An apparatus includes a visual display to be viewed by a vehicle occupant. At least one drone includes a camera. A controller is configured to receive images from the camera on the at least one drone and generate an overhead view of the vehicle based on the images received from the at least one drone and display the overhead view on the visual display.

A roof mounted vehicle camera assembly includes a disk that can be positioned on a roof of a vehicle. A magnet is coupled to the disk to magnetically engage the roof of the vehicle for retaining the disk on the roof of the vehicle. A rod is coupled to and extends upwardly from the disk and an orb is coupled to the rod such that the orb is elevated above the roof of the vehicle when the disk is positioned on the roof of the vehicle. A pair of proximity sensors is each of the proximity sensors is integrated into the orb and a camera is integrated into the orb. A transmitter is integrated into the disk and the transmitter is in wireless communication with an extrinsic electronic device to facilitate imagery captured by the camera to be viewed on the extrinsic electronic device thereby facilitating a driver of the vehicle to view the imagery.

Devices, systems and methods for operating a rear-facing perception system for vehicles are described. An exemplary rear-facing perception system contains two corner units and a center unit, with each of the two corner units and the center unit including a camera module and a dual-band transceiver. A method for operating the rear-facing perception system includes pairing with a control unit by communicating, using the dual-band transceiver, over at least a first frequency band, transmitting a first trigger signal to the two corner units over a second frequency band non-overlapping with the first frequency band, and switching to an active mode. In an example, the first trigger signal causes the two corner units to switch to the active mode, which includes orienting the camera modules on the center unit and the two corner units to provide an unobstructed view of an area around a rear of the vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to a display system (1) for generating a composite view of a region behind a vehicle (V) towing a trailer (T). A first camera (C1) is provided for outputting first image data corresponding to a first image (IMG1), the first camera (C1) being configured to be mounted in a rear-facing orientation to the vehicle (V). A second camera (C2) is provided for outputting second image data corresponding to a second image (IMG2), the second camera (C2) being configured to be mounted in a rear-facing orientation to the trailer (T). An image processor (5) receives the first image data and said second image data. The image processor (5) is configured to combine said first image data and said second image data to generate composite image data corresponding to a composite image (IMG3). The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method of generating a composite image (IMG3), and to a rig made up of a vehicle (V) and a trailer (T).

An articulatable mount for temporarily affixing a camera and illumination system to a vehicle is disclosed. The articulating drive mechanism is lightweight, vertically compact, and ruggedized for severe service such as withstanding shocks from off-road travel and abrupt maneuvering. Articulation and illumination may be controlled remotely over Wi-Fi from inside or nearby the vehicle, and encrypted video feeds may be received by authorized users of an ad-hoc network of available smart-phone users and in-vehicle computer systems authorized and authenticated to participate in the network.

A system including a camera mounted on the front section of a vehicle, wherein the camera is configured to be operable for capturing video feeds of the vehicle's proximately 7 o'clock to 8 o'clock position; a display that is configured to view the camera's video feed; a power source that is configured to provide power to the camera and/or display device; and a transmitter for transmitting the camera's video feed to the display.

A camera system for a trailer that cooperates with a tarping system of the trailer to capture images during loading and unloading. The camera transmits the images to a display. A driver may watch the display to monitor loading and unloading. The camera system maintains a camera of the camera system positioned to capture images of an interior of the trailer regardless of the operation of the tarping system. The camera system generally includes an arm member, a pivot structure connected to the arm member, a camera connected to the arm member, and a weight connected to the arm member. Responsive to a force of gravity the camera remains oriented upward to capture images of the interior of the trailer during loading and unloading.

A method of processing an image using a camera of a vehicle includes: a first operation of controlling a road wheel of the vehicle according to an imaging mode selected by a user from among a plurality of imaging modes, and a second operation of generating an image according to the imaging mode selected by the user by using the camera while the road wheel of the vehicle is controlled.

Upon detection of boarding of a person in a vehicle compartment of a vehicle by a vehicle information detector, a controller controls an aircraft such that the aircraft takes off from the vehicle, a photographing unit photographs a periphery of the vehicle, and a video captured by the photographing unit is transmitted to a communication unit.

A system for capturing and displaying images may comprise a rearview assembly having WIFI capability; and a WIFI hub removably securable to a surface, the WIFI hub comprising at least one imager capable of capturing images of a scene. The WIFI hub may be capable of transmitting image data from the captured images to the rearview assembly. The rearview assembly may be capable of displaying images from the image data from the captured images.