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 lest 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.
Claims46
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle having a vehicle communication network, comprising:
- an exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing and a reflective element positioned within said housing, said reflective element mechanically coupled with an actuator which adjustably positions said reflective element about at least one axis;
- a microprocessor-based control positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly, said control controlling a plurality of devices positioned at said exterior mirror assembly, said plurality of devices comprising at least two devices selected from the group consisting of an intrusion detector, an intelligent vehicle highway system, a global positioning system, a garage door opener system, a keyless entry system, a blind spot detection system, an interactive dynamically adjustable mirror system, a turn signal incorporated in said exterior rearview mirror assembly, a stop signal incorporated in said exterior rearview mirror assembly, a security light incorporated in said exterior rearview mirror assembly, a heater element in heat transfer association with said reflective element, an antenna, an electro-optical element, a light sensor, a heading sensor, a position encoder, said actuator for adjustably positioning said reflective element, and an image capture device;
- and
- said control interfacing with the vehicle communication network in order to send to and/or receive data from the vehicle communication network.
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle having a vehicle communication network, comprising:
- an exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing and a reflective element positioned within said housing, said reflective element mechanically coupled with an actuator which adjustably positions said reflective element about at least one axis;
- a control positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly, said control controlling a plurality of devices positioned at said exterior mirror assembly, said plurality of devices comprising at least two devices selected from the group consisting of an intrusion detector, an intelligent vehicle highway system, a global positioning system, a garage door opener system, a keyless entry system, a blind spot detection system, an interactive dynamically adjustable mirror system, a turn signal incorporated in said exterior rearview mirror assembly, a stop signal incorporated in said exterior rearview mirror assembly, a security light incorporated in said exterior rearview mirror assembly, a heater element in heat transfer association with said reflective element, an antenna, an electro-optical element, a light sensor, a heading sensor, a position encoder, said actuator for adjustably positioning said reflective element, and an image capture device;
- said control in serial communication with the vehicle communication network in order to send to and/or receive data from the vehicle communication network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.