Multi-functional exterior mirror with integrated camera
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An exterior mirror module for a vehicle comprising:
- an image sensor configured to capture image data;
a reflective element disposed on a first side portion;
a housing configured to support the reflective element and the image sensor in connection with the vehicle;
an actuator configured to adjust an orientation of the reflective element about an adjustment axis; and
a controller in communication with the image sensor and the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust an orientation of the reflective element about the adjustment axis between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the first orientation comprises a reflective surface of the reflective element orientated such that light received from a rearward direction of the vehicle is reflected into a passenger compartment of the vehicle and the second orientation comprises the reflective surface of the reflective element directed toward at least one of an opening surface of the vehicle and a skyward direction normal to the operating surface.
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Abstract
A multi-purpose exterior mirror module for a vehicle comprising an image sensor configured to capture image data and a reflective surface disposed on a side portion. A housing is configured to support the reflective surface and the image sensor in connection with the vehicle. An actuator is configured to adjust an orientation of the reflective surface about an adjustment axis. A controller is in communication with the image sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust an orientation of the reflective surface about the adjustment axis.
14 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An exterior mirror module for a vehicle comprising:
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an image sensor configured to capture image data; a reflective element disposed on a first side portion; a housing configured to support the reflective element and the image sensor in connection with the vehicle; an actuator configured to adjust an orientation of the reflective element about an adjustment axis; and a controller in communication with the image sensor and the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust an orientation of the reflective element about the adjustment axis between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the first orientation comprises a reflective surface of the reflective element orientated such that light received from a rearward direction of the vehicle is reflected into a passenger compartment of the vehicle and the second orientation comprises the reflective surface of the reflective element directed toward at least one of an opening surface of the vehicle and a skyward direction normal to the operating surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling an exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising:
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orienting the mirror assembly in a first orientation about an adjustment axis; exposing a first surface of the mirror assembly in an airflow direction generated by a forward motion of the vehicle; controlling a rotation of the mirror assembly by at least 60 degrees about the adjustment axis in a second orientation; and exposing a second surface of the mirror assembly in the airflow direction generated by the forward motion, wherein the second surface comprises a frontal area at least 10 percent smaller than the first surface, wherein the controlling the rotation of the mirror assembly rotates the first surface from a frontal surface of the vehicle in the first orientation presenting the second surface as the frontal surface of the vehicle in the second orientation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An exterior mirror module for a vehicle comprising:
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an image sensor configured to capture image data; a mirror assembly comprising a housing configured to support a reflective element and the image sensor; an actuator configured to adjust an orientation of the mirror assembly relative to the vehicle about an adjustment axis; and a controller in communication with the image sensor and the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust an orientation of the reflective element about the adjustment axis from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein the first orientation comprises a first surface of the mirror assembly oriented as a frontal surface relative to a forward operation of the vehicle and the second orientation comprises a second surface of the mirror assembly oriented as the frontal surface, wherein the second surface comprises a reduced drag coefficient relative to the first surface.
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Specification