Control system for rear view devices in a vehicle

1 . A vehicle system comprising:

at least one rear view device;

a sensor for capturing data relating to a vantage point of an occupant within a vehicle; and

at least one processor configured to:

(i) determine, from the captured data, a vantage point characteristic, and

(ii) based on a classification of the characteristic, generate a signal for adjusting a field of view of the at least one rear view device, wherein:

the classification is determined by reference to an average or neutral vantage point of the occupant determined from captured data,

a forward driving detection mode is executed by classifying the characteristic from a deviation in the average or neutral vantage point corresponding to a change in posture over an extended period of time, and

the adjustment to the field of view is practically imperceptible to the occupant by implementing a gradual proportional movement.

2 . The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute a temporary movement detection mode by classifying the characteristic from a temporary change in vantage point by the occupant.

3 . The vehicle system of claim 2 wherein the at least one processor is configured to restore the field of view of the at least one rear view device to its state before the temporary change was detected.

4 . The vehicle system of claim 3 wherein restoration of the field of view occurs after a predetermined time or in response to the temporary movement detection mode ending.

5 . The vehicle system of claim 2 wherein the temporary change by the occupant corresponds to a lean and/or attempt to gain/lose height relative to the at least one rear view device.

6 . The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one rear view device is a reflective mirror; and

the reflective mirror includes an actuator configured to adjust the mirror in response to the signal.

7 . The vehicle system of claim 6 wherein the at least one processor accepts an additional input from the occupant for implementing at least one of: a training function, a reversing function, or activation of an indicator.

8 . The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the at least one rear view device is a visual display for showing an image associated with a rear-facing camera mounted on the vehicle.

9 . The vehicle system of claim 8 wherein the visual display is configured to cause an enlargement of the image dependent on the classified characteristic.

10 . A method of controlling rear view functions in a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining an average or neutral vantage point of a driver, relative to a rear view device, from data captured by a driver monitoring system;

classifying a vantage point characteristic, corresponding to a change from the determined average or neutral vantage point; and

adjusting a field of view of the rear view device in response to a determined behavior, wherein:

the characteristic includes at least a forward driving detection mode corresponding to a change from the average or neutral vantage point of the driver over an extended period of time, and

the adjustment to the field of view is practically imperceptible to an occupant within a vehicle by implementing a gradual proportional movement.

11 . The method of claim 10 wherein:

the characteristic includes a temporary movement detection mode corresponding to a temporary change in vantage point by the driver over a short period of time; and

the adjustment to the field of view is temporary and returns to a pre-adjustment state after a predetermined time period and/or upon end of movement.

12 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions including:

determining an average or neutral vantage point of a driver, relative to a rear view device, from data captured by a driver monitoring system;

classifying a vantage point characteristic, corresponding to a change from the determined average or neutral vantage point; and

adjusting a field of view of the rear view device in response to a determined behavior, wherein:

the characteristic includes at least a forward driving detection mode corresponding to a change from the average or neutral vantage point of the driver over an extended period of time, and

the adjustment to the field of view is practically imperceptible to an occupant within a vehicle by implementing a gradual proportional movement.

13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein:

the characteristic includes a temporary movement detection mode corresponding to a temporary change in vantage point by the driver over a short period of time, and

the adjustment to the field of view is temporary and returns to a pre-adjustment state after a predetermined time period and/or upon end of movement.