Mirror monitor using two levels of reflectivity and transmissibility
DCFirst Claim
1. A rear-view mirror unit and modular monitor system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a bus or public transit vehicle comprising:
- a rear-view mirror unit mounted forward of the vehicle operator, said rear-view mirror unit;
at least one monitor module removably connected to said rear-view mirror unit, said at least one monitor module viewable through said rear-view mirror unit, and said at least one monitor module removable from and reconnectable to said rear-view mirror unit without affecting the structure or position of said rear-view mirror unit; and
a first image capture device mounted at a first location on the vehicle and configured to capture and transmit at least a first image to said at least one monitor module, the first image being displayable on said at least one monitor module through said rear-view mirror unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rear-view mirror and modular monitor system and method include an interior mirror that embeds a modular monitor behind see-through mirror glass. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple cameras, some in the vehicle, bus and/or truck, as well as some cameras outside the vehicle, bus and/or truck, advantageously providing the driver an opportunity to view what is happening, for example, in the back rows of the bus and/or cabin, while also using the mirror to look at objects in the bus and/or cabin that are visible using the mirror. The rear-view mirror and modular monitor system is configured to be easily assembled and/or disassembled when necessary for maintenance and/or to replace parts.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A rear-view mirror unit and modular monitor system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a bus or public transit vehicle comprising:
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a rear-view mirror unit mounted forward of the vehicle operator, said rear-view mirror unit; at least one monitor module removably connected to said rear-view mirror unit, said at least one monitor module viewable through said rear-view mirror unit, and said at least one monitor module removable from and reconnectable to said rear-view mirror unit without affecting the structure or position of said rear-view mirror unit; and a first image capture device mounted at a first location on the vehicle and configured to capture and transmit at least a first image to said at least one monitor module, the first image being displayable on said at least one monitor module through said rear-view mirror unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of applying a reflective coating to a mirror of a rear-view mirror unit and installing a modular monitor system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a bus or public transit vehicle, the method comprising:
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applying at least a first reflective coating of a first reflective material on a front surface of a mirror substrate for the mirror; applying a mask over a first area of the first reflective coating, the mask having a size and position on the mirror substrate corresponding to a size and mounting position of a monitor module configured to display an image through the first area; applying at least a second reflective coating of a second reflective material on the first reflective coating; removing the mask from the first area; and installing at least one monitor module viewable through the first area of said rear-view mirror unit and to said rear-view mirror unit, said at least one monitor module being removable from and reconnectable to said rear-view mirror unit without affecting the structure or position of said rear-view mirror unit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of displaying an image on a rear-view mirror unit mounted forward of a vehicle operator using a modular monitor system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a bus or public transit vehicle, the rear-view mirror unit having a first area with a first reflectivity not less than about 20% and a second area with a second reflectivity not less than about 20%, comprising:
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capturing, by a first image capture device mounted at a first location in the vehicle at least a first image; transmitting, by the first image capture device, the first image to at least one monitor module removably connected to the rear-view mirror unit, the first image being displayable on the at least one monitor module through a first area of the rear-view mirror unit and viewable through the first area of the rear-view mirror unit having the first reflectivity and configured to be substantially similar to the second area with the second reflectivity when the first image is transmitted to the at least one monitor module and when viewed at least from a position at or near the vehicle operator, and the at least one monitor module removable from and reconnectable to said rear-view mirror unit without affecting the structure or position of said rear-view mirror unit. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification