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US-12623600-B2 - Mirror monitor using two levels of reflectivity and transmissibility

US12623600B2US 12623600 B2US12623600 B2US 12623600B2US-12623600-B2

Abstract

A rear-view mirror and modular monitor system and method include an interior mirror that embeds a modular monitor behind see-through mirror glass. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple cameras, some in the vehicle, bus and/or truck, as well as some cameras outside the vehicle, bus and/or truck, advantageously providing the driver an opportunity to view what is happening, for example, in the back rows of the bus and/or cabin, while also using the mirror to look at objects in the bus and/or cabin that are visible using the mirror. The rear-view mirror and modular monitor system is configured to be easily assembled and/or disassembled when necessary for maintenance and/or to replace parts.

Inventors

  • Benjamin Englander
  • Julian Serer
  • Peter PLATE
  • Gary BALSAM

Assignees

  • ROSCO, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20230623

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A mirror system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a bus, truck or transit vehicle comprising: a mirror unit for a bus, truck or transit vehicle; a monitor module; a light sensor configured to sense an ambient light level and generate a corresponding electric signal for automatically adjusting the brightness of said monitor module; one or more image capture devices mounted on the vehicle and configured to transmit one or more video feeds displayable by said monitor module responsive to at least one of an automatically selectable view or a manually selectable view, wherein a display of the one or more video feeds is prevented in response to receiving one or more triggering signals; a video input switch configured to be chosen from one of a single-feed configuration providing a video input from one of the one or more image capture devices or a multiple-feed configuration providing a split video input from the at least one of one or more image capture devices; a delay timer enabling at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to continue to transmit video for a predetermined time responsive to predetermined criteria; an interior light source to illuminate the interior of the vehicle during low lighting situations in at least one of a visible range or infrared range; and a light source at least one of integrated within said light sensor, integrated within the image capture devices, or mounted to the exterior of the vehicle to enable at least one of the one or more image capture devices to transmit images in the vicinity of the vehicle.
  2. 2 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the delay timer enables at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to continue to transmit video for the predetermined time at predetermined intervals responsive to the predetermined criteria.
  3. 3 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein said light source includes an infrared light emitting diode lighting for capturing images in low or no visibility without requiring a flash or other bright light source.
  4. 4 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising an exterior light source mounted to the exterior of the vehicle to enable at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to transmit images in the vicinity of the vehicle.
  5. 5 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more triggering signals comprises a backup signal.
  6. 6 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the video input switch is located on a dashboard of the vehicle.
  7. 7 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the video input switch is further configured to provide at least one image responsive to a full mirror view.
  8. 8 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein an audio is provided to the vehicle operator in coordination with the one or more video feeds being displayed.
  9. 9 . A mirror system according to claim 8 , wherein the audio is provided to the vehicle operator by a speaker or a headset.
  10. 10 . A mirror system according to claim 8 , wherein the audio is provided to the vehicle operator by microphones located at or near the one or more image capture devices.
  11. 11 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising a protective enclosure encasing at least one of the one or more image capture devices.
  12. 12 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitor module is attached to a portion of the mirror unit.
  13. 13 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitor module is mounted to a portion of the mirror unit to provide viewing on both the monitor module and the mirror unit.
  14. 14 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more image capture devices is connected to the monitor module via a wire.
  15. 15 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more image capture devices is powered by a vehicle battery.
  16. 16 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the mirror unit is mounted to an external portion of the vehicle.
  17. 17 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising a GPS sensor configured to determine at least one of: location, speed, or direction of the vehicle.
  18. 18 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising an event counter configured to count recorded events.
  19. 19 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising an audible chime configured to make an audible sound when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed or the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.
  20. 20 . A mirror system according to claim 19 , wherein the predetermined threshold includes an excessive braking.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 17/444,718, filed Aug. 9, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/657,774, filed Oct. 18, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,084,426, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/591,963, filed May 10, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,449,902, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/488,184, filed Apr. 14, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,549,695, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/969,260, filed Dec. 15, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,623,802, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/480,887, filed Sep. 9, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,215,429, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/881,712, filed Sep. 24, 2013. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/664,419, filed Oct. 31, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,319,639, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/553,532, filed Oct. 31, 2011. All of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. RELATED FIELD A vehicle monitoring system and methods of use are provided. In some embodiments, a rear-view mirror and modular monitor system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within and/or exterior to a vehicle, and methods of using the system, are provided. In some embodiments, the rear-view mirror and modular monitor system is configured for use on a bus, school bus and/or public transit vehicle. BACKGROUND Existing vehicle monitoring systems capture still images and/or video images, and display the images on a monitor for the vehicle operator to view. For example, many large vehicles are equipped with a back-up camera and a monitor to assist the vehicle operator in moving the vehicle in reverse. However, such monitors can be a cause of excessive distraction for the vehicle operator, depending on their location. In addition, many monitoring systems are installed such that, due to the configuration of the parts, and the method of installation, should an integral part like the monitor malfunction, accessing, fixing and/or replacing the integral part is often cumbersome and expensive. SUMMARY Accordingly, a rear-view mirror and modular monitor system is provided that includes an interior mirror that in some embodiments embeds a modular monitor behind, for example, see-through mirror glass. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple cameras, some in the vehicle, bus, school bus, public transit vehicle and/or truck, as well as some cameras outside the vehicle, bus, school bus, public transit vehicle and/or truck, advantageously providing the driver, other individual and/or other vehicle passenger an opportunity to view what is happening, for example, in the back rows of the bus and/or cabin, while also using the mirror to look at objects in the bus and/or cabin that are visible using the mirror. Embodiments of the rear-view mirror and modular monitor system enable the maximizing of safe usage by automating when the modular monitor will display images, and when the driver will have full view of the rear-view mirror. For example, one type of automation is time based, wherein a certain intervals images are displayed (e.g., during hours when it is known that children will be on-board a bus). Another type of automation is event-based, wherein an image may be displayed when the door of vehicle is opened, when red flashers are activated, and/or when the stop arm is activated. Images from a rear-view camera may be displayed in some embodiments only when the vehicle is placed in reverse. In some embodiments, two or more of the above automated viewing features may be used in combination. In some embodiments the system comprises manual input selection, for use in certain situations. For example, when a driver cannot see activity happening behind high seat backs or otherwise outside the view of the driver, even with a rear-view mirror, a driver may choose to view such activity without having to stop the vehicle or adjust the rear-view mirror. In some embodiments, audio may be provided to the vehicle operator in coordination with video being displayed. For example, a driver may have a need to hear audio from an area inside or outside the vehicle. Embodiments of the system therefore provide microphones at or near locations where cameras are capturing images, and the audio can be provided to the driver along with the images, by way of a speaker, headset, or the like. Such microphones may be built in to the cameras, or stand-alone devices. Additionally, in some embodiments, the rear-view mirror and modular monitor system is configured to be easily assembled and/or disassembled when necessary. The rear-view mirror and modular monitor system is provided wherein parts can be attached and/or detached and parts can be replaced easily, as necessary. In one exemplary embodiment, a rear-view mirror and modular monitor system enh