Vehicle blind spot detection display system

• US 5,786,772 A
• Filed: 02/12/1997
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US08/799,734
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/904, 340/555, 340/435, 367/93, 367/94, 180/167, 180/169, 362/83.1, 342/70, 364/461
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01564 Manually or key-actuated inhibition switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9324 Alternative operation using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/06 Cathode-ray tube displays or other two dimensional or three-dimensional displays

Abstract

A vehicle blind spot detection display system displays indications from a blind spot detector. The system includes a first indicator assembly positioned on the vehicle in the vicinity of an exterior mirror and adapted to producing an indication at least of the presence of an object adjacent the corresponding side of the vehicle. A second indicator assembly is provided on the vehicle interior mirror assembly and adapted to producing an indication at least of the presence of an object adjacent the same corresponding side of the vehicle. In this manner, redundant indications are provided at both the interior and exterior mirrors in order to assist the driver in a premaneuver evaluation of conditions surrounding the vehicle.

Claims

1. A blind spot detection display system for displaying indications from a blind spot detector system on a vehicle having a passenger compartment and two exterior mirrors on opposite sides of the vehicle outside of the passenger compartment, comprising:

a first indicator positioned on the vehicle in the vicinity of the one exterior mirror and adapted to producing an indication from a blind spot detector system at least of the presence of a first other vehicle adjacent the one side of the vehicle;

an interior mirror assembly within the passenger compartment including a reflective element, a housing for the reflective element and a second indicator, said second indicator adapted to producing an indication from the blind spot detector system at least of the presence of the first other vehicle adjacent said one side of the vehicle;

a third indicator positioned on the vehicle in the vicinity of the other exterior mirror adapted to producing an indication from the blind spot detector system at least of the presence of a second other vehicle adjacent the other side of said vehicle; and

a fourth indicator on said interior mirror assembly adapted to producing an indication from the blind spot detector system at least of the second other vehicle adjacent the other side of said vehicle;

wherein said first and second indicators are concurrently actuated and physically associated and said third and fourth indicators are concurrently actuated and physically associated in a manner that provides cognitive association between said indicators.

2. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein said second indicator is on a portion of said interior mirror assembly toward the one side of the vehicle and said fourth indicator is on another portion of said interior mirror assembly toward the other side of the vehicle.

3. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein said first and third indicators each produce at least an indication of the presence of the respective other vehicle adjacent the respective side of the vehicle and an indication that the blind spot detector system is operational.

4. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein said first and third indicators each produce an indication of the respective other vehicle receding from the respective side of the vehicle.

5. The blind spot detection display system in claim 4 wherein said first indication emits a red color, said second indication emits a green color and said third indication emits an amber color.

6. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein said second and fourth indicators each produce at least an indication of the presence of the other vehicle adjacent the respective side of the vehicle and an indication that the blind spot detector system is operational.

7. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein said first and third indicators are each positioned on one of a housing of the associated exterior mirror, a reflective element of the associated exterior mirror and a portion of the vehicle adjacent the associated exterior mirror.

8. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein said second and fourth indicators are each positioned on one of said housing and said reflective element.

9. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 including a light sensor which senses light in the vicinity of the vehicle and a control which modulates the intensity level of at least one of said first, second, third and fourth indicators as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the vehicle.

10. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein said second and fourth indicators each produce an indication of the respective other vehicle receding from the respective side of the vehicle.

11. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second, third and fourth indicators also displays other vehicle functions.

12. The blind spot detection display system in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second, third and fourth indicators displays information.

13. The blind spot detection display system in claim 12 wherein at least one of said first, second, third and fourth indicators displays at least one of vehicle heading and outdoor temperature.

14. A blind spot detection display system for displaying indications from a blind spot detector system on a vehicle having a passenger compartment and two exterior mirrors on opposite sides of the vehicle outside of the passenger compartment, comprising:

a first indicator positioned on the vehicle in the vicinity of one exterior mirror and adapted to producing an indication from a blind spot detector system of at least one of a first other vehicle approaching the one side of the vehicle, the first other vehicle being adjacent the one side of the vehicle, and the first other vehicle receding from the one side of said vehicle;

an interior mirror assembly within the passenger compartment including a reflective element, a housing for the reflective element and a second indicator, said second indicator adapted to producing an indication from said blind spot detector system of at least one of the first other vehicle approaching the one side of said vehicle, the first other vehicle being adjacent the one side of the vehicle, and the first other vehicle receding from the one side of said vehicle;

a third indicator positioned on the vehicle in the vicinity of the other exterior mirror adapted to producing an indication from the blind spot detector system of at least one of a second other vehicle approaching the other side of said vehicle, the second other vehicle being adjacent the other side of the vehicle, and the second other vehicle receding from the other side of said vehicle; and

a fourth indicator on said interior mirror assembly adapted to producing an indication from said blind spot detector system of at least one of the second other vehicle approaching the other side of said vehicle, the second other vehicle being adjacent the other side of said vehicle, and the second other vehicle receding from the other side of said vehicle;

wherein said first and second indicators are concurrently actuated and physically associated and said third and fourth indicators are concurrently actuated and physically associated in a manner that provides cognitive association between said indicators.

15. The blind spot detection display system in claim 14 wherein said second and fourth indicators are one of through-the-cell indicators, housing eyebrow indicators and housing lip indicators.

16. The blind spot detection display system in claim 14 wherein at least one of said indicators changes in size, shape, color or strobe/flash to alert the driver of the respective other vehicles approaching the vehicle.

17. The blind spot detection display system in claim 16 wherein at least one of said indicators changes in proportion to the proximity of the respective other vehicles to the vehicle.