US 5,949,331 · Granted 1999-09-07

How Donnelly's 1999 Patent Turned Rear-View Cameras Into Safety Superstars

Imagine a camera mounted on the back of your car that shows you what's behind you on a screen, but it's not just a plain video feed—it highlights dangerous objects by flashing them or turning them red so you instantly see what's a threat. This patent covers the smart software that makes that possible.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team

The plain-English version

What it protects

The claim covers a vehicle vision system that combines a rear-facing camera with a display that automatically enhances the captured image to warn the driver of hazards. What's protected here is the method of synthesizing camera output and then visually alerting the driver—such as by flashing or color-coding objects that are too close for a safe lane change or other maneuvers. The patent doesn't just cover the camera hardware; it specifically protects the intelligence layer that processes and highlights threats in real time.

Why it matters

This patent represents an early foundation for what became standard safety technology in modern vehicles. Rear-view cameras and backup warning systems are now legally required on new cars sold in the US. By patenting both the imaging hardware and the enhancement display logic together, Donnelly established key intellectual property that gave them a significant foothold in the automotive safety electronics market during the late 1990s and 2000s, when these systems were transitioning from luxury features to standard equipment.

Real-world use

Every time you put a car in reverse and see a live video feed on the dashboard that flashes red when an obstacle appears, you're looking at technology descended from concepts this patent locked down.

Original USPTO abstract

A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device which may be directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from an output of the image capture device. The display system enhances the displayed image by visually informing the driver of what is occurring in the area surrounding the vehicle. For example, hazards, such as objects too close to the vehicle for safe lane-change maneuver, can be highlighted such as by flashing the image of the hazard or displaying the hazard in a particular color.

Patent details

Publication number: US 5,949,331
Filing date: 1997-09-22
Grant date: 1999-09-07
Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
Inventor(s): SCHOFIELD; KENNETH, LARSON; MARK L., VADAS; KEITH J.
CPC class: H04N7/18

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