Patent Publication Number: US-2019193646-A1

Title: Automotive camera system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Disclosed herein are automotive cameras and automotive camera systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles are often equipped with cameras, specifically exterior cameras. These cameras may provide a field of view of an exterior of the vehicle to an interior user interface to aid the driver in parking the vehicle. Data from the camera may be transmitted to the interior user interface via a wireless network. 
     SUMMARY 
     A portable camera assembly for temporary installation on a vehicle may include a camera including a lens and sensor and a camera processor configured to receive image data from the camera. The assembly may further include a communication component configured to transmit the image data to a vehicle head-unit for display thereon, and a mounting element configured to selectively attach the camera assembly to the vehicle. 
     A portable camera system for selective installation on a vehicle, the camera system may include a camera including a lens and sensor and a camera processor configured to receive image data from the camera. The system may further include an antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with a vehicle head-unit upon installation on the vehicle. 
     A selectively installable camera system for portable use on a vehicle, the camera system may include at least one camera assembly configured to selectively attach to the vehicle. The system may also include at least one vehicle head-unit having a display and configured to display an authentication image for capture by the camera assembly and communicate with the camera assembly via a wireless network upon pairing of the camera assembly with the head-unit in response to authentication of the image at the camera assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the various embodiments will become more apparent and will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example camera system for a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example camera assembly of the camera system; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of the example camera assembly; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example diagram of a pairing process between the vehicle and the camera assembly; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example process for the camera assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Vehicles are often equipped with cameras to aid in viewing areas surrounding the vehicles, as well as areas within the vehicle. These cameras may be integrated within the vehicle and configured to draw power from the vehicle&#39;s power supply, such as the vehicle&#39;s battery. These cameras may also communicate with the vehicle via a communication system within the vehicle. Often times additional cameras are desired for additional viewing areas, such as a rear seat of the vehicle or a rear exterior of the vehicle to view a towable item such as a trailer. However, after-market cameras are difficult to integrate with existing vehicle systems, can require a central communication module just for the cameras, can be costly to install, and can fail to provide sufficient quality images. Many of these systems have limited transmission distances, lack image quality, require a wired power source, require an additional mobile device application to be downloaded in order to synchronize with a vehicle head-unit, require an additional display in addition to the existing center stack display, etc. 
     Disclosed herein is a vehicle camera system having at least one camera assembly configured to be selectively installed in or on a vehicle. The camera assembly may have a separate communication component capable of interfacing with vehicle processors for easy pairing between the two devices. The camera assembly may be easily installed and removed so as to be movable from one location on a vehicle to another, and between multiple vehicles, trailers, etc. The camera assembly may be mounted on an exterior or an interior of the vehicle, and multiple mounting options are included in the assembly. The assembly may include a higher quality antenna to facilitate wireless communication between the camera assembly and the vehicle processor. The camera may also include a portable power source such as a battery. Due to the ease of set-up, this camera assembly may be easily configurable and desirable for aftermarket, factory installed, and factory invoiced markets. Thus, an easily configurable camera assembly is provided that increases the quality of images and communication, as well as allows for a user-friendly and less costly installation. 
     Multiple camera assemblies may be simultaneously used by the camera system and each may be connected with the vehicle processor and head-unit. A switchable view may be permitted at a display at the head-unit to provide a user with multiple viewing options and areas. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example camera system  100  for a vehicle  102 . The vehicle  102  is illustrated as a car or sedan, but may be any motor passenger vehicle including but not limited to a truck, sport utility vehicle, cross-over, hatchback, station wagon, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), recreational vehicle (RV), boat, plane or other mobile machine for transporting people or goods, etc. The vehicle  102  may include a vehicle processor  104  configured to execute instructions of various vehicle applications. These applications may provide features to the vehicle  102  such as navigation, control of various vehicle systems such as climate, mirrors, windows, locks, entertainment, etc. The processor  104  may be in communication with a memory  106 . The memory  106  may be a computer-readable storage medium that includes any non-transitory medium (e.g., a tangible medium) and provides instructions or other data that may be read by the processor  104 . 
     The vehicle  102  may include a head-unit  110 . The processor  104  and memory  106  may be embodied in the head-unit  110 . The head-unit  110  may include a display  114 . The display  114  may be arranged within the vehicle dash board or center console. The display  114  may also include a heads up display (HUD). The display  114  may include a user interface (not separately shown), configured to receive user input. The display  114  may be configured to present information, images, and options to a passenger of the vehicle  102 . Specifically, the display  114  may be configured to receive image data from one or more vehicle cameras and present images to the driver. 
     The processor  104  may include a wireless transceiver  116 . The transceiver  116  may be a wireless radio configured to receive and transmit images and/or communications wirelessly with other compatible devices, such as a camera assembly  120 , described herein. The transceiver  116  may be for example, a BLUETOOTH module, a ZIGBEE transceiver, a WiFi™ transceiver, an IrDA transceiver, an RFID transceiver, etc. The transceiver  116  may create a wireless network between the processor  104  and the camera assembly  120  in order to receive images wirelessly from the camera assembly  120 . While the transceiver  116  is shown as being with the processor  104 , the transceiver  116  may be embodied within the head-unit  110 . Similarly, the head-unit  110  may include the processor  104 , or may be in communication with the vehicle processor  104 . More than one transceiver  116  may be included within the vehicle  102 . The vehicle  102  may also include one or more antennas, communication networks, etc. 
     The camera system  100  may include at least one camera assembly  120  configured to capture images. As shown by way of example in  FIG. 1 , the at least one camera assembly  120  may include a plurality of camera assemblies  120   a - e  (collectively and singularly referred to herein as camera assembly  120  and camera assemblies  120 ). The camera assemblies  120  may be arranged around the exterior of the vehicle  102 , around the exterior of a trailer  122 , within the interior of the vehicle  102 , and/or within the interior of the trailer  122 . The camera assemblies  120  arranged on the exterior of the vehicle  102  may provide images to the passenger regarding events and objects surrounding the vehicle  102 . For example, the images may aid in providing guidance during parking. The images may also aid in backing the vehicle  102  into alignment with the trailer  122 . 
     The interior camera assemblies  120  may provide images relating to the interior of the vehicle  102 . In one example, the camera assemblies  120  may be arranged to view a rear seated child seat. The images from the camera assembly  120  may provide a visual to the driver of the child in the backseat. This may be especially helpful to parents as rear-facing child restraint systems are being used more frequently and for a longer duration. 
     Specific examples of the plurality of camera assemblies  120  may include a rear back-up camera  120   a , a side mirror camera  120   b , a front camera  120   c , an interior vehicle camera  120   d , and a rear trailer camera  120   e . These examples are just that, and camera assemblies  120  may be arranged at a plurality of other locations around, in and on the vehicle  102  and trailer  122 . 
     The camera assembly  120  is described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 2 . The camera assembly  120  may communicate with the processor  104  within the vehicle  102  via the wireless network to supply captured image data to the processor  104 . The processor  104  may in turn display images based on the image data at the display  114 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example camera assembly  120 . The camera assembly  120  may include a housing  202  for maintaining the various components of the camera assembly  120 . The camera assembly  120  may include a camera  206  having a lens  204 . The lens  204  may have a field of view (FOV) that allows for a panoramic view of the field in front of the lens  204 . For example, the lens  204  may have a 160 degree FOV. The camera  206  may be capable of capturing images and video at a resolution of 1280×1080, and a frame rate of 30 frames per second, for example. The camera  206  may he an ethernet camera. The camera  206  may include a camera processor  210  and an image sensor  228  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). The camera assembly  120  may include a battery  212 . The battery  212  may be a Li-ion battery configured to provide power to the camera assembly  120  and may be removeable. The battery  212  may meet stringent thermal requirements in order to meet or exceed automotive specifications and have an improved lifespan. 
     The camera assembly  120  may include an antenna  218  configured to transmit and receive wireless communications. The antenna  218  may be external, as illustrated by way of example in  FIG. 2 . Additionally or alternatively, the antenna  218  may be internal to the housing  202 . 
     The antenna  218  may interface with a communication component  238  to transmit and receive wireless communications. Camera assembly  120  may communicate with the transceiver  116  within the vehicle  102 . The communication component  238  may be a Wi-Fi interface DCIO 3.0, a BLUETOOTH UART 802.11 operating at a 5 Ghz or 2.4 Ghz LAN protocol, for example. The antenna  218  may have a wide range, such as at least 70 feet. The communication component  238  is discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     The camera assembly  120  may include a mounting portion  230 , or mounting element, configured to attach to various exterior and interior components of the vehicle  102 . In one example, the mounting portion  230  may include an attachment mechanism such as a suction-cup configured to adhere to a smooth surface. In another example, the mounting portion  230  may include an attachment mechanism such as an adhesive. In another example, the mounting portion  230  may include magnetic attachment points. In still another example, the mounting portion  230  may include standard, or non-standard, bolt and receiving threaded receptacle. 
     The mounting portion  230  may affix the camera assembly  120  to the vehicle  102  in either a permanent or semi-permanent manner. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting portion  230  may temporarily affix the camera assembly  120  to the vehicle  102 , allowing for the camera assembly  120  to be easily removable. In this example, the camera assembly  120  may be easily moved from one location on the vehicle  102  to another. For example, in one situation the driver may wish to affix the camera assembly  120  to the interior of the vehicle  102 , facilitating a view of a rear seat. In another example, and during a subsequent trip, the driver may wish to affix the camera assembly  120  to an exterior of the trailer  122 . Additionally, at certain times, the driver may wish to not use the camera assembly  120  and simply remove the assembly  120  from the vehicle  102 . The camera assembly  120  may be installed and removed as desired, and even moved from one vehicle  102  or trailer  122  to another. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of the example camera assembly  120 . As explained, the camera assembly  120  may include the camera  206 . The camera  206  may include various components to aid in the operation of the camera both in light and dark. The camera  206  may include various optics  302 , such as the lens  204 . The camera  206  may also include an infrared component  224 , which may include an infrared LED configured to provide low light or “night vision” for the camera  206  and an ability to cut the existing IR filter out of the light path within the lens assembly  204 . An ambient light sensor  226  may detect the ambient light and allow the lens  204  and the infrared component  224  to react accordingly in response to commands provided by the camera processor  210 . The image sensor  228  may capture images and light. The camera processor  210  may receive images from the image sensor  228 . The processor  210  may then instruct the antenna  218  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) to transmit image data including the image. The image sensor  228  may, for example, be a 2.0 mega pixel (MP) sensor. 
     The camera assembly  120  may include a power component  220  configured to provide power to the camera assembly  120 . The power component  220  may include various forms of power supplies such as the battery  212  and/or a direct power source  232 , such as a wired AC power supply. The power component  220  may include a power management processor  234  configured to manage power supply. For example, the power management processor  234  may determine when to power the camera assembly  120  and when to not power the camera assembly  120 . This may include powering down the assembly  120  during non-use (e.g., during non-drive times). The processor  234  may also determine to supply power during certain drive situations. For example, the processor  234  may elect to power the assembly  120  while the vehicle  102  is backing up, thus permitting the camera assembly  120  to provide imaging during this maneuver. The processor  234 , in another example, may elect to power the assembly  120  when the vehicle  102  is in drive, but not when the vehicle  102  is in park. 
     The battery  212  may be rechargeable. The battery  212  may be recharged by an external power supply and may include a USB charging port at an interface  248 . 
     The camera assembly  120  may further include the communication component  238 . This may include the antenna  218 . The communication component  238  may also include a WiFi™ Radio component  240  and a radio frequency front end (RF FE) component  242 . The WiFi™ radio component  240  may facilitate communication between the vehicle processor  104  and the camera assembly  120  via WiFi™ communication protocols. The communication component  238  may interface with various antennas  258 . 
     The RF FE component  242  may be configured to receive and process signals and provide the signals to the antenna  218 . For example, the WiFi™ radio component  240  may implement the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11.ac standard for communication and additionally allowing for communication via older 802.11 protocols including 802.11g and 802.11n. This standard permits beamforming which will in turn allow for long transmission distances at high bandwidths, allowing the camera assembly  120  to transmit image data at much greater distances than typical assemblies. The communication component  238  may also facilitate BLUETOOTH 5.0 technology to communicate with the vehicle processor  104 . This may allow for improved audio/visual transmission distances, authentication, and increased image quality. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example diagram of a pairing process between the vehicle  102  and the camera assembly  120 . Upon set-up, the vehicle  102  and the camera assembly  120  may be paired in order to create a communication network between the vehicle  102  and the camera assembly  120 . The communication network may be specific to the camera assembly  120  and the vehicle  102  to provide a secure transmission of data between the two components. The camera assembly  120 , as explained, may be an after-market device configured to provide a portable and integratable camera for vehicles. In doing this, the camera assembly  120  may be paired with the vehicle  102  on an as-needed basis. 
     The vehicle head-unit  110  may, via the vehicle processor  104 , include a software configured to provide various credentials. These credentials may include a vehicle specific two-dimensional code  252  or authentication image, such as a QR code, bar code, etc. The example vehicle code  252  shown in  FIG. 4  includes a QR code. The vehicle code  252  may be stored in the memory  106  of the vehicle  102  and may be presented via the display  114 . Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle code  252  may be maintained in a computing cloud  256 , external server, a user&#39;s mobile device, etc. The display  114  may present the vehicle code  252  to the user. 
     During the initial set up, the user may place the camera assembly  120  in front of the display  114 . The user may turn on the camera assembly  120 , and capture an image of the vehicle code  252 . The camera processor  210  may process the code  252  and use the code  252  to identify the vehicle  102 . 
     Upon receiving the vehicle code  252 , the camera assembly  120  may initiate pairing with the vehicle  102  via a wireless network  254 . The wireless network  254  may be a WiFi™ network, BLUETOOTH, WLAN, etc. Security and encryption may be implemented via a WiFi™ protection setup (WPS) or WiFI Protected Access II (WPA-2). The camera may have the ability to act as an access point or the client to ensure that data transmitted over the wireless network  254  is secure and undetectable by third parties. 
     Notably, the camera system  100  may include multiple camera assemblies  120  which use the wireless network  254  supplied by the vehicle  102 . The camera assemblies  120  may also interface directly with the vehicle processor  104  instead of having a central processor for just the camera assemblies  120 . This allows for greater flexibility of installation locations, interchangeability within the camera system  100 , etc. The camera assemblies  120  may be easily moved from one location to the next, and from one vehicle, trailer, etc., to another. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example process  500  for the camera assembly  120 . As explained, vehicle head-unit  110  may, via the vehicle processor  104 , include a software configured to pair the camera assembly  120  with the head-unit  110 . The process  500  begins at block  505  where the head-unit  110  may receive an indication of the presence of a camera assembly  120 . Such presence may be indicated by user interaction at the display  114 . In another example, the presence of the camera assembly  120  may be recognized by receipt of a wireless inquiry over the wireless network  254 . 
     At block  510 , the head-unit  110  may pair with the camera assembly  120  via the processes as described above with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     At block  515 , once the camera assembly  120  is paired with the head-unit  110 , the head-unit  110  may receive image data from the camera assembly  120  via the wireless network  254 . The process  500  may continue until the camera assembly  120  is removed from the vehicle  102 . The camera assembly  120  may he temporarily attached to the vehicle  102 , as well as be moved from one vehicle to another. 
     Computing devices described herein generally include computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be executable by one or more computing or hardware devices, such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted from computer programs created using a variety of programming languages and/or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, etc. in general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media. 
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.