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US 6,725,139 B2Granted
Steerable night vision system
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRonald Hugh Miller, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Gary Steven Strumolo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A night vision system for a vehicle includes a vehicle directional sensor generating a vehicle directional signal when the vehicle is changing bearing. A night vision camera generates a camera signal. A camera motor directs the night vision camera. A camera motor control unit receives the vehicle directional signal from the vehicle directional sensor and responds by activating the camera motor.
Claims19
A night vision system for a vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle directional sensor coupled to the vehicle and adapted to generate a vehicle directional signal when the vehicle is changing bearing;
- a night vision camera adapted to generate a camera signal;
- a camera motor adapted to direct said night vision camera;
- and
- a camera motor control unit adapted to receive said vehicle directional signal from said vehicle directional sensor and respond by activating said camera motor in response thereto.
2 more elements
A night vision method for a vehicle comprising:
- sensing that the vehicle is changing bearing;
- generating a vehicle directional signal;
- activating a camera motor control unit adapted to direct a night vision camera in response to said vehicle directional signal;
- shifting area of view of said night vision camera;
- generating an image from said night vision camera corresponding to night vision camera area of view;
- and
- displaying said image on an image view screen.
4 more elements
A night vision system for a vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle directional sensor coupled to the vehicle and adapted to generate a vehicle directional signal when the vehicle is undergoing a turn;
- a night vision camera adapted to generate a camera signal;
- a gimbal coupled to said night vision camera and further coupled to the vehicle;
- a camera motor adapted to direct said night vision camera;
- an image steadying unit adapted to receive said camera signal and stabilize it, thereby generating a stabilized signal;
- a camera image viewing unit adapted to receive and display said stabilized signal;
- and
- a camera motor control unit adapted to receive said vehicle directional signal from said vehicle directional sensor and respond by activating said camera motor.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.