Motor vehicle accessory comprising a data display screen for the driver

• US 6,545,598 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gérard Jodon De Villeroche
• Original Assignee: Gérard Jodon De Villeroche
• Inventors: de Villeroche, Gérard Jodon
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US09/806,611
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/435, 340/475, 340/996, 359/630
• US Class Current: 340/438
• 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 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers

Abstract

An accessory for a motor vehicle, comprising a rear-view mirror case of either an inside or outside rear-view mirror, a screen attached to one side of the rear-view mirror case without disturbing vision in the rear-view mirror and means for adjusting the orientation of the screen with respect to the mirror. The mirror and the screen are simultaneously and fully visible to a driver of the vehicle. The rear-view mirror case, the screen housing, or both, comprise all or part of electronic elements to display at least one of the following functions on the screen: navigation, radar, map, guidance, traffic instruction.

Claims

1. An accessory for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a rear-view mirror case of either an inside or outside rear-view mirror;

a screen housing of a data display device of the liquid crystal type, wherein the screen housing is attached to one side of the rear-view mirror case without disturbing vision in the mirror of the rear-view mirror case, and wherein the mirror of the rear-view mirror case and the screen of the data display device are simultaneously and fully visible to a driver of the vehicle; and

means for adjusting the orientation of the surface of the screen with respect to the surface of the mirror of the rear-view mirror case in order that the driver can observe the liquid crystal screen perpendicularly to its surface;

wherein the screen is adapted to the display of navigation or guidance information;

and wherein the rear-view mirror case, the screen housing, or both, comprise all or part of electronic elements providing one or several of the following functions to be displayed on the screen;

navigation, radar, map, guidance, traffic instruction.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the screen is articulated to the upper side of the inside rear-view mirror case.

3. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the orientation of the surface of the screen with respect to the surface of the rear-view mirror comprise a double hinged connection or a ball and socket joint.

4. The accessory according to claim 1, comprising a clamping or a nipping device for the fixation of the screen housing to the case of the rear-view mirror.

5. The accessory according to claim 1, further comprising another part of electronic elements, sensors, or both, which are remote from the rear-view mirror, wherein the connection to said other part, said sensors, or both, is wireless or with a wire passing through the fixation to the case of the rear-view mirror.

6. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the screen the case of the rear-view mirror, or both, comprise all or part of the electronic elements which provide one or several of the following functions to be displayed on the screen:

video-camera, radio receiver, telephone receiver, reader and/or data processing for memory cards or discs for cartographic data, general information or data related to the repair or maintenance of the vehicle or payment data, remote payment, infrared or HF receiver, antennas and internet receiver.

7. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the inside screen housing, the inside rear-view mirror case, or both, comprise voice recognition means.

8. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the inside screen housing, the inside rear-view mirror case, or both, comprise a loud speaker.

9. The accessory according to claim 1, further comprising:

a navigation apparatus;

an inside screen housing of an inside screen, this inside screen housing being attached to an inside rear-view mirror case;

an outside screen housing of an outside screen, the outside screen housing being attached to an outside rear-view mirror case; and

means for controlling display of information on the inside and outside screens, such that information on the inside and outside screens are the same or are complementary.

10. The accessory according to claim 9, wherein the navigation apparatus is operable to control the display of information on the outside screen in such a way that guidance information displayed on this screen concerns the side of the vehicle where this outside screen is situated.

11. The accessory according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the viewing on the screen, the control means being secured to the rear-view mirror case or the screen housing.

12. The accessory according to claim 11, wherein the control means comprise a control unit operable to scroll a menu on the screen, and wherein data selection is performed by pressing on the control unit or by actuating another control unit.

13. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein data relating to navigation are transmitted to the data display device via radio, mobile telephone or infrared.

14. A display device with a screen for the display of information for the driver of a vehicle, wherein the screen is adapted to display information relating to navigation or guidance, and is of the liquid crystal type, and wherein the screen housing comprises means for fixing this housing to one side of an inside or outside rear-view mirror of the vehicle, these fixation means being such that, when the housing is fixed to one side of the rear-view mirror case, this housing does not disturb the vision in the mirror and the mirror and the screen are simultaneously and fully visible to a driver, the fixation means being such that they allow the adjustment of the orientation of the surface of the screen with respect to the surface of the mirror in such a way that the driver can observe the liquid crystal screen perpendicularly to its surface.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the means for adjusting the orientation of the surface of the screen with respect to the surface of the rear-view mirror comprise a double hinged connection or a ball and socket joint.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the fixation means comprise a clamping device or a nipping device.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the housing of the screen comprise all or part of the electronic elements which provide one or several of the following functions to be displayed on the screen:

navigation, radar, map, guidance, traffic instruction, video-camera, radio receiver, telephone receiver, reader or data processing for memory cards or discs for cartographic data, general information or data related to the repair or maintenance of the vehicle or payment data, remote payment, infrared or HF receiver, antennas, internet receiver.

18. The device according to claim 14, comprising a first screen housing comprising means for fixing this housing to an inside rear-view mirror case, and at least a second screen housing comprising means for fixing this housing to an outside rear-view mirror case.

19. The device according to claim 18, comprising means to display information on the second screen only when this information relates to the side of the vehicle where the outside rear-view mirror case is situated.