Information system in a motor vehicle

• US 5,631,638 A
• Filed: 07/08/1994
• Issued: 05/20/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hohe GmbH & Co. KG (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hohe GmbH & Co. KG (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fuerst, Peter, Kaspar, Rudolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US08/271,892
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 340/475, 340/905, 340/438, 340/463, 340/815.06, 340/815.07, 359/836, 359/630, 359/634, 359/602, 359/603, 359/604, 359/605, 359/608, 359/609, 362/83.1
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• 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

An information system in a motor vehicle which includes electronic circuits connectable to the vehicle computer of the motor vehicle as well as one or more sensors, a display device and possibly operational elements. In order that the display device be clearly laid out for the driver, it is designed so that the sensor and the circuits are accommodated in the frame of a motor vehicle rear-view mirror, with the circuits being linked to a cable connectable to the on-board computer and led through a hollow arm of the rear-view mirror, with the display system being integrated in the mirror glass of the rear-view mirror.

Claims

1. A rear-view mirror information display system for a motor vehicle having an on-board network for providing information as to various motor vehicle functions, the display system comprising a rear view mirror having a housing, a hollow arm connected with the housing for receiving an electrical cable connectable to the on-board network, a mirror glass having a reflectivity, said mirror glass mounted to the housing, said mirror glass comprising a pair of glass plates having an electrically sensitive substance therebetween for adjusting the reflectivity of the mirror glass, a light emitting display unit having multiple display segments, said light emitting display unit embedded within the mirror glass, each of said display segments being separately controlled by a segment driver to form a plurality of numbers and letters that are visually observable by a vehicle occupant, electrical circuit means mounted within said housing and connected with the electrical cable for receiving information from the on-board network, said electrical circuit means including central processing means, said segment driver, and mirror glass reflection control means for providing voltage to the electrically sensitive substance, said central processing means receiving information from the on-board network and controlling said segment driver to actuate said display segments to display information derived form the on-board network, said central processing means further controlling the mirror glass reflection control means to adjust the voltage applied to the electrically sensitive substance within the mirror glass, and further comprising a microphone within said rear-view mirror, said microphone connected to the onboard network of the vehicle.

2. A rear-view information display system for a motor vehicle having an on-board network for providing information as to various motor vehicle functions, the display system comprising a rear view mirror having a housing, a hollow arm connected with the housing for receiving an electrical cable connectable to the on-board network, a mirror glass having a reflectivity, said mirror glass mounted to the housing, said mirror glass comprising a pair of glass plates having an electrically sensitive substance therebetween for adjusting the reflectivity of the mirror glass, a light emitting display unit having multiple display segments, said light emitting display unit embedded within the mirror glass, each of said display segments being separately controlled by a segment driver to form a plurality of numbers and letters that are visually observable by a vehicle occupant, electrical circuit means mounted within said housing and connected with the electrical cable for receiving information from the on-board network, said electrical circuit means including central processing means, said segment driver, and mirror glass reflection control means for providing voltage to the electrically sensitive substance, said central processing means receiving information from the on-board network and controlling said segment driver to actuate said display segments to display information derived form the on-board network, said central processing means further controlling the mirror glass reflection control means to adjust the voltage applied to the electrically sensitive substance within the mirror glass, and an ultra shortwave antenna in the form of a long electric conductor provided within said housing and linked electronically with said electrical circuit means.

3. A rear-view information display system for a motor vehicle having an on-board network for providing information as to various motor vehicle functions, the display system comprising a rear view mirror having a housing, a hollow arm connected with the housing for receiving an electrical cable connectable to the on-board network, a mirror glass having a reflectivity, said mirror glass mounted to the housing, said mirror glass comprising a pair of glass plates having an electrically sensitive substance therebetween for adjusting the reflectivity of the mirror glass, a light emitting display unit having multiple display segments, said light emitting display unit embedded within the mirror glass, each of said display segments being separately controlled by a segment driver to form a plurality of numbers and letters that are visually observable by a vehicle occupant, electrical circuit means mounted within said housing and connected with the electrical cable for receiving information from the on-board network, said electrical circuit means including central processing means, said segment driver, and mirror glass reflection control means for providing voltage to the electrically sensitive substance, said central processing means receiving information from the on-board network and controlling said segment driver to actuate said display segments to display information derived form the on-board network, said central processing means further controlling the mirror glass reflection control means to adjust the voltage applied to the electrically sensitive substance within the mirror glass, and further comprising a microphone within said rear-view mirror, said microphone serving as a free hand system for a car phone.