Patent Abstract:
A cable including a connector for connecting a vehicle rearview mirror monitor or a vehicle dashboard monitor to a camera connected to the rear of the vehicle. The cable has a smaller diameter than those currently available and includes wires for controlling a number of vehicle functions. A single cable wire provides both power and video signals to the monitor.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention provides a cable system for connecting a rear view camera to the vehicle 12 volt DC system. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Rear view camera assemblies for use with vehicles have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,432,446 to Son discloses a monitoring camera assembly which includes a camera portion and a rear housing. The camera portion for sensing image of a object behind a vehicle including a camera body, a camera lens, and two rotational axles. The rear housing is installed on the license plate and supports the camera body, a first mechanical fastening device for fastening the front housing to the license plate is provided. 
     The camera body and lens is secured to two front housings in a manner such that if the camera fails and needs to be replaced, a time consuming and costly effort is required. Further, the connector diameter is of a size that makes it difficult for a connection to be made from the vehicle rear view mirror to the rear view camera assembly. Further, the prior art typically uses a RCA connector having a diameter size of 12 mm and being adapted to connect only a video signal to the monitor. 
     What is desired is to provide a vehicle rear view camera assembly wherein a failed camera can be simply replaced without exchanging the entire wire harness and wherein the connector cable is relatively small in diameter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a connector for connecting both a power source and the vehicle rear view mirror or dashboard monitor to a camera mounted to the rear end of a vehicle and positioned adjacent the vehicle license plate using a metal bracket. The size of the connector is significantly reduced from that available in the prior art which allows installers of the camera to easily form a small hole through the vehicle body and route the wire from the rear view mirror, or monitor, within the vehicle cabin to the camera. 
     This arrangement provided by the small diameter connector (typically 5 mm in diameter) cable enables a faulty camera to be easily removed and replaced with a cable that combines power and video lines (leads). 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified view of a vehicle wherein the connector system of the present invention is utilized; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic illustrating how the rear view mirror is connected to the rear view camera; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the connector portions connected together; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the connector showing the two connector portions disconnected; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the connector assembly of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6 ( a )  illustrates connected wire pairs;  FIG. 6 ( b )  illustrates disconnected wire pairs; and  FIG. 6 ( c )  illustrates a conventional image for a rearview camera. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a simplified representation of a modern vehicle  10  is illustrated. In this figure, a dashboard mounted monitor  13  is shown for illustrative purposes, outside the vehicle  10 . The image shown on the screen on monitor  13  is provided by backup camera  14 , the camera having a lens  15  (note that the vehicle rearview mirror can combine the conventional mirror function with display monitor  13  for use with backup rear view camera  14 ). In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a smart cable  16 , with combined power and video lines, connects 12 volt DC vehicle battery  18  to monitor portion  13  via lead  20  and connector  22 . Portion  24  of cable  16  is utilized to couple battery  18  to both backup camera  14  and to couple the video images detected thereby to monitor  13 , whether positioned on the dashboard or formed as part of the rearview mirror assembly. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating the electrical connections provided by the cable  16  of the present invention. A connector  30  comprises a 3.3V output portion  32  (shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 ) and a 3.3V input portion  34  (shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 ). An in-line voltage reducer  36  provides a stabilized 3.3V DC voltage to drive camera  14  by reducing the 12V output from battery  18 . The output cable portion  36  comprises two wire pairs,  38  and  40 . Wire pair  38  provides the video signals to drive rearview mirror monitor  13  (or a monitor mounted on the vehicle dashboard). Pair  38  comprises leads  42  and  44  which are selectably connected together at the time camera  14  is installed. When the leads are disconnected, monitor  13  illustrates a reverse image; when connected together, a standard image is presented on monitor  13 . Pair  40  comprises leads  46  and  48  which are selectably connected or disconnected at the time camera  14  is installed. When leads  46  and  48  are connected together, the standard parking guide image is not shown on monitor  13 ; when disconnected, the parking guide image is viewable on monitor  13 . 
       FIG. 3  is a view of the connector  30  (a mini DIN connector) with output portion  32  and input portion  34  connected together and  FIG. 4  is a view of the camera input plug  34  (a mini DIN connector) spaced apart from output portion  32 . Output portion  34  is connected to cable  50  (the standard DIN connector is an electrical cable that plugs into an interface to connect devices. It comprises multiple pins within a circular protective sheath; the Mini-DIN was developed to avoid possible misconnections to a mating component). 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the connector assembly  60  of the present invention. Assembly  60  comprises an elongated wire harness  62  having lead  64  which connects camera  14  to monitor  13 , a lead  66  connecting power wire  68  to monitor  13 . Clip  70  is coupled to the vehicle battery  18 , battery  18  powering monitor  13  and back-up camera  14  (via leads  16  and  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 6( a )  illustrates wires  42  and  44  of pair  38  and wires  46  and  48  of pair  36  connected together, the first pair connection enabling a standard image  79  to appear on monitor  13 , the conventional rearview image  80  (shown in  FIG. 6( c ) ) not appearing (note this occurs when the vehicle gear is in the reverse position). When the wires in pairs  36  and  38  are not connected as shown in  FIG. 6( b ) , the image shown in  FIG. 6( c )  appears on the screen of monitor  13 . When the vehicle gear is not in reverse, the monitor shows a blank image. 
     The camera  14  is preferably mounted either on the bottom side of the vehicle trunk lid or on the face side of the rear trunk lid. The camera can be secured to the lid using a double sided adhesive tape or by drilling into the deck lid with short sheet material screws. 
     As noted hereinabove, monitor  13  can be part of a rearview mirror system which also incorporates a standard rearview mirror. An example of this is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,717,521 issued on May 6, 2014 to Philip Maeda, the teachings thereof necessary for an understanding of the present invention being incorporated herein by reference. 
     The cable described hereinabove is considered “smart” in that it incorporates power and ground leads (lines) which are activated when the vehicle is in reverse gear (or when the reverse lights are on), a video connector and a trigger line to connect monitor (display unit)  13 . The video and power signals are provided to monitor  13  via a single cable line. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7