Camera mounted at rear of vehicle

• US 8,698,894 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2007
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Briggance, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia, Rupal
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCKENZIE, MARCUS A
• Application Number:
  US11/672,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20070182817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,624 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/10 characterised by the type of camera system used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors

Abstract

A vehicle vision system includes a vehicle having a body surface and a vehicle element generally at the body surface. The vehicle element has a normal distance dimension relative to the body surface of the vehicle. The vehicle vision system includes an imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior of the vehicle for capturing images of a region external of the vehicle. An extender element is at the body surface and extends outwardly therefrom, and the vehicle element is disposed at an outer surface of the extender element, whereby the extender element extends the normal distance dimension of the vehicle element for accommodating the imaging device. The imaging device is disposed at least partially within the extender element, whereby the presence of the imaging device in the extender element is at least partially masked or camouflaged by the extender element and the vehicle element.

Claims

1. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle element generally at said rear surface, said vehicle element comprising at least one of an emblem of said vehicle, a logo of said vehicle and a decal of said vehicle;

an imaging device comprising a lens, said imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior and rearward of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing video images external and rearward of said vehicle;

an extender element fixedly disposed at said rear surface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said vehicle element is fixedly disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing said vehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodate said imaging device behind said vehicle element;

wherein, as mounted at said vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within said extender element with said lens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extender element and between said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearward field of view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface of said extender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to said rear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imaging device are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle;

wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of said vehicle element so that said vehicle element substantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extender element, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readily noticeable at the rear of said vehicle; and

a display device within said vehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device.

2. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element and said extender are fixedly disposed at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle.

3. The vehicle vision system of claim 2, wherein said imaging device captures video images of the area substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.

4. The vehicle vision system of claim 3, wherein said display device displays images of the rearward and downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear.

5. The vehicle vision system of claim 4, wherein said imaging device comprises a rear backup camera of said vehicle.

6. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element is positioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device and wherein said display device comprises a backlit LCD video display device.

7. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element has a surface finish that substantially matches a surface finish of said rear surface of said vehicle.

8. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle emblem.

9. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle logo.

10. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element is adhesively attached to said outer surface of said extender element.

11. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle element comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem, (ii) a vehicle decal, (iii) a vehicle indicia, (iv) an exterior trim element of said vehicle, (v) a rear tail gate handle portion, (vi) a deck lid handle portion, and (vii) a light bar element of said vehicle.

12. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises at least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imaging device.

23. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device protrudes through a casing of said extender element.

24. The vehicle vision system of claim 23, wherein said casing comprises a generally cylindrical, hollow casing.

25. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said field of view encompasses a rear portion of said vehicle so as to provide a reference for a driver of said vehicle when viewing video images captured by said imaging device.

26. The vehicle vision system of claim 25, wherein said extender element is positioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle.

27. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element is positioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle.

28. The vehicle vision system of claim 27, wherein said extender element is positioned at a rear license plate region of said vehicle.

29. The vehicle vision system of claim 27, wherein said extender element is positioned above a rear license plate region of said vehicle.

30. The vehicle vision system of claim 27, wherein said extender element is positioned at a rear light bar of said vehicle.

31. The vehicle vision system of claim 27, wherein said extender element is positioned at a rear handle of said vehicle.

32. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element is formed of a polymeric material.

33. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element is formed of a metallic material.

34. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device and wherein said display device comprises a backlit LCD video display device.

35. The vehicle vision system of claim 34, wherein said backlit LCD video display device is located at an interior mirror assembly of said vehicle.

36. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said rear surface comprises a trim portion of said vehicle.

37. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element has an upper portion having a first length dimension and a lower portion having a second length dimension, and wherein said second length dimension is longer than said first length dimension, and wherein said lower surface of said extender element at which said lens is positioned at or near is at said lower portion.

13. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle element generally at said rear surface;

wherein said vehicle element comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem, (ii) a vehicle decal, (iii) a vehicle indicia, (iv) an exterior trim element of said vehicle, (v) a rear tail gate handle portion, (vi) a deck lid handle portion, and (vii) a light bar element of said vehicle;

an imaging device comprising a lens, said imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior and rearward of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing video images external and rearward of said vehicle;

an extender element fixedly attached at said rear surface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said vehicle element is disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing said vehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodate said imaging device behind said vehicle element;

wherein, as mounted at said vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within said extender element with said lens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extender element and between said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearward field of view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface of said extender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to said rear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imaging device are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle;

wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of said vehicle element so that said vehicle element substantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extender element, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readily noticeable at the rear of said vehicle; and

a display device within said vehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device.

14. The vehicle vision system of claim 13, wherein said vehicle element and said extender are fixedly disposed at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device captures video images of the area substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.

15. The vehicle vision system of claim 14, wherein said display device displays video images of the rearward and downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and wherein said imaging device comprises a rear backup camera of said vehicle.

16. The vehicle vision system of claim 13, wherein said vehicle element is adhesively attached to said outer surface of said extender element.

17. The vehicle vision system of claim 13, wherein said imaging device comprises at least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imaging device.

18. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle element generally at said rear surface;

an imaging device comprising a lens, said imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior and rearward of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing video images external and rearward of said vehicle;

an extender element fixedly attached at said rear surface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said vehicle element is fixedly disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing said vehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodate said imaging device behind said vehicle element;

wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle emblem;

wherein, as mounted at said vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within said extender element with said lens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extender element and between said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearward field of view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface of said extender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to said rear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imaging device are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle;

wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of said vehicle emblem so that said vehicle emblem substantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extender element, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readily noticeable at the rear of said vehicle; and

a display device within said vehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device.

19. The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said vehicle element and said extender are fixedly disposed at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device captures video images of the area substantially immediately rearward of said vehicle.

20. The vehicle vision system of claim 19, wherein said display device displays video images of the rearward and downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and wherein said imaging device comprises a rear backup camera of said vehicle.

21. The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said vehicle element is adhesively attached to said outer surface of said extender element.

22. The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said imaging device comprises at least one of (i) a CMOS imaging device and (ii) a color CMOS imaging device.

38. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle element generally at said rear surface, said vehicle element comprising at least one of an emblem of said vehicle, a logo of said vehicle and a decal of said vehicle;

an imaging device comprising a lens, said imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior and rearward of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing video images external and rearward of said vehicle, wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device;

an extender element fixedly disposed at said rear surface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said extender element is positioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle, and wherein said vehicle element is fixedly disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing said vehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodate said imaging device behind said vehicle element;

wherein, as mounted at said vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within said extender element and protrudes through a casing of said extender element with said lens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extender element and between said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearward field of view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface of said extender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to said rear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imaging device are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle;

wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of said vehicle element so that said vehicle element substantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extender element, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readily noticeable at the rear of said vehicle; and

a display device within said vehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device, wherein said display device comprises a backlit LCD video display device.

39. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said casing comprises a generally cylindrical, hollow casing.

40. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said field of view encompasses a rear portion of said vehicle so as to provide a reference for a driver of said vehicle when viewing video images captured by said imaging device.

41. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element is positioned at a rear license plate region of said vehicle.

42. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element is positioned above a rear license plate region of said vehicle.

43. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element is positioned at a rear light bar of said vehicle.

44. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element is positioned at a rear handle of said vehicle.

45. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element is formed of a polymeric material.

46. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element is formed of a metallic material.

47. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said backlit LCD video display device is located at an interior mirror assembly of said vehicle.

48. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said rear surface comprises a trim portion of said vehicle.

49. The vehicle vision system of claim 38, wherein said extender element has an upper portion having a first length dimension and a lower portion having a second length dimension, and wherein said second length dimension is longer than said first length dimension, and wherein said lower surface of said extender element at which said lens is positioned at or near is at said lower portion.

50. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a rear surface and a vehicle element generally at said rear surface, said vehicle element comprising at least one of an emblem of said vehicle, a logo of said vehicle and a decal of said vehicle;

an imaging device comprising a lens, said imaging device having an exterior field of view generally exterior and rearward of said vehicle, said imaging device capturing video images external and rearward of said vehicle;

an extender element fixedly disposed at said rear surface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein said extender element is positioned at a generally central region at the rear of said vehicle, and wherein said vehicle element is fixedly disposed at an outer surface of said extender element, said extender element fixedly spacing said vehicle element from said rear surface of said vehicle to accommodate said imaging device behind said vehicle element;

wherein, as mounted at said vehicle, said imaging device is disposed within said extender element and protrudes through a casing of said extender element with said lens positioned at or near a lower surface of said extender element and between said vehicle element and said rear surface of said vehicle, and wherein said imaging device has a generally downward and rearward field of view to the rear of said vehicle from said lower surface of said extender element, and wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said imaging device is non-movable relative to said rear surface of said vehicle when said extender element and said imaging device are disposed at said rear surface of said vehicle;

wherein said extender element is shaped to substantially match the shape of said vehicle element so that said vehicle element substantially encompasses said outer surface of said extender element, whereby said extender element, and the presence of said imaging device therein, is not readily noticeable at the rear of said vehicle;

wherein said extender element has an upper portion having a first length dimension and a lower portion having a second length dimension, and wherein said second length dimension is longer than said first length dimension, and wherein said lower surface of said extender element at which said lens is positioned at or near is at said lower portion;

a display device within said vehicle for displaying video images captured by said imaging device, wherein said display device comprises a backlit LCD video display device; and

wherein said display device displays images of the rearward and downward field of view in response to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and wherein said imaging device comprises a rear backup camera of said vehicle.

51. The vehicle vision system of claim 50, wherein said imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device and wherein said extender element is formed of a polymeric material.

52. The vehicle vision system of claim 51, wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle emblem.

53. The vehicle vision system of claim 51, wherein said vehicle element comprises a vehicle logo.