WO2014193353A1 - Rearview mirror video display device - Google Patents

Rearview mirror video display device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014193353A1
WO2014193353A1 PCT/US2013/043028 US2013043028W WO2014193353A1 WO 2014193353 A1 WO2014193353 A1 WO 2014193353A1 US 2013043028 W US2013043028 W US 2013043028W WO 2014193353 A1 WO2014193353 A1 WO 2014193353A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rearview mirror
housing
cavity
display device
opening
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/043028
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeffrey D. BRAWNER
Original Assignee
Atom Enterprises, Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Atom Enterprises, Inc filed Critical Atom Enterprises, Inc
Priority to PCT/US2013/043028 priority Critical patent/WO2014193353A1/en
Publication of WO2014193353A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014193353A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Arrangement of adaptations of instruments
    • B60K35/60—
    • 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
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0229—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
    • B60R11/0235—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes of flat type, e.g. LCD
    • B60K2360/777—
    • 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
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B60R2001/1215—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks with information displays
    • 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
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B60R2001/1253—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks with cameras, video cameras or video screens
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0033—Rear-view mirrors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/0049—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for non integrated articles
    • B60R2011/005—Connection with the vehicle part
    • B60R2011/0059—Connection with the vehicle part using clips, clamps, straps or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/0049—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for non integrated articles
    • B60R2011/0064—Connection with the article
    • B60R2011/0075—Connection with the article using a containment or docking space

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to vehicle video display devices and vehicle rearview mirrors, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a video display device and system that is removably securable to an existing vehicle rearview mirror and that does not obstruct a driver's field of vision.
  • Rearview mirrors having a video display integrated with the mirror case are known in the art.
  • Examples of rearview mirrors that include an integrated video display include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,370,983 and 8,308,310.
  • Embodiments of the present rearview mirror video display device overcome drawbacks of existing rearview mirrors having a video display integrated with the mirror case by providing a video display device that is removably securable to an existing rearview mirror without modification to the existing rearview mirror and without obstructing a driver's field of view.
  • Some embodiments of the present rearview mirror video display device have a housing including a cavity configured to removably receive a side end of a rearview mirror such that the housing extends from the side end of the rearview mirror in a general longitudinal direction relative to the rearview mirror, an opening formed through a front side of the housing and into the cavity that permits viewing of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in the cavity, a lip projecting inwardly into the cavity that circumscribes, in an overlapping manner, an inward facing mirror casing edge of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in the cavity, and a bearing plate disposed within the cavity and movably supported to engage the rearview mirror when it is disposed within the cavity.
  • the cavity is an inwardly opening cavity formed through a side of the housing.
  • the lip extends along the periphery of the opening.
  • Some of these embodiments include one or more screw jacks threaded through a back side of the housing and into the cavity, and are attached to the bearing plate. Further, in some embodiments an adhesive is disposed on the bearing plate.
  • the housing includes a display portion having a display window formed through the front side of the housing and a display screen disposed within the housing and positioned to be viewed through the display window.
  • Some embodiments of the present rearview mirror video display have a forward facing camera attached to the housing and a data storage device on which video captured by the forward facing camera is stored.
  • Some embodiments of the present rearview mirror display have a portable electronic device holder that is configured to removably attach to the housing and configured to removably receive and hold a portable electronic device.
  • the holder has a generally rectangular shaped body having a passage that extends through the body and into which a portion of the housing is removably receivable.
  • a pair of longitudinally extending and vertically spaced flanges projecting outwardly from a front side of the body and have grooves extending along facing side surfaces thereof, and a rectangular opening is formed through the front side and into the passage.
  • Figure 1 is a front side view of a rearview mirror video display device embodying the principles of the present invention, with the video display device operatively attached to a side end of a rearview mirror;
  • Figure 2 is a top side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
  • Figure 3 is a bottom side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the video display device taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
  • Figure 5 is a left side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
  • Figure 6 is a right side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
  • Figure 7 is a front side perspective view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
  • Figure 8 is front side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror and with a portable electronic device holder of the display device;
  • Figure 9 is a top side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror and with the portable electronic device holder of the display device;
  • Figure 10 is a front side perspective view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror and with the portable electronic device holder of the display device;
  • Figure 11 is a first side perspective view of the portable electronic device holder
  • Figure 12 is an opposite side perspective view of the portable electronic device holder.
  • Figure 13 is a block diagram of the rearview mirror video display device and a video system embodying the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is representatively illustrated a specially designed rearview mirror video display device 10 operatively secured to a side end portion 12a of a vehicle rearview mirror 12.
  • the video display device 10 is provided for displaying images or video for viewing by an operator of the motor vehicle. Video or images may also be recorded on an integral data storage device for later viewing. For instance, images or video captured by one or more cameras secured to the vehicle may be recorded and replayed to show an occurrence of a vehicle accident. Details of a video system comprising the rearview mirror video display device 10 are subsequently described.
  • the rearview mirror video display devicelO has a generally rectangular housing 14 including an inwardly opening cavity 16 formed through a side of the housing and configured to removably receive the side end 12a of the rearview mirror 12 in a telescopic relation such that the housing extends from the side end of the rearview mirror in a general longitudinal direction relative to the rearview mirror.
  • An opening 18 is formed through the front side of the housing 14 and into the cavity 16.
  • the opening 18 permits an unobstructed view of mirror 20 at side end 12a when the rearview mirror 12 is received by cavity 16.
  • a lip 22 extends along the periphery of opening 18 and projects inwardly into the cavity 16. Lip 22 is configured to circumscribe, in an overlapping manner, an inward facing mirror edge 24 of the rearview mirror 12 when the rearview mirror is received by cavity 16 (see FIG. 4).
  • a bearing plate 26 is disposed within cavity 16 and is movably supported by screw jacks 28 that are threaded through cooperating holes 30 formed through a back side of housing 14 and into cavity 16 (see FIG. 4). Screw jacks 28 are tightened to move the bearing plate 26 against a rear surface 32 of the rearview mirror 12, when received by cavity 16, and press the rearview mirror against housing 14, within cavity 16, to secure the housing to the rearview mirror.
  • the bearing plate 26 may be pivotally attached to ends of the screw jacks 28 by ball-and-socket joints, permitting the bearing plate to rotate and seat against the rear surface 32 of the rearview mirror 12 as the screw jacks are tightened.
  • a double stick adhesive or tape may be applied to the bearing plate 26 to attach the bearing plate to the rear surface 32 of the rearview mirror.
  • Screws 46 are threaded through a bottom side 48 of housing 14 and into cavity 16. Screws 46 are laterally spaced across the bottom side, and are threaded into the cavity 16 to engage a bottom surface 50 of the rearview mirror 12, further securing the rearview mirror within cavity 16. Screws 46 may be optional.
  • the housing Due to the bearing plate 26, lip 22, and optionally screws 46, connection between the housing 14 and the rearview mirror 12, the housing is securely attached to the rearview mirror in a manner bracing the housing against loads in a variety of directions and secures the housing 14 to the rearview mirror 12 for conjoint movement with the rearview mirror.
  • Housing 14 includes a rearward angled (relative to the vehicle) display portion 14a having a display window 36 formed through a front side of the housing 14.
  • a display screen 34 is disposed within housing 14 and is aligned with the display window 36 to permit viewing the display screen through the display window.
  • Display screen 34 may be any emission device capable of displaying images or video, such as, for example, an LCD screen.
  • a forward facing camera 38 (relative to the vehicle) may be included and attached to a rear side 40 of housing 14.
  • the forward facing camera 38 may be rotatably attached by a ball-in-socket joint 42 to permit an operator to adjust the direction of the camera as desired or required to capture the space or scene forward of the vehicle.
  • the forward facing camera 38 could be fixedly attached to the housing 14 and could be disposed within the housing as opposed to extending from the housing as illustrated.
  • Various control buttons 44 for operating the display screen 34 such as, for example, source input, contrast, brightness, power, etc. are provided along the side the display screen.
  • the devicelO may be configured with an integrated GPS system, may be configured to integrate with or operatively connect to vehicle communication systems, such as, for example, voice activation and telephone systems via wireless or wired connection.
  • vehicle communication systems such as, for example, voice activation and telephone systems via wireless or wired connection.
  • control buttons 44 may also operate to control the various functions of these systems.
  • device 10 may also include a cellular telephone or portable device holder 52.
  • Holder 52 is configured to slip over, in an end-wise direction, portion 14a of housing 14 and is also configured to hold and position a cellphone 54 (FIG. 10) in a generally overlapped position relative to display 34.
  • Holder 52 has a generally rectangular shaped body 58 and includes a passage 60 that latterly extends through opposite ends 62 and 64. Portion 14a of housing 14 is frictionally received by passage 60 in an end-wise direction from end 62 towards end 64.
  • flanges 66a and 66b Extending outwardly from a front side 68 of body 58 are vertically spaced and longitudinally extending flanges 66a and 66b. Grooves 70a and 70b extend along the facing side surfaces of flanges 66a and 66b. A cellular phone is removably disposed between flanges 66a and 66b with opposite lateral sides of the phone being received by groves 70a and 70b. The distance between flanges 66a and 66b is such that the cellular phone is inserted between the flanges in an end-wise direction and is frictionally held therebetween.
  • a rectangular opening 72 is formed through the front side 68 and between flanges 66a and 66b and into passage 60. Opening 72 is disposed to overlay screen 34 when the holder 52 is attached to housing 14 such that screen 34 is viewable through opening 72 when a cellular phone is not positioned between flanges 66a and 66b.
  • a notch 78 is formed through a back side 80 of body 58 and extends through end 62 thereof. Notch 78 aligns with the forward facing camera 38 when the holder 52 is slipped over housing 14 so as to not obstruct the camera and to permit the holder to be fully slid over housing 14 and onto portion 14a thereof.
  • FIG. 13 there is diagrammatically illustrated a vehicle video system 100 comprising the rearview mirror video display system 10, including the forward facing camera 38, the display screen 34, a digital video recorder 46 (or other data storage device), and optionally one or more auxiliary video cameras 102 and 104, and further optionally vehicle system 106.
  • Video cameras 102 and 104 could be one or more of a blind spot camera, a backup camera, a baby camera, etc.
  • Vehicle system 106 could be one or more of an entertainment system, telephone system, voice control system, navigation system, etc. As illustrated, cameras 102 and 104 could be connected to either the DVR 46 (or other data storage device) or display screen 34 by wired or wireless connection. Similarly, vehicle system 106 could be connected to display system 10 by wired or wireless connection.
  • the device 10 may also include an FM transmitter to interface with the vehicle's radio system.

Abstract

A video display device that is removably securable to an existing rearview mirror without modification to the existing rearview mirror and without obstructing driver's field of view.

Description

REARVIEW MIRROR VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to vehicle video display devices and vehicle rearview mirrors, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a video display device and system that is removably securable to an existing vehicle rearview mirror and that does not obstruct a driver's field of vision.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rearview mirrors having a video display integrated with the mirror case are known in the art. Examples of rearview mirrors that include an integrated video display include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,370,983 and 8,308,310.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present rearview mirror video display device overcome drawbacks of existing rearview mirrors having a video display integrated with the mirror case by providing a video display device that is removably securable to an existing rearview mirror without modification to the existing rearview mirror and without obstructing a driver's field of view.
Some embodiments of the present rearview mirror video display device have a housing including a cavity configured to removably receive a side end of a rearview mirror such that the housing extends from the side end of the rearview mirror in a general longitudinal direction relative to the rearview mirror, an opening formed through a front side of the housing and into the cavity that permits viewing of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in the cavity, a lip projecting inwardly into the cavity that circumscribes, in an overlapping manner, an inward facing mirror casing edge of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in the cavity, and a bearing plate disposed within the cavity and movably supported to engage the rearview mirror when it is disposed within the cavity.
In some embodiments the cavity is an inwardly opening cavity formed through a side of the housing. In some embodiments the lip extends along the periphery of the opening. Some of these embodiments include one or more screw jacks threaded through a back side of the housing and into the cavity, and are attached to the bearing plate. Further, in some embodiments an adhesive is disposed on the bearing plate.
Some embodiments of the present rearview mirror video display device the housing includes a display portion having a display window formed through the front side of the housing and a display screen disposed within the housing and positioned to be viewed through the display window.
Some embodiments of the present rearview mirror video display have a forward facing camera attached to the housing and a data storage device on which video captured by the forward facing camera is stored.
Some embodiments of the present rearview mirror display have a portable electronic device holder that is configured to removably attach to the housing and configured to removably receive and hold a portable electronic device. In some of these embodiments, the holder has a generally rectangular shaped body having a passage that extends through the body and into which a portion of the housing is removably receivable.
In some embodiments of the present rearview mirror display a pair of longitudinally extending and vertically spaced flanges projecting outwardly from a front side of the body and have grooves extending along facing side surfaces thereof, and a rectangular opening is formed through the front side and into the passage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a front side view of a rearview mirror video display device embodying the principles of the present invention, with the video display device operatively attached to a side end of a rearview mirror;
Figure 2 is a top side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
Figure 3 is a bottom side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the video display device taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
Figure 5 is a left side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
Figure 6 is a right side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror; Figure 7 is a front side perspective view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror;
Figure 8 is front side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror and with a portable electronic device holder of the display device;
Figure 9 is a top side view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror and with the portable electronic device holder of the display device;
Figure 10 is a front side perspective view of the rearview mirror video display device, with the video display device operatively attached to the side end of the rearview mirror and with the portable electronic device holder of the display device;
Figure 11 is a first side perspective view of the portable electronic device holder;
Figure 12 is an opposite side perspective view of the portable electronic device holder; and
Figure 13 is a block diagram of the rearview mirror video display device and a video system embodying the principles of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is representatively illustrated a specially designed rearview mirror video display device 10 operatively secured to a side end portion 12a of a vehicle rearview mirror 12. The video display device 10 is provided for displaying images or video for viewing by an operator of the motor vehicle. Video or images may also be recorded on an integral data storage device for later viewing. For instance, images or video captured by one or more cameras secured to the vehicle may be recorded and replayed to show an occurrence of a vehicle accident. Details of a video system comprising the rearview mirror video display device 10 are subsequently described.
Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 7, the rearview mirror video display devicelO has a generally rectangular housing 14 including an inwardly opening cavity 16 formed through a side of the housing and configured to removably receive the side end 12a of the rearview mirror 12 in a telescopic relation such that the housing extends from the side end of the rearview mirror in a general longitudinal direction relative to the rearview mirror.
An opening 18 is formed through the front side of the housing 14 and into the cavity 16. The opening 18 permits an unobstructed view of mirror 20 at side end 12a when the rearview mirror 12 is received by cavity 16. A lip 22 extends along the periphery of opening 18 and projects inwardly into the cavity 16. Lip 22 is configured to circumscribe, in an overlapping manner, an inward facing mirror edge 24 of the rearview mirror 12 when the rearview mirror is received by cavity 16 (see FIG. 4).
A bearing plate 26 is disposed within cavity 16 and is movably supported by screw jacks 28 that are threaded through cooperating holes 30 formed through a back side of housing 14 and into cavity 16 (see FIG. 4). Screw jacks 28 are tightened to move the bearing plate 26 against a rear surface 32 of the rearview mirror 12, when received by cavity 16, and press the rearview mirror against housing 14, within cavity 16, to secure the housing to the rearview mirror. The bearing plate 26 may be pivotally attached to ends of the screw jacks 28 by ball-and-socket joints, permitting the bearing plate to rotate and seat against the rear surface 32 of the rearview mirror 12 as the screw jacks are tightened. A double stick adhesive or tape may be applied to the bearing plate 26 to attach the bearing plate to the rear surface 32 of the rearview mirror.
On or more set screws or the like, such as screws 46 are threaded through a bottom side 48 of housing 14 and into cavity 16. Screws 46 are laterally spaced across the bottom side, and are threaded into the cavity 16 to engage a bottom surface 50 of the rearview mirror 12, further securing the rearview mirror within cavity 16. Screws 46 may be optional.
Due to the bearing plate 26, lip 22, and optionally screws 46, connection between the housing 14 and the rearview mirror 12, the housing is securely attached to the rearview mirror in a manner bracing the housing against loads in a variety of directions and secures the housing 14 to the rearview mirror 12 for conjoint movement with the rearview mirror.
Housing 14 includes a rearward angled (relative to the vehicle) display portion 14a having a display window 36 formed through a front side of the housing 14. A display screen 34 is disposed within housing 14 and is aligned with the display window 36 to permit viewing the display screen through the display window. Display screen 34 may be any emission device capable of displaying images or video, such as, for example, an LCD screen.
A forward facing camera 38 (relative to the vehicle) may be included and attached to a rear side 40 of housing 14. The forward facing camera 38 may be rotatably attached by a ball-in-socket joint 42 to permit an operator to adjust the direction of the camera as desired or required to capture the space or scene forward of the vehicle. Alternatively, the forward facing camera 38 could be fixedly attached to the housing 14 and could be disposed within the housing as opposed to extending from the housing as illustrated. Various control buttons 44 for operating the display screen 34, such as, for example, source input, contrast, brightness, power, etc. are provided along the side the display screen.
Optionally, the devicelO may be configured with an integrated GPS system, may be configured to integrate with or operatively connect to vehicle communication systems, such as, for example, voice activation and telephone systems via wireless or wired connection. In these instances, control buttons 44 may also operate to control the various functions of these systems.
With reference to FIGS. 8 through 12, device 10 may also include a cellular telephone or portable device holder 52. Holder 52 is configured to slip over, in an end-wise direction, portion 14a of housing 14 and is also configured to hold and position a cellphone 54 (FIG. 10) in a generally overlapped position relative to display 34. Holder 52 has a generally rectangular shaped body 58 and includes a passage 60 that latterly extends through opposite ends 62 and 64. Portion 14a of housing 14 is frictionally received by passage 60 in an end-wise direction from end 62 towards end 64.
Extending outwardly from a front side 68 of body 58 are vertically spaced and longitudinally extending flanges 66a and 66b. Grooves 70a and 70b extend along the facing side surfaces of flanges 66a and 66b. A cellular phone is removably disposed between flanges 66a and 66b with opposite lateral sides of the phone being received by groves 70a and 70b. The distance between flanges 66a and 66b is such that the cellular phone is inserted between the flanges in an end-wise direction and is frictionally held therebetween.
A rectangular opening 72 is formed through the front side 68 and between flanges 66a and 66b and into passage 60. Opening 72 is disposed to overlay screen 34 when the holder 52 is attached to housing 14 such that screen 34 is viewable through opening 72 when a cellular phone is not positioned between flanges 66a and 66b.
A notch 78 is formed through a back side 80 of body 58 and extends through end 62 thereof. Notch 78 aligns with the forward facing camera 38 when the holder 52 is slipped over housing 14 so as to not obstruct the camera and to permit the holder to be fully slid over housing 14 and onto portion 14a thereof.
Turning now to FIG. 13, there is diagrammatically illustrated a vehicle video system 100 comprising the rearview mirror video display system 10, including the forward facing camera 38, the display screen 34, a digital video recorder 46 (or other data storage device), and optionally one or more auxiliary video cameras 102 and 104, and further optionally vehicle system 106. Video cameras 102 and 104 could be one or more of a blind spot camera, a backup camera, a baby camera, etc. Vehicle system 106 could be one or more of an entertainment system, telephone system, voice control system, navigation system, etc. As illustrated, cameras 102 and 104 could be connected to either the DVR 46 (or other data storage device) or display screen 34 by wired or wireless connection. Similarly, vehicle system 106 could be connected to display system 10 by wired or wireless connection. The device 10 may also include an FM transmitter to interface with the vehicle's radio system.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror video display device comprising:
a housing having a cavity configured to removably receive a side end of a rearview mirror such that said housing extends from the side end of the rearview mirror in a general longitudinal direction relative to the rearview mirror;
an opening formed through a front side of said housing and into said cavity, said opening permitting viewing of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in said cavity;
a lip projecting inwardly into said cavity, said lip configured to circumscribe, in an overlapping manner, an inward facing mirror edge of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in said cavity; and
a bearing plate disposed within said cavity and movably supported to engage the rearview mirror when disposed within said cavity.
2. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1, wherein said cavity is an inwardly opening cavity formed through a side of said housing.
3. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1, wherein said lip extends along the periphery of said opening.
4. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more screw jacks threaded through a back side of said housing an into said cavity; and wherein
said bearing plate attached to said one or more screw jacks.
5. The rearview mirror display device of claim I, further comprising:
an adhesive on said bearing plate.
6. The rearview mirror display device of claim 5, wherein said adhesive is a double- sided tape.
7. The rearview mirror display device of claim I, wherein said housing includes a display portion having a display window formed through said front side of said housing; and
further comprising a display screen disposed within said housing and positioned to be viewed through said display window.
8. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1, further comprising:
a forward facing camera attached to said housing; and
a data storage device on which video captured by said forward facing camera is stored.
9. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1, further comprising:
a portable electronic device holder that is configured to removably attach to said housing and configured to removably receive and hold a portable electronic device.
10. The rearview mirror display device of claim 9, wherein said holder has a generally rectangular shaped body having a passage that extends through said body and into which a portion of said housing is removably receivable.
11. A rearview mirror video display device comprising:
a housing having an inwardly opening cavity formed through a side of the housing, said cavity configured to removably receive a side end of a rearview mirror such that said housing extends from the side end of the rearview mirror in a general longitudinal direction relative to the rearview mirror;
an opening formed through a front side of said housing and into said cavity, said opening permitting viewing of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in said cavity;
a lip extending along the periphery of said opening and projecting inwardly into said cavity, said lip configured to circumscribe, in an overlapping manner, an inward facing mirror edge of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is received by said cavity; and
a bearing plate disposed within said cavity and movably supported to engage the rearview mirror and press the rearview mirror against said housing within said cavity when said rearview mirror is received by said cavity.
12. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1 1, further comprising:
one or more screw jacks threaded through a back side of said housing said cavity; and wherein
said bearing plate attached to said one or more screw jacks.
13. The rearview mirror display device of claim 11, wherein said housing includes a display portion having a display window formed through said front side of said housing; and further comprising a display screen disposed within said housing and positioned to be viewed through said display window.
14. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1 1, further comprising:
a forward facing camera attached to said housing; and
a data storage device on which video captured by said forward facing camera is stored.
15. The rearview mirror display device of claim 1 1, further comprising:
a portable electronic device holder that is configured to removably attach to said housing and configured to removably receive and hold a portable electronic device.
16. The rearview mirror display device of claim 15, wherein said holder comprises: a generally rectangular shaped body having a passage that extends through said body and into which a portion of said housing is removably receivable; and a pair of longitudinally extending and vertically spaced flanges projecting outwardly from a front side of said body, said flanges having grooves extending along facing side surfaces thereof.
17. The rearview mirror display device of claim 15, wherein said body includes a rectangular opening formed through said front side and into said passage.
18. A rearview mirror video display device comprising:
a housing having an inwardly opening cavity formed through a side of the housing, said cavity configured to removably receive a side end of a rearview mirror such that said housing extends from the side end of the rearview mirror in a general longitudinal direction relative to the rearview mirror;
an opening formed through a front side of said housing and into said cavity, said opening permitting viewing of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is disposed in said cavity;
a lip extending along the periphery of said opening and projecting inwardly into said cavity, said lip configured to circumscribe, in an overlapping manner, an inward facing mirror edge of the rearview mirror when the rearview mirror is received by said cavity;
a bearing plate disposed within said cavity and movably supported to engage the rearview mirror and press the rearview mirror against said housing within said cavity when said rearview mirror is received by said cavity;
one or more screw jacks threaded through a back side of said housing an into said cavity, said bearing plate attached to said one or more screw jacks; and
a forward facing camera attached to said housing; and
a data storage device on which video captured by said forward facing camera is stored.
19. The rearview mirror display device of claim 18, further comprising:
a portable electronic device holder that is configured to removably attach to said housing and configured to removably receive and hold a portable electronic device.
20. The rearview mirror display device of claim 19, wherein said holder comprises: a generally rectangular shaped body having a passage that extends through said body and into which a portion of said housing is removably receivable;
a pair of longitudinally extending and vertically spaced flanges projecting outwardly from a front side of said body, said flanges having grooves extending along facing side surfaces thereof; and
a rectangular opening formed through said front side and into said passage.
PCT/US2013/043028 2013-05-29 2013-05-29 Rearview mirror video display device WO2014193353A1 (en)

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CN106379243A (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-02-08 深圳嘟嘟智能科技有限公司 Rearview mirror system capable of displaying electronic images and automobile with rearview mirror system
WO2021042226A1 (en) * 2019-09-03 2021-03-11 江苏金丰机电有限公司 New energy automobile on basis of internet-of-vehicles and capable of travel path monitoring
JP2021163218A (en) * 2020-03-31 2021-10-11 株式会社ユピテル On-vehicle device and others
JP7470969B2 (en) 2020-03-31 2024-04-19 株式会社ユピテル In-vehicle devices, etc.

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CN106379243A (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-02-08 深圳嘟嘟智能科技有限公司 Rearview mirror system capable of displaying electronic images and automobile with rearview mirror system
WO2021042226A1 (en) * 2019-09-03 2021-03-11 江苏金丰机电有限公司 New energy automobile on basis of internet-of-vehicles and capable of travel path monitoring
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