Exterior vehicle camera protection and cleaning mechanisms

A vehicle camera protection and cleaning system is disclosed in which at least one wiper is positioned on an underside surface of a camera cover to clean a lens of a vehicle camera. In one embodiment, the system includes an inner ring fixedly attached to an underside surface of the cover, and a plurality of aperture members pivotally connected to the inner ring on one end and pivotally connected on another end to an outer gear that is movable relative to the inner gear, where at least one of the plurality of aperture members comprises a wiper configured to clean a lens of the camera when the aperture members are moved over the lens. In other embodiments, the wiper may be positioned on an underside surface of a cover of the camera that either rotates in a circular manner or translates over the lens of the camera.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to the field of camera protection and cleaning systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for protecting and cleaning external cameras mounted on a vehicle.

A Reversing Video Device (RVD) may be mounted on vehicles, such as an automobile, to assist a driver of the vehicle to avoid objects and people in the path of the vehicle when the vehicle is driven, such as in reverse. RVD systems may include a camera, such as a Rear View Camera (RVC), mounted on the vehicle to capture video of the scene surrounding the vehicle, and a video display unit mounted in the driver's line of sight to allow the driver to view the display when driving the vehicle.

Some mounting locations of a vehicle's camera, such as a rear view camera, may cause the camera's lens to collect dust, dirt, and debris, which may obscure the field of view of the camera. There exists a need, therefore, to provide a system that removes such dust, dirt, and debris to maintain the functionality of the camera or other externally facing device, such as a radar unit, while being easily accessible and maintainable by an owner of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

A vehicle camera protection and cleaning system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an inner ring fixedly attached to an underside surface of the cover, and a plurality of aperture members pivotally connected to the inner ring on one end and pivotally connected on another end to an outer gear that is movable relative to the inner gear, where at least one of the plurality of aperture members comprises a wiper configured to clean a lens of the camera when the aperture members are moved over the lens.

The wiper may include a brush. The wiper may include a plastic or a rubber. The wiper may include a plurality of wiping elements configured to sweep across the lens of the camera.

The system may include a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the movement of the aperture members to clean the camera lens. The controller may control the movement of the aperture members over a predetermined period of time. The controller may control the movement of the aperture members in a predetermined cycle.

The aperture members may be positioned side by side along a circumference of the inner ring. The system may include a motor configured to rotate the outer gear.

In another embodiment, a vehicle camera protection and cleaning system is disclosed comprising a camera cover, the system comprising a motor connected to the cover and configured to rotate the cover in a circular manner, an aperture defined by a plurality of walls in the cover, the aperture configured to provide an opening for the camera for viewing a vicinity around a vehicle, and a plurality of wipers positioned on an undersigned surface of the cover, the wipers configured to clean a lens of the camera when the cover is moved over the lens.

The wiper may include a brush. The wiper may include a plastic or a rubber. The wiper may include a plurality of wiping elements configured to sweep across the lens of the camera.

The system may include a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the movement of the aperture members to clean the camera lens. The controller may control the movement of the aperture members over a predetermined period of time. The controller may control the movement of the aperture members in a predetermined cycle.

In another embodiment, a vehicle camera protection and cleaning system is disclosed comprising a camera cover, the system comprising a motor connected to the cover and configured to translate the cover over the camera lens, at least one wiper positioned on an undersigned surface of the cover, the at least one wiper configured to clean a lens of the camera when the cover is translated over the lens, and a controller including a processor and memory connected to the motor, the controller configured to control the movement of the cover over the camera lens.

The wiper may include a brush. The wiper may include a plastic or a rubber. The wiper may include a plurality of wiping elements configured to sweep across the lens of the camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the figures and the instant disclosure describe one or more embodiments of a camera washing system, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the teachings of the instant disclosure would not be limited to these embodiments.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, there are shown exemplary embodiments and methods of a camera cleaning and protection system for a vehicle camera or other device that may collect dust, dirt, and/or debris for which cleaning may be useful.

FIGS. 1A-1Bshow vehicle100in accordance with one embodiment of the instant disclosure. In this embodiment, vehicle100is an automobile, though in other embodiments vehicle100may be any suitable vehicle (such as a truck, a watercraft, or an aircraft). Vehicle100may be a gasoline powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or any other type of suitable vehicle. Vehicle100may include standard features, such as a dashboard, adjustable seats, one or more batteries, an engine or motor, a transmission, an HVAC system including a compressor and electronic expansion valve, a windshield and/or one or more windows, doors, a rear view mirror, a right side view mirror, a left side view mirror, seatbelts, airbags, wheels, and tires.

As shown inFIGS. 1A-1B and 2, vehicle100may include sensors102, which may be arranged in and around the vehicle in a suitable fashion. Sensors102can all be the same or they can vary from one to the next. Sensors102may include many sensors or only a single sensor.

Certain of the sensors102may be configured to obtain data about the environment surrounding the vehicle (e.g., position sensors or weather sensors), as indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 1A, while others obtain data about components of the vehicle itself (e.g., gas level sensors or oil pressure sensors). The sensors102may be configured to transmit the data they obtain to one or more controllers of the vehicle100, such as to controller210(described below), for further processing. The sensors102may include any suitable sensor or sensors such as, but not limited to: (1) infrared sensors; (2) visual sensors (such as cameras); (3) ultrasonic sensors; (4) RADAR; (5) LIDAR; (6) laser-scan sensors; (7) inertial sensors (for example, an inertial measurement unit); (8) wheel speed sensors; (9) road condition sensors (to directly measure certain road conditions); (10) rain sensors; (11) suspension height sensors; (12) steering wheel angle sensors; (13) steering torque sensors; (14) brake pressure sensors; (15) tire pressure sensors; or (16) vehicle location or navigation sensors (such as a Global Positioning System). Sensors102may include gear sensors configured to detect gear engagement of the vehicle's transmission, accelerometers configured to detect vehicle acceleration, speed sensors to detect vehicle speed, wheel speed, and/or steering wheel speed, torque sensors to detect engine or motor output torque, driveline torque, and/or wheel torque, and position sensors to detect steering wheel angular position, brake pedal position, and/or mirror position. Some sensors102may be mounted inside the passenger compartment of vehicle100, around the exterior of the vehicle, or in the engine compartment of vehicle100. At least one sensor102may be used to identify the vehicle's driver via facial recognition, speech recognition, or communication with a device, such as a vehicle key or mobile phone personal to the driver.

Sensors102may have an OFF state and various ON states. Vehicle100, or a device operatively connected to the vehicle, may be configured to control the states or activity of the sensors. It should be appreciated that the term “internal sensors” includes all sensors mounted to the vehicle, including sensors that are mounted to an exterior of vehicle100.

As shown inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, vehicle100includes a vehicle data bus202operatively coupled to sensors102, vehicle drive devices206, memory or data storage208, a processor or controller210, a user interface212, communication devices214, and a disk drive216.

The processor or controller210may be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices such as, but not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

The memory208may be volatile memory (e.g., RAM, which can include non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, and any other suitable forms); non-volatile memory (e.g., disk memory, FLASH memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, memristor-based non-volatile solid-state memory, etc.); unalterable memory (e.g., EPROMs); read-only memory; a hard drive; a solid state hard drive; or a physical disk such as a DVD. In an embodiment, the memory includes multiple kinds of memory, particularly volatile memory add non-volatile memory.

The communication devices214may include a wired or wireless network interface to enable communication with an external network. The external network may be a collection of one or more networks, including standards-based networks (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, Universal Mobile Telecommunications Autonomous valet parking system (UMTS), GSM® Association, Long Term Evolution (LTE)™, or more); WMAX; Bluetooth; near field communication (NFC); WFi (including 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac or others); WiGig; Global Positioning System (GPS) networks; and others available at the time of the filing of this application or that may be developed in the future. Further, the external network(s) may be a public network, such as the Internet; a private network, such as an intranet; or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to, TCP/IP-based networking protocols. The communication devices214may also include a wired or wireless interface to enable direct communication with an electronic device, such as a USB or Bluetooth interface.

The user interface212may include any suitable input and output devices. The input devices enable a driver or a passenger of vehicle100to input modifications or updates to information shown in, for example, a vehicle display. The input devices may include, for instance, a control knob, an instrument panel, a keyboard, a scanner, a digital camera for image capture and/or visual command recognition, a touch screen, an audio input device (e.g., cabin microphone), buttons, a mouse, or a touchpad. The output devices may include instrument cluster outputs (e.g., dials, lighting devices), actuators, a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), an organic light emitting diode (“OLED”), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (“CRT”), or a heads-up display), and speakers. It should be appreciated that the term pressing a button or feature also includes pressing or activating a virtual button or feature, such as using a mouse to click on an item on a display, or pressing a virtual button on a touch screen.

The disk drive216is configured to receive a computer readable medium. In certain embodiments, the disk drive216receives the computer-readable medium on which one or more sets of instructions. The instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions may reside completely, or at least partially, within any one or more of the main memory208, the computer readable medium, and/or within the processor210during execution of the instructions.

The term “computer-readable medium” should be understood to include a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” also includes any tangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the vehicle100includes a one or more computer programs or subprograms120stored in the memory208. When executed by the processor, the one or more computer programs or subprograms generate or select instructions for other elements of the vehicle to perform. In various embodiments, the one or more computer programs or subprograms are configured to direct instructions to the user interface212, the communication devices214, the vehicle drive206, the sensors102, the processor210, and any other component operatively connected to the vehicle data bus202. It should be appreciated that vehicle100may be fully autonomous or partially autonomous.

In various embodiments, a computing device105is operatively connected to the vehicle100via any suitable data connection such as WFi, Bluetooth, USB, or a cellular data connection. In one embodiment, shown inFIG. 3, the computing device105includes a data bus302, operatively coupled to sensors306, components316, memory or data storage308, a processor or controller310, a user interface312, and communication devices314. It should be appreciated that the features of the computing device105may be similar to the features of the vehicle100as described above. For example, the communication devices314of the computing device105may operate similar to the communication devices214of the vehicle100. The same applies to the user interface312, the sensors306, the data storage308, the processor310, and the disk drive318. In various embodiments, the computing device105is a mobile phone or a server.

Turning toFIGS. 4-7, there is shown an exemplary camera cleaning and protection system400to wipe or clean a vehicle camera lens of a vehicle mounted or mountable camera. In this embodiment, camera protection and cleaning system400includes cover410comprising a cover housing415, motor420, inner ring430fixedly connected to an underside surface of cover housing415, outer ring440, shades450hingedly connected to inner ring430on one end and on another end to outer ring440via respective pivot members445, one or more wipers460positioned on an underside of one or more shades450, gear470configured to rotate outer ring440, and an electronic controller (not shown) having a processor and memory configured to control the operation of motor420. In some embodiments, camera protection and cleaning system400may include a sensor for detecting dirt or debris positioned on camera lens405. In such embodiments, the sensor may include an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, or any other sensor configured to detect dirt or debris on camera lens405. In this embodiment, althoughFIGS. 4-6show at total of 18 shades450, camera protection and cleaning system400may include any number of shades450, such as the 5 shades450that are shown inFIG. 7, without departing from the instant disclosure.

The cover housing415includes an aperture406, which permits an unobstructed view for the optics of the vehicle camera to capture the scene in the vicinity of vehicle100. Cover housing415is configured to be detachably connected to the camera to easily remove and replace worn components of camera protection and cleaning system400, including the one or more wipers460.

The one or more wipers460may be configured as a brush having bristles, a squeegee, a pad, or any other configuration or combination that wipes away dirt and/or debris from the face of camera lens405. In various embodiments, the one or more wipers460may be made from a nylon, a polyethylene, or other plastic, a naturally occurring fiber, a foam, an elastic and/or resilient material such as a rubber including natural rubber or a synthetic rubber, or any other material that serves the purpose of wiping away dirt and/or debris from the face of camera lens405.

In this embodiment, gear teeth472of gear470are configured to be engaged with gear teeth442of outer ring440. When commanded by a driver of vehicle100or automatically via the electronic controller, motor420, which may be a stepper motor, may be configured to actuate and therefore cause rotation of gear470. In so doing, gear440turns in the opposite direction of gear470, causing shades450to move in unison in a spiral-like manner either to form aperture406over camera lens405or to close aperture406and therefore form a cover over camera lens405. During the opening and closing movement of shades450, the one or more wipers460may be configured to sweep across camera lens405, thereby sweeping away dirt, debris or other impediments to viewing an image or scene through camera lens405.FIG. 4, for example, shows aperture406, which is defined by the position of shades450, in a closed or mostly closed position.FIG. 6, by contrast, shows aperture406, which is defined by a different position of shades450, in an open or mostly open position.FIG. 5shows a size of aperture406that lies between the size shown inFIGS. 4 and 6during transit of shades450toward either a closed position or an open position.

In one embodiment, motor420is configured to rotate gear470in a pre-programmed pattern or sequence so as to repeatedly and at least partially open and close aperture406over camera lens405to repeatedly or sequentially sweep multiple wipers460back and forth over camera lens405. In other embodiments, motor420is configured to rotate gear470in a pre-programmed pattern so as to either open or close the aperture over camera lens405, and therefore, cause wipers460to sweep over camera lens405in a single pass. In other embodiments, wipers460may be commanded to make any number of passes over camera lens405to remove dirt or debris. In some embodiments, motor420is activated for a predetermined period of time, such as 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or any other period of time, to cause wipers460to sweep over and clean camera lens405. In yet other embodiments, a fluid, such as a cleaning fluid or a glass cleaner, may be dispensed, either manually or automatically, to aid in the dispersion and/or removal of dirt and/or debris from the surface of camera lens405. In some embodiments, camera protection and cleaning system400may be configured to utilize the sensor to detect whether dirt or debris exists on the camera lens405to cease sweeping wipers460over camera lens405when the sensor no longer detects dirt or debris on the camera lens405or when the amount of dirt or debris detected on the camera lens405falls below a predetermined threshold.

Turning toFIGS. 8-11there is shown another embodiment of a camera protection and cleaning system. In this embodiment, camera protection and cleaning system500includes cover510comprising a fixed aperture506, motor420, one or more wipers560positioned on an underside of the cover510, and an electronic controller (not shown) having a processor and memory configured to control the operation of motor420. Camera protection and cleaning system500may include a sensor for detecting dirt or debris positioned on camera lens505. The sensor may include an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, or any other sensor configured to detect dirt or debris on the camera lens. In this embodiment, althoughFIGS. 8-10show at total of 3 wipers560, camera protection and cleaning system500may include any number of wipers560.

The cover510includes an aperture506, which permits an unobstructed view for the optics of the vehicle camera to capture the scene in the vicinity of vehicle100when the aperture506is positioned over the vehicle camera. Cover510is configured to be detachably connected to the camera to easily remove and replace worn components of camera protection and cleaning system500, including the one or more wipers560.

The one or more wipers560may be configured as a brush having bristles, a squeegee, a pad, or any other configuration or combination that wipes away dirt and/or debris from the face of camera lens505. In various embodiments, the one or more wipers560may be made from a nylon, a polyethylene, or other plastic, a naturally occurring fiber, a foam, an elastic and/or resilient material such as a rubber including natural rubber or a synthetic rubber, or any other material that serves the purpose of wiping away dirt and/or debris from the face of camera lens505.

In this embodiment, when commanded by a driver of vehicle100or automatically via the electronic controller, motor420, which may be a stepper motor, may be configured to actuate and therefore cause rotation of cover510in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In so doing, the one or more wipers560are moved across camera lens505to sweep away dirt, debris or other impediments to viewing an image or scene through camera lens405. The rotation of cover510may be commanded, for example, when a driver of vehicle100engages the reverse gear in the vehicle's transmission, which may trigger a controller request to open the aperture506of a vehicle backup camera.

In one embodiment, motor420is configured to rotate cover510in a pre-programmed manner so as to repeatedly or sequentially sweep multiple wipers560over camera lens505. In one embodiment, wipers560are swept back and forth over camera lens505. In other embodiments, wipers560are configured to rotate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction across camera lens505for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, motor420is activated for a predetermined period of time, such as 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or any other period of time, to cause wipers560to sweep over and clean camera lens505. In some embodiments, wipers560may be caused to sweep over camera lens505in a single pass. In other embodiments, wipers560may be commanded to make any number of passes over camera lens505to remove dirt or debris. In yet other embodiments, a fluid, such as a cleaning fluid or a glass cleaner, may be dispensed, either manually or automatically, to aid in the dispersion and/or removal of dirt and/or debris from the surface of camera lens505.

Turning toFIGS. 12-13there is shown another embodiment of a camera protection and cleaning system. In this embodiment, camera protection and cleaning system600includes cover610, motor620, one or more wipers660positioned on an underside of the cover610, and an electronic controller (not shown) having a processor and memory configured to control the operation of motor4620. Camera protection and cleaning system600may include a sensor for detecting dirt or debris positioned on camera lens605. The sensor may include an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, or any other sensor configured to detect dirt or debris on the camera lens. In this embodiment, althoughFIG. 12shows only wiper660, camera protection and cleaning system600may include any number of wipers660.

The cover610is configured to form an aperture606, which permits an unobstructed view for the optics of the vehicle camera to capture the scene in the vicinity of vehicle100, when the cover610is positioned so as to reveal or expose the vehicle camera. Cover610is configured to be detachably connected to the camera to easily remove and replace worn components of camera protection and cleaning system600, including the one or more wipers660.

The one or more wipers660may be configured as a brush having bristles, a squeegee, a pad, or any other configuration or combination that wipes away dirt and/or debris from the face of camera lens605. In various embodiments, the one or more wipers660may be made from a nylon, a polyethylene, or other plastic, a naturally occurring fiber, a foam, an elastic and/or resilient material such as a rubber including natural rubber or a synthetic rubber, or any other material that serves the purpose of wiping away dirt and/or debris from the face of camera lens605.

In this embodiment, when commanded by a driver of vehicle100or automatically via the electronic controller, motor620, which may be a linear motor, may be configured to actuate and therefore cause lateral or translational movement of cover610. In other embodiments, cover610is configured to be retractably rolled up on a reel or roller to reveal the vehicle camera, and unrolled and extended to cover the vehicle camera when not in use. In these embodiments, the one or more wipers660are translatably moved across camera lens605to sweep away dirt, debris or other impediments to viewing an image or scene through camera lens605. The movement of cover610may be commanded, for example, when a driver of vehicle100engages the reverse gear in the vehicle's transmission.

In one embodiment, motor620is configured to move or translate cover610in a pre-programmed manner so as to repeatedly or sequentially sweep one or more wipers660over camera lens605. In one embodiment, wipers660are translated back and forth over camera lens605. In other embodiments, wipers660are configured to translate across camera lens505for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, motor620is activated for a predetermined period of time, such as 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or any other period of time, to cause wipers660to translate over and clean camera lens605. In some embodiments, wipers660may be commanded to translate over camera lens505in a single pass. In other embodiments, wipers560may be commanded to make any number of passes over camera lens605to remove dirt or debris. In yet other embodiments, a fluid, such as a cleaning fluid or a glass cleaner, may be dispensed, either manually or automatically, to aid in the dispersion and/or removal of dirt and/or debris from the surface of camera lens605.

Turning toFIG. 14there is shown an embodiment of a process for cleaning a vehicle camera lens. In this embodiment, on vehicle startup at step710, one or more modules or systems of the vehicle100determines that one or more vehicle cameras should be activated, as shown at step720. For example, when a driver of vehicle100engages the reverse gear in the vehicle's transmission, one or more electronic modules may trigger a controller to request activation of a camera. At step730, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be commanded by the controller to either open the camera cover (such as cover410,510,610) or confirm that the camera cover is in an open position to expose the camera lens. At step740, a driver of vehicle100may manually activate using, for example, a button or switch positioned within reach of the driver on the dashboard or console, if for example the driver determines that the camera lens appears dirty when viewing the scene in the vicinity of the vehicle on an electronic display. Once activated by a driver, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600is configured to wipe away dirt or debris from the camera lens as disclosed above.

Steps750and760illustrate optional automatic operation of camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600. At step750, for example, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to detect whether the camera lens is dirty using an image processing system, which may include an imager or sensor as discussed above to detect a level of dirt or debris existing on the surface of the camera lens or a relative transparency or clarity of the lens.

Turning toFIG. 15there is shown another embodiment of a process for cleaning a vehicle camera lens. In this embodiment, on vehicle startup at step810, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600at step820may be configured to automatically initiate and complete a predetermined cleaning cycle of the camera lens. When the camera is not in use, the camera cover may be commanded to cover the camera lens to protect the lens from damage or debris, as shown at step830.

In one aspect, when one or more modules of the vehicle100commands the operation of one or more vehicle 360° cameras or a split view cameras as shown at step840, then camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured at step850to command the opening of one or more camera covers that may be covering the lens of the one or more 360° cameras or a split view cameras. If a driver at step860determines that the scene in the vicinity of the vehicle is obscured when viewing on an electronic display, the driver may manually activate camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600to initiate and complete a cleaning cycle of the camera lens.

Alternatively, steps870and880illustrate optional automatic operation of camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600. At step870, for example, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to detect whether the camera lens is dirty using an image processing system, which may include an imager or sensor as discussed above to detect a level of dirt or debris existing on the surface of the camera lens or a relative transparency or clarity of the lens. If the dirtiness of the camera lens exceeds a predetermined threshold, at step880, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to initiate a predetermined cleaning cycle of the camera lens. In such instances, the cycle may include a predetermined cleaning sequence, a predetermined period of time of operation, or both.

In other embodiments, the camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to either detect or receive a signal indicative of a driver engaging a transmission gear, such as a reverse gear, as shown at step890. In that event, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured at step900to command the opening of one or more camera covers that may be covering the lens of the one or more rear view cameras. If a driver at step910determines that the scene in the vicinity of the vehicle is obscured when viewing the scene on an electronic display, the driver may manually activate camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600to initiate and complete a cleaning cycle of the camera lens.

Alternatively, steps920and930illustrate optional automatic operation of camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600. At step920, for example, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to detect whether the rear view camera lens is dirty using an image processing system, which may include an imager or sensor as discussed above to detect a level of dirt or debris existing on the surface of the camera lens or a relative transparency or clarity of the lens. If the dirtiness of the camera lens exceeds a predetermined threshold, at step930, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to initiate a predetermined cleaning cycle of the camera lens. In such instances, the cycle may include a predetermined cleaning sequence, a predetermined period of time of operation, or both.

In any embodiment, if one or more vehicle camera lenses is not cleanable to a desired level due to an excessive amount or type of debris, one or more electronic control units connected to or associated with camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to digitally process the acquired images or video to enhance the quality of the resulting images or video and/or to exclude such debris from the resulting images and video that is displayed to the driver. In addition, camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may be configured to detect whether shades450or covers510,610are jammed or not in their expected position when commanded to move and to provide a message the driver accordingly. Camera protection and cleaning system400,500,600may also be configured to detect environmental conditions, such as sandstorms and the like, and provide a message to the driver not to open or close (as the case may be) shades450or covers510,610.

While specific embodiments have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure herein is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to its scope and should be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.