Vehicle mirror digital network and dynamically interactive mirror system

• US 6,340,850 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Veldman, Roger L., OʼFarrell, Desmond J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US09/747,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20010002771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 701/49, 701/213, 318/466, 318/446, 340/425.72, 395/605, 250/214
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

A vehicle rear vision system includes at lest two rearview assemblies each having an image transfer device for transferring images rearwardly of the vehicle in order to be observable by a driver. A rear vision communication system is provided to effect communication between the rearview assemblies. The rear vision communication system also includes a communication link with the vehicle multiplex communication network. The vehicle rear vision system may include an interactive dynamic position control, which repositions each mirror in the system in response to a change in the position of one mirror in a manner which allows the mirror aim to track a driver'"'"'s eye position.

Claims

1. A vehicle rear vision system suitable for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle communication network, said system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly and an exterior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optical reflectance element and a first microprocessor-based control;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including an exterior electro-optical reflectance element and a second microprocessor-based control;

said first microprocessor-based control including a control channel for controlling a partial reflectance level of said first interior electro-optical reflectance element;

said second microprocessor-based control including a control channel for controlling a partial reflectance level of said second exterior electro-optical reflectance element;

said second microprocessor-based control including at least one another control channel, said at least one another control channel operable to at least one of (i) selectively activate a heater element in heat transfer association with said second exterior electro-optical reflectance element, (ii) operate a positioning device for said second exterior electro-optical reflectance element, (iii) actuate a security light, (iv) actuate a turn signal, and (v) actuate a stop signal; and

wherein one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls at least one of (i) formats message for the vehicle communication network and (ii) decodes messages from the vehicle communication network.

2. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 1, wherein said one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls comprises said first microprocessor-based control.

3. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 2, wherein said first microprocessor-based control includes a node for linking with the vehicle communication network.

4. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 3, wherein said node for linking with the vehicle communication network comprises a serial data node.

5. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 1, wherein said one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls comprises said second microprocessor-based control.

6. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 5, wherein said second microprocessor-based control includes a node for linking with the vehicle communication network.

7. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 6, wherein said node for linking with the vehicle communication network comprises a serial data node.

8. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives an input from at least one light sensor.

9. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 8, wherein said at least one of the said first and second microprocessor-based controls provides an output in response to said input in order to activate or deactivate a vehicle headlight.

10. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 9, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls provides said output over the vehicle communication network.

11. The vehicle rear vision system claim 1, wherein said first microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

12. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 11, wherein said first microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said interior electro-optic reflectance element in response to said input.

13. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 1, wherein said second microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

14. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 13, wherein said second microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said exterior electro-optic reflectance element in response to said input.

15. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 14, wherein said exterior electro-optic reflectance element comprises an electrochromic minor element.

16. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives input from or provides output to at least one of an image capture device, an intelligent highway system, an antenna, a global positioning system, a keyless entry system, a garage door opener, a blind-spot detector, and a heading sensor.

17. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle communication network comprises a vehicle-multiplexed communication bus.

18. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 1, wherein said system includes another exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said another exterior mirror assembly includes another exterior electro-optical reflectance element and a third microprocessor-based control.

19. A vehicle rear vision system suitable for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle communication network, said system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly and an exterior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior reflectance element and a first microprocessor-based control;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including an exterior reflectance element and a second microprocessor-based control;

at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls operable to at least two of (i) selectively activate a heater element in heat transfer association with said respective reflectance element, (ii) operate a positioning device for said respective reflectance element, (iii) actuate a security light, (iv) actuate a turn signal, (v) control a reflectance level of said respective reflectance element and (vi) actuate a stop signal; and

wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls at least one of (i) formats messages for the vehicle communication network and (ii) decodes messages from the vehicle communication network.

20. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls comprises said first microprocessor-based control.

21. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 20, wherein said first microprocessor-based control includes a node for linking with the vehicle communication network.

22. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 21, wherein said node for linking with the vehicle communication network comprises a serial data node.

23. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls comprises said second microprocessor-based control.

24. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 23, wherein said second microprocessor-based control includes a node for linking with the vehicle communication network.

25. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 24, wherein said node for linking with the vehicle communication network comprises a serial data node.

26. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives an input from at least one light sensor.

27. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 26, wherein said at least one of said and first and second microprocessor-based controls provides an output in response to said input in order to activate or deactivate a vehicle headlight.

28. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 27, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls provides said output over the vehicle communication network.

29. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein said first microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

30. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 29, wherein said interior reflectance element comprises an electrochromic reflectance element and wherein said first microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said electrochromic reflectance element in response to said input.

31. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein said second microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

32. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 31, wherein said exterior reflectance element comprises an electrochromic reflectance element and wherein said second microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said electrochromic reflectance element in response to said input.

33. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second assemblies include an antenna.

34. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives input from or provides output to at least one of an image capture device, an intelligent highway system, an antenna, a global positioning system, a keyless entry system, a garage door opener, a blind-spot detector, and a heading sensor.

35. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein the vehicle communi cation network comprises a vehicle-multiplexed communication bus.

36. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 19, wherein said system includes another exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said another exterior mirror assembly includes another exterior reflectance element and a third microprocessor-based control.

37. A vehicle rear vision system suitable for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle communication network, said system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly and an exterior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior reflectance element and a first microprocessor-based control;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including an exterior reflectance element and a second microprocessor-based control;

at least one of said microprocessor-based controls operable to at least two of (i) selectively activate a heater element in heat transfer association with said respective reflectance element, (ii) operate a positioning device for said respective reflectance element, (iii) actuate a security light, (iv) actuate a turn signal, (v) control a reflectance level of said respective reflectance element and (vi) actuate a stop signal;

wherein said first microprocessor-based control at least one of (i) formats messages for the vehicle communication network and (ii) decodes messages from the vehicle communication network; and

wherein said first microprocessor-based control includes a node for linking with the vehicle communication network.

38. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein said node for linking with the vehicle communication network comprises a serial data node.

39. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives an input from at least one light sensor.

40. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein said first microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

41. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 40, wherein said interior reflectance element comprises an electrochromic reflectance element and wherein said first microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said electrochromic reflectance element in response to said input.

42. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 40, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls provides an output in response to said input in order to activate or deactivate a vehicle headlight.

43. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 42, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls provides said output over the vehicle communication network.

44. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein said second microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

45. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 44, wherein said exterior reflectance element comprises an electrochromic reflectance element and wherein said second microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said electrochromic reflectance element in response to said input.

46. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein at least one of said first and second assemblies includes an antenna.

47. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives input from or provides output to at least one of an image capture device, an intelligent highway system, an antenna, a global positioning system, a keyless entry system, a garage door opener, a blind-spot detector, and a heading sensor.

48. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein the vehicle communication network comprises a vehicle-multiplexed communication bus.

49. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 37, wherein said system includes another exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said another exterior mirror assembly includes an electro-optical reflectance element and a microprocessor-based control.

50. A vehicle rear vision system suitable for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle communication network, said system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly and an exterior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior reflectance element and a first microprocessor-based control;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including an exterior reflectance element and a second microprocessor-based control;

at least one of said microprocessor-based controls operable to at least two of (i) selectively activate a heater element in heat transfer association with said respective reflectance element, (ii) operate a positioning device for said respective reflectance element, (iii) actuate a security light, (iv) actuate a turn signal, (v) control a reflectance level of said respective reflectance element and (vi) actuate a stop signal;

wherein said second microprocessor-based control at least one of (i) formats messages for the vehicle communication network and (ii) decodes messages from the vehicle communication network; and

wherein said second microprocessor-based control includes a node for linking with the vehicle communication network.

51. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein said node for linking with the vehicle communication network comprises a serial data node.

52. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives an input from at least one light sensor.

53. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein said first microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

54. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 53, wherein said interior reflectance element comprises an electrochromic reflectance element and wherein said first microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said electrochromic reflectance element in response to said input.

55. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 53, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls provides an output in response to said input in order to activate or deactivate a vehicle headlight.

56. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 55, wherein said at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls provides said output over the vehicle communication network.

57. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein said second microprocessor-based control receives an input from at least one light sensor.

58. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 57, wherein said exterior reflectance element comprises an electrochromic reflectance element and wherein said second microprocessor-based control controls the partial reflectance level of said electrochromic reflectance element in response to said input.

59. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein at least one of said first and second assemblies include an antenna.

60. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives input from or provides output to at least one of an image capture device, an intelligent highway system, an antenna, a global positioning system, a keyless entry system, a garage door opener, a blind-spot detector, and a heading sensor.

61. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein the vehicle communication network comprises a vehicle-multiplexed communication bus.

62. The vehicle rear vision system of claim 50, wherein said system includes another exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said another exterior mirror assembly includes an electro-optical reflectance element and a microprocessor-based control.