Vehicle back-up viewing system

• US 20070236364A1
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ADC Solutions Auto LLC, Larry D. Hubbard
• Original Assignee: Larry D. Hubbard
• Inventors: Smolenski, Richard, Hubbard, D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,511,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/005 using a video camera
• 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 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A system for displaying an external view of a vehicle is provided. The system may comprise a video camera for capturing images external to the vehicle and a display for displaying the images for the vehicle operator. The camera is powered by electrically connecting it to the reverse lamp power line and is operable to continuously capture images when powered. The camera may be mounted in a license plate frame to further simplify installation. The camera may communicate with the display through a wireless connection. The receiver and display may be mounted in the field of view of the vehicle operator, such as on the dashboard of the vehicle.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A method for providing electrical power to a camera interconnected to a vehicle comprising the steps of:

electrically interconnecting a camera to a reverse lamp power line of a vehicle; and

drawing, by the camera, a predetermined maximum amount of power from said reverse lamp power line.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28, further comprising the steps of:

capturing vehicle external view image information with said camera during powering of said camera;

transmitting during powering of said camera said image information to a display; and

displaying said image on said display.

30. A method as set forth in claim 29, wherein said transmitting step comprises transmitting said image information from a transmitter to said display wirelessly.

31. A method as set forth in claim 30, further comprising the step of:

drawing, by the transmitter, a predetermined maximum amount of power from said reverse lamp power line.

32. A method as set forth in claim 31, wherein the sum of said predetermined maximum amount of power drawn by said camera and said predetermined maximum amount of power drawn by said transmitter does not exceed about 300 mA at 12 VDC.

33. A method as set forth in claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

interconnecting said transmitter to interior of said vehicle; and

interconnecting said transmitter to said camera.

34. A method as set forth in claim 33, wherein said interior of said vehicle is securable.

35. A method as set forth in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

receiving by a receiver said transmitted image information; and

directing said image information from said receiver to said display.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

interconnecting said receiver with said vehicle;

electrically interconnecting said receiver to an electrical system of said vehicle;

drawing electrical power from said electrical system of said vehicle to power said receiver.

37. A method as set forth in claim 36, wherein electrically interconnecting said receiver to said electrical system of said vehicle comprises connecting said receiver to a power outlet of said vehicle.

38. A method as set forth in claim 36, wherein electrically interconnecting said receiver to said electrical system of said vehicle comprises connecting said receiver to a switched circuit of said vehicle.

39. A method as set forth in claim 35, wherein said transmitter and said receiver are matched in that said receiver only directs images to said display that are transmitted by said matched transmitter.

40. A method as set forth in claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

interconnecting said receiver to an interior portion of said vehicle;

interconnecting said display to an interior portion of said vehicle;

interconnecting a first end of a cable to said receiver;

interconnecting a second end of said cable to said display, wherein said display is visible by a driver of said vehicle while said driver is operating said vehicle in reverse; and

connecting said receiver to a power source of said vehicle.

41. A method as set forth in claim 40, wherein said cable is a coaxial cable, further comprising the step of:

connecting said display to a power source of said vehicle.

42. A method as set forth in claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

interconnecting an integrated receiver and display unit inside said vehicle, wherein the display of said integrated receiver and display unit is visible by a driver of said vehicle while said driver is operating said vehicle in reverse; and

connecting said integrated receiver and display unit to a power source of said vehicle.

43. A method as set forth in claim 30, wherein said wireless transmitting comprises determining an appropriate frequency and/or transmission protocol for use in communicating with said receiver.

44. A method as set forth in claim 43, wherein said determination of an appropriate frequency and/or transmission protocol comprises selection of an appropriate frequency and/or transmission protocol for use in said wireless communication by a user.

45. A method as set forth in claim 43, wherein said determination of an appropriate frequency and/or transmission protocol comprises automatic selection of an appropriate frequency and/or transmission protocol for use in said wireless communication by a selection module.

46. A method as set forth in claim 29, further comprising the steps of:

interconnecting said display with said vehicle;

electrically interconnecting said display to an electrical system of said vehicle;

drawing electrical power from said electrical system of said vehicle to power said display.

47. A method as set forth in claim 46, wherein the step of interconnecting said display with said vehicle further comprises the step of:

interconnecting said display unit inside said vehicle, wherein the display of said display unit is visible by a driver of said vehicle while said driver is operating said vehicle in reverse.

48. A method as set forth in claim 46, wherein electrically interconnecting said display to said electrical system of said vehicle comprises connecting said display to a power outlet of said vehicle.

49. A method as set forth in claim 46, wherein electrically interconnecting said display to said electrical system of said vehicle comprises connecting said display to a switched circuit of said vehicle.

50. A method as set forth in claim 28, further comprising the steps of:

interconnecting said camera with a license plate frame;

interconnecting a license plate with said license plate frame; and

interconnecting said license plate frame interconnected with said camera and said license plate with said vehicle.

51. A method as set forth in claim 28, further comprising the steps of:

interconnecting an external audio interface with said vehicle; and

electrically interconnecting said external audio interface with said reverse lamp power line.

52. A method for displaying an external view of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

electrically powering a camera with power from a reverse lamp power line;

capturing vehicle external view image information with said camera during powering of said camera;

transmitting during powering of said camera said image information to a display;

displaying said image on said display.

53. A method for installing a system capable of displaying an external image of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

externally mounting a camera to a vehicle;

mounting a transmitter to said vehicle;

connecting said transmitter to said camera with at least one flexible connector; and

connecting said transmitter to a reverse lamp power line of said vehicle.

54. A method as set forth in claim 53, wherein said mounting of said transmitter comprises the steps of:

accessing an internal portion of said vehicle; and

mounting said transmitter in said internal portion of said vehicle.

55. A kit for installing a system for displaying an external view of a vehicle, said kit comprising:

instructions describing the method of claim 53;

a license plate frame;

a camera interconnectable with said license plate frame;

a transmitter;

a flexible connector for connecting said camera to said transmitter;

a flexible connector to connect said transmitter to a reverse lamp power line of said vehicle;

a receiver;

a display;

a flexible connector for connecting said display to said receiver;

a flexible connector for connecting said receiver to a power source of said vehicle;

a trailer hitch adapter; and

mounting hardware.