Back-up Camera System for Towed Trailer

• US 20160355134A1
• Filed: 06/03/2016
• Published: 12/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rhett Clinton Leary
• Original Assignee: Rhett Clinton Leary
• Inventors: Leary, Rhett Clinton
• Application Number:
  US15/172,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20160355134A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• 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 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A back-up camera system for a towed trailer captures video feed behind the trailer. The system is comprised of a video camera, a monitor, and a control unit which provides an operating switch. The camera is mounted on the rear surface of the trailer and captures video feed behind the trailer. The camera transmits the video feed by wire to the control unit located in the cabin of the vehicle. The control unit transmits the video feed wirelessly to the monitor that displays the video feed to the user. The operating switch enables the user to activate the camera and control unit in order to see behind the trailer while driving, backing up, or parking.

Claims

1. A back-up camera system for a towed trailer, comprising:

a video camera;

the video camera being configured to mount on a rear surface of a trailer;

a trailer cable being capable of transferring a video signal and having two ends;

said trailer cable being attached at a first end to the video camera;

a second end of the trailer cable terminating with a female connector at a front end of the trailer;

a vehicle cable being capable of transferring the video signal and having two ends;

said vehicle cable being attached at a first end to a control unit;

a second end of the vehicle cable terminating with a male connector;

the male connector of the vehicle cable and the female connector of the trailer cable being configured to connect such that the video signal may be transferred between the trailer cable and the vehicle cable;

said control unit being capable of wirelessly broadcasting the video signal;

a monitor;

the monitor being capable of receiving and displaying the wirelessly broadcasted video signal.

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the camera captures video, the camera transmits the video signal to the trailer cable, the trailer cable transmits the video signal to the vehicle cable, and the vehicle cable transmits the video signal to the control unit;

the control unit converts the video signal into a wireless signal.

3. The camera system of claim 2, wherein the control unit further comprises an operating switch;

said control unit broadcasting the wireless signal when said operating switch is activated;

said control unit not broadcasting the wireless signal when said operating switch is deactivated.

4. The camera system of claim 3, wherein the monitor converts the wireless signal broadcast by the control unit into a video signal and displays the video.

5. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the monitor further comprises a mounting bracket;

the mounting bracket being configured to removably attach the monitor to an interior surface of a vehicle cabin.

6. The camera system of claim 5, wherein the mounting bracket includes a suction cup and a ball and socket joint, such that the monitor may be turned, tilted, or rotated.

7. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the video camera is waterproof.

8. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the video camera is permanently attached to the rear surface of the trailer.

9. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the video camera further comprises LED lights such that the area behind the trailer is illuminated when the video camera is activated.

10. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the male connector of the vehicle cable terminates near a trailer hitch of a vehicle and extending into a cabin of the vehicle, where it connects to the control unit.

11. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the monitor further comprises a removable power cord;

said removable power cord being plugged into a lighter port of a vehicle, such that the lighter port provides power to the monitor; and

the control unit is connected directly to an electrical system of the vehicle, such that the electrical system of the vehicle provides power to the control unit when the electrical system is activated.

12. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle cable is further configured to transfer power from the control unit to the trailer cable;

the trailer cable is further configured to transfer power from the vehicle cable to the video camera;

such that when the control unit is connected to the video camera via the vehicle cable and trailer cable the video camera is provided power and is activated and transmits a video signal to the control unit.

13. The camera system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of video cameras are connected to the control unit via a plurality of separate trailer cables and vehicle cables;

said control unit being capable of switching between the plurality of video camera signals such that only one video camera signal is broadcast wirelessly to the monitor;

said monitor being capable of controlling which video camera signal is sent from the control unit.

14. The camera system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of video cameras are connected to the control unit via a plurality of separate trailer cables and vehicle cables;

said control unit being capable of combining the separate signals of the plurality of video cameras such that only one video signal is broadcast wirelessly to the monitor;

said monitor being capable of displaying all video signals at the same time;

said monitor being capable of selectively displaying only a single video signal.

15. A back-up camera system for a towed trailer, comprising:

a trailer video camera;

the trailer video camera being configured to mount on a rear surface of a trailer;

a trailer cable being capable of transferring a video signal and having two ends;

said trailer cable being attached at a first end to the trailer video camera;

a second end of the trailer cable terminating with a female connector at a front end of the trailer;

a vehicle cable being capable of transferring the video signal and having two ends;

said vehicle cable being attached at a first end to an existing dashboard backup monitor of a vehicle with an existing backup camera;

a second end of the vehicle cable terminating with a male connector;

the male connector of the vehicle cable and the female connector of the trailer cable being configured to connect such that the video signal may be transferred between the trailer cable and the vehicle cable;

the existing dashboard backup monitor being configured to override a signal from an existing backup camera when the trailer video camera is attached to the existing dashboard backup monitor via the trailer cable and vehicle cable.

16. The camera system of claim 15, wherein the trailer video camera captures video, the camera transmits the video signal to the trailer cable, the trailer cable transmits the video signal to the vehicle cable, and the vehicle cable transmits the video signal to the existing dashboard backup monitor;

and the existing dashboard backup monitor is capable of displaying the video signal when an electrical system of the vehicle is activated.

17. The camera system of claim 15, wherein the trailer video camera is waterproof.

18. The camera system of claim 15, wherein the trailer video camera is permanently attached to the rear surface of the trailer.

19. The camera system of claim 15, wherein the trailer video camera further comprises LED lights such that the area behind the trailer is illuminated when the video camera is activated.

20. The camera system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle cable is further configured to transfer power from the existing dashboard backup monitor to the trailer cable;

the trailer cable is further configured to transfer power from the vehicle cable to the trailer video camera;

such that when the existing dashboard backup monitor is connected to the video camera via the vehicle cable and trailer cable the trailer video camera is provided power, is activated, and transmits a video signal to the existing dashboard backup monitor.