Capturing Wide-Angle Views with Dashboard Cameras

Reducing complexity of camera systems in vehicles by using multiple cameras with optimized view angles. The cameras are mounted in a housing with one camera facing obliquely rearward and another facing forward or laterally. This allows capturing rear views without blind spots and forward/lateral views simultaneously using fewer cameras. The system can also have additional cameras with intermediate view angles. The images are displayed on a monitor, with the rear camera providing a standard rear view and the front/lateral camera providing supplemental views. External object recognition is performed on the forward/lateral view and visual effects are shown based on the recognition results. This avoids the need for multiple cameras with overlapping views.

Camera assembly for vehicles that provides wider vertical field of view to image objects above the vehicle. The camera has an offset lens axis relative to the image sensor center. This allows the lens to capture more vertical pixels on the sensor due to the offset, effectively widening the vertical field of view compared to a centered lens. This enables the camera to see objects like tall road signs above the vehicle without needing a taller vehicle hood.

Method for displaying a realistic 3D model of a vehicle's surrounding area by harmonizing color information from multiple wide-angle camera views. The method uses a lattice structure to assign pixels from overlapping camera images. Color differences at lattice points are evaluated and weighted to determine a global color transformation. This transformation is then applied to adapt one camera view's colors to match the other view, providing a consistent appearance. The adapted images are used to create the 3D model with realistic color and brightness across views.

An imaging system for vehicles that provides a wide field of view while maintaining high resolution for critical areas. The system uses a single camera with an asymmetric imaging surface and optical system. The imaging surface has two regions - one with higher resolution than the other. The resolution of the center region is lower than the outer region. This allows capturing a wider field of view without increasing camera size. The lower resolution center region is offset horizontally and vertically from the view angle center. This provides a wider field of view while preserving critical resolution for important areas.

A vehicle-mounted camera that can capture both far and near views of the surroundings in a single camera for applications like rearview mirrors and parking assistance. The camera has a lens and an imaging device with a rectangular sensor. The sensor has two positions along the in-plane direction perpendicular to the lens axis. The optical axis passes through the first position. The second position is at the center. This allows the camera to capture a wide field of view with good resolution for far objects using the first position, and a close-in view with sufficient resolution for near objects using the second position.

Compact camera module for vehicle windshield mounting that captures a wide angle view. The camera module includes a wide angle lens and a hood to block light outside the imaging target range. The hood design allows imaging the external environment while preventing bright light interference. The hood has an open top and side walls that extend from around the lens towards the windshield. The height of the side walls is set to avoid blocking the full angle of view.

Wide-angle lens for vehicle cameras that enables high quality imaging and stability over a range of temperatures. The lens has a unique configuration of glass lenses that avoids the use of plastic. The lens configuration has two lens groups with negative and positive powered glass lenses in each group. The lenses are designed to maintain a stable optical path length across temperature changes.

A camera module for vehicles that can capture 360° views around the vehicle using multiple lenses mounted at different angles. The module has a movable image sensor that can be positioned to match each lens's view. This allows capturing 360° images using a single sensor instead of multiple fixed cameras. The sensor movement is guided by a mechanism inside the module. The images are processed by an external unit. This provides a compact and versatile camera system for vehicle surround view and blind spot monitoring applications.

Camera module for vehicles to image the external environment for applications like advanced driving assistance. The camera uses a wide angle lens to capture a large field of view, but improves compactness and prevents interference with the driver's view. The lens has an asymmetric shape with a larger upper half to aim more upward. This way, it captures more overhead traffic signals without blocking the driver's view.

On-board camera that allows an occupant to see an area in front of a vehicle through the windshield from the space. The camera includes a camera body, a housing part that houses the camera body, and a leg part that extends from the housing part toward an upper surface of a dashboard of the vehicle.

Adjustable video camera device for vehicles that can capture a wide field of view in front of the vehicle while allowing the camera sensor board to be mounted parallel to the vehicle. The camera module is mounted on a secondary segment of the motherboard that can pivot relative to the main segment. This allows the camera to be angled to capture a wide view while keeping the main motherboard parallel to the vehicle.

Compact vehicle camera module to avoid interference with driver view that can image a wide angle outside view without increasing size. The camera has a unique lens, imager and circuit board configuration to enhance imaging, thermal management and electromagnetic compatibility.

Surveillance system for taking video footage of activities around a vehicle when parked. The system has a housing that extends upward from the vehicle's top surface. The housing contains multiple cameras providing 360-degree coverage. The cameras are triggered by vehicle alarm system or can work independently. The video footage can be used as evidence in criminal or civil proceedings.

Stereo camera capable of being used regardless of the type of vehicle. The camera includes a base assembly capable of being commonly used regardless of the type of vehicle, the base assembly comprising a first lens, a first image sensor for capturing a first image on the basis of incident light introduced through the first lens, a second lens, and a second image sensor for capturing a second image on the basis of incident light introduced through the second lens, a processor for processing the first and second images, and a windshield bracket comprising an attachment part adapted to windshields having different inclination angles and radii of curvature and attached thereto.

Producing a larger image of a vehicle's surroundings by stitching together multiple partial images captured at different camera positions. The method involves recording a first partial image from a camera in one position, then capturing at least a second partial image from the same camera in a different position. The partial images, each covering the full camera field of view, are combined to form a larger composite image showing a wider area than any individual partial image. This provides a more informative view of the vehicle surroundings, particularly for parking assistance, by joining overlapping sections from multiple perspectives.

A dash cam that can simultaneously record both the exterior and interior of a vehicle. The dash cam has two cameras, one facing outward through the windshield and another facing inward to capture the interior cabin. This allows capturing of both external driving footage and interior passenger activity. The dash cam also has impact detection to automatically lock important files in the event of a sudden collision.