Vehicle mirror

• US 20040165292A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason Stephen Perkes, Turnsafe Assets, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Russell Keith Ambrose
• Inventors: Perkes, Jason Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,040,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• 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: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Abstract

A mirror assembly for an articulated vehicle (1, 2) incorporates an image sensor which detects a specific image on the trailer so that as the vehicle (1, 2) turns left the image sensor maintains the image in its field of view and the mirror is automatically adjusted to maintain the driver'"'"'s view.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for a vehicle, which mirror assembly incorporates a mirror having a reflective surface, a mirror adjusting means and an image sensing means whereby the mirror adjusting means is able to adjust the orientation of the reflective surface of the mirror in response to images perceived by the image sensing means.

2. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the image sensing means incorporates an image sensor adjusting means so that, in use, the image sensor adjusting means adjusts the image sensing means so that a specific image stays in the field of view of the image sensing means and the mirror adjusting means adjust the reflective surface of the mirror accordingly.

3. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which the image sensing means and the mirror are directly attached to each other and the image sensing means and the reflective surface of the mirror are coupled so that, as the image sensing means adjusts to maintain the specific image in its field of view, the reflective surface of the mirror is correspondingly adjusted.

4. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the image sensing means is mounted within the reflective surface of the mirror.

5. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the image sensing means is mounted behind the reflective surface of the mirror.

6. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which the reflective surface comprises one way glass and the image sensing means is able to perceive images through the reflective surface of the mirror.

7. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the image sensing means is mounted beyond the perimeter of the reflective surface of the mirror.

8. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the mirror assembly incorporates a means to transmit additional data to modules that are integrated to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system by direct cable connection or by infrared or wireless remote link.

9. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 in which there is an indicator light which will be automatically activated when the mirror adjusting means and image sensing means are operating.

10. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the image sensing means is attached to the mirror housing so that adjustment of the reflective surface by the adjusting means will not alter the position of the image sensing means.

11. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the image sensing means is mounted behind the mirror and connected to the reflective surface so that, as the reflective surface is adjusted, the visual field of view afforded by the image sensing means changes sufficiently to allow this.

12. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the image sensing means is a camera or a photodetector.

13. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which there is a computing element connected to the image sensing means and the signals received by image sensing means arc an input into the computing element, there being a moving means for the image sensing means controlled by the computing element.

14. A vehicle incorporating a mirror system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

15. A vehicle as claimed in claim 14 in which there is a companion mirror on the other side of the vehicle to the mirror assembly and there is a remote link between the mirror assembly and companion mirror which can be used to transmit data therebetween.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15 in which the companion mirror has its own image sensor fitted for independent control.

17. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 in which there is a remote control switch fitted within the vehicle that allows the mirror system to be overridden

18. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 which incorporates detection software able to detect other road users, obstacles, persons etc. and can cause a warning signal or sound when such other road users, obstacles, persons etc. are detected.

19. A mirror assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.