CAMERA SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CAMERA SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20120113258A1
• Filed: 10/28/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: FIESS, Reinhold, FREDERIKSEN, Annette
• Granted Patent: US 9,676,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/108 using 'non-standard' camera systems, e.g. camera sensor used for additional purposes i.a. rain sensor, camera sensor split in multiple image areas
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 including a camera

Abstract

A camera system for a motor vehicle includes an image sensor for outputting image signals and multiple optical elements. The optical elements include a switchable optical element which is part of a first camera optical system in the first switching state and part of a second camera optical system in a second switching state. Optical elements form the first camera optical system for detecting a first surrounding and for imaging the first surrounding on the image sensor with the aid of a first object distance, and optical elements form the second camera optical system for detecting a second surrounding and for imaging the second surrounding on the image sensor with the aid of a second object distance which differs from the first object distance.

Claims

1. A camera system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an image sensor for outputting image signals;

a first camera optical system for detecting a first surrounding and for imaging the first surrounding on the image sensor with the aid of a first object distance; and

a second camera optical system for detecting a second surrounding and for imaging the second surrounding on the image sensor with the aid of a second object distance which differs from the first object distance;

wherein a switchable optical element which is configured to be (i) part of the first camera optical system in a first switching state of the switchable optical element, and (ii) part of the second camera optical system in a second switching state of the switchable optical element.

2. The camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switchable optical element is at least partially situated in an optical path of the first camera optical system.

3. The camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switchable optical element is essentially transparent in the first switching state and essentially reflecting in the second switching state.

4. The camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switchable optical element is made of an electrochromic material.

5. The camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switchable optical element is made of an LCD material.

6. The camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switchable optical element has an optically effective switchable range and an optically effective non-switchable range.

7. The camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera system is set up as a rain sensor in the second switching state.

8. A method for operating a camera system for a motor vehicle, the camera system including an image sensor for outputting image signals, a first camera optical system for detecting a first surrounding and for imaging the first surrounding on image sensor with the aid of a first object distance, and a second camera optical system for detecting a second surrounding and for imaging the second surrounding on the image sensor with the aid of a second object distance which differs from the first object distance, the method comprising:

providing a switchable optical element;

switching the switchable optical element into a first switching state, wherein the switchable optical element is part of the first camera optical system in the first switching state; and

switching the switchable optical element into a second switching state, wherein the switchable optical element is part of the second camera optical system in the second switching state.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the first switching state is longer than the second switching state.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein a switchover between the first switching state and the second switching state is controlled according to at least one of a driving situation and weather situation.