Rear view mirror for a vehicle with an antenna module and an electronic display module

• US 8,749,366 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2010
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Hwang, Hyok-Joo, Choi, Seok-Won, Choi, Jin-Gee
• Primary Examiner(s): Syed, Nabil
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUSHING, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US12/982,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20110156893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/442, 340/461, 340/691.6, 340/995.1, 348/825, 348/837
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3266 using the mirror of the vehicle

Abstract

A multiple radio data service antenna module integrated in a rear view mirror being exposed towards a windscreen in an activated state enhances quality of reception of multiple radio data services and a display unit being integrated in a rear view mirror surface displaying information received by said antenna module informs a driver about relevant data of said data service without distracting the driver.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror for a vehicle comprising a mirror housing, an antenna module arranged on the backside of said mirror housing having an antenna electrically connected thereto for receiving data of at least one radio data service, an electronic display unit being arranged on the front side of said mirror and an electronic unit in electrical communication with said antenna module and said display unit for displaying at least portions of said data received by said antenna module onto said display unit, wherein an antenna module sealing mechanism hiding said antenna module inside a casing of said mirror housing in a deactivated state and exposing said antenna module towards a driving direction/windscreen side in an activated state, whereby said antenna module is arranged in a recess of said mirror housing and said antenna module sealing mechanism comprises a pivotable door with said antenna secured thereto, said pivotable door opening said recess in the activated state moving said antenna away from said backside of said mirror housing and closing said recess in the deactivated state moving said antenna back toward said backside of said mirror housing wherein said antenna module sealing mechanism comprises an electromotor unit for opening and closing said door, wherein said electronic unit is in electrical connection with a power supply over a vehicle'"'"'s ignition switch and said activated state is a motor running state (KEY ON) or an ignition on (ACC ON) state and said deactivated state is an ignition off (KEY OFF) state of said vehicle'"'"'s ignition switch.

2. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said rear view mirror is an inside rear view mirror.

3. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit is arranged inside said mirror housing.

4. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein a speaker in electrical connection with said electronic unit for outputting at least portions of said data received by said antenna module is arranged in said mirror housing.

5. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said antenna module is designed for receiving frequency signals a microwave frequency range and particularly of two or more radio data services from the group of DVB (Digital Versatile Broadcasting), DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting), DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), GPS (Global Positioning System), WLAN (Wireless LAN), Bluetooth, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), ETCS (Electronic Toll Collection System) frequency signals.

6. Rear view mirror according to claim 5, wherein said antenna module comprises at least two antenna structures for receiving frequency signals of different radio data services.

7. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit comprises receiving means and transmitting means designed for receiving and transmitting data via said antenna module to a remote location outside of the vehicle for a bidirectional communication.

8. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said antenna module is arranged on an inside surface of said pivotable door.

9. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electromotor unit comprises a current control element for switching off said electromotor when said casing is in an opened or closed state, when said door of said casing hits an opened-state stopper or a closed-state stopper.

10. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit is in electrical connection with at least one sensor, including a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a tire pressure sensor, a fuel sensor, a driving direction sensor, a credit card sensor for displaying data of said sensor on said display unit such as temperature, humidity, driving direction, tire pressure, fuel level or balance of a credit card for ETCS.

11. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises a LCD, Plasma or LED display being arranged in a portion of a mirror surface and being visible in an active displaying state, and not being visible in an deactivated displaying state.

12. Rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said mirror housing comprises at least one switch or button in electrical connection with said electronic unit for controlling a power on/off button for an ETCS, a balance button for displaying a balance of a credit card for ETCS, a sound button for controlling sound of said speaker, a temperature/humidity/driving direction button for switching information on said display, or a tire pressure button for displaying tire pressure status on said display.