CAMERA MOUNTED AT REAR OF VEHICLE

• US 20070182817A1
• Filed: 02/07/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Briggance, William G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,698,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/118
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/10 characterised by the type of camera system used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors

Abstract

A vehicle vision system includes a vehicle having a body surface and a vehicle element generally at the body surface. The vehicle element has a normal distance dimension relative to the body surface of the vehicle. The vehicle vision system includes an imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior of the vehicle for capturing images of a region external of the vehicle. An extender element is at the body surface and extends outwardly therefrom, and the vehicle element is disposed at an outer surface of the extender element, whereby the extender element extends the normal distance dimension of the vehicle element for accommodating the imaging device. The imaging device is disposed at least partially within the extender element, whereby the presence of the imaging device in the extender element is at least partially masked or camouflaged by the extender element and the vehicle element.

Claims

1. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a body surface and a vehicle element generally at said body surface, said vehicle element defining at least one of a styling feature and a functional feature of said vehicle;

said vehicle element having a normal distance dimension relative to said body surface of said vehicle;

an imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing images of a region external of said vehicle;

an extender element at said body surface and extending outwardly therefrom, said vehicle element being disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element extending said normal distance dimension of said vehicle element for accommodating said imaging device;

said imaging device being disposed at least partially within said extender element, whereby the presence of said imaging device in said extender element is at least partially masked or camouflaged by said extender element and said vehicle element; and

a display device for displaying video images captured by said imaging device.

2. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said body surface is at a rear portion of said vehicle.

3. The vehicle vision system of claim 2, wherein said imaging device has a generally rearward and downward field of view, said imaging device capturing images of the area substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.

4. The vehicle vision system of claim 3, wherein said display device displays images of the rearward and downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear.

5. The vehicle vision system of claim 2, wherein said extender element is fixedly attached at said rear portion of said vehicle.

6. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element is fixedly attached at said body surface of said vehicle.

7. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element has a surface finish that substantially matches a surface finish of said body surface of said vehicle.

8. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle emblem.

9. The vehicle vision system of claim 8, wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially match a shape of said vehicle emblem so that said vehicle emblem substantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element.

10. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element is adhesively attached to said outer surface of said extender element.

11. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem, (ii) a vehicle decal, (iii) a vehicle indicia, (iv) an exterior trim element of said vehicle, (v) a rear tail gate handle portion, (vi) a deck lid handle portion, and (vii) a light bar element of said vehicle.

12. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises at least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imaging device.

13. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a body surface and a vehicle element generally at said body surface, said vehicle element defining at least one of a styling feature and a functional feature of said vehicle;

wherein said vehicle element comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem, (ii) a vehicle decal, (iii) a vehicle indicia, (iv)-an exterior trim element of said vehicle, (v) a rear tail gate handle portion, (vi) a deck lid handle portion, and (vii) a light bar element of said vehicle;

said vehicle element having a normal distance dimension relative to said body surface of said vehicle;

an imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing images of a region external of said vehicle;

an extender element fixedly attached at said body surface and extending outwardly therefrom, said vehicle element being disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element extending said normal distance dimension of said vehicle element for accommodating said imaging device;

said imaging device being disposed at least partially within said extender element, whereby the presence of said imaging device in said extender element is at least partially masked or camouflaged by said extender element and said vehicle element; and

a display device for displaying video images captured by said imaging device.

14. The vehicle vision system of claim 13, wherein said body surface is at a rear portion of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally rearward and downward field of view, said imaging device capturing images of the area substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.

15. The vehicle vision system of claim 14, wherein said display device displays images of the rearward and downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear.

16. The vehicle vision system of claim 13, wherein said vehicle element is adhesively attached to said outer surface of said extender element.

17. The vehicle vision system of claim 13, wherein said imaging device comprises at least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imaging device.

18. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a body surface and a vehicle element generally at said body surface;

said vehicle element having a normal distance dimension relative to said body surface of said vehicle;

an imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing images of a region external of said vehicle;

an extender element fixedly attached at said body surface and extending outwardly therefrom, said vehicle element being disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element extending said normal distance dimension of said vehicle element for accommodating said imaging device;

wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle emblem and wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially match a shape of said vehicle emblem so that said vehicle emblem substantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element;

said imaging device being disposed at least partially within said extender element, whereby the presence of said imaging device in said extender element is at least partially masked or camouflaged by said extender element and said vehicle element; and

a display device for displaying video images captured by said imaging device.

19. The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said body surface is at a rear portion of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally rearward and downward field of view, said imaging device capturing images of the area substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.

20. The vehicle vision system of claim 19, wherein said display device displays images of the rearward and downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear.

21. The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said vehicle element is adhesively attached to said outer surface of said extender element.

22. The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said imaging device comprises at least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imaging device.