Patent ID: 12214732

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, a vehicle20and trailer34are schematically shown proximate each other. The vehicle20includes a camera system22for identifying and locating objects, such as a trailer34proximate the vehicle20. The example system22includes a rear facing camera24mounted to an aft portion of the vehicle20. The example camera24generates images of an environment to the rear of the vehicle20and provides those images to a controller36. The controller36utilizes the supplied images for various systems of the vehicle20, such as for example a trailer hitch assist system.

The example camera24generates an image with a field of view that expands to approximately 180 degrees. A mirror28is mounted to the vehicle proximate the camera24to provide an additional perspective of objects near the vehicle. The additional perspective includes images reflected in the mirror28. The reflection in the mirror of the objects are viewable by the camera24. Accordingly, the images captured by the camera24include both the surrounding area and reflected images of the surrounding area within the mirror28. The different perspectives captured within the same image provides for improved location of objects around the vehicle20.

Referring toFIG.2with continued reference toFIG.1, the field of view26of the camera24is approximately 180 degrees relative to the camera face. A portion of this field of view44provides only a view of a bumper32and other surfaces of an aft portion42of the vehicle20. Accordingly, the portion44of the field of view26is not useful to obtaining information about objects proximate the vehicle20.

Referring toFIG.3, with continued reference toFIG.1, the mirror28is mounted proximate the camera24in a location that replaces the portion44of the field of view26with a secondary field of view30. The secondary field of view30is present in the mirror and viewable by the camera24. The secondary field of view30overlaps a portion of the primary field of view26. In the overlapping portion of the field of view, the camera24captures two perspectives on any object detected. The two perspectives are utilized to triangulate a position of an object. Triangulating a position of a detected object improves accuracy and confidence that can improve the overall function of any system utilizing the images.

In this example, the camera24and mirror28are mounted relative to each other in a known fixed orientation. When an object proximate the vehicle is detected, the camera24provides a first perspective46by a direct line of sight to the object. The mirror28includes a reflection of the object and provides a second perspective48due to the reflection being offset from the camera24. The first perspective46and the second perspective48are viewable in a common image and provide for the determination of a position56of an object.

Referring toFIG.4with continued reference toFIG.3, the camera24and mirror28are set at a fixed orientation to each other. In this example, the mirror28is set at an angle50relative to a plane through the camera face. The mirror28is further set a distance54from the camera24. A reflection52of an object in the mirror28is viewable by the camera24. The distance of the reflection52from the camera24is determined utilizing the known relative position and orientation between the mirror28and the camera24. The position of the reflection52in the mirror28provides for the determination of the direction of the second perspective view48. A comparison between the first perspective46and the second perspective48provides for a confirmation of a location of an object as indicated at a crossing point indicated schematically at56.

Referring toFIG.5, with continued reference toFIGS.3and4, an image58of a view taken by the example camera24is schematically shown. The lower portion of the image is a reflected image60. The upper portion of the image58as shown is as directing viewed by the camera24. In this example, the trailer34includes a hitch40and the vehicle includes a tow ball38. The location of the hitch40and tow ball38are utilized to guide and aid in hitching the trailer34to the vehicle20.

Accordingly, the relative location between the ball38and the hitch40is provided by the image58. The first perspective provided by the camera24provides the initial view. The reflected image60provides the secondary perspective. A reflection of the tow ball38′ and of the hitch40′ are provided. The controller36receives the image with both perspectives and combines the distances and positions of the objects identified in the image, along with the known relative orientation between the camera24and the mirror28to determine and confirm the location proximate the vehicle20.

The example camera24is a single view camera and therefore, when used alone, provides only a single perspective of objects proximate the vehicle20. The single perspective may not be as accurate as desired. Accordingly, the mirror28provides a secondary perspective, in the same image, that increases accuracy without added costs and complexities associated with stereo-vision cameras.

In operation, the camera24captures the image58of an environment surrounding the vehicle20and the reflection60within the mirror28. The controller36receives the image and uses an image analysis algorithm to identify an object within the environment proximate the vehicle20. In this example, the object is the hitch40of the trailer34.

The controller36utilizes the same image analysis algorithm to also identify the reflection of the object within the mirror28. In this example, the reflection of the tow ball38′ and the hitch40′ are identified. The controller36will then have two different perspectives of the same object. The different perspectives of the same object are than utilized to determine a position of the object relative to the vehicle.

Accordingly, the disclosed example camera system includes a mirror visible to the camera to provide an additional perspective of objects surrounding the vehicle that is utilized to determine and confirm the relative position of objects surrounding the vehicle.

Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.

It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.