Rear-view mirror switching modes in conjunction with gears and control method thereof

Abstract

According to the present invention, disclosed are a rear-view mirror which switches modes in conjunction with gears, and a control method thereof. According to the present invention, the mode of the rear-view mirror is switched between a display mode and a mirror mode in accordance gear setting information of a vehicle and a result detected by an object detection sensor for a back seat, and an object detection indication indicating that an object is present in the back seat is output through the rear-view mirror, thus improving user convenience by making it possible to check the back seat situation through a digital rear-view mirror through a natural action (gear shifting, driver getting off, etc.) accompanying vehicle operation. Moreover, the back seat situation, from boarding to getting off the vehicle, can be safely and easily checked through the digital rear-view mirror to prevent accidents that can occur when an object or a passenger is left in the back seat.

Description

Rear-view mirror with mode switching linked to gear and method for controlling the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear-view mirror, and more specifically, to a rear-view mirror that switches modes in conjunction with the gear of a vehicle and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] Generally, vehicles are equipped with a rear-view mirror near the front windshield to allow the driver to assess road conditions behind the vehicle while driving. However, since conventional rear-view mirrors are installed within the vehicle's interior, it is very difficult to see the rear of the vehicle through the mirror when the view is obstructed by passengers in the rear seats, when there is a lot of dust on the rear windshield, when snow has accumulated on the rear windshield, or when rainwater has formed on the rear windshield. Furthermore, the area that can be viewed through the rear-view mirror is limited to the area visible through the vehicle's rear windshield, thus having a narrow field of view.

[0003] To resolve the inconvenience of such conventional rear-view mirrors, digital rear-view mirrors have recently been released. Digital rear-view mirrors have the advantage of providing a clear rear view even when there are passengers in the rear seats of the vehicle, or when dust or snow is accumulated on the rear window, by installing a display in addition to a standard rear-view mirror and installing a camera (rear camera) at the rear of the vehicle and outputting the image captured by the rear camera through the digital rear-view mirror's display.

[0004] However, conventional digital rearview mirrors basically only output rear images without information about the rear seats, making it difficult to determine whether there are objects in the rear seats or what the condition of the occupants is. To observe the rear seats, the driver had to manually operate the switching device included in the digital rearview mirror while driving. Manually operating the rearview mirror while driving causes inconvenience to the driver and increases the risk of accidents as the driver's field of vision is obstructed from the front, thus posing a problem that may compromise the safety of the driver and passengers (hereinafter collectively referred to as occupants).

[0005] Furthermore, conventional digital rearview mirrors do not display separate notifications or warnings while driving even if there are objects in the rear seat. Consequently, when driving is prolonged or due to driver inattention, the presence of objects (such as infants or items) in the rear seat is forgotten, leading to accidents resulting in casualties among passengers left behind or explosions of flammable materials.

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a rear-view mirror and a control method thereof that can automatically switch the mode of the digital rear-view mirror according to the vehicle's operating status, such as driving, parking, and ignition on / off, so as not to require the driver to manually operate the mode of the digital rear-view mirror one by one, thereby providing information related to objects and passengers in the rear seat to the driver.

[0007] A rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem comprises: a rear camera that captures the rear of a vehicle and outputs a rear image; a display that outputs an image; a mirror module installed in front of the display and adjusting reflectivity according to a control signal; and a circuit unit including a processor and a memory. The processor, which executes instructions stored in the memory, controls the operation to switch between a display mode in which the rear image is output through the display and the rear image output from the display passes through the mirror module, and a mirror mode in which the reflectivity of the mirror module is increased to reflect light through the mirror module, according to vehicle ignition on / off information and gear setting information input from the main controller of the vehicle.

[0008] In addition, a rear-view mirror according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a detection sensor that detects an object located in the rear seat of a vehicle, and the processor can output a rear seat object detection indicator when an object in the rear seat of a vehicle is detected by the detection sensor.

[0009] In addition, when the ignition is turned ON and the gear setting information is D or R, the processor is controlled to operate in display mode, and when a rear seat object is detected, a rear seat object detection indicator can be output to the display.

[0010] Additionally, when the gear information is changed to P, the processor controls the display mode to switch to mirror mode, and when a rear object is detected, outputs a rear object detection indicator to the display and can lower the reflectivity of the mirror module so that the rear object detection indicator is displayed externally.

[0011] Additionally, when the ignition is turned ON and the gear setting information is P, the processor is controlled to operate in mirror mode, and when a rear seat object is detected, a rear seat object detection indicator (400) is output to the display, and the reflectivity of the mirror module can be lowered so that the rear seat object detection indicator is displayed externally.

[0012] In addition, when the gear setting information is changed to D or R, the processor controls the transition from mirror mode to display mode, and when a rear seat object is detected, it can output a rear seat object detection indicator to the display.

[0013] In addition, when the ignition is turned off, the processor detects a rear seat object using the detection sensor, and if a rear seat object is confirmed, it can output a warning text through the display.

[0014] In addition, a rear-view mirror according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an LED light surrounding the mirror module, and the processor can provide a warning to the driver by flashing the LED light while simultaneously outputting a warning text.

[0015] In addition, when a driver exit signal is input while an object in the rear seat is detected, the processor outputs a warning sound, and when the distance between the smart key carried by the driver and the vehicle exceeds a threshold distance, it can transmit a rear seat confirmation message to the driver terminal through the vehicle's main controller.

[0016] Meanwhile, a control method for a rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem comprises a rear camera, a display, a mirror module installed in front of the display to adjust reflectivity according to a control signal, and a circuit unit having a processor and a memory, wherein the method comprises: (a) receiving gear setting information from a main controller of a vehicle when the ignition is turned ON; (b) when the gear setting information is D or R, the processor executes a display mode that outputs a rear image input through the rear camera through the display; (c) when the gear setting information is P, the processor executes a mirror mode by increasing the reflectivity of the mirror module; and (d) when the gear setting information input from the main controller of the vehicle is changed, switching between a display mode and a mirror mode according to the gear setting information.

[0017] In addition, the rear-view mirror further includes a detection sensor that detects an object located in the rear seat of the vehicle, and step (b) outputs a rear view image through the display, and when a rear seat object is detected using the detection sensor, a rear seat object detection indicator can be output to the display.

[0018] In addition, the rear-view mirror further includes a detection sensor that detects an object located in the rear seat of the vehicle, and step (c) increases the reflectivity of the mirror module to operate it in mirror mode, and when a rear seat object is detected using the detection sensor, a rear seat object detection indicator is output to the display and can be displayed through the mirror module.

[0019] In addition, a method for controlling a rear-view mirror according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of (e) detecting whether an object exists in the rear seat using the detection sensor when the ignition is turned off, and outputting a warning text to the display when an object is detected.

[0020] In addition, a method for controlling a rear-view mirror according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of (f) outputting a warning sound indicating that an object remains in the rear seat when the driver exits the vehicle, and when the distance between the smart key held by the driver and the vehicle becomes greater than a threshold, transmitting a rear seat verification request message to the driver's user terminal through the vehicle's main controller.

[0021] The present invention improves user convenience by switching the mode of the rear-view mirror between a display mode and a mirror mode based on the vehicle's gear setting information and the result detected by an object detection sensor for the rear seat, and by outputting an object detection indicator through the rear-view mirror to indicate the presence of an object in the rear seat, thereby allowing the rear seat situation to be checked through the digital rear-view mirror during natural movements accompanying vehicle operation (gear shifting, driver exiting, etc.), and by allowing the rear seat situation from vehicle entry to exit to be checked safely and easily through the digital rear-view mirror, thereby preventing accidents that may occur when an object or passenger is left in the rear seat.

[0022] FIGS. 1A and FIGS. 1B are drawings illustrating the configuration of a rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIGS. 2a and 2b are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling a rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIGS. 3 to 6 are drawings illustrating examples of images displayed on a rear-view mirror depending on the vehicle's gear setting and whether a rear seat object is detected.

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Hereinafter, the aforementioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, as the present invention is subject to various modifications and may have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below.

[0027] Throughout the specification, identical reference numbers indicate identical components in principle. Additionally, components with identical functions within the scope of the same concept appearing in the drawings of each embodiment are described using the same reference numeral.

[0028] When a part of a specification is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components. Furthermore, terms such as "...part" or "module" as used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented in hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

[0029] If it is determined that a detailed description of known functions or configurations related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted. Additionally, numbers used in the description of this specification (e.g., 1st, 2nd, etc.) are merely identification symbols to distinguish one component from another.

[0030]

[0031] FIGS. 1A and FIGS. 1B are drawings illustrating the configuration of a rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, a rear-view mirror (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a rear camera (110), a mirror module (140), a display (130), a detection sensor (150), an LED light (160), and a circuit unit (120), and the circuit unit (120) includes a processor (121) and a memory (123).

[0033] The mirror module (140), display (130), detection sensor (150), LED light (160), and circuit unit (120) are included in the rear-view mirror housing (190) and installed near the front windshield inside the vehicle, and the rear camera (110) is installed on the outside rear of the vehicle.

[0034] The rear camera (110) captures the rear of the vehicle to generate a rear image and transmits the rear image to the processor (121). The rear camera (110) may be used to have a shooting angle of 120 degrees or more so that blind spots can be captured.

[0035] The display (130) can be implemented as an LCD module, an OLED module, etc., and is turned on / off according to the control of the processor (121), and outputs a video signal generated by the processor (121).

[0036] The mirror module (140) contains an EC (Electronic Chromic) film inside and is positioned in front of the display (130). Under the control of the processor (121), the reflectivity and transmittance of the EC film contained in the mirror module (140) are adjusted, and accordingly, the mirror module (140) performs the role of a reflector or transmits an image displayed on the display (130) so that the driver can see the image on the display (130).

[0037] A detection sensor (150) is installed in an external housing (190) to detect the rear of the vehicle. In particular, the detection sensor (150) detects whether an object (object, passenger, etc.) is present in the rear seat of the vehicle and outputs an object detection signal to a processor (121). The detection sensor (150) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is implemented as an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) sensor, but is not limited thereto as long as it is configured to detect an object in the rear seat.

[0038] The memory (123) is implemented as an SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can store instructions to be executed by the processor (121), and can store data processed by the processor (121) and rear images.

[0039] The processor (121) can be implemented as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a similar device (e.g., MPU (Micro Processing Unit), MCU (Micro Control Unit), etc.) and controls the display (130) and mirror module (140) by executing instructions stored in memory (123), processes the rear image to generate an image to be output to the display (130), and outputs the generated image through the display (130).

[0040] Additionally, the processor (121) receives a rear seat object detection signal from the detection sensor (150), checks whether there is an object (including objects or passengers, etc.) in the rear seat of the vehicle, and controls the flashing of the LED lights (160) installed around the display (130) and mirror module (140) as needed.

[0041] Memory (120) may include a kernel, middleware, an application programming interface (API), and / or an application program. At least some of the kernel, middleware, or API may be referred to as an operating system. The kernel may control or manage system resources (e.g., a bus, a processor, or memory, etc.) used to execute operations or functions implemented in other programs (e.g., middleware, API, or application program). Additionally, the kernel may provide an interface that allows the control or management of system resources by accessing individual components of the server through the middleware, API, or application program.

[0042] Examples of memory (120) may include SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Memory (120) may be replaced by web storage or a cloud server that performs the function of a storage medium on the internet, or may be implemented by replacing it with a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0043] Meanwhile, the processor (121) included in the rear-view mirror (100) of the present invention communicates with the vehicle main controller (200) to receive vehicle gear setting information (D / R / P) from the vehicle main controller (200). In addition, the processor (121) receives distance information between the smart key and the vehicle, driver exit signal, etc., from the vehicle main controller (200), and may request the vehicle main controller (200) to transmit a rear seat check request message to the driver's user terminal (300). At this time, the rear-view mirror (100) may communicate with the vehicle main controller (200) based on a CAN communication protocol.

[0044] Meanwhile, a rear-view mirror according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention may, instead of receiving distance information between the smart key and the vehicle from the main controller (200) of the vehicle, further include a smart key detection sensor (not shown) inside the rear-view mirror, and when the smart key detection sensor receives a signal transmitted by the smart key at a constant time interval and outputs it to the processor (121), the processor (121) may measure the distance to the smart key.

[0045] To explain the function of the rear-view mirror (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processor (121) of the present invention communicates with the main controller (200) of the vehicle and receives information such as ignition on / off information, gear setting information, driver exit information, and distance information between the vehicle and the smart key held by the driver from the main controller (200) of the vehicle.

[0046] The processor (121) controls the rear-view mirror (100) to operate in display mode or mirror mode by turning the display (130) on / off according to the vehicle's ignition on / off information and gear setting information, and by adjusting the reflectivity and transmittance of the mirror module (140). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the gear setting information is D (Drive) or R (Reverse) indicating that the vehicle is in motion, the processor (121) controls the rear-view mirror (100) to operate in display mode, and when the gear setting information is P (Park) indicating that the vehicle is not in motion, the rear-view mirror (100) is controlled to operate in mirror mode.

[0047] In display mode, the processor (121) outputs a rear image captured by the rear camera (110) through the display (130), and lowers the reflectivity of the mirror module (140) and increases the transmittance so that the rear image output from the display (130) passes through the mirror module (140) and is output to the driver.

[0048] In mirror mode, the processor (121) turns off the display (130) and increases the reflectivity of the mirror module (140) so that light is reflected from the mirror module (140) and directed toward the driver, just like a standard rear-view mirror.

[0049] Meanwhile, the processor (121) drives the detection sensor (150) to detect whether there is an object in the rear seat of the vehicle, and when an object in the rear seat of the vehicle is detected by the detection sensor (150), it outputs a rear seat object detection indicator (400) through the display (130). At this time, when the rear-view mirror (100) operates in display mode, it outputs the rear seat object detection indicator (400) through the display (130), and when it operates in mirror mode, it lowers the reflectivity of the mirror module (140) and outputs the rear seat object detection indicator (400) on the display (130) so that the driver can check the rear seat object detection indicator (400).

[0050] Additionally, when the processor (121) receives an ignition off (OFF) signal from the vehicle's main controller (200), it detects a rear seat object using a detection sensor (150), and when a rear seat object is confirmed, it outputs a warning text (e.g., "Please check the rear seat") through the display (130) and warns the driver that there is an object in the rear seat by flashing an LED light (160) installed in the housing (190) to surround the mirror module (140).

[0051] Additionally, when the driver unbuckles the seatbelt or opens the driver's door to exit, the vehicle's main controller (200) transmits a driver exit signal to the processor (121), and when the processor (121) receives the driver exit signal while a rear seat object is detected, it outputs a warning sound. At this time, the warning sound can be output through a speaker installed inside the vehicle via the vehicle's main controller (200), and if a speaker (not shown) is provided inside the housing (190), it can be output using that speaker.

[0052] Additionally, the processor (121) can receive distance information between the smart key carried by the driver and the vehicle from the vehicle's main controller (200), and if the distance between the vehicle and the smart key is greater than a threshold (threshold distance) while an object remains in the rear seat of the vehicle, it can send a rear seat verification request message to the driver's user terminal (mobile communication terminal) (300) through the vehicle's main controller (200).

[0053]

[0054] FIGS. 2a and 2b are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling a rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 6 are drawings illustrating examples of images displayed on a rear-view mirror depending on the vehicle's gear setting and whether a rear seat object is detected.

[0055] Hereinafter, with further reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b and FIGS. 3 to 6, the function of a rear-view mirror (100) and a method for controlling the rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0056] First, when the vehicle is turned on, the processor (121) receives gear setting information from the vehicle main controller (200) and checks the current vehicle gear setting (S210).

[0057] When the vehicle's gear is set to P (Park), the processor (121) operates the rear-view mirror (100) in mirror mode (S221). In mirror mode, the processor (121) turns off the display (130) and increases the reflectivity of the EC film included in the mirror module (140) so that the rear seat situation of the vehicle is reflected and shown to the driver.

[0058] After that, the processor (121) attempts to detect an object in the rear seat by driving the detection sensor (150) and checks whether an object in the rear seat has been detected by examining the signal input from the detection sensor (150) (S223).

[0059] When a rear seat object is detected, as shown in FIG. 3, the processor (121) outputs an object detection indicator (400) indicating that a rear seat object has been detected through the display (130), and when the reflectivity of the mirror module (140) is lowered, the object detection indicator (400) output on the display (130) passes through the mirror module (140) and is displayed to the driver (S235).

[0060] Meanwhile, when vehicle operation begins in the case where the gear setting information is D (Drive) or R (Reverse) in step S210, the processor (121) operates the rear-view mirror (100) in display mode (S231). In display mode, the processor (121) outputs the rear image captured by the rear camera (110) through the display (130) and lowers the reflectivity of the EC film of the mirror module (140), so that the light of the image output through the display (130) passes through the mirror module (140), allowing the driver to see the image displayed on the display (130).

[0061] After that, the processor (121) attempts to detect a rear seat object by driving the detection sensor (150) and checks whether an object is detected in the rear seat by examining the signal input from the detection sensor (150) (S233), and if an object is detected in the rear seat, the processor (121) outputs an object detection indicator (400) indicating that an object is detected in the rear seat through the display (130) (S235).

[0062] Meanwhile, while the rear-view mirror is operating in mirror mode or display mode, the processor (121) continuously examines gear setting information received from the vehicle main controller (200) to check if the gear has changed, and if the gear has changed, proceeds to step S210 (S241).

[0063] In step S210, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the gear mode is changed from P to D or R, the processor (121) switches the rear-view mirror (100) from mirror mode to display mode and operates it (S231), controls the rear seat sensor to attempt to detect a rear seat object (S233), and if a rear seat object is detected, it maintains the previously displayed rear seat object detection indicator (400) or outputs a rear seat object detection indicator (400) that was not previously displayed (S235). If a rear seat object is not detected, it removes the previously displayed rear seat object detection indicator (400) (S237).

[0064] In step S210, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the gear mode is changed from D or R to P, the processor (121) switches the rear-view mirror (100) from display mode to mirror mode and operates it (S211), and controls the detection sensor (150) to attempt to detect a rear seat object (S223).

[0065] When a rear seat object is detected, the rear seat object detection indicator (400) that was previously displayed is maintained, or a rear seat object detection indicator (400) that was not previously displayed is output (S225). If no rear seat object is detected, the rear seat object detection indicator (400) that was previously displayed is removed (S227).

[0066] After that, the processor (121) again examines the gear setting information received from the vehicle main controller (200), and if the gear setting has changed, proceeds to step S210, and if the gear setting has not changed, checks whether the engine is turned off (S243), if the engine is not turned off, proceeds to step S241, and if the engine is turned off, detects the rear seat object again (S245).

[0067] If the engine is turned off and no rear seat object is detected, the rear seat object detection indicator (400) that was previously displayed on the display (130) is removed (S247). If the engine is turned off and a rear seat object is detected, as shown in FIG. 6, the processor (121) lowers the reflectivity of the mirror module (140) and outputs a warning text through the display (130) (S251). The warning text is intended to indicate that an object remains in the rear seat and to check before getting out.

[0068] Additionally, in step S251, the processor (121) outputs a warning text and simultaneously flashes an LED light (160) installed around the outer housing (190), thereby making it clearer to the driver that an object remains in the rear seat.

[0069] At this time, when the processor (121) receives a driver exit signal from the vehicle main controller (200) (e.g., when the driver's door is opened), the processor (121) outputs a warning sound indicating that there is an object in the rear seat of the vehicle (S255). At this time, the warning sound may be output through a speaker (not shown) inside the rear-view mirror (100), and the vehicle main controller (200) may request the output of the warning sound, and the vehicle main controller (200) may output the warning sound through a speaker (not shown) inside the vehicle.

[0070] Additionally, when the vehicle main controller (200) measures the distance between the smart key held by the driver and the vehicle and outputs it to the processor (121), the processor (121) checks whether the distance is greater than a threshold (S257), and if the distance between the smart key and the vehicle is greater than the threshold, requests the vehicle main controller (200) to transmit a rear seat check request message, and the vehicle main controller (200) transmits the rear seat check request message to the driver's user terminal (300) via a wireless communication network (S259).

[0071]

[0072] The method for controlling a rear-view mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described so far can be implemented as a computer program that is executed as a computer-executable instruction and stored in a non-transient storage medium.

[0073] Storage media include all types of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable storage media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, and optical data storage devices. Additionally, computer-readable storage media are distributed across networked computer systems, allowing computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0074] The present invention has been described above with reference to its preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the invention.

Claims

1. A rear camera that captures the rear of a vehicle and outputs a rear image; A display that outputs an image; A mirror module installed in front of the above display and adjusting the reflectivity according to a control signal; and It includes a circuit section including a processor and memory, and The processor that executed the instructions stored in the memory above A rear-view mirror characterized by controlling the operation to switch between a display mode, in which a rear image is output through the display and the rear image output from the display passes through the mirror module, and a mirror mode, in which light is reflected through the mirror module by increasing the reflectivity of the mirror module, according to the vehicle's ignition on / off information and gear setting information input from the vehicle's main controller.

2. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a detection sensor that detects objects located in the rear seat of the vehicle, and The above processor A rear-view mirror characterized by outputting a rear seat object detection indicator when a rear seat object is detected by the above-mentioned detection sensor.

3. In Paragraph 2, When the ignition is turned ON and the gear setting information is D or R, A rear-view mirror characterized by the processor controlling operation to a display mode, and outputting a rear-seat object detection indicator to the display when a rear-seat object is detected.

4. In Paragraph 3, When the above gear information changes to P, The above processor A rear-view mirror characterized by the processor controlling the display mode to switch to a mirror mode, outputting a rear object detection indicator to the display when a rear object is detected, and lowering the reflectivity of the mirror module so that the rear object detection indicator is displayed externally.

5. In Paragraph 2, When the ignition is ON and the gear setting information is P, A rear-view mirror characterized by the processor controlling operation to mirror mode, outputting a rear-seat object detection indicator to the display when a rear-seat object is detected, and lowering the reflectivity of the mirror module so that the rear-seat object detection indicator is displayed externally.

6. In Paragraph 5, If the above gear setting information is changed to D or R, A rear-view mirror characterized by the processor controlling the switch from mirror mode to display mode, and outputting a rear object detection indication to the display when a rear object is detected.

7. In Paragraph 2, A rear-view mirror characterized by the processor detecting a rear seat object using the detection sensor when the ignition is turned off, and outputting a warning text through the display when the rear seat object is confirmed.

8. In Paragraph 7, It further includes LED lights surrounding the perimeter of the mirror module, and A rear-view mirror characterized by the processor outputting a warning text and simultaneously flashing the LED light to warn the driver.

9. In Paragraph 7, A rear-view mirror characterized by the processor outputting a warning sound when a driver exit signal is input while a rear seat object is detected, and transmitting a rear seat confirmation message to the driver terminal through the vehicle's main controller when the distance between the smart key carried by the driver and the vehicle exceeds a threshold distance.

10. A method for controlling a rear-view mirror comprising a rear camera, a display, a mirror module installed in front of the display to adjust reflectivity according to a control signal, and a circuit unit having a processor and a memory, (a) A step of receiving gear setting information from the vehicle's main controller when the ignition is turned ON; (b) When the gear setting information is D or R, the processor executes a display mode that outputs a rear image input through the rear camera to the display; (c) When the gear setting information is P, the processor increases the reflectivity of the mirror module to execute a mirror mode; and (d) A method for controlling a rear-view mirror characterized by including a step of switching between a display mode and a mirror mode according to the gear setting information when the gear setting information input from the main controller of the vehicle is changed.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above rear-view mirror further includes a detection sensor that detects an object located in the rear seat of the vehicle, and The above step (b) A method for controlling a rear-view mirror characterized by outputting a rear image through the above-described display and outputting a rear object detection indicator on the above-described display when a rear object is detected using the above-described detection sensor.

12. In Paragraph 10, The above rear-view mirror further includes a detection sensor that detects an object located in the rear seat of the vehicle, and The above (c) step A method for controlling a rear-view mirror characterized by increasing the reflectivity of the mirror module to operate it in mirror mode, and when a rear object is detected using the detection sensor, outputting a rear object detection indication to the display and displaying it through the mirror module.

13. In Paragraph 10, (e) A method for controlling a rear-view mirror characterized by further including the step of detecting whether an object exists in the rear seat using the detection sensor when the ignition is turned off, and outputting a warning text to the display when an object is detected.

14. In Paragraph 13, (f) A method for controlling a rear-view mirror characterized by further including the step of outputting a warning sound indicating that an object remains in the rear seat when the driver exits the vehicle, and sending a rear seat verification request message to the driver's user terminal through the vehicle's main controller when the distance between the smart key held by the driver and the vehicle becomes greater than a threshold.

15. A non-transient recording medium that records the method for controlling a rear-view mirror according to claim 10 as computer-readable and computer-executable program code.

Images