VEHICLE MIRROR AND TELEMATICS SYSTEM

• US 20120041640A1
• Filed: 08/05/2010
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: CHRISTENSEN, JEFFREY P., SOLOMON, MICHAEL D., VIDETICH, MATT C., CORREIA, JOHN J., CARR, DARYL L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,571,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/34.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems

Abstract

Vehicle mirrors and telematics systems are provided. A vehicle mirror comprises a mirror housing and an accelerometer. The mirror housing is configured to be mounted within a vehicle. The accelerometer is disposed within the mirror housing, and is configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle. A diagnostics device is configured to provide diagnostics information pertaining to the vehicle. A navigation device is configured to provide navigation information as to a position of the vehicle. A controller is coupled to the accelerometer, the diagnostics device, and the navigation device. The controller is configured to generate vehicle determinations using the acceleration, the diagnostics information, and the navigation information. A transmitter is coupled to the controller, and is configured to transmit determination information pertaining to the vehicle determinations.

Claims

1. A mirror comprising:

a mirror housing configured to be mounted within a vehicle; and

an accelerometer disposed within the mirror housing for use in providing information as to an acceleration of the vehicle.

2. The mirror of claim 1, wherein:

the mirror housing comprises;

a base including a reflective surface; and

a stem attached to the base and configured to be attached to the vehicle;

wherein the accelerometer is disposed in a region of the base proximate to the stem.

3. The mirror of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter disposed within the mirror housing and configured to transmit an indication or recorded history of an acceleration of the vehicle.

4. The mirror of claim 3, further comprising:

an antenna disposed within the mirror housing;

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the record of the acceleration of the vehicle via the antenna.

5. The mirror of claim 3, wherein the transmitter comprises a cellular transceiver.

6. The mirror of claim 3, wherein the transmitter comprises a short range wireless transceiver.

7. The mirror of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller disposed within the mirror housing and coupled to the accelerometer, the controller configured to receive data from the accelerometer and to generate vehicle determinations or driver behavior based on the data.

8. The mirror of claim 7, wherein the vehicle determinations include a determination as to whether a vehicle crash has occurred.

9. The mirror of claim 7, further comprising:

a transmitter disposed within the mirror housing and coupled to the controller, the transmitter configured to transmit information pertaining to the vehicle determinations.

10. The mirror of claim 7, further comprising:

a display coupled to the controller, the display configured to display information pertaining to the vehicle determinations.

11. The mirror of claim 10, further comprising:

a receiver configured to receive navigation information as to a position of the vehicle;

wherein the display is further configured to display the navigation information.

12. The mirror of claim 10, further comprising:

a receiver configured to receive diagnostics information from a vehicle diagnostics unit;

wherein the display is further configured to display the diagnostics information.

13. The mirror of claim 7, further comprising:

a microphone disposed within the mirror housing and coupled to the controller, the microphone configured to receive audio input from a user of the vehicle or the vehicle environment to the controller for processing.

14. A telematics system for a vehicle, the telematics system comprising:

a diagnostics device configured to provide diagnostics information pertaining to the vehicle;

a mirror coupled to the diagnostics device, the mirror comprising;

a mirror housing configured to be mounted within the vehicle; and

an accelerometer disposed within the mirror housing and configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle; and

a controller coupled to the diagnostics device and the accelerometer and configured to receive the diagnostics information and the acceleration and to generate vehicle determinations using the diagnostics information and the acceleration.

15. The telematics system of claim 14, further comprising:

a transmitter coupled to the controller and configured to transmit determination information pertaining to the vehicle determinations.

16. The telematics system of claim 15, further comprising:

an antenna;

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the determination information via the antenna.

17. A telematics system for a vehicle, the telematics system comprising:

a navigation device configured to provide navigation information as to a position of the vehicle;

a mirror coupled to the navigation device, the mirror comprising;

a mirror housing configured to be mounted within the vehicle; and

an accelerometer disposed within the mirror housing and configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle; and

a controller coupled to the navigation device and the accelerometer and configured to receive the navigation information and the acceleration and to generate vehicle determinations using the navigation information and the acceleration.

18. The telematics system of claim 17, further comprising:

a transmitter coupled to the controller and configured to transmit determination information pertaining to the vehicle determinations.

19. The telematics system of claim 18, further comprising:

an antenna;

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the determination information via the antenna.

20. The telematics system of claim 17, further comprising:

a diagnostics device configured to provide diagnostics information pertaining to the vehicle;

wherein the controller is further coupled to the diagnostics device and is further configured to receive the diagnostics information and to generate the vehicle determinations using the diagnostics information, the navigation information, and the acceleration.