# US 11,115,575 B2 · Camera with 2-component element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,115,575 B2 - Document ID: US11115575B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/458,503 - Filed: 2019-07-01 - Published: 2020-01-23 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-23 - Assignees: Aptiv Technologies AG - Applicants: Aptiv Technologies Limited - Inventors: Andrzej Polak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11115575B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - B60R 2001/1253: {with cameras, video cameras or video screens} - G06V 20/597: {Recognising the driver's state or behaviour, e.g. attention or drowsiness} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract Device for acquiring images inside a vehicle, comprising an illuminator to illuminate a field of view, an image sensor that is arranged to acquire images from the field of view, and an optical element having a light-transparent portion and a light-blocking portion, wherein the light-transparent portion is arranged so that light of the illuminator being emitted to the field of view passes through the light-transparent portion, and wherein the light-blocking portion is arranged to block light of the illuminator being emitted in a direction towards the image sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for acquiring images inside a vehicle, said device comprising: an illuminator configured to illuminate a field of view; an image sensor configured to acquire images from the field of view; and a cover between the illuminator and the field of view; an optical element that abuts the cover on a side opposite the field of view, the optical element further comprising a light-transparent portion, a light-blocking portion, and a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the light-transparent portion is configured so that: light of the illuminator emitted to the field of view passes through the light-transparent portion; the light-transparent portion forms a cavity with an opening and defines a space that is partially occupied by a light source; a side of the light-transparent portion partially forms the cavity and faces the light source to form a lens; and the light-transparent portion comprises a silicon rubber and further forms a sealed surface that abuts the PCB to dampen vibrations of the PCB, and wherein the light-blocking portion is configured to block the light of the illuminator emitted in a direction towards the image sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light-transparent portion forms at least one lens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the illuminator is arranged to emit light at an infrared-range wavelength. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the illuminator comprises a laser or a light emitting diode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the illuminator comprises a light source that is encapsulated by the light-transparent portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking portion comprises an elastic material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light-transparent portion defines an inner space with an undercut. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the light-transparent portion is at least partially coated with an anti-reflective coating or a reflective coating. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light-transparent portion has a light-entering surface with diffusing properties, a light-exiting surface with diffusing properties. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light-transparent portion comprises a material having light diffusing properties. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the illuminator comprises a reflector that is provided to deflect the light of a light source in the direction of the field of view, wherein the reflector abuts at least one of the light-transparent portion or the light-blocking portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the reflector and the light-blocking portion abut each other to form a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface extends along a closed shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the reflector and the light-transparent portion abut each other to form a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface extends along a closed shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the illuminator comprises a printed circuit board and the light-transparent portion and the printed circuit board abut each other to form a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface extends along a closed shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cover is impermeable to visible light, wherein the light-blocking portion and the cover abut each other to form a sealing surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking portion forms at least one frame through which the light of the light source emits light to the field of view. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking portion and the light-transparent portion form a connection zone along a closed shape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a single fabricated part comprising a thermoplastic material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the single fabricated part extends from the illuminator towards the cover to prevent light leaks at the image sensor, the light leaks being caused by the illuminator.