Vehicular Mirror Control Using Backup Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rearview mirror systems for vehicles face challenges in providing effective dimming control for interior and exterior mirrors, especially in vehicles without a rear window or where the interior mirror's view is obstructed, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An interior rearview mirror assembly with a thin mirror head and electro-optic reflective element, integrated with a rear backup camera that processes image data to independently control the dimming of auto-dimming mirrors based on glare and ambient light intensity, reducing the need for separate sensors and wiring harnesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rearview mirror systems are used with separate sensors and wiring harnesses, then reliable dimming control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rear backup camera is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function of capturing rear views and an additional function of sensing ambient and glare light for mirror dimming control. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated light sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable dimming control through the camera's image data processing capabilities.
2Length of moving object
If thin mirror head design is implemented, then aesthetic appearance and reduced profile are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the socket element, electrical connectors, and wiring channels within the limited thickness space of the mirror head. The socket element is positioned at the rear of the mirror head to receive the ball member, while electrical connectors are integrated into the mirror head structure to provide electrical connection to the reflective element, thereby achieving a thin profile without compromising manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redistributes components along the thickness dimension of the mirror head, with the socket element located at the rear and the reflective element at the front. This dimensional arrangement allows all necessary components to be accommodated within the reduced thickness while maintaining proper spatial relationships and electrical connections.
3Ease of operation
If independent dimming control for each mirror is implemented, then visibility control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear backup camera serves as a universal sensing device that provides image data used for independent dimming control of multiple mirrors. By processing the camera's image data to determine ambient and glare light intensity, the system achieves independent dimming control for interior and exterior mirrors without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each mirror, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a cost-effective, thinner, and lighter mirror system with independent dimming control for each mirror, enhancing visibility and reducing complexity by utilizing the rear backup camera for ambient and glare light sensing, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror reflective element may comprise an electrically variable reflectance mirror reflective element (such as an electro-optic mirror reflective element, such as an electrochromic mirror reflective element)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular rearview mirror control system includes a rearview mirror assembly having a variable reflectance electro-optic mirror reflective element. An electronic control unit receives image data captured by a rear backup camera of the vehicle. The electronic control unit, responsive to processing a first subset of received image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines ambient light rearward of the equipped vehicle. The electronic control unit, responsive to processing a second subset of received image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines glare light emanating from a headlight of another vehicle following the equipped vehicle. The first subset of received image data is different than the second subset of received image data. The electronic control unit generates an output to control dimming of the mirror reflective element of the rearview mirror assembly responsive to a determined location of the determined glare light.