US 5,694,259 AGranted

Apparatus for automating the adjustment of rearview mirrors

OwnerBertil A. Brandininventor

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for automating the orientation of a selected mirror mounted on a vehicle. The apparatus includes location apparatus for sensing the location of the driver's eyes, a computer controller, and a mirror positioning mechanism. The location apparatus may include various types of distance sensors and orientation detectors. The controller determines the desired orientation of the selected mirror based upon the position of the driver's eyes, known vehicle parameters and vision parameters, and generates control signals. The mirror positioning mechanism receives the control signals and positions the mirror in response thereto. The subject method includes the steps of determining the coordinates of the eyes of an individual using the mirror, determining the desired orientation of the mirror based upon these coordinates and the center point of the mirror and the reflected sightline vector, and then adjusting the orientation of one or more selected mirrors to enable the individual to see a pre-selected reflected sightline.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A motor vehicle mirror system for automatically adjusting sideview mirrors for prescribed side rearview visibility of a motor vehicle driver seat occupant based upon a adjustment of a central interior mirror, said mirror system comprising:

a central interior mirror constructed and arranged to be oriented by a motor vehicle driver seat occupant for central rearview visibility;
sideview mirrors disposed on opposite exterior sides of the motor vehicle and being adjustable for rearview visibility at opposite sides of the motor vehicle;
an orientation detector operatively connected with said central mirror and being constructed and arranged to detect the orientation of said central mirror and to generate electrical signals indicative of the detected orientation of said central mirror;
an electronic controller electrically connected with said orientation detector and which utilizes said electrical signals generated by said orientation detector to approximate a location of a single point within the driver seat occupant's head about which the occupant's head pivots to view said central mirror and said sideview mirrors, said electronic controller generating controller output signals based upon said approximate location of said single point;
and
electrically operated motor mechanisms each connected with a respective one of said sideview mirrors, said motor mechanisms being responsive to said controller output signals to orient said sideview mirrors for side rearview visibility by the driver seat occupant at opposite sides of the motor vehicle based upon said approximate location of said single single point about which the driver seat occupant's head pivots, said motor mechanisms orienting said sideview mirrors to reflect prescribed side rearview light rays towards said single point within the driver seat occupant's head to enable side rearview vision of said light rays when the driver seat occupant's head is pivoted to view said sideview mirrors.

3 more elements

A mirror system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a movable central mirror constructed and arranged to be oriented by a motor vehicle driver seat occupant for optimal central rearview visibility;
a central mirror orientation detector connected with said movable central mirror and being constructed and arranged to detect the orientation of said central mirror and to generate electrical signals indicative of the detected orientation of said movable central mirror;
a driver's sideview mirror disposed on the exterior driver's side of the motor vehicle constructed and arranged to be oriented by said motor vehicle driver seat occupant for optimal rearview visibility at the driver's side of the vehicle;
a driver's sideview mirror orientation detector connected with said driver's sideview mirror and being constructed and arranged to detect the orientation of said driver's sideview mirror and to generate electrical signals indicative of the detected orientation of said driver's sideview mirror;
an electronic controller for receiving said electrical signals generated by said central mirror orientation detector connected with said movable central mirror and said electrical signals generated by said driver's sideview mirror orientation detector connected with said driver's sideview mirror, and for approximating a location of a single point within said driver seat occupant's head about which said occupant's head pivots to view said central mirror and said driver's sideview mirror, aid electronic controller generating controller output signals based upon said approximate location of said single point;
a passenger sideview mirror disposed on the exterior passenger's side of the motor vehicle and being adjustable for rearview visibility at the passenger's side of the motor vehicle;
and
an electrically operated motor mechanism connected with said passenger's sideview mirror and being operable in response to said controller output signals, said electrically operated motor mechanism being constructed and arranged to automatically orient said passenger's sideview mirror for rearview visibility by the driver seat occupant at said passenger's side of the motor vehicle based upon said controller output signals.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/475,909Filed 7 Jun 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 10 Jan 1995
Granted: 2 Dec 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

B60R 1/02
Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or…:…
B60R 1/07
With remote control for adjusting position: by electrically powered actuators
B60R
Vehicle fittings and parts