EEC Directive).

The video camera devices 36a, 36b are electronically connected to the V.D.U. by cables 51a, 51b. As seen in Figure 4, camera device 36a represents the right-hand eye of the driver and results in a corresponding image appearing on the screen of the V.D.U. Alternatively, by use of the change-over switch, the dual image provided by the camera unit 36b can be caused to appear on the V.D.U. screen. To obtain the other limit, the beam splitter device 44 is transferred to camera device 36a and the platform 37 swivelled in a clockwise direction, (as viewed in Figure 4), whereby the camera devices are caused to rotate about their "E Points".

In use, the V.D.U. may be placed in the roof or bonnet of the car, but preferably on a portable workbench, so that angular adjustment of the platform 37 may be performed by an operator placing an arm through an open window of the car.

The V.D.U. is provided with a video tape recorder interface so that a visual record can be obtained.

Alternatively, or in addition, "still" photographs may be taken of the V.D.U. read-out, for record purposes.

The screen of the V.D.U. is covered by a sheet of transparent material with cross-g ratule markings thereon. The sheet is carried by a mounting so that it is movable sideways, as well as up and down, relative to the V.D.U. screen.

(As an alternative, cross-gratule markings can be provided electronically, by means of an integrated circuit "chip" of appropriate design connected to the normal electronic circuitry of the V.D.U.).

The equipment is adjusted to make sure that the centres of the video camera units 36a, 36b are 627 mm from the "H" point. This is an established datum. The V.D.U. is then brought into use, together with a grid-marked board external the car, to make sure that the centres of the camera units are parallel with the ground on which the car rests and the cross-gratules referred to above are "zeroed".

Using the platform 37, the video camera units are turned through an angle of approximately 35 to view, on the right-hand side of the driver's seat, the door side of the adjacent pillar 50.

The change-over switch on the V.D.U. is then used to check the angle on the protractor 41 viewed by the beam splitter device 44. Assume the reading to be 30 . With the change-over switch reversed, the video camera units are then turned back slightly to view the windscreen side of the pillar 50. The switch is used again to getthe angle reading -- say 25".

The angle of obstruction created by the presence ofthewindscreen pillar is then readily obtained by subtracting one angle from the other: 30"-25" = 50.

The operations are then repeated to obtain the angle of obstruction created by the presence of the pillar 50 on the passenger's side of the driver.

The camera units may require to be re-focused each time a reading is taken.

Annex /Vof the EEC Directive relates to a method for determining the dimensional relationship between a vehicle's primary reference marks and a three-dimensional reference grid.

The following description shows how the present invention can meet the requirements of the said AnnexlV.

With reference now to Figures 7,8 and 9, pillar portion 20c is now replaced by a pillar portion 20d, secured in place by the nut 24.

The pillar 20d, 20h is now used to support a camera unit 65 comprising a pair of T.V. video camera devices 66a, 66b. Ths camera devices 66a, 66b are placed one above the other, (device 66a being uppermost), with the respective horizontal axes of their lenses coinciding with the "V1 and V2 Points", 28, 30. (See also Figure 2). The horizontal axes of the lenses are also disposed in a common vertical plane 67. (Figure 9).

The camera devices 66a, 66b are demountably mounted in a frame structure 68 which also supports a box-like structure 69 comprising three interconnected "see-through" templates of "Perspex" (Registered Trade Mark). Markings 70, (Figures 8 and 9), are engraved on the walls of the templates. The markings 70 represent windscreen datum points.

The camera unit 65 is rotatably mounted on a platform 75 supported by the pillar portion 20d. The video camera devices 66a, 66b are electronically connected to the above-mentioned V.D.U. As before, switch means (not shown) on the V.D.U.

control panel are provided whereby only one (at any time) of the camera devices 66a, 66b is used to provide an image on the screen of the V.D.U.

As before, the equipment is adjusted to make sure that the camera devices 66a, 66b are properly aligned, using a grid-marked board disposed external the car.

In use, video camera units 66a. 66b are used to monitor and thus evaluate obstructions in the 1800 forward direct field of vision of the driver. Camera unit 66a is used to define the upper limit of the field of vision, and camera unit 66b the lower limit thereof. The markings 70 are used to check the angular position of the camera unit 65.

The arrangement provides for adjustment of the position of the "V Points" (see above) relative to the "R Point". The "R Point" (see the EEC Directive) is the seating reference point which has coordinates determined in relation to the vehicle structure, and corresponds to the theoretical position of the point of torsolthighs rotation ("H Point") for the lowest and most rearward normal driving position.

The platform 75 is constructed, (using spigots and sockets to ensure accurate location), so that the camera unit 65 can occupy one of two positions, in order to achieve the 5 mm offset, (dimension "B"), referred to in Figure 1 of the aforesaid Annex IV of the EEC Directive.

As before, the camera devices may require to be re-focused each time a reading is obtained.

The arrangement illustrated by Figures 7, 8 and 9 is the mode adopted for a driver of a left-hand drive car. The arrangement is readily adaptable for use in a right-hand drive car.

The invention can be used to monitor areas covered (and speed of clearance achieved) by de mist equipment and/or to monitor the field of view provided by a rear-view mirror.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for monitoring the field of view observed from the interior of a road vehicle, comprising a base structure for support by a front seat within the vehicle, a pair of camera devices carried by the base structure, and means for monitoring the field of view observed by the camera devices.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the camera devices comprise video camera units.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the camera devices are placed side by side.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the camera devices are placed one above the other.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the camera devices are movable in a substantially horizontal plane.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the base structure comprises a back portion and a seat portion, and a pillar member for carrying the camera devices.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the pillar member comprises upper and lower portions demountably attached to each other.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5,6 or 7, provided with protractor means for setting the angular position of the camera devices.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, provided with beam splitter means whereby an image of the markings of said protractor means is obtainable by one of the camera devices.

10. The combination of apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 9 and a visual display unit for providing instantaneous monitoring of the field of view.

11. Apparatus for monitoring the field of view observed from the interior of a road vehicle, substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

12. Apparatus for monitoring the field of view observed from the interior of a road vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, modified substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 7,8 and 9 of said drawings.

13. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention set forth in any of the preceding claims.