Rearview mirror with automatic modification

• US 6,406,154 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chen, Fu-Jeng
• Original Assignee: Chen, Fu-Jeng
• Inventors: Chen, Fu-Jeng
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/788,357
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 359/843, 359/872, 359/876, 359/877, 248/476, 248/479
• 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

The present invention provides for improved rearview mirror device for the use. Rearview mirror device of the present invention is likely to be particularly useful in ground vehicle, such as car or truck for better driving view since it automatically modifies the angle to provide a safety-view for driver during the vehicle turning. In one preferred embodiment, an automatic mirror angle modifying device comprises: a rearview mirror, which is supported on a vehicle body; an shaft rotation measurement device, which further includes a ring apparatus which surrounds the steering wheel shaft and a ring apparatus decoder; a microprocessor and a motor. While the steering wheel is rotating to indicate to vehicle body turning, the measuring device detects the shaft rotation angle. Then, according to the rotation angle, the microprocessor computes the best rear view angle and informs the motor to drive the mirror to an adequate position.

Claims

1. A vehicle rearview mirror system, which understands the best

rearview mirror angle by computing the vehicle body turning direction, said system comprising:

a rearview mirror system switch;

a rearview mirror, which is held on said vehicle body;

a rotation measurement device, which further comprises;

a bar code ring, which is attached around a steering wheel shaft or a wheel shifting shaft;

a bar code reader, which is used for reading said bar code;

a microprocessor, which computes a signal from said rotation measurement device for obtaining a proper adjusting angle of said rearview mirror for the best rearview of the vehicle driver; and

a motor, which accepts a message from said microprocessor to shift said rearview mirror.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said rotation measurement device tests a rotated range of said shaft and a test answer is transmitted to said microprocessor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor calculates a turning angle of said vehicle body.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said turning angle is analyzed by said microprocessor to decide a result of a proper movement of said rearview mirror.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said microprocessor transmits said result to said motor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said motor shifts said rearview mirror to offer the best rearview of the vehicle driver by a result from said microprocessor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror system switch turns on/off said system by controlling said motor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror is driven back to original position as the vehicle goes straight if said rearview mirror system switch is OFF.

9. A vehicle rearview mirror system, which understands the best rearview mirror angle by computing the vehicle body turning direction, said system comprising:

a rearview mirror, which is held on said vehicle body;

a rotation measurement device, which further comprises;

a bar code ring, which is attached around a steering wheel shaft or a wheel shifting shaft;

a bar code reader, which is used for reading said bar code;

a microprocessor, which computes a signal from said rotation measurement device for obtaining a proper adjusting angle of said rearview mirror for the best rearview of the vehicle driver; and

a motor, which accepts a message from said microprocessor to shift said rearview mirror.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said rotation measurement device tests a rotated range of said shaft and a test answer is transmitted to said microprocessor.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said microprocessor calculates a turning angle of said vehicle body.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said turning angle is analyzed by said microprocessor to decide a result of the proper movement of said rearview mirror.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said microprocessor transmits said result to said motor.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said motor shifts said rearview mirror to offer the best rearview of the vehicle driver by a result from said microprocessor.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said rearview mirror system has a switch, which turns on/off said system by controlling said motor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said rearview mirror is driven back to original position as the vehicle goes straight if said switch of said rearview mirror system is OFF.

17. A vehicle rearview mirror system, which understands the best rearview mirror angle by computing the vehicle body turning direction, said system comprising:

a rearview mirror, which is held on said vehicle body;

a rotation measurement device, which further comprises;

a plurality of sensors, which are attached around a steering wheel shaft;

a sensor blocker, which touches said various sensors if said steering wheel shaft is rotated;

a microprocessor, which computes a signal from said rotation measurement device for obtaining a proper adjusting angle of said rearview mirror for the best rearview of the vehicle driver; and

a motor, which accepts a message from said microprocessor to shift said rearview mirror.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said rotation measurement device tests a rotated range of said shaft and a test answer is transmitted to said microprocessor.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said microprocessor calculates a turning angle of said vehicle body.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said turning angle is analyzed by said microprocessor to decide a result of the proper movement of said rearview mirror.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said microprocessor transmits said result to said motor.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein said motor shifts said rearview mirror to offer the best rearview of the vehicle driver by a result from said microprocessor.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein said rearview mirror system has a switch, which turns on/off said system by controlling said motor.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said rearview mirror is driven back to original position as the vehicle goes straight if said switch of said rearview mirror system is OFF.

25. A vehicle rearview mirror system, which understands the best rearview mirror angle by computing the vehicle body turning direction, said system comprising:

a rearview mirror, which is held on said vehicle body;

a rotation measurement device, which further comprises;

a mesh light-receiver, which is attached around a steering wheel shaft;

a light supply device, which projects light to said mesh light-receiver;

a plane with an opening therein, the light from said light supply device passes through said opening to project to said light-receiver;

a microprocessor, which computes a signal from said rotation measurement device for obtaining a proper adjusting angle of said rearview mirror for the best rearview of the vehicle driver; and

a motor, which accepts a message from said microprocessor to shift said rearview mirror.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said light supply device projects light through said opening of said plane to various sections of said mesh light-receiver.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said rotation measurement device tests a rotated range of said shaft and a test answer is transmitted to said microprocessor.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein said microprocessor calculates a turning angle of said vehicle body.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said turning angle is analyzed by said microprocessor to decide a result of the proper movement of said rearview mirror.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said microprocessor transmits said result to said motor.

31. The system of claim 25, wherein said motor shifts said rearview mirror to offer the best rearview of the vehicle driver by a result from said microprocessor.

32. The system of claim 25, wherein said rearview mirror system has a switch, which turns on/off said system by controlling said motor.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said rearview mirror is driven back to original position as the vehicle goes straight if said switch of said rearview mirror system is OFF.