Apparatus and method for assisting a driver of a vehicle with visualization of an ambient environment

Abstract

A method of assisting a driver of a vehicle with visualization of an ambient environment comprises generating a mirror image signal corresponding to a field of view of a traditional driving mirror. A surround image signal corresponding to a field of view of an ambient environment adjacent the vehicle is generated. A vehicle speed signal is generated. The mirror image signal, the surround image signal, and the vehicle speed signal are received, and at least one of a driver mirror signal and a driver surround signal is responsively produced. A video image corresponding to at least one of the driver mirror signal and the driver surround signal is selectively displayed to the driver. A frame rate of at least one of the mirror image signal and the surround image signal is adjusted by the signal processor responsive to the vehicle speed signal. A drive assist system is also provided.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A driver assist system, comprising:
 a mirror camera configured to generate a mirror image signal;   a processor configured to:
 receive the mirror image signal and a surround image signal; and 
 concurrently adjust a frame rate of the mirror image signal and a frame rate of the surround image signal in response to a detected change in vehicle speed. 
   
     
     
         18 . The driver assist system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a driver-perceptible display configured to selectively display an image based on at least one of the mirror image signal or the surround image signal.   
     
     
         19 . The driver assist system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a surround camera configured to generate the surround image signal.   
     
     
         20 . The driver assist system of  claim 19 , wherein the surround image signal represents an image corresponding to a field of view of an environment adjacent to a vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . The driver assist system of  claim 20 , wherein the mirror image signal represents an image corresponding to a field of view of a driving mirror. 
     
     
         22 . The driver assist system of  claim 17 , wherein the processor is further configured to concurrently adjust the frame rate of the mirror image signal and the frame rate of the surround image signal by decreasing the frame rate of the mirror image signal and at least one of maintaining or increasing the frame rate of the surround image signal in response to the detected change in vehicle speed. 
     
     
         23 . The driver assist system of  claim 17 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a vehicle speed signal indicative of a change in vehicle speed. 
     
     
         24 . A driver assist system, comprising:
 a mirror camera configured to generate a mirror image signal;   a processor configured to:
 receive the mirror image signal and a surround image signal; and 
 concurrently adjust a frame rate of the mirror image signal and a frame rate of a surround image signal by decreasing the frame rate of the mirror image signal and at least one of maintaining or increasing the frame rate of the surround image signal in response to the detected change in vehicle speed. 
   
     
     
         25 . The driver assist system of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a driver-perceptible display configured to selectively display an image based on at least one of the mirror image signal or the surround image signal.   
     
     
         26 . The driver assist system of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a surround camera configured to generate the surround image signal.   
     
     
         27 . The driver assist system of  claim 26 , wherein the surround image signal represents an image corresponding to a field of view of an environment adjacent to a vehicle. 
     
     
         28 . The driver assist system of  claim 27 , wherein the mirror image signal represents an image corresponding to a field of view of a driving mirror. 
     
     
         29 . The driver assist system of  claim 24 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a vehicle speed signal indicative of a change in vehicle speed.