Method for the representation of a rear outer region of a vehicle

Abstract

A method for displaying a rear outside area of a vehicle, with at least one camera device on the vehicle, includes bringing the camera device into various camera positions and sensing different camera-position-dependent imaging areas of the outside area by the camera device as a function of the particular camera positions. A fixed imaging area of the outside area is sensed by the camera device independently of the camera position in order to display the fixed imaging area for an operator of the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for displaying an area outside of a vehicle, the area including a fixed imaging area, the method comprising:
 moving a camera device into a first camera position;   sensing, by the camera device, a first camera-position-dependent imaging area of the area outside of the vehicle by the camera device as a function of the first camera position;   sensing, by the camera device, the fixed imaging area when the camera device is in the first camera position;   displaying, by a display device disposed in the vehicle, the fixed imaging area when the camera device is in the first camera position;   moving the camera device into a second camera position;   sensing, by the camera device, a second camera-position-dependent imaging area of the area outside of the vehicle by the camera device as a function of the second camera position;   sensing, by the camera device, the fixed imaging area when the camera device is in the second camera position; and   displaying, by the display device, the fixed imaging area when the camera device is in the second camera position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the fixed imaging area includes motion-compensating the display of the fixed imaging area. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, by the camera device, image information about the first camera-position-dependent imaging area,   determining, from the image information, at least one item of display information about at least a portion of the first camera-position-dependent imaging area, and   displaying, by the display device, the at least one item of display information,   wherein the fixed imaging area is displayed independently of the first camera position and the second camera position.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display device includes a digital mirror. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying, by the display device, the first camera-position-dependent imaging area with the fixed imaging area, and   displaying, by the display device, the second camera-position-dependent imaging area with the fixed imaging area.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the camera device is operable to sense an entirety of the area outside of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying, by the display device, the fixed imaging area when the camera device is in the first camera position includes displaying, by the display device, the fixed imaging area from a side-mirror perspective. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the fixed imaging area or a position of the camera device can be adjusted independently of the other of the fixed imaging area or the position of the camera device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 analyzing at least one item of image information of the camera device;   modifying a perspective of the at least one item of image information based on the analyzing at least one item of image information; and   generating at least one of a side view or top view based on modifying the perspective of the at least one item of image information.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 analyzing, by an analysis device, an item of image information of the camera device; and   generating, by the camera device, information about the fixed imaging area and the first camera-position-dependent imaging area from the item of image information.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed imaging area includes an outside mirror area of the vehicle, and wherein the first camera-position-dependent imaging area is adjustable within 60% of the area outside of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein moving the camera device into the first camera position includes moving the camera device through a control device configured to be operated by an operator of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A system for displaying an area outside of a vehicle, the area including a first fixed imaging area, the system comprising:
 a first camera device configured to move into a first camera position and a second camera position, the first camera device further configured to (i) sense a first camera-position-dependent imaging area of the area outside of the vehicle as a function of the first camera position, (ii) sense the first fixed imaging area when the first camera device is in the first camera position, (iii) sense a second camera-position-dependent imaging area of the area outside of the vehicle as a function of the second camera position, (ii) sense the first fixed imaging area when the first camera device is in the second camera position; and   a first display disposed on the vehicle and configured to (i) display the first fixed imaging area when the first camera device is in the first camera position and (ii) display the first fixed imaging area when the first camera device is in the second camera position.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first camera device is disposed in a front area of the vehicle and configured to sense a blind spot of the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a second camera device disposed on a front, right fender of the vehicle, wherein the first camera device is disposed on a front, left-hand fender of the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first camera device is configured to sense a plurality of first camera-position-dependent imaging areas within a first overall imaging area of the area outside of the vehicle, and wherein the second camera device is configured to sense a plurality of second camera-position-dependent imaging areas within a second overall imaging area of the area outside of the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first camera device is configured to be pivotable by at least one driver. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first camera device is configured to move between a retracted state and an extended state by at least one driver, and wherein the first camera device is retracted completely into a receptacle of the vehicle in the retracted state. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first display includes an OLED display disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first camera device is disposed on an external portion of the vehicle and includes a CMOS or CCD sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second display disposed on a right side of a passenger compartment of the vehicle;   a third display disposed on a center console of the passenger compartment; and   a second camera device configured to sense a second a second fixed imaging area including a right side of the vehicle,   wherein the first display is disposed on a left side of the passenger compartment,   wherein the first fixed imaging area includes a left side of the vehicle, and   wherein the third display is configured to display a perspective modification of an item of image information.