PRINTED LED WARNING INDICATOR SIGNAL

• US 20160297356A1
• Filed: 04/13/2015
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hoelscher, Keith A., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Salter, Stuart C., Musleh, Michael A., Angotti, Mary Beth
• Application Number:
  US14/684,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20160297356A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers

Abstract

A warning indicator system for a vehicle includes an indicator for providing visible signals within a reflective surface of a rear-vision mirror. The indicator is operatively connected to a proximity sensor system and to a turn signal control system of the vehicle. The indicator provides a first visible signal when the turn signal control system is activated and provides a second visible signal when the turn signal control system and the proximity sensor system are activated. The first visible signal may be a first color and the second visible signal may be a second color that is different from the first color. The indicator may be defined by a first printed LED symbol for providing the first visible signal and a second printed LED symbol for providing the second visible signal. Rear-vision mirror assemblies including the described warning indicator system are provided.

Claims

1. A warning indicator system for a vehicle, comprising:

an indicator for providing visible signals within a reflective surface of a rear-vision mirror, operatively connected to a proximity sensor system and to a turn signal control system of the vehicle;

wherein the indicator provides a first visible signal when the turn signal control system is activated and provides a second visible signal when the turn signal control system and the proximity sensor system are activated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first visible signal has a first color and the second visible signal has a second color that is different from the first color.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the indicator comprises a first printed LED symbol for providing the first visible signal and a second printed LED symbol for providing the second visible signal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second printed LED symbols are disposed adjacent to one another.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the first printed LED symbol is at least partially enveloped by the second printed LED symbol.

6. The system of claim 3, further including at least one processor operatively connected to the first printed LED symbol, to the second printed LED symbol, to the turn signal control system, and to the proximity sensor system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to actuate the first printed LED symbol in response to a signal received from the turn signal control system.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to actuate the second printed LED symbol in response to a signal received from the proximity sensor system.

9. A rear-vision mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a housing holding a reflective surface; and

an indicator for providing visible signals within the reflective surface, operatively connected to a proximity sensor system and to a turn signal control system;

wherein the indicator provides a first visible signal when the turn signal control system is activated and provides a second visible signal when the turn signal control system and the proximity sensor system are activated.

10. The rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the first visible signal has a first color and the second visible signal has a second color that is different from the first color.

11. The rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 10, wherein the indicator comprises a first printed LED symbol for providing the first visible signal and a second printed LED symbol for providing the second visible signal.

12. The rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein the first and second printed LED symbols are disposed adjacent to one another.

13. The rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein the first printed LED symbol is at least partially enveloped by the second printed LED symbol.

14. The rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 11, further including at least one processor operatively connected to the first printed LED symbol, to the second printed LED symbol, to the turn signal control system, and to the proximity sensor system.

15. The rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to actuate the first printed LED symbol in response to a signal received from the turn signal control system.

16. The rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to actuate the second printed LED symbol in response to a signal received from the proximity sensor system.

17. A vehicle including the rear-vision mirror assembly of claim 9.