Vehicle safety system and vehicle having the same

US 7,378,

1

VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM AND VEHICLE
HAVING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

5

The present invention relates generally to a safety system, and particularly to a safety system for use in vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

10

In modern society, automobiles are more and more popular as important transportation tools. However, traffic accidents are increasing along with the booming development of automobiles. In addition to human factors such as drink driving or high speed driving, main reasons for traffic 15 accidents are generally associated with objective factors including, poor visibility, and blind zones in normal field of vision.

A typical safety device for an automobile includes a number of signal transmitters and receivers mounted in the 20 automobile. When the automobiles equipped with the safety devices meet each other, they can transmit and receive signals to and from each other so as to inform drivers to avoid a traffic accident.

Another typical safety device for an automobile includes 25 a laser transmitting and receiving system, a speed sensor, and a central processing unit (CPU). The safety device can inform the driver of information such as distance between other ambient automobiles or barriersby audio or video means. 30

Another conventional safety device includes a miniature camera configured for monitoring a blind zone of the driver and showing the images to the driver via a display screen.

However, when a fatal traffic accident happens, the driver might be injured seriously such that the driver cannot ask for 35 help by himself/herself. For this reason, many drivers lost their lives in traffic accidents because of not being saved in time.

Therefore, a vehicle safety system can automatically send signals for help and a vehicle having such safety system are 40 desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle safety system for use in a vehicle comprises a 45 plurality of image pick-up systems adapted for being mounted on the vehicle, the image pick-up systems being configured for recording video images of inside and/or outside statuses of the vehicle; and a computer system connected to the image pick-up systems, the computer 50 system comprising a signal transmitting device configured for transmitting the video images to an intended receiver for help upon occurrence of an mishap accident.

A vehicle having a main body and a vehicle safety system mounted thereon, the vehicle safety system comprises a 55 plurality of image pick-up systems adapted for being mounted on the vehicle, the image pick-up systems being configured for recording video images of inside and/or outside statuses of the vehicle; and a computer system connected to the image pick-up systems, the computer 60 system comprising a signal transmitting device configured for transmitting the video images to an intended receiver for help upon occurrence of an mishap accident.

Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed 65 description of preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

,949 B2

2

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present safety system can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present safety system. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic, top view of a vehicle having a safety system mounted therein according to a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an image pick-up system according to the preferred embodiment.

The exemplifications set out herein illustrate at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle and a vehicle safety system according to a preferred embodiment are illustrated. The vehicle 100 having a main body 101 and a vehicle safety system 102 mounted thereon. The vehicle can be a typical passenger automobile with a driver's seat 180 and five passenger seats 190. The vehicle safety system 102 includes: a number of inner image pick-up systems 10 mounted outside the vehicle 100, a number of outer image pick-up systems 20 mounted inside the vehicle 100, a monitor display 30, an air bag restraint system 40, and a computer system 50. The computer system 50 is connected to the inner and outer image pick-up systems 10 and 20, the monitor display 30, and the air bag restraint system 40. The computer system 50 comprises a storage device 51 and a signal transmitting device 52.

Referring to FIG. 2, the inner and outer image pick-up systems 10 and 20 each include an autofocus zoom lens systems 200. The autofocus zoom lens system 200 includes an optical module 210, a sensor 220, and a driving module 230. The optical module 210 includes a plurality of aspheric lens 211 and an infrared filter 212. More preferably, the aspheric lens 211 has anti-reflect coatings on both surfaces thereof. The sensor 220 can be a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor, or a CCD (charged coupled device) sensor. The driving module 230 includes an actuator 231 and an extendable barrel 232. The actuator 231 may be selected from the group consisting of a step motor, a voice coil motor, and a microelectromechanical motor. In this exemplary embodiment, the optical module 210 includes three aspheric lenses 211. The sensor 220 is a CCD sensor. The actuator 231 is a microelectromechanical motor. It is noted that, more lenses can be used in order to get better resolution and zoom ability.

The outer image pick-up systems 10 can be arranged at front side, back side, and two lateral sides of the vehicle 100 for monitoring the environmental traffic status around the vehicle 100 via the autofocus zoom lens systems 200. The inner image pick-up systems 20 can be arranged spatially corresponding to the seats of the vehicle 100 for monitoring the status of passengers in the vehicle. Video image captured by the image pick-up systems 10 and 20 can be transferred to the computer system 50. The driver can selectively choose to view a desired video image displayed on the monitor display 30. Alternatively, more monitoring video images can be displayed on the monitor display 30 at the same time.