# US 2017/0080862 A1 · System and method for providing front-oriented visual information to vehicle driver > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0080862 A1 - Document ID: US20170080862A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/368,099 - Filed: 2016-12-02 - Published: 2017-03-23 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-30 - Assignees: Klear-View Camera LLC - Applicants: Klear-View Camera, LLC - Inventors: Steven R. PETRILLO; Robert Michael ROEGER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170080862A1 ## CPC - B60R 1/25: to the sides of the vehicle - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60K 35/85: Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data - B60Q 1/0023: {the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera} - B60Q 9/008: {for anti-collision purposes} - B60R 1/28: with an adjustable field of view - G01C 21/3697: {Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level (G01C21/3679 takes precedence)} - B60K 35/26: using acoustic output - B60K 35/81: for controlling displays - B60K 2360/168: Target or limit values - B60K 2360/176: Camera images - B60K 2360/179: Distances to obstacles or vehicles - B60K 2360/21: using cameras - B60K 2360/589: Wireless data transfers - B60K 2360/5905: Wi-Fi® - B60K 2360/5911: Bluetooth® - B60R 2300/105: using multiple cameras - B60R 2300/302: combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data - B60R 2300/303: using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images - B60R 2300/404: triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode - B60R 2300/406: using wireless transmission - B60R 2300/605: the adjustment being automatic - B60R 2300/70: characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images - B60R 2300/802: for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) ## Abstract A camera system is installed on the front end of a vehicle, either on the left front, the right front, or both sides. The camera is linked via wired or wireless connection to an onboard computer and a navigation display that is located within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The driver reviews a visual description on the display of any oncoming traffic in the form of motor vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, animals and the like on the navigation display via a single screen, split screen or alternating screens. The camera system can include a speed sensor that detects when the vehicle reaches a threshold speed to activate or de-activate the camera. Alternatively, the computer can activate the system when a turn signal is activated, and de-activate the system when the turn signal is no longer activated. This camera system can be retrofitted into older vehicles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for providing front-oriented visual information to a vehicle driver comprising: at least one camera located at least in one of the group consisting of the left front quarter panel or the right front quarter panel, mounted so that the camera does not protrude from the left or right quarter panel, wherein the system is capable of displaying video of an approaching vehicle at a distance of 50 feet from the camera, and the system is capable of displaying video of an approaching vehicle at a distance of 200 from the camera; a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed; a display within the vehicle for providing the driver with video feed of a scene to the right or left of the vehicle imaged by the camera; and an onboard computer for processing the detected vehicle speed and for selectively allowing the video feed of the scene to the right or left of the vehicle to be displayed on the display when the vehicle speed is less than a threshold speed and for deactivating displaying of the video feed when the vehicle speed reaches the threshold speed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one camera includes a flush-mounted or recessed camera, the onboard computer detects whether a turn signal of the vehicle is activated and selectively causes the images or video feed to be displayed on the display when the turn signal of the vehicle is activated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the system is voice activated and the computer causes the display of image data from either a left or right front quarter panel camera in response to a voice command. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a network interface to transmit the video data to a mobile device within the vehicle, to be displayed by the mobile device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a proximity and speed sensor that determines the range of an oncoming object and wherein the computer provides an alert when the object is at least one of (a) within a predetermined distance of the vehicle, (b) approaching at a speed greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, or (c) expected to reach a location of the vehicle in less than a predetermined length of time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method of using the system of claim 1, comprising steps of selectively activating the at least one camera on the front quarter panel of a vehicle when a turn signal of the vehicle is activated; and receiving and displaying visual information from the camera of at least one of images or video while the turn signal is activated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method of using the system of claim 6, further comprising receiving and displaying visual information from the camera of at least one of images and video of a scene in a location containing oncoming traffic. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising steps of: selectively activating a flush-mounted or recessed camera on a rear quarter panel of the vehicle when a transmission of the vehicle is in reverse gear and a turn signal of the vehicle is activated; receiving and displaying visual information from the camera on the rear quarter panel of at least one of images and or video while the transmission of the vehicle is in reverse gear and turn signal is activated; and discontinuing the displaying of visual information from the camera on the rear quarter panel when either the transmission of the vehicle is no longer in reverse gear or the turn signal is no longer activated. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display is an onboard navigation screen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one camera includes a first camera mounted on the left front quarter panel and a second camera mounted on the right front quarter panel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the threshold speed can be adjusted by the driver of the vehicle to a speed of about 3 miles per hour, a speed range of 2-4 miles per hour, or a speed range of 3-5 miles per hour. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a proximity and speed sensor that determines the range of an oncoming object and wherein the computer provides an alert when the object is at least one of (a) within a predetermined distance and (b) approaching at a predetermined speed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the camera is located in a front headlight pod and includes a wireless link to communicate with at least one of the display and computer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the onboard computer causes video of the approaching vehicle and a speed and a distance of the approaching vehicle all to be displayed on the display. ### Claim 16 A system for providing front-oriented visual information to a vehicle driver comprising: at least one camera located at least in one of the group consisting of the left front quarter panel or the right front quarter panel, mounted so that the camera does not protrude from the left or right quarter panel, wherein the system is capable of displaying video of an approaching vehicle at a distance of 50 feet on one, left or right side from the camera, and the system is capable of displaying video of an approaching vehicle at a distance of 200 feet on an opposite, right or left side from the camera; a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed; a display within the vehicle for providing the driver with video feed of a scene to the right and left sides of the vehicle imaged by the camera; and an onboard computer for processing the detected vehicle speed and for selectively allowing the video feed of the scene to the right and left sides of the vehicle to be displayed on the display when the vehicle speed is less than a threshold speed and for deactivating displaying of the video feed when the vehicle speed reaches the threshold speed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein: the at least one camera includes a flush-mounted or recessed camera. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the system is voice activated and the computer causes the display of image data from either a left or right front quarter panel camera in response to a voice command. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising a network interface to transmit the video data to a mobile device within the vehicle, to be displayed by the mobile device. ### Claim 20 A method, comprising: automatically sensing when a speed of a driven vehicle is less than a threshold speed; while the speed of the driven vehicle is less than the threshold speed, automatically collecting a first video feed of a first approaching vehicle on a left side of the driven vehicle, using a first camera located on the left front quarter panel and mounted so that the first camera does not protrude from a left quarter panel of the driven vehicle, and the first approaching vehicle is at a distance from 50 feet to 200 feet, and automatically collecting a second video feed of a second approaching vehicle on a right side of the driven vehicle, using a second camera located on a right front quarter panel of the driven vehicle and mounted so that the second camera does not protrude from the right quarter panel, and the second approaching vehicle is at a distance from 50 feet to 200 feet; and while the speed of the driven vehicle is less than the threshold speed, automatically displaying a split screen video including the first and second video feeds on a display within the driven vehicle.