Trailer Camera Display System

The CMS system addresses blind spots behind trailers in commercial vehicles by transmitting camera signals over existing wiring, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining real-time visibility.

JP2026501117APending Publication Date: 2026-01-14STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025532911
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-12-07
Filing Date
2023-11-30
Publication Date
2026-01-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional mirror systems in commercial vehicles have blind spots behind trailers, obstructing the rearward view and requiring costly dedicated wiring for camera signals, which introduces installation complexity and latency.

Method used

A camera monitor system (CMS) with a trailer-mounted rear-facing camera and processors that transmit sensor signals over existing trailer wiring harnesses, using filters to reduce noise and achieve high-speed, low-latency image transmission without dedicated wiring.

Benefits of technology

Provides real-time awareness of the trailer blind spot area with reduced installation costs and complexity by utilizing existing trailer wiring for sensor signal transmission, ensuring minimal latency and effective rearview replacement.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A camera monitor system (CMS) for a vehicle includes a CMS controller connected to a plurality of cameras arranged around the vehicle and configured to receive a video feed from each of the plurality of cameras, wherein a first camera of the plurality of cameras defines a rearward-facing field of view. The CMS controller is configured to generate a plurality of display views using the video feeds, the plurality of display views including at least one rearward-facing display view. A first trailer rearward-view display is proximate the driver's side A-frame. The CMS controller is configured to cause the first trailer rearward-view display to display the at least one rearward-facing display view.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera monitor system (CMS) for use in commercial trucks, and more particularly to a system for providing communication between sensors, such as trailer-mounted cameras, and the CMS.

[0002] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 430701, filed December 7, 2022. [Background technology]

[0003] Mirror replacement systems, and camera systems that complement mirror views, are utilized in commercial vehicles to enhance the vehicle operator's ability to view the surrounding environment. Camera monitoring systems (CMS) utilize one or more cameras to provide the vehicle operator with an enhanced field of view. In some instances, mirror replacement systems cover a wider field of view than traditional mirrors or include views that are not fully available through traditional mirrors.

[0004] The area behind the trailer is a typical blind spot in conventional mirror systems. It is desirable to provide the operator with visibility behind the trailer. However, conventional mirror systems, including rearview mirrors, have a tendency for the trailer to obstruct the rearward view. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one exemplary embodiment, a camera monitor system (CMS) for a vehicle includes a CMS controller connected to a plurality of cameras positioned around the vehicle and configured to receive a video feed from each of the plurality of cameras, wherein a first camera of the plurality of cameras defines a rearward-facing field of view. The CMS controller is configured to generate a plurality of display views using the video feeds, the plurality of display views including at least one rearward-facing display view. A first trailer rearward-view display is adjacent to a driver's side A-frame. The CMS controller is configured to cause the first trailer rearward-view display to display the at least one rearward-facing display view.

[0006] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first camera is a trailer camera located behind the vehicle and facing away from the vehicle.

[0007] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the trailer camera is a rear-facing camera located on a trailer of the vehicle.

[0008] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first trailer rear view display is positioned immediately adjacent to the vehicle side view display.

[0009] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first trailer rear view display and the vehicle side view display are incorporated into a single housing.

[0010] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first trailer rear view display is incorporated within a first housing and the vehicle side view display is incorporated within a second housing separate from the first housing.

[0011] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first trailer rear view display is located directly above the vehicle side view display.

[0012] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first trailer rear view display is located directly below the vehicle side view display.

[0013] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first trailer rearview display is positioned adjacent a vertical side of the rearview display.

[0014] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the CMS further comprises the second trailer rear view display, wherein the second trailer rear view display is located either on the passenger side A-frame or at the top center of the windshield.

[0015] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the CMS further comprises a third trailer rearview display, the third trailer rearview display being disposed on the other of the passenger side A-frame and the top center of the windshield.

[0016] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the CMS controller is configured to cause the second trailer rearview display to display a view identical to a view displayed by the first trailer rearview display.

[0017] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one retrospective view includes a Class VIII view.

[0018] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one rearward display view is a replacement view of a rear view.

[0019] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the vehicle lacks a rearview mirror located on the windshield.

[0020] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first trailer rearview display is located on the driver's side A-frame. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] The present disclosure can be further understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a commercial truck equipped with a camera monitor system (CMS) used to provide at least Class II and Class IV views.

[0023] [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a commercial truck equipped with a camera mirror system providing Class II, Class IV, Class V, and Class VI views.

[0024] [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a trailer camera communication system.

[0025] [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an end view of the trailer wiring harness connector.

[0026] [Figure 4] 1 shows an unshielded twisted pair of wires used to connect a filter in a trailer wiring harness with a processor.

[0027] [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example implementation of a trailer camera communication system.

[0028] [Figure 6]6A and 6B are examples of sensors integrated into trailer light housings.

[0029] [Figure 7A] 1 is an example of a vehicle cab view including a display for displaying images from a trailer camera to a vehicle operator. [Figure 7B] 1 is an example of a vehicle cab view including a display for displaying images from a trailer camera to a vehicle operator. [Figure 7C] 1 is an example of a vehicle cab view including a display for displaying images from a trailer camera to a vehicle operator.

[0030] [Figure 8] 1 shows an exemplary single screen configuration for simultaneously displaying Class II, Class IV, and Class VIII views.

[0031] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or their respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, except where such features are incompatible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Schematic diagrams of a commercial vehicle 10 are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle cab or tractor 12 for towing a trailer 14. While a commercial truck is discussed in this disclosure, the disclosed system may be applied to other types of vehicles. The vehicle 10 incorporates a camera monitor system (CMS) 15 (FIG. 2) that includes driver and passenger side camera arms 16a, 16b mounted on the exterior of the vehicle cab 12. If desired, the camera arms 16a, 16b may also include conventional mirrors integrated therewith, although the CMS 15 may be used to replace the mirrors entirely. In additional examples, multiple camera arms 16 may be included on each side, with each arm 16 housing one or more cameras and / or mirrors.

[0033] Each camera arm 16a, 16b includes a base fixed to, for example, the cab 12. A pivoting arm is supported by the base and may be articulated relative thereto. At least one rear-facing camera 20a, 20b is disposed within each camera arm 16a, 16b, e.g., the pivoting arm. Each exterior camera 20a, 20b has an exterior field of view (FOV) that includes at least one of a Class II view and a Class IV view (FIG. 1B) or similar views, which are legally defined in the commercial trucking industry. EX1 , FOV EX2 A Class II view of a given side of the vehicle 10 is a subset of a Class IV view of the same side of the vehicle 10. If desired, multiple cameras may be used in each camera arm 16 a, 16 b to provide these views. Each arm 16 a, 16 b may also provide a housing that encloses electronics configured to provide various features of the CMS 15.

[0034] First and second video displays 18a, 18b are positioned on the driver's side and passenger's side, respectively, within the vehicle cab 12 on or near the A-pillars 19a, 19b and display Class II and Class IV views on each side of the vehicle 10, which provide rear-facing views along the vehicle 10 captured by exterior cameras 20a, 20b.

[0035] If Class V and Class VI view footage is also desired, a camera housing 16c and camera 20c may be located at or near the front of the vehicle 10 to provide these views (FIG. 1B). A third display 18c located within the cab 12 near the top center of the windshield may be used to display Class V and Class VI views forward of the vehicle 10 to the driver.

[0036] If a Class VIII view is desired, camera housings can be positioned on the sides and rear of the vehicle 10 to provide a field of view that includes some or all of the vehicle's Class VIII zone. As shown, the Class VIII view includes a view that surrounds the immediate vicinity of the trailer and a rearward close-up view of the vehicle that includes the area behind the trailer. In one example, the rearward close-up view of the vehicle is generated by a rear-facing camera positioned at the rear of the vehicle and may include both an immediate rearward close-up view and a traditional rearward view (e.g., a field of view extending rearward to the horizon provided by a vehicle's rearview mirror without a trailer). In another example, the Class VIII view may be generated by a rear-facing camera mounted in the cab 12. In such an example, this view may be used when the trailer 14 is not connected (e.g., during a tow hitch operation). If a Class VIII view is desired, the third display 18c may include one or more frames that display the Class VIII view. Alternatively, a further display may be added near the first, second and third displays 18a, 18b, 18c to provide a dedicated display for providing a Class VIII view.

[0037] It should be understood that more or fewer displays than those generally described may be used, display images from multiple cameras may be combined into one display, images from a particular field of view may be provided on a separate display separate from other images, or images may be replicated on multiple displays in separate locations.

[0038] The area 14 behind the trailer is a common blind spot for any vehicle, but particularly for commercial trucks. It is desirable to use a sensor, such as camera 20d, as shown in FIG. 1B, to provide the operator with some awareness of unseen objects at the rear of the trailer. Challenges with using a camera at the rear of the trailer include the long wires that may be used to transmit the video signal to a display in the cab. Dedicated wiring adds significant cost to the system. Furthermore, the images must be transmitted with minimal or no delay so that the objects can be displayed in real time.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, the trailer 14 includes trailer components 32, such as marker lights 32a, anti-lock braking system components 32b, turn signals (right 32c, left 32d), tail lights 32e, and brake lights 32f. Each of the trailer components 32a-32f (collectively, trailer components 32) responds to control signals from one or more vehicle controllers 30, such as switches 30a-30d. The trailer components 32 on the trailer 14 are connected to the tractor 12 by a typical wiring harness 34. As an example, a standard 7-pin jumper cable 35 interconnects the tractor 12 and trailer 14 with connectors 34a, 34b in a typical configuration (e.g., FIG. 3). As a result, the disclosed system can be used with existing, ubiquitous trailer wiring harnesses and electrical connectors in the industry.

[0040] There are various ground wires 44 in the system, only some of which are shown. The wires in the common wiring harness 34 are unshielded copper wires, typically multiple stranded copper wires covered with polymer insulation. For the standard 7-pin configuration shown in Figure 3, a common ground 44 is provided, and control signals for the marker lights 32a, antilock braking system components 32b, turn signals (right 32c, left 32d), tail light 32e, and brake light 32f are sent over power wires 46a-46f, respectively.

[0041] The camera 20d has an image capture unit that generates sensor signals that must be sent at a high transmission rate. The disclosed system achieves this transmission without requiring dedicated wiring running from the rear of the trailer 14 to the tractor 12, thereby greatly simplifying and reducing installation costs. The desired sensor signal transmission is achieved over the very same power lines on the trailer 14 that are used to send control signals to the trailer components 32.

[0042] The tractor 12 includes a first processor 36 that transmits received sensor signals to the CMS 15 for display to the operator. A second processor 38 is located on the trailer 14 and interconnected between the sensor 20d and the wiring harness 34. The second processor 38 is configured to convert the sensor signals into control signals for transmission through the wiring harness 34, using a common wire with the wiring harness wires used to transmit the control signals to the trailer components 32. In other words, some of the existing wires, such as power and ground wires, have a dual purpose: to transmit both control and sensor signals. An example of a usable chipset is available as the VA6000 from Valens Semiconductor, although it should be understood that other processors are also usable and within the scope of the disclosed system. Another example chipset is the DCB1M available from Yamar Electronics.

[0043] Noise may be generated by the trailer components 32, preventing a usable image signal from being provided to the first and second processors 36, 38. Therefore, first and second filters 40a, 40b are used, for example, at signal tap locations in the tractor and trailer wiring harnesses, respectively, to filter out noise before transmission to the processors. Each of the filters 40a, 40b is connected to the respective first and second processors 36, 38 by an unshielded twisted pair wire 42a, 42b (labeled "42" in FIG. 4). The twisted pair wire is unshielded copper wire, typically multiple copper strands 48 covered with a polymer insulation 50, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] The second processor 38 includes an input, and the camera 20d is connected to the input by a high-speed transmission cable 39, such as an Ethernet cable. The second processor 38 may be provided by a chipset including a processor and an encoder, which is configured to embed the sensor signal into a control signal for transmission along the power line(s) to the first processor 36. Additional electrical devices, if provided on the processor, may be connected to multiple inputs. Another input may, for example, house an infrared LED associated with the camera 20d. The chipset may include a multiplexer configured to combine the inputs to provide the sensor signal as an output of the sensor along with an output from the electrical device.

[0045] The first processor 36 includes a decoder and demultiplexer configured to separate the sensor signals from the control signals, which may be provided on the same chipset or separately. The decoder is provided in hardware and / or software.

[0046] At least one of the first and second processors 36, 38 is configured to perform pulse amplitude modulation to reduce noise in the control signals on the common power line.

[0047] 5, second processor 38 is configured to receive sensor signals from camera 20d and transmit the sensor signals to CMS controller 15. Second processor 38 embeds the sensor signals into control signals on the power lines of trailer components 32, such as via ABS and marker light power lines 46a, 48b. This combined sensor / control signal is transmitted along trailer wiring harness 34 to second filter 40b to filter noise from the trailer components. Ideally, second filter 40b is located in a location and on a power line where noise can be more easily filtered and the length of wire between second filter 40b and second processor 38 can be shortened.

[0048] The combined sensor / control signals are transmitted to the tractor 14 from the vehicle component switches 54a, 54b to a point "downstream" to the first processor 36, where the sensor signals are decoded and transmitted to the CMS controller 15 for display. Either or both of the sensor and / or control signals may be transmitted bidirectionally, as desired. The vehicle component switches 54a, 54b (e.g., trailer marker light switches and brake pedal) are connected to a power source 52, such as the vehicle battery, to selectively supply voltage, and thus control signals, to the trailer components. The first filter 40a must be located on the same pair of power lines as the second filter 40b. The first filter 40b filters noise from the power lines to isolate the image signal transmitted from the second processor 38.

[0049] While the sensor is described above as a camera 20d, it should be understood that other sensors, such as radar, lidar, infrared, and ultrasonic sensors, may be used in addition to or instead of a camera. In the case of a camera, it is desirable to transmit the sensor signal between the first processor 36 and the second processor 38 over a common wire to the CMS 15 at a rate of at least 15 Mb / s. Compressing the sensor signal can introduce undesirable latency. The disclosed system is capable of achieving the desired uncompressed transmission rate with the minimum latency required for a CMS system, i.e., less than 200 ms.

[0050] For further efficiency, sensors may be incorporated into light housings on trailer 14, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Referring to FIG. 6B, light housing 60 (e.g., marker lights, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals) has sensors 64, such as camera 20d, mounted within housing 60. Light 62 may be provided by LEDs 62 that emit visible light or incandescent bulbs. Additionally, if night vision is desired for the camera, an array of infrared LEDs 66 powered by wire 146e may be provided within housing 66. Light housing 60 is enclosed by lens 68, which may also cover the sensor. If desired, a separate lens 70 may be used over sensor 64 and integrated with lens 68, depending on the application. Light housing 160 of FIG. 6A uses lens 168 and does not include infrared LEDs.

[0051] By incorporating infrared LEDs, and optionally a camera, into the ubiquitous tail light assembly, no special mounting brackets or hardware are required to add night vision or other views to the rear of a trailer.

[0052] The controller in the CMS may be used to implement the various functions disclosed herein. The controller may include one or more separate units. The first processor 36 may be integrated into or separate from the CMS controller, while the second processor 38 is separate from the first processor 36, since the second processor is on the trailer 14. Furthermore, a portion of the controller may be provided within the vehicle, while another portion of the controller may be located elsewhere. With respect to hardware architecture, such a computing device may include a processor, memory, and one or more input / output (I / O) device interfaces communicatively coupled via a local interface. The local interface may include, for example, but is not limited to, one or more buses and / or other wired or wireless connections. The local interface may include additional elements, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers that enable communication, which are omitted for simplicity. Furthermore, the local interface may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable appropriate communication between the aforementioned components.

[0053] The controller may be a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in a memory. The controller may be a custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the controller, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), or any device for general-purposely executing software instructions.

[0054] The memory may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and / or non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). Furthermore, the memory may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. The memory may have a distributed architecture where various components are located remotely from each other but are accessible by the processor.

[0055] Software in memory may include one or more separate programs, each containing an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing a logical function. A system component embodied as software may be constructed as a source program, an executable program (physical code), a script, or any other entity containing a set of instructions to be executed. If constructed as a source program, the program is translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, etc., which may or may not be contained in memory.

[0056] Input / output devices of the present disclosure that may be coupled to the system I / O interface(s) may include, but are not limited to, input devices such as, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a scanner, a microphone, a camera, a mobile device, a proximity device, etc. Additionally, output devices may include, but are not limited to, a display, a macroclimate device, a microclimate device, etc. Finally, input / output devices may further include devices that communicate as both input and output, such as, but are not limited to, a modulator / demodulator (i.e., for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephone interface, a bridge, a router, etc.

[0057] When the controller is operating, the processor may be configured to execute software stored in the memory, communicate data to and from the memory, and generally control the operation of the computing device in accordance with the software. The software in the memory is read, in whole or in part, by the processor and often buffered within the processor before being executed.

[0058] Also, while particular component arrangements are disclosed in the illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that other arrangements would benefit from the present disclosure. Although a particular sequence of steps is shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that, unless otherwise indicated, the steps may be performed in any order, separated, or combined, and still benefit from the present invention.

[0059] Although the different examples have specific components shown, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those specific combinations, and some components or features of one example may be used in combination with features or components of another example.

[0060] In some cases, the view generated by rear-facing camera 20d may encompass the field of view traditionally provided by the rearview mirror of a vehicle without a trailer. In such instances, the view may be provided to one or more displays in the vehicle cab, and CMS 15 can operate the displays as part of a mirror replacement system or a mirror enhancement system to replace a rearview mirror view that is partially or fully obscured by an attached trailer.

[0061] Additionally, because the display is not a mirror, it can be placed in a location other than the top-center of the windshield while still providing a traditional "rearview mirror" view. Off-center placement can, in some instances, reduce costs by reducing the length of wiring required to provide the view to the display, and in some instances, can provide safety benefits by locating the rearview in a location that is visible to the operator without the operator having to take their eyes off the road, allowing the operator to simultaneously see both a side view and a rearview of the vehicle. Furthermore, these benefits can be combined to achieve multiple benefits within a single system.

[0062] One location where these benefits can be advantageously achieved is by mounting the display 610 on the driver's side A-frame or by placing the display 610 in close proximity to the A-frame near the side view display. As used herein, "in close proximity to the A-frame" refers to a location close to the A-frame such that a vehicle operator looking at a feature mounted on the A-frame can see the display 610 near the center of their field of view.

[0063] 7A, 7B, and 7C show example configurations with a rearview mirror display 610 positioned on the driver's side A-frame. In each example, the rearview mirror display 610 is positioned adjacent to a corresponding side view display 688A (e.g., a Class II / IV view display). Aside from the placement of the rearview mirror display 610, each of FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show substantially identical vehicle cabs.

[0064] 7A, an example vehicle cab 670 is shown schematically. The cab 670 includes a windshield 674, wing mirrors 678A-B, and an instrument cluster display 646A. This example vehicle also includes a center console display 646B and camera monitor system (CMS) displays 688A-B disposed on each of A-frames 692A-B. Each CMS display 688A-B is contained within a corresponding housing 686A-B. In some examples where the CMS operates as a mirror replacement system, the wing mirrors 676A-B can be omitted entirely, and the displays 688A-B provide Class II / IV views as described above to replace the views provided by the wing-mounted mirrors 676A-B.

[0065] Also mounted on one of the A-frames 692A is a rearview monitor 610. The rearview monitor 610 is configured to replace a conventional rearview mirror 612A for vehicles where a rearview mirror is not always functional, such as vehicles for towing a trailer. In another optional example, a second display 610' may be located on the passenger-side A-frame 692B, with the second display 610' positioned relative to the passenger-side monitor 688B in the same position as the primary rearview display 610 is positioned relative to the driver-side monitor 688A. In another example, another rearview monitor 610'' can be located in the conventional position 614 in addition to the monitor 610 located on the A-frame 692A. In each of the alternative examples, the monitors 610, 610', and 610'' display the same view.

[0066] By mounting rearview display 610 adjacent to CMS monitor 688A and A-frame 692A, rearview display 610 is maintained within the vehicle operator's peripheral vision during all vehicle operations, and the operator does not need to turn their eyes to see the rear view. Furthermore, if the driver's side placement is the only rearview display 610, the length and number of wires required to run from the CMS controller to the display can be minimized, reducing both cost and system complexity.

[0067] Additionally, in instances where redundant monitors 610′ and 610″ are utilized, the passenger side A-frame 692B and its placement at the top center of the windshield further ensures that the vehicle operator is always presented with a rear view while driving, regardless of the direction the driver shifts their gaze.

[0068] Continuing with reference to Figure 7A, Figure 7B shows the same vehicle cab with the rearview monitor 610 moved to the exterior (away from the center of the vehicle) side of the CMS monitor 688A. As in the example of Figure 7A, the optional secondary display 610' is positioned relative to the passenger-side display 688B in the same location as the rearview display 610 is positioned relative to the driver-side display 688A.

[0069] 7A and 7B, Figure 7C shows the same vehicle cab 670 with the rearview monitor 610 again moved to a position below the driver-side monitor 688A. As in the example of Figures 7A and 7B, the optional secondary display 610' is positioned relative to the passenger-side display 688B in the same location as the rearview display 610 is positioned relative to the driver-side display 688A.

[0070] In one example, the camera monitor system units 86A-B are part of the Stoneridge MIRROREYE system.

[0071] 7A-7C, in the illustrated example, the rearview displays 610, 610' are housed within the same display housings 686A, 686B as the corresponding displays 688A, 688B. In another configuration, the rearview displays 610, 610' are housed within separate housings, with the housings for the rearview displays 610, 610' being positioned adjacent to the corresponding housings 686A-B.

[0072] 7A-7C, Figure 8 schematically illustrates an exemplary display 700 capable of simultaneously operating as a rearview monitor 610 and a driver-side display 688A. In another example, a similar or identical display can be used in any other arrangement (e.g., passenger-side display 688B or center dash monitor) for a similar purpose.

[0073] Display 700 includes a single screen 710 having three display regions 712, 714, and 716. Lower display region 712 displays a Class IV view, central display region 714 displays a Class II view, and upper display region 716 displays a Class VIII view. In the exemplary embodiment, each region 712, 714, and 716 is separated from each of the other regions 712, 714, and 716 by a visually displayed boundary 720. In the exemplary display 700, each region 712 and 714 is evenly spaced apart so that they have the same dimensions, although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, regions 712, 714, and 716 can have various dimensions with appropriate boundaries 720.

[0074] In some embodiments, the placement of boundary 720 and / or the dimensions of regions 712, 714, 716 may be fixed through operation of CMS 15. In other examples, the placement of boundary 720 and / or the dimensions of regions 712, 714, 716 may be adjusted manually by the vehicle operator or automatically by CMS 15 depending on the current needs of display 700 and / or the current mode of vehicle operation.

[0075] While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed, those of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the following claims, and for that reason the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. A camera monitor system (CMS) for a vehicle, comprising: a CMS controller connected to a plurality of cameras positioned around the vehicle and configured to receive a video feed from each camera of the plurality of cameras, a first camera of the plurality of cameras defining a rear-facing field of view, the CMS controller configured to generate a plurality of display views using the video feed, the plurality of display views including at least one rear-facing display view; a first trailer rear view display adjacent the driver's side A-frame; and Equipped with the CMS controller is configured to cause the first trailer rearview display to display the at least one rearward-facing display view.

2. 2. The camera monitor system of claim 1, wherein the first camera is a trailer camera positioned behind the vehicle and facing away from the vehicle.

3. 3. The camera monitor system of claim 2, wherein the trailer camera is a rear-facing camera located on the trailer of the vehicle.

4. 10. The camera monitor system of claim 1, wherein the first trailer rearview display is positioned immediately adjacent to a vehicle sideview display.

5. 5. The camera monitor system of claim 4, wherein the first trailer rearview display and the vehicle sideview display are integrated into a single housing.

6. 5. The camera monitor system of claim 4, wherein the first trailer rearview display is incorporated within a first housing and the vehicle sideview display is incorporated within a second housing separate from the first housing.

7. 5. The camera monitor system of claim 4, wherein the first trailer rearview display is located directly above the vehicle sideview display.

8. 5. The camera monitor system of claim 4, wherein the first trailer rearview display is located directly below the vehicle sideview display.

9. 5. The camera monitor system of claim 4, wherein the first trailer rearview display is positioned adjacent a vertical side of the rearview display.

10. 10. The camera monitor system of claim 1, further comprising a second trailer rearview display, said second trailer rearview display being located either on the passenger side A-frame or at the top center of the windshield.

11. 11. The camera monitor system of claim 10, further comprising a third trailer rearview display, said third trailer rearview display being positioned on the other of said passenger side A-frame and said top center of said windshield.

12. 11. The camera monitor system of claim 10, wherein the CMS controller is configured to cause the second trailer rearview display to display the same view as the view displayed by the first trailer rearview display.

13. The camera monitor system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one rear-facing display view comprises a Class VIII view.

14. 10. The camera monitor system of claim 1, wherein the at least one rearward facing display view is a replacement view of a rear view.

15. 15. The camera monitor system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle lacks a rearview mirror located on the windshield.

16. 10. The camera monitor system of claim 1, wherein the first trailer rearview display is located on the driver's side A-frame.