Automobile mirror control system

• US 9,010,946 B1
• Filed: 06/10/2014
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eleanor Setnor
• Original Assignee: Seymour Setnor
• Inventors: Setnor, Seymour
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choudhury, Mustak
• Application Number:
  US14/301,049
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: 359/843, 359872-875
• US Class Current: 359/843
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/006 Side-view mirrors, e.g. V-shaped mirrors located at the front or rear part of the vehicle combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08; side-view periscopes B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors

Abstract

A control system for mirror in a vehicle as well as a method for controlling the side minors of a vehicle are disclosed. The control system may include a processor module and a memory module as well as a control console. The control console may include a minor toggle switch, a minor control switch, and two sets of memory recall switches. The first set of memory recall switches may be associated with set side mirror positions in a first operation state of the vehicle, which could for instance occur when the vehicle is operating in a drive gear. The second set of memory recall switches may be associated with set side minor positions in a second operation state of the vehicle, which could for instance occur when the vehicle is operating in a reverse gear.

Claims

1. A control system for mirrors in a vehicle, the control system comprising:

a control unit including a processor module and a memory module; and

a control console including

a mirror toggle switch,

a mirror control switch,

a first set of memory recall switches, and

a second set of memory recall switches,

wherein the first set of memory recall switches are associated with set side mirror positions in a first operation state of the vehicle, and the second set of memory recall switches are associated with set side mirror positions in a second operation state of the vehicle,

wherein the first set of memory recall switches includes at least three recall switches, and the second set of memory recall switches includes at least three switches.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first set of memory recall switches share a common first shape, and the second set of memory recall switches share a common second shape.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first operation state of the vehicle occurs when the vehicle is operating in a drive gear, and the second operation state of the vehicle occurs when the vehicle is operating in a reverse gear.

4. The control system of claim 1, the control console further including a memory set switch, wherein actuation of the memory set switch in conjunction with one of either the first or second set of memory recall switches operates to associate the instant mirror orientation with the respective memory recall switch.

5. The control system of claim 4, the control console further including an additional memory set switch, wherein the memory set switch is actuatable in association with the first set of memory recall switches, and the additional memory set switch is actuatable in association with the second set of memory recall switches.

6. A method for controlling the side mirrors of a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting an operational state of the vehicle;

identifying the associated memory state;

adjusting the side mirrors of the vehicle to an orientation associated with the identified memory state; and

providing a continuous loop feedback to determine changes in either the operational state or the memory state,

wherein the operational state of the vehicle is determined whether the vehicle is in a drive gear or a reverse gear, and

wherein the memory state is changeable by actuating either one of at least three drive memory recall switches if the operational state of the vehicle is that the vehicle is in a drive gear, or by actuating one of at least three reverse memory recall switches if the operational state of the vehicle is that the vehicle in a reverse gear.