THREE MODE POLICE MIRROR

• US 20170232886A1
• Filed: 02/15/2016
• Published: 08/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Salter, Stuart C., Randlett, Doug H., Mullen, Matthew C., Hunt, Christopher Charles
• Granted Patent: US 10,106,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0076 Switches therefor B60Q1/1446, B60Q1/343, B60Q1/40 take precedence
• 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 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/545 for indicating other traffic conditions, e.g. fog, heavy traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/255 Filters

Abstract

A warning indicator system for a vehicle side-view mirror includes light sources disposed to emit light in patterns and/or colors visible through a partially light-reflective surface. One or more processors are operatively configured to actuate the light sources in predetermined sequences defining a stealth mode, a pursuit mode, and a traffic advisor mode. The partially light-reflective surface may be a light transmitting substrate having a coating of a reflective substance provided in a thickness allowing at least a partial transmission of light therethrough. The light sources may be printed light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Disposing the light sources in desired patterns to emit desired colors on actuation in a predetermined sequence allows configuring the side mirrors to emit visible light signals indicative of the stealth mode, a pursuit mode, and a traffic advisor mode.

Claims

1. A warning indicator system for a vehicle side-view mirror, comprising:

a plurality of light sources disposed to emit light in patterns and/or colors visible through a partially light-reflective surface; and

one or more processors operatively configured to actuate the light sources in a plurality of predetermined sequences defining a stealth mode, a pursuit mode, and a traffic advisor mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the partially light-reflective surface is a light transmitting substrate having a coating of a reflective substance disposed on one side thereof, the coating having a thickness allowing at least a partial transmission of light therethrough.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the reflective substance comprises a reflective element or compound selected from one of silver, aluminum, indium, chromium, nickel, alloys thereof, or acrylic.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of light sources are printed light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed adjacent the reflective coating whereby at least a portion of the light emitted by the printed LEDs passes through the reflective coating and the light transmitting substrate.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a coating of a phosphor dye interposed between the reflective coating and the printed LEDs to alter a color of light emitted by the printed LEDs.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein in stealth mode the printed LEDs are not actuated.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein in pursuit mode the one or more processors are configured to actuate in sequence a first printed LED design emitting light of a first color and a second printed LED design emitting light of a second color that is the same as or different from the first color.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein in traffic advisor mode the one or more processors are configured to sequentially actuate one or more printed LED designs to provide a traffic warning.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more printed LED designs are configured as one or both of a chevron and an arrow.

10. A warning indicator system for a vehicle side-view mirror, comprising:

a light-transmitting substrate having a coating of a reflective substance disposed on one side thereof, the coating having a thickness allowing at least a partial transmission of light therethrough;

a plurality of printed light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed adjacent the coating; and

one or more processors operatively configured to actuate the light sources in a plurality of predetermined sequences providing patterns and/or colors defining a plurality of modes.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the reflective substance comprises a reflective element or compound selected from one of silver, aluminum, indium, chromium, nickel, alloys thereof, or acrylic.

12. The system of claim 10, including printed LEDs configured to emit light in a plurality of different colors.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a coating of a phosphor dye interposed between the reflective coating and the printed LEDs to alter a color of light emitted by the printed LEDs.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of printed LEDs are controlled by the one or more processors to operate in a stealth mode, a pursuit mode, and a traffic advisor mode.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein in stealth mode the printed LEDs are not actuated.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein in pursuit mode the one or more processors are configured to actuate in sequence a first printed LED design emitting light of a first color and a second printed LED design emitting light of a second color that is the same as or different from the first color.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein in traffic advisor mode the one or more processors are configured to sequentially actuate one or more printed LED designs to provide a traffic warning.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more printed LED designs are configured as one or both of a chevron and an arrow.

19. The system of claim 10, including a housing holding the light-transmitting substrate.

20. A vehicle including a side-view mirror comprising the system of claim 10.