Vehicle rearview mirror display system

• US 6,198,409 B1
• Filed: 05/03/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/304,201
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/438, 340/472, 340/903, 340/905, 340/901, 280/735, 280/734, 280/728.1, 180/282, 180/271
• 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 rearview mirror system for a vehicle equipped with an airbag system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said mirror assembly including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element;

a passenger-side airbag positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a control system for disabling operation of said airbag; and

a passenger airbag disable indicator assembly, said indicator assembly located at said rearview mirror assembly, said indicator assembly providing a display of passenger airbag disable function and indicating when the passenger-side airbag has been disabled;

wherein said control system includes a key-operated switch which provides a key operation in order to disable said airbag, and wherein said control system automatically reactivates said airbag if the ignition of the vehicle is turned off after said airbag has been disabled by said key-operated switch.

2. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said key-operated switch of said control system is operable by the ignition key of the vehicle.

3. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said key operation to disable said airbag occurs separate from and prior to key-operated ignition of the engine of the vehicle by the ignition key of the vehicle.

4. The rearview mirror system of claim 3 wherein said key-operated switch of said control system is operable by the ignition key of the vehicle.

5. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said airbag is selected from one of a dash-mounted airbag, a side-mounted airbag and a roof-mounted airbag.

6. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said airbag comprises a dash-mount ed airbag.

7. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror element.

8. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said indicator assembly is located behind said reflective element and is viewed through said element.

9. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said indicator assembly is located below said reflective element in a lip portion of said housing.

10. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said indicator assembly is located above said reflective element in a eyebrow portion of said housing.

11. The rearview mirror sys tem of claim 1 wherein the intensity of the display of said indicator assembly is modulated dependent on the intensity of light levels surrounding the vehicle.

12. The rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said interior mirror assembly further comprises at least one other display function.

13. The rearview mirror system of claim 12 wherein said at least one other display function is selected from the group comprising a compass display function, a temperature display function, a rain sensor display function and a blind spot detector display function.

14. A rearview mirror system for a vehicle equipped with an airbag system, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said mirror assembly including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element;

a passenger-side airbag positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a control system for disabling operation of said airbag; and

a passenger airbag disable indicator assembly, said indicator assembly located at said rearview mirror assembly at one of above, below and behind said reflective element, said indicator assembly providing a display of passenger airbag disable function and indicating when the passenger-side airbag has been disabled;

wherein said control system includes a key-operated switch which provides a key operation in order to disable said airbag, and wherein said control system automatically reactivates said airbag if the ignition of the vehicle is turned off after said airbag has been disabled by said key-operated switch.

15. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said key-operated switch of said control system is operable by the ignition key of the vehicle.

16. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said key operation to disable said airbag occurs separate from and prior to key-operated ignition of the engine of the vehicle by the ignition key of the vehicle.

17. The rearview mirror system of claim 16 wherein said key-operated switch of said control system is operable by the ignition key of the vehicle.

18. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said airbag is selected from one of a dash-mounted airbag, a side-mounted airbag and a roof-mounted airbag.

19. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror element.

20. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said indicator assembly is located behind said reflective element and is viewed through said element.

21. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said indicator assembly is located below said reflective element in a lip portion of said housing.

22. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said indicator assembly is located above said reflective element in a eyebrow portion of said housing.

23. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein the intensity of the display of said indicator assembly is modulated dependent on the intensity of light levels surrounding the vehicle.

24. The rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said interior mirror assembly further comprises at least one other display function.

25. The rearview mirror system of claim 24 wherein said at least one other display function is selected from the group comprising a compass display function, a temperature display function, a rain sensor display function and a blind spot detector display function.

26. A rearview mirror system for a vehicle equipped with an airbag system, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said mirror assembly including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element;

a passenger-side airbag positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a control system for disabling operation of said airbag;

a passenger airbag disable indicator assembly, said indicator assembly located at said rearview mirror assembly, said indicator assembly providing a display of passenger airbag disable function and indicating when the passenger-side airbag has been disabled;

wherein said control system includes a key-operated switch which provides a key operation in order to disable said airbag; and

wherein said key-operated switch of said control system is operable by the ignition key of the vehicle, and wherein said control system automatically reactivates said airbag if the ignition of the vehicle is turned off after said airbag has been disabled by said key-operated switch.

27. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said key operation to disable said airbag occurs separate from and prior to key-operated ignition of the engine of the vehicle by the ignition key of the vehicle.

28. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said airbag is selected from one of a dash-mounted airbag, a side-mounted airbag and a roof-mounted airbag.

29. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror element.

30. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said indicator assembly is located at one of above, below and behind said reflective element.

31. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said indicator assembly is located behind said reflective element and is viewed through said element.

32. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said indicator assembly is located below said reflective element in a lip portion of said housing.

33. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said indicator assembly is located above said reflective element in a eyebrow portion of said housing.

34. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein the intensity of the display of said indicator assembly is modulated dependent on the intensity of light levels surrounding the vehicle.

35. The rearview mirror system of claim 26 wherein said interior mirror assembly further comprises at least one other display function.

36. The rearview mirror system of claim 35 wherein said at least one other display function is selected from the group comprising a compass display function, a temperature display function, a rain sensor display function and a blind spot detector display function.

37. A rearview mirror system for a vehicle equipped with an airbag system, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said mirror assembly including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element;

a passenger-side airbag positioned within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a control system for disabling operation of said airbag; and

a passenger airbag disable indicator assembly, said indicator assembly located at said rearview mirror assembly, said indicator assembly providing a display of passenger airbag disable function and indicating when the passenger-side airbag has been disabled;

wherein said control system automatically reactivates said airbag if the ignition of the vehicle is turned off after said airbag has been disabled by said control system.

38. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said control system includes a key- operated switch which provides a key operation in order to disable said airbag.

39. The rearview mirror system of claim 38 wherein said key-operated switch of said control system is operable by the ignition key of the vehicle.

40. The rearview mirror system of claim 38 wherein said key operation to disable said airbag occurs separate from and prior to key-operated ignition of the engine of the vehicle by the ignition key of the vehicle.

41. The rearview mirror system of claim 40 wherein said key-operated switch of said control system is operable by the ignition key of the vehicle.

42. The rearview mirror system of claim 38 wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror element.

43. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said airbag is selected from one of a dash-mounted airbag, a side-mounted airbag and a roof-mounted airbag.

44. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said airbag comprises a dash-mounted airbag.

45. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror element.

46. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said indicator assembly is located at one of above, below and behind said reflective element.

47. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said indicator assembly is located behind said reflective element and is viewed through said element.

48. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said indicator assembly is located below said reflective element in a lip portion of said housing.

49. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said indicator assembly is located above said reflective element in a eyebrow portion of said housing.

50. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein the intensity of the display of said indicator assembly is modulated dependent on the intensity of light levels surrounding the vehicle.

51. The rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said interior mirror assembly further comprises at least one other display function.

52. The rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one other display function is selected from the group comprising a compass display function, a temperature display function, a rain sensor display function and a blind spot detector display function.