Mirror monitor using two levels of reflectivity and transmissibility

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11712998-B2
Application number	US-202117444718-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 9, 2021
Priority date	Sep 24, 2013
Publication date	Aug 1, 2023
Grant date	Aug 1, 2023

Abstract

A rear-view mirror and modular monitor system and method include an interior mirror that embeds a modular monitor behind see-through mirror glass. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple cameras, some in the vehicle, bus and/or truck, as well as some cameras outside the vehicle, bus and/or truck, advantageously providing the driver an opportunity to view what is happening, for example, in the back rows of the bus and/or cabin, while also using the mirror to look at objects in the bus and/or cabin that are visible using the mirror. The rear-view mirror and modular monitor system is configured to be easily assembled and/or disassembled when necessary for maintenance and/or to replace parts.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mirror system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a bus or transit vehicle comprising:
a rear-view mirror unit for a bus, truck or transit vehicle mounted forward of the vehicle operator, said rear-view mirror unit comprises a first area having a first reflectivity and a second area having a second reflectivity, said first and second reflectivities being substantially the same and approximately between 30% and 55%;
a light sensor configured to sense an ambient light level and generate a corresponding electric signal for automatically adjusting the brightness of a monitor module positioned to correspond to the first area;
one or more image capture devices mounted on the vehicle and configured to capture one or more video feeds displayable through the first area of said rear-view mirror unit responsive to at least one of an automatically selectable view or a manually selectable view, wherein a display of the one or more video feeds is prevented in response to receiving one or more triggering signals;
a video input switch configured to be chosen from one of a single-feed configuration providing a video input from one of the one or more image capture devices or a multiple-feed configuration providing a split video input from the at least one of one or more image capture devices;
a delay timer enabling at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to continue to capture video for a predetermined time responsive to predetermined criteria enabling at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to continue to capture video for the predetermined time responsive to the predetermined criteria including the vehicle ignition being turned off;
a motion detector detecting motion in the vicinity of the vehicle, and wherein the delay timer enables at least one of the one or more image capture devices to continue to capture video for the predetermined time at predetermined intervals responsive to the predetermined criteria and triggering of the motion detector for recording events in the vicinity of the vehicle and to prevent theft; and
a light source to illuminate the interior of the vehicle during low lighting situations in at least one of a visible range or infrared range.

2. A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein said light source includes an Infrared (IR) Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting for capturing images in low or no visibility without requiring a flash or other bright light source.

3. A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising an exterior light source mounted to the exterior of the vehicle to enable at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to capture images in the vicinity of the vehicle.

4. A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more triggering signals comprises a backup signal.

5. A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more triggering signals comprises a stop-completed signal.

6. A mirror system according to claim 5 , wherein the stop-completed signal is generated when a passenger door of the bus or public transit vehicle is closed.

7. A mirror system according to claim 5 , wherein the stop-completed signal is generated when flashing lights of the bus or public transit vehicle cease flashing.

8. A mirror system according to claim 5 , wherein the stop-completed signal is generated when gears of the bus or public transit vehicle have changed from parked to forward or reverse.

9. A mirror system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a bus or transit vehicle comprising:
a rear-view mirror unit for a bus, truck or transit vehicle mounted forward of the vehicle operator, said rear-view mirror unit comprises a first area having a first reflectivity and a second area having a second reflectivity, said first and second reflectivities being substantially the same and approximately between 30% and 55%;
a light sensor configured to sense an ambient light level and generate a corresponding electric signal for automatically adjusting the brightness of a monitor module positioned to correspond to the first area;
one or more image capture devices mounted on the vehicle and configured to capture one or more video feeds displayable through the first area of said rear-view mirror unit responsive to at least one of an automatically selectable view or a manually selectable view;
at least one monitor module connectable to the rear-view mirror unit and configured to receive the one or more video feeds transmitted from the one or more image capture devices and viewable through the first area of the rear-view mirror unit, wherein a display of the one or more video feeds is prevented in response to receiving one or more triggering signals;
a video input switch configured to select one of a single-feed configuration providing a video input from one of the one or more image capture devices or a multiple-feed configuration providing a split video input from a plurality of the one or more image capture devices;
a delay timer enabling at least one of the one or more image capture devices to continue to capture video for a predetermined time responsive to predetermined criteria;
a motion detector detecting motion in the vicinity of the vehicle, and wherein the delay timer enables at least one of the one or more image capture devices to continue to capture video for the predetermined time at predetermined intervals responsive to the predetermined criteria and triggering of the motion detector for recording events in the vicinity of the vehicle and to prevent theft;
at least one image storage device configured for storage of at least one image transmitted by the one or more image capture devices; and
a light source to illuminate the interior of the vehicle during low lighting situations in at least one of a visible range or infrared range.

10. A mirror system according to claim 9 , wherein the video input switch is located on a dashboard of the bus or transit vehicle.

11. A mirror system according to claim 9 , wherein the video input switch is further configured to provide at least one image responsive to a full mirror view.

12. A method of preparing a mirror system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a vehicle, the method comprising:
mounting a rear-view mirror unit forward of the vehicle operator, said rear-view mirror unit comprises a first area having a first reflectivity and a second area having a second reflectivity, said first and second reflectivities being substantially the same and approximately between 30% and 55%;
mounting one or more image capture devices on the vehicle and configured to capture one or more video feeds displayable through the first area of said rear-view mirror unit responsive to at least one of an automatically selectable view or a manually selectable view, wherein a display of the one or more video feeds is prevented in response to receiving one or more triggering signals;
selecting using a video input switch between a single-feed configuration or a multiple-feed configuration, the single-feed configuration providing a video input from one of the one or more image capture devices, the multiple-feed configuration providing a split video input from the at least one of one or more image capture devices;
enabling, by a delay timer, at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to continue to capture video for a predetermined time responsive to predetermined criteria;
detecting motion, by a motion detector, in the vicinity of the vehicle, wherein the delay timer enables at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to con

Assignees

• Rosco Inc

Inventors

• Englander Benjamin
• Serer Julian
• Plate Peter
• Balsam Gary

Classifications

• B60R1/12 Primary

  Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks · CPC title

• B60R1/008

  allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses (combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08) · CPC title

• H04N5/268

  Signal distribution or switching · CPC title

• H04N7/181

  for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources · CPC title

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title