U.S. patent application number 13/774315 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for indicia and camera assembly for a vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAGNA ELECTRONICS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is MAGNA ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Yuesheng Lu.
Application Number | 20130215271 13/774315 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48981986 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130215271 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lu; Yuesheng |
August 22, 2013 |
INDICIA AND CAMERA ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
Abstract
A vehicle indicia assembly includes a vehicle indicia element
having an indicia surface with indicia established thereat and
having an attaching surface opposite the indicia surface. The
attaching surface of the vehicle indicia element is configured to
be mounted at a vehicle with the indicia surface facing outwards
away from the vehicle. The vehicle indicia element has a light
transmitting portion. A vehicle camera is disposed at the attaching
surface of the vehicle indicia element. The vehicle camera is
positioned at the vehicle indicia element so that the vehicle
camera views through the light transmitting portion and is operable
to capture image data. When the vehicle indicia assembly is mounted
at a vehicle, the vehicle camera is disposed at the vehicle and
views through the light transmitting portion of the vehicle indicia
element and is operable to capture image data representative of a
scene exterior the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Lu; Yuesheng; (Farmington
Hills, MI) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAGNA ELECTRONICS, INC.; |
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US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MAGNA ELECTRONICS, INC.
Auburn Hills
MI
|
Family ID: |
48981986 |
Appl. No.: |
13/774315 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61601651 |
Feb 22, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/148 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 13/005 20130101;
H04N 7/18 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; B60R 11/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/148 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/18 20060101
H04N007/18 |
Claims
1. A vehicle indicia assembly suitable for use on a vehicle, the
vehicle indicia assembly comprising: a vehicle indicia element, the
vehicle indicia element having an indicia surface with indicia
established thereat, wherein the vehicle indicia element has an
attaching surface opposite the indicia surface; wherein the
attaching surface of the vehicle indicia element is configured to
be mounted at a vehicle so that, when the vehicle indicia element
is mounted at the vehicle, the indicia surface faces outwards away
from the vehicle; wherein the vehicle indicia element has a light
transmitting portion; a vehicle camera disposed at the attaching
surface of the vehicle indicia element, wherein the vehicle camera
is positioned at the vehicle indicia element so that the vehicle
camera views through the light transmitting portion and is operable
to capture image data; and wherein, when the vehicle indicia
assembly is mounted at the vehicle, the vehicle camera is disposed
at the vehicle and views through the light transmitting portion of
the vehicle indicia element and is operable to capture image data
representative of a scene exterior the vehicle.
2. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the light
transmitting portion of the vehicle indicia element comprises a
passageway through the vehicle indicia element.
3. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the light
transmitting portion comprises a passageway that extends partially
through the vehicle indicia element and wherein the passageway does
not extend through the indicia surface.
4. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle
camera has a lens assembly and wherein the lens assembly is
disposed at the light transmitting portion of the vehicle indicia
element.
5. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 4, wherein the light
transmitting portion of the vehicle indicia element comprises a
passageway through the vehicle indicia element and wherein the lens
assembly is received at least partially through the passageway.
6. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 5, wherein at least a
portion of the lens assembly of the vehicle camera generally
matches the indicia surface at the passageway.
7. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 6, wherein an element of
the lens assembly is at least partially coated with a coating that
generally matches the indicia surface at the passageway.
8. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 6, wherein an element of
the lens assembly comprises a material that generally matches the
indicia surface at the passageway.
9. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 5, wherein at least a
portion of the lens assembly of the vehicle camera is generally
flush with an edge of the passageway.
10. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 5, wherein a lens optic
of the lens assembly has an outward-facing surface having a
curvature that approximates the curvature of the indicia surface at
the passageway.
11. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 10, wherein the lens
assembly comprises a wide-angle lens assembly.
12. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 10, wherein the lens
assembly has at least about a 130 degree field of view.
13. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 10, wherein the vehicle
camera is positioned relative to the vehicle indicia element to
horizontally align the lens assembly when the vehicle indicia
assembly is mounted at the vehicle.
14. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
camera controller operable to adjust image data captured by the
vehicle camera to compensate for optical distortion.
15. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 14, wherein the camera
controller is operable to adjust image data captured by the vehicle
camera to compensate for optical distortion below the
horizontal.
16. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle
camera comprises a housing and wherein the housing and the
attaching surface are configured to mount the vehicle indicia
assembly at a body portion of the vehicle.
17. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle
camera is mounted to the vehicle indicia element and wherein the
vehicle indicia assembly is mounted at a vehicle as a unit.
18. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the indicia
surface includes a graphical portion and a background portion, and
wherein the light transmitting portion is at the background
portion.
19. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle
camera has a vertical field of view at least about 125 degrees.
20. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 1, wherein the indicia
established at the indicia surface is representative of at least
one of a vehicle emblem, a vehicle manufacturer logo, a vehicle
manufacturer name, a vehicle manufacturer identifier, a vehicle
model logo, a vehicle model name, a vehicle model identifier and a
vehicle model brand.
21. A vehicle indicia assembly suitable for use on a vehicle, the
vehicle indicia assembly comprising: a vehicle indicia element, the
vehicle indicia element having an indicia surface with indicia
established thereat, the indicia representative of at least one of
a vehicle emblem, a vehicle manufacturer logo, a vehicle
manufacturer name, a vehicle manufacturer identifier, a vehicle
model logo, a vehicle model name, a vehicle model identifier and a
vehicle model brand, wherein the vehicle indicia element has an
attaching surface opposite the indicia surface; wherein the
attaching surface of the vehicle indicia element is configured to
be fixedly mounted at a vehicle so that, when the vehicle indicia
element is fixedly mounted at the vehicle, the indicia surface
faces outwards away from the vehicle; wherein the vehicle indicia
element has a light transmitting portion; wherein the indicia
surface includes a graphical portion and a background portion, and
wherein the light transmitting portion is at the background
portion; a vehicle camera fixedly disposed at the attaching surface
of the vehicle indicia element to establish a modular vehicle
indicia assembly, wherein the vehicle camera is fixedly positioned
at the vehicle indicia element so that the vehicle camera views
through the light transmitting portion and is operable to capture
image data; and wherein, when the vehicle indicia assembly is
fixedly mounted at the vehicle as a unit, the vehicle camera is
disposed at the vehicle and views through the light transmitting
portion of the vehicle indicia element and is operable to capture
image data representative of a scene exterior the vehicle.
22. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 21, wherein the light
transmitting portion of the vehicle indicia element comprises a
passageway through the vehicle indicia element, and wherein a lens
of the vehicle camera is at least partially received through the
passageway.
23. The vehicle indicia assembly of claim 21, wherein the light
transmitting portion comprises a light transmitting window at the
indicia surface and wherein the light transmitting window comprises
a material that transmits light therethrough.
24. A method of mounting a vehicle indicia assembly at a vehicle,
the method comprising: mounting a vehicle camera at a vehicle
indicia element to form a modular vehicle indicia assembly, the
vehicle camera positioned at a light transmitting portion of the
vehicle indicia element when mounted thereat; and mounting the
vehicle indicia assembly at a vehicle as a unit, wherein, when the
vehicle indicia assembly is mounted at the vehicle, an indicia
surface of the vehicle indicia element faces outwards from the
vehicle and the vehicle camera also faces outwards through the
light transmitting portion to capture image data representative of
a scene exterior the vehicle.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein mounting the vehicle indicia
assembly at the vehicle comprises mounting a housing of the vehicle
camera at a body of the vehicle.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the light transmitting portion
of the vehicle indicia element comprises a passageway through the
vehicle indicia element.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the filing benefit of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/601,651, filed Feb. 22, 2012,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates to vehicle vision systems, and more
particularly, to outward facing vehicle cameras for vehicle vision
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Outward facing vehicle cameras are often used to capture
images of the environment around the vehicle. These images can
relay information about driving conditions to the operator of the
vehicle in real-time. It is also known for processing of these
images to be performed onboard the vehicle to, for example, detect
lane markings, assist in parking, and detect obstacles.
[0004] External vehicle cameras are known to be located at the
front, rear, and sides of the vehicle. Factors such as field of
view and manufacturability can be taken into account when
positioning vehicle cameras.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a vehicle indicia or emblem
assembly or camera assembly or module or unit or unitary module
that includes a camera incorporated in or at a vehicle indicia
element or emblem, whereby the assembly or module or unit is
configured to be attached to or mounted at a vehicle as an
integrated assembly or unit.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle
indicia assembly or camera assembly includes a vehicle indicia or
indicia element and a camera. The vehicle indicia element has a
light transmitting portion and is configured to be mounted to a
vehicle. A vehicle camera is mounted at the vehicle indicia element
and positioned at the light transmitting portion (such as an
opening or passageway through the vehicle indicia element or a
light transmitting portion or window of the vehicle indicia element
or the like). The vehicle camera is mounted to the vehicle indicia
element, and the indicia assembly or module is mounted to a vehicle
as a unit, whereby the camera is operable to capture image data or
images representative of a scene exterior the vehicle.
[0007] The present application thus provides an indicia or emblem
and camera assembly or module that is attachable or mountable at a
vehicle body as a unit. When so mounted at the vehicle body, the
camera is fixedly disposed at the vehicle and is part of the
indicia or emblem that is of the type typically mounted at a
vehicle. Thus, the present invention provides a camera at a vehicle
without the complicated moving mechanisms to move or extend a
camera at a vehicle body from a hidden position (such as behind a
vehicle emblem or the like) to an extended operational position
(where the emblem is moved out of the way of the camera and the
camera is extended from the vehicle body). The indicia or emblem
and camera assembly of the present invention may be readily mounted
at a vehicle and the camera may be readily connected to an
electrical connector or lead when so mounted, in order to
electrically connect the camera to the power source of the vehicle
and/or to an image processor or control or display of the
vehicle.
[0008] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings illustrate, by way of example only, embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle indicia assembly or
camera assembly;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the vehicle indicia assembly or
camera assembly;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle camera separated from
the vehicle indicia element;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of another vehicle indicia assembly or
camera assembly with another vehicle camera;
[0015] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the vehicle camera;
[0016] FIG. 6b is a side view of the lens;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front view of part of a vehicle indicia assembly
or camera assembly having a light-transmitting window;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a portion of the
electrical system of the vehicle;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a front view of another vehicle indicia assembly
or camera assembly;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another vehicle; and
[0021] FIGS. 11a and 11b are illustrations related to the image
mapping program of the camera controller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10, which may
comprise a passenger car, such as a sedan or coupe or minivan, as
shown, or, in other examples, the vehicle 10 may comprise a sport
utility vehicle, truck, van, bus, or other vehicle. The vehicle 10
includes a vehicle body 12 as well as other parts and components.
Mounted to an aft portion of the vehicle body 12 is a vehicle
indicia or emblem assembly or camera assembly 14. The vehicle
indicia assembly or camera assembly 14 is positioned so that the
camera 20 disposed thereat has a field of view 16 outside and
generally behind or rearward of the vehicle 10. The vehicle indicia
assembly or camera assembly 14 is configured with a controller and
the vehicle may include a display to provide image information to
an operator of the vehicle 10 to assist in operating the vehicle.
The vehicle indicia assembly 14 may comprise a backup camera that
captures image data in association with a rear backup system or
rear vision system or the like.
[0023] In another example, a vehicle indicia assembly 14 is
additionally or alternatively mounted on the front of the vehicle
10 to capture image information of the environment ahead of the
vehicle 10. Similarly, a vehicle indicia assembly 14 can be mounted
on a side of the vehicle 10 or anywhere else on the vehicle 10.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, the vehicle indicia assembly 14
includes a vehicle emblem or indicia or emblem element 18 and a
vehicle camera 20 (and the indicia assembly or camera assembly and
emblem may utilize aspects of the vision systems described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,989,736 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/672,070, filed Feb. 7, 2007 (Attorney Docket MAG04 P-1320),
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. The vehicle emblem or indicia element 18 has a selected
shape and includes a background portion 24 and a graphical portion
25 on the background portion 24. In this exemplary embodiment, the
graphical portion 25 is the name of a fictitious automaker,
"Falcon", in script. It will be understood, however, that the
graphical portion 25 need not include indicia, or it may include
both indicia and non-indicia elements. For example, the graphical
portion may include or show the vehicle manufacturer name or logo
or identifier or may include the vehicle line or model name or logo
or identifier or brand or the like. The background portion 24 may
include a main `matrix` portion 27 and a bezel 29. The bezel 29 may
be chromed and so it is preferable to be able to provide the camera
in the main `matrix` portion and not the bezel 29 since it may be
more difficult to match the coloration of the lens 23 to the
chromed bezel 29.
[0025] The vehicle emblem or indicia element 18 can be made of
plastic, metal, other material, or a combination of materials. For
example, the background portion 24 may be made of plastic, and the
graphical portion 25 may be a metallic element about which the
background portion 24 is molded. Alternatively, the graphical
portion 25 could be applied to the background portion 24 by means
of electroplating, or the like. The background portion 24 and the
graphical portion 25 can each have one or more suitable surface
finishes or colors. In some embodiments, the emblem or indicia
element 18 may not include a background portion 24.
[0026] The vehicle camera 20 is preferably a video camera mounted
to the vehicle emblem or indicia element 18. The vehicle camera is
positioned at an opening or passageway 26 in the vehicle emblem or
indicia element 18, and faces outwards to capture image data
representative of a scene exterior or outside the vehicle 10. The
vehicle camera 20 may utilize aspects of the cameras described in
U.S. Publication No. 2009/0244361, PCT publication WO2011/014497
and U.S. Pat. No. 7,280,124, which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties.
[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the opening 26 in the vehicle
emblem or indicia element 18 does not intersect or run through the
graphical portion 25. That is, the opening 26 does not
detrimentally affect the appearance of the graphical portion 25. In
this example, the opening only penetrates the background portion 24
of the vehicle emblem or indicia element 18.
[0028] The vehicle camera 20 includes a lens assembly 21, which
includes both a lens 23 and a lens barrel 25. The lens 23 may be
made from one or more lens elements. One or more of the lens
elements may be provided principally to assist in the focusing of
incident light rays on the image sensor. One or more of the lens
elements may be provided for other purposes, such as simply as a
protective window to permit the pass-through of light while
protecting other, perhaps more sensitive lens elements from damage
from weather, dirt, and the like. One or both components of the
lens assembly 21 are visible through an opening 26 in the vehicle
emblem or indicia element 18, but may be configured to match the
material of the emblem or indicia element 18 that surrounds the
opening 26. The term "match" as used in this disclosure is not
limited to the concept of exactly matching, and is intended to
describe approximate matches as well. In this example, at least a
portion of the lens assembly 21 is made the same color as the
background portion 24. For example, the outermost surface of the
lens 23 is at least partially coated with an optical coating of a
color that matches the vehicle emblem or indicia element 18 at or
around the opening 26. Such an optical coating can allow the lens
23 to appear with somewhat opaque coloring from the outside, but
still allow light to enter the camera 20. Since optical coatings
may not be available in a color that precisely matches the color of
the emblem or indicia element 18 at or around the opening (the
color of the background 24 in this example), a nearly matching
color can be selected. So, while the lens 23 may not perfectly
blend in to the background 24, it blends in enough so that a casual
observer may not notice the vehicle camera 20. In other examples,
the lens assembly includes the same material or is given the same
surface finish as the surrounding region of the vehicle emblem or
indicia element 18. In still other examples, the lens barrel 25 is
alternatively or additionally made to match the background 24 so
that the lens assembly 21 blends in to the surrounding region of
the vehicle emblem or indicia element 18.
[0029] The opening 26 may in some embodiments be about 15 mm in
diameter, or smaller or larger in some cases. Preferably, the
opening is sized to fit both the lens 23 and the barrel 25 so that
the outer optic of the lens 23 sits generally flush or coplanar
with the background 24 of the emblem or indicia element, however it
is possible for the opening 26 to be sized only to surround the
lens 23 and to hide the barrel 25 (with the barrel disposed behind
the indicia element and the lens or optics received in the
passageway through the indicia element.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows the vehicle indicia assembly 14 from the side.
The vehicle indicia element 18 is configured to be mounted to the
vehicle body 12 (with the indicia surface 22 facing outwards) by
one or more mounting protrusions 28, such as pins or pegs, that
extend rearward of the vehicle indicia element 18. The mounting
protrusions 28 mate with holes or fixtures in the vehicle body 12
to securely hold the vehicle indicia element 18 to the body 12 (and
may include tabs or prongs that snap or otherwise attach the
vehicle emblem or indicia element at the body of the vehicle). The
vehicle body 12 may also be provided with an opening or cavity to
accommodate the vehicle camera 20. In other examples, other kinds
of attachment features can be used in addition or alternatively to
the protrusions 28. Optionally, the camera may be configured to be
received at a recess of the indicia element so as to not protrude
rearward therefrom, whereby no additional opening or cavity is
needed at the vehicle to accommodate the emblem/indicia and camera
assembly or unitary module (in such an application, the indicia
element may comprise a thicker element to accommodate the camera
therein).
[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface of the
lens assembly of the vehicle camera 20 is generally flush with an
edge of the opening 26, as indicated at 30. That is, the lens
assembly of the vehicle camera 20 does not substantially protrude
from the background portion 24 nor is the lens assembly
substantially recessed into the background portion 24. While the
curvature of a lens optic of the vehicle camera 20 may require the
lens to protrude slightly from the vehicle indicia element 18, such
protrusion is still considered generally flush when small enough.
In addition, such protrusion can be compensated for by slightly
recessing the vehicle camera 20, which again is considered
generally flush. In other examples, the lens assembly of the
vehicle camera 20 can significantly protrude from or be recessed
into the vehicle indicia element 18.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows the vehicle camera 20 separated from the
vehicle indicia element 18. The vehicle camera 20 includes a
housing 32, which can be made of plastic or other material, and the
lens assembly 36, which contains one or more lenses. The housing 32
holds other components of the vehicle camera 20 including the
aforementioned image sensor, which may be, for example, a
charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary
metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device. The vehicle camera 20
further includes an electrical connector 34 for connection of
electrical wiring that runs to a camera controller. In another
example, the electrical connector 34 is replaced by a wireless
module for wireless communication between the vehicle camera 20 and
the camera controller. Optionally, the electrical connector 34 may
be replaced by a wire harness directly attaching at the rear part
of camera body and having a electrical connector at the other end
of the wire harness for electrical connection to other wiring or
circuitry or connectors.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows the vehicle indicia assembly 14 with another
vehicle camera 40. The vehicle camera 40 is similar to the vehicle
camera 20, and for the sake of brevity, description will not be
repeated. Features and aspects of the vehicle camera 20 can be used
with the vehicle camera 40.
[0034] The vehicle camera 40 has a housing configured to mount the
vehicle indicia assembly 14 to the body 12 of the vehicle 10. In
this example, the vehicle camera 40 includes one or more
protrusions 42, such as pins or pegs, that extend rearward of the
vehicle indicia element 18. The mounting protrusion 42 mates with a
hole or fixture in the vehicle body 12 to securely hold the vehicle
indicia assembly 14 to the body 12. The mounting protrusion 42 of
the vehicle camera 40 can be used in addition to or in place of
protrusions 28 on the vehicle indicia element 18. In other
examples, another kind of attachment feature can be used in
addition or alternatively to the protrusion 42.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a method of mounting a
vehicle camera to a vehicle is now described. First, a vehicle
camera, such as the camera 20, is mounted to a vehicle emblem or
indicia element, such as the emblem or indicia element 18 (see
FIGS. 4 and 3). The vehicle camera 20 is mounted so that the lens
assembly 36 is positioned at the opening 26 in the vehicle indicia
element 18. The vehicle camera 20 can be secured to the vehicle
indicia element 18 by screws, bolts, an adhesive, a press fit, a
snap fit or attachment or the like. A plurality of the resulting
vehicle camera assemblies 14 can be stocked near a vehicle assembly
line. Then, an electrical connector of the vehicle camera 20, such
as the connector 34, can be connected to the electrical system of
the vehicle 10. For example, an electrical lead or connector of the
camera or of a vehicle wiring harness may be fed through an opening
or aperture or passageway at the vehicle body to electrically
connect camera circuitry to the vehicle wiring harness.
[0036] Next, the vehicle indicia assembly 14 is mounted to a
vehicle being assembled, such as the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 1). In
one example, protrusions 28, or other mounting parts, of the
vehicle indicia element 18 are fixed to the vehicle body 12. In
another example, protrusions 42, or other mounting parts, of the
housing of the vehicle camera 40 are fixed to the vehicle body 12.
The vehicle indicia assembly 14 is mounted with an emblem or
indicia surface 22 of the vehicle indicia element 18 facing
outwards. The vehicle camera 20 thus also faces outwards in order
to capture images through the opening 26 during subsequent
operation of the vehicle 10. Optionally, the electrical connection
of the camera circuitry to the vehicle wiring harness may be made
when the indicia assembly is mounted at the vehicle, such as via a
plug and socket connection to a connector that is fixedly disposed
at the emblem or indicia element mounting area of the vehicle so
that, when the indicia assembly is snapped or adhered or otherwise
attached at the vehicle, the electrical connection is also
made.
[0037] The above method demonstrates that a vehicle camera can be
mounted to a vehicle quickly and efficiently or with fewer steps
and less time on the assembly line than with other methods.
[0038] FIGS. 6a and 6b show details of the vehicle camera 20. A
forward-most lens 44 of the lens assembly 36 is shown. The lens 44
can have a curvature that approximates the curvature of the vehicle
indicia element 18 at the opening 26 to make the lens 44 as flush
as practical with the vehicle indicia element 18. In this example,
an outward-facing surface 46 of the lens 44 has curvature shaped to
approximate the curvature of the vehicle indicia element 18.
Approximating curvature in this way still takes into account the
optical performance required from the lens 44. Curvature of an
inward-facing surface 48 can be selected to allow for a better
approximation of curvature for the outward-facing surface 46.
[0039] In this example, the forward-most lens 44 a wide-angle lens,
such as a wide angle lens providing a field of view of at least
about 130 degrees and preferably the wide angle lens comprises a
180-degree lens having a field of view of at least about 180
degrees. Accordingly, the vehicle camera 20 can be positioned
relative to the vehicle indicia element 18 to horizontally align
the lens 44 when the vehicle indicia element 18 is mounted to the
vehicle 10. That is, the vehicle camera 20 and lens 44 are aligned
with a horizontal axis H that is generally parallel to a flat road.
This allows the vehicle indicia element 18 to be mounted in the
expected vertical or nearly vertical manner.
[0040] In other examples, any of the vehicle indicia assembly 14,
camera 20, lens assembly 36, and forward-most lens 44 can be tilted
downward slightly with respect to the horizontal axis H.
[0041] In some embodiments, the lens 23 may comprise a 135-degree
lens, which has a horizontal field of view of about 135 degrees and
a selected vertical field of view of about 90-110 degrees, and
requires a relatively small amount of dewarping of the raw images
prior to displaying the camera images on an in-cabin display.
However, in many applications, it is considered important for the
camera 20 to capture a portion of the vehicle bumper so that the
vehicle occupants have a point of reference in the images displayed
on the in-cabin display. As a result, 135-degree cameras typically
are mounted at least a selected angle (such as, for example, about
30-45 degrees) down from the horizontal to ensure that they capture
the vehicle bumper in their vertical field of view. This can be
problematic in some instances when trying to orient the lens
assembly 21 so that it match the curvature of the surrounding
portion of the vehicle indicia element 18. In some embodiments,
however, the lens 23 provided may be a 180-degree lens. A
180-degree lens requires a greater amount of dewarping of the raw
images, and thus could constitute a greater computational load on
whatever controller is used to control it, however it also has a
relatively greater vertical field of view than a 135-degree lens
(such as, for example, about 144 degrees vertically) which would
permit greater flexibility in the angle from the vertical at which
it is oriented. In some embodiments (such as, for example, for some
vehicles, and for some lenses) a 180 degree lens could be mounted
about 15 degrees or even less down from horizontal and still
capture a portion of the vehicle bumper. A camera would be useful
for the purposes described herein even if its vertical field of
view were less than 144 degrees. For example, a camera would have
greater flexibility for the purposes of blending with the curvature
of a typical vehicle emblem or indicia element if its vertical
field of view were greater than about 125 degrees. It will be noted
that the use of a 180-degree lens is advantageous as described
herein but is not obvious since it is not necessarily used for the
purpose of displaying a horizontal field of view on the in-cabin
display that is any greater than the horizontal field of view that
would be shown by a camera having a 135 degree lens.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a vehicle indicia assembly or camera assembly
54 having a light-transmitting window 56 established at the indicia
element. The vehicle indicia assembly 54 is similar to the vehicle
indicia assembly 14, and for the sake of clarity, description will
not be repeated. Features and aspects of the vehicle indicia
assembly 14 can be used with the vehicle indicia assembly 54.
[0043] The light-transmitting window 56 can be made of a material
or given a coating to match the color of the vehicle indicia
element 18 at or around the opening 26. For example, the
light-transmitting window 56 can be a tinted piece of clear plastic
or glass. The light-transmitting window 56 can have the shape of a
flat disc. Since, in this example, the curvature of the vehicle
indicia element 18 at or around the opening 26 is slight, the flat
light-transmitting window 56 approximates the curvature of the
vehicle indicia element at the opening. In other examples, the
light-transmitting window 56 can be given positive curvature. The
optical effect of the light-transmitting window 56 can be
compensated for by the optical design of the vehicle camera 20. The
light-transmitting window 56 can be considered an optical element
of the lens assembly 36.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows components of the electrical system of the
vehicle 10 related to the vehicle camera 20. The vehicle camera 20
is electrically connected to a camera controller 60, which controls
operation of the camera 20, such as controlling the functions of
video capture, object detection, overlays, and similar. The camera
controller 60 is connected to a video display 62 and a vehicle
computer 64.
[0045] The camera controller 60 may reside outside of vehicle
camera 20 or may comprise an integrated part of the vehicle camera,
in which case the camera 20 and camera controller 60 may share the
same enclosure or body. In the case of an outside of the vehicle
camera enclosure, a separate camera controller enclosure or box or
housing with electrical connectors may be mounted at an appropriate
place at or in the vehicle. The camera controller 60 can be
operable to adjust image data captured by the vehicle camera 20 to
compensate for optical distortion resulting from the lens 44. When
the camera of the vehicle indicia assembly 14 is used as a backup
camera, it is of specific interest to compensate for optical
distortion below the horizontal, so as to allow the vehicle
operator to see obstacles in the rear blind-spot. The camera
controller 60 can include an image mapping program 66 that remaps
curvilinear images distorted by the lens 44 (see FIG. 11a) to
another projection, such as a rectilinear projection (see FIG.
11b). Such a program can be stored in a memory of the camera
controller 60 and executed on each image of video captured by the
camera 20 before the video is output to the video display 62. The
camera controller 60 can thus generate images that convey
information similar to that provided by backup cameras that are
angled downwards.
[0046] The image mapping program 66 can be a standalone program or
a subroutine, function, class, or object of a larger camera control
program. The image mapping program 66 can be another kind of
programmatic entity. The memory that stores the image mapping
program 66 can be a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory
(RAM), or the like.
[0047] The video display 62 can include a monitor or screen
positioned for viewing by the operator of the vehicle. The camera
controller 60 outputs raw or processed video to the video display
62 to aid the operator in driving the vehicle 10.
[0048] The vehicle computer 64 is configured to send control
commands to the camera controller 60. The vehicle computer 64 also
controls other aspects of operation of the vehicle 10, as is
known.
[0049] FIG. 9 shows another vehicle emblem or indicia assembly or
camera assembly 74. The vehicle indicia assembly 74 is similar to
the vehicle indicia assembly 14, and for the sake of clarity,
description will not be repeated. Features and aspects of the
vehicle indicia assembly 14 can be used with the vehicle indicia
assembly 74.
[0050] The vehicle indicia assembly 74 includes a vehicle emblem or
indicia element 78 which itself defines an emblem or indicia
surface. The vehicle indicia element 78 can be a piece of plastic
that is electroplated. The vehicle indicia element 78 defines
openings 80 through which, when mounted, some interior cavity is
visible, which may appear black to a passerby. The vehicle indicia
element 78 may include a tab 82 to which a vehicle camera 20 is
fixed. The tab 82 and the lens assembly 21 may substantially be
black. The vehicle camera 20 can be as described in the other
examples and, for instance, can have a housing that extends into a
cavity or hole in the vehicle body 12.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows another vehicle 90 according to another
example. The vehicle 90 can be a car, as shown. In other examples,
the vehicle 90 is a truck, van, bus, or other vehicle. The vehicle
90 includes a vehicle body 92 as well as other parts and
components. Mounted to a forward portion of the vehicle body 92 is
a vehicle emblem or indicia assembly or camera assembly, such as
the emblem or indicia or camera assembly 14. The vehicle indicia
assembly 14 is positioned to have a field of view 96 outside and
generally ahead of the vehicle 10 to assist the operator in driving
the vehicle.
[0052] Optionally, a vehicle emblem or indicia assembly or camera
assembly of the present invention may include (or may be associated
with) a lens or window cleaning device, which is operable to clean
or remove dirt or debris or water or the like from the indicia
element at the light transmitting portion of the indicia element.
For example, the indicia assembly or unitary indicia/camera module
may include a spraying device that is operable to spray fluid or
air at the light transmitting portion of the indicia element to
clear debris or the like from the outer surface of the indicia
element or lens so that the camera has a clearer view through the
light transmitting portion of the indicia element. The cleaning or
spraying device may be incorporated into the indicia assembly or
module or may be disposed at the vehicle at or near the indicia
assembly or module. The cleaning device may utilize aspects of the
cleaning devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,965,336 and/or U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/713,772, filed Oct. 15, 2012,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0053] The vehicle emblem or indicia assemblies or modules or
camera assemblies or modules described herein can allow for more
efficient use of space on vehicle bodies. A dedicated camera-only
space is no longer needed on the body, which frees up space for
other components.
[0054] The vehicle emblem or indicia assemblies or camera
assemblies described herein can allow for the vehicle emblem or
indicia element to be mounted approximately vertically and the
camera to be approximately horizontal, while providing a field of
view suitable for a backup camera.
[0055] In addition, the vehicle emblem or indicia assemblies or
camera assemblies described herein can be made to not significantly
protrude from the vehicle body, which can reduce the chance of
damage to camera. The indicia and camera assembly or module is
fixedly disposed at the vehicle such that the camera is fixed
relative to the vehicle and is part of the emblem or indicia
element that is of the type typically mounted at a vehicle. Thus,
the present invention provides a camera at a vehicle with no moving
parts and without the complicated moving mechanisms to move or
extend a camera at a vehicle body from a hidden position (such as
behind a vehicle emblem or the like) to an extended operational
position (where the emblem is moved out of the way of the camera
and the camera is extended from the vehicle body). The emblem or
indicia element and camera assembly of the present invention may be
readily mounted at a vehicle and the camera may be readily
connected to an electrical connector or lead when so mounted, in
order to electrically connect the camera to the power source of the
vehicle and/or to an image processor or control or display of the
vehicle.
[0056] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle emblem
or indicia assembly or camera assembly includes a vehicle emblem or
indicia element and a vehicle camera mounted to the vehicle emblem
or indicia element. The vehicle indicia element has at least one
indicia surface shaped as a vehicle emblem or indicia element. The
vehicle indicia element is configured to be mounted to a vehicle
with the indicia surface facing outwards. The vehicle indicia
element has a light transmitting portion, such as an opening or
passageway therethrough or a light transmitting window thereat. The
vehicle camera is positioned at the light transmitting portion and
faces outwards to capture images of a scene exterior the
vehicle.
[0057] At least a portion of a lens assembly of the vehicle camera
can match the vehicle emblem or indicia element at or around the
light transmitting portion or opening. An optical element of the
lens assembly can be at least partially coated with an optical
coating that matches the vehicle indicia element at or around the
light transmitting portion or opening. An optical element of the
lens assembly can include a material that matches the vehicle
indicia element at or around the light transmitting portion or
opening. At least a portion of a lens assembly of the vehicle
camera can be flush with an edge of the light transmitting portion
or opening in the vehicle indicia element. At least a portion of a
lens assembly of the vehicle camera can have curvature that
approximates curvature of the vehicle indicia element at the
opening. A lens of the lens assembly can have an outward-facing
surface having curvature shaped to approximate the curvature of the
vehicle indicia element at the opening. The light transmitting
portion of the vehicle indicia element may comprise a light
transmitting window that is not an opening through the indicia
surface. The light transmitting window may comprise a material that
is substantially light transmissive to allow light to pass through
the window to the camera disposed behind the window.
[0058] The vehicle camera may be positioned relative to the vehicle
indicia element to horizontally align the lens when the vehicle
indicia element is mounted to the vehicle.
[0059] A camera controller may further be provided and operable to
adjust image data captured by the vehicle camera to compensate for
optical distortion. The camera controller may be operable to adjust
image data captured by the vehicle camera to compensate for optical
distortion below the horizontal.
[0060] The vehicle camera may include a housing configured to mount
the vehicle indicia assembly to a body of the vehicle.
[0061] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle
includes a vehicle body and any of the vehicle camera assemblies
above.
[0062] According to yet another aspect of this disclosure, a method
of mounting a vehicle emblem or indicia element and camera to a
vehicle includes, first, mounting the vehicle camera to a vehicle
indicia element to form a vehicle emblem or indicia assembly module
or unit. The vehicle camera is positioned at a light transmitting
portion of the vehicle indicia element. The method further includes
mounting the vehicle indicia assembly to the vehicle as a unit with
an indicia surface of the vehicle indicia element facing outwards.
The vehicle camera thus also faces outwards to capture images
through the light transmitting portion of the vehicle indicia
element. Mounting the vehicle indicia assembly to the vehicle may
include mounting a housing of the vehicle camera to a body of the
vehicle.
[0063] Therefore, the present invention provides a camera and
emblem or indicia assembly or module or unit that has a camera or
imager or sensor incorporated into a vehicle emblem or vehicle
emblem element or indicia element. The vehicle indicia assembly or
module, with the camera incorporated in or at the vehicle indicia
element, may be readily mounted at a rear portion of a vehicle (or
at a front or side portion or elsewhere at a vehicle, depending on
the particular application and desired field of view of the camera)
as a unit, whereby the camera may be electrically connected to a
vehicle wiring harness and/or vehicle network bus or the like (or
the camera may wirelessly communicate with a vision system or
vehicle network bus or the like) as the indicia element is mounted
at the vehicle (such as at an exterior panel of the vehicle or the
like).
[0064] The emblem or indicia assembly or module may include or may
be associated with an image processor operable to process image
data captured by the camera or cameras, such as for detecting
objects or other vehicles or pedestrians or the like in the field
of view of one or more of the cameras. For example, the image
processor may comprise an EyeQ2 or EyeQ3 image processing chip
available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem,
Israel, and may include object detection software (such as the
types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,855,755; 7,720,580; and/or
7,038,577, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties), and may analyze image data to detect vehicles
and/or other objects. Responsive to such image processing, and when
an object or other vehicle is detected, the system may generate an
alert to the driver of the vehicle and/or may generate an overlay
at the displayed image to highlight or enhance display of the
detected object or vehicle, in order to enhance the driver's
awareness of the detected object or vehicle or hazardous condition
during a driving maneuver of the equipped vehicle.
[0065] The camera or imager or imaging sensor may comprise any
suitable camera or imager or sensor. Optionally, the camera may
comprise a "smart camera" that includes the imaging sensor array
and associated circuitry and image processing circuitry and
electrical connectors and the like as part of a camera module, such
as by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described in PCT
Application No. PCT/US2012/066571, filed Nov. 27, 2012 (Attorney
Docket MAG04 FP-1961(PCT)), which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0066] The vehicle may include any type of sensor or sensors, such
as imaging sensors or radar sensors or lidar sensors or ladar
sensors or ultrasonic sensors or the like. The imaging sensor or
camera may capture image data for image processing and may comprise
any suitable camera or sensing device, such as, for example, an
array of a plurality of photosensor elements arranged in at least
about 640 columns and 480 rows (at least about a 640.times.480
imaging array), with a respective lens focusing images onto
respective portions of the array. The photosensor array may
comprise a plurality of photosensor elements arranged in a
photosensor array having rows and columns. The logic and control
circuit of the imaging sensor may function in any known manner, and
the image processing and algorithmic processing may comprise any
suitable means for processing the images and/or image data. For
example, the vision system and/or processing and/or camera and/or
circuitry may utilize aspects described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,005,974; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,949,331; 6,222,447;
6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642;
6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617; 6,806,452; 6,822,563;
6,891,563; 6,946,978; 7,859,565; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 6,636,258;
7,145,519; 7,161,616; 7,230,640; 7,248,283; 7,295,229; 7,301,466;
7,592,928; 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 5,929,786
and/or 5,786,772, PCT Application No. PCT/US2010/047256, filed Aug.
31, 2010 and published Mar. 10, 2011 as International Publication
No. WO 2011/028686 and/or International Publication No. WO
2010/099416, published Sep. 2, 2010, and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US10/25545, filed Feb. 26, 2010 and published Sep. 2, 2010 as
International Publication No. WO 2010/099416, and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2012/048800, filed Jul. 30, 2012 (Attorney
Docket MAG04 FP-1908(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2012/048110, filed Jul. 25, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04
FP-1907(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/CA2012/000378, filed
Apr. 25, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-1819(PCT)), and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2012/056014, filed Sep. 19, 2012 (Attorney
Docket MAG04 FP-1937(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US12/57007, filed Sep. 25, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04
FP-1942(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/061548, filed
Oct. 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-1949(PCT)), and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2012/062906, filed Nov. 1, 2012 (Attorney
Docket MAG04 FP-1953(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2012/063520, filed Nov. 5, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04
FP-1954(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/064980, filed
Nov. 14, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-1959(PCT)), and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2012/066570, filed Nov. 27, 2012 (Attorney
Docket MAG04 FP-1960(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2012/066571, filed Nov. 27, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04
FP-1961(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/068331, filed
Dec. 7, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-1967(PCT)), and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2012/071219, filed Dec. 21, 2012 (Attorney
Docket MAG04 FP-1982(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2013/022119, filed Jan. 18, 2013 (Attorney Docket MAG04
FP-1997(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/026101, filed
Feb. 14, 2013 (Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-2010(PCT)), and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/681,963, filed Nov. 20, 2012
(Attorney Docket MAG04 P-1983); Ser. No. 13/660,306, filed Oct. 25,
2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 P-1950); Ser. No. 13/653,577, filed
Oct. 17, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 P-1948); and/or Ser. No.
13/534,657, filed Jun. 27, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 P-1892),
and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/766,883, filed Feb.
20, 2013; Ser. No. 61/760,368, filed Feb. 4, 2013; Ser. No.
61/760,364, filed Feb. 4, 2013; Ser. No. 61/758,537, filed Jan. 30,
2013; Ser. No. 61/754,8004, filed Jan. 21, 2013; Ser. No.
61/745,925, filed Dec. 26, 2012; Ser. No. 61/745,864, filed Dec.
26, 2012; Ser. No. 61/736,104, filed Dec. 12, 2012; Ser. No.
61/736,103, filed Dec. 12, 2012; Ser. No. 61/735,314, filed Dec.
10, 2012; Ser. No. 61/734,457, filed Dec. 7, 2012; Ser. No.
61/733,598, filed Dec. 5, 2012; Ser. No. 61/733,093, filed Dec. 4,
2012; Ser. No. 61/727,912, filed Nov. 19, 2012; Ser. No.
61/727,911, filed Nov. 19, 2012; Ser. No. 61/727,910, filed Nov.
19, 2012; Ser. No. 61/718,382, filed Oct. 25, 2012; Ser. No.
61/710,924, filed Oct. 8, 2012; Ser. No. 61/696,416, filed Sep. 4,
2012; Ser. No. 61/682,995, filed Aug. 14, 2012; Ser. No.
61/682,486, filed Aug. 13, 2012; Ser. No. 61/680,883, filed Aug. 8,
2012; Ser. No. 61/676,405, filed Jul. 27, 2012; Ser. No.
61/666,146, filed Jun. 29, 2012; Ser. No. 61/648,744, filed May 18,
2012; Ser. No. 61/624,507, filed Apr. 16, 2012; Ser. No.
61/616,126, filed Mar. 27, 2012; Ser. No. 61/615,410, filed Mar.
26, 2012; Ser. No. 61/613,651, filed Mar. 21, 2012; Ser. No.
61/607,229, filed Mar. 6, 2012; Ser. No. 61/602,876, filed Feb. 24,
2012; and/or Ser. No. 61/601,669, filed Feb. 22, 2012, which are
all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The system may communicate with other communication systems via any
suitable means, such as by utilizing aspects of the systems
described in PCT Application No. PCT/US10/038,477, filed Jun. 14,
2010, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/202,005, filed
Aug. 17, 2011 (Attorney Docket MAG04 P-1595), which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0067] The imaging device and control and image processor and any
associated illumination source, if applicable, may comprise any
suitable components, and may utilize aspects of the cameras and
vision systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,877,897;
6,498,620; 5,670,935; 5,796,094; 6,396,397; 6,806,452; 6,690,268;
7,005,974; 7,123,168; 7,004,606; 6,946,978; 7,038,577; 6,353,392;
6,320,176; 6,313,454; and 6,824,281, and/or International
Publication No. WO 2010/099416, published Sep. 2, 2010, and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US10/47256, filed Aug. 31, 2010 and published
Mar. 10, 2011 as International Publication No. WO 2011/028686,
and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/508,840, filed Jul. 24,
2009, and published Jan. 28, 2010 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US
2010-0020170, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/048110, filed
Jul. 25, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-1907(PCT)), and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/534,657, filed Jun. 27, 2012
(Attorney Docket MAG04 P-1892), which are all hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties. The camera or cameras may
comprise any suitable cameras or imaging sensors or camera modules,
and may utilize aspects of the cameras or sensors described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/091,359, filed Apr. 24, 2008 and
published Oct. 1, 2009 as U.S. Publication No. US-2009-0244361,
and/or Ser. No. 13/260,400, filed Sep. 26, 2011 (Attorney Docket
MAG04 P-1757), and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,965,336 and/or 7,480,149,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. The imaging array sensor may comprise any suitable
sensor, and may utilize various imaging sensors or imaging array
sensors or cameras or the like, such as a CMOS imaging array
sensor, a CCD sensor or other sensors or the like, such as the
types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962;
5,715,093; 5,877,897; 6,922,292; 6,757,109; 6,717,610; 6,590,719;
6,201,642; 6,498,620; 5,796,094; 6,097,023; 6,320,176; 6,559,435;
6,831,261; 6,806,452; 6,396,397; 6,822,563; 6,946,978; 7,339,149;
7,038,577; 7,004,606; and/or 7,720,580, and/or U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/534,632, filed May 11, 2005, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,965,336; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/076022, filed
Sep. 11, 2008 and published Mar. 19, 2009 as International
Publication No. WO/2009/036176, and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2008/078700, filed Oct. 3, 2008 and published Apr. 9, 2009 as
International Publication No. WO/2009/046268, which are all hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0068] The camera module and circuit chip or board and imaging
sensor may be implemented and operated in connection with various
vehicular vision-based systems, and/or may be operable utilizing
the principles of such other vehicular systems, such as a vehicle
headlamp control system, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,796,094; 6,097,023; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261;
7,004,606; 7,339,149; and/or 7,526,103, which are all hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, a rain
sensor, such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 6,320,176; and/or 7,480,149, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, a
vehicle vision system, such as a forwardly, sidewardly or
rearwardly directed vehicle vision system utilizing principles
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962;
5,877,897; 5,949,331; 6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620;
6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109;
6,802,617; 6,806,452; 6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978; and/or
7,859,565, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties, a trailer hitching aid or tow check system, such
as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, a reverse or
sideward imaging system, such as for a lane change assistance
system or lane departure warning system or for a blind spot or
object detection system, such as imaging or detection systems of
the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,720,580; 7,038,577;
5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/239,980, filed Sep. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,496,
and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/628,709, filed Nov.
17, 2004; Ser. No. 60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004; Ser. No.
60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004; Ser. No. 60/638,687, filed Dec.
23, 2004, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties, a video device for internal cabin surveillance
and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 6,690,268; and/or 7,370,983, and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 and
published Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties, a traffic sign recognition system, a system for
determining a distance to a leading or trailing vehicle or object,
such as a system utilizing the principles disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,396,397 and/or 7,123,168, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties, and/or the like.
[0069] Optionally, the circuit board or chip may include circuitry
for the imaging array sensor and or other electronic accessories or
features, such as by utilizing compass-on-a-chip or EC
driver-on-a-chip technology and aspects such as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,255,451 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,149; and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and
published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0061008,
and/or Ser. No. 12/578,732, filed Oct. 14, 2009 (Attorney Docket
DON01 P-1564), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
[0070] Optionally, the vision system may include a display for
displaying images captured by one or more of the imaging sensors
for viewing by the driver of the vehicle while the driver is
normally operating the vehicle. Optionally, for example, the vision
system may include a video display device disposed at or in the
interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, such as by
utilizing aspects of the video mirror display systems described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/333,337, filed Dec. 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1797),
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. The video mirror display may comprise any suitable
devices and systems and optionally may utilize aspects of the
compass display systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,370,983;
7,329,013; 7,308,341; 7,289,037; 7,249,860; 7,004,593; 4,546,551;
5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,677,851; 5,708,410;
5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,173,508; 6,222,460;
6,513,252; and/or 6,642,851, and/or European patent application,
published Oct. 11, 2000 under Publication No. EP 0 1043566, and/or
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005
and published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Publication No.
US-2006-0061008, which are all hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties. Optionally, the video mirror display
screen or device may be operable to display images captured by a
rearward viewing camera of the vehicle during a reversing maneuver
of the vehicle (such as responsive to the vehicle gear actuator
being placed in a reverse gear position or the like) to assist the
driver in backing up the vehicle, and optionally may be operable to
display the compass heading or directional heading character or
icon when the vehicle is not undertaking a reversing maneuver, such
as when the vehicle is being driven in a forward direction along a
road (such as by utilizing aspects of the display system described
in PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/056295, filed Oct. 14, 2011 and
published Apr. 19, 2012 as International Publication No. WO
2012/051500, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety).
[0071] Optionally, the vision system (utilizing the forward facing
camera and a rearward facing camera and other cameras disposed at
the vehicle with exterior fields of view) may be part of or may
provide a display of a top-down view or birds-eye view system of
the vehicle or a surround view at the vehicle, such as by utilizing
aspects of the vision systems described in PCT Application No.
PCT/US10/25545, filed Feb. 26, 2010 and published on Sep. 2, 2010
as International Publication No. WO 2010/099416, and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US10/47256, filed Aug. 31, 2010 and published
Mar. 10, 2011 as International Publication No. WO 2011/028686,
and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/062834, filed Dec. 1, 2011
and published Jun. 7, 2012 as International Publication No.
WO2012/075250, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/048993, filed
Jul. 31, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-1886(PCT)), and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US11/62755, filed Dec. 1, 2011 and published
Jun. 7, 2012 as International Publication No. WO 2012-075250,
and/or PCT Application No. PCT/CA2012/000378, filed Apr. 25, 2012
(Attorney Docket MAG04 FP-1819(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2012/066571, filed Nov. 27, 2012 (Attorney Docket MAG04
FP-1961(PCT)), and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/333,337,
filed Dec. 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1797), and/or U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/615,410, filed Mar. 26, 2012,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0072] Optionally, a video mirror display may be disposed rearward
of and behind the reflective element assembly and may comprise a
display such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240;
6,329,925; 7,855,755; 7,626,749; 7,581,859; 7,446,650; 7,370,983;
7,338,177; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190; 5,668,663;
5,724,187 and/or 6,690,268, and/or in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/091,525, filed Apr. 25, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,855,755;
Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and published Mar. 23,
2006 as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0061008; and/or Ser. No.
10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 and published Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S.
Publication No. US-2006-0050018, which are all hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties. The display is viewable
through the reflective element when the display is activated to
display information. The display element may be any type of display
element, such as a vacuum fluorescent (VF) display element, a light
emitting diode (LED) display element, such as an organic light
emitting diode (OLED) or an inorganic light emitting diode, an
electroluminescent (EL) display element, a liquid crystal display
(LCD) element, a video screen display element or backlit thin film
transistor (TFT) display element or the like, and may be operable
to display various information (as discrete characters, icons or
the like, or in a multi-pixel manner) to the driver of the vehicle,
such as passenger side inflatable restraint (PSIR) information,
tire pressure status, and/or the like. The mirror assembly and/or
display may utilize aspects described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,184,190;
7,255,451; 7,446,924 and/or 7,338,177, which are all hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The
thicknesses and materials of the coatings on the substrates of the
reflective element may be selected to provide a desired color or
tint to the mirror reflective element, such as a blue colored
reflector, such as is known in the art and such as described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,910,854; 6,420,036; and/or 7,274,501, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0073] Optionally, the display or displays and any associated user
inputs may be associated with various accessories or systems, such
as, for example, a tire pressure monitoring system or a passenger
air bag status or a garage door opening system or a telematics
system or any other accessory or system of the mirror assembly or
of the vehicle or of an accessory module or console of the vehicle,
such as an accessory module or console of the types described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,289,037; 6,877,888; 6,824,281; 6,690,268;
6,672,744; 6,386,742; and 6,124,886, and/or U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 and published Mar. 9, 2006
as U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0074] While the foregoing provides certain non-limiting example
embodiments, it should be understood that combinations, subsets,
and variations of the foregoing are contemplated. The monopoly
sought is defined by the claims.
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