DEVICE FOR CAPTURING OPTICAL INFORMATION

• US 20170080878A1
• Filed: 09/21/2016
• Published: 03/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ficosa Adas, S.L.U.
• Original Assignee: Ficosa Adas, S.L.U.
• Inventors: Gonz?lez, Adri?n, Iglesias, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 10,596,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

A device for capturing optical information configured for being installed in a recess of an exterior surface of a vehicle, comprising at least an imaging means configured for obtaining optical information of the surroundings of the vehicle. The imaging means are movable between an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein in the non-operating position the imaging means is able to be located in the recess of the vehicle. The device also comprises a protective cover configured for being able to cover the opening of the recess when the imaging means is in an operating position outside the recess.

Claims

1. Device for capturing optical information configured for being installed in a recess of an exterior surface of a vehicle, comprising at least an imaging means configured for imaging an image of the surroundings of the vehicle, the imaging means being movable between an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein in the non-operating position the imaging means is arranged to be located in the recess of the vehicle, the device also comprises a protective cover configured to be arranged to cover the opening of the recess when the imaging means is in an operating position outside the recess.

2. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 1, wherein the protective cover is movable between a first position in which the imaging means is able to be located in the recess and the protective cover is not able to cover the opening of the recess and a second position in which the protective cover is able to cover the opening of the recess and the imaging means is in an operating position.

3. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 1, wherein the imaging means is coupled to the protective cover such that the imaging means and the protective cover are moved together from the non-operating position to the operating position.

4. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 1, wherein the protective cover is further adapted to cover the opening of the recess in a substantially flush manner with respect to the exterior surface of the vehicle in the non-operating position.

5. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 1, wherein the device also comprises a front protective cover being configured for covering the opening of the recess when the imaging means is able to be located in the recess in a non-operating position.

6. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 5, wherein the imaging means is coupled to the protective covers such that they are moved together from the non-operating position to the operating position.

7. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 6, wherein the device also comprises a pivot axis configured such that the imaging means, the protective cover and the front protective cover are pivoted between the operating and non-operating positions.

8. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 7, wherein the pivot axis is configured to be arranged inside the recess.

9. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 8, wherein the front protective cover is configured to be arranged partially inside the recess when the device is in an operating position.

10. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 8, wherein the front protective cover is configured to be arranged outside the recess when the device is in an operating position.

11. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 5, wherein the device also comprises a casing for enclosing the imaging means said casing comprising lateral walls extending between the protective cover and the front protective cover.

12. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 1, wherein the device also comprises an illumination module.

13. Device for capturing optical information, according to claim 5, wherein the illumination module is located in one of the front protective cover and a lateral wall of the casing.

14. System for capturing optical information comprising a device for capturing optical information according to claim 1 and a processing means, the processing means adapted to receive and process an unlocking signal so as to:

generate a deployment signal such that the imaging means moves from the non-operating position to the operating position, and

generate an activation signal so as to activate the imaging means.

15. System for capturing optical information comprising a device for capturing optical information according to claim 1 and a processing means, the processing means adapted to receive and process an unlocking signal so as to:

generate a concealment signal such that the imaging means moves from the operating position to the non-operating position, and

generate a deactivation signal so as to deactivate the imaging means.