Vehicle-trailer rearview vision system and method

A method of generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method comprising:

• capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle;
• capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer;
• defining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region within the first image that includes the trailer;
• determining an image overlay area within the obstructed viewing region;
• inserting the second image on the first image according to the image overlay area;
• rendering graphics in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and outside the image overlay area, wherein the graphics include natural scene graphics that depict or attempt to depict an area within the obstructed viewing region and outside the second image;
• and
• displaying a combined image on an electronic display that is installed in the vehicle, wherein the combined image includes at least part of the first image, at least part of the second image, and the rendered graphics.

A vehicle rearview vision system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

• a vehicle camera installed on the vehicle, wherein the vehicle camera is configured to capture an area behind the vehicle;
• an electronic display installed on the vehicle;
• an onboard computer installed on the vehicle, wherein the onboard computer includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable memory, wherein the memory includes a computer program product that, when executed by the processor, causes the vehicle to carry out a combined image generation process that includes:
• obtaining a first image from the vehicle camera, the first image being comprised of the area behind the vehicle;
• obtaining a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on a trailer being towed by the vehicle, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer;
• determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides;
• overlaying at least a portion of the second image at least partially within the obstructed viewing region of the first image;
• inserting graphics in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image;
• and
• displaying a combined image on the electronic display, wherein the combined image includes at least part of the first image, at least part of the second image, and the inserted graphics.