Instrument cluster monitoring system
AssigneesDENSO International America, Inc., Denso Corporation
InventorMichael Murzyn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring operation of an instrument cluster configured to display vehicle operating information to a driver. The system includes a camera pointed at the instrument cluster to capture images of operation of the instrument cluster. A control module is in receipt of the images of the instrument cluster. The control module is configured to compare operation of the instrument cluster as captured in the images with predetermined, expected operation of the instrument cluster. A fault condition notification module is configured to generate a fault notice when there is a discrepancy between operation of the instrument cluster as captured in the images and the predetermined, expected operation of the instrument cluster.
Claims16
A system for monitoring operation of an instrument cluster configured to display vehicle operating information to a driver, the system comprising:
- a camera pointed at the instrument cluster to capture images of operation of the instrument cluster including images of tell-tales of the instrument cluster that convey vehicle operating information to the driver when illuminated;
- a control module in receipt of the images of the instrument cluster, the control module configured to compare operation of the instrument cluster as captured in the images with predetermined, expected operation of the instrument cluster;
- and
- a fault condition notification module configured to generate a fault notice when there is a discrepancy between operation of the instrument cluster as captured in the images and the predetermined, expected operation of the instrument cluster;
- wherein for each one of the tell-tales, the control module is configured to scan a predetermined location of the instrument cluster captured by the camera where the tell-tale is present and identify whether the predetermined location is black or at least partially illuminated;
- and
- wherein for each one of the tell-tales, the control module is configured to determine that the tell-tale is in an off state when the predetermined location where the tell-tale is present is black.
A method for monitoring operation of an instrument cluster configured to display vehicle operating information to a driver, the method comprising:
- capturing images of operation of the instrument cluster with a camera pointed at the instrument cluster, including capturing images of tell-tales of the instrument cluster that convey vehicle operating information to the driver when illuminated;
- comparing operation of the instrument cluster as captured in the images with predetermined, expected operation of the instrument cluster, the comparison made by a control module in receipt of the images of the instrument cluster;
- and
- generating a fault notice with a fault condition notification module when there is a discrepancy between operation of the instrument cluster as captured in the images and the predetermined, expected operation of the instrument cluster;
- for each one of the tell-tales, scanning with the control module a predetermined location of the instrument cluster captured by the camera where the tell-tale is present and identifying whether the predetermined location is black or at least partially illuminated;
- and
- for each one of the tell-tales, determining with the control module that the tell-tale is in an off state when the predetermined location where the tell-tale is present is black.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.