# US 7,609,961 B2 · Vehicle camera > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,961 B2 - Document ID: US7609961B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/401,405 - Filed: 2006-04-11 - Published: 2007-10-11 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-04-11 - Inventors: Eric S. Park - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609961B2 ## CPC - G03B 17/00: Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor (lens hoods or caps G03B11/04) - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A vehicle camera includes a vehicle lens having an opening, a camera body within the vehicle lens having a viewing axis through the opening, a base attached to the vehicle lens, wherein the viewing axis is at an angle between about 15 to 75 degrees with respect to a plane of the base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle camera, comprising: a vehicle lens of an external light for a vehicle light, the vehicle lens having a translucent area of a predetermined color for allowing light transmission therethrough of the predetermined color and having an opening in the translucent area of the vehicle lens; a camera body within the vehicle lens having a viewing axis through the opening; and a base attached to the vehicle lens, wherein the viewing axis is at an angle between about 15 to 75 degrees with respect to a plane of the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the base includes an incandescent for providing light. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a light emitting diode for providing light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle camera according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmission circuit in the base for wirelessly transmitting video signals to a receiver. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle camera according to claim 4, further comprising an external antenna extending from the wireless transmission circuit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle camera according to claim 5, wherein optoelectronic components in the camera body and the wireless transmission circuit receive power from wiring that provides power to a light bulb in the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera body includes an infrared sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle lens includes a concave portion having a first recess at the opening for mounting a camera lens cover on the outside of the vehicle lens and a second recess at the opening for receiving the camera body from the inside of the vehicle lens. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle camera according to claim 8, further comprising a gasket positioned between the camera body and the vehicle lens for providing a water tight seal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle lens includes a slanted top surface with a concave portion having an opening at which a camera lens cover and the camera body is attached at the inside of the vehicle lens. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle camera according to claim 10, further comprising a gasket positioned between the camera lens cover and the vehicle lens for providing a water tight seal. ### Claim 12 A vehicle camera , comprising: a vehicle lens of an external light for a vehicle, the vehicle lens having a having a translucent area of a predetermined color for allowing light transmission therethrough of the predetermined color and having an opening in the translucent area of the vehicle lens; a camera body within the vehicle lens and at the opening such that camera body has a viewing axis through the opening; and a base containing a wireless transmission circuit for wirelessly transmitting video signals to a receiver, wherein the vehicle lens is being attached to the camera body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vehicle camera according to claim 12, wherein the viewing axis is at an angle between about 15 to 75 degrees with respect to a plane of the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The vehicle camera according to claim 12, further comprising an external antenna extending from the wireless transmission circuit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The vehicle camera according to claim 12, wherein optoelectronic components in the camera body and the wireless transmission circuit receives power from wiring that provides power to a light bulb in the base. ### Claim 16 A vehicle camera, comprising: a vehicle lens of an external light for a vehicle, the vehicle lens having a translucent area with an internal reflector surface and having an opening in the translucent area of the vehicle lens; a camera body mounted completely within the vehicle lens; a transparent camera lens cover attached to the vehicle lens at the opening for protecting a camera lens within the camera body; and a base for mounting on a vehicle, the vehicle lens being attached to the base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The vehicle camera according to claim 16, wherein the base contains a wireless transmission circuit for wirelessly transmitting video signals to a receiver. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The vehicle camera according to claim 16, wherein optoelectronic components in the camera body and the wireless transmission circuit receive power from wiring that provides power to a light bulb in the base. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The vehicle camera according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle lens includes a concave portion having a first recess for mounting the transparent camera lens cover on the outside of the vehicle lens and a second recess with an opening for receiving the camera body from the inside of the vehicle lens. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle camera according to claim 19, further comprising a gasket positioned between the camera body and the vehicle lens for providing a water tight seal. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The vehicle camera according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle lens includes a slanted top surface with a concave portion having an opening at which the transparent camera lens cover and the camera body is attached at the inside of the vehicle lens. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The vehicle camera according to claim 21, further comprising a gasket positioned between the transparent camera lens cover and the vehicle lens for providing a water tight seal. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The vehicle camera according to claim 16, wherein the transparent camera lens cover is integrally formed with the vehicle lens.