Side Mirrow System With Video Display
First Claim
1. A semi truck rig side mirror system for providing video images illustrating exterior areas of a semi truck rig, said semi truck rig side mirror system comprising:
- first and second cameras capable of being attached to the semi truck rig;
a side mirror assembly spaced from said first and second cameras and capable of being attached to the semi truck rig;
a video display located at a lower portion of said side mirror assembly; and
,a video switcher capable of being located within a cab portion of the semi truck rig;
wherein said video switcher automatically changes said video images between said cameras and thereby sequentially displays the exterior areas while viewing said side mirror assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus that provides an electronic image of areas around sides and rear of a large tractor trailer rig produced on a weatherproof screen that is located on the lower portion of the driver'"'"'s side mirror. One (1) camera would be located on the rear of the trailer in a center mounted position, while another camera would be located on a passenger side near the front of the vehicle so that it can see the entire side of the vehicle. The cameras would be equipped with fixed wide-angle lenses. The video signal from each camera would be routed to an automatic switcher that displays each signal for a pre-determined time or allows for the manual selection of either camera on a permanent basis. The video signal is then displayed on the weatherproof monitor portion of the side view mirror. In such a manner the truck driver can look at the mirror and the monitor in order to see all three (3) sides of the vehicle at once. This feature eliminates looking in various directions to check for obstructions while backing up or changing lanes.
70 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A semi truck rig side mirror system for providing video images illustrating exterior areas of a semi truck rig, said semi truck rig side mirror system comprising:
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first and second cameras capable of being attached to the semi truck rig; a side mirror assembly spaced from said first and second cameras and capable of being attached to the semi truck rig; a video display located at a lower portion of said side mirror assembly; and
,a video switcher capable of being located within a cab portion of the semi truck rig; wherein said video switcher automatically changes said video images between said cameras and thereby sequentially displays the exterior areas while viewing said side mirror assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A semi truck rig side mirror system for providing video images illustrating exterior areas of a semi truck rig, said semi truck rig side mirror system comprising:
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first and second cameras capable of being attached to the semi truck rig, said first and second cameras facing rearwardly relative to a front end of the semi truck rig; a side mirror assembly spaced from said first and second cameras and capable of being attached to the semi truck rig; a video display located at a lower portion of said side mirror assembly; and
,a video switcher capable of being located within a cab portion of the semi truck rig; wherein said video switcher automatically changes said video images between said cameras and thereby sequentially displays the exterior areas while viewing said side mirror assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of utilizing a semi truck rig side mirror system for providing video images illustrating exterior areas of a semi truck rig, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing and attaching first and second cameras to the semi truck rig; rearwardly facing said first and second cameras relative to a front end of the semi truck rig; attaching a side mirror assembly to the semi truck rig; providing and spacing said side mirror assembly from said first and second cameras; providing and locating a video display at a lower portion of said side mirror assembly; providing and locating a video switcher within a cab portion of the semi truck rig; and
,said video switcher automatically changing said video images between said cameras and thereby sequentially displays the exterior areas while viewing said side mirror assembly.
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Specification