WO1996022197A1 - Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects - Google Patents
Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1996022197A1 WO1996022197A1 PCT/US1996/000287 US9600287W WO9622197A1 WO 1996022197 A1 WO1996022197 A1 WO 1996022197A1 US 9600287 W US9600287 W US 9600287W WO 9622197 A1 WO9622197 A1 WO 9622197A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- die
- driver
- mirror
- light beam
- adjustment
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
- B60R1/06—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior
- B60R1/062—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior with remote control for adjusting position
- B60R1/07—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior with remote control for adjusting position by electrically powered actuators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
- B60R21/015—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
- B60R21/01512—Passenger detection systems
- B60R21/01552—Passenger detection systems detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
- B60R21/015—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
- B60R21/01554—Seat position sensors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
- B60R21/015—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
- B60R21/01556—Child-seat detection systems
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S359/00—Optical: systems and elements
- Y10S359/90—Methods
Definitions
- blind zones or spots are widely described and depicted as shown, for example, in the Figures 1 and 4 of U.S. Patent No. 5,033,835.
- the blind zones on either side generally subtend an azimuth arc angle between the limits of the driver's peripheral vision while looking ahead and the left and right limits of the fields of view of the left and right sideview mirrors when the mirrors are aimed along the vehicle sides and a pitch angle generally bisected by the horizon.
- the blind zones are really cone-shaped tunnel areas expanding outward from the sides of the vehicle s ⁇ ghtly downward from the eye level of the driver and away from the vehicle sides.
- these right and left blind zones are referred to as blind spots, and that term will be used hereafter.
- auxiliary mirror on the front surface of the main sideview mirror reduces the area for viewing blind spot obstructions.
- the required target on the side of the vehicle may not always be clearly visible due to road grime on the vehicle or simply because of low ambient lighting.
- salient auxiliary mirrors and targets on the side of the vehicle large enough to be seen by the driver are anathema to automotive stylists.
- the '458 patent professes to be an improvement on the earlier system of the '747 and '910 patents and discloses a light source 9 in the mirror housing 3 that illuminates a target 7 or is an illuminated target.
- the target 7 is reflected by an auxiliary mirror 6 and through a light transmissive portion 5 of the sideview mirror 4.
- auxiliary turn signals may alert an overtaking driver in the adjacent lane too late to be totally effective, and may even encourage the failure of drivers to properly set their sideview mirror azimuth angles. Moreover, due to their fields of view, if the sideview mirrors are not properly adjusted in the first place, the turn signals may not be seen by an overtaking vehicle.
- a feature of the second, more sophisticated, embodiment of this invention involving the microcomputer is to automatically determine the location of the driver's eyes for use in the alignment of the second exterior sideview mirror, typically the passenger's side mirror, and or by other control systems (climate, seat level, radio settings, other mirrors, etc.).
- the exterior sideview mirrors would, of course, be aligned to correspond to the final rather than initial seat position.
- Figure 8 is a simplified top plan schematic view of correctly aligned sideview mirrors in either the first or second embodiment showing both a left hand and a right hand mirror affixed to the vehicle and the determination of the driver's eye position; and " ' Figure 9 schematically illustrates other locations of the light source and associated components of the second embodiment of the invention inside the vehicle.
- a basic assumption of the first preferred alignment aid embodiment of the present invention is that the blind spot or blind zone for a given vehicle make and model, and given mirror style, is fixed and can be determined a 'priori by the mirror manufacturer. This is an approximate, but very nearly correct assumption, as the actual blind spot location will be somewhat affected by the relative displacement in three dimensional space between a particular driver's eyes (to be more precise, the center point between the driver's left eye and right eye) and a suitable mirror reference point at which the driver is looking.
- the exact blind spot direction vector (unit vector), rather than an approximate or nominal, direction vector, from the mirror reference point to the center of the blind spot is determined.
- the vector direction of the driver's eyes (more precisely a center point located between the driver's eyes) focused on the mirror reference point is actually measured.
- the exactly correct, or more precisely, optimal, mirror orientations in pitch and azimuth for the particular driver's seated position in the vehicle can then be determined, and the mirror automatically driven to those angular positions.
- the main sideview mirror 20 is attached to a much smaller, stubby "auxiliary" mirror 24 projecting at 90° from its back side to form a mirror subassembly 25.
- the main mirror 20 has a primary reflective front surface 26 acing outward of the mirror housing 22 (depicted with an outward extending mirror normal vector 74) and a second interior or back surface and may be of any conventional configuration and construction.
- the auxiliary mirror 24 (depicted with an outward extending normal unit vector 78, perpendicular to the mirror surface) is mounted to the back surface at right angles to the plane of reflective surface 26 near the center of the main mirror 20 and extends into the mirror housing 22.
- the auxiliary mirror 24 has a reflective mirror surface 28 at 90° to the main mirror surface 26.
- the auxiliary mirror 24 changes the azimuth direction of the light beam 42 by 90 when and only when the main mirror surface 26 is oriented properly in azimuth so as to reflect rays from objects in the blind spot into the driver's eyes.
- both rays 32 from the blind spot and the beam of light 42 are directed to the driver's eyes.
- a small, central region 21 of the main mirror 20 is not totally reflective but is transparent, or at least semi-transparent, or otherwise selectively transmissive to the wavelength of the light beam 42 employed.
- the selectively transmissive region 21 would appear as a small black dot on the otherwise reflective mirror surface 26. For this reason, using this or similar methods of fabrication of a region that would pass a wider band or all wavelengths of visible light still results in a selectively transmissive region 21, for all practical purposes.
- the expression “selectively light transmissive region” is therefore intended to include any such fabrication technique and resulting structure and technical equivalents thereto.
- the expression “selective wavelength” is intended to include narrow bandwidths and full “white” light depending on the construction.
- LED Light Emitting Diode
- a small, low power Light Emitting Diode (LED) for the mirror housing light beam emitter 40 is preferred due to the ease of aiming, mounting and powering it inside the mirror housing 22 and behind the mirror's back surface.
- a Panasonic Corp. LN28RAL (US) high brightness LED may be used to emit a bright red light beam 42 that appears as a spot on the main mirror surface 26 reference point in the selectively light transmissive region 21 when the reflected light beam 42 strikes the driver's eyes.
- the spot of light seen at the mirror surface 26 in selectively light transmissive region 21 should be bright enough to be seen in daylight and distinctive of die reflected image while not so bright as to damage the driver's eyes.
- Figure 2 is again a two-dimensional plan view as in Figure 1, but showing the effect of incorrect alignment of the driver's side or left sideview mirror 20. Due to the incorrect alignment, the driver 12 would not be viewing traffic in the vehicle's blind spot if he/she looked into the mirror 20. The LED light beam 42 is reflected away and would not be seen by the driver 12 in this incorrect position.
- Figure 3 shows a simplified mechanical assembly drawing of this first preferred embodiment of the opto-electronic aid for alignment of automotive exterior sideview mirrors.
- the LED 40 is fixed to the stationary mirror housing 22, and the light beam 42 points into the blind spot area 30 (as stated earlier really a conical shaped volume).
- the reflection of the light beam 42 afforded by the small auxiliary mirror 24 through the selectively light transmissive region 21 (shown dotted) of the main mirror 20 is depicted.
- the main mirror 20 is supported for rotation about the horizontal or pitch and vertical or azimuth mirror axes 37 and 39.
- the pitch and azimuth mirror axes 37 and 39 may not be truly horizontal and vertical, respectively, as measured against the force of gravity, nor even be exactly orthogonal to one another. Rather, horizontal and vertical as used herein must be considered as nominal directions. However, whatever their exact orientation with respect to each other and gravity, the axes 37 and 39 are constants in any given mirror subassembly 25 and vehicle.
- the light beam 42 reflects from the reflective mirror surface 28 near its "root” with die main mirror 20 and transmitted through the selectively light transmissive region 21 of the main mirror 20 and through the vehicle 10 window into die vehicle interior.
- the mirror reflective surface 26 is properly aligned to reflect the rays 32 of the vehicle blind spot 30 on that side of the vehicle.
- the LED 40 should point at the blind spot 30 in azimuth.
- the LED 40 should not actually point at the blind spot 30 in pitch. Rather the LED 40, or other light source, beam 42 should be angled upwards in pitch to the same amount (in degrees) that a nominal driver would want his or her view of the blind spot in the center of the mirror to be angled downwards.
- the driver's eyes are usually higher than the horizontal pitch axis 37.
- the blind spot 30 is usually slightiy below the level of the mirror subassembly 25, i.e. closer to the surface of the road. This is also usually below the driver's eye level.
- die LED 42 in order for the LED light beam 42 to be approximately collinear witii the central ray 32 from die blind spot 30, as seen by me driver 12, die LED 42 must actually be angled a small amount upwards corresponding to the nominal small upward angle of die direction vector (unit vector) 66 pointing from the mirror reference point to the location point of a typical driver's eyes 80.
- this nominal upwards pitch adjustment of LED 40 can be fixed for a given mirror style and vehicle model.
- this first preferred embodiment is quite insensitive to driver fore-aft seat placement.
- die fixed LED 40 always launches its light beam 42 toward a nominal blind spot. Regardless of where die driver is sitting, objects in this nominal blind spot will be reflected into the driver's eyes after the mirror is aligned using die LED 40.
- die actual blind spot location and hence the optimal azimuth orientation of die mirror will depend somewhat on the driver's fore-aft seating position as shown next. However, to a first approximation this shift in actual blind spot location with driver fore-aft seat position is very small. The first embodiment always keeps the driver's eyes looking at the nominal blind spot as is shown next.
- die mirror blind spot alignment aid to adjust mirror azimuth angle
- the region imaged in the mirror center can be restored to reflect die true blind spot.
- die central rays 42 and 32 of die LED 40 and blind spot 30 will not quite be collinear when they enter die driver's eyes at die extremes in height/seat position. What remains to consider, tiien, is how different driver height/seat height positions, and hence eye levels, may be accommodated in this first preferred embodiment with minimum reduction in azimuth alignment accuracy.
- the main mirror 20 will have to be tilted plus or minus a few degrees from its nominal pitch orientation.
- the following modification to die first embodiment will work well with mirror designs in which die nominal pitch angle is near 0 ° or true vertical.
- Figure 4 shows tiiis modification involving simply diverging die LED light beam 42 to encompass die variety of driver eye levels typically encountered. It is only necessary to insure that die LED light beam 42 spreads adequately in the vertical direction so that both tall and short drivers, even in die extreme seat positions, will see the beam approximately maximized when die mirror 20 is properly aligned in die azimuth direction. Non-uniform divergence of die reflected light beam 42 is frequently already associated with many LEDs 40. In this case, it may only be necessary to align the LED 40 on its mount so that die greater inherent light beam divergence is along die vertical direction.
- die LED 40 may be either powered or not powered on detection of movement of the joystick control knob.
- auxiliary mirror 24 used in the first preferred embodiment does not have to be a physical mirror. Instead, mirror 24 could be a 90° corner cube reflector, suitably mounted on die back side of main mirror 20. Alternately, mirror 24 could be a mechanically ruled or holographically formed diffraction grating placed on die back surface of die main mirror 20, where die appropriate diffraction order would redirect die light beam 42 by 90 and then tiirough die selectively light transmissive region 21.
- Figure 5 depicts a sideview mirror alignment aid system for left and/or right sideview mirrors similar to that shown in the above-referenced '835 patent that comprehensively illustrates one form of the components that would be used in the baseline system described above.
- Figure 5 also illustrates die components of progressively more complex, automated sideview mirror adjustment systems described as follows.
- the mirror assembly 27 is depicted in relation to die alignment aid control assembly 50 including a joystick control 54 and optionally including a vehicle or on-board integrated microcomputer 52 and input/output signal lines.
- the mirror assembly 27 includes die mirror subassembly 25 supported on mirror pitch and azimutii gimbals 33 and 35.
- the mirror adjustment in relation to the LED 40, fixed in position in die mirror housing 22, is effected by mirror pitch and gimbal servo motors 34 and 36.
- the mirror pitch and azimutii gimbals 33 and 35 allow the rotation of die mirror subassembly 25 about die nominally horizontal and vertical mirror axes 37 and 39, respectively, in response to pitch and azimuth servo motor drive signals.
- the mirror assembly 27 of the system depicted in Figure 5 may be duplicated for botii die right and left exterior sideview mirrors. Separate joystick controls 54 or a sequential operation of die joystick control 54 may be provided to control the pitch and azimutii alignment of each mirror subassembly 25 in the manner described below.
- the comprehensive alignment aid control assembly 50 depicted in Figure 5 preferably comprises the joystick control 54 and a button 56 powered by the vehicle battery 58 when ignition auxiliary power switch 60 is closed and optionally includes die switching network 64, button 56 and microcomputer 52 for use in the more complex variations described below.
- the mirror adjustment joystick control 54 in the baseline system serves to direcdy provide illumination power to die LED 40 and direcdy adjusts die mirror 20 in tilt or pitch and azimutii as in adjustment of an ordinary exterior sideview mirror.
- die joystick control 54 provides LED power and servo motor drive signals to die LED 40 and servo motors 34 and 36 directly (bypassing depicted switching network 64) during an adjustment.
- die adjustment may alternatively be accomplished via a cable extending from die joystick control 54 to a mechanical linkage for manually adjusting a known ball joint mirror pitch and azimutii support mechanism mounted in the mirror housing 22.
- die vehicle or on-board microcomputer 52 it may be interfaced through die button 56 and switching network 64 as shown in Figure 5 to provide simple on-off control and memory functions.
- die mirror gimbals 33 and 35 or servo motors 34 and 36 also include position pickoffs 38 and 41, respectively, for providing position data to die microcomputer 52 for storage optionally in relation to seat position and other vehicle operating data for the particular driver in a manner described in greater detail below.
- the pickoffs 38, 41 may be rotary optical encoders, preferably using absolute encoder disks of die type disclosed, for example, in the article "Principles of Rotary Optical Encoders", appearing in SENSORS, April 1993, pp 10-18.
- die vehicle or on ⁇ board microcomputer 52 may be used to memorize die pickoff signal values after a driver has once aligned each mirror and then generate the pitch and azimutii mirror alignment signals for the sideview mirror(s) on subsequent occasions in a "smart" mode of operation.
- the object here is to avoid requiring die driver to repeatedly realign die sideview mirror(s) after having already done tiiis once before, even if another person has driven die car since tiien and has changed the mirror alignment.
- the pickoffs 38, 41 and microcomputer 52 for alignment data storage
- all that is required is a suitable identification code, card or key for each driver and an entry system interfacing with die microcomputer 52.
- the microcomputer 52 may also be operational to receive seat position data and otiier vehicle data that is personalized to die ID code of die driver as shown in Figure 5.
- die system In tiiis smart or intelligent mode of operation, die system operates as follows. Assuming either no prior storage of mirror position data or that die driver wishes to make a mirror readjustment, when he driver is seated in die vehicle, he or she turns die ignition power switch 60 to die auxiliary or full on position and depresses or turns die button 56 to generate a reset signal.
- the switching network 64 connects the mirror positioning servo motors 34 and 36 to die driver's joystick control 54 during die initial mirror adjustment.
- the microcomputer 52 turns on die LED 40 in response to the reset signal control, and die driver continues to adjust the control knob 62 thereby varying the mirror azimutii and pitch angles until die LED light beam 42 is sighted.
- die microcomputer 52 When die driver is satisfied and again depresses button 56, die microcomputer 52 stores die gimbal position signals.
- the microcomputer 52 may request the driver to input his/her personal identification code and may also then store die associated seat position data and other driver related data described below. This procedure is followed for both die driver's and passenger's side exterior sideview mirrors.
- die microcomputer 52 automatically energizes the mirror azimuth and pitch servo motors 36 and 34, respectively, through die switching network 64, to effect the alignment, if necessary.
- the stored alignment values are compared to die values fed back by die pickoffs 38, 41 during die alignment check.
- each mirror 20, 20' can be automatically adjusted to die driver's previously completed alignment settings.
- This system contemplates die simultaneous seat adjustment in response to the identification code to ensure that die driver is properly seated. If die seat positions are changed, then die system contemplates alerting die driver to make a new adjustment of die sideview mirror alignments.
- Servo motors 34, 36 set die azimutii and pitch angles of die mirror 20 in the correct alignment to reflect objects in the vehicle blind spot 30 into the driver's eyes.
- die compensations for driver eye level variations and fore-aft seat placement can both be exact.
- the driver 10 can be assured that no further optimization of die mirror 20 pitch alignment obtained from this embodiment is necessary.
- Figure 6 shows a simplified mirror subassembly 25 of the mechanical components of this second preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the LED 40 is mounted on a set of LED pitch and azimutii gimbals 43 and 45, respectively, radier tiian directly mounted on die mirror housing 22.
- tiiat die LED beam 42 is directed toward die driver through the selectively light transmissive region 21 and not reflected off an auxiliary mirror. The latter is not necessary and would only complicate die mathematics involved in this second embodiment.
- the alignment process is therefore accomplished by first directing the narrow wavelength LED beam 42 through the sideview mirror's selectively transmissive region 21 from the backside and toward the driver.
- This requires suitable fabrication of the mirror reflective layers in the region shown in dashed lines in Figure 6 in the same manner as described above.
- die selectively transmissive region 21 is shown off center from the mirror reference point in Figures 6 and 7.
- the main mirror 20 is supported on die two mirror alignment gimbals 33, 35 coupled to die mirror servo motors 34, 36.
- the LED alignment servo motors 44, 46 track the driver's manual adjustment of control knob 62 to maximize die LED beam intensity at die driver's eyes.
- the LED angle measurement encoders or pickoffs 48, 51 on die LED servo motor gear drives provide LED pitch and azimuth position feedback signals to die microcomputer 52.
- the mirror alignment servo motors 34, 36 respond to the microcomputer derived azimutii and pitch mirror drive signals to drive die two mirror gimbals 33, 35 and perform the actual alignment of die main mirror 20 with the blind spot.
- the automatic mirror positioning system of Figure 7 constitutes a closed loop angular positioning servo control system.
- the LED beam 42 direction is adjusted by die driver via the joystick control 54 as described above. Once die driver sees the LED beam 42, he or she maximizes its intensity by fine tune operating the sideview mirror control knob 62 and then depresses die button 56.
- the button switch 56 is typically on the same mirror control joystick 54. This "pickle" button feature is well known in the art of video game hardware design.
- die microcomputer 52 removes power from die LED 40 to extinguish die light beam 42.
- the LED gimbal pitch and azimutii angles, ⁇ L and L respectively, are tiien read out via die miniature angle resolvers or pickoffs 48, 51.
- the LED gimbal pitch and azimuth angles ⁇ L and ⁇ L are simply the Euler angles, relating a transformation of coordinates between a mirror housing fixed Cartesian coordinate system establishing die mirror vertical axis 39 and die mirror horizontal axis 37 and a second Cartesian coordinate system establishing the LED vertical axis 49 and die LED horizontal axis 47.
- die microcomputer 52 is able to compute die tiiree direction cosines (p ⁇ , q ⁇ , r us) which define a unit vector 66 pointing from a suitable reference origin point on the LED 40, typically at the pivot center of the LED 40, towards die driver's eyes 80.
- the nominal direction cosines of the blind spot axis are known a 'priori for a given mirror mount placement and vehicle model. Furthermore, any variations due to changes in driver eye height or fore-aft position from nominal can be included in a suitable mathematical model in the vehicle microcomputer 52. Let us denote these three direction cosines to die blind spot by the vector [p-,, q b , r b ]. Again, these direction cosines define a unit vector 70, this time pointing from a vehicle fixed reference or origin point (typically at or very near the center of die mirror) down die axis of the conical volume defining die blind spot 30 and toward die blind spot.
- die pivot center of die LED 40 will be much closer to die center and/or azimuth rotation axis of the mirror 20 than shown in Figures 6 and 7, so die above assumption will most often be valid. It is necessary, however, tiiat the above two sets of direction cosines, i.e. die two unit vectors, be measured witii respect to the same vehicle fixed coordinate system, and tiiat any vector displacement between die two reference points on die mirror front surface through which these direction cosine vectors pass be accounted for.
- the microcomputer 52 tiien computes or, more simply looks up in a stored look-up table, die required direction cosines associated with die mirror normal vector when die mirror is correctly positioned.
- This mirror normal vector constitutes yet another unit vector.
- die mirror normal unit vector 74 (hereafter called die mirror normal) by the ordered tuple lp m , q,,, rj.
- die mirror normal 74 may be translated freely anywhere over die mirror surface. In particular, it may be placed at the same common origin used for die driver and blind spot direction vectors.
- a suitable indicator such as a green LED, may be momentarily energized to signal to die driver tiiat a condition of proper alignment has been achieved.
- Another refinement to the second embodiment would be the incorporation of a panel warning light similar to the "door ajar" warning to indicate a malfunction in the alignment aid.
- a panel warning light similar to the "door ajar" warning to indicate a malfunction in the alignment aid.
- botii the driver's and passenger's sideview mirrors several variations on the second embodiment are possible.
- each mirror assembly 27 would be configured in die manner of Figures 6 and 7 and would have its own LED source that die driver orients so tiiat he or she sees a maximum light spot intensity in each sideview mirror 20, 20' .
- the microcomputer 52 may be shared witii both mirror assemblies and simply computes die mirror alignments twice as the driver signals completion of die manipulation of the control knob for each mirror and then automatically adjusts each sideview mirror 20, 20' to the computed alignments via die appropriate mirror servo motors.
- a smart mode most useful for high end OEM manufacturers, can be implemented wherein die driver's preferred pitch and azimutii angle settings for both mirrors are automatically remembered once an alignment is initially performed.
- a suitable driver ID code would have to be entered into die vehicle microcomputer in this case for the automatic vehicle customizing to occur.
- the driver's seat fore-aft, height and seat back adjustments are preferably also memorized in microcomputer 52 and employed in resetting the mirror adjustment on entry of the driver ID code. Again, the driver may be alerted to changes in memorized seat positions inconsistent with the memorized mirror alignment data.
- Derivation of Driver's Actual Eye Location- Figure 8 schematically depicts botii left and right sideview mirrors 20 and 20' correctly aligned to die driver's eyes 80 to view die blind spots 30 and 30', respectively, in accordance witii either of the above embodiments.
- die components of the mirror subassembly 25 and assembly 27, such as the mirror housing 22, LED sources 40, gimbals, servo motors, etc., of Figures 1 - 7, are not depicted in Figure 8 for simplicity.
- Only die schematic symbols 20, 20' for the two mirrors along with the appropriate left and right mirror normals 74 and 76, and the associated distance, or displacement, vectors 66, 68, 70, and 72 are depicted.
- the displacement vectors are simply die linear extensions of the corresponding unit vectors bearing the same identification numbers, as noted earlier.
- die distance vector 66 lies along the common direction of the reflected light rays 32 from die left side blind spot 30 and the transmitted light beam 42 witii respect to the left mirror normal 74 (a unit vector).
- the distance vector 68 similarly lies along die common direction of the reflected light rays 32' from the right side blind spot 30' and die transmitted light beam 42' (if an LED 40 is actually present in the right sideview mirror subassembly) witii respect to the right mirror normal 76.
- tii is first variation for determining die driver's eye position tiiat the knowledge of die position driver's eyes 80 is not actually used to align either mirror. Rather, regardless of whetiier the first or second embodiment is being implemented, die mirrors are aligned independently of one another, and die position of the driver's eyes 80 is located afterwards. The eye position coordinates are then simply made available to be employed by other vehicle control systems (climate, seat level, radio settings, other mirrors, etc.). In the second variation for determining the driver's eye location, one light beam (typically the right mirror light beam 42') is not actually present.
- a Related Simplification Variation for a Two Mirror Alignment System-ln a system of either die first or second embodiment employing botii the driver's and passenger side exterior sideview mirror, it is desirable to simplify the mirror assemblies to save cost and simplify die alignment procedure when die system admits of use of die microcomputer 52.
- the driver's side mirror be equipped witii the LED 40, auxiliary mirror 24 and associated light transmissive region 21 (of die first embodiment) and die LED pitch and azimutii adjustment means (of die second embodiment).
- the alignment data from die setting of the pitch and azimuth of the left or driver's sideview mirror is used to automatically set the pitch and azimutii of the right or passenger's sideview mirror.
- p m , q m , rj is derived as described above in regard to die second embodiment.
- the components of the mirror normal 74 represented as a tuple lp m , q tt , rj can also be derived in die first embodiment employing die microcomputer 52 and pickoffs 38, 41.
- die more complex version of the first embodiment system depicted in Figure 5 may be employed to eliminate die need for a light source in die passenger side mirror 20' and for any driver actions to align this mirror once die driver side sideview mirror 20 is aligned. Rather, it is possible to derive the approximately correct azimuth and pitch angle positions of the right sideview mirror 20' when die driver signals completion of the manual adjustment of die left sideview mirror 20 to the microcomputer 52. As in the case for the related simplification variation of the second embodiment, this can be done witiiout requiring any light source be present in the right sideview mirror subassembly, tiiereby saving components and reducing manufacturing costs of the system. This variation may also be demonstrated in reference to Figures 5 and 8.
- Suitable vehicle interior locations are shown in Figure 9 depicting locations of one or more light sources 40, 40', 40" mounted inside die vehicle witii light beams 42, 42', 42" directed toward die driver's eyes.
- Such locations include on die control knob or switch(s) 62, 62' mounted on he driver's side door for die sideview mirror(s) 20, 20', or light sources and associated components mounted anywhere else witiiin reach, as long as die light beams 42, 42', 42" are not coplanar witii the fore-aft seat plane 82.
- the light sources 40, 40', 40" are mounted at some distance outside die fore-aft seat plane 82.
- one or more light sources 40" may be mounted on die windshield mounted interior rearview mirror and selectively illuminated in a driver's eye location operation.
- light source adjusting pickoffs may track the adjustment of die rearview mirror so that the (one or more) light beam is visible to die driver and be used in die identification of the location of the driver's eyes from which die sideview mirror adjustment(s) in pitch and azimuth may be calculated and effected.
- Any combination of one or more of such interior mounted light sources 40, 40', 40" and associated components for adjusting and measuring die adjustment of die light beam direction into the driver's eyes may be employed and may also be used in combination with exterior sideview mirror mounted light sources and associated components as described above.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP96904442A EP0809578A4 (en) | 1995-01-18 | 1996-01-16 | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects |
CA002210474A CA2210474C (en) | 1995-01-18 | 1996-01-16 | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects |
US08/818,628 US5993015A (en) | 1995-01-18 | 1997-03-14 | Method and apparatus for determining the location of an occupant of a vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/374,220 US5668675A (en) | 1995-01-18 | 1995-01-18 | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects |
US08/374,220 | 1995-01-18 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1996022197A1 true WO1996022197A1 (en) | 1996-07-25 |
Family
ID=23475849
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1996/000287 WO1996022197A1 (en) | 1995-01-18 | 1996-01-16 | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US5668675A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0809578A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996022197A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (134)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6820897B2 (en) * | 1992-05-05 | 2004-11-23 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | Vehicle object detection system and method |
US7511833B2 (en) * | 1992-05-05 | 2009-03-31 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | System for obtaining information about vehicular components |
US7887089B2 (en) | 1992-05-05 | 2011-02-15 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | Vehicular occupant protection system control arrangement and method using multiple sensor systems |
US5910854A (en) | 1993-02-26 | 1999-06-08 | Donnelly Corporation | Electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films, and processes for making such solid films and devices |
US5668663A (en) | 1994-05-05 | 1997-09-16 | Donnelly Corporation | Electrochromic mirrors and devices |
US20080157510A1 (en) * | 1994-05-09 | 2008-07-03 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | System for Obtaining Information about Vehicular Components |
US5668675A (en) * | 1995-01-18 | 1997-09-16 | Fredricks; Ronald J. | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects |
US6501536B1 (en) * | 1995-01-18 | 2002-12-31 | Ronald J. Fredricks | Method and apparatus for determining the location of an occupant of a vehicle |
US6891563B2 (en) | 1996-05-22 | 2005-05-10 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicular vision system |
US7860626B2 (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 2010-12-28 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | Vehicular heads-up display system with adjustable viewing |
US20070135982A1 (en) | 1995-06-07 | 2007-06-14 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | Methods for Sensing Weight of an Occupying Item in a Vehicular Seat |
EP0885137B1 (en) * | 1996-02-03 | 2001-10-10 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Adjustment device for at least two rear-view vehicle mirrors |
US5786772A (en) | 1996-03-22 | 1998-07-28 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle blind spot detection display system |
US5949592A (en) * | 1997-01-10 | 1999-09-07 | Brandin; Boerje A. | Light based apparatus and method for automatically adjusting rearview mirrors |
US6124886A (en) | 1997-08-25 | 2000-09-26 | Donnelly Corporation | Modular rearview mirror assembly |
US6326613B1 (en) | 1998-01-07 | 2001-12-04 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle interior mirror assembly adapted for containing a rain sensor |
US6172613B1 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 2001-01-09 | Donnelly Corporation | Rearview mirror assembly incorporating vehicle information display |
US8294975B2 (en) | 1997-08-25 | 2012-10-23 | Donnelly Corporation | Automotive rearview mirror assembly |
US6445287B1 (en) | 2000-02-28 | 2002-09-03 | Donnelly Corporation | Tire inflation assistance monitoring system |
US8288711B2 (en) | 1998-01-07 | 2012-10-16 | Donnelly Corporation | Interior rearview mirror system with forwardly-viewing camera and a control |
US6477464B2 (en) | 2000-03-09 | 2002-11-05 | Donnelly Corporation | Complete mirror-based global-positioning system (GPS) navigation solution |
US6693517B2 (en) | 2000-04-21 | 2004-02-17 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle mirror assembly communicating wirelessly with vehicle accessories and occupants |
US6329925B1 (en) | 1999-11-24 | 2001-12-11 | Donnelly Corporation | Rearview mirror assembly with added feature modular display |
DE19823661C1 (en) * | 1998-05-20 | 1999-10-28 | Brose Fahrzeugteile | Adjustable automobile seat with automatic headrest adjustment |
US6304173B2 (en) | 1999-01-29 | 2001-10-16 | Lear Automotive Dearborn Inc | Rear view and multi-media system for vehicles |
JP3666286B2 (en) * | 1999-02-08 | 2005-06-29 | 株式会社デンソー | Automotive control device |
US7427150B2 (en) * | 1999-05-14 | 2008-09-23 | Gentex Corporation | Rearview mirror assembly including a multi-functional light module |
US6422706B1 (en) * | 1999-05-21 | 2002-07-23 | Karur S. Rangan | Apparatus and method for positioning a mirror in a motor vehicle to ensure correct coverage of a critical field of view |
US6151175A (en) * | 1999-06-08 | 2000-11-21 | Osha; Jonathan P. | Tracking mirror for a tow vehicle |
US7167796B2 (en) | 2000-03-09 | 2007-01-23 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle navigation system for use with a telematics system |
US7855755B2 (en) | 2005-11-01 | 2010-12-21 | Donnelly Corporation | Interior rearview mirror assembly with display |
WO2001064481A2 (en) | 2000-03-02 | 2001-09-07 | Donnelly Corporation | Video mirror systems incorporating an accessory module |
US7370983B2 (en) | 2000-03-02 | 2008-05-13 | Donnelly Corporation | Interior mirror assembly with display |
US6598982B2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2003-07-29 | Donnelly Corporation | Rearview mirror alignment device |
DE10037220B4 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2008-08-21 | Volkswagen Ag | Method and device for situation-specific control |
US6384725B1 (en) * | 2000-09-29 | 2002-05-07 | Dawei Dong | Automatic laser detecting surveyor's rod |
US6431714B1 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2002-08-13 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Micro-mirror apparatus and production method therefor |
DE60220379T2 (en) | 2001-01-23 | 2008-01-24 | Donnelly Corp., Holland | IMPROVED VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM |
US7255451B2 (en) | 2002-09-20 | 2007-08-14 | Donnelly Corporation | Electro-optic mirror cell |
US7581859B2 (en) | 2005-09-14 | 2009-09-01 | Donnelly Corp. | Display device for exterior rearview mirror |
US6578869B2 (en) | 2001-03-26 | 2003-06-17 | Trw Inc. | Vehicle occupant position sensor utilizing image focus attributes |
US6493620B2 (en) * | 2001-04-18 | 2002-12-10 | Eaton Corporation | Motor vehicle occupant detection system employing ellipse shape models and bayesian classification |
US6501371B2 (en) | 2001-05-22 | 2002-12-31 | Trw Inc. | Apparatus and method for positioning a reflective surface on a vehicle |
JP4908704B2 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2012-04-04 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Vehicle interior monitoring device |
JP3854497B2 (en) * | 2001-11-27 | 2006-12-06 | 株式会社村上開明堂 | Built-in camera rearview mirror |
IL148224A0 (en) * | 2002-02-18 | 2002-09-12 | Ofer Givaty | A network-information device |
US6675082B2 (en) | 2002-04-24 | 2004-01-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for automotive systems relative positional translations |
US6918674B2 (en) | 2002-05-03 | 2005-07-19 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle rearview mirror system |
WO2003098260A1 (en) * | 2002-05-15 | 2003-11-27 | Carnegie Mellon University | Apparatus and method for detecting obstacles |
US6930614B2 (en) * | 2002-05-31 | 2005-08-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Smart occupant alarm system |
EP1514246A4 (en) | 2002-06-06 | 2008-04-16 | Donnelly Corp | Interior rearview mirror system with compass |
US7329013B2 (en) | 2002-06-06 | 2008-02-12 | Donnelly Corporation | Interior rearview mirror system with compass |
US20040012360A1 (en) * | 2002-07-22 | 2004-01-22 | Yuen Siltex Peter | Remote-control utility equipment mounting apparatus |
US20040017285A1 (en) * | 2002-07-26 | 2004-01-29 | Zielinski Reuben Q. | Computer controlled positioning device |
WO2004026633A2 (en) | 2002-09-20 | 2004-04-01 | Donnelly Corporation | Mirror reflective element assembly |
WO2004103772A2 (en) | 2003-05-19 | 2004-12-02 | Donnelly Corporation | Mirror assembly for vehicle |
US7310177B2 (en) | 2002-09-20 | 2007-12-18 | Donnelly Corporation | Electro-optic reflective element assembly |
US7460940B2 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2008-12-02 | Volvo Technology Corporation | Method and arrangement for interpreting a subjects head and eye activity |
US6840637B2 (en) | 2002-12-09 | 2005-01-11 | General Motors Corporation | Exterior rearview mirror system |
US6880941B2 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2005-04-19 | Tony R. Suggs | Vehicle blind spot monitoring system |
US7446924B2 (en) | 2003-10-02 | 2008-11-04 | Donnelly Corporation | Mirror reflective element assembly including electronic component |
US7308341B2 (en) | 2003-10-14 | 2007-12-11 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle communication system |
US7354166B2 (en) * | 2003-11-25 | 2008-04-08 | Temic Automotive Of North America, Inc. | Automatic viewing of vehicle blind spot |
JP3108961U (en) * | 2003-11-25 | 2005-04-28 | 家榮 張 | Automatic correction electric side mirror |
US7031809B2 (en) * | 2004-05-21 | 2006-04-18 | Jens Erik Sorensen | Remote control of automobile component arrangements |
US7373249B2 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2008-05-13 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Automatic mirror stabilization |
US7571041B2 (en) * | 2005-01-13 | 2009-08-04 | General Motors Corporation | Automatic control of automotive rearview mirror |
US20060167606A1 (en) * | 2005-01-27 | 2006-07-27 | Khaled Malhas | Electronically controlled mirror system for vehicle blind spot exposure |
US7626749B2 (en) | 2005-05-16 | 2009-12-01 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle mirror assembly with indicia at reflective element |
US7501938B2 (en) * | 2005-05-23 | 2009-03-10 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Vehicle range-based lane change assist system and method |
US20070030582A1 (en) * | 2005-08-02 | 2007-02-08 | Schmidt William P | Oval elliptical mirror with orientation line |
US8520069B2 (en) * | 2005-09-16 | 2013-08-27 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Vehicle-mounted video system with distributed processing |
US8099247B2 (en) * | 2005-11-23 | 2012-01-17 | Electric Mirror, Llc | Back lit mirror with media display device |
US7853414B2 (en) * | 2005-11-23 | 2010-12-14 | Electric Mirror, Llc | Mounting structure for a mirror assembly |
JP2008052029A (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-03-06 | Takata Corp | Photographing system, vehicle crew detection system, operation device controlling system, and vehicle |
US8154418B2 (en) | 2008-03-31 | 2012-04-10 | Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. | Interior rearview mirror system |
US8200397B2 (en) * | 2008-07-16 | 2012-06-12 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Automatic rearview mirror adjustment system for vehicle |
US8489284B2 (en) * | 2008-08-21 | 2013-07-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Automated dynamic vehicle blind spot determination |
US9487144B2 (en) | 2008-10-16 | 2016-11-08 | Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. | Interior mirror assembly with display |
US8503972B2 (en) | 2008-10-30 | 2013-08-06 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Multi-functional remote monitoring system |
US20100177413A1 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Vehicle mirror control with seat position information |
US8087791B2 (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2012-01-03 | Toyota Motor Engineering And Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Methods and systems for adjusting the position of vehicle outside mirrors |
TWI477246B (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2015-03-21 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Adjusting system and method for vanity mirron, vanity mirron including the same |
US8285457B1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2012-10-09 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Automatically adjusting side mirror assembly for a vehicle |
US9409518B2 (en) * | 2011-12-16 | 2016-08-09 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | System and method for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot |
US8527146B1 (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2013-09-03 | Google Inc. | Systems and methods for updating vehicle behavior and settings based on the locations of vehicle passengers |
WO2014011898A1 (en) * | 2012-07-11 | 2014-01-16 | Anderson David J | Managed fiber connectivity systems |
US20140036075A1 (en) * | 2012-07-31 | 2014-02-06 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Windshield display system |
DE102012108482B4 (en) | 2012-09-11 | 2018-12-20 | SMR Patents S.à.r.l. | Review device and method of operating a review device |
US10272848B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2019-04-30 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Mobile video and imaging system |
US9019431B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2015-04-28 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Portable video and imaging system |
KR101481229B1 (en) * | 2012-10-23 | 2015-01-09 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Method and system for adjusting side-mirror |
US9046652B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2015-06-02 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Mirror assembly and vehicles including same |
WO2014107490A2 (en) * | 2013-01-01 | 2014-07-10 | Sharghi Shahriar Mokhtari | Sytstems for indicating visibility of a blind spot to a driver |
CN103192767B (en) * | 2013-01-07 | 2015-04-08 | 浙江吉利汽车研究院有限公司杭州分公司 | Vehicle side rear view mirror intelligent regulation control system and control method |
US9809169B1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2017-11-07 | Mouhamad A. Naboulsi | Safety control system for vehicles |
US9958228B2 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2018-05-01 | Yardarm Technologies, Inc. | Telematics sensors and camera activation in connection with firearm activity |
US10764542B2 (en) | 2014-12-15 | 2020-09-01 | Yardarm Technologies, Inc. | Camera activation in response to firearm activity |
FR3008657B1 (en) * | 2013-07-22 | 2015-08-07 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF AN OBJECT OF A VEHICLE BASED ON THE ESTIMATED POSITION OF THE EYES OF A PASSENGER AND A MODIFIED CORRESPONDENCE TABLE |
US9159371B2 (en) | 2013-08-14 | 2015-10-13 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Forensic video recording with presence detection |
US10075681B2 (en) | 2013-08-14 | 2018-09-11 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Dual lens camera unit |
US10390732B2 (en) | 2013-08-14 | 2019-08-27 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Breath analyzer, system, and computer program for authenticating, preserving, and presenting breath analysis data |
US9253452B2 (en) | 2013-08-14 | 2016-02-02 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Computer program, method, and system for managing multiple data recording devices |
US9189692B2 (en) * | 2014-02-14 | 2015-11-17 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Methods and systems for detecting driver attention to objects |
US20160046238A1 (en) * | 2014-08-13 | 2016-02-18 | Jessie Sallas | Side View Mirror Alignment System |
KR101596751B1 (en) * | 2014-09-26 | 2016-02-23 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Method and apparatus for displaying blind spot customized by driver |
US20160107578A1 (en) * | 2014-10-15 | 2016-04-21 | Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. | Method of selecting mirrors for adjustment |
EP3210396A1 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2017-08-30 | Axon Enterprise, Inc. | Systems and methods for distributed control |
TWI593578B (en) * | 2014-12-29 | 2017-08-01 | 鴻海精密工業股份有限公司 | Vehicle and automatic adjusting system, automatic adjusting method using same |
US9649979B2 (en) * | 2015-01-29 | 2017-05-16 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Autonomous vehicle operation in view-obstructed environments |
US9555737B1 (en) * | 2015-02-11 | 2017-01-31 | Grand General Accesories Manufacturing | Three-in-one stop/turn signal light |
US9598015B1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2017-03-21 | Ambarella, Inc. | Automatic mirror adjustment using an in-car camera system |
US10035513B2 (en) * | 2015-04-24 | 2018-07-31 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Seat belt height system and method |
US9841259B2 (en) | 2015-05-26 | 2017-12-12 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Wirelessly conducted electronic weapon |
US10013883B2 (en) | 2015-06-22 | 2018-07-03 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Tracking and analysis of drivers within a fleet of vehicles |
US10192277B2 (en) | 2015-07-14 | 2019-01-29 | Axon Enterprise, Inc. | Systems and methods for generating an audit trail for auditable devices |
US9902322B2 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2018-02-27 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Llc | Filling in surround view areas blocked by mirrors or other vehicle parts |
US10904474B2 (en) | 2016-02-05 | 2021-01-26 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Comprehensive video collection and storage |
CN105751970A (en) * | 2016-02-26 | 2016-07-13 | 卢佳龙 | Intelligent rearview mirror adjusting system |
US10953788B2 (en) * | 2016-05-21 | 2021-03-23 | JST Performance, LLC | Method and apparatus for vehicular light fixtures |
US10521675B2 (en) | 2016-09-19 | 2019-12-31 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Systems and methods of legibly capturing vehicle markings |
US10911725B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2021-02-02 | Digital Ally, Inc. | System for automatically triggering a recording |
TWI771401B (en) * | 2017-11-09 | 2022-07-21 | 英屬開曼群島商麥迪創科技股份有限公司 | Vehicle apparatus controlling system and vehicle apparatus controlling method |
US11203309B2 (en) * | 2018-02-09 | 2021-12-21 | Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. | Touchpad for mirror posture adjustment |
US10528832B2 (en) * | 2018-04-17 | 2020-01-07 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Methods and systems for processing driver attention data |
US10576894B2 (en) * | 2018-06-04 | 2020-03-03 | Fca Us Llc | Systems and methods for controlling vehicle side mirrors and for displaying simulated driver field of view |
US11024137B2 (en) | 2018-08-08 | 2021-06-01 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Remote video triggering and tagging |
CN111845566A (en) * | 2019-04-26 | 2020-10-30 | 奥迪股份公司 | Control device, vehicle and rearview mirror system comprising same, and corresponding method and medium |
DE102019132460A1 (en) * | 2019-11-29 | 2021-06-02 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Adjusting a rearview mirror on a vehicle |
US11833969B2 (en) | 2020-01-14 | 2023-12-05 | Volvo Car Corporation | Dynamic vehicle mirror adjustment |
FR3130710A1 (en) * | 2021-12-20 | 2023-06-23 | Valeo Comfort And Driving Assistance | Vehicle interior observation device |
US20230211731A1 (en) * | 2022-01-05 | 2023-07-06 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Vehicle mirror selection based on head pose and gaze direction |
US11950017B2 (en) | 2022-05-17 | 2024-04-02 | Digital Ally, Inc. | Redundant mobile video recording |
DE202023102594U1 (en) | 2023-05-12 | 2023-08-10 | Shamkant Raman Desale | A system for developing a modified rearview mirror assembly |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2871761A (en) * | 1957-01-02 | 1959-02-03 | Frank T Suyder | Automobile safety mirror |
US5033835A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1991-07-23 | Platzer Jr George E | Remote control mirror with angular viewing adjustments |
US5237458A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1993-08-17 | Polanyi Michael L | Device for adjusting automobile side view mirror |
Family Cites Families (44)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3493294A (en) * | 1967-08-07 | 1970-02-03 | Nasa | Retrodirective modulator |
US4019812A (en) * | 1975-06-05 | 1977-04-26 | Elmo Carnine | Rearview mirror assembly with rotatable mirrors |
US4187001A (en) * | 1977-01-10 | 1980-02-05 | Redwitz Baker Incorporated | View expanding apparatus |
JPS54102734A (en) * | 1978-01-30 | 1979-08-13 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Device for automatically selecting driving position |
US4318590A (en) * | 1978-04-05 | 1982-03-09 | Hanley William W | Wide scan rearview mirror |
US4349247A (en) * | 1979-07-31 | 1982-09-14 | Mitsubishi Motors Corp. | Mirror apparatus for automobile |
DE2943941A1 (en) * | 1979-10-31 | 1981-05-14 | Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, 8000 München | MOTOR VEHICLE WITH AN ADDITIONAL MIRROR DETECTING THE DEAD ANGLE |
US4345819A (en) * | 1980-01-29 | 1982-08-24 | Villa Real Antony Euclid C | Multi-angular panoramic automotive rear view mirror |
US4811226A (en) * | 1980-09-30 | 1989-03-07 | Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Optimum angle adjusting apparatus for vehicle equipments |
US4575202A (en) * | 1983-10-21 | 1986-03-11 | Mcguire Arthur M | Rearview mirror for vehicles |
JPS60152904A (en) * | 1984-01-20 | 1985-08-12 | Nippon Denso Co Ltd | Vehicle-driver-position recognizing apparatus |
JPS60158809A (en) * | 1984-01-31 | 1985-08-20 | 池田物産株式会社 | Automatic selector of headrest position |
WO1986005148A1 (en) * | 1985-03-08 | 1986-09-12 | Miroslaw Janowicz | Motor vehicle with changeable exterior mirror |
JPH0323876Y2 (en) * | 1985-03-23 | 1991-05-24 | ||
JPS6261830A (en) * | 1985-09-10 | 1987-03-18 | Nippon Denso Co Ltd | Vehicle driver monitoring device |
JPS62234754A (en) * | 1986-03-31 | 1987-10-15 | Nec Home Electronics Ltd | Mirror adjusting device |
JPS62286855A (en) * | 1986-06-04 | 1987-12-12 | Fujitsu Ten Ltd | Angle setting device for side mirror for vehicle |
US4906085A (en) * | 1986-06-30 | 1990-03-06 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho | Sideview mirror assembly with regulating filter using sunlight for automobiles |
JPS6331540A (en) * | 1986-07-25 | 1988-02-10 | Mitsubishi Petrochem Co Ltd | Catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas by ammonia |
US4730926A (en) * | 1986-07-28 | 1988-03-15 | Lowell R. Wedemeyer | Accu-right mirror alignment system |
DK604786D0 (en) * | 1986-12-16 | 1986-12-16 | Jensen Kaj Berg | SELF-CONTROL SIDE MIRROR |
DE3713218A1 (en) | 1987-04-18 | 1988-11-03 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE EYE AND / OR HEAD POSITION OF A VEHICLE USER |
JPS6467428A (en) * | 1987-09-07 | 1989-03-14 | Yazaki Corp | Display device for vehicle |
US4837551A (en) * | 1988-02-03 | 1989-06-06 | Yazaki Corporation | Display apparatus for automotive vehicle |
JPH0629002B2 (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1994-04-20 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Electric mirror device for automobile |
JPH02106452A (en) * | 1988-10-14 | 1990-04-18 | Omron Tateisi Electron Co | Controller for motor-driven side mirror |
JPH02117236U (en) * | 1989-03-08 | 1990-09-19 | ||
US4971430A (en) * | 1989-07-19 | 1990-11-20 | Lynas Robert M | Rearview mirror targeting and repositioning system |
US5022747A (en) * | 1989-11-06 | 1991-06-11 | Polanyi Michael L | Device for adjusting automobile side view mirror |
US5122910A (en) * | 1989-11-06 | 1992-06-16 | Polanyi Michael L | Device for adjusting automobile side view mirror |
JPH03153432A (en) * | 1989-11-07 | 1991-07-01 | Kentaro Shioda | Rearview mirror |
US5014167A (en) * | 1990-02-20 | 1991-05-07 | K. W. Muth Company, Inc. | Visual signaling apparatus |
JPH03284435A (en) * | 1990-03-31 | 1991-12-16 | Mazda Motor Corp | Regulation of mirror position for vehicle |
US5126885A (en) * | 1990-06-18 | 1992-06-30 | Westech Innovations Inc. | Control device for electrically controlled rearview mirror |
US5037182A (en) * | 1990-09-12 | 1991-08-06 | Delco Electronics Corporation | Rearview mirror head-up display |
US5313335A (en) * | 1992-06-05 | 1994-05-17 | Delco Electronics Corporation | Blindzone signal indicator |
US5500773A (en) * | 1994-02-28 | 1996-03-19 | Easter; Basil O. | Vehicle mirror alignment device |
ATE189878T1 (en) * | 1994-11-25 | 2000-03-15 | Bertil A Brandin | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING REAR-VIEW MIRRORS |
US5706144A (en) * | 1994-11-25 | 1998-01-06 | Brandin; Bertil A. | Methods and apparatus for automating the adjustment of rearview mirrors |
US5694259A (en) * | 1995-01-10 | 1997-12-02 | Brandin; Bertil A. | Apparatus for automating the adjustment of rearview mirrors |
US5668675A (en) * | 1995-01-18 | 1997-09-16 | Fredricks; Ronald J. | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects |
US5798575A (en) | 1996-07-11 | 1998-08-25 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle mirror digital network and dynamically interactive mirror system |
US5707078A (en) * | 1996-11-26 | 1998-01-13 | Takata, Inc. | Air bag module with adjustable cushion inflation |
US5949592A (en) * | 1997-01-10 | 1999-09-07 | Brandin; Boerje A. | Light based apparatus and method for automatically adjusting rearview mirrors |
-
1995
- 1995-01-18 US US08/374,220 patent/US5668675A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-01-16 WO PCT/US1996/000287 patent/WO1996022197A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-01-16 EP EP96904442A patent/EP0809578A4/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1997
- 1997-03-14 US US08/818,628 patent/US5993015A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-08-23 US US09/379,272 patent/US6176587B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2871761A (en) * | 1957-01-02 | 1959-02-03 | Frank T Suyder | Automobile safety mirror |
US5033835A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1991-07-23 | Platzer Jr George E | Remote control mirror with angular viewing adjustments |
US5237458A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1993-08-17 | Polanyi Michael L | Device for adjusting automobile side view mirror |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP0809578A4 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0809578A1 (en) | 1997-12-03 |
US5993015A (en) | 1999-11-30 |
EP0809578A4 (en) | 2001-06-06 |
US5668675A (en) | 1997-09-16 |
US6176587B1 (en) | 2001-01-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5668675A (en) | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects | |
US6501536B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for determining the location of an occupant of a vehicle | |
US4831366A (en) | Head up display apparatus for automotive vehicle | |
US4837551A (en) | Display apparatus for automotive vehicle | |
US8917437B2 (en) | Mirror assembly with formed reflective element substrate | |
CN105150943B (en) | The blind area of rearview mirror component occupies indicator | |
US5034732A (en) | Head up display apparatus for automotive vehicle | |
US20030040851A1 (en) | Vehicle imaging apparatus, vehicle monitoring apparatus, and rearview mirror | |
US4941263A (en) | System for aiding a driver's depth perception | |
US5028912A (en) | Display apparatus for automotive vehicle | |
JP2014069699A (en) | Side mirror for vehicle and control method thereof | |
KR20170008430A (en) | Head up display | |
CA2210474C (en) | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects | |
CN217540605U (en) | Vehicle lamp, vehicle and vehicle headlamp | |
KR102030288B1 (en) | Head-up-display system | |
CA2210554C (en) | Method and apparatus for determining the location of an occupant of a vehicle | |
WO1998030414A1 (en) | Light-based apparatus and methods for automatically adjusting rearview mirrors | |
US20060158752A1 (en) | Vehicle mirror | |
US5801823A (en) | Driver's eyes location determining apparatus and method | |
JPH07329603A (en) | Display device for vehicle | |
US6422706B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for positioning a mirror in a motor vehicle to ensure correct coverage of a critical field of view | |
US11879610B2 (en) | Multi-mode lights | |
JPH07329604A (en) | Display device for vehicle | |
US20240110684A1 (en) | Multi-Mode Lights | |
JPH10203199A (en) | Display unit for vehicle |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): CA JP KR |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1996904442 Country of ref document: EP |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2210474 Country of ref document: CA Ref country code: CA Ref document number: 2210474 Kind code of ref document: A Format of ref document f/p: F |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1996904442 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Ref document number: 1996904442 Country of ref document: EP |