Vehicle-mounted cameras are everywhere, but not all are created equal. Some designs go far beyond aesthetics. Patent US7609961B2, assigned to Lexidine LLC, introduces a retrofit vehicle camera that integrates seamlessly into the car’s existing structure.
The invention houses a camera inside a vehicle lens, preserving the vehicle’s original look while transmitting video wirelessly. It avoids external mounts or visible hardware, making the camera nearly invisible to the eye. This smart integration makes the design ideal for manufacturers seeking clean, unobtrusive solutions.
While US7609961B2 is currently part of a legal dispute between Lexidine and Ford Motor Company, this article focuses on the invention itself.
Using the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool, we uncover similar technologies and design approaches used in vehicle-mounted cameras. GPS helps you pinpoint comparable designs and understand how they align with the structure of US7609961B2.
If you are working on vehicle optics or embedded camera systems, this GPS-powered overview brings the technology into clear focus.
Understanding Patent US7609961B2
US7609961B2 introduces a modular camera system that fits directly into existing vehicle light housings. It supports multiple lens sizes and angles, enabling customizable installation based on the driver’s visibility needs. The design allows manufacturers or users to retrofit the camera without altering the vehicle’s factory design or cutting into the bodywork.
Source: Google Patents
Its Four Key Features Are
#1. Internal mounting: The camera body is housed entirely within the vehicle’s external light lens.
#2. Angled viewing axis: The lens positions the camera at a 15°–75° angle relative to its mounting base.
#3. Wireless transmission: A circuit in the base transmits video signals to a receiver, eliminating wired connections.
#4. Unobtrusive design: The camera blends seamlessly with the lens, preserving the vehicle’s original exterior.
This design addresses key challenges in camera retrofitting, visibility, wiring, and vehicle aesthetics. The angled mounting allows dynamic field coverage without bulky hardware. Its concealed placement makes it highly suitable for modern vehicle integration.
Similar Patents As US7609961B2
To explore the design landscape surrounding US7609961B2, we used the Global Patent Search tool to identify related vehicle camera systems. These inventions address shared technical concerns such as streamlined mounting, concealment within lighting assemblies, and minimizing external exposure.
Below, we present five notable references that demonstrate comparable strategies for integrating cameras into vehicle lighting systems.
1. JPH11198724A
This Japanese application, JPH11198724A, filed in 1998, outlines a vehicle-mounted camera placed inside the housing of an exterior lighting fixture. The design prevents the camera from protruding outside the vehicle and improves aerodynamics, protection, and aesthetics. Instead of relying on an external bracket or standalone mount, the system merges lighting and imaging into a single unit. It also allows integration alongside existing light sources, creating a multi-functional component with minimal changes to the vehicle’s exterior.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Integrated camera housing – The camera is placed inside a lighting device case to avoid external mounting.
- Transparent lens section – The area facing the camera is made of clear material to enable image capture.
- Multiple chamber layout – Separate spaces within the case accommodate indicators, side lights, tail lights, and the camera.
- Obstacle protection – The camera remains shielded from weather and debris through a full enclosure.
- Enhanced user view – The camera supports rear and side imaging for broader driver awareness.
- Optional motion and zoom – The system may include a swing mechanism and a zoom-capable CCD camera.
How It Connects To US7609961B2
- Both conceal the camera within the vehicle’s existing light housing.
- Each system uses a transparent section for the camera to maintain visual clarity.
- Both designs improve safety and durability by removing external protrusions.
- Each targets easy retrofitting or OEM-level design integration.
- The lighting component serves dual functions: illumination and video capture.
Why This Matters
This patent emphasizes the practical concealment of vehicle cameras within lighting structures. It aligns with modern needs for aerodynamic efficiency and tamper resistance while simplifying installation and maintenance.
2. US2002191407A1
This U.S. application, US2002191407A1, filed in 2001 by Honeywell, describes a clearance light that has been redesigned to incorporate a forward-facing night vision camera. The camera is mounted through the center of an annular light source, allowing shared use of the existing optical path. The assembly fits into standard vehicle openings, providing improved night visibility without affecting aesthetics or requiring major structural changes.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Annular light integration – A ring-shaped light source surrounds a central opening used by the camera.
- Shared optical path – The camera views through the light source’s opening, maintaining alignment with the road perspective.
- Factory-fit design – The assembly fits into pre-cut OEM openings for simplified installation.
- Protective lens system – Transparent windows shield the camera lens without distorting its function.
- Diffuser adjustments – Regions of the light shell can be modified or replaced to ensure camera clarity.
- Minimal modification strategy – Uses existing clearance light shells with simple cutouts and lens replacements.
How It Connects To US7609961B2
- Both patents incorporate a camera into an existing vehicle lighting unit.
- Each design ensures the camera remains unobtrusive and does not interfere with vehicle appearance.
- Both use transparent or modified lens covers to maintain clear image capture.
- Each enables dual functionality without compromising lighting performance.
- Both support retrofit applications with minimal external alterations.
Why This Matters
This patent shows how night vision technology can be seamlessly embedded in lighting components. It supports modular upgrades without requiring major design changes, aligning with modern OEM and aftermarket needs.
3. WO2004076234A1
This international application, WO2004076234A1, filed by DaimlerChrysler in 2004, discloses a catadioptric camera system for motor vehicles. The camera uses a mirror with a conical cross-section to achieve a 180°+ field of view. The mirror is positioned separately from the image sensor and can be mounted inside existing parts, such as brake lights, allowing modular integration without altering the vehicle’s body design.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Catadioptric optics – Combines mirrors and lenses to expand the field of view to over 180°.
- Separated mirror and sensor – The mirror is mounted externally; the camera is placed deeper in the body.
- Modular system – Components are plug-in ready and can be optionally integrated into standard fixtures.
- Integrated in brake light – The mirror fits inside a stop lamp to preserve exterior design lines.
- Wide-angle visibility – Suitable for blind spot and rear monitoring with minimal body interference.
- Retrofit-friendly – Designed to work with universal brake light housings, lowering upgrade costs.
How It Connects To US7609961B2
- Both systems integrate cameras into existing vehicle components like lights or lenses.
- Each preserves the vehicle’s external appearance by embedding optics into non-obtrusive positions.
- Both solutions support modular and retrofit-ready designs.
- Each aims to reduce installation complexity without sacrificing visual performance.
- Both approaches improve driver awareness through embedded, concealed imaging systems.
Why This Matters
This patent illustrates a forward-thinking use of optical engineering to improve driver visibility. Using catadioptric mirrors and modular parts allows for full environmental awareness without disrupting vehicle design or requiring costly structural changes. This use of mirrors and modular optics parallels other advanced automotive optics patents.
4. TWM310829U
This Taiwanese utility model, TWM310829U, filed in 2006, presents a vehicle image capturing device that transmits external scene images into the cabin, without drilling or external wiring. It uses paired optical lenses on either side of the vehicle glass and a sensor inside the car. The system eliminates body modifications while maintaining image clarity and improves safety by covering blind spots during operation.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Glass-mounted optical relay – Transmits exterior images through vehicle glass without piercing the body.
- Dual-lens setup – A first lens faces outward; a second lens and sensor face inward.
- No body perforation – Eliminates the need for drilling or wiring through the vehicle shell.
- Non-intrusive installation – Lenses are mounted via adhesive covers on both sides of the glass.
- Full field monitoring – Designed to monitor blind spots in all directions: front, rear, left, and right.
- Improved insurance documentation – Enables recording of driving conditions for legal and safety verification.
How It Connects To US7609961B2
- Both eliminate protruding camera components for seamless vehicle integration.
- Each device aims to preserve vehicle aesthetics by avoiding exterior mounting hardware.
- Both systems improve situational awareness for reversing or navigating blind spots.
- Each solution supports a non-invasive installation, making it ideal for aftermarket applications.
- Moreover, both prioritize internal routing to reduce exposure, corrosion risk, and structural compromise.
Why This Matters
This patent shows how optical innovation can replace conventional wiring and mounting. It offers a sleek, damage-free way to enhance visual coverage, especially for blind spots, without compromising the car’s bodywork. Furthermore, it supports practical upgrades while maintaining factory-grade appearance.
5. US2006103727A1
This U.S. application, US2006103727A1, filed in 2004 by Tseng Huan-Chin, presents a modular vehicle backup camera system. Unlike traditional sealed units, this design separates the image sensor and circuit board. Consequently, the photo-device mounts externally, such as in a bumper, while the circuitry stays hidden inside the vehicle. This reduces camera bulk, improves concealment, and enhances vehicle aesthetics without sacrificing functionality.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Modular camera design – Separates the image sensor from the internal circuit board for flexible placement.
- Slimmer housing – The External unit requires less bulk, improving concealment and design.
- Circuit board relocation – Internal mounting keeps electronics protected and out of view.
- Simplified waterproofing – A Smaller camera enclosure is easier to seal.
- Rear bumper integration – Designed for discrete mounting at the back of the vehicle.
- Improved appearance – The reduced camera profile avoids disrupting the vehicle’s rear styling.
How It Connects To US7609961B2
- Both systems separate internal and external components for better concealment.
- Each design emphasizes preserving the vehicle’s exterior appearance.
- Both target ease of installation with minimal design intrusion.
- Each uses modular placement to support flexible integration across vehicle types.
- Both aim to enhance rear visibility while reducing visible hardware.
Why This Matters
This patent rethinks camera architecture to reduce exterior impact. By relocating electronics and downsizing the camera body, it supports a more elegant vehicle design without compromising safety or image performance. It reflects a shift toward hidden, high-functioning optical systems. This modular approach aligns with the broader evolution of dashcams, showing how consumer demand has consistently pushed for compact, concealed imaging solutions in vehicles.
How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search
Understanding the broader patent landscape is critical when exploring innovations in vehicle camera systems, optical mounting strategies, or concealed imaging devices. The Global Patent Search tool simplifies this process by uncovering technologies that solve similar engineering problems in automotive imaging.
1. Enter the patent number into GPS: Start by entering a patent number like US7609961B2 into the GPS tool. The platform builds a targeted query, which can be refined with terms like “vehicle lens camera,” “concealed mounting,” or “retrofit optical module.”
Source: GPS
2. Explore conceptual snippets: Instead of comparing patents claim-by-claim, GPS presents curated text snippets. These highlight how other inventions enable wireless transmission, lens integration, or protected image capture inside vehicle lighting assemblies. In some cases, it even ties into vehicle Ethernet systems for faster, more reliable data flow.
3. Identify related inventions: The tool surfaces patents using night vision systems, catadioptric mirrors, or modular camera layouts. These solutions offer insights into design strategies that improve driver awareness while preserving vehicle aesthetics.
4. Compare systems, not legal claims: GPS emphasizes technical problem-solving instead of strict legal language. This allows users to identify common methods of embedding cameras in light housings or minimizing external footprint.
5. Accelerate cross-domain insights: Whether working in automotive design, sensor hardware, or aftermarket accessory development, GPS helps uncover inventive solutions that bridge gaps between safety, design, and manufacturing.
With Global Patent Search, it’s easier to uncover how different vehicle camera concepts address real-world challenges. This makes it possible to rethink design constraints, optimize visibility, and track emerging trends in integrated vehicle optics.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.
