Light based apparatus and method for automatically adjusting rearview mirrors
First Claim
1. Apparatus for adjusting the orientation of at least one rearview mirror on a vehicle, comprising:
- (a) light directing means movably mounted to the vehicle for directing a visible light ray at the eyes of a driver;
(b) orientation detecting means coupled to the light directing means for detecting the orientation of the visible light ray relative to a point and generating orientation signals correlatable therewith;
(c) distance sensing means located proximate the light directing means for sensing the distance between the point and the driver'"'"'s eyes along the path of the visible light ray and generating distance signals correlatable therewith;
(d) control means operatively coupled to the orientation detecting means and the distance sensing means for determining an orientation for the mirror based upon the distance signals, the orientation signals and vehicle parameters, and for generating control signals correlatable therewith; and
(e) mirror positioning means responsive to the control signals for positioning the mirror to achieve the determined orientation for the mirror.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for automating the outside rearview mirror orientation of a vehicle having at least one rearview mirror. The apparatus comprises a light directing device which emits a visible light ray, orientation detectors, an electronic controller, and a mirror positioning apparatus. The light directing device comprises a pivotal tube containing a light source. The orientation detectors detect the orientation of the light ray. In one embodiment, the apparatus also comprises a distance sensor which senses the distance between the light directing device and the driver'"'"'s eyes. Once the driver has manually adjusted the light directing device so as to see the light source, the driver operates a switch, which activates both the distance sensor and the orientation detector. The controller includes a microcomputer programmed to determine the desired orientation of the outside mirror and generate control signals. The positioning apparatus, which may be a servomechanism, receives the control signals and positions the outside mirror in response thereto. The distance sensor may be an infrared or ultrasound sensor mounted on the light directing device.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. Apparatus for adjusting the orientation of at least one rearview mirror on a vehicle, comprising:
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(a) light directing means movably mounted to the vehicle for directing a visible light ray at the eyes of a driver; (b) orientation detecting means coupled to the light directing means for detecting the orientation of the visible light ray relative to a point and generating orientation signals correlatable therewith; (c) distance sensing means located proximate the light directing means for sensing the distance between the point and the driver'"'"'s eyes along the path of the visible light ray and generating distance signals correlatable therewith; (d) control means operatively coupled to the orientation detecting means and the distance sensing means for determining an orientation for the mirror based upon the distance signals, the orientation signals and vehicle parameters, and for generating control signals correlatable therewith; and (e) mirror positioning means responsive to the control signals for positioning the mirror to achieve the determined orientation for the mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for automating the rearview mirror orientation of at least one mirror on a vehicle, comprising:
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(a) a first light directing means mounted for rotational movement about a first point in a frame of reference for directing a visible light ray at the eyes of a driver; (b) a second light directing means mounted for rotational movement about a second point spaced from the first point for directing a second visible light ray at the driver'"'"'s eyes; (c) a first orientation detecting means coupled to the first light directing means for detecting an angular orientation of the first light ray relative to the first point and generating first orientation signals correlatable therewith; (d) a second orientation detecting means coupled to the second light directing means for detecting an angular orientation of the second light ray relative to the second point and generating second orientation signals correlatable therewith; (e) control means operatively coupled to the first orientation detecting means and the second orientation detecting means for determining an orientation for the mirror as a function of both the first orientation signals and the second orientation signals, and vehicle parameters, and for generating control signals correlatable therewith; and (f) mirror positioning means responsive to the control signals for positioning the mirror to achieve the determined orientation for the mirror. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. Apparatus for automating the rearview mirror orientation of at least one mirror on a vehicle, comprising:
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(a) light directing means mounted for rotational movement about a point in a frame of reference for directing a visible light ray at the eyes of a driver; (b) orientation-detecting means coupled to the light directing means for detecting the angular orientation of the visible light ray relative to the point and generating orientation signals correlatable therewith; (c) control means operatively coupled to the orientation detecting means for determining an orientation for the mirror, and for generating control signals correlatable therewith, wherein the control means models the driver'"'"'s head as a rectangular parallelepiped having a front side corresponding to the driver'"'"'s face and the driver'"'"'s eyes as a center point on the front side of the parallelepiped, the parallelepiped being rotatable and tiltable about the driver'"'"'s body, and wherein the control means determines the desired orientation as a function of the orientation signals, vehicle parameters, the parallelepiped, and an imaginary longitudinal plane extending through a middle of a driver'"'"'s seat; and (d) mirror positioning means responsive to the control signals for positioning the mirror in a selected orientation. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method for adjusting the orientation of at least one rearview mirror on a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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(a) directing a visible light ray emanating from a light directing device movably mounted to the vehicle at the eyes of a driver; (b) detecting the orientation of the visible light ray relative to a point and generating orientation signals correlatable therewith, (c) sensing the distance between the point and the driver'"'"'s eyes approximately along the path of the visible light ray and generating distance signals correlatable therewith, (d) determining an orientation for the mirror based upon the orientation signals, the distance signals and vehicle parameters, and generating control signals correlatable therewith; and (e) positioning the mirror based upon the control signals to achieve the determined orientation for the mirror. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method for adjusting the orientation of at least one rearview mirror on a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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(a) directing a visible light ray emanating from a light directing device movably mounted to the vehicle at the eyes of a driver; (b) detecting the orientation of the visible light ray relative to a point and generating orientation signals correlatable therewith; (c) determining an orientation for the mirror and generating control signals correlatable therewith, by modelling the driver'"'"'s head as a rectangular parallelepiped having a front side corresponding to the driver'"'"'s face, and the driver'"'"'s eyes as a center point on the front side of the parallelepiped, the parallelepiped being rotatable and tiltable about the driver'"'"'s body, and determining a desired orientation as a function of the orientation signals, vehicle parameters, and the parallelepiped; and (d) positioning the mirror based upon the control signals to achieve the determined orientation for the mirror.
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Specification