Camera system and method for operating a camera system for a motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9676329-B2
Application number	US-201113284299-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2011
Priority date	Nov 5, 2010
Publication date	Jun 13, 2017
Grant date	Jun 13, 2017

Abstract

A camera system for a motor vehicle includes an image sensor for outputting image signals and multiple optical elements. The optical elements include a switchable optical element which is part of a first camera optical system in the first switching state and part of a second camera optical system in a second switching state. Optical elements form the first camera optical system for detecting a first surrounding and for imaging the first surrounding on the image sensor with the aid of a first object distance, and optical elements form the second camera optical system for detecting a second surrounding and for imaging the second surrounding on the image sensor with the aid of a second object distance which differs from the first object distance.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
an image sensor for outputting image signals;
a first camera optical system for detecting a first surrounding and for imaging the first surrounding on the image sensor at a first object distance; and
a second camera optical system for detecting a second surrounding and for imaging the second surrounding on the image sensor at a second object distance which differs from the first object distance;
wherein a switchable optical element which is configured to be (i) part of the first camera optical system in a first switching state of the switchable optical element, and (ii) part of the second camera optical system in a second switching state of the switchable optical element.

2. The camera system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the switchable optical element is at least partially situated in an optical path of the first camera optical system.

3. The camera system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the switchable optical element is transparent in the first switching state and reflecting in the second switching state.

4. The camera system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the switchable optical element is made of an electrochromic material.

5. The camera system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the switchable optical element is made of an LCD material.

6. The camera system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the switchable optical element has an optically switchable range and an optically non-switchable range.

7. The camera system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the camera system is set up as a rain sensor in the second switching state.

8. A method for operating a camera system for a motor vehicle, the camera system including an image sensor for outputting image signals, a first camera optical system for detecting a first surrounding and for imaging the first surrounding on image sensor at a first object distance, and a second camera optical system for detecting a second surrounding and for imaging the second surrounding on the image sensor at a second object distance which differs from the first object distance, the method comprising:
providing a switchable optical element;
switching the switchable optical element into a first switching state, wherein the switchable optical element is part of the first camera optical system in the first switching state; and
switching the switchable optical element into a second switching state, wherein the switchable optical element is part of the second camera optical system in the second switching state.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first switching state is longer than the second switching state.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein a switchover between the first switching state and the second switching state is controlled according to at least one of a driving situation and weather situation.

Assignees

• Fiess Reinhold
• Frederiksen Annette
• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Fiess Reinhold
• Frederiksen Annette

Classifications

• B60R2300/108

  using 'non-standard' camera systems, e.g. camera sensor used for additional purposes i.a. rain sensor, camera sensor split in multiple image areas · CPC title

• B60S1/0844 Primary

  including a camera · CPC title

• B60R1/00 Primary

  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 · CPC title