Patent ID: 8044776
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: B60C,B60K,B60Q,B60R,B60S,G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A rear vision system for a vehicle, said rear vision system comprising: a video camera for capturing video images, wherein said video camera has a field of view that at least encompasses a vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle; a video display disposed in the cabin of the vehicle and operable to display said video images captured by said video camera, said video display displaying said video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle to assist the driver in connecting the vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle to a tow hitch connector of a trailer; and wherein said rear vision system further comprises at least one of (a) a second video camera disposed at a rear portion of the trailer and having a field of view rearward of the trailer, and wherein said video display is responsive to an output of said second video camera to display video images captured by said second video camera of the area rearward of the trailer, and wherein said rear vision system is responsive to a user input to switch said video display between a vehicle back-up display, where said video display displays video images captured by said video camera, and a trailer back-up display, where said video display displays video images captured by said second video camera, (b) a trailer camera having a field of view that encompasses an interior portion of the trailer, and wherein said video display displays video images captured by said trailer camera, and (c) a microphone in the trailer and a speaker in the vehicle, and wherein said speaker is responsive to an output of said microphone for providing an audible signal for the driver of the vehicle.