US 2016/0107572 A1 · Methods and Apparatus for Integrated Forward Display of Rear-View Image and Navigation Information to Provide Enhanced Situational Awareness

Abstract

A situational awareness system is disclosed herein for providing heads-up display to a user on a moving vehicle. The display is focused at an ocular infinity in order to prevent accommodation lag in the user's comprehension. A super wide-angle (e.g., 170 degree to 210 degree) rear-view camera provides rearward looking video imagery to the user, which may be digitally processed and enhanced. Additional information is optionally provided in the display, including maps, turn by turn directions, and visual indicators guiding the user for forward travel. Additional information is optionally provided by audio. One embodiment comprises a full-face motorcycle helmet with a see-through micro-display that projects a virtual image in-line with the helmet-wearer's field of view. A second embodiment comprises a unit that projects a virtual image on a windshield in the operator's field of view.

Claims26

Dependent claims

An apparatus for enhancing situational awareness of a user that is moving in a forward direction, the apparatus comprising:

a rear view pointing camera that obtains a rear view video feed as the user is moving in the forward direction, the rear view pointing camera including wide-angle image capturing optics;
at least one processor coupled to the rear view pointing camera adapted to blend the rear view video feed with another video stream to obtain a blended video stream that provides for enhanced situational awareness regarding the user's immediate surrounding and upcoming surrounding, including navigation information related to forward travel of the user;
and
a display that includes a semi-transmissive screen mounted to a surface to provide the blended video stream onto the semi-transmissive screen facing the user when the user is looking in the forward direction, wherein the display is further mounted to the surface to provide an unobstructed forward view to the user when the user is looking in the forward direction.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and Apparatus for Integrated Forward Display of Rear-View Image and Navigation Information to Provide Enhanced Situational Awareness

Life of this patent

Methods and Apparatus for Integrated Forward Display of Rear-View Image and Navigation Information to Provide Enhanced Situational Awareness

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26