Vehicle mirror digital network and dynamically interactive mirror system
AssigneeDonnelly Corporation
InventorsDesmond J. O'Farrell, Roger L. Veldman, Kenneth Schofield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle rear vision system includes at least two rearview assemblies each having an image transfer device for transferring images rearwardly of the vehicle in order to be observable by a driver. A rear vision communication system is provided to effect communication between the rearview assemblies. The rear vision communication system also includes a communication link with the vehicle multiplex communication network. The vehicle rear vision system may include an interactive dynamic position control, which repositions each mirror in the system in response to a change in the position of one mirror in a manner which allows the mirror aim to track a driver's eye position.
Claims44
A vehicle rear vision system for a vehicle having a vehicle communication network, comprising:
- at least two rearview assemblies, each including an image transfer device for transferring images rearwardly of the vehicle in order to be observable by a vehicle driver and a housing for the image transfer device;
- and
- a rear vision communication system providing communication between said rearview assemblies and including a communication link defined by a node interconnected with the vehicle communication network;
- wherein communication with other portions of the vehicle is provided while control commands for functions associated with said at least two rearview assemblies are handled without requiring access to the vehicle communication network.
A vehicle rear vision system for a vehicle having a vehicle communication network, comprising:
- at least two rearview assemblies, each including an image transfer device for transferring images rearwardly of the vehicle in order to be observable by a vehicle driver and a housing for the image transfer device;
- and
- a rear vision communication system including control modules in said rearview assemblies interconnected by a communication channel defining a rear vision communication network, at least one of said control modules effecting communication between said control modules and the vehicle communication network;
- wherein said rear vision communication network has a particular message definition and protocol which are different from those of the vehicle communication network.
A vehicle rear vision system for a vehicle having a vehicle communication network, comprising:
- an interior rearview mirror assembly and at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly, each including an electro-optic reflective element and a housing for the reflective element;
- said interior rearview mirror assembly including a microprocessor-based control having a control channel to establish a partial reflectance level of the associated electro-optic reflective element;
- said at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly including a microprocessor-based control having a first control channel to establish a partial reflectance level of the associated electro-optic reflective element, a second control channel to selectively activate a heater element in heat transfer association with the associated electro-optic reflective element, a third control channel to operate a positioning device for the associated electro-optic reflective element and a fourth control channel for receiving positional data from an encoder coupled with the associated electro-optic reflective element;
- and
- a communication channel interconnecting said microprocessor-based controls defining a rear vision communication network;
- wherein one of said microprocessor-based controls includes a hardware node configured to interconnect with the vehicle communication network and is programmed to format messages for the vehicle communication network and decode messages from the vehicle communication network.
A vehicle interactive dynamically adjustable mirror system, comprising:
- a first mirror assembly having a first reflective element and a first actuator which positions said first reflective element to a first position;
- a second mirror assembly having a second reflective element and a second actuator which positions said second reflective element to a second position;
- said first reflective element establishing a first field of view of said first reflective element that is driver selectable by user actuation of said first actuator to reposition said first reflective element;
- and
- a control which is responsive to the position of said first reflective element to operate said second actuator to reposition said second reflective element establishing a second field of view in response to repositioning said first reflective element;
- wherein driver adjustment of said first reflective element to said first field of view causes said second reflective element to reposition to said second field of view in order that the driver is provided with satisfactory rearward vision from said first and second reflective elements for safe operation of the vehicle.
A vehicle interactive dynamically adjustable mirror system, comprising:
- a first mirror assembly having a first reflective element and a first position sensor which senses the position of said first reflective element;
- a second mirror assembly having a second reflective element and an actuator which positions said second reflective element to a second position;
- said first reflective element establishing a first field of view of said first reflective element that is driver selectable by manually grasping a portion of said first mirror assembly;
- and
- a control which is responsive to said first position sensor to operate said second actuator to reposition said second reflective element establishing a second field of view in response to repositioning said first reflective element;
- wherein driver adjustment of said first reflective element to said first field of view causes said second reflective element to reposition to said second field of view in order that the driver is provided with satisfactory rearward vision from said first and second reflective elements for safe operation of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.