REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE WITH MONITOR

• US 20020141086A1
• Filed: 12/07/2000
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Witzke, Michael, Lang, Heinrich
• Granted Patent: US 6,447,128 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system

Abstract

A rearview mirror has been made available, for which an optical imaging apparatus in the form of a monitor has been installed. The monitor is connected to a camera, which captures a vision field, before, beside and/or behind the vehicle.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror for vehicles, especially for commercial vehicles, having a mirror housing (2), a mirror pane (4) and an optical imaging apparatus (6) within the field of view of the driver, therein characterized, in that the optical imager is a monitor (6), which is connected to a camera (8;

20, 22) which captures a field before, laterally, and/or behind the vehicle.

2. A rearview mirror in accord with claim 1, therein characterized, in that the monitor (6) is placed in the area of the mirror pane (4), especially being placed in the edge zone of the mirror pane, (4).

3. A rearview mirror, in accord with claim 1 or 2, therein characterized, in that the camera (8) is located in the mirror housing.

4. A rearview mirror, in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the camera (22) can be pivoted.

5. A rearview mirror, in accord with claim 4, characterized by an operative apparatus (24) in proximity to the driver for the pivoting and changing of the field of view of the camera (20).

7. A rearview mirror in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that a plurality of cameras (8-1, 8-2, 20, 22) is provided.

8. A rearview mirror in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that a plurality of monitors (6) are provided or that the monitor (6) possesses different presentation zones (6-1, 6-2).

9. A rearview mirror in accord with claim 7 or 8, therein characterized, in that a first camera (8-1) views the field in front of the rearview mirror and exhibits the image in a first presentation area (6-1) or on a first monitor, and in that a second camera (8-2) views the field in front of a rear view mirror on the other side of the vehicle and exhibits the image in a second presentation area (6-2) on a second monitor.

10. A rearview mirror in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that an image and data storage device is provided for the preservation of images and data from at least one of the cameras.

11. A rearview mirror in accord with claim 10, therein characterized, in that in the image and data storage device, to the images and data, additional information such as such as vehicle speed, temperature, date, etc. can also be recorded.

12. A rearview mirror in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the mirror plane has been slanted, when compared to the image plane of at least one monitor.

13. A rearview mirror in accord with one of the foregoing claims, characterized by an apparatus for digital zoom, i.e. for the digital choosing of an image section for presentation on at least one of the monitors.

6. [There is no claim 6]