Video mirror system for a vehicle

• US 7,619,508 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2008
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R., Lindahl, John O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L
• Application Number:
  US12/061,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20080186724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/425.5, 348/148, 348/151, 362/494
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/58 Auxiliary devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• 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 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/74 for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps general lighting mounted on specific fittings B60Q3/20; general lighting for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/43
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/82 Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/003 for viewing trailer hitches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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 1/29 for viewing an area inside the vehicle, e.g. for viewing passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• 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 2011/0026 : Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 : Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 : collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 : with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 : around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0282 : for the use of several passengers, e.g. simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 : Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 : Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/10 : characterised by the type of camera system used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/20 : characterised by the type of display used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/308 : by overlaying the real scene, e.g. through a head-up display on the windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 : for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/808 : for facilitating docking to a trailer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 : comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 : comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 : Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 : Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 : Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 : Recognising seat occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 : for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 : Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 : Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3648 : using an active matrix G09G3/367 - G09G3/3696 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 : for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 : provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 : by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 : by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 : Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with an electrochromic reflective element having a front portion and a rear portion generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element has an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has a transflective third-surface mirror reflector that is at least 15 percent transmitting to visible light and that is at least 40 percent reflective to visible light. A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector. The video display is back lit by at least one light source, and the video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a transflective mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

wherein said transflective mirror reflector is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident thereon;

a video display disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, said video display emitting light when actuated that passes through said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing said front portion of said reflective mirror element;

wherein said video display is back lit by at least one light source; and

wherein said video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

2. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror assembly comprises at least one of (a) a user input for a wireless communication between the vehicle and a remote location, (b) at least one microphone, (c) a compass direction display and (d) a garage door opener transmitter.

3. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises one of (i) a cold cathode vacuum fluorescent light source and (ii) a light emitting diode.

4. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said video display comprises a liquid crystal video display, (b) said video display comprises a thin film transistor liquid crystal video display, (c) said at least one light source comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes, and (d) said at least one light source at least four white light emitting light emitting diodes.

5. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said at least one light source comprises at least one white light emitting light emitting diode that passes a forward current of at least about 100 milliamps when operated at its operating voltage, and (b) said at least one light source comprises at least one white light emitting light emitting diode that passes a forward current of at least about 250 milliamps when operated at its operating voltage.

6. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display comprises at least one of (a) a back lit liquid crystal display element, (b) a back lit thin film transistor liquid crystal display element, (c) a multi-pixel display element, (d) a back lit liquid crystal display that is back lit by at least one white light emitting light emitting diode, (e) a back lit liquid crystal display that is back lit by at least two white light emitting light emitting diodes, and (f) a back lit liquid crystal display that is back lit by at least four white light emitting light emitting diodes.

7. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display displays video images captured by a video camera of the vehicle in which said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed.

8. The video mirror system of claim 7, wherein said video camera comprises a rear back-up camera.

9. The video mirror system of claim 8, wherein video images captured by said rear back-up camera are displayed by said video display when the driver of the vehicle, when operating the vehicle, selects a reverse gear.

10. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode having an operating voltage in a range of about 1 volt to about 5 volts and wherein said light emitting diode emits white light with a luminous flux of at least about 25 lumens when operated at its operating voltage.

11. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror assembly connects to a vehicle network system, and wherein said vehicle network system comprises at least one of a CAN network and a LIN network.

12. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror assembly comprises a heat dissipation element for dissipating heat generated upon actuation of said at least one light source and wherein said heat dissipation element comprises a heat dissipation surface area of one of (a) at least about 1 square inch and (b) at least about 2.5 square inches.

13. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror assembly comprises a heat dissipation element for dissipating heat generated upon actuation of said at least one light source and wherein said heat dissipating element comprises a metal.

14. The video mirror system of claim 13, wherein said metal comprises at least one of copper, a copper alloy, aluminum and brass.

15. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode that dissipates at least about 0.5 watt of power when operated, and wherein said light emitting diode comprises an Indium Gallium Nitride light emitting diode.

16. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode and wherein a pulse width modulated duty cycle voltage is applied to power said light emitting diode.

17. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode incorporated in a light module, and wherein said light module includes a light piping element and wherein said light emitting diode optically couples with said light piping element.

18. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode and wherein at least one of (a) the junction of said light emitting diode is maintained at a temperature less than about 130 degrees Celsius, (b) the junction of said light emitting diode is maintained at a temperature less than about 100 degrees Celsius, and (c) the junction of said light emitting diode is maintained at a temperature less than about 70 degrees Celsius.

19. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode and includes a surround for directing light emitted by said light emitting diode, and wherein at least one of (a) said surround comprises an optical surface and (b) said surround comprises a light reflective surface.

20. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a white light emitting light emitting diode and wherein at least one of (a) said white light emitting light emitting diode emits with a luminous efficiency of at least about 1 lumen per watt, (b) said white light emitting light emitting diode emits with a luminous efficiency of at least about 4 lumens per watt, and (c) said white light emitting light emitting diode emits with a luminous efficiency of at least about 7 lumens per watt.

21. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a transflective mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

wherein said transflective mirror reflector is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident thereon;

a video display disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, said video display emitting light when actuated that passes through said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing said front portion of said reflective mirror element;

wherein said video display is back lit by a light source, and wherein said light source comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and wherein a pulse width modulated duty cycle voltage is applied to power said white light emitting light emitting diodes; and

wherein said video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

22. The video mirror system of claim 21, wherein said video display comprises a thin film transistor liquid crystal video display.

23. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a transflective mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

wherein said transflective mirror reflector is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident thereon;

wherein said mirror assembly comprises at least one of (a) a user input for a wireless communication between the vehicle and a remote location, (b) at least one microphone, (c) a compass direction display and (d) a garage door opener transmitter;

a video display disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, said video display emitting light when actuated that passes through said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing said front portion of said reflective mirror element;

wherein said video display is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes; and

wherein said video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

24. The video mirror system of claim 23, wherein said video display comprises a thin film transistor liquid crystal video display.

25. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a transflective mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

wherein said transflective mirror reflector is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident thereon;

a video display disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, said video display emitting light when actuated that passes through said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing said front portion of said reflective mirror element;

wherein said video display is back lit by at least one white light emitting light emitting diode and wherein said at least one white light emitting light emitting diode emits with a luminous efficiency of at least about 1 lumen per watt; and

wherein said video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

26. The video mirror system of claim 25, wherein a pulse width modulated duty cycle voltage is applied to power said at least one white light emitting light emitting diode.

27. The video mirror system of claim 26, wherein said mirror assembly comprises a heat dissipation element for dissipating heat generated upon actuation of said at least one white light emitting light emitting diode and wherein said heat dissipating element comprises a metal.

28. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said at least one white light emitting light emitting diode dissipates at least about 0.5 watt of power when operated.

29. The video mirror system of claim 28, wherein said at least one white light emitting light emitting diode comprises at least one Indium Gallium Nitride light emitting diode.

30. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element having a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a transflective mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

wherein said transflective mirror reflector is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident thereon;

wherein said mirror assembly connects to a vehicle network system;

a video display disposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element, said video display emitting light when actuated that passes through said transflective mirror reflector of said reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing said front portion of said reflective mirror element;

wherein said video display is back lit by at least one light emitting diode and includes a surround for directing light emitted by said light emitting diode; and

wherein said video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

31. The video mirror system of claim 30, wherein said surround comprises an optical surface.

32. The video mirror system of claim 30, wherein said surround comprises a light reflective surface.