VEHICULAR VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM

• US 20120236152A1
• Filed: 06/04/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: De Wind, Darryl P., Kramer, Mark E., Weller, Andrew D., Whitehead, Peter J., Blank, Rodney K., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,908,039 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• 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 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence

Abstract

A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle and includes a mirror case and a reflective element. A video display device may be one of (i) fixedly disposed in the mirror case and (ii) extendable and retractable relative to the mirror case. The video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera and, responsive to receipt of the video signal, the on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to the video display device.

Claims

1. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror case and a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element;

a video display device;

wherein said video display device is one of (i) fixedly disposed in said mirror case and (ii) extendable and retractable relative to said mirror case;

wherein said video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle;

wherein said video display device comprises at least one of (i) a multi-pixel light emitting diode (LED) display, (ii) an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, (iii) a liquid crystal display backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) a thin film transistor multi-pixel liquid crystal display backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes, (v) a multi-pixel organic electroluminescent display, (vi) a backlit pixelated display and (vii) an electroluminescent (EL) display; and

wherein said interior rearview minor assembly comprises an on-screen display controller and wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to receive a video signal from a camera and wherein, responsive to receipt of said video signal, said on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to said video display device.

2. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video signal comprises an analog video signal

3. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video feed generated by said on-screen display controller includes a graphic overlay.

4. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video feed generated by said on-screen display controller includes information.

5. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to overlay, onto a video signal received from said camera, at least one of (i) information, (ii) an icon, (iii) indicia and (iv) a marker.

6. The video mirror system of claim 5, wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said on-screen display controller is operable to generate a graphic overlay that provides at least one of (a) an indication of distance to an object exterior of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object exterior of the vehicle and (c) an alert to the driver of the vehicle.

7. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device is fixedly disposed in said mirror case and is positioned at least one of (i) rearward of said reflective element and (ii) sideward of said reflective element.

8. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector.

9. The video mirror system of claim 8, wherein said video display device is fixedly disposed in said mirror case and is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, and wherein the presence of said video display device to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display device not activated, and wherein said video display device, when activated, displays video images viewable through said transflective mirror reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle.

10. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device is extendable and retractable relative to said mirror case.

11. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a rear camera having a rearward field of view to the rear of the vehicle, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said video display device is operable to display video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver.

12. The video mirror system of claim 11, wherein said video display device is fixedly disposed in said mirror case.

13. The video mirror system of claim 11, wherein display by said video display device of video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver continues until a threshold criterion is met.

14. The video mirror system of claim 13, wherein said threshold criterion comprises at least one of (i) the vehicle traveling forward at or greater than a threshold speed, (ii) the vehicle traveling forward a threshold distance after reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged, and (iii) a threshold amount of time having elapsed since reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged.

15. The video mirror system of claim 11, wherein said video display device is operable to display other information during periods when the driver of the vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver.

16. The video mirror system of claim 15, wherein said other information comprises at least one of (a) video images from another camera of the vehicle, (b) navigational information, and (c) information relating to operation of the vehicle.

17. The video mirror system of claim 11, wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphical overlay onto a video signal received from said rear camera.

18. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein the display luminance of video images displayed by said video display device, as viewed by the driver viewing said interior rearview mirror assembly when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, is automatically adjusted responsive to an ambient light detection by a light sensor of said interior rearview mirror assembly.

19. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) intensity of what is displayed by said video display device is adjustable in response to at least one light sensor, (ii) contrast of what is displayed by said video display device is adjustable in response to at least one light sensor, and (iii) brightness of what is displayed by said video display device is adjustable in response to at least one light sensor.

20. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device is operable to display three dimensional information.

21. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device comprises a polarizer.

22. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle.

23. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device includes at least one element to reduce EMC effects, and wherein said at least one element comprises at least one of (i) a decoupling capacitor, (ii) a bypass capacitor, (iii) a feed through capacitors, (iv) ferrite beads, (v) inductors and (vi) common mode chokes.

24. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, at least one of (i) said video signal is received via a twisted pair wire, (ii) said video signal is received via a shielded twisted pair wire, (iii) said video signal is received via a data bus of the vehicle, (iv) said video signal is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a MOST data bus protocol, and (v) said video signal is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a FlexRay data bus protocol.

25. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device comprises heating means.

26. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device comprises a liquid crystal display backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes.

27. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display device comprises a monochromatic video display.

28. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a user interface input, and wherein said user interface input comprises at least one of a touch sensor and a proximity sensor.

29. The video mirror system of claim 28, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes demarcations to enhance the visibility and discernibility of said user interface input to a user.

30. The video mirror system of claim 28, wherein, responsive to a touch or proximity of a user'"'"'s finger at said user interface input, an icon or indicia associated with said user interface input is backlit to at least temporarily illuminate said icon or indicia.

31. The video mirror system of claim 30, wherein said icon or indicia is backlit for a period of time following actuation of said user interface input.

32. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said on-screen display controller is in communication with a vehicle fault detection system, and wherein, when the vehicle fault detection system detects a fault condition of an accessory or system of the vehicle, said on-screen display controller is operable to indicate the fault condition at said video display device.

33. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and responsive to a determination of a geographical location of the vehicle, said video display device is operable to display information pertaining to the geographic location of the vehicle.

34. The video mirror system of claim 33, wherein said video display device automatically displays said information pertaining to the geographic location of the vehicle and, following a display period of time, automatically stops displaying said information pertaining to the geographical location of the vehicle.

35. The video mirror system of claim 34, wherein said information pertaining to the geographical location of the vehicle comprises an advertisement of a business within a threshold distance from the geographical location of the vehicle.

36. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said video mirror system is operable to generate a prompt to alert the driver of the vehicle that said video display device is displaying information.

37. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror case and a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element;

a video display device;

wherein said video display device is fixedly disposed in said mirror case;

wherein said video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle;

wherein said video display device comprises at least one of (i) a multi-pixel light emitting diode (LED) display, (ii) an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, (iii) a liquid crystal display backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) a thin film transistor multi-pixel liquid crystal display backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes, (v) a multi-pixel organic electroluminescent display, (vi) a backlit pixelated display and (vii) an electroluminescent (EL) display;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an on-screen display controller and wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to receive a video signal from a camera and wherein, responsive to receipt of said video signal, said on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to said video display device;

wherein said camera comprises a rear camera having a rearward field of view to the rear of the vehicle, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said video display device is operable to display video images captured by said rear camera when the driver is executing a reversing maneuver; and

wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from said rear camera and wherein said video feed generated by said on-screen display controller includes said graphic overlay.

38. The video mirror system of claim 37, wherein said video signal comprises an analog video signal.

39. The video mirror system of claim 37, wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to overlay, onto a video signal received from said camera, at least one of (i) information, (ii) an icon, (iii) indicia and (iv) a marker.

40. The video mirror system of claim 39, wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said graphic overlay provides at least one of (a) an indication of distance to an object exterior of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object exterior of the vehicle and (c) an alert to the driver of the vehicle.

41. The video mirror system of claim 37, wherein one of (a) said reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector and said video display device is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, and wherein the presence of said video display device to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display device not activated, and wherein said video display device, when activated, displays video images viewable through said transflective mirror reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle, and (b) said video display device is positioned sideward of said reflective element.

42. The video mirror system of claim 37, wherein display by said video display device of video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver continues until a threshold criterion is met, and wherein said threshold criterion comprises at least one of (i) the vehicle traveling forward at or greater than a threshold speed, (ii) the vehicle traveling forward a threshold distance after reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged, and (iii) a threshold amount of time having elapsed since reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged.

43. The video mirror system of claim 37, wherein said video display device is operable to display three dimensional information.

44. The video mirror system of claim 37, wherein at least one of (a) said video display device comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and (b) said video display device includes at least one element to reduce EMC effects, and wherein said at least one element comprises at least one of (i) a decoupling capacitor, (ii) a bypass capacitor, (iii) a feed through capacitors, (iv) ferrite beads, (v) inductors and (vi) common mode chokes.

45. The video mirror system of claim 37, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a user interface input, and wherein said user interface input comprises at least one of a touch sensor and a proximity sensor, and wherein, responsive to a touch or proximity of a user'"'"'s finger at said user interface input, an icon or indicia associated with said user interface input is backlit to at least temporarily illuminate said icon or indicia.

46. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror case and a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element;

a video display device;

wherein said video display device is fixedly disposed in said mirror case;

wherein said video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle;

wherein said video display device comprises a thin film transistor multi-pixel liquid crystal display backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an on-screen display controller and wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to receive a video signal from a camera and wherein, responsive to receipt of said video signal, said on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to said video display device; and

wherein said onscreen display controller is operable to overlay, onto a video signal received from said camera, at least one of (i) information, (ii) an icon, (iii) indicia, (iv) a marker, (v) a graphic overlay, (vi) an indication of distance to an object exterior of the vehicle, (vii) a highlighting of an object exterior of the vehicle and (viii) an alert to the driver of the vehicle.

47. The video mirror system of claim 46, wherein one of (a) said reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector and said video display device is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, and wherein the presence of said video display device to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display device not activated, and wherein said video display device, when activated, displays video images viewable through said transflective mirror reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle, and (b) said video display device is positioned sideward of said reflective element.

48. The video mirror system of claim 46, wherein said camera comprises a rear camera having a rearward field of view to the rear of the vehicle, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said video display device is operable to display video images captured by said rear camera when the driver is executing a reversing maneuver, and wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from said rear camera and wherein said video feed generated by said on-screen display controller includes said graphic overlay.

49. The video mirror system of claim 48, wherein display by said video display device of video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver continues until a threshold criterion is met, and wherein said threshold criterion comprises at least one of (i) the vehicle traveling forward at or greater than a threshold speed, (ii) the vehicle traveling forward a threshold distance after reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged, and (iii) a threshold amount of time having elapsed since reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged.

50. The video mirror system of claim 46, wherein at least one of (a) said video display device is operable to display three dimensional information and (b) said video signal comprises an analog video signal.

51. The video mirror system of claim 46, wherein at least one of (a) said video display device comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and (b) said video display device includes at least one element to reduce EMC effects, and wherein said at least one element comprises at least one of (i) a decoupling capacitor, (ii) a bypass capacitor, (iii) a feed through capacitors, (iv) ferrite beads, (v) inductors and (vi) common mode chokes.

52. The video mirror system of claim 46, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a user interface input, and wherein said user interface input comprises at least one of a touch sensor and a proximity sensor, and wherein, responsive to a touch or proximity of a user'"'"'s finger at said user interface input, an icon or indicia associated with said user interface input is backlit to at least temporarily illuminate said icon or indicia.

53. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror case and a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element;

a video display device;

wherein said video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle;

wherein said video display device comprises a thin film transistor multi-pixel liquid crystal display backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector and said video display device is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, and wherein the presence of said video display device to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display device not activated, and wherein said video display device, when activated, displays video images viewable through said transflective mirror reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle and is viewed in the vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an on-screen display controller and wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to receive a video signal from a camera and wherein, responsive to receipt of said video signal, said on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to said video display device; and

wherein at least one of (a) said video display device comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and (b) said video display device includes at least one element to reduce EMC effects, and wherein said at least one element comprises at least one of (i) a decoupling capacitor, (ii) a bypass capacitor, (iii) a feed through capacitors, (iv) ferrite beads, (v) inductors and (vi) common mode chokes.

54. The video mirror system of claim 53, wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to overlay, onto a video signal received from said camera, at least one of (i) information, (ii) an icon, (iii) indicia, (iv) a marker, (v) a graphic overlay, (vi) an indication of distance to an object exterior of the vehicle, (vii) a highlighting of an object exterior of the vehicle and (viii) an alert to the driver of the vehicle.

55. The video mirror system of claim 53, wherein said camera comprises a rear camera having a rearward field of view to the rear of the vehicle, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, said video display device is operable to display video images captured by said rear camera when the driver is executing a reversing maneuver, and wherein said on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from said rear camera and wherein said video feed generated by said on-screen display controller includes said graphic overlay.

56. The video mirror system of claim 55, wherein display by said video display device of video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver continues until a threshold criterion is met, and wherein said threshold criterion comprises at least one of (i) the vehicle traveling forward at or greater than a threshold speed, (ii) the vehicle traveling forward a threshold distance after reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged, and (iii) a threshold amount of time having elapsed since reverse gear of the vehicle was disengaged.

57. The video mirror system of claim 53, wherein at least one of (a) said video display device is operable to display three dimensional information and (b) said video signal comprises an analog video signal.

58. The video mirror system of claim 53, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a user interface input, and wherein said user interface input comprises at least one of a touch sensor and a proximity sensor, and wherein, responsive to a touch or proximity of a user'"'"'s finger at said user interface input, an icon or indicia associated with said user interface input is backlit to at least temporarily illuminate said icon or indicia.