Rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle with monitor

• US 6,447,128 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Witzke, Michael, Lang, Heinrich
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/731,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20020141086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 359/871, 359/872, 359/838, 359/850, 359/851, 359/843, 359/877, 248/466, 248/476, 340/815.4, 340/525, 340/438, 340/654, 340/461, 340/468, 340/474, 340/905, 340/463, 340/815, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 359/871
• 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 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system

Abstract

A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is provided. The rearview mirror assembly includes a monitor which receives collected data from an imaging device on the vehicle. The mirror and monitor permit a driver to view the mirror image and collected data simultaneously. The driver may also manipulate the monitor and the imaging device to change views and the collected data.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing for attachment to the vehicle;

a mirror pane attached to the mirror housing, the mirror pane disposed in a field of view of a driver of the vehicle;

a monitor positioned in the mirror housing and disposed in the field of view of the driver of the vehicle such that the monitor and the mirror pane are viewed by the driver; and

an imaging device in electrical communication with the monitor, the imaging device configured to collect image data from a field of view proximate the vehicle, the monitor displaying an image responsive to the image data collected by the imaging device.

2. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the monitor is disposed in an edge of the mirror pane.

3. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the monitor is disposed spaced from the mirror pane.

4. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the monitor is an optical imaging monitor.

5. The rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein the monitor includes a plurality of optical imaging monitors.

6. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the monitor includes a plurality of device presentation zones.

7. The rearview mirror as in claim 1, wherein the imaging device is an optical imaging device.

8. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the optical imaging device is a first optical imaging camera and a second optical imaging camera, the first optical imaging camera disposed to image a first field of view, the monitor configured to present the first field of view in a first field presentation zone, the second optical imaging camera disposed to image a second field of view, the monitor configured to present the second field of view in a second presentation zone.

9. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the imaging device includes at least one optical imaging camera.

10. The rearview mirror assembly as in claim 9, wherein the at least one optical imaging camera is disposed in the mirror housing.

11. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 10, wherein the mirror pane and the at least one optical imaging camera disposed in the mirror housing have different angles of light incidence.

12. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one optical imaging camera is disposed at a location on the vehicle in an other than forward location.

13. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein the other than forward location is a lateral vehicle location.

14. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 13, wherein the other than forward location is a rear vehicle location.

15. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising an operating apparatus, the operating apparatus disposed proximate the driver and configured for the driver to adjust the monitor and the imaging device.

16. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the imaging device is pivotable.

17. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle field of view is greater than an imaging device field of view.

18. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle field of view is equal to an imaging device field of view.

19. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 18, wherein the imaging device field of view is adjustable.

20. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising a data memory apparatus in electrical communication with the imaging device to preserve a collection of data from the imaging device.

21. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 20, wherein the collection of data is speed, temperature, time, weather, and optical images.

22. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 21, wherein the collection of data is selectable.

23. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the imaging device has adjustable magnification.

24. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing with mirror pane disposed in a field of view of a driver of the vehicle, the mirror housing configured for attachment to the vehicle;

a monitor positioned in the mirror housing and disposed in the field of view of the driver of the vehicle such that the monitor and the mirror pane are viewed by the driver; and

an imaging device disposed in the mirror housing in electrical communication with the monitor, the imaging device configured to collect image data from a field of view proximate the vehicle, the monitor displaying an image responsive to the image data collected by the imaging device.

25. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 24, wherein the monitor is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of optical imaging monitors, a plurality of device presentation zones, and combinations thereof.

26. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 24, further comprising an auxiliary mirror pane, the monitor spaced apart from the auxiliary mirror pane.