US 5,289,321 · Granted 1994-02-22
The 1994 Patent That Invented the Modern Backup Camera
Imagine tiny cameras mounted on the sides of a car that let you see what's behind you on a dashboard screen instead of just using mirrors. This patent describes how to mount these cameras in sleek aerodynamic housings and display their video feed right on your instrument cluster so drivers don't have to turn around or rely entirely on mirrors.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a rear-viewing system for vehicles that combines left and right video cameras mounted on the vehicle's sides, aerodynamic protective housings for those cameras, and an integrated LCD display screen mounted in the instrument cluster. What's protected here is the specific arrangement of these camera positions, the fairing design that minimizes wind disruption, and the consolidated display system that shows all camera feeds in one dashboard location.
Why it matters
This patent laid important groundwork for what became standard safety equipment on modern vehicles. Backup cameras and surround-view systems are now required by law in new cars in many countries because they dramatically reduce blind-spot accidents. While automotive camera technology has evolved since 1994, this patent captured the core insight: cameras plus dashboard displays could replace or supplement traditional mirrors and improve driver awareness. It represents an early milestone in the shift from purely mechanical safety systems to electronic ones.
Real-world use
Every time you back up a car made in the last 15 years and see that grainy or high-definition video feed appear on your screen, you're using technology descended from this patent's core concept of side-mounted cameras feeding into a central dashboard display.
Original USPTO abstract
A rear viewing arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle to permit the operator to view traffic conditions to rearward from left and right sides of the vehicle, as well as directly behind the vehicle. Left and right video cameras are mounted on the left and right sides of the motor vehicle forwardly of the drivers position. Each camera attachment has a miniature video camera viewing angle directed generally rearwards, and a housing or shroud that is in the form of an aerodynamic fairing disposed over the associated camera to protect the same and to minimize the amount of protuberance laterally from the side of the vehicle. The fairing also avoids unnecessary airflow turbulence, thereby streamlining the vehicle. The images viewed from these camera assemblies reproduced on an LCD viewing screen, which is integrated with the instrument cluster on the vehicle dashboard. The operator can easily observe the conditions to rearward without having to divert his or her attention from the road ahead.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 5,289,321
- Filing date
- 1993-02-12
- Grant date
- 1994-02-22
- Assignee
- Secor James O
- Inventor(s)
- SECOR; JAMES O.
- CPC class
- B60Q1/0023
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