Monitoring device for vehicles, in particular, motor vehicles

• US 6,703,925 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Steffel, Hans-Clemens
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Toan Ngoc
• APPLICATION: US 20010022550A1
• Time in patent office: 1138 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/815.4, 340/426, 340/433, 340/937, 348/148, 348/151
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants

Abstract

A monitoring device for vehicles has a housing and at least one mirror glass arranged in the housing so as to have a front side facing an observer. The at least one mirror glass has a reflective layer being reflective in the visible spectral range of light. At least one camera is arranged behind the reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from the front side. The monitoring device can be used for driver identification, monitoring the driver'"'"'s condition, identifying passengers and passenger positions, controlling airbags, theft surveillance, and similar purposes.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for vehicles, said monitoring device comprising:

a housing;

at least one electrochromic mirror glass arranged in said housing so as to have a front side facing an observer;

said at least one electrochromic mirror glass comprising a reflective layer being reflective in the visible spectral range of light;

at least one camera arranged behind said reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from said front side, wherein said at least one camera takes images through the reflective layer wherein said electrochromic mirror glass has an electrochromic layer and wherein said reflective layer is arranged behind said view direction.

2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of an interference reflective layer, a chromium reflective layer, a titanium reflective layer, and a titanium-chromium reflective layer.

3. The monitoring device according to claim 1, comprising an auxiliary lighting unit configured to provide additional light for said at least one camera.

4. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit emits light of a wavelength able to pass through said reflective layer.

5. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit emits light having a wavelength outside of the visible spectral range of light.

6. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit comprises light-emitting diodes.

7. The monitoring device according to claim 6, wherein said light emitting diodes emit light in the infrared range.

8. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit is arranged behind said reflective layer in said viewing direction.

9. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein said auxiliary lighting unit comprises light-emitting diodes arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.

10. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein said housing and said mirror glass form an interior rearview mirror, wherein said housing has a rim, and wherein said auxiliary lighting unit comprises light-emitting diodes arranged on said rim of said housing.

11. The monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein said rim is comprised of a material that is opaque to the human eye.

12. The monitoring device according to claim 1, comprising an image-transmitting fiber bundle connected to said at least one camera.

13. The monitoring device according to claim 12, wherein said fiber bundle has an optical head resting against a backside of said mirror glass.

14. The monitoring device according to claim 12, wherein said fiber bundle has an optical head and is arranged together with said optical head on said rim.

15. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one camera comprises a low light level intensifier.

16. The monitoring device according to claim 15, wherein said low light level intensifier is arranged behind said mirror glass in said viewing direction.