Method of detecting an object near a vehicle

A method of detecting an object in a path of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing a camera to a vehicle for capturing images external to the vehicle;
• capturing a first image with the camera upon slowing the vehicle to less than two miles per hour;
• storing the first image in a memory;
• capturing a second image with the camera upon turning an ignition to an on position;
• comparing the second image with the first image;
• detecting an object in the second image that is in a path of the vehicle;
• and
• generating an audible and a visible warning on an in-vehicle monitor in response to detecting an object in the second image that is in a path of the vehicle.

A method of detecting an object in a path of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing a camera to a vehicle for capturing digital images external to the vehicle;
• capturing a first image with the camera upon stopping motion of the vehicle;
• storing the first image in a memory holding a plurality of different first images;
• capturing a second image with the camera upon turning an ignition to an on position;
• comparing the second image with the first image;
• determining a difference between the second image and the first image, wherein the difference is an object;
• determining that the object in the second image is in a path of the vehicle;
• and
• generating a visible warning of the object on an in-vehicle monitor in response to determining that the object in the second image is in a path of the vehicle.