For driver assistance for a combination (8) with a motor vehicle (9) and a trailer (10), a first camera image (19) and a second camera image (20) are generated. A combined image (21) is generated by means of a computing unit (13) by superimposing the camera images (19, 20) such that the second camera image (20) covers a subsection of the first camera image (19), wherein a hitch angle (14) of the combination (8) is determined by means of the computing unit (13). State data of the combination (8) are determined by means of a sensor system (17) and it is determined whether the combination (8) moves forward or backward. The hitch angle (14) is determined based on the state data, if the combination (8) moves forward and based on a change of time-dependent image data, if the combination moves backward. A position of the subsection is determined depending on the hitch angle (14).

For driver assistance for a combination (8) with a motor vehicle (9) and a trailer (10), a first camera image (19) and a second camera image (20) are generated. A combined image (21) is generated by means of a computing unit (13) by superimposing the camera images (19, 20) such that the second camera image (20) covers a subsection of the first camera image (19), wherein a hitch angle (14) of the combination (8) is determined by means of the computing unit (13). State data of the combination (8) are determined by means of a sensor system (17) and it is determined whether the combination (8) moves forward or backward. The hitch angle (14) is determined based on the state data, if the combination (8) moves forward and based on a change of time-dependent image data, if the combination moves backward. A position of the subsection is determined depending on the hitch angle (14).

A crossbar assembly for facilitating isolation of a sensor assembly from vibration comprises an outer crossbar segment, an inner crossbar segment, and an isolator. The outer crossbar segment comprises a payload mount interface and an outer isolator interface operable to mount to an isolator. The inner crossbar segment comprises a structure interface and an inner isolator interface operable to mount to the isolator. The isolator can be supported by the outer and inner crossbar segments. The isolator comprises a first wire rope assembly comprising wire ropes extending longitudinally from the outer crossbar segment to the inner crossbar segment, and a second wire rope assembly comprising a wire rope extending circumferentially between the outer and inner crossbar segments. The isolator operates to partially decouple the outer crossbar segment from the inner crossbar segment and dampen vibrations propagating between the outer and inner crossbar segments.

A method for controlling a sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes receiving sensor data from various vehicle sensors, determining a level of obscurement of the transparent surface, and determining whether the level of obscurement exceeds a threshold level. If the transparent surface is obscured beyond the threshold level, a control signal may be sent to the apparatus to initiate the ejection of pressurized air onto the transparent surface. Optionally, the method may further evaluate other parameters such as the vehicle velocity in relation to a threshold vehicle velocity prior to sending the control signal to ensure that the cleaning operation using pressurized air would not be superfluous in light of the vehicle velocity. In addition, a method for selectively activating the sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes determining an activation schedule for the apparatus based on an arrangement of transparent surfaces and controlling the apparatus to operate based on the activation schedule.

A method for controlling a sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes receiving sensor data from various vehicle sensors, determining a level of obscurement of the transparent surface, and determining whether the level of obscurement exceeds a threshold level. If the transparent surface is obscured beyond the threshold level, a control signal may be sent to the apparatus to initiate the ejection of pressurized air onto the transparent surface. Optionally, the method may further evaluate other parameters such as the vehicle velocity in relation to a threshold vehicle velocity prior to sending the control signal to ensure that the cleaning operation using pressurized air would not be superfluous in light of the vehicle velocity. In addition, a method for selectively activating the sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes determining an activation schedule for the apparatus based on an arrangement of transparent surfaces and controlling the apparatus to operate based on the activation schedule.

Methods for improving compliance with regulations pertaining to vehicle driving records are disclosed. One or more digital images from a camera mounted in a vehicle are received. Based on a determination that the vehicle has hours of service that have not been assigned to a driver, a subset of the one or more digital images corresponding to the hours of service are identified based on the timestamps. The subset of the one or more digital images are processed to identify a correspondence between a face of a person included in the one or more digital images and a face of a known person. Based on the correspondence transgressing a threshold level of correspondence, a user interface is generated for presentation on a device. The user interface includes an interactive user interface element for accepting a recommendation to assign the known person as the driver for the unassigned hours of service.

Methods for improving compliance with regulations pertaining to vehicle driving records are disclosed. One or more digital images from a camera mounted in a vehicle are received. Based on a determination that the vehicle has hours of service that have not been assigned to a driver, a subset of the one or more digital images corresponding to the hours of service are identified based on the timestamps. The subset of the one or more digital images are processed to identify a correspondence between a face of a person included in the one or more digital images and a face of a known person. Based on the correspondence transgressing a threshold level of correspondence, a user interface is generated for presentation on a device. The user interface includes an interactive user interface element for accepting a recommendation to assign the known person as the driver for the unassigned hours of service.

The invention provides an internally aligned camera device comprising a front housing assembly, a first printed circuit board (PCB), a second PCB and a flexible PCB, a PCB retention cage and a rear housing assembly. The front housing assembly comprises lens elements for forming an image on an image sensor operably coupled to the first PCB, said image sensor optically aligned with said front housing assembly comprising said lens elements. The second PCB is electrically coupled to said first PCB using a flexible PCB, where the second PCB folded over said first circuit board. The PCB retention cage retains the second PCB in position. The rear housing assembly comprises a metal shield which clamps down the second PCB and said PCB retention cage in position. Further, said front housing assembly is centrally aligned and attached with said rear housing assembly. A method of manufacturing the camera device is also described.

The invention provides an internally aligned camera device comprising a front housing assembly, a first printed circuit board (PCB), a second PCB and a flexible PCB, a PCB retention cage and a rear housing assembly. The front housing assembly comprises lens elements for forming an image on an image sensor operably coupled to the first PCB, said image sensor optically aligned with said front housing assembly comprising said lens elements. The second PCB is electrically coupled to said first PCB using a flexible PCB, where the second PCB folded over said first circuit board. The PCB retention cage retains the second PCB in position. The rear housing assembly comprises a metal shield which clamps down the second PCB and said PCB retention cage in position. Further, said front housing assembly is centrally aligned and attached with said rear housing assembly. A method of manufacturing the camera device is also described.

A control section generates an overhead surround view composite image by combining image data acquired by plural cameras, and, combines the image data to generate a wide-range rear image, a left rear image, a right rear image, a front image and a rear image. The control section calculates angles of view of the image data that were used in generating the wide-range rear image, the left rear image, the right rear image, the front image and the rear image, respectively. The control section displays any of the wide-range rear image, the left rear image, the right rear image, the front image and the rear image in a first display region, and displays information expressing angles of view corresponding to images displayed in the first display region in a second display region in a manner of being superimposed on the overhead surround view composite image.