CAMERA SYSTEM AND ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A camera system for a vehicle comprises a holding device that can be fastened removably to the outside of the vehicle and that comprises an accumulator, a camera that can be fastened removably to the holding device, wherein electrical energy can be transferred to the camera from the accumulator to operate the camera.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A camera system for a vehicle, comprising: a holding device that removably fastenable to the outside of the vehicle, wherein the holding devices comprises an accumulator; a camera that can be removably fastenable to the holding device; and wherein the accumulator is electrically connected to the camera to transfer electrical energy from the accumulator to the camera to operate the camera.

13. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: an energy transmitting device electrically coupled to the accumulator, and an energy receiving device of the camera, wherein the electrical energy can be transmitted wirelessly from the energy transmitting device to the energy receiving device.

14. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a further energy receiving device of the holding device that is electrically coupled to the accumulator, wherein electrical energy can be transmitted wirelessly to the further energy receiving device for charging the accumulator.

15. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a cable connection between the camera and the holding device for transmitting the electrical energy, such that the camera and the holding device are operable spaced apart from one another.

16. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a further holding device fastenable to the vehicle and coupleable to the holding device and the camera.

17. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a further accumulator of the camera that can be charged by of the holding device.

18. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, wherein when the camera is fastened to the holding device, the camera is the camera is operable to receive position data from the holding device via wireless near-field communication in order to determine a relative position of the holding device with respect to the vehicle.

19. The camera system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a plurality of holding devices that are removably fastenable to one another.

20. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding device is fastenable to the vehicle with a magnet.

21. The camera system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a signal amplifier for the holding device for extending the range of a wireless video signal of the camera.

22. An assistance system for a vehicle, comprising: a camera system comprising a holding device that removably fastenable to the outside of the vehicle, wherein the holding devices comprises an accumulator, a camera that can be removably fastenable to the holding device, and wherein the accumulator is electrically connected to the camera to transfer electrical energy from the accumulator to the camera to operate the camera; at least one further camera; a monitor, wherein images from the camera and the further camera are displayable in combined form on the monitor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an assistance system according to one exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIGS. 2 to 5 each show a schematic illustration of a camera system according to various exemplary embodiments;

[0030] FIGS. 6 and 7 each show a schematic illustration of a camera system in a state ready for operation according to exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an assistance system 140 for a vehicle 200 (FIG. 7). The assistance system 140 is, for example, part of a mirror replacement system and/or part of a reversing assistance system for a user of the vehicle. The assistance system 140 is, for example, part of another type of camera monitor system for the vehicle 200.

[0032] The assistance system 140 comprises a camera system 100. The camera system 100 comprises a camera 103. The camera system comprises a holding device 101. The holding device 101 can be fastened to the vehicle 200. The camera 103 can be fastened reversibly to the holding device 101. The camera system, for example, has an unfastened state in which the holding device 101 is not fastened to the vehicle 200. In a fastened state, the holding device 101 is fastened to the vehicle 200, and the camera 103 is held by the holding device 101 and is in particular not movable, or only insignificantly movable, relative to the holding device 101.

[0033] The assistance system 140 comprises a receiving device 132 and a monitor 131. Further elements such as control devices and image processing devices can be provided. The monitor 131 is for example arranged in the interior of the vehicle 200 and, for example, within the field of view of a user of the vehicle 200. The monitor 131 serves to display images or videos from the camera 103.

[0034] The image signals of the camera 103 are transmitted in operation wirelessly by means of radio technology between the camera system 100 and the receiving unit 132. The camera 103 comprises an antenna 127 for this purpose. The receiving device 132 correspondingly comprises the antenna 137. The holding device 101 optionally also comprises an antenna 124. The antenna 124 is, for example, part of a signal amplifier, which is provided according to exemplary embodiments in the holding device 101.

[0035] According to some exemplary embodiments, the holding device 101 may not comprise any antennas of its own. Only the camera 103 comprises the antenna 127. A wireless connection for transmitting the image data is only formed between the camera 103 and the receiving device 132.

[0036] The camera 103 is a wireless camera for extending the field-of-view in the vehicle 200. The camera 103 can be used in a mobile and flexible manner, and can, for example, be coupled to a plurality of different holding devices 101 of different vehicles. The camera 103 does not in itself have to be directly connected to the vehicle and does not, for example, have to be screwed to the vehicle. The camera 103 is fastened reversibly to the vehicle by means of the holding device 101. The holding device 101 is fastened reversibly to the vehicle. A temporary attachment of the camera 103 to the vehicle is thus enabled by means of the holding device 101. It is thus possible also to use the camera 103 when permanent installations are not wanted.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the camera system 100 according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0038] The camera 103 comprises an accumulator 107. In operation, this serves for example to supply the camera 103 with electrical energy. According to further exemplary embodiments, the camera 103 does not comprise its own accumulator. The camera 103 comprises an energy receiving device 109. The energy receiving device comprises, for example, a coil. The energy receiving device 109 serves for the inductive energy supply of the camera 103. The camera 103 comprises a magnet 114. The camera can be fastened to the holding device 101 by means of the magnet 114. According to some exemplary embodiments, the magnet 114 is used, alternatively or in addition, to fasten the camera 103 directly to the vehicle 200. The camera 103 comprises a communication interface 119. The communication interface 119 serves to exchange information with the holding device 101. The communication interface 119 in particular enables wireless communication. The communication interface 119 enables, for example, near-field communication by means of NFC, Bluetooth or other communication standards.

[0039] The holding device 101 comprises an accumulator 104. The accumulator 104 serves to store electrical energy. The holding device 101 comprises an energy transmitting device 108. The energy transmitting device 108 comprises, for example, a coil. The energy transmitting device 108, together with the energy receiving device 109 of the camera 103, serves for the inductive transmission of electrical energy from the holding device 101 to the camera 103. The energy transmitting device 108 of the holding device 101 is electrically connected to the accumulator 104. The energy transmitting device 108 and the accumulator 104 are, in particular, arranged in a common housing 112 of the holding device 101.

[0040] The holding device 101 comprises an energy receiving device 110. The energy receiving device 110 of the holding device 101 serves for the inductive reception of electrical energy. It is thus possible to charge the accumulator 104 of the holding device 101 inductively by means of the energy receiving device 110 of the holding device 101. The energy receiving device 110 of the holding device 101 is electrically connected to the accumulator 104.

[0041] The holding device 101 comprises a magnet 111. The magnet 111 serves to fasten the holding device 101 to a substrate. It is, for example, possible to fasten the holding device 101 directly to the vehicle 200 by means of the magnet 114. It is also possible to fasten the holding device 101 to a further holding device 101, 106 (FIG. 3) by means of the magnet 114.

[0042] The housing 112 of the holding device 101 comprises a receptacle 115. The receptacle 115 serves to accommodate the camera 103. The receptacle 115 also serves to accommodate a further holding device 101, 106.

[0043] The housing 112 has a recess 113 at a side lying opposite the receptacle 115. The recess 113 is designed in correspondence to the receptacle 115, so that a stack of holding devices 101, 106 can be formed.

[0044] The holding device 101 comprises a communication interface 102. The communication interface 102 is designed for wireless communication with the communication interface 119 of the camera 103. An exchange of position information and/or control information is, for example, possible by means of the communication interfaces 102, 119. The position information for example comprises information about the position at which the holding device 101, and thereby the camera 103, is fastened relative to the vehicle 200.

[0045] The reversible fastening of the holding device 101 by means of magnets 111, along with the energy storage in the accumulator 104 of the holding device 101, enables a mobile use independently of special intended applications. The accumulator 104 enables an adequately long operating time for the camera 103. Sufficient space is available in the holding device 101 for a sufficiently large accumulator 104 to be used. The camera 103 can thus be operated for a sufficiently long time, without the camera 103 needing to be provided with a large accumulator 104 for this purpose. The operating time of the camera 103 is thus sufficient to extend the application possibilities of the camera system 100 without a fixed installation with permanent electrical supply being necessary for the purpose. The mobile holding device 101 further offers the possibility of mobile use with an operating time that is significantly longer than by means of the accumulator 107 of the camera 103 alone.

[0046] The holding device 101 that enables the wireless, inductive supply of electrical energy to the camera 103, is also fitted with the accumulator 104. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the components of the holding device 101 are housed in a single, common, closed housing 112. The illustrated shape of the housing is merely exemplary. According to embodiments, a round or cylindrical shape is particularly useful. The round or cylindrical shape enables, for example, accurate fitting and thereby reliable inductive charging.

[0047] It is also possible for a different shape to be provided. It is, for example, possible to realize better adhesion to the substrate by enlarging the area in comparison with the height. It is, for example, possible in that way to realize a lower tilting moment. Alternatively or in addition it is, for example, possible to be able to accommodate a larger number of magnets 111 in this way.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the camera system 100 in which multiple holding devices 101, 106 are stacked. The camera 103 is housed in the receptacle 115 of the outermost holding device 101. The holding devices 101, 106 are coupled to one another electrically by means of the respective energy transmitting devices 108 and energy receiving devices 110 of the holding devices 101, 106. In this way it is possible to utilize the capacity of the individual accumulators 104 of the holding devices 101, 106 together in order to increase the operating time for the camera 103 further. It is, of course, also possible to stack more than two holding devices 101, 106. A modular camera system 100 is realized on the basis of the shape of the housing 112 with the receptacle 115 and the recess 113. The components of the camera system 100 can be combined with one another and reused in any desired way.

[0049] It is, for example, possible to place the camera 103 in a charging cradle with an external power supply. The camera 103 can, alternatively, be placed in the holding device 101 with the accumulator 104. The holding device 101 can, in turn, itself be placed in a charging cradle that is connected to an external power supply. Alternatively, it is possible to couple the holding device 101 to the further holding device 106.

[0050] The holding devices 101, 106 can thus each themselves be charged and/or can supply another consumer, for example the camera 103 or a further holding device 101, 106, with electrical energy. It is thus possible, as an exemplary combination, to provide a charging cradle that is connected directly to the electrical network of the vehicle 200. This is used to charge the accumulator 107 of the camera 103.

[0051] A further combination consists of the holding device 101 and the camera 103.

[0052] A further combination comprises the charging cradle, which is connected directly to an external electrical grid, and the holding device 101. In a further combination, the charging cradle is used to supply the holding device 101 with electrical energy. The camera 103 is connected to the holding device 101.

[0053] In a further combination, the two holding devices 101, 106, are connected to one another in order to be able to use the capacity of the respective accumulators 104 jointly. A plurality of holding devices 101, 106 can be combined together and, for example, the camera 103 at the end can use the capacity of all of the accumulators 104. A stack of a plurality of holding devices 101, 106 can be combined with the charging cradle and also with the camera 103. Many other combinations are possible, depending in each case on the application site and the desired use of the camera system 100.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows the camera system 100 according to a further exemplary embodiment. The holding device 101 comprises the accumulator 104. The other elements, for example the energy transmitting device 108 and the communication interface 102, may be omitted. The magnets 111 are provided and, for example, the receiving device 110 of the holding device 101. The holding device 101 can thus be fastened to the vehicle 200 and supplied with electrical energy for charging the accumulator 104.

[0055] The communication interface 102 and the energy transmitting device 108 are integrated into the further holding device 106. In operation, the camera 103 is, for example, used in the further holding device 106.

[0056] The holding device 101 and the further holding device 106 are, for example, connected together by a cable connection 105 (FIG. 5). The cable connection 105 serves to transmit electrical energy from the accumulator 104 of the holding device 101 to the energy transmitting device 108 of the further holding device 106.

[0057] It is, for example, possible that the cable of the cable connection 105 can be accommodated in the housing 112 of the holding device 101, for example can be wound up by a mechanism. It is alternatively possible to use a spiral cable.

[0058] The cable connection 105 enables a flexible use of the holding device 101 and of the further holding device 106, even when spaced apart from one another. It is possible for the holding device 101 and a further holding device 106 to be positioned a short distance from one another, for example with a spacing of between one and two meters.

[0059] The further holding device 106 for holding the camera 103 is, for example, fastened directly to the vehicle 200. It is alternatively possible to use a holder 116 that is connected permanently to the vehicle 200, as is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 5. The holder 116 is, for example, designed as is described in DE 10 2018 218 735.

[0060] The holder 116 is permanently installed at the vehicle by means of a fastening 118, for example screws. The further holding device 106 can be fastened in the holder 116 by means of the magnets 111. The holder 116 comprises a communication interface 117. The communication interface 117 comprises, for example, a memory in which position data of the permanently installed holder 116 are stored. It is possible to transmit the position data and information between the individual elements by means of wireless communication between the communication interface 117 of the holder 116 and the communication interface 102 of the further holding device 106, as well as the communication interface 119 of the camera 103.

[0061] The communication interface 117 of the holder 116 has, for example, a tag, e.g. an RFID tag, that can be read and/or written using short-range radio by the further holding device 106 or the camera 103. The holder 116 can be uniquely identified by means of the tag, and associated with the position and with its installation site. This simplifies integration of the images of the camera 103 into a common display of multiple images from different cameras, for example by means of stitching.

[0062] FIGS. 6 and 7 each show the camera system 100 with the cable connection 105 in exemplary applications. The camera system 100 is attached to an excavator bucket 120. The holder 116 is attached at a position such that relevant fields of view can be represented by the camera 103. The holding device 101 with the accumulator 104 is attached at a position that is at a distance from the holder 116. The position of the holding device 101 is, for example, selected such that the holding device 101 interferes with operation as little as possible, and remains securely fastened to the excavator bucket 120 of the vehicle 200.

[0063] The position of the holder 116 is, for example, predefined or determined at assembly, and is saved in a memory of the communication interface 117 of the holder 116. It is thus possible for the camera 106 to be automatically recognized when operating, and for the place at which it is arranged, and with which part of the vehicle 200 (the excavator bucket 120 in this example), to be identified. An identification of the tool by means of the holder 116 is, for example, possible in the case of an excavator that uses different tools. The defined position of the camera 103 in operation is also known. Easy stitching of the images of the camera 103 to images from further cameras is thus possible. According to the exemplary embodiment, the further holding device 106 is omitted, and the camera 103 is inserted directly into the holder 116.

[0064] According to further exemplary embodiments, the camera 103 is not inserted directly into the holder 116, but into the further holding device 106. The further holding device 106 is in turn fastened to the holder 116. The holding device 101 with the accumulator 104 can therefore be placed particularly stably at a suitable location independently of a predefined position for the camera 103. The position for the holding device 101 comprises, for example, a solid metal surface and/or metal of high thickness, so that stable fastening is possible by means of the magnet 111. The operating time for the camera 103 is thereby increased. Convenient stitching is thus possible, without hard wiring being necessary for the camera 103. In addition, a plug-in connector or cable connection for transmitting the electrical energy between the tool, the excavator bucket 120, for example, and the main vehicle 200 is not necessary. The camera system 100 can thus also be retrofitted effectively.

[0065] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the holder 116 is omitted. The camera 103, with the further holding device 106, is placed and fastened directly at the vehicle 200 or the tool (the excavator bucket 120, in this example). It is thus possible to fasten the camera 103 at a position at which the camera view is required at the time. The holding device 101 can here remain fastened at a position that is as mechanically suitable as possible, at a distance from the further holding device 106.

[0066] Even without the permanently installed holder 116, use of the camera 106 in the camera system 100 is effectively possible. Exact position information is not necessary, for example in relatively simple viewing applications in which, for example, only the image of the camera 103 is displayed. The camera system 100 without the holder 116 allows use with any desired tool, e.g. including tools that are not fitted with a holder 116 and which also cannot be fitted because, for example, screwing is not permitted. The increased operating duration and a good ability to position the camera 103 can be realized, while hard wiring to the vehicle 200, for example hard wiring to the electrical system of the vehicle 200, is not necessary,

[0067] In the various exemplary embodiments, the camera system 100 permits an increased range of application fields and possible applications for the mobile camera 103. The mobile camera 103 can be used in various application locations, for example autonomously or together with the holding devices 101, 106 and/or the holder 116. It is always possible here to omit hard wiring to the electrical system of the vehicle 200 for supplying the camera 103 with electrical energy. Highly varied applications are nevertheless possible without restriction.

[0068] The foregoing preferred embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present invention, as well as illustrating the methods of employing the preferred embodiments and are subject to change without departing from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the scope of the following claims.