Side view mirror and camera assembly

• US 6,954,152 B1
• Filed: 11/22/2002
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Frederick L. Matthews
• Inventors: Matthews, Frederick L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US10/302,609
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 340/937, 340/901, 340/426.15, 340/438, 348/148, 348/143, 348/375, 348/335
• US Class Current: 340/937
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides of the vehicle
• 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 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking

Abstract

A side view mirror and camera assembly for providing a mirror combined with a camera directed towards the blind spot of the mirror to allow a driver of a vehicle to view objects near the vehicle that are not viewable using the side view mirror alone. The side view mirror and camera assembly includes an adjustable camera coupled to a side view mirror housing to show a view of the blind spot of the side view mirror on a display viewable by a driver of a vehicle. In an embodiment, the camera is positioned within the side view mirror housing behind a one way portion viewing of the mirror.

Claims

1. A side view mirror and camera system for providing a comprehensive view of areas surrounding a vehicle, said system comprising:

a side view mirror housing coupled to the vehicle, said side view mirror housing having an opening;

a mirror coupled to said side view mirror housing and positioned in said opening;

a camera coupled to said side view mirror housing;

adjustment means for adjusting said camera to capture an image of a desired area adjacent to said vehicle; and

a display positioned inside the vehicle, said camera being operationally coupled to said display whereby said display displays said image captured by said camera;

wherein said adjustment means and said camera are positioned outside of said side view mirror housing.

2. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 1 wherein said mirror includes a one way mirror portion and said camera is positioned within said housing behind said one way mirror portion.

3. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 2 further comprising:

said adjustment means including a camera control panel positioned within the vehicle such that said camera control unit is accessible to a driver of the vehicle, said camera control panel being operationally coupled to said camera for adjusting a position of said camera such that a selectable area is viewable on said display.

4. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 3, further comprising:

focusing means coupled to said display for manually adjusting focus of said display.

5. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 3 wherein said camera control panel includes user interface inputs for moving said camera left, right, up and down.

6. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 2 further comprising:

said adjustment means including a camera mount assembly coupled to said camera, said camera mount assembly being pivotable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

7. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 1 further comprising:

said adjustment means including a camera control panel positioned within the vehicle such that said camera control unit is accessible to a driver of the vehicle, said camera control panel being operationally coupled to said camera for adjusting a position of said camera such that a selectable area is viewable on said display.

8. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 7, further comprising:

focusing means coupled to said display for manually adjusting focus of said display.

9. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 7 wherein said camera control panel includes user interface inputs for moving said camera left, right, up and down.

10. The side view mirror and camera system of claim 1 further comprising:

said adjustment means including a camera mount assembly coupled to said camera, said camera mount assembly being pivotable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

11. A side view mirror and camera system for providing a comprehensive view of areas surrounding a vehicle, said system comprising:

a side view mirror housing coupled to the vehicle, said side view mirror housing having an opening;

a mirror coupled to said side view mirror housing and positioned in said opening;

a camera coupled to said side view mirror housing;

adjustment means for adjusting said camera to capture an image of a desired area adjacent to said vehicle; and

a display positioned inside the vehicle, said camera being operationally coupled to said display whereby said display displays said image captured by said camera;

said adjustment means including a camera mount assembly coupled to said camera, said camera mount assembly being pivotable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction;

wherein said camera mount assembly includes a generally X-shaped frame coupled to outside corners of said camera.

12. A side view mirror and camera system for providing a comprehensive view of areas surrounding a vehicle, said system comprising:

a side view mirror housing coupled to the vehicle, said side view mirror housing having an opening;

a mirror coupled to said side view mirror housing and positioned in said opening;

a camera coupled to said side view mirror housing;

adjustment means for adjusting said camera to capture an image of a desired area adjacent to said vehicle; and

a display positioned inside the vehicle, said camera being operationally coupled to said display whereby said display displays said image captured by said camera;

wherein said mirror includes a one way mirror portion and said camera is positioned within said housing behind said one way mirror portion;

said adjustment means including a camera mount assembly coupled to said camera, said camera mount assembly being pivotable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction;

wherein said camera mount assembly includes a generally X-shaped frame coupled to outside corners of said camera.