VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH REAR MOUNTED CAMERA

• US 20140218534A1
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Published: 08/07/2014
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,975,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 an extender element disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle. The extender element includes an extender portion and an end portion, with the end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle. The end portion includes at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo. A rear backup camera assembly is at least partially disposed in the extender portion of the extender element. The rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle. The extender element is incapable of extending such that the rear backup camera is non-movable relative to the rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle.

Claims

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

a vehicle having a rear portion;

an extender element disposed at said rear portion;

said extender element comprising an extender portion and an end portion;

said end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle;

said end portion comprising at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo;

a rear backup camera assembly at least partially disposed in said extender portion;

said rear backup camera assembly comprising a lens and a two dimensional array of a plurality of light sensing photosensor elements;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle; and

wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said rear backup camera is non-movable relative to said rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at said rear portion of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element is disposed at a generally central region at the rear of the vehicle, and wherein said rear backup camera assembly comprises a CMOS color camera, and wherein said CMOS color camera captures video images at least of an area substantially immediately rearward of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle vision system of claim 2, wherein said rear backup camera assembly has a generally rearward and downward field of view with respect to the vehicle.

4. The vehicle vision system of claim 3, wherein said end portion has a shape and wherein said extender portion comprises an elongated portion having a shape substantially matching that of said end portion.

5. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said rear backup camera assembly comprises a CMOS color camera and wherein said two dimensional array of a plurality of light sensing photosensor elements is arranged on a semiconductor substrate.

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

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

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

9. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said rear portion comprises part of one of (i) a deck lid of the vehicle and (ii) a tailgate of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element comprises part of at least one of (i) an exterior trim element, (ii) a rear tail gate handle, (iii) a deck lid handle and (iv) a light bar.

11. The vehicle vision system of claim 10, wherein said rear backup camera assembly comprises a CMOS color camera and wherein said CMOS color camera captures video images at least of an area substantially immediately rearward of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said rear backup camera assembly is disposed at a rear license plate region of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle vision system of claim 12, wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned above a rear license plate of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said end portion has a shape and wherein said extender portion has a shape substantially matching that of said end portion.

15. The vehicle vision system of claim 14, wherein said rear backup camera assembly protrudes outwardly relative to said rear portion of the vehicle through an opening at a lower part of said extender element.

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

a vehicle having a rear portion;

an extender element disposed at said rear portion;

said extender element comprising an extender portion and an end portion;

said end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle;

said end portion comprising at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo;

a rear backup camera assembly at least partially disposed in said extender portion;

said rear backup camera assembly comprising a lens and a two dimensional array of a plurality of light sensing photosensor elements;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle;

wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said rear backup camera is non-movable relative to said rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at said rear portion of the vehicle;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly comprises a CMOS color camera and wherein said CMOS color camera captures video images at least of an area substantially immediately rearward of the vehicle; and

wherein said extender element comprises part of a light bar.

17. The vehicle vision system of claim 16, wherein the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly encompasses a rear part of the vehicle so as to provide a reference for a driver of the vehicle when viewing video images captured by said rear backup camera assembly, and wherein said rear part of the vehicle comprises a bumper.

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

a vehicle having a rear portion;

an extender element disposed at said rear portion;

said extender element comprising an extender portion and an end portion;

said end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle;

said end portion comprising at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo;

a rear backup camera assembly at least partially disposed in said extender portion;

said rear backup camera assembly comprising a lens and a two dimensional array of a plurality of light sensing photosensor elements;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle;

wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said rear backup camera is non-movable relative to said rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at said rear portion of the vehicle;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly comprises a CMOS color camera and wherein said CMOS color camera captures video images at least of an area substantially immediately rearward of the vehicle;

wherein said extender element is at least partially formed of a polymeric material;

wherein the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly encompasses a rear part of the vehicle so as to provide a reference for a driver of the vehicle when viewing video images captured by said rear backup camera assembly; and

wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned at a generally central region at the rear of the vehicle.

19. The vehicle vision system of claim 18, wherein said extender element comprises part of at least one of (i) an exterior trim element, (ii) a rear tail gate handle, (iii) a deck lid handle and (iv) a light bar.

20. The vehicle vision system of claim 19, wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned above a rear license plate of the vehicle and wherein said rear part of the vehicle comprises a bumper.

21. The vehicle vision system of claim 20, wherein said rear portion comprises part of one of (i) a deck lid of the vehicle and (ii) a tailgate of the vehicle.

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

a vehicle having a rear portion;

an extender element disposed at said rear portion;

said extender element comprising an extender portion and an end portion;

said end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle;

said end portion comprising at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo;

a rear backup camera assembly at least partially disposed in said extender portion;

said rear backup camera assembly comprising a lens and a two dimensional array of a plurality of light sensing photosensor elements;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle;

wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said rear backup camera is non-movable relative to said rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at said rear portion of the vehicle;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly comprises a CMOS color camera and wherein said CMOS color camera captures video images at least of an area substantially immediately rearward of the vehicle; and

wherein said end portion has a shape and wherein said extender portion has a shape substantially matching that of said end portion.

23. The vehicle vision system of claim 22, wherein said rear backup camera assembly protrudes outwardly relative to said rear portion of the vehicle through an opening at a lower part of said extender element.

24. The vehicle vision system of claim 23, wherein the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly encompasses a rear part of the vehicle so as to provide a reference for a driver of the vehicle when viewing video images captured by said rear backup camera assembly, and wherein said rear part of the vehicle comprises a bumper.

25. The vehicle vision system of claim 24, wherein said extender portion comprises an elongated portion having a shape substantially matching that of said end portion.