Automotive blind spot safety system and method

• US 7,517,099 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur Andre Hannah
• Original Assignee: Arthur Andre Hannah
• Inventors: Hannah, Arthur Andre
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer; Ricky D
• Application Number:
  US10/937,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20060056086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,677 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/843, 359/877, 359/900, 340/903, 340/458, 340/459, 340/464, 362/494
• US Class Current: 359/841
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/535 to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/006 indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

A blind spot safety system includes a side view mirror assembly. The side view mirror assembly includes a mirror housing attached to an automobile, a power supply, an adjustment motor, a mirror adjustment mechanism, and an adjustable mirror. A blind spot mirror track is incorporated into the mirror housing. The track'"'"'s distal end is co-located with the blind spot mirror port. The blind spot mirror is slidingly attached inside the track. The blind spot motor and linkage assembly are attached to the mirror housing, the blind spot mirror and power supply. A signaling circuit is attached to the power supply and the blind spot motor, and it relays signals from the automobile computer, directing the blind spot mirror to extend or retract. A defroster prevents freezing and a proximity detector monitors blind spots and directs the operation of hazard indicators attached to the side view mirror assembly.

Claims

1. A method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system, comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring for a predetermined automobile parameter, the predetermined automobile parameter including one or more of an ambient temperature from a temperature sensor, a potential hazard input from at least one proximity sensor, a first vehicle velocity and direction input, and a first vehicle computer input;

(b) detecting the predetermined automobile parameter, including the steps of

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter comprises an input from at the least one proximity sensor, detecting the input from at least one proximity sensor;

(b2) determining when the input from at least one proximity sensor indicates at least one object within the vehicle blind spot;

(b3) signaling a blind spot safety indicator array via a signaling circuit;

(b4) illuminating the blind spot safety indicator array;

(b5) determining when the at least one object is not within the vehicle blind spot;

(b6) signaling the blind spot safety array; and

(b7) extinguishing the blind spot safety indicator array;

(c) signaling a blind spot mirror motor via the signaling circuit;

(d) extending a blind spot mirror that is incorporated into a side view mirror housing, including

a blind spot mirror track incorporated into the side view mirror housing having a side view mirror, the track and the blind spot mirror therein being generally parallel with the orientation of the side view mirror and having a proximal end within the side view mirror housing and a distal end co-located with a blind spot mirror port adjacent an edge of the side view mirror housing, the blind spot mirror slidingly attached inside the blind spot mirror track and powered by the blind spot mirror motor attached to the interior of the side view mirror housing, the blind spot mirror and a power supply; and

(e) retracting the blind spot mirror upon achieving a second predetermined automobile parameter, the second predetermined automobile parameter including one of a predetermined minimum temperature threshold, a predetermined time period, a predetermined proximity sensor input, a second vehicle velocity and direction input, and a second vehicle computer input.

2. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(a1) monitoring the ambient temperature with a temperature sensor for a predetermined minimum temperature parameter; and

(a2) achieving a predetermined minimum temperature parameter.

3. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter comprises an automobile defroster operation signal, actuating a blind spot safety mirror defroster; and

(b2) when the automobile defroster operation signal is not detected, terminating the operation of the blind spot safety mirror defroster.

4. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter comprises a minimum temperature threshold signal, suspending operation of the blind spot safety mirror motor;

(b2) actuating a blind spot safety mirror defroster;

(b3) heating the blind spot mirror above a predetermined minimum temperature threshold;

(b4) resuming blind spot safety mirror operation; and

(b5) terminating the defroster operation.

5. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

(b1) when the predetermined automobile parameter is an automobile defroster operation signal, actuating a blind spot safety mirror defroster; and

(b2) when the automobile defroster operation signal ceases, terminating the blind spot safety mirror defroster operation.

6. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, wherein step (b2) further comprises the steps of:

(i) determining when the at least one proximity sensor detects at least one object within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

7. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, wherein step (b4) further comprises the steps of:

(i) illuminating a red indicator in the blind spot safety indicator array when at least one object is detected within the vehicle blind spot; and

(ii) illuminating an amber indicator in the blind spot safety indicator array when at least one object is detected within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

8. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, wherein step (b5) further comprises the steps of:

(i) determining when the at least one object is not within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

9. The method of operating an automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, wherein step (b7) further comprises the steps of:

(i) extinguishing a red indicator when no object is detected within the vehicle blind spot; and

(ii) extinguishing a amber indicator when no object is detected within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

10. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1 wherein the side mirror housing is attached to the automobile, wherein the power supply is routed into the side view mirror housing, a side view adjustment motor attached inside the side view mirror housing, a side view mirror adjustment mechanism attached to the side view mirror housing and the side view adjustment mechanism, wherein the side view mirror is adjustably attached to the side view mirror adjustment mechanism;

and wherein the signaling circuit is attached to the power supply and the blind spot mirror motor, wherein the signaling circuit relays a signal from the automobile computer directing the blind spot mirror to extend or retract through the blind spot mirror port in response to at least one of the predetermined automobile parameters, the blind spot mirror providing a view into the automobile'"'"'s blind spot without compromising an existing mirror'"'"'s view.

11. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 10, wherein the proximity sensor is attached to the side view mirror housing, the power supply and the signaling circuit.

12. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 11, wherein the blind spot safety indicator array is attached to the side view mirror housing and linked to the signaling circuit and the proximity sensor and attached to the power supply.

13. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 12, wherein the safety indicator array comprises a plurality of visual indicators wherein each of the plurality of visual indicators represents a different potential hazard level.

14. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined automobile parameters comprise vehicle transmission inputs.

15. The automotive blind spot safety system of claim 1, further comprising a defroster unit attached inside the side view mirror housing and linked to the power supply and the signaling circuit, the defroster unit comprising a temperature sensor, a thermostatic controller and a heating element.