METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REAR-MOUNTED VEHICULAR DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED BACK-UP CAMERA
A vehicular-signage system includes a control unit electrically coupled to a vehicle. The control unit is adapted to receive signals from the vehicle related to the vehicle being placed in reverse. A display is electrically coupled to the control unit. The display is adapted to receive signals from the control unit related to the display of a message. A back-up camera is disposed with the display. The back-up camera is activated by the control unit responsive to the vehicle being placed in reverse. The back-up camera transmits a video to the control unit.
1 . A system for vehicular signage, the system comprising:
a control unit electrically coupled to a vehicle and adapted to receive signals from the vehicle related to the vehicle being placed in reverse;
a display electrically coupled to the control unit, the display being adapted to receive signals from the control unit related to the display of a message;
a back-up camera disposed with the display, the back-up camera being activated by the control unit responsive to the vehicle being placed in reverse; and
wherein the back-up camera transmits a video to the control unit and the video is displayed to an operator of the vehicle.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the back-up camera is downwardly angled.
3 . The system of claim 1 , where electrical power is supplied to the display and to the back-up camera via a first port.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the first port is a seven-pin circular plastic connector.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein video data is delivered from the back-up camera to the control unit via a second port.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the second port is a four-pin circular plastic connector.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the display includes a louver assembly.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the display includes a cover.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the back-up camera is positioned on the cover.
10 . A back-up camera for use in a vehicle, the back-up camera comprising:
a base section that is selectively securable to the vehicle;
a camera located on an exterior of the base section; and
a wiring connection electrically coupled to the camera and coupled to a controller.
11 . The back-up camera of claim 10 , wherein the camera is downwardly angled.
12 . The back-up camera of claim 10 , wherein the wiring connection is a four pin circular plastic connector.
13 . The back-up camera of claim 10 , comprising a gasket disposed between the base section and the vehicle.
14 . The back-up camera of claim 10 , comprising mounting screws that secure the base section to the vehicle.
15 . A method of arranging a vehicular back-up camera, the method comprising:
electrically coupling a display to a vehicle controller;
electrically coupling a camera to the vehicle controller, the camera being disposed with the display;
electrically coupling the vehicle controller to a general purpose input/output port of the vehicle, the general purpose input/output port providing a signal when the vehicle is placed in reverse; and
responsive to the vehicle being placed in reverse, activating, via the vehicle controller, the camera.
16 . The method of claim 15 , comprising displaying to a vehicle operator an area behind the vehicle.
17 . The method of claim 15 , comprising displaying exterior messages via the display.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the electrically coupling the display to the vehicle controller comprises utilizing a circular plastic connector.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the electrically coupling the camera to the vehicle controller comprises utilizing a circular plastic connector.