Rearview Mirror Video Display With Integrated Dimming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior rearview mirror systems lack integrated solutions for displaying video images from cameras or image sensors in a way that is viewable through the mirror, especially under varying light conditions, and require separate processors for video display and mirror control, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An interior rearview mirror assembly with a video display screen integrated behind a reflective element, featuring a decoder with a microprocessor that controls the display and combines video decoding and mirror dimming functions, eliminating the need for a separate processor and enhancing system integration and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a video display screen is integrated behind a reflective element in an interior rearview mirror assembly, then video images can be displayed through the mirror, but the system complexity increases due to requiring separate processors for video display and mirror control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the video processing microprocessor and mirror control microprocessor into a single integrated microprocessor unit. This single microprocessor executes both video decoding/processing functions and mirror dimming/control functions, eliminating the need for separate processors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both video display and mirror control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated microprocessor is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes video signals from cameras, controls the video display screen, manages the reflective element dimming, and coordinates the interaction between video display and mirror functions. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated processors
2Illumination intensity
If the video display screen brightness is enhanced to be viewable through the reflective element, then image visibility improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the brightness of the video display screen based on real-time conditions. The microprocessor monitors ambient light levels, reflective element transmissivity, and video image luminance requirements, then continuously optimizes display brightness to provide sufficient visibility through the mirror while minimizing energy consumption. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to use higher brightness only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the microprocessor receives information about display visibility conditions and adjusts brightness accordingly. By monitoring the interaction between the video display output, reflective element properties, and ambient conditions, the system feedback-regulates power delivery to the display to achieve optimal visibility with minimal energy usage
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
The solution provides a seamless display of video images through the mirror, adjustable in brightness to match light conditions, and integrates video decoding and mirror control functions, reducing system complexity and cost while improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a variable reflectivity reflective element, such as positioned at a bezel portion of the casing
Implementation Method 2
The video display screen may function to brighten or enhance the intensity of the displayed images in response to a dimming condition of the variable reflectivity reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular video camera display system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a casing and an electrochromic reflective element, with a video display device disposed in the casing behind the electrochromic reflective element. With the interior rearview mirror assembly disposed at the in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, a video display screen of the video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable through the electrochromic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. Image data captured by a rearward-viewing video camera is communicated as a digital signal from the rearward-viewing video camera via a cable to control circuitry disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly. The video display device displays video images that are derived, at least in part, from image data communicated via the cable from the rearward-viewing video camera to the control circuitry disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly.