With a little help from my friends

[sredmyer]

Many from here (and other forums as well) have seen my YouTube video about my custom camera system that I posted mid 2010 (here is a link if you haven’t seen it yet http://www.youtube.com/v/hxY3oQxKixk). Since posting that video, the response has been overwhelming. I got so much feedback in fact that I decided, late last year, to see if I could get the system patented and maybe try to sell the patent. So I hired an attorney and in December filed for a patent on the system and the system is now “patent pending”.

As some of you know, I live just outside of Louisville, KY, just a few miles down the road from Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP) where all of the Super Duty trucks are built. As you might figure, I know a few guys who work at the truck plant. One of the guys’ I know works on the New Product Development team. I asked him if he could take my system to his team and see what they thought of it. He told me I needed to get a more professional video made and get it posted online so he could show it to his team.

So in May of this year I launched the 4D View (that’s the name I chose for my system…kinda cool don’t ya think…4D can be pronounced Ford) web site (FOUR-CAMERA Vehicle Video System). Since that time I have been contacted by literally hundreds of folks requesting information and also received several requests for me to actually build systems. In addition to all of the individuals who have made positive comments to my thread here and visited the web site, the Super Duty new product team has now seen the video and really liked the system. They liked it so much in fact that they have sent it up to the executives at Ford in Detroit for review.

So now to the purpose of this posting…I am trying to prove to Ford that there is real interest in this system. To that end I would like to ask you guys to take some time to go any of Fords web sites (Ford Motor Company's Customer Feedback — Submit your feedback and ideas to Ford Motor Company's Online Suggestion Box — SuggestionBox.com is one) or stop by your local dealer or even just respond to this post requesting this system be added as a factory option to the new trucks.

I think if they (Ford) sees the kind of interest this system has generated they will be moved to act and possibly offer to buy or license the patent from me…how cool would that be.

Thanks for all of your positive words thus far and continued support.
Steve

[Alberta Advantage]

I was reading an issue of Diesel World or Diesel Power from 2012 and there was a small article about the 2012 Raptors in it and it said that Ford was looking at the viability of a front view camera. I'll see if I can dig through the stack of old magazines and see if I can scan it for you...

[sredmyer]

Originally Posted by Alberta Advantage

I was reading an issue of Diesel World or Diesel Power from 2012 and there was a small article about the 2012 Raptors in it and it said that Ford was looking at the viability of a front view camera. I'll see if I can dig through the stack of old magazines and see if I can scan it for you...

Thanks, I think I may have actually seen that article and it is true the 2012 & 2013 Raptors do have a front camera. However it's usage is somewhat limited in that it is activated by a switch on the dash rather than automatically when shifting from reverse or via a convenient steering wheel button.

My system switches to display the front camera as soon as you shift out of reverse. This feature is incredibly useful with these big trucks (especially the CCLB) when you get them in tight places that require multipoint turns. A display that automatically switches back and forth from the front to rear camera with the direction of travel is simply indispensable in these situations.

And of course the Raptors don’t offer anything for connecting and controlling trailer cameras.

Steve

[Alberta Advantage]

Your system is definitely far superior to that of Ford's. Just thought that Ford would be allover your setup as they have already started to mass produce a truck with a front camera. Don't know why they'd stop there and wouldn't carry it on to the 3/4 and 1 tons. Seems like it would be a very good upgrade to some sort of "ultimate trailer tow package."

[sredmyer]

Originally Posted by Alberta Advantage

Your system is definitely far superior to that of Ford's. Just thought that Ford would be allover your setup as they have already started to mass produce a truck with a front camera. Don't know why they'd stop there and wouldn't carry it on to the 3/4 and 1 tons. Seems like it would be a very good upgrade to some sort of "ultimate trailer tow package."

Yep that is my thought too...I think I just need to get their attention. I suspect my idea is sitting on the desk of some executive in Detroit. Just thought if I could start a little chatter they might actually hear it and give the system a look.

Thanks,
Steve