Proximity sensing system for vehicles

• US 20020003378A1
• Filed: 08/29/2001
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Marcus, Konrad H., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,534,884 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0401 characterised by the type of alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5035 electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings

Abstract

An information display system for a vehicle includes a reverse image display and a rearview mirror. The reverse image display is positioned rearwardly of a driver of the vehicle such that an image of the message being displayed is reflected from the rearview mirror and received in reverse order and thus readable by the driver. A control may be included which activates the reverse image display in response to an input and may vary the intensity, color and/or frequency of repeat of the display in response to other inputs. The control may convey multiple messages through a single reverse image display or through multiple displays.

Claims

1. A display system of a vehicle comprising:

a display, said display being positionable on the vehicle rearward of a driver of the vehicle, said display being a reverse image display of information to be received by the driver; and

a rear view mirror, said reverse image display being viewable by the driver as a readable mirror image in said rear view mirror.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein said reverse image display is an alpha-numeric information display which conveys information to the driver of the vehicle.

3. The display system of claim 1, wherein said reverse image display is positioned on a forward face of a center high mounted stop light on the vehicle.

4. The display system of claim 1, wherein said reverse image display is positioned within the vehicle.

5. The display system of claim 4, wherein said reverse image display is positioned along a trim item surrounding a rear window.

6. The display system of claim 1, wherein said reverse image display is positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle.

7. The display system of claim 1 further including a control which actuates said reverse image display in response to an input.

8. The display system of claim 7, wherein said control varies an intensity of said reverse image display in response to an input from a photo-sensor, said photo-sensor determining a level of ambient light present.

9. The display system of claim 8, wherein said control decreases the intensity of said reverse image display as the level of ambient light decreases.

10. The display system of claim 7, wherein said control varies a color of said reverse image display in response to an electronic signal.

11. The display system of claim 7, wherein said control varies a frequency of repeating said reverse image display in response to an electronic signal.

12. The display system of claim 7, wherein said control further activates an auxiliary display in response to an electronic signal.

13. The display system of claim 7, wherein said control activates said reverse image display in response to a rear proximity sensor, which senses the proximity of an object to the rear of the vehicle in which said display system is mounted.

14. The display system of claim 1, wherein said reverse image display is one of a vacuum fluorescent display and a light-emitting diode display.

15. The display system of claim 1, wherein said reverse image display is a back lit display.

16. The display system of claim 15, wherein said reverse image display is positioned within a forward face of a center high mounted stop light, said stop light providing illumination through said reverse image display.

17. The display system of claim 16, further comprising a display control which actuates said reverse image display in response to an input, at least one of a stop light control and said display control activating said stop light independent of braking of the vehicle, said stop light simultaneously providing illumination rearward of the vehicle and substantially forward through said reverse image display to communicate information to the driver.

18. The display system of claim 1 further including a plurality of reverse image displays, each of said plurality of reverse image displays being viewable in said rear view mirror.

19. The display system of claim 18 further including a control, said plurality of reverse image displays being activated by said control in response to at least one input.

20. The display system of claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror is an interior rearview mirror.

21. The display system of claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror is an exterior side view mirror.

22. A display system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a display, said display positionable on the vehicle rearward of a driver of the vehicle, said display being a reverse image display of information to be received by the driver;

a display control which activates said reverse image display in response to an input, said reverse image display being viewable by the driver as a mirror image reflected by a rear view mirror, said mirror image being readable and understandable by the driver.

23. The display system of claim 22, wherein said control varies an intensity of said reverse image display in response to an input from a photo-sensor, said photo-sensor determining a level of ambient light present.

24. The display system of claim 23, wherein said control decreases the intensity of said reverse image display as the level of ambient light decreases.

25. The display system of claim 22, wherein said control varies a color of said reverse image display in response to an electronic signal.

26. The display system of claim 22, wherein said control varies a frequency of repeating said reverse image display in response to an electronic signal.

27. The display system of claim 22, wherein said control further activates an auxiliary display in response to an electronic signal.

28. The display system of claim 22, wherein said control activates said reverse image display in response to a rear proximity sensor, which senses the proximity of an object to the rear of the vehicle in which said display system is mounted.