Rear camera with defroster and embedded proximity switch

• US 10,499,017 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2017
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Buttolo, Pietro, Salter, Stuart C., Johnson, Aaron Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughn, Jr., William C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Noh, Jae N
• Application Number:
  US15/598,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20180338118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 348148
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/173 Reversing assist
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/405 Fogging prevention
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/026 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/10 Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for operating a rear camera with an embedded defroster and proximity switch. An example vehicle includes a rear view camera having a lens, an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coating applied to the lens, and a control system. The control system is configured to detect a water-based obstruction on the lens, run current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction, detect a lens touch event, and release a vehicle trunk latch responsive to the lens touch event.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a rear view camera having a lens;

an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coating applied to the lens and configured to provide an ITO signal to a control system; and

the control system configured to;

detect a water-based obstruction on the lens based on the ITO signal;

run current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction;

detect a lens touch event; and

release a vehicle trunk latch responsive to the lens touch event.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the ITO coating is on an inside surface of the lens.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a shape of the ITO coating corresponds to a shape of the lens.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to operate in two states, such that a first state enables the control system to (i) detect the water-based obstruction the lens and (ii) detect the lens touch event, and a second state enables the control system to run current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the control system operating in the first state prevents the control system from running current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to detect the water-based obstruction on the lens based on the ITO signal by:

determining that the ITO signal is above a threshold level;

determining that the ITO signal is above the threshold level for a threshold period of time; and

determining that the ITO signal is stable.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to detect the lens touch event based on the ITO signal.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the control system is configured to detect the water-based obstruction on the lens and run current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction while an engine of the vehicle is off.

7. A vehicle comprising:

a rear view camera having a lens;

an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coating applied to the lens; and

a control system configured to;

detect a water-based obstruction on the lens and a type of water-based obstruction detected;

run current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction;

detect a lens touch event; and

release a vehicle trunk latch responsive to the lens touch event.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the type of water-based obstruction comprises ice or condensation.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the control system is further configured to run current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction for a first period of time based on a first type of water-based obstruction, and a second period of time based on a second type of water-based obstruction.

12. A method performed by a vehicle control system comprising:

detecting, on a lens of a rear view camera of a vehicle, a water-based obstruction and a type of water-based obstruction;

running current through an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coating applied to the lens to remove the water-based obstruction;

detecting, via the ITO coating, a lens touch event; and

releasing a vehicle trunk latch responsive to detecting the lens touch event.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining a state of the control system performing the method, wherein a first state comprises (i) detecting the water-based obstruction on the lens of the rear view camera of the vehicle and (ii) detecting the lens touch event, and wherein a second state comprises running current through the ITO coating.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first state further comprises preventing the control system from running current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the type of water-based obstruction comprises ice or condensation.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

running current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction for a first period of time based on a first type of water-based obstruction; and

running current through the ITO coating to remove the water-based obstruction for a second period of time based on a second type of water-based obstruction.