Vehicle mirror

• US 20060158752A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Russell Ambrose
• Original Assignee: Russell Ambrose
• Inventors: Perkes, Jason Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/378,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158752A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/843
• 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

Abstract

A mirror assembly for an articulated vehicle incorporates an image sensor which detects part of the trailer e.g. the end of the trailer, so that as the vehicle turns the image sensor maintains the image in its field of view and the mirror is automatically adjusted to maintain the driver'"'"'s view of the part of the trailer in the mirror.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for a vehicle which mirror assembly incorporates (i) a mirror housing in which a mirror having a moveable reflective surface is mounted (ii) a mirror adjusting means capable of adjusting the orientation of the said reflective surface of the mirror (iii) an image sensing means attached to or forming part of the mirror housing, which image sensing means can detect a part of the vehicle or the trailer or part of a trailer connected to the vehicle (iv) a control system able to process signals from the image sensing means and which controls the mirror adjusting means and is able to adjust the orientation of the reflective surface of the mirror in response to movement of part of the vehicle or the trailer or part of a trailer as it moves across the field of view of the image sensing means.

2. A mirror assembly according to claim 1 in which the image sensing means is mounted within the perimeter of the mirror housing.

3. A mirror assembly according to claim 1 in which the image sensing means is mounted outside the perimeter of the mirror housing.

4. A mirror assembly according to claim 1 in which the image sensing means is a camera or a CMOS camera.

6. A mirror assembly according to claim 1 in which there is an indicator light which is automatically activated when the mirror adjusting means and image sensing means are operating.

7. A mirror assembly according to claim 1 in which the control system includes a processing unit connected to the image sensing means and the signals received by image sensing means are an input into the processing unit.

8. A mirror assembly according to claim 7 in which the signal processing means is a processor and the signal received by the camera is sent to a processor, which processor controls an actuator for the mirror and, as the vehicle turns, the image of the trailer moves across the field of view of the camera and a corresponding signal sent to the actuator from the processor, the processor then operates the actuator which turns the reflective surface of the mirror to maintain the image of the rear of the trailer in the field of view of the mirror as seen by the driver.

10. A vehicle incorporating a mirror assembly according to claim 1.

11. A vehicle according to claim 10 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.

12. A vehicle according to claim 11 in which the companion mirror has its own image sensor fitted for independent control.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12 in which there is a remote control switch fitted within the vehicle that allows the mirror system to be overridden.

14. A vehicle according to claim 13 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.

5. A mirror assembly according to 1 in which the mirror assembly incorporates a means to transmit additional data to modules that are integrated to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system by a means selected from direct cable connection, by infrared or wireless remote link.

9. A mirror assembly for a vehicle which mirror assembly incorporates (i) a mirror housing in which a mirror having a moveable reflective surface is mounted (ii) a mirror adjusting means capable of adjusting the orientation of the said reflective surface of the mirror (iii) an image sensing means selected from cameras and CMOS cameras rigidly attached to or forming part of the mirror housing, so that adjustment of the reflective surface by the adjusting means will not alter the position of the image sensing means, the image sensing means passively sensing the vehicle or trailer connected to the vehicle (iv) a control system connected to the image sensing means and which controls the mirror adjusting means and is able to adjust the orientation of the reflective surface of the mirror in response to movement of the indicator image across the field of view of the image sensing means.

15. A vehicle incorporating a mirror assembly according to claim 9.