Rearview mirror assembly with integral display element and camera

• US 20030016125A1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Renner, Christopher, Lang, Heinrich, Seiboth, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 6,630,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• 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: 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• 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 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed including a housing configured for attachment to the vehicle, and a mirror pane configured for attachment to the housing. The mirror pane has a reflective surface defining a first portion and a second portion, the reflective surface being partially removed such that the first and second portions are partially reflective and partially transmissive. At least one picture taking apparatus is located on a rear side of the mirror pane and adjacent the first portion of the mirror pane, and a sensor is located on the rear side of the mirror pane for sensing an ambient light level. A radiation emitting element is located on the rear side of the mirror pane, the second portion being disposed in front of the radiation emitting display element such that the radiation emitting element emits light at least partially through the second portion. The radiation emitting element is activated upon the sensor element sensing an ambient light level below a predetermined level.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing configured for attachment to the vehicle;

a mirror pane configured for attachment to the housing, the mirror pane having a reflective surface defining a first portion and a second portion, the reflective surface being partially removed such that the first and second portions are partially reflective and partially transmissive;

at least one picture taking apparatus located on a rear side of the mirror pane and adjacent the first portion of the mirror pane;

a sensor located on the rear side of the mirror pane for sensing an ambient light level; and

a radiation emitting element located on the rear side of the mirror pane, the second portion being disposed in front of the radiation emitting display element such that the radiation emitting element emits light at least partially through the second portion, the radiation emitting element being activated upon the sensor element sensing an ambient light level below a predetermined level.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion forms a symbol.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a pictogram.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are selected from the group consisting of removal by laser, etching, scoring, sand blasting, and combinations thereof.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the picture taking apparatus is a camera sensitive to visible light.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the picture taking apparatus is a camera sensitive to infrared light.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the picture taking apparatus is activated upon the sensor sensing the ambient light level below the predetermined level.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the radiation emitting element emits radiation in a wave length visible to the picture taking apparatus.

9. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing configured for attachment to the vehicle;

a mirror pane configured for attachment to the housing, the mirror pane having a reflective surface defining a first portion, a second portion, the reflective surface being partially removed such that the first and second portions are partially reflective and partially transmissive, wherein a viewing axis is movable relative to an axis perpendicular to the reflecting surface;

at least one picture taking apparatus located on a rear side of the mirror pane and adjacent the first portion of the mirror pane;

a sensor located on the rear side of the mirror pane for sensing an ambient light level; and

a radiation emitting element located on the rear side of the mirror pane, the second portion being disposed in front of the radiation emitting display element such that the radiation emitting element emits radiation at least partially through the second portion, the radiation emitting element being activated upon the sensor element sensing an ambient light level below a predetermined level, wherein the direction of radiation is capable of being inclined away or towards a driver.

10. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 9, further comprising a lens disposed on the mirror pane, the direction of radiation of the radiation emitting element being directed through the lens.