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(12) UK Patent Application (19) GB ,,,, 2 233 530,,,,A
`
`(43) Date of A publication 09.01.1991
`
`(21) Application No 9010783.0
`
`(22) Date of filing 14.05.1990
`
`(30) Priority data
`(31) 01125349
`
`(32) 17.05.1989
`
`(33) JP
`
`(71) Applicant
`Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
`
`(Incorporated in Japan)
`
`7-2 Nishishinjuku 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo,
`Japan
`
`(72) Inventor
`Masato Sakurai
`
`(74) Agent and/or Address for Service
`Batchellor Kirk & Eyles
`2 Pear Tree Court, Farringdon Road, London,
`EC1 R ODs, United Kingdom
`
`(51) INT CL5
`H04N 5158
`
`(52) UK CL (Edition K)
`H4F FAA FDlX FD24 FD27A2 FD27M FD30A3
`FD30C FD30D9 FD41F FD42V
`U1S S1820
`
`(56) Documents cited
`GB 1495773 A
`US 4355334 A
`
`EP 0285521 A1 WO 88104566 A1
`
`(58) Field of search
`UK CL (Edition K) H4F FAA FDX FGXX
`INT CLS H04N
`Online databases: WPI
`
`(54) System for controlling a video display system of a motor vehicle
`
`(57) The intensity of ambient light outside a motor vehicle is detected by an automatic iris system 1 a, of a television camert
`1 and produces output signals having different levels dependent on the detected intensity. Adjusting circuits 5,6 are
`provided for adjusting the video signal to different image conditions so as to display clear images on a video monitor 2 at
`various intensities of the outside light. A suitable one of the adjustment circuits is selected 10, 11 in response to the light
`signals, thereby displaying a clear image on the display. The video monitor may provide the rearward view of the vehicle
`instead of a rearview mirror, the camera providing an outside view from the vehicle. Stored video signals may be selected 4
`for display e.g. road map data and graphics from an image output device 3.
`
`9
`- SCHMI'IT . .
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`- 6
`ADJUSTING '
`CIRCUIT
`
`11
`
`I IMAGE OUTPUT I
`
`DEVICE
`
`/)
`ADJUSTING
`CIRCUIT
`
`ADJUSTING
`CIRCUIT
`
`-
`
`1
`
`4i
`
` FIG.
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_001
`
`

`

`1
`
`1
`
`la] J
`
`9) A
`, SCHMITT
`CIRCUIT
`
`i
`
`,
`
`5)
`
`+
`
`ADJUSTING -
`CIRCUIT
`
`- ADJUSTING -
`
`6
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`2)
`
`A
`
`t
`
`-
`
`11
`
`7)
`-
`- ADJUSTING
`
`a
`
`CIRCUIT -
`
`3,
`
`h
`
`IMAGE OUTPUT
`DEVICE
`4
`
`-
`
`EXTERNAL
`SIGNALS
`
`8)
`ADJUSTING
`CIRCUIT
`
`+V
`@
`
`I
`
`15)
`
`T
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_002
`
`

`

`FIG. 2
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_003
`
`

`

`VIDEO DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A
`
`MOTOR VEHICLE
`
`The present invention relates to a television
`
`monitor system with a display provided in a motor vehicle,
`
`and more particularly to a system for controlling the
`
`display of the monitor system.
`
`A CRT (Cathode-Ray-Tube)
`
`display may be provided in a motor vehicle for receiving
`
`television broadcasting, reproducing videotapes and
`
`displaying a road map and traffic information around the
`
`area where the vehicle is operating using computer graphics
`
`and an image output device. Further, if a television camera
`
`is installed on the vehicle for monitoring the rearward view
`
`from the vehicle, this view may be displayed onthe display
`
`as a substitute for a rearview mirror.
`
`Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open
`
`59-91081 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open 62-241747
`
`disclose monitor display systems provided in a motor
`
`vehicle. In order to ensure safe driving of the vehicle,
`
`these systems are provided with inhibiter means which
`
`prevents the television system from operating when driving
`
`the vehicle.
`
`~owever,'it is necessary to display map
`
`information and the rearward view from the vehicle while
`
`driving, and it is desirable to provide a clear picture on
`
`the display.
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_004
`
`

`

`Visibility of the picture on the display depends
`
`on intensity of the outside light which changes in
`
`accordance the time of day and geographical location.
`
`Consequently, whenever the intensity of the outside light
`
`changes the driver must adjust the picture image on the
`
`.display to control the luminance, contrast, and colour, by
`
`operating respective adjusting knobs provided on the
`
`display, which is troublesome for the driver,
`
`The present invention seeks to provide a system
`
`for controlling a monitor display system of a motor vehicle
`
`in which a picture on a display is automatically and
`
`properly controlled in accordance with intensity of outside
`
`light of the vehicle.
`
`According to the present invention, there is
`
`provided a system for controlling a video display system of
`
`a motor vehicle including a television camera producing a
`
`video signal and a monitor for displaying corresponding
`
`images, the system comprising:
`
`sensing means for sensing ambient light levels
`
`outside the vehicle and for producing corresponding output
`
`signals;
`
`adjustment circuits for adjusting the video
`
`signal to different image conditions so as to control the
`
`displayed image; and
`
`means responsive to the output signals of the
`
`sensing means for controlling the adjustment circuits so as
`
`to optimise the image.
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_005
`
`

`

`In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`
`sensing means includes an automatic iris system provided in
`
`the television camera.
`
`The system further comprises an image output
`
`device for providing vehicle operating information to be
`
`displayed, the selection means being arranged to allow
`
`selection of an output signal of the image output device.
`
`Some embodiments of the monitor will now be
`
`described by way of example with reference to the
`
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`Fig.1 is a block diagram showing a monitor
`
`display system according to the present invention; and
`
`Fig.2 is a perspective view of a display in the
`
`system.
`
`Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a television set 2
`
`for a monitor system according to the present invention is
`
`mounted in an instrument panel of a motor vehicle.
`
`The monitoring system has a television camera 1
`
`with an automatic iris and is arranged to provide an outside
`
`view from the vehicle. An image output device 3 is supplied
`
`with a data signal from a road map which is previously
`
`stored in a memory
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_006
`
`

`

`of a computer and with a location data signal obtained by a
`
`gyrocompass, and produces an image signal of the road map
`
`and an actual location of the vehicle composed by computer
`
`C
`
`graphics.
`
`select switch 4 has a pair
`
`fixed contacts X
`
`and Y for manually selecting a video output of the
`
`television camera 1 and an image output of the image output
`
`device 3.
`
`Further, the system has four adjusting circuits 5 , 6, 7
`
`and 8 which are set to different levels in contrast,
`
`luminance, and tone of the color of the picture on the
`
`display of the television set 2. A Schmitt circuit 9 is
`
`provided to receive an output signal of the automatic iris
`
`la for producing an output pulse signal having a high level
`
`when the outside light is intense. AND gates 10, 11, 12,
`
`13, 14 and 15, and a NOT gate 16 are provided for selecting
`
`one of adjusting circuits 5 , 6, 7, 8.
`
`The television camera 1 produces a video signal which
`
`is applied to the adjusting circuits 5 and 6. The output
`
`signal of the automatic iris la of the television camera 1
`
`is applied to the Schmitt circuit 9. If a signal from the
`
`automatic iris la has higher voltage than a threshold value,
`
`where the intensity of the outside light is high, the signal
`
`is applied to the Schmitt circuit 9. And the circuit 9
`
`produces a high level signal. If the output signal of the
`
`automatic iris 1a.represents a low intensity of the outside
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_007
`
`

`

`light, the Schmitt circuit 9 produces a signal having a low
`
`level.
`
`The high level signal from the Schmitt circuit 9 is
`
`applied to the inputs of the AND gates 10 and 12, and to the
`
`input of the NOT gate 16.
`
`The image signal from the image output device 3 is
`
`applied to the adjusting circuit 7 and 8, respectively.
`
`Each of adjusting circuits 5 and 7 is set so as to
`
`provide the clearest image on the display under the
`
`conditions that the intensity of the outside light of the
`
`motor vehicle is high. Thus, the contrast, luminance and
`
`tone of the color of the picture is properly controlled
`
`under the intense outside light. On the other hand, each of
`
`the adjusting circuits 6 and 8 is arranged so as to provide
`
`the clearest image under the conditions that the outside of
`
`the vehicle is dark. Thus, the contrast, luminance and tone
`
`of the color of the picture in the dark outside state is
`
`properly controlled.
`
`A signal from the adjusting circuit 5 is applied to the
`
`AND gate 10 and a signal from the adjusting circuit 6 is
`
`applied to the AND gate 11. Output terminals of the AND
`
`gates 10 and 11 are connected to the AND gate 14.
`
`A signal from the adjusting circuit 7 is applied to the
`
`AND gate 12 and a signal from the adjusting circuit 8 is
`
`applied to the AND gate 13. Output sides of the AND gates
`
`12 and 13 are connected to the AND gate 15. Output
`
`terminals of the AND gates 14 and 15 are connected to
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_008
`
`

`

`-
`
`. - -
`
`--
`
`t h e t e l e v i s i o n s e t 2. The c o n t a c t X o f t h e select switch 4
`
`is connected t o t h e AND g a t e 1 4 and t h e c o n t a c t Y i s
`
`connected t o t h e AND g a t e 15.
`
`The operation of the monitor system is as follows.
`
`When t h e s e l e c t s w i t c h 4 selects t h e c o n t a c t X f o r t h e video
`
`output o f t h e t e l e v i s i o n camera 1, a video s i g n a l i s a p p l i e d
`
`t o t h e a d j u s t i n g c i r c u i t s 5 and 6, r e s p e c t i v e l y . If t h e
`
`o u t s i d e of t h e v e h i c l e i s l i g h t , t h e output s i g n a l of t h e
`
`Schmitt c i r c u i t 9 i s a p p l i e d t o -the AND g a t e 10 and t h e
`
`o u t p u t s i g n a l o f t h e a d j u s t i n g c i r c u i t 5 is a p p l i e d t o t h e
`
`AND g a t e 10. Thus, the AND g a t e 10 opens t o produce a
`
`s i g n a l which i s a p p l i e d t o t h e AND g a t e 14. Since t h e AND
`
`g a t e 14 i s applied w i t h a s i g n a l from t h e c o n t a c t X, t h e AND
`
`g a t e 1 4 opens t o produce a s i g n a l which i s a p p l i e d t o t h e
`
`t e l e v i s i o n set 2. The t e l e v i s i o n set 2 o p e r a t e s t o d i s p l a y
`
`t h e o u t s i d e view t a k e n by t h e t e l e v i s i o n camera 1.
`
`I f t h e o u t s i d e of t h e v e h i c l e i s dark, t h e Schmitt
`
`c i r c u i t 9 produces a l o w l e v e l s i g n a l i n accordance with t h e
`signal from the automatic iris la, so that the M D gate 10
`closes, On the other hand the NOT gate 16 produce8 an output
`rignal because of the low level rignal from the Schmitt
`circuit 9, which is applied t o the AND.gate 11. Since tbe
`video rignal from the television camera 1 is applied t o the
`AND gate 11 through the ad3ustiag circuit 6, the AND gate 11
`open8 t o produce a signal which open8 the AND gate 14.
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_009
`
`

`

`Thus, the video signal is fed to the television set 2 via
`
`the AND gate 14.
`
`When the contact Y of the select switch 4 is
`
`selected for the image output of the image output device 3,
`
`the image signal is applied to the adjusting circuits 7 and
`
`,8, respectively. If it is light outside the vehicle, the
`
`signal from the Schmitt circuit 9 is applied to the AND
`
`gatel2 to which the image signal from the image output
`
`device 3 is also applied passing through the adjusting
`
`circuit 7.
`
`Thus, the AND gate 12 opens to produce a signal
`
`which is applied to the AND gate 15. Since the signal from
`
`the contact Y is applied to the AND gate 15, the AND gate 15
`
`opens to produce the image signal which is applied to the
`
`television set 2. The television set 2 then displays an
`
`image such as the road map and the traffic information
`
`composed by computer graphics.
`
`If it is dark outside the vehicle, the output
`
`signal from the NOT gate 16 is applied to the AND gate 13.
`
`The image signal from the image output device 3 is also
`
`applied to the AND gate 13 passing through the adjusting
`
`circuit 8, Thus, the AND gate 13 opens to produce a signal
`
`which is applied to the television set 2 via the AND gate
`
`15.
`
`When a television broadcast is received, the
`
`pictorial image on the television set is also automatically
`
`controlled in accordance with the intensity of the outside
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_010
`
`

`

`light in a similar manner as aforementioned. That is to
`
`say, an antenna, a tuner and a photoelectric sensor for
`
`detecting the intensity of the outside light are provided on
`
`the vehicle for receiving the television broadcast. Two
`
`control circuits are provided for controlling the image of
`
`.the television set 2 dependent on the light level outside of
`
`the vehicle. The output of the photoelectric sensor is
`
`applied to the Schmitt circuit 9. One of the control
`
`circuits is operated in accordance with a signal from the
`
`Schmitt circuit 9 or the NOT gate 16.
`
`The display of the television set 2 may be a
`
`liquid crystal display. The system of the present invention
`
`is particularly effective with a liquid crystal display.
`
`In order to use the television set 2 for
`
`displaying the rearward view of the vehicle instead of the
`
`rearview mirror, the image on the display is changed to a
`
`monochrome image. Consequently, it is easy to sense the
`
`distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle,
`
`thereby improving the safety of driving, which is confirmed
`
`by experiments.
`
`In accordance with the principles of the present
`
`invention, the image on the display of the television set is
`
`automatically controlled in response to the intensity of the
`
`light outside the motor vehicle. Consequently, the
`
`driver need not manually adjust image conditions of the
`
`display, so that the safety driving of the vehicle is
`
`ensured.
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_011
`
`

`

`As described, the television set 2 is installed
`
`in console inside the vehicle as shown in Fig. 2, but it may
`
`of course be installed wherever the driver can see it.
`While the present preferred embodiment of the
`
`present invention has been shown and descriked, it is to be
`
`understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of
`
`illustration and that various changes and modifications made
`
`within the scope of the appended claims.
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_012
`
`

`

`CLAIMS :
`
`1.
`
`A system for controlling a video display system
`
`of a motor vehicle including a television camera producing a
`
`video signal and a monitor for displaying corresponding
`
`,images, the system comprising:
`
`sensing means for sensing ambient light levels
`
`outside the vehicle and for producing corresponding
`
`output signals;
`
`adjustment circuits for adjusting the video
`
`signal to different image conditions so as to control the
`
`displayed image; and
`
`means responsive to the output signals of the
`
`sensing means for controlling the adjustment circuits so as
`
`to optimise the image.
`
`2.
`
`A system according to Claim 1 wherein,
`
`the sensing means includes an automatic iris control system
`
`in the television camera.
`
`3.
`
`A system according to Claim % wherein,
`
`the selecting means comprises a Schmitt circuit, gates, and
`
`a switch.
`
`4.
`
`A system according to Claim 1, further
`
`comprising an image output device for providing vehicle
`
`operating information to be displayed, the selection means
`
`being arranged to allow selection of an output signal of the
`
`image output device.
`
`5.
`
`A system for controlling a graphic display
`
`*
`
`e
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_013
`
`

`

`system in a vehicle substantially as herein described with
`
`reference to the accompanying drawings.
`
`Published 1990 at The Patent Office. State House,66:71 High Holborm.hndonWClR4TP.Further copiesmay be obtained from The Patent Office.
`Sales Branch. St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques It,, St Mary Cray. Kent. Con. 1/87
`
`VALEO EX. 1010_014
`
`

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