Adaptive camera system for a vehicle and vehicle comprising the adaptive camera system and method for operating the adaptive camera system

A method for operating an adaptive camera system of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of camera arrangements, wherein each camera arrangement comprises at least one camera unit, and wherein each camera arrangement is arranged on the vehicle such that each camera arrangement is configured to have respective different op tical properties to cover a respective different field of view and/or to have a respective different spectral response;
• connecting the plurality of camera arrangements in data-communication to an image processor configured to receive image data from the camera arrangements;
• receiving driving-status data pertaining to an actual status of the vehicle;
• selecting from the plurality of camera arrangements, using the driving-status data, at least one preferred camera arrangement for being connected in data-communication to the image processor, wherein a first camera arrangement is arranged on a top section of a front side of the vehicle, and a second camera arrangement is arranged on a bottom section of the front side of the vehicle, and wherein the second camera arrangement is selected as the at least one preferred camera arrangement, upon determining, based on the driving-status data, that a speed of the vehicle is higher than a predetermined speed threshold amount and that the vehicle is currently located in an urban area, and otherwise the first camera arrangement is selected as the at least one preferred camera arrangement;
• restricting a data-communication connection to the image processor to the at least one preferred at camera arrangement for data-communication with the image processor;
• and
• providing a select-signal indicative of a subset of preferred camera arrangements, wherein a predetermined selection-algorithm associates the driving-status to a corresponding subset of preferred camera arrangements.

An adaptive camera system for a vehicle, the adaptive camera system comprising:

• a plurality of camera arrangements, wherein each camera arrangement comprises at least one camera unit, and wherein each camera arrangement is arranged on the vehicle such that each camera arrangement is configured to have respective different optical properties to cover a respective different field of view and/or to have a respective different spectral response,
• wherein the plurality of camera arrangements are adapted to be connected in data-communication to an image processor that is configured to receive image data from the camera arrangement;
• and
• a camera arrangement selector configured to receive driving-status data pertaining to an actual status of the vehicle,
• wherein a first camera arrangement is arranged on a top section of a front side of the vehicle, and a second camera arrangement is arranged on a bottom section of the front side of the vehicle,
• wherein the camera arrangement selector is adapted to select from the plurality of camera arrangements, using the driving-status data, at least one preferred camera arrangement for being connected in data-communication to the image processor,
• wherein the camera arrangement selector is configured to select, as the at least one preferred camera arrangement, the second camera arrangement, upon determining, based on the driving-status data, that a speed of the vehicle is higher than a predetermined speed threshold amount and that the vehicle is currently located in an urban area, and otherwise to select the first camera arrangement as the at least one preferred camera arrangement,
• wherein a data-communication connection to the image processor is restricted to the at least one preferred camera arrangement for data-communication with the image processor, and
• wherein the image processor is adapted for evaluating processed data from the image data and/or providing processed data to a driver assistance system, wherein the image data is restricted to that provided by the at least one preferred camera arrangement only.