Monitoring device for vehicles, in particular, motor vehicles

• US 20010022550A1
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Published: 09/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Steffel, Hans-Clemens
• Granted Patent: US 6,703,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants

Abstract

A monitoring device for vehicles has a housing and at least one mirror glass arranged in the housing so as to have a front side facing an observer. The at least one mirror glass has a reflective layer being reflective in the visible spectral range of light. At least one camera is arranged behind the reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from the front side. The monitoring device can be used for driver identification, monitoring the driver'"'"'s condition, identifying passengers and passenger positions, controlling airbags, theft surveillance, and similar purposes.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for vehicles, said monitoring device comprising:

a housing (17);

at least one mirror glass (1, 12) arranged in said housing (17) so as to have a front side facing an observer;

said at least one mirror glass (1, 12) comprising a reflective layer (5) being reflective in the visible spectral range of light;

at least one camera (10) arranged behind said reflective layer (5) in a viewing direction viewed from said front side.

2. The monitoring device according to

claim 1

, wherein said reflective layer (5) is selected from the group consisting of an interference reflective layer, a chromium reflective layer, a titanium reflective layer, and a titanium-chromium reflective layer.

3. The monitoring device according to

claim 1

, wherein said mirror glass (1) is an electrochromic mirror glass or a conventional mirror glass.

4. The monitoring device according to

claim 3

, wherein said electrochromic mirror glass has an electrochromic layer and wherein said reflective layer is arranged behind said electrochromic layer in said viewing direction.

5. The monitoring device according to

claim 1

, comprising an auxiliary lighting unit (11) configured to provide additional light for said at least one camera (10).

6. The monitoring device according to

claim 5

, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit (11) emits light of a wavelength able to pass through said reflective layer (5).

7. The monitoring device according to

claim 5

, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit (11) emits light having a wavelength outside of the visible spectral range of light.

8. The monitoring device according to

claim 5

, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit (11) comprises light-emitting diodes.

9. The monitoring device according to

claim 8

, wherein said light emitting diodes emit light in the infrared range.

10. The monitoring device according to

claim 5

, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit (11) is arranged behind said reflective layer (5) in said viewing direction.

11. The monitoring device according to

claim 5

, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit (11) comprises light-emitting diodes arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.

12. The monitoring device according to

claim 5

, wherein said housing (17) and said mirror glass (1, 12) form an interior rearview mirror (16), wherein said housing (17) has a rim (18), and wherein said auxiliary lighting unit (11) comprises light-emitting diodes (11) arranged on said rim (18) of said housing (17).

13. The monitoring device according to

claim 12

, wherein said rim (18) is comprised of a material that is opaque to the human eye.

14. The monitoring device according to

claim 1

, comprising an image-transmitting fiber bundle (19) connected to said at least one camera (10).

15. The monitoring device according to

claim 14

, wherein said fiber bundle (19) has an optical head (20) resting against a backside of said mirror glass (1, 12).

16. The monitoring device according to

claim 14

, wherein said fiber bundle (19) has an optical head (20) and is arranged together with said optical head (20) on said rim (18).

17. The monitoring device according to

claim 1

, wherein said at least one camera (10) comprises a low light level intensifier (22).

18. The monitoring device according to

claim 17

, wherein said low light level intensifier (22) is arranged behind said mirror glass (1, 12) in said viewing direction.