Blind Spot Display in Rearview Mirror via Touch Stalk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior rearview mirror systems do not effectively display blind spot regions to drivers before they initiate a lane change, leading to potential dangers from missed vehicles in blind spots.
Innovation Solution
A video display screen integrated into the interior rearview mirror assembly that displays video images from rearward viewing cameras, activated by a touch on the turn signal indicator stalk, providing a panoramic view of blind spots without actuating the turn signal, accompanied by audible or haptic alerts if vehicles are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a display screen is integrated into the interior rearview mirror assembly to show blind spot information, then driver safety is improved by providing visual information about blind spots, but the device complexity increases due to integration of cameras, display, and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the interior rearview mirror assembly: the display screen is integrated directly into the mirror housing, and multiple camera feeds (rearward viewing cameras) are merged to provide a composite blind spot view. This consolidation improves safety by centralizing information delivery while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components throughout the cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior rearview mirror assembly serves multiple functions: traditional rearview reflection, display of blind spot video images, and integration with turn signal indicators. The turn signal stalk is designed with dual functionality - traditional turn signal activation and touch activation for blind spot display. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing complexity while providing comprehensive safety information.
2Ease of operation
If the display screen is activated by touching the turn signal indicator stalk without actuating the turn signal, then ease of operation is improved by providing intuitive access to blind spot information, but the risk of unintended activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turn signal stalk is designed with differentiated touch zones: a first portion for activating the blind spot display and a second portion for activating the turn signal. This spatial differentiation allows intuitive, ease-of-use activation while preventing unintended activation through distinct tactile feedback zones. The system provides localized functionality on the same component without compromising activation accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple rearward viewing cameras are used to capture blind spot regions, then measurement precision is improved by providing comprehensive blind spot coverage, but the loss of information increases due to the need to process and integrate multiple camera feeds
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple camera feeds from different rearward viewing cameras are merged and integrated into a single composite video image displayed on the screen. This consolidation provides comprehensive blind spot coverage (improving detection accuracy) while presenting unified information to the driver (reducing information overload). The system processes multiple data streams but delivers a single integrated view.
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head and a display device having a video display screen disposed in the mirror head and behind the reflective element of the mirror head. The display screen, when actuated, is viewable through the reflective element. The display screen, when actuated, displays video images derived from image data captured by one or more of a plurality of vehicle-mounted cameras that have respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. Responsive to a driver's touch at a respective region of the turn signal actuator of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images derived from image data captured by a respective side camera so as to display video images of the blind zone at the respective side of the vehicle.