Display arranged in a motor vehicle

• US 6,281,804 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Haller, Uwe, Leschke, Harald
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US08/939,441
• Time in Patent Office: 1,429 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 348/148, 348/149, 348/151
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A display is described which is arranged in a motor vehicle in the area of the windshield. A sun visor will not be required when electrochromic glass is used in the case of the windshield. This also eliminates the make-up mirror. A camera is therefore integrated into the display such that an object photographed by the camera is shown on the display as a mirror image.

Claims

1. A display which is arranged in a motor vehicle for use as a mirror replacement, wherein a camera is integrated in the display and is oriented to image an object immediately in front of the display so that the object imaged by the camera is shown on the display as a mirror image of the object;

and

wherein an axis of the camera and an axis extending perpendicularly from a face of the display extend axially in parallel with one another or slightly converging with one another.

2. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is swivellably arranged on a forward roof frame approximately in a center of the vehicle.

3. The display according to claim 2, wherein the display is swivellable in an external-power-operated manner.

4. The display according to claim 3, wherein the external-power-operated swivelling is triggerable by using an operating switch.

5. The display according to claim 1, wherein illumination devices are arranged in or around the display.

6. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is constructed as a color LC display.

7. The display according to claim 1, wherein the camera is of a CCD type.

8. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is constructed in connection with another external camera as a rearview device.

9. The display according to claim 8, wherein representations of images taken by the cameras are switchable on the display.

10. A mirror replacement in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a display arranged in the motor vehicle;

a camera integrated in and coupled to the display, said camera being oriented to image an object situated in front of the display and showing the object on the display as a mirror image of the object; and

wherein an axis of the camera and an axis extending perpendicularly from a face of the display extend at least one of in parallel and slightly converging with respect to one another.

11. The mirror replacement according to claim 10, further comprising a swivellable mount, said display being swivellably arrangeable on a forward roof frame of the vehicle via the swivellable mount.

12. The mirror replacement according to claim 11, further comprising an externally power-operated actuator coupled to said display, said actuator being capable of swivelling said display in an externally power-operated manner.

13. The mirror replacement according to claim 10, further comprising an operating switch coupled to said externally power-operated actuator, said operating switch controlling the swivelling of the display.

14. The mirror replacement according to claim 10, further comprising illumination devices arranged in or around the display.

15. The mirror replacement according to claim 10, wherein said display is a color LC display.

16. The mirror replacement according to claim 10, wherein said camera is a CCD type of camera.

17. The mirror replacement according to claim 10, further comprising a second rear view camera coupled to the display.

18. The mirror replacement according to claim 17, wherein representations of images taken by both the camera and the second rear view camera are switchably viewed on the display.

19. A cosmetic mirror replacement in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a display arranged in the motor vehicle;

a camera integrated in and coupled to the display, said camera being oriented to image an object situated in front of the display and showing the object on the display as a mirror image of the object; and

wherein an axis of the camera and an axis extending perpendicularly from a face of the display extend at least one of in parallel and slightly converging with respect to one another.