Patent Description:
Rear-view cameras are required on all new U. The camera field of view commonly covers the immediate area directly behind the vehicle. The information collected by the rear-view camera may be used by multiple safety and assistance systems in the vehicles. Such systems may include but are not limited to, vehicle backing assist systems, parking assist system, trailer towing assistance systems, etc..

One common mounting location for such rear-view cameras on pick-up trucks may be on the truck tailgate proximate to the tailgate handle, as shown in <FIG>. The camera field of view provided by such a mounting location is shown in <FIG>. However, truck operators regularly open or lower the bed of a pick-up truck to accommodate goods longer than the bed length or for various other reasons. When the tailgate is in an open position the camera field of view has changed, shown in <FIG>.

While driving in this position the camera is not providing a field of view that meets the requirements associated with rear-view cameras. Additionally, the information provided to the safety and assistance systems in the vehicles may not be available due to fact that the field of view is not aimed in the necessary direction. Thus, there is a need to provide a driver assistance system having a rear-view camera that provides a desired field of view even when the tailgate is in an open position.

<CIT>, showing the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM>, discloses a camera pivotably connected to a tailgate, an orientation sensor which detects the orientation of the tailgate and/or of the camera, and an actuator which pivots the camera relative to the tailgate based upon the detected position of the tailgate and/or of the camera. As orientation sensor, a geomagnetic field sensor, an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope is used.

In <CIT>, a pickup vehicle comprising a first rear view camera located at a pivotable tailgate and a second, center high-mounted stop light camera is described. The images of the first rear view camera or the second rear view camera may be analyzed to determine whether they are obstructed. A controller of the apparatus augments a rear view display, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the gate of the vehicle bed is in the closed position by performing an image analysis on an image received from a rear view camera.

<CIT> discloses a vehicle comprising a vehicle video system including a first rear video camera, that captures a first field of view at least partially rearward of a rear bumper assembly of the vehicle body with the tailgate assembly in the raised configuration, and a second rear video camera, that captures a second field of view rearward of the tailgate assembly with the tailgate assembly in the lowered configuration. A control unit operates the cameras depending on the position of the tailgate, wherein the position of the tailgate is determined by a tailgate position sensor.

In <CIT>, a vehicle monitoring device mounted on a vehicle that is equipped with an imaging means for taking images of the side of the vehicle body, the rear, and the rear side of the vehicle is described. The monitoring device comprises an image comparison unit that compares the captured image captured by the imaging means with the reference image read from the memory to detect an abnormal state of the vehicle body.

One general aspect includes a driver assistance system for a vehicle as defined in claim <NUM>. The driver assistance system also includes a camera system having at least one rear camera constructed and arranged to obtain an image of an area behind a rear of the vehicle; a tailgate position determining system constructed and arranged to determine a position of a tailgate of the vehicle, and where the image provided by the camera system of the rear of the vehicle is selected based upon the position of the tailgate of the vehicle.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The system the electronic control unit includes a processor circuit constructed and arranged to create the image from the data received from the camera system.

According to the invention, the system includes a first camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle and a second camera located proximate a central rear brake light of the vehicle.

The system may include a first camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle and a second camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle.

The second camera is on an opposing side of a tailgate lift handle.

The camera is moveable between a first position and a second position.

The system may include an actuator system capable of moving the camera between the first position and the second position.

The display system includes a display screen.

One general aspect includes a method of providing a rear image for a vehicle as defined in claim <NUM>. The method of providing also includes providing an image of an area behind a rear of the vehicle with at least a first camera; determining a tailgate position with a tailgate position determining system, and selecting the image provided based upon the position of the tailgate of the vehicle.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method the electronic control unit includes a processor circuit constructed and arranged to create the image from the data received from the camera system.

According to the invention, the method includes a first camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle and a second camera located proximate a central rear brake light of the vehicle.

The method may include a first camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle and a second camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle.

The method may include an actuator system capable of moving the camera between the first position and the second position.

Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, a rear-view camera system, for a vehicle <NUM>, is shown generally indicated at <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes a plurality of cameras <NUM> mounted to the vehicle <NUM> and constructed and arranged to obtain an image of an area proximate to and surrounding the vehicle <NUM>. The plurality of cameras <NUM> may be a monocular camera, binocular camera, or another type of sensing device capable of providing a view of the front, side or rear field-of-view of the vehicle <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> may include a controller <NUM> that includes a computing device (or hardware processor) <NUM> (e.g., central processing unit having one or more computing processors) in communication with non-transitory memory or hardware memory <NUM> (e.g., a hard disk, flash memory, random-access memory) capable of storing instructions executable on the computing processor(s) <NUM>.

The vehicle controller <NUM> executes a tailgate position determination system <NUM> which determines whether a tailgate <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> is in a closed (lifted) position 106a or open (lowered) position 106b and provides a rear-view image according to the determination as explained in further detail below.

A first camera 120a is a rear-view camera mounted to the tailgate <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Other camera may include front view cameras 120b, side view cameras 120c, d and possibly additional rear-view cameras 120e. The camera(s) <NUM>, 120a-e send information to the controller <NUM> for use by and for various vehicle safety and assist systems <NUM>.

The tailgate position determining system <NUM> detects the tailgate position 106a, 106b using image processing and automatically select the camera source arrangement for the rear view based on the tailgate position 106a, 106b. The tailgate position system <NUM> uses image analysis to determine if the camera <NUM>, 120a-e is pointing toward the ground, i.e. tailgate is open and camera <NUM>, 120a-e is downward, not rearward of the vehicle <NUM>. Alternatively, the tailgate position may be detected by another type of sensors, such as a position sensor. Finally, the tailgate position determining system <NUM> may work with a user interface <NUM> to allow a vehicle operator to manually select the appropriate camera source.

For embodiments which also include the user interface <NUM> that allows the driver and the controller <NUM> to exchange information. In some examples, the user interface <NUM> includes a display <NUM> and/or speakers <NUM>. In some examples, the display <NUM> is a touch screen display. In other examples, the display <NUM> is in communication with one or more input mechanisms allowing the driver to input data or make a selection on the display <NUM>. The input mechanism may be a rotary knob or a mouse. The display system <NUM> can be located at the center console <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> be controlled by the ECU to display to a driver of the vehicle, the image <NUM> obtained by the rear-view camera(s) <NUM>, 120a, 120e and the image <NUM> developed by the ECU <NUM>. The driver may manually select the image <NUM> from the desired camera <NUM>, 120a-e.

Further, instead of providing the display screen <NUM> in the console, the display screen <NUM> can be incorporated in the rear view mirror of the vehicle, or the images <NUM> can be shown via a heads-up display system or can be projected onto any surface of the vehicle <NUM>.

As discussed above, tailgate position determining system <NUM> detects the tailgate position 106a, 106b using image processing and automatically select the camera source arrangement for the rear view based on the tailgate position 106a, 106b. Specifically selecting use of the first camera 120a and/or second camera 120e. Alternatively, the tailgate position may be detected by another type of sensors, such as a position sensor. Finally, the tailgate position determining system <NUM> may work with a user interface <NUM> to allow a vehicle operator to manually select the appropriate camera source.

Referring to <FIG>, a first embodiment of a camera system <NUM> for a vehicle <NUM> according to the invention is schematically illustrated. The system includes at least a first rear view camera 102a mounted on a tailgate <NUM> of the vehicle proximate to the tailgate lift handle <NUM>. A second rear-view camera 102e is mounted to a rear brake light <NUM> proximate to the top of the passenger cab <NUM>.

When the tailgate <NUM> is in the closed position 106a the first rear camera 120a is typically used to provide an image <NUM> to the vehicle safety and assist systems <NUM>. Alternately, the second rear camera 120e may be used alone or in combination with first camera 120a by stitching the images together. Further that image may also be shown on a display <NUM>. Field of view provided by both cameras 120a, 120e when the tail gate is closed is not illustrated.

When the tailgate <NUM> is in the open position both the first camera 120a and the second rear camera 120e are used to provide the image <NUM>. The images from both cameras 120a, 120e may be stitched together into a single image <NUM>. Field of view provided by the cameras 120a, 120e when the tail gate is open is illustrated at 124a plus 124b.

Referring to <FIG>, a second embodiment of a camera system <NUM> for a vehicle <NUM> is schematically illustrated. The system includes a rear-view camera 102a mounted on a tailgate <NUM> of the vehicle proximate to the tailgate lift handle <NUM>. The camera 102a is moveably secured to the tailgate <NUM> by an actuator system <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> (not shown) may be an electromechanical actuator capable of moving the camera 102a from a first position 220a, illustrated in <FIG> to a second position 220b, illustrated in <FIG>. The camera 120a is located in a camera housing <NUM> which rotates about a hinged attachment <NUM>.

The tailgate position determining system <NUM> may detect the tailgate position 106a, 106b and activate the actuator system <NUM> to move the camera 102a to the appropriate position 220a, 220b. When the tailgate <NUM> is in the closed position 106a the first camera position 220a is used to provide an image <NUM> to the vehicle safety and assist systems <NUM>. When the tailgate <NUM> is in the open position 106b the second camera position 220b is used to provide the image <NUM>. Field of view provided by the second camera position 220b when the tail gate is open is illustrated at 124b.

As discussed above, tailgate position determining system <NUM> may detect the tailgate position 106a, 106b using image processing and automatically select the camera source arrangement for the rear view based on the tailgate position 106a, 106b.

Alternatively, the tailgate position may be detected by another type of sensors, such as a position sensor. Finally, the tailgate position determining system <NUM> may work with a user interface <NUM> to allow a vehicle operator to manually select the appropriate camera source. Based on the determined position the tailgate position determining system <NUM> may send a signal to the actuator system to activate the actuator <NUM> to move toward the desired first or second position 220a, 220b based upon the determination.

Referring to <FIG>, a third embodiment of a camera system <NUM> for a vehicle <NUM> is schematically illustrated. The system includes at least a first rear view camera 102a mounted on a tailgate <NUM> of the vehicle proximate to the tailgate lift handle <NUM>. A second rear-view camera 102e is also mounted on the tailgate <NUM> of the vehicle proximate to the tailgate lift handle <NUM>. The first camera 120a and second camera 120e may be located on opposing sides of the handle <NUM>.

The first camera 120a and second camera 120e both have fixed positions. When the tailgate <NUM> is in the closed position 106a the first rear camera 120a is used to provide an image <NUM> to the vehicle safety and assist systems <NUM>. Field of view provided by the first cameras 120e when the tail gate is closed is illustrated at 124a.

When the tailgate <NUM> is in the open position 106b the second camera 120e is used to provide the image <NUM>. Field of view provided by the second camera 120e when the tail gate is open is illustrated at 124b.

As discussed above, tailgate position determining system <NUM> may detect the tailgate position 106a, 106b using image processing and automatically select the camera source arrangement for the rear view based on the tailgate position 106a, 106b. Specifically selecting use of the first camera 120a and/or second camera 120e. Alternatively, the tailgate position may be detected by another type of sensors, such as a position sensor. Finally, the tailgate position determining system <NUM> may work with a user interface <NUM> to allow a vehicle operator to manually select the appropriate camera source.

A method, shown at <NUM>, of providing a rear image for a vehicle is described here. The method of providing also includes providing an image of an area behind a rear of the vehicle with at least a first camera, step <NUM>; determining a tailgate position with a tailgate position determining system, step <NUM>;, and selecting the image provided based upon the position of the tailgate of the vehicle, step <NUM>.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method the electronic control unit includes a processor circuit constructed and arranged to create the image from the data received from the camera system, step <NUM>.

The method includes a first camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle and a second camera located proximate a central rear brake light of the vehicle. The method may include a first camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle and a second camera located on a tailgate of the vehicle. The second camera is on an opposing side of a tailgate lift handle. The camera is moveable between a first position and a second position, step <NUM>. The method may include an actuator system capable of moving the camera between the first position and the second position. The display system includes a display screen.

The computing device <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, a high-speed interface/controller <NUM> connecting to the memory <NUM> and high-speed expansion ports <NUM>, and a low speed interface/controller <NUM> connecting to low speed bus <NUM> and storage device <NUM>.

The high-speed controller <NUM> manages bandwidth-intensive operations for the computing device <NUM>, while the low speed controller <NUM> manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. In some implementations, the low-speed controller <NUM> is coupled to the storage device <NUM> and low-speed expansion port <NUM>.

For example, it may be implemented as a standard server 800a or multiple times in a group of such servers 800a, as a laptop computer 800b, or as part of a rack server system 800c.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here can be realized in digital electronic and/or optical circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Moreover, subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of them. The terms "data processing apparatus", "computing device" and "computing processor" encompass all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers.

A computer program (also known as an application, program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, to name just a few.

One or more aspects of the disclosure can be implemented in a computing system that includes a backend component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a frontend component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or any combination of one or more such backend, middleware, or frontend components.

In some implementations, a server transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to a client device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving user input from a user interacting with the client device).

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of the disclosure. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Claim 1:
A driver assistance system for a vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
a camera system having at least two rear cameras (<NUM>) constructed and arranged to obtain an image (<NUM>) of an area behind a rear of the vehicle (<NUM>);
a tailgate position determining system (<NUM>) constructed and arranged to determine a position of a tailgate (<NUM>) of the vehicle; and
wherein the image (<NUM>) provided by the camera system of the rear of the vehicle (<NUM>) is selected based upon the position of the tailgate (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>),
characterized in,
that the camera system comprises a first camera (120a) located on a tailgate (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>) and a second camera (120e) located proximate a central rear brake light (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>) and proximate to the top of the passenger cab (<NUM>), wherein the tailgate position determining system (<NUM>) is adapted to detect the tailgate position (106a, 106b) using image processing and to automatically select the first camera (102a) and/or the second camera (120b) for the rear view based on the tailgate position (106a, 106b).