VEHICULAR VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM

• US 20080266389A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Weller, Andrew D., Lynam, Niall R., Kramer, Mark E., Blank, Rodney K., Whitehead, Peter J., DeWind, Darryl P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,194,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence

Abstract

A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and a video display screen module. The video display screen module may have a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer film and (b) a brightness enhancing film, and includes a liquid crystal display panel that is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes. The video display screen module is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element or near the reflective element or is extendable from a position at the rear of the reflective element to a position near the reflective element. The video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable by the driver and having a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter when viewable by the driver during daytime viewing.

Claims

1. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

a video display screen module;

said video display screen module comprising a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer film and (b) a brightness enhancing film;

said video display screen module comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal display panel;

wherein said thin film transistor liquid crystal display panel is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said video display screen module is one of (i) fixedly disposed to the rear of said reflective element, (ii) fixedly disposed near said reflective element and (iii) extendable from a position at the rear of said reflective element to a position near said reflective element; and

wherein said video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle, said video display screen module operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver during daytime viewing that have a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter.

2. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images captured by an imaging system of the vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly.

3. The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images captured by a rear camera of said imaging system when the driver of the vehicle engages reverse gear.

4. The video mirror system of claim 3, wherein display of video images captured by said rear camera of said imaging system of the vehicle when the driver of the vehicle engages reverse gear continues until a threshold criterion is met.

5. The video mirror system of claim 4, wherein said threshold criterion comprises at least one of (a) the forward speed of the vehicle exceeding a threshold speed, (b) elapse of a time period and (c) a threshold distance of forward travel.

6. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said interior mirror assembly comprises a graphical overlay capability.

7. The video mirror system of claim 6, wherein said graphical overlay capability comprises a display control included in said interior mirror assembly operable to graphically overlay at least one of (i) information over a displayed video image, (ii) an icon over a displayed video image, (iii) indicia over a displayed video image and (iv) a marker over a displayed video image.

8. The video mirror system of claim 6, wherein said graphical overlay capability comprises at least one of (a) an on-screen display controller and (b) a field programmable gate array.

9. The video mirror system of claim 6, wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of the vehicle.

10. The video mirror system of claim 9, wherein said graphical overlay capability of said interior rearview mirror assembly includes generation of a graphic overlay that provides at least one of (a) an indication of distance to an object rearward of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object rearward of the vehicle and (c) an alert to the driver.

11. The video mirror system of claim 9, wherein the display luminance of video images displayed by said video display screen module, as viewed by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle, is automatically adjusted responsive to an ambient light detection by a light sensor of said interior rearview mirror assembly.

12. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen module is one of (a) fixedly disposed near said reflective element and (b) extendable from a position at the rear of said reflective element to a position near said reflective element.

13. The video mirror system of claim 12, wherein said video display screen module comprises a touch screen.

14. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen module is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element and wherein said reflective element comprises a transflective reflector and wherein the presence of said video display screen module to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display screen module not activated to display.

15. The video mirror system of claim 14, wherein said video display screen module comprises a reconfigurable display.

16. The video mirror system of claim 14, wherein said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element.

17. The video mirror system of claim 14, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

18. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

19. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a control, and wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver during daytime viewing that have a driver-viewable display luminance at least about 700 candelas per square meter responsive to an output from said control.

20. The video mirror system of claim 19, wherein said video display screen module is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element and wherein said reflective element comprises a transflective reflector and wherein the presence of said video display screen module to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display screen module not activated to display.

21. The video mirror system of claim 20, wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of the vehicle.

22. The video mirror system of claim 21, wherein said control comprises at least one high side switch.

23. The video mirror system of claim 21, wherein said control receives image data from an imaging sensor disposed at, on or in the vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said image data is received via a twisted pair wire, (b) said image data is received via a shielded twisted pair wire, (c) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle, (d) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a MOST data bus protocol, and (e) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a FlexRay data bus protocol.

24. The video mirror system of claim 21, wherein said control comprises an overlay screen display video controller.

25. The video mirror system of claim 24, wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on said video images captured by said rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

26. The video mirror system of claim 21, wherein said video display screen module comprises a polarizer film and a brightness enhancing film.

27. The video mirror system of claim 26, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

28. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said control comprises an overlay screen display video controller.

29. The video mirror system of claim 28, wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on said video images captured by said rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

30. The video mirror system of claim 20, wherein said video display screen module comprises a brightness enhancing film.

31. The video mirror system of claim 30, wherein said brightness enhancing film comprises optic features formed in a plastic sheet.

32. The video mirror system of claim 31, wherein said optic features comprise prismatic features.

33. The video mirror system of claim 32, wherein said prismatic features are formed by molding.

34. The video mirror system of claim 32, wherein said prismatic features are formed by extrusion.

35. The video mirror system of claim 31, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

36. The video mirror system of claim 35, wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of the vehicle.

37. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen module is extendable from a position at the rear of said reflective element to a position near said reflective element and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion including said reflective element and a mounting element for mounting said mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle, said first portion having a first casing element that has a rear surface, said mounting element extending rearward from said first portion toward a windshield of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, and wherein said second portion includes said video display screen module, said second portion having a second casing element, said second portion adapted for attaching to said first portion in a manner so that said second portion is movable relative to said first portion, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion to move video display screen module between a retracted position, where said video display screen module is positioned substantially at and behind said first portion, and an extended position, where said video display screen module is substantially extended from said first portion at a display side of said mirror assembly for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle, said second portion including a slot for at least partially enveloping a portion of said mounting element at least when said second portion is at least partially retracted, and wherein at least a portion of said rear surface of said first casing element is exposed when said video display screen module is in said extended position.

38. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the equipped vehicle.

39. The video mirror system of claim 38, wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by said rear backup camera responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of the vehicle and wherein said video display screen module is operable to display other information during periods when the driver of the vehicle has not engaged the reverse gear.

40. The video mirror system of claim 39, wherein said other information comprises video images from a camera of the vehicle.

41. The video mirror system of claim 39, wherein said other information comprises navigational information.

42. The video mirror system of claim 39, wherein said other information comprises information relating to operation of the vehicle.

43. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element;

a video display screen module;

said video display screen module comprising a liquid crystal display panel;

wherein said liquid crystal display panel is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said video display screen module is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element and wherein said reflective element comprises a transflective reflector and wherein the presence of said video display screen module to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display screen module not activated to display;

wherein said video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable through said transflective reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a control; and

wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images that are viewable through said transflective reflector by the driver during daytime viewing that have a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter responsive to an output from said control.

44. The video mirror system of claim 43, wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images captured by an imaging system of the vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly.

45. The video mirror system of claim 44, wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images captured by a rear camera of said imaging system when the driver of the vehicle engages reverse gear.

46. The video mirror system of claim 45, wherein display of video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle engages reverse gear continues until a threshold criterion is met.

47. The video mirror system of claim 45, wherein said control comprises an overlay screen display video controller.

48. The video mirror system of claim 47, wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on said video images captured by said rear camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

49. The video mirror system of claim 43, wherein said interior mirror assembly comprises a graphical overlay capability.

50. The video mirror system of claim 49, wherein said graphical overlay capability comprises at least one of (i) capability to overlay information over a displayed video image, (ii) capability to overlay an icon over a displayed video image, (iii) capability to overlay indicia over a displayed video image and (iv) capability to overlay a marker over a displayed video image.

51. The video mirror system of claim 49, wherein said control comprises an on-screen display controller.

52. The video mirror system of claim 51, wherein said graphical overlay capability of said interior rearview mirror assembly includes generation of a graphic overlay that provides at least one of (a) an indication of distance to an object rearward of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object rearward of the vehicle and (c) an alert to the driver.

53. The video mirror system of claim 52, wherein the display luminance of video images displayed by said video display screen module, as viewed by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle, is automatically adjusted responsive to an ambient light detection by a light sensor of said interior rearview mirror assembly.

54. The video mirror system of claim 43, wherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer film and (b) a brightness enhancing film.

55. The video mirror system of claim 54, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

56. The video mirror system of claim 43, wherein said control receives image data from an imaging sensor disposed at, on or in the vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said image data is received via a twisted pair wire, (b) said image data is received via a shielded twisted pair wire, (c) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle, (d) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a MOST data bus protocol, and (e) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a FlexRay data bus protocol.

57. The video mirror system of claim 43, wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the equipped vehicle.

58. The video mirror system of claim 57, wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by said rear backup camera responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of the vehicle and wherein said video display screen module is operable to display other information during periods when the driver of the vehicle has not engaged the reverse gear.

59. The video mirror system of claim 58, wherein said other information comprises at least one of (a) video images from a camera of the vehicle, (b) navigational information, and (c) information relating to operation of the vehicle.

60. The video mirror system of claim 59, wherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosure and a polarizer film and a brightness enhancing film.

61. The video mirror system of claim 60, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

62. The video mirror system of claim 43, wherein said video display screen module comprises heating means.

63. The video mirror system of claim 43, wherein said video display screen module comprises a brightness enhancing film.

64. The video mirror system of claim 63, wherein said brightness enhancing film comprises optic features formed in a plastic sheet.

65. The video mirror system of claim 64, wherein said optic features comprise prismatic features.

66. The video mirror system of claim 65, wherein said prismatic features are formed by molding.

67. The video mirror system of claim 65, wherein said prismatic features are formed by extrusion.

68. The video mirror system of claim 65, wherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

69. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element;

a video display screen module;

said video display screen module comprising a video display selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescent display, an organic light emitting diode display, an inorganic light emitting diode display, an electroluminescent display and a vacuum fluorescent display;

wherein said video display screen module is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element and wherein said reflective element comprises a transflective reflector and wherein the presence of said video display screen module to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display screen module not activated to display;

wherein said video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable through said transflective reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a control;

wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images that are viewable through said transflective reflector by the driver during daytime viewing that have a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter responsive to an output from said control;

wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the equipped vehicle responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of the vehicle; and

wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on said video images captured by said rear camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

70. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein display of video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle engages reverse gear continues until a threshold criterion is met.

71. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said graphical overlay comprises at least one of (i) an icon over a displayed video image, (ii) indicia over a displayed video image and (iii) a marker over a displayed video image.

72. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said graphical overlay provides at least one of (a) an indication of distance to an object rearward of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object rearward of the vehicle and (c) an alert to the driver.

73. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer film and (b) a brightness enhancing film.

74. The video mirror system of claim 73, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

75. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said control receives image data from said rear camera, and wherein at least one of (a) said image data is received via a twisted pair wire, (b) said image data is received via a shielded twisted pair wire, (c) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle, (d) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a MOST data bus protocol, and (e) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a FlexRay data bus protocol.

76. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said control comprises an overlay screen display video controller.

77. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said video display screen module is operable to display other information during periods when the driver of the vehicle has not engaged the reverse gear.

78. The video mirror system of claim 77, wherein said other information comprises at least one of (a) video images from a camera of the vehicle, (b) navigational information, and (c) information relating to operation of the vehicle.

79. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosure and a polarizer film and a brightness enhancing film.

80. The video mirror system of claim 79, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

81. The video mirror system of claim 80, wherein said video display screen module comprising a liquid crystal display panel and wherein said liquid crystal display panel is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes.

82. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said video display screen module comprises a monochromatic video display.

83. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said video display screen module comprises a monochromatic video vacuum fluorescent display.

84. The video mirror system of claim 69, wherein said video display screen module comprises a brightness enhancing film.

85. The video mirror system of claim 84, wherein said brightness enhancing film comprises optic features formed in a plastic sheet.

86. The video mirror system of claim 85, wherein said optic features comprise prismatic features.

87. The video mirror system of claim 86, wherein said prismatic features are formed by molding.

88. The video mirror system of claim 86, wherein said prismatic features are formed by extrusion.

89. The video mirror system of claim 86, wherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

90. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

a video display screen module;

wherein said video display screen module comprises a liquid crystal display panel and wherein said liquid crystal display panel is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said video display screen module is disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element and wherein said reflective element comprises a transflective reflector and wherein the presence of said video display screen module to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display screen module not activated to display;

wherein said video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable through said transflective reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a control;

wherein said video display screen module is operable to display video images that are viewable through said transflective reflector by the driver during daytime viewing that have a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter responsive to an output from said control;

wherein said video display screen module displays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the equipped vehicle responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of the vehicle;

wherein said video display screen module comprises a polarizer film and a brightness enhancing film; and

wherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.

91. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein display of video images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle engages reverse gear continues until a threshold criterion is met.

92. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on said video images captured by said rear camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle and wherein said graphical overlay comprises at least one of (i) an icon over a displayed video image, (ii) indicia over a displayed video image and (iii) a marker over a displayed video image.

93. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on said video images captured by said rear camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle and wherein said graphical overlay provides at least one of (a) an indication of distance to an object rearward of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object rearward of the vehicle and (c) an alert to the driver.

94. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said control receives image data from said rear camera, and wherein at least one of (a) said image data is received via a twisted pair wire, (b) said image data is received via a shielded twisted pair wire, (c) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle, (d) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a MOST data bus protocol, and (e) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a FlexRay data bus protocol.

95. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said control comprises an overlay screen display video controller.

96. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said video display screen module is operable to display other information during periods when the driver of the vehicle has not engaged the reverse gear and wherein said other information comprises at least one of (a) video images from a camera of the vehicle, (b) navigational information, and (c) information relating to operation of the vehicle.

97. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

98. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element.

99. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said brightness enhancing film comprises prismatic optic features.

100. The video mirror system of claim 90, wherein said brightness enhancing film comprises optic features formed in a plastic sheet.

101. The video mirror system of claim 100, wherein said optic features comprise prismatic features.

102. The video mirror system of claim 101, wherein said prismatic features are formed by molding.

103. The video mirror system of claim 101, wherein said prismatic features are formed by extrusion.