System for observing the area laterally behind a vehicle

• US 7,283,042 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fred R. Cawley
• Original Assignee: Fred R. Cawley
• Inventors: Cawley, Fred R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US11/272,270
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/932.2, 340/937, 348/148, 348/169, 348/174
• US Class Current: 340/435
• 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 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/105 Licence- or registration plates, provided with mounting means, e.g. frames, holders, retainers, brackets
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/40 characterised by the details of the power supply or the coupling to vehicle components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking

Abstract

A system for viewing the area laterally rearward of an automotive vehicle to enhance the safety of backing out of a parking space includes a license plate securing frame having a compartment that houses small wireless transmitting TV cameras, and viewing screens located in front of the driver. The TV cameras are battery operated, thereby enabling the frame to be attached to the vehicle without special installation or wiring.

Claims

1. A rear imaging system for an automotive vehicle having a rear license plate comprising:

a) a rectangular frame for securing said license plate and attaching it to said vehicle, said frame including an upper horizontal portion having mounting apertures, and a lower horizontal portion, said horizontal portions extending to lateral extremities that join with oppositely paired vertical side portions,

b) a waterproof compartment outwardly protruding from said lower horizontal portion and elongated between opposite end panels located adjacent said side portions,

c) left and right camera units positioned within said compartment adjacent opposite extremities thereof, each camera unit comprised of a miniature TV camera with interactive wireless signal-transmitting feature,

d) at least one dry cell battery located within said compartment and adapted to power one or both said camera units, and

e) left and right display screens which receive signals from said left and right camera units, respectively, and produce the consequent images, said screens being located within said vehicle within easy view of the driver.

2. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the end panels of said waterproof compartment contain viewing apertures.

3. The imaging system of claim 2 wherein said end panels are convergently angled toward the center of the frame.

4. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said frame is further bounded by forward and rearward faces.

5. The imaging system of claim 4 wherein brackets are mounted upon said forward face for the further securement of said license plate.

6. The imaging system of claim 3 wherein said camera units have viewing angles between 45 and 60 degrees with respect to a center viewing axis.

7. The imaging system of claim 6 wherein said camera units interact with said viewing apertures in a manner such that the center viewing axis is orthogonal to said end panel and the forward-most extremity of said viewing angle is substantially parallel to said frame.

8. The imaging system of claim 4 wherein an access panel is located in said forward face.