CAMERA ARRANGEMENT AND DOOR HANDLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20120154587A1
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents SARL
• Inventors: Hwang, Hyok-Joo
• Application Number:
  US13/242,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20120154587A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides 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 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/10 Handles

Abstract

A camera arrangement for a motor vehicle for surveillance of at least a part of surrounding located laterally next to the motor vehicle with respect to driving direction is described. The camera arrangement comprises at least one camera capturing real time images of an area under surveillance. The at least one camera is arranged or integrated in at least one door handle of at least one door of the motor vehicle. Also a door handle of a motor vehicle is described. Within the door handle a camera for surveillance of at least a part of surrounding located laterally next to the motor vehicle with respect to driving direction is arranged or integrated.

Claims

1. A camera arrangement for a motor vehicle for surveillance of at least a part of a surrounding located laterally next to the motor vehicle with respect to the driving direction of the motor vehicle, the camera arrangement comprising at least one camera capturing real time images of an area under surveillance,

wherein

the at least one camera being arranged in at least one door handle of at least one door of the motor vehicle and at least one lighting unit for at least temporary illuminating at least a part of the surrounding surveyed by the camera, which lighting unit is also arranged in the door handle that accommodates the camera.

3. Camera arrangement or door handle according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a light exit face of the lighting unit encircles the camera.

4. Camera arrangement or door handle according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the lighting unit emits infrared light.

5. Camera arrangement or door handle according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the lighting unit emits light that is visible for the human eye.

6. Camera arrangement or door handle according to one of the claim 1,

characterized in that

the lighting unit comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

7. Camera arrangement or door handle according to one of the claim 1,

characterized in that

the lighting unit comprises at least one light guide.

8. Camera arrangement or door handle according to claim 1,

characterized by

a transparent cover protecting the camera from environmental influence wherein the transparency of the cover depends on the wavelength-range the camera is sensitive to.

9. Camera arrangement according to claim 1, wherein,

the camera is foreseen at least for blind-spot surveillance.

10. Camera arrangement according to claim 1, wherein,

the camera is comprised by a pre-assembled camera module arranged within the door handle.

11. Camera arrangement according to claim 1, wherein,

at least a part of the door handle comprises at least one housing forming at least a part of the outer surface of the door handle, which housing at least partly accommodates at least the camera.

12. Camera arrangement according to claim 1, wherein,

the housing preferably is part of a first, stationary part of the door handle, wherein a second, movable part of the door handle is foreseen to actuate a lock mechanism of the door of the motor vehicle.

13. Camera arrangement according to claim 1, wherein,

the camera is electrically connected to a control unit of the motor vehicle via an electrical connection of the door handle.

2. A door handle for a door of a motor vehicle

wherein

a camera arranged within the door handle for surveillance of at least a part of a surrounding located laterally next to the motor vehicle with respect to driving direction.