Automotive blind spot safety system and method

• US 20060056086A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthur Andre Hannah
• Original Assignee: Arthur Andre Hannah
• Inventors: Hannah, Arthur Andre
• Granted Patent: US 7,517,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/843
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/535 to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/006 indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A blind spot safety system includes a side view mirror assembly. The side view mirror assembly includes a mirror housing attached to an automobile, a power supply, an adjustment motor, a mirror adjustment mechanism, and an adjustable mirror. A blind spot mirror track is incorporated into the mirror housing. The track'"'"'s distal end is co-located with the blind spot mirror port. The blind spot mirror is slidingly attached inside the track. The blind spot motor and linkage assembly are attached to the mirror housing, the blind spot mirror and power supply. A signaling circuit is attached to the power supply and the blind spot motor, and it relays signals from the automobile computer, directing the blind spot mirror to extend or retract. A defroster prevents freezing and a proximity detector monitors blind spots and directs the operation of hazard indicators attached to the side view mirror assembly.

Claims

1. A side view mirror assembly, the assembly comprising a side view mirror housing attached to an automobile, a power supply routed into the side view mirror housing, a side view adjustment motor attached inside the side view mirror housing, a side view mirror adjustment mechanism attached to the side view mirror housing and the side view adjustment mechanism, and an adjustable side view mirror attached to the side view mirror adjustment mechanism;

a blind spot mirror track incorporated into the side view mirror housing, the track being generally parallel with the orientation of the adjustable side view mirror and having a proximal end within the side view mirror housing and a distal end co-located with a blind spot mirror port on an edge of the side view mirror housing;

a blind spot mirror slidingly attached inside the blind spot mirror track;

a blind spot mirror motor and linkage assembly attached to the interior of the side view mirror housing, the blind spot mirror and the power supply; and

a signaling circuit, attached to the power supply and the blind spot mirror motor, whereby the signaling circuit relays a signal from an automobile computer directing the blind spot mirror to extend or retract through the blind spot mirror port in response to a predetermined automobile parameter, the blind spot mirror providing a view into the automobile'"'"'s blind spot without compromising the existing mirror'"'"'s view.

2. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, wherein the blind spot mirrors are extended for the duration of the predetermined automobile parameters, the blind spot mirror being concealed within the side view mirror housing until the predetermined automobile parameters are achieved.

3. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, wherein the blind spot mirrors are extended for a predetermined time period in response to the predetermined automobile parameters, the blind spot mirror being concealed within the side view mirror housing until the predetermined automobile parameters are achieved.

4. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximity sensor attached to the side view mirror housing, the power supply and the signaling circuit.

5. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined automobile parameters comprise vehicle velocity and direction inputs.

6. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined automobile parameters comprise vehicle speedometer inputs.

7. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined automobile parameters comprise automobile computer inputs.

8. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined automobile parameters comprise vehicle transmission inputs.

9. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined automobile parameters comprise proximity sensor inputs.

10. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 4, further comprising:

a safety indicator array attached to the side view mirror assembly and linked to the signaling circuit and the proximity sensor and attached to the power supply wherein the safety indicator array signals the driver of potential hazards in response to proximity sensor inputs.

11. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 10, wherein the safety indicator array comprises a plurality of visual indicators wherein each of the plurality of visual indicators represents a different potential hazard level.

12. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, further comprising a defroster unit attached inside the side view mirror assembly and linked to the power supply, the signaling circuit, the defroster unit comprising a temperature sensor, a thermostatic controller and a heating element, wherein the defroster unit prevents the blind spot mirror from becoming frozen in place due to meteorological conditions.

13. A method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system, comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring for a predetermined automobile parameter;

(b) detecting a predetermined automobile parameter;

(c) signaling the blind spot mirror motor via a signaling circuit;

(d) extending the blind spot mirror; and

(e) retracting the blind spot mirror upon achieving a predetermined automobile parameter.

14. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

(a1) monitoring the ambient temperature with a temperature sensor for a predetermined minimum temperature parameter; and

(a2) achieving a predetermined minimum temperature parameter.

15. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter comprises an automobile defroster operation signal, actuating a blind spot safety mirror defroster; and

(b2) when the automobile defroster operation signal is not detected, terminating the operation of the blind spot safety mirror defroster.

16. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter comprises a minimum temperature threshold signal, suspending operation of the blind spot safety mirror motor;

(b2) actuating a blind spot safety mirror defroster;

(b3) heating the blind spot mirror above a predetermined minimum temperature threshold;

(b4) resuming blind spot safety mirror operation; and

(b5) terminating the defroster operation.

17. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter is an automobile defroster operation signal, actuating a blind spot safety mirror defroster; and

(b2) when the automobile defroster operation signal ceases, terminating the blind spot safety mirror defroster operation.

18. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter comprises an input from at least one proximity sensor, detecting the input from at least one proximity sensor;

(b2) determining when the input from at least one proximity sensor indicates at least one object within the vehicle blind spot;

(b3) signaling the blind spot safety indicator array via the signaling circuit;

(b4) illuminating the blind spot safety indicator array;

(b5) determining when the at least one object is not within the vehicle blind spot;

(b6) signaling the blind spot safety array; and

(b7) extinguishing the blind spot safety indicator array.

19. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 18, wherein step (b2) further comprises the steps of:

(i) determining when the at least one proximity sensor detects at least one object within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

20. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 18, wherein step (b4) further comprises the steps of:

(i) illuminating a red indicator in the blind spot safety indicator array when at least one object is detected within the vehicle blind spot; and

(ii) illuminating an amber indicator in the blind spot safety indicator array when at least one object is detected within the predetermined distance from the vehicle.

21. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 18, wherein step (b5) further comprises the steps of:

(i) determining when the at least one object is not within the predetermined distance from the vehicle.

22. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 18, wherein step (b7) further comprises the steps of:

(i) extinguishing the red indicator when no object is detected within the vehicle blind spot; and

(ii) extinguishing the amber indicator when no object is detected within the predetermined distance from the vehicle.