Side mirror device for vehicle

• US 20050146604A1
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shinada, Akira
• Granted Patent: US 7,283,041 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/118
• 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 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system

Abstract

There is provided a side-mirror apparatus for automobile to obtain a field of view to the rear when the side-mirror apparatus for automobile is drawn out to a drawn-out position and to be stored when not in use, specifically capable to confirm the field of view to the rear when the side-mirror apparatus for automobile is stored.

A convex mirror (16) and CCD (17) are provided on a portion of an end side of an outer casing (15) of the side-mirror apparatus (11). When a door mirror is stored, an image of a field of view to the rear is captured. The image is subject to image processing by an image processing circuit (19) so as to be displayed on a display panel (20) in front of a driver seat.

Claims

1. A side-mirror apparatus for automobile to be drawn out to a drawn-out position so as to obtain a field of view in a rear direction and to be stored when not in use, the side-mirror apparatus for automobile characterized by comprising:

imaging means, on an substantial end portion of an outer casing of the side mirror apparatus, for obtaining a field of view in a direction substantially orthogonal to a field of view of the side-mirror apparatus,

wherein the imaging means obtains a field of view in a side direction when the side-mirror apparatus is in a drawn-out position and the imaging means obtains a field of view in a rear direction when the side-mirror apparatus is in a stored position.

5. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 1 characterized in that:

a field of view in a rear direction is captured by the imaging means and displayed inside an automobile using display means when a start of an operation of opening a door is detected while the side-mirror apparatus being in a stored position.

6. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 1 characterized in that:

the imaging means captures an image of inside and outside of the automobile and sends the image to a monitor apparatus at a remote position via communication means.

8. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 5 characterized in that:

a sensor is provided for detecting an abnormality of the automobile,

the imaging means captures an image in conjunction with the sensor detection and,

the captured image is transmitted by transmission means.

9. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 5 characterized in that:

the imaging means captures an image in response to a monitoring command signal sent from outside,

and the captured image is sent by a transmission means.

15. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 6 characterized in that:

a sensor is provided for detecting an abnormality of the automobile,

the imaging means captures an image in conjunction with the sensor detection and,

the captured image is transmitted by transmission means.

16. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 6 characterized in that:

the imaging means captures an image in response to a monitoring command signal sent from outside,

and the captured image is sent by a transmission means.

2. (cancelled)

13. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 2 characterized in that:

the imaging means captures an image of inside and outside of the automobile and sends the image to a monitor apparatus at a remote position via communication means.

3. (cancelled)

7. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 3 characterized in that:

an image of the inside of the automobile is captured and sent the image to a monitor apparatus at a remote position via communication means when the side-mirror apparatus is in a stored position.

4. (cancelled)

14. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile according to claim 4 characterized in that:

an image of the inside of the automobile is captured and sent the image to a monitor apparatus at a remote position via communication means when the side-mirror apparatus is in a stored position.

10. The side-mirror apparatus for automobile comprising a first mirror, for obtaining a field of view in a rear direction when the side-mirror apparatus for automobile is drawn out to a drawn-out position and being stored when not in use, the side-mirror apparatus for automobile characterized by comprising:

a second side mirror, which is a convex mirror, provided on substantially an end portion of an outer casing of the side-mirror apparatus,

wherein the second mirror obtains a field of vision to the rear when the side-mirror apparatus is in a stored position.

11. (cancelled)

12. (cancelled)