U.S. patent application number 16/170075 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-25 for full mirror display utilizing a trailer camera.
The applicant listed for this patent is Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rodney K. Blank, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Christopher R. Koetje.
Application Number | 20190118717 16/170075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66170446 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190118717 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blank; Rodney K. ; et
al. |
April 25, 2019 |
FULL MIRROR DISPLAY UTILIZING A TRAILER CAMERA
Abstract
A video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror
assembly and a video display screen disposed in a mirror head and
behind a reflective element of the mirror assembly. When the video
mirror system is operating in a mirror mode, the video display
screen is deactivated and the reflective element provides a
reflected rearward view for the driver of the vehicle. When the
video mirror system is in a display mode, the video display screen
is activated and displays video images viewable through the
reflective element. The video display screen, when activated,
displays video images derived from image data captured by a
vehicle-mounted rear viewing camera or, with a trailer hitched to
the vehicle, a trailer-mounted rear viewing camera. The displayed
video images may correspond to a rearward view similar to the field
of view provided by the reflective element when in the mirror
mode.
Inventors: |
Blank; Rodney K.; (Zeeland,
MI) ; Koetje; Christopher R.; (Zeeland, MI) ;
Foley, IV; Patrick M.; (Nunica, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Magna Mirrors of America, Inc. |
Holland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66170446 |
Appl. No.: |
16/170075 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62584304 |
Nov 10, 2017 |
|
|
|
62576776 |
Oct 25, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2001/1253 20130101;
H04N 7/183 20130101; B60R 1/04 20130101; B60R 1/12 20130101; H04N
7/181 20130101; B60R 1/002 20130101; B60R 2300/8046 20130101; B60R
2300/105 20130101; B60R 2300/8066 20130101; B60R 1/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 1/12 20060101
B60R001/12; B60R 1/04 20060101 B60R001/04; B60R 1/00 20060101
B60R001/00; H04N 7/18 20060101 H04N007/18 |
Claims
1. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system
comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a
mirror head, said mirror head accommodating a transflective mirror
reflective element; wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly
is mounted at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with said
video mirror system; a display device comprising a video display
screen disposed in said mirror head and accommodated behind said
transflective mirror reflective element, said transflective mirror
reflective element comprising a transflective mirror reflector;
wherein said video display screen, when activated, displays video
images viewable through said transflective mirror reflective
element, and wherein said video display screen, when not activated,
is covert behind said transflective mirror reflective element; a
vehicle-mounted rear viewing camera disposed at a rear portion of
the vehicle and having a field of view at least rearward of the
vehicle; a trailer-mounted rear viewing camera disposed at a
trailer that is configured to be hitched to the vehicle and that
has a field of view at least rearward of the trailer; wherein said
video mirror system operates in a mirror mode or a display mode
responsive to actuation of a user input by a driver of the vehicle;
wherein, when said video mirror system operates in the mirror mode,
said video display screen is not activated and said transflective
mirror reflector of said transflective mirror reflective element
provides a mirror-reflected rearward view for the driver of the
vehicle; wherein, when said video mirror system operates in the
display mode, said video display screen is activated and displays
video images through said transflective mirror reflector of said
transflective mirror reflective element that are viewable by the
driver viewing said transflective mirror reflective element;
wherein said video display screen, when said video mirror system is
operating in the display mode, and with no trailer hitched to the
vehicle, displays video images derived from image data captured by
the vehicle-mounted rear viewing camera; wherein said video display
screen, when said video mirror system is operating in the display
mode, and with the trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing
camera hitched to the vehicle, displays video images derived from
image data captured by the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera; and
wherein the displayed video images provide a rearward view that is
similar to the mirror-reflected rearward view provided by said
transflective mirror reflector of said transflective mirror
reflective element when said video mirror system operates in the
mirror mode.
2. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein the trailer-mounted
rear viewing camera comprises an analog camera.
3. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein the trailer-mounted
rear viewing camera comprises an imaging array having at least one
million pixels.
4. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said trailer-mounted
rear viewing camera comprises an imaging array having at least two
million pixels.
5. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video mirror
system, responsive to determination of hitching to the vehicle of
the trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera,
automatically switches to the display mode and said video display
screen displays video images derived from image data captured by
the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
6. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein, when said video
mirror system is operating in the display mode, and with the
trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera hitched to the
vehicle, and responsive to the vehicle shifting to a forward gear,
said video display screen displays video images derived from
captured image data at an upper region of the field of view of the
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
7. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein, when said video
mirror system is operating in the display mode, and with the
trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera hitched to the
vehicle, and responsive to the vehicle shifting to a reverse gear,
said video display screen displays video images derived from
captured image data at a lower region of the field of view of the
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
8. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said display device
is in wireless communication with said trailer-mounted rear viewing
camera.
9. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-mounted
rear viewing camera comprises a digital camera, and wherein the
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera comprises an analog camera.
10. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror head
and said transflective mirror reflective element are adjustable
relative to the interior portion of the vehicle between (i) a
mirror mode orientation, where said video mirror system operates in
the mirror mode and the driver of the vehicle views rearward of the
vehicle via said transflective mirror reflective element, and (ii)
a display mode orientation, where said video mirror system operates
in the display mode and said video display screen is activated and
the driver of the vehicle views displayed video images through said
transflective mirror reflective element.
11. The video mirror system of claim 10, wherein said mirror head
and said transflective mirror reflective element pivot about a
horizontal pivot axis between the mirror mode orientation and the
display mode orientation.
12. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein the interior
portion of the vehicle comprises an in-cabin surface of a
windshield of the vehicle.
13. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system
comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a
mirror head, said mirror head accommodating a transflective mirror
reflective element; wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly
is mounted at an in-cabin surface of a windshield of a vehicle
equipped with said video mirror system; a display device comprising
a video display screen disposed in said mirror head and
accommodated behind said transflective mirror reflective element,
said transflective mirror reflective element comprising a
transflective mirror reflector; wherein said video display screen,
when activated, displays video images viewable through said
transflective mirror reflective element, and wherein said video
display screen, when not activated, is covert behind said
transflective mirror reflective element; a vehicle-mounted rear
viewing camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having
a field of view at least rearward of the vehicle; a trailer-mounted
rear viewing camera disposed at a trailer that is configured to be
hitched to the vehicle and that has a field of view at least
rearward of the trailer; wherein said video mirror system operates
in a mirror mode or a display mode responsive to actuation of a
user input by a driver of the vehicle; wherein, when said video
mirror system operates in the mirror mode, said video display
screen is not activated and said transflective mirror reflector of
said transflective mirror reflective element provides a
mirror-reflected rearward view for the driver of the vehicle;
wherein, when said video mirror system operates in the display
mode, said video display screen is activated and displays video
images through said transflective mirror reflector of said
transflective mirror reflective element that are viewable by the
driver viewing said transflective mirror reflective element;
wherein said video display screen, when said video mirror system is
operating in the display mode, and with no trailer hitched to the
vehicle, displays video images derived from image data captured by
the vehicle-mounted rear viewing camera; wherein said video display
screen, when said video mirror system is operating in the display
mode, and with the trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing
camera hitched to the vehicle, displays video images derived from
image data captured by the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera; and
wherein said video mirror system, responsive to determination of
hitching to the vehicle of the trailer with the trailer-mounted
rear viewing camera, automatically switches to the display mode and
said video display screen displays video images derived from image
data captured by the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
14. The video mirror system of claim 13, wherein, when said video
mirror system is operating in the display mode, and with the
trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera hitched to the
vehicle, and responsive to the vehicle shifting to a forward gear,
said video display screen displays video images derived from
captured image data at an upper region of the field of view of the
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
15. The video mirror system of claim 13, wherein, when said video
mirror system is operating in the display mode, and with the
trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera hitched to the
vehicle, and responsive to the vehicle shifting to a reverse gear,
said video display screen displays video images derived from
captured image data at a lower region of the field of view of the
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
16. The video mirror system of claim 13, wherein said display
device is in wireless communication with said trailer-mounted rear
viewing camera.
17. The video mirror system of claim 13, wherein said mirror head
and said transflective mirror reflective element are adjustable
relative to the windshield of the vehicle between (i) a mirror mode
orientation, where said video mirror system operates in the mirror
mode and the driver of the vehicle views rearward of the vehicle
via said transflective mirror reflective element, and (ii) a
display mode orientation, where said video mirror system operates
in the display mode and said video display screen is activated and
the driver of the vehicle views displayed video images through said
transflective mirror reflective element, and wherein said mirror
head and said transflective mirror reflective element pivot about a
horizontal pivot axis between the mirror mode orientation and the
display mode orientation.
18. A video mirror system for a vehicle, said video mirror system
comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a
mirror head, said mirror head accommodating a transflective mirror
reflective element; wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly
is mounted at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with said
video mirror system; a display device comprising a video display
screen disposed in said mirror head and accommodated behind said
transflective mirror reflective element, said transflective mirror
reflective element comprising a transflective mirror reflector;
wherein said video display screen, when activated, displays video
images viewable through said transflective mirror reflective
element, and wherein said video display screen, when not activated,
is covert behind said transflective mirror reflective element; a
vehicle-mounted rear viewing camera disposed at a rear portion of
the vehicle and having a field of view at least rearward of the
vehicle; a trailer-mounted rear viewing camera disposed at a
trailer that is configured to be hitched to the vehicle and that
has a field of view at least rearward of the trailer; wherein said
video mirror system operates in a mirror mode or a display mode
responsive to actuation of a user input by a driver of the vehicle;
wherein, when said video mirror system operates in the mirror mode,
said video display screen is not activated and said transflective
mirror reflector of said transflective mirror reflective element
provides a mirror-reflected rearward view for the driver of the
vehicle; wherein, when said video mirror system operates in the
display mode, said video display screen is activated and displays
video images through said transflective mirror reflector of said
transflective mirror reflective element that are viewable by the
driver viewing said transflective mirror reflective element;
wherein said video display screen, when said video mirror system is
operating in the display mode, and with no trailer hitched to the
vehicle, displays video images derived from image data captured by
the vehicle-mounted rear viewing camera; wherein said video display
screen, when said video mirror system is operating in the display
mode, and with the trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing
camera hitched to the vehicle, and responsive to the vehicle
shifting to a forward gear, displays video images derived from
captured image data at an upper region of the field of view of the
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera; and wherein said video display
screen, when said video mirror system is operating in the display
mode, and with the trailer with the trailer-mounted rear viewing
camera hitched to the vehicle, and responsive to the vehicle
shifting to a reverse gear, displays video images derived from
captured image data at a lower region of the field of view of the
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
19. The video mirror system of claim 18, wherein said display
device is in wireless communication with said trailer-mounted rear
viewing camera.
20. The video mirror system of claim 19, wherein said display
device, responsive to receipt of a wireless communication from said
trailer-mounted rear viewing camera indicative of the trailer with
the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera being hitched to the
vehicle, automatically switches to the display mode and said video
display screen displays video images derived from image data
captured by the trailer-mounted rear viewing camera.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 62/584,304, filed Nov. 10, 2017,
and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/576,776, filed Oct.
25, 2017, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to interior rearview mirror
systems and, more particularly, to an interior rearview mirror
system having a display at the interior rearview mirror for viewing
by the driver of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide a mirror assembly that is adjustably
mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle, such as via a double
ball pivot or joint mounting configuration where the mirror casing
and reflective element are adjusted relative to the interior
portion of a vehicle by pivotal movement about the double ball
pivot configuration. The mirror casing and reflective element are
pivotable about either or both of the ball pivot joints by a user
that is adjusting a rearward field of view of the reflective
element. It is also generally known to provide a display screen at
the mirror assembly. A variety of interior and exterior mirror
assemblies with indicators and/or displays are known in the art,
such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663; 5,355,284; 5,788,357; 6,257,746;
6,005,724; 5,481,409; 6,111,683; 6,045,243; 6,264,353; 6,512,624;
6,356,376; 2,263,382; 2,580,014; 3,266,016; 4,499,451; 4,588,267;
4,630,904; 4,623,222; 4,721,364; 4,906,085; 5,313,335; 5,587,699;
5,575,552; 5,436,741; 5,587,699; 5,938,320; 6,700,692 and
5,786,772, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a vision system for
displaying video images of captured images for viewing by the
driver of the vehicle. A video display screen is disposed in the
vehicle cabin and is viewable at the interior rearview mirror
assembly. The display screen, when actuated, displays video images
derived from image data captured by a selected one of a vehicle
mounted rearward viewing camera that has a field of view rearward
of the vehicle, and a trailer mounted rearward viewing camera that
has a field of view rearward of a trailer being towed by the
vehicle. The displayed images comprise video images that correspond
to an unobstructed rearward view similar to the field of view
provided by the reflective element when in a mirror mode. The
trailer mounted rearward viewing camera comprises a high definition
analog camera having a resolution of at least one million
pixels.
[0005] Optionally, the trailer mounted rearward viewing camera may
comprise a high definition analog camera having a resolution of at
least two million pixels. Optionally, the vehicle mounted rearward
viewing camera may comprise a digital camera. Optionally, the
display device may comprise a video display screen that, responsive
to determination of the connection of a trailer with the trailer
mounted rearward viewing camera, displays video images derived from
image data captured by the trailer mounted rearward viewing
camera.
[0006] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror
assembly suitable for use with the display system of the present
invention;
[0008] FIGS. 2-4 are views of mirror assemblies with full screen
video displays and with optional user inputs;
[0009] FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views showing the mirror in its
mirror mode (FIG. 5) and in its display mode (FIG. 6);
[0010] FIG. 7 is a schematic showing the mirror display in
connection with an NTSC camera;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a schematic showing the mirror display in
connection with a digital camera;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a schematic showing the mirror display in
connection with a digital rear backup vehicle camera and an analog
trailer camera;
[0013] FIG. 10 is a schematic showing the mirror display in
connection with a digital rear backup vehicle camera and an HD
analog trailer camera;
[0014] FIG. 11 is a schematic showing the mirror display in
connection with a digital rear backup vehicle camera and HD analog
trailer cameras;
[0015] FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematics showing the mirror display in
connection with a digital rear backup vehicle camera and wirelessly
connected to a trailer camera;
[0016] FIG. 14 is a side elevation of a vehicle and trailer with
the camera and display system of the present invention, showing
camera views utilized for displaying different views when the
vehicle is driving forward and during reverse backup maneuvers;
and
[0017] FIG. 15 is a schematic showing the regions of the image data
captured by the trailer camera that are used for forward towing of
the trailer and reversing of the vehicle and trailer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, an interior rearview mirror assembly
10 for a vehicle includes a casing 12 that houses a reflective
element 14 and a display device, which provides a display area 16
visible to the driver of the vehicle through the reflective element
14 (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror assembly 10
is configured to be adjustably mounted to an interior portion of a
vehicle (such as to an interior or in-cabin surface of a vehicle
windshield or a headliner of a vehicle or the like) via a mounting
structure or mounting configuration or assembly 18. The casing 12
of the interior rearview mirror assembly 10 may house all or a
portion of the components of the interior rearview mirror assembly
10 and may be integrally formed with portions thereof.
[0019] The mirror head is tiltable or pivotable between a mirror
mode orientation, where the reflective element is positioned to
provide the desired driver's rearward field of view, and a display
mode orientation, where the mirror head is tilted upward or
downward relative to the mirror mode orientation, such that the
display is viewable by the driver while the reflective element
reflects light from rearward of the vehicle and incident thereon
upward or downward away from the driver's eyes. The mirror head
includes a full mirror display screen 15 and may be tiltable or
pivotable between the mirror mode orientation and the display mode
orientation via an actuator that is electrically powered to impart
a pivotal movement or flipping of the mirror head about a generally
horizontal pivot axis, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror
systems described in U.S. Publication Nos. US-2018-0251069;
US-2017-0355312; US-2017-0297498 and/or US-2016-0375833, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The
interior mirror thus can be used as a traditional mirror assembly,
but can also be changed to a video monitor, such as through a use
of a transflective surface and a high intensity display transposed
behind the transflective surface.
[0020] The present invention provides a display system that can
display video images across the entire reflective surface or active
reflective area (or substantially the entire reflective surface or
active reflective area) of an interior rearview mirror assembly.
The display system includes a display device disposed at an upper
region of the vehicle's interior cabin (or other location), such
that, when the mirror head is tilted or angled or otherwise
mechanically adjusted, the mirror reflective element reflects the
displayed image across the entire reflective surface for viewing by
the driver of the vehicle. For example, when the mirror head is
adjusted or the display device is not actuated (so that the mirror
functions in a "mirror mode"), the driver can view the rearward
field of view provided by the reflective element, but when the
mirror head is tilted or adjusted and/or when the display device is
actuated (so that the mirror functions in a "display mode"), the
displayed video images (such as derived from image data captured by
a rearward viewing camera) are viewable by the driver of the
vehicle, with the tilting of the mirror head causing the primary
reflection off of the reflective element to be out of the driver's
eyes (since it would be aimed up toward the headliner or down into
the cabin area instead of out the rear window).
[0021] The display screen preferably displays the captured video
images at the entire viewable portion of the display screen, in
order to provide relatively large displayed images for viewing by
the driver of the vehicle while the driver is normally operating
the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the user inputs are
touch or proximity sensors disposed at a portion of the display
screen. The video display screen, when normally operating to
display video images captured by the camera, may display the video
images over the entire display portion or active portion of the
display screen and, responsive to a user input (such as a user or
driver touching a portion of the display screen or touch screen),
may display icons or indicia at a portion of the display screen to
indicate where the user can touch to actuate or control the display
settings or the like. The user inputs or touch sensors may comprise
any suitable sensors or inputs, and may utilize aspects of the
inputs and sensors described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,224,324;
7,253,723; 7,255,451 and/or 8,154,418, and/or International
Publication Nos. WO 2012/051500; WO 2010/124064; WO 2011/044312; WO
2013/071070 and/or WO 2013/126719, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
[0022] Optionally, for example, an interior rearview mirror
assembly with a full screen display may not include any user inputs
or buttons or sensors, such as shown in FIG. 2. Optionally, the
interior mirror and display assembly may include touch sensors or
buttons (such as capacitive touch sensors or buttons) disposed
along a lower portion of the mirror bezel, such as shown in FIG. 3,
or along a widened lower portion of the bezel (such as shown in
FIG. 4). Optionally, a single touch sensor or button or user input
may be provided at the mirror, and may be customized for the
particular vehicle or application or the like.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mirror may function in a
mirror mode (FIG. 5), where the display is deactivated and the
driver views rearward via reflection at the mirror reflector of the
reflective element, or the mirror may function in a display mode
(FIG. 6), where the display is activated and the driver views the
displayed images at the mirror reflective element. The changes
between mirror mode and display mode may be responsive to a user
input, and the mirror head may automatically pivot (via an actuator
of the mirror assembly) to the appropriate orientation for the
selected mode, such as described above.
[0024] Optionally, when the system determines that a trailer
(having a trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera) is connected to
the vehicle (such as via the system receiving an output from the
trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera and/or a signal indicative
of hitching of the trailer to a hitch of the vehicle, such as a
signal indicative of a trailer wire harness (such as, for example,
a four pin or five pin or seven pin trailer wire harness)
connecting to a wire harness of the vehicle, or such as the display
device receiving a communication from the trailer-mounted camera
that is indicative of or representative of the trailer being
hitched to the vehicle), the display system automatically switches
to the display mode and displays video images derived from the
image data captured by the trailer-mounted rearward viewing
camera.
[0025] In such a situation, the switch to the display mode and
display of video images may be automatic upon determination of the
trailer hitching to the vehicle, or may be further responsive to
when the vehicle shifts to a forward or reverse gear or begins to
move in a forward or reverse direction (so that the driver sees, in
the mirror, the view rearward of the trailer and does not see the
trailer itself (as the driver would otherwise see if the system was
in the mirror mode). If the vehicle shifts to a forward gear, the
display may display video images derived from image data captured
by the trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera at an upper region
of the field of view of the trailer-mounted rearward viewing
camera. And if the vehicle shifts to a reverse gear, the display
may display video images derived from image data captured by the
trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera at a lower region of the
field of view of the trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera. Thus,
the system automatically provides the appropriate video images for
viewing by the driver of the vehicle to assist the driver during
forward or reversing driving maneuvers. The system may be
overridden via a user input, so that, even when a trailer (having
the trailer-mounted camera) is hitched to the vehicle, the driver
can select the mirror mode (such as via actuation of a user input
or the like).
[0026] The mirror system may include an electronically operable
actuator that is operable to adjust or pivot the mirror head
between the mirror mode orientation and the display mode
orientation. For example, the mirror actuator may move the mirror
head to the display mode orientation responsive to a user input or
responsive to the driver shifting the vehicle into a reverse gear,
whereby a rear backup camera is actuated and the display displays
video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup
camera.
[0027] The actuator thus performs the rotation of the mirror head
like a traditional manual flip-tab/toggle mechanism would. The
actuator pivots the mirror head of a full-size-video display inside
mirror so the mirror head can be used as an interior rearview
mirror (mirror mode) or as a full mirror display screen (display
mode). When the user hits a switch or button, the actuator tilts
the mirror and the digital display turns on. The tilting action
gets the primary reflection out of the driver's eyes as it would be
aimed up into the headliner or down into the cabin area instead of
out the rear window.
[0028] The display device is operable to display video images (such
as derived from image data captured by one or more cameras of the
vehicle, such as one or more cameras having rearward and/or
sideward exterior fields of view and/or one or more cameras having
interior fields of view in the cabin of the vehicle) when the
mirror head is in its display mode orientation. The display device
or module may utilize aspects of the modules described in
International Publication No. WO 2016/178190 and/or U.S.
Publication No. US-2014-0285666, which are all hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
[0029] The displayed video images are derived from image data or
images captured by one or more rearward viewing cameras. For
example, the rearward viewing camera may comprise an analog or NTSC
(National Television System Committee) camera that communicates
with the mirror display (such as via a LIN network of the vehicle)
and that provides an NTSC output to the mirror display, such as
shown in FIG. 7. Optionally, the rearward viewing camera may
comprise a digital camera (FIG. 8), which communicates with the
mirror display (such as via an I.sup.2C control or communication)
and which provides an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signal) output
to the mirror display.
[0030] Optionally, the display system may be operable to display
video images derived from image data or images captured by a
trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera, such that, when a trailer
is being towed by the vehicle (and thus when the trailer is
obstructing the driver's rearward field of view and the rearward
field of view of a vehicle-mounted rearward viewing camera), the
trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera (disposed at a rear portion
of the trailer and viewing rearward therefrom) may be in
communication with the mirror display, such that the mirror display
can display video images derived from image data or images captured
by the trailer camera to provide a rearward view to the driver of
the vehicle. For example, and such as shown in FIG. 9, the display
system may include a digital vehicle camera and an analog trailer
camera.
[0031] The trailer camera may be automatically enabled or may be
activated or enabled responsive to a user input or may be activated
or enabled via a vehicle network or the like. The mirror display is
operable to receive the digital input from the vehicle camera and
the analog input from the trailer camera, and displays the
respective video images responsive to the user selection or
determination that the trailer camera is connected and/or enabled.
For example, when no trailer is connected to the vehicle, the
display system displays (when shifted to the display mode, such as
via actuation of a user input or the like) video images derived
from image data captured by the vehicle camera, but when a trailer
is connected to the vehicle, the display system automatically
switches to the display mode and to a trailer view and displays
video images derived from the analog NTSC signal from the trailer
camera.
[0032] Optionally, and desirably, the trailer camera comprises a
high definition (HD) analog camera that outputs an HD analog signal
to the mirror display, such as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the
trailer camera may be in communication with the mirror display via
a cable or wire harness (such as a shielded twisted pair cable or
wire harness). The trailer camera may comprise a 1 Megapixel camera
or a 1.3 Megapixel camera or a 2 Megapixel camera (or more), and
may capture images at a frame rate of 60 frames per second (fps) or
30 fps, respectively.
[0033] Optionally, and such as shown in FIG. 11, the trailer may
include two analog cameras that are connected to a wire or cable
that connects to a socket or plug at the vehicle (when the trailer
is hooked up to the vehicle). The socket or plug is electrically
connected to the mirror display system, which also receives digital
LVDS video signals from a digital vehicle camera.
[0034] Optionally, the system may automatically switch between
which camera provides the image data for display and what type of
image data or images is/are provided. For example, the two trailer
cameras may comprise an analog camera and an HD analog camera.
Since both NTSC and Analog-HD signals can use the same wiring
(e.g., Shielded Twisted Pair), the mirror circuits working with
software can determine which type of signal is being applied to the
input terminals. Automatic detection can allow the same mirror to
operate with either an NTSC or Analog-HD camera. The detection
method may include measuring horizontal line timing, measuring
vertical frame frequency, measuring signal amplitude, measuring R,
G, B values of pixel colors at certain locations, measuring overall
brightness or contrast of the captured image data, and/or measuring
local areas for brightness or contrast.
[0035] Optionally, the system may provide an analog HD fail-safe to
NTSC configuration. Thus, in situations where the analog-HD
transmission system experiences a failure, the camera could
automatically change to an NTSC output, in order to allow the
camera-display system to continue to operate at reduced
performance. Such a configuration would require the mirror to
communicate with the camera about the status of the received image
data over analog-HD. When the mirror fails to respond to the
camera, or confirms that the image data is not received, the camera
can then change to its NTSC output format.
[0036] Optionally, and such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the
trailer may include one or more wireless cameras that may
wirelessly communicate image data to a head unit of the vehicle for
display of trailer camera video images at the mirror display. In
such a system, the mirror or head unit may require a more
complicated video processor to process the wireless signals from
the trailer camera or the digital wired signals from the vehicle
camera.
[0037] Thus, the display system of the present invention may
provide for high definition or enhanced video display from a
trailer mounted camera that may be located over 30 feet or over 60
feet or up to or over 90 feet from the display. For digital
signals, cables or wires of such length would have attenuation in
the signal such that the signal may not be suitable for a clear
display of images. The system thus preferably decreases cable
attenuation of the signal so that the desired signal strength can
be provided from the trailer camera to the display without use of
signal repeater modules (which would add expense and complexity to
the system and would require an external power supply and a
microprocessor for signal management). The system of the present
invention provides a high definition (one MP or more) analog camera
that outputs an analog NTSC signal to the display, and the display
screen displays video images derived from the NTSC signal.
[0038] Optionally, the system may display different views derived
from image data captured by the trailer camera for different
driving conditions or maneuvers. For example, and with reference to
FIGS. 14 and 15, the trailer camera may have a field of view that
is downward and rearward of the trailer. During a forward towing
driving maneuver (with the trailer being hitched to the vehicle),
the system may display only an upper region of the field of view of
the trailer-mounted camera so as to provide a rearward field of
view to the driver that would be similar to the rearview mirror
view (if the trailer were not attached). During a reversing
trailering maneuver (with the trailer hitched to the vehicle), it
is desirable to see the ground area close to or immediately
rearward of the trailer, and thus the system may display a lower
region of the field of view of the trailer-mounted camera so as to
provide a rearward field of view to the driver that would be
similar to a rear backup camera of the vehicle (if the trailer were
not attached). The system may automatically display the appropriate
region, such as responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a
forward or drive gear (whereby the upper region is displayed) and
responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear
(whereby the lower region is displayed). Optionally, the system may
display the full field of view, such as responsive to a user input
or the like.
[0039] The images displayed may be derived from image data captured
by the rearward viewing camera of the vehicle, such as a rear
backup camera or a trailer mounted camera, and may provide the
field of view similar to what is provided by the mirror reflector
when the mirror is in its mirror mode (such as by utilizing aspects
of the systems described in
[0040] International Publication No. WO 2017/191558, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The
camera may comprise a rear backup camera or may comprise one or
more rearward viewing cameras disposed at an exterior rearview
mirror of the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of the systems
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,676,336 and/or 9,487,142, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The
camera may be disposed at the rear of the vehicle, or may be a
side-mounted camera (such as at a side exterior rearview mirror
assembly) and may be extendable to provide an enhanced rearward
field of view, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirrors and
cameras described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,676,336 and/or 9,487,142,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0041] Optionally, the display may utilize aspects of the displays
of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or
6,329,925, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties, and/or of display-on-demand or transflective type
displays, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,855,755;
7,777,611; 7,626,749; 7,581,859; 7,446,924; 7,446,650; 7,370,983;
7,338,177; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190; 6,690,268;
5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or in U.S. Publication No.
US-2006-0050018, and/or International Publication No. WO
2004/058540, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties. The display may be viewable through the
reflective element when the display is activated to display
information.
[0042] Changes and modifications to the specifically described
embodiments may be carried out without departing from the
principles of the present invention, which is intended to be
limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted
according to the principles of patent law.
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