A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes a mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting structure configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle. The mirror head accommodates a camera and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected in series with each other. A switch is operable in an open state, where current provided by a current driver passes through each individual LED of the plurality of LEDs, and a closed state, where current provided by the current driver passes through a first subset of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs and bypasses a second subset of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs. The switch operates in the open state when the camera captures image data for a first vehicular function, such as occupant monitoring, and operates in the closed state when the camera captures image data for a second vehicular function, such as driver monitoring.
B60Q 3/12 - Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
A vehicular control system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle that captures image data. The system includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the camera. The system, responsive to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, detects a traffic light in front of the vehicle. The detected traffic light includes a plurality of traffic signals and each traffic signal includes a visual indication for controlling traffic. The system, responsive to detecting the traffic light, generates a digitized traffic light data structure that includes (i) a position of the detected traffic light, (ii) an orientation of the detected traffic light, and (iii) at least one attribute of each traffic signal of the traffic light. The vehicular control system, using the digitized traffic light data structure, autonomously controls a feature of the vehicle.
B60T 7/12 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
B60W 10/00 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
G06V 10/82 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using neural networks
G06V 20/58 - Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
3.
VEHICULAR DRIVER MONITORING SYSTEM WITH DRIVER MONITORING CAMERA AND NEAR IR LIGHT EMITTER AT INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY
A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera and first and second near-infrared light emitting elements accommodated by a mirror head. The light emitting elements are oriented at the mirror head so that (i) a beam of light emitted by the first light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a left hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the LHD vehicle, and (ii) a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a right hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the RHD vehicle. The system enables and/or operates the first or second light emitting element for a driver monitoring function responsive to indication that the mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle.
A vehicular trailer guidance system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and a rear backup camera disposed at a vehicle. A human machine interface (HMI) is operable in (i) a trailer left-backup mode, (i) a trailer straight-backup mode and (iii) a trailer right-backup mode. Responsive to selection by the driver of the trailer left-backup mode or trailer right-backup mode, the ECU sets a desired trailer angle of the trailer tongue leftward or rightward to an angle that is commensurate with a driver-selected setting of an input device. Responsive to selection by the driver of the trailer straight-backup mode, the ECU sets the desired trailer angle to a zero degree angle. The ECU, while the vehicle is backing up the trailer, controls the power steering system of the vehicle to steer the vehicle to back up the trailer to have the determined trailer angle coincide with the set desired trailer angle.
B62D 13/02 - Steering specially adapted for trailers for centrally-pivoted axles
B60R 1/00 - Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
B62D 6/00 - Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits
5.
VEHICULAR FORWARD CAMERA MODULE WITH INTEGRATED COOLING FAN
A camera module for a vehicular vision system includes a metallic housing having a metallic upper housing portion and a metallic lower housing portion. A camera is accommodated in the housing and includes an imager circuit board having an imager thereat. The camera includes a lens barrel that protrudes through an aperture of the upper housing portion. A primary circuit board is accommodated in the housing and has an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. A cooling fan is attached at the lower housing portion and directs airflow between heat dissipating fins of an outer side of the housing, with the heat dissipating fins being in thermal conductive connection via a thermal element with the image processor. The camera module is configured to be disposed at a vehicle windshield so as to have a field of view through the windshield and forward of the vehicle.
G03B 17/55 - APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR - Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
H05K 7/00 - Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
A radar sensing system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor having a plurality of transmitting antennas and a plurality of receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are arranged in multiple rows and columns of transmitting antennas and multiple rows and columns of receiving antennas. A control controls radar transmission by the transmitting antennas and receives outputs from the receiving antennas. The control applies two dimensional multiple input multiple output processing to outputs of the receiving antennas. With two dimensional multiple input multiple output processing applied to outputs of the receiving antennas, the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas achieve an enhanced two dimensional virtual aperture.
An axial cooling fan for a vehicle includes an electrically powered motor operable to rotate fan blades to move air to cool a component or accessory of the vehicle. A stator is at the motor and has a plurality of struts that fixedly support the motor at the vehicle. The struts of the stator include leading edge surfaces that generally face air that is flowing towards the struts and past the struts and stator, such as when the motor is powered to rotate the fan blades. The leading edge surfaces of the struts comprise an aerodynamic design or pattern or structure established thereat, such as a toothed pattern or structure at the leading edge surfaces of the struts.
A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera having a lens and a two dimensional imaging array sensor. The camera is disposed at a side of a body of a vehicle and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle and at least rearward of the vehicle. The camera captures image data. The imaging array sensor has a center region. The lens is configured to focus light at the imaging array sensor, and the lens has a center axis. The lens is disposed at the imaging array sensor with the center axis of the lens laterally offset from the center region of the imaging array sensor. A video display is disposed in the vehicle and is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle. The video display is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by the camera.
A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at the vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera includes an RGB photosensor array having multiple rows of photosensing elements and multiple columns of photosensing elements. An in-line dithering algorithm is applied to individual lines of photosensing elements of the photosensor array in order to reduce at least one of color data transmission and color data processing. The in-line dithering algorithm includes at least one of an in-row dithering algorithm that is applied to individual rows of photosensing elements of the photosensor array and an in-column dithering algorithm that is applied to individual columns of photosensing elements of the photosensor array. The in-line dithering algorithm may be operable to determine most significant bits and least significant bits of color data of photosensing elements of the photosensor array.
An image, such as a frame of video, is captured by a single camera positioned on a vehicle to capture a scene external to the vehicle. A first image manipulation is performed on a first region of the image to generate a first manipulated region. A second image manipulation is performed on a second region of the image to generate a second manipulated region. The second region is different from the first region. The second image manipulation is different from the first image manipulation. A manipulated image including the first manipulated region and the second manipulated region is generated by a processor and displayed on a display in the cabin of the vehicle. In this way, central, left, and right regions of the image can be manipulated differently to aid the driver of the vehicle.
A vehicle vision system includes a bracket, a stray light shield and a camera module. The bracket is configured to attach at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield. The light shield includes a base portion and side walls that extend upward from the base portion so as to establish a pocket. The camera module includes a camera having an image sensor array and a lens, and the camera module is configured to mount at the bracket. The stray light shield, when the camera module is mounted at the bracket attached at the windshield, shields the image sensor array from light emanating from within the cabin of the vehicle. At least the base portion of the stray light shield comprises light traps structurally established thereat and configured to reduce incidence of extraneous light at the image sensor array.
A vehicle vision system includes a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle and having respective exterior fields of view and a display screen for displaying images derived from captured image data in a surround view format where captured image data is merged to provide a single composite display image from a virtual viewing position. A gesture sensing device is operable to sense a gesture made by the driver of the vehicle. A control provides a selected displayed image for viewing by the driver to assist the driver during a particular driving maneuver. The control is responsive to sensing by the gesture sensing device, whereby the driver can adjust the displayed image by at least one of (a) touch and (b) gesture to adjust at least one of (i) a virtual viewing location, (ii) a virtual viewing angle, (iii) a degree of zoom and (iv) a degree of panning.
A camera module for use in a vision system for a vehicle includes a housing portion, a lens holding portion and a securing element. The housing portion at least partially houses circuitry of the camera module and includes a first mating surface and a first perimeter flange around the first mating surface. The lens holding portion at least partially houses a lens assembly of the camera module and includes a second mating surface and a second perimeter flange around the second mating surface. The securing element is disposed along the first and second perimeter flanges and overlaps opposite surfaces of the first and second perimeter flanges to secure the housing portion relative to the lens holding portion.
A vehicle vision system includes a plurality of cameras having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. A processor is operable to process image data captured by the cameras and to generate images of the environment surrounding the vehicle. The processor is operable to generate a three dimensional vehicle representation of the vehicle. A display screen is operable to display the generated images of the environment surrounding the vehicle and to display the generated vehicle representation of the equipped vehicle as would be viewed from a virtual camera viewpoint. At least one of (a) a degree of transparency of at least a portion of the displayed vehicle representation is adjustable by the system, (b) the vehicle representation comprises a vector model and (c) the vehicle representation comprises a shape, body type, body style and/or color corresponding to that of the actual equipped vehicle.
A vision system for a vehicle includes an image sensor disposed at a subject vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the subject vehicle. A control is operable to process image data captured by the image sensor to detect an object exterior of the subject vehicle. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect points of interest present in the field of view of the image sensor and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine movement of the detected points of interest. The control is operable to process captured image data to determine movement vectors and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine an object of interest in the field of view of the image sensor and exterior of the subject vehicle.
H04N 7/12 - Systems in which the television signal is transmitted via one channel or a plurality of parallel channels, the bandwidth of each channel being less than the bandwidth of the television signal
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04N 11/02 - Colour television systems with bandwidth reduction
H04N 11/04 - Colour television systems using pulse code modulation
A vision system for a vehicle includes multiple cameras disposed at a vehicle each having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A display device is operable to display, for viewing by a driver of the vehicle, at least one of (a) video images captured by at least some of the cameras and (b) a composite image formed from image data captured by at least some of the cameras. The image data captured by at least some of the cameras is sent to a central video/image processor and the sent image data is substantially unmodified and is as captured by the respective ones of the camera or cameras. At least one of the cameras may have a tunable lens. The camera may provide almost raw image data to the display device and a graphic engine may run as a routine at the display device.
A camera calibration system for calibrating cameras of a vehicle includes at least one reconfigurable calibration target established or disposed at a ground area at which a vehicle is positioned for a camera calibrating procedure. The camera calibration system is operable, responsive to an input indicative of a type or size of the vehicle positioned at the ground area, to reconfigure the at least one reconfigurable calibration target to adapt the calibration target for the particular type or size of the vehicle positioned thereat. The camera calibration system may reconfigure at least one of a size of the target and a location of the target. The camera calibration system may reconfigure the target via a covering element that selectively exposes a portion of the reconfigurable calibration target and covers another portion of the reconfigurable calibration target.
H04N 17/00 - Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
B60R 1/00 - Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
A vision system for a vehicle includes a color camera disposed at a vehicle and having an exterior rearward field of view. The color camera includes an imaging array of photosensing pixels and at least one color filter disposed at or in front of at least some of the photosensing pixels. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the color camera. Processing of captured image data by the image processor includes utilization of a color correction algorithm that includes a color correction matrix. The color correction matrix algorithm may utilize a 3x3 color correction matrix. The color correction algorithm may include a color correction matrix algorithm and a histogram algorithm that function to determine a color correction for the captured image data.
A vision system for a vehicle includes a rear camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having an exterior field of view rearward of the vehicle. The rear camera includes an imaging array and a lens system for imaging external sources of light at the imaging array. The lens system includes at least one asymmetric anamorphic lens optic. The asymmetric anamorphic lens optic may include a longitudinally truncated conical-shaped lens optic. The longitudinal axis of the longitudinally truncated conical-shaped lens optic may be generally vertical when the rear camera is disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle, with a smaller diameter portion at an upper region of the optic and a larger diameter portion at a lower region of the optic.
A method of assembling a vehicular camera includes providing a lens assembly having a base portion, a lens barrel and a plurality of optical elements in the lens barrel, and providing a circuit element having a circuit board and an imaging array. An adhesive bead is dispensed at the base portion and/or circuit element. The circuit element is placed at the base portion with the adhesive bead therebetween and the optical elements are aligned with the imaging array via a six axis robotic device when the circuit element is at the base portion and in contact with the adhesive bead. The adhesive bead is cured to a first cure level via exposure of the adhesive bead to ultraviolet light. The assembly is moved to a second curing stage and the adhesive bead is cured to a second cure level via heating the adhesive bead.
A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view, and an image processor. The imaging sensor captures image data and the image processor is operable to process successive frames of captured image data. Responsive to a determination of a low visibility driving condition, the image processor increases the contrast of the captured images to enhance discrimination of objects in the field of view of the imaging sensor. The image processor may execute a first brightness transfer function on frames of captured image data to enhance the contrast of captured image data, and may execute a second brightness transfer function over successive frames of earlier captured image data and may execute a tone mapping of the earlier captured image data and the currently captured image data to generate a contrast enhanced output image.
A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view. A control is disposed at the vehicle and a coaxial cable is in communication between the imaging sensor and the control. The vision system communicates image data captured by the imaging sensor to the control and supplies power to the imaging sensor via the coaxial cable. The coaxial cable may include an inner core comprising copper, a dielectric medium, a foil screen, an outer conductor comprising copper, a separating layer and an outer sheath. When initially powering up the vision system, a transceiver of the imaging sensor may be tuned to an initial communication mode, which is suitable for communication with at least one of the control, a communication interface of the vision system and a display device of the vision system.
A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view. The imaging sensor is operable to capture image data. The imaging sensor includes or is associated with an inclination sensor. At least one other inclination sensor is disposed at the vehicle. A processing system is operable to process outputs of the inclination sensors to determine an alignment or misalignment of the at least one imaging sensor at the vehicle.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G01C 9/00 - Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
G01C 23/00 - Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
A vehicular camera system includes an imager assembly that can include an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and a lens positioned to direct light to the imager. A main circuit board is operatively connected to the imager circuit board. The main circuit board can include at least one processor for processing images captured by the imager. The main circuit board has an opening, and at least a portion of the imager assembly extends through the opening.
A vehicular vision system includes a plurality of imaging sensors disposed at the vehicle and a display screen disposed in the vehicle. A processing system is operable to process captured image data and to combine and/or manipulate captured image data to provide a three-dimensional representation of the exterior scene for display at the display screen. The processing system is operable to process the captured image data in accordance with a curved surface model, and is operable to process the image data to provide the three-dimensional representation as if seen by a virtual observer from a first virtual viewing point exterior of the vehicle having a first viewing direction. The processing system is operable to adjust the curved surface model when displaying the three-dimensional representation from a second virtual viewing point exterior of the vehicle having a second viewing direction to provide enhanced display of the images.
A vehicular camera includes a housing, a lens, an image sensor positioned for receiving images from the lens, a processor, and a memory. The memory contains a plurality of overlays. The processor is programmed to (a) receive first input data from a vehicle in which the camera is to be mounted, wherein the first input data correspond to the configuration of the vehicle, and (b) select a particular overlay to display based at least in part on the input received.
A method of providing test data for a vehicle may use the test data to verify the performance of a system in the vehicle under different environmental conditions (such as at night, while it is raining, during high glare conditions, during fog and/or the like). The method entails driving a test vehicle through a selected set of environmental conditions. Environment data, such as, for example, images, are captured while driving the test vehicle. The environment data relates to the environment outside the test vehicle. The environment data may be recorded to a memory. Additionally, environmental condition data relating to the environmental conditions outside the vehicle while it is being driven may be recorded to the memory.
A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle. A processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. An angular filter is disposed at or near the windshield forward of the camera. The angular filter includes a substantially transparent film that limits reflection of light through an angular range that generally corresponds to the stray light that reflects off of the vehicle dashboard and would otherwise impinge a lens aperture of the camera.
A vehicular camera has a lens assembly, a housing and an image sensor. The lens assembly has at least one adjustable lens and a lens adjustment structure. The lens assembly has an effective focal length and an optical axis associated therewith and an effective distance from the image sensor. A controller may be operatively connected to the lens adjustment structure for controlling the operation of the lens adjustment structure. The lens adjustment structure is controllable to adjust at least one of an effective focal length and an effective distance of the lens assembly to the image sensor, so as to control the distance at which an object in the field of view of the camera appears in focus on the image sensor.
A camera for mounting on a vehicle includes a front housing member that holds a lens member, an imaging element and a circuit board with a set of front electrical connectors thereon, and a rear housing member that holds a set of rear electrical connectors that are directly mounted to the front electrical connectors. The rear housing member is aligned to the front housing member with respect to a first axis. The front and rear electrical connectors are able to accommodate misalignment along two axes which are generally orthogonal to each other and to the first axis. The front and rear electrical connectors may be directly connected so that a jumper wire is not needed. Also, by aligning the front and rear housing members, the overall space occupied by the camera may be reduced.
A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the rear vision system. The rearward facing camera is operable to captures images rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured images and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle.
G01C 22/00 - Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers or using pedometers
32.
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A MULTI-CAMERA IMAGE USING PIXEL REMAPPING
A camera or vision system for establishing a composite image for displaying in a vehicle includes a first camera and a second camera and a controller. Each camera has a respective field of view that overlaps partially with the respective field of view of the other camera. Each camera has a respective imager for generating a respective preliminary digital image. The cameras together have a combined field of view. The controller is programmed to generate a final composite digital image that corresponds to a selected digital representation of the combined field of view of the cameras by using a remapping table to remap selected pixels from each of the preliminary digital images into selected positions of the final composite digital image. A plurality of methods for establishing a composite image are also provided.
A lane keeping system for a vehicle sets a safe zone in which the driver can drive the vehicle. If the system determines that the driver is at risk of leaving the safe zone, the system takes a corrective action, such as notifying the driver or applying a steering correction to the vehicle. The system adjusts the width of the safe zone depending on the driver's capability to stay within the safe zone. A lane centering system may be capable of autonomously steering the vehicle to remain within a lane. The lane centering system may include a controller that determines a target path for the vehicle depending on certain parameters. The controller may model each of the lane delimiters in a simplified form. This facilitates the determination of one of the target paths (the centerline of the lane). The simplified form may be a 3rd order polynomial equation.
A camera assembly for a vehicle includes an end connector with a first connection point that carries a video + signal, a second connection point that carries power, and a third connection point that receives a video - signal, video shield current and ground current. The camera assembly may connect to a conduit assembly of the vehicle that includes a first conduit that carries the video + signal from the end connector to a display in the vehicle, a second conduit that carries power from a power source (such as a battery) to the camera assembly, and a third conduit that connects between the third connection point and a ground point for the display in the vehicle. The camera may include a radio frequency identification element operable to wirelessly communicate between a remote device and the camera to identify the camera module and/or to program the camera.
In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a vehicular camera and a method for calibrating the camera after it has been installed in a vehicle. In particular, the invention is directed to calibrating a vehicular camera after the camera has been installed in a vehicle, wherein the camera is of a type that applies an overlay to an image and outputs the image with the overlay to an in-vehicle display.
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a parking assist system for a vehicle, wherein the parking assist system has two modes of operation. In a first mode a first overlay is added to an image of a rearward field of view displayed to the vehicle driver. The first overlay includes a representation of a target parking position. In a second mode a second overlay is added to the field of view displayed to the vehicle driver. The second overlay includes a representation of a projected path for the vehicle based on a current vehicle steering angle, and a representation of a target path segment for the vehicle.
B60Q 1/48 - Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for parking purposes
In one aspect of the invention, a vehicular camera is provided, comprising a lens, a housing, an imager and a microcontroller that is capable of handling certain functions, such as applying overlays to images received by the imager, dewarping the image and/or providing different viewing modes.
A vehicular scalable integrated control system includes a plurality of cameras, a vehicular scalable integrated control unit, and a display screen for displaying video information to a driver of the vehicle. Visual image data captured by the cameras is processed by an image processor to detect objects in the fields of view of the cameras. The control unit determines a current geographical location of the vehicle and accommodates downloading of applications, which may include a tour guide application, with the tour guide application providing information associated with various geographical locations of a selected tour area. The control unit, responsive to a determination that the current geographical location of the vehicle is at a location identified in the tour guide application for the selected tour area, controls the display screen to display information associated with the identified location of the tour guide application and the current geographical location of the vehicle.
Low cost constructions of vehicular cameras employ various means for aligning and mounting the camera lens with respect to the imager. Such means include adhesive mounting using a UV curable adhesive, wherein the lens may be focused prior to cure of the adhesive. Other means include directly attaching the lens to the imager by adhesive; integrating the lens barrel and camera lens holder; dropping the lens barrel onto the surface of the imager; focusing the lens utilizing PCB mounting and focusing Screws; and focusing the lens by the relative positioning of camera front and back housings. Costs can also be contained by utilizing matching the resolution of the lens in conformance to human contrast sensitivity function, and by replacing optical chromatic aberration with digital chromatic aberration.
In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a wheel assembly for a vehicle, including a non-rotating support member, a wheel and an electric motor. Loads incurred during vehicle use can cause dynamic flexing of portions of the wheel. The wheel assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention has a load path for loads incurred by the wheel that passes from the wheel to the non-rotating support member without passing through the motor, thereby reducing a potential source of distortion of the gap in the motor (between the motor's rotor and stator) during the aforementioned flexing.
In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a camera for mounting on a vehicle, wherein the camera includes a front housing member that holds a lens member and a circuit board with at least one front electrical connector thereon, and a rear housing member that holds at least one rear electrical connector that is directly mounted to the at least one front electrical connector. By directly mounting the front and rear electrical connectors, a jumper wire is not needed, thereby reducing cost and eliminating potential sources of circuit failures that are associated with the use of jumper wires.
In one aspect, a system for providing and displaying video information in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a display device having a video input, a first camera mountable at the rear of the vehicle, the first camera having a first video output, a second camera mountable at the passenger side of the vehicle, the second camera having a second video output, wherein the first video output and the second video output are connected in parallel to the video input of the display device, and a camera control device configured to keep no more than one camera activated at a time.
In a mobile control node system and method for a vehicle (630), the mobile control node (624) can interact, via a bi-directional radio link (642), with a transceiver processor unit (628) in the vehicle. The transceiver processor unit (628) is connected to a vehicle control system (120) and allows the mobile control node (624) to function as an input and output node on a vehicle control network (632), allowing remote control of the vehicle and providing functions such as remote or passive keyless entry. Additionally, the system provides a vehicle location function wherein the range and bearing between the mobile control node (624) and the vehicle (630) can be determined and displayed on the mobile control node (624). The range and bearing are calculated by determining the range between the mobile control node (624) and vehicle (630), preferably using a time of flight methodology, and by processing the travel distance of the mobile control node and compass data in order to triangulate the position of the vehicle (630) relative to the mobile control node (624).
G01S 1/00 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
G01S 11/00 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
G01S 3/00 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
patents
