Motorized Camera Mount

• US 20170225628A1
• Filed: 02/09/2016
• Published: 08/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tang, Chih-Wei, Aich, Sudipto
• Application Number:
  US15/019,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20170225628A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence

Abstract

Example motorized camera mounts are described. In one implementation, an apparatus for mounting a camera to a vehicle includes a motor and a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the motor. The rotatable shaft includes a mechanism for mounting a camera. A controller is coupled to the motor and configured to control rotation of the rotatable shaft based on a desired orientation of the camera.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting a camera to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a motor;

a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the rotatable shaft includes a mechanism for mounting a camera; and

a controller coupled to the motor and configured to control rotation of the rotatable shaft based on a desired orientation of the camera.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further coupled to an infotainment system in the vehicle, and wherein the infotainment system provides the desired orientation of the camera to the controller.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further coupled to a navigation system in the vehicle, and wherein the navigation system provides upcoming vehicle route information to the controller.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further coupled to a mobile device via a wireless communication link.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mobile device communicates the desired orientation of the camera to the controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control rotation of the rotatable shaft based on at least one of a current steering angle of the vehicle, a current vehicle speed, a lateral acceleration, a steering wheel rotation speed, and a vehicle yaw rate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor and the controller are contained within a rear-view mirror attached to the vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor and the controller are contained within a side-view mirror attached to the vehicle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic sensor proximate the rotatable shaft, the magnetic sensor configured to determine a current rotational orientation of the rotatable shaft.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the magnetic sensor is further configured to determine a current speed and direction of rotation of the rotatable shaft.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein data associated with the current speed and direction of rotation of the rotatable shaft is communicated to the controller.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the speed and direction at which the motor rotates the rotatable shaft based on a desired orientation of the camera.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the speed or direction at which the motor rotates the rotatable shaft based on a desired orientation of the camera and at least one of a current steering angle of the vehicle, a current vehicle speed, a lateral acceleration, a steering wheel rotation speed, and a vehicle yaw rate.

15. The vehicle rear-view mirror of claim 1, wherein the controller is further coupled to a mobile device via a wireless communication link.

16. The vehicle rear-view mirror of claim 15, wherein the mobile device communicates camera orientation instructions to the controller.

17. The vehicle rear-view mirror of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the speed and direction at which the motor rotates the first rotatable shaft based on a desired orientation of the camera.

14. A vehicle rear-view mirror comprising:

a motor having a first rotatable shaft;

a second rotatable shaft operably coupled to the first rotatable shaft, wherein the second rotatable shaft rotates responsive to rotation of the first rotatable shaft, and wherein the second rotatable shaft includes a mechanism for mounting a camera; and

a controller coupled to the motor and configured to control the speed and direction at which the motor rotates the first rotatable shaft.

18. A method comprising:

receiving a current rotational orientation of a motor mounted to a vehicle;

receiving a desired orientation of a motor based on a desired orientation of a camera coupled to the motor;

determining, using one or more processors, whether to rotate the motor based on the desired orientation of the camera and the current rotational orientation of the motor;

responsive to determining to rotate the motor;

determining, using the one or more processors, a direction to rotate the motor;

determining, using the one or more processors, a speed to rotate the motor; and

generating, using the one or more processors, instructions to rotate the motor based on the direction and the speed to rotate the motor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving the desired orientation of the motor includes receiving upcoming vehicle route information from a vehicle navigation system.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving the current rotational orientation of the motor includes receiving rotational orientation information from a sensor proximate the motor.