Mirror monitor using two levels of reflectivity and transmissibility
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.
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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more triggering signals comprises a backup signal.
6 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the video input switch is located on a dashboard of the vehicle.
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 . 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 . A mirror system according to claim 8 , wherein the audio is provided to the vehicle operator by a speaker or a headset.
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 . 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 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitor module is attached to a portion of the mirror unit.
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 . 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 . 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 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the mirror unit is mounted to an external portion of the vehicle.
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 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising an event counter configured to count recorded events.
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 . A mirror system according to claim 19 , wherein the predetermined threshold includes an excessive braking.
21 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitor module is configured to accept data signals and generate corresponding visual indicia of a warning condition on the monitor module for the vehicle operator's immediate information.
22 . A mirror system according to claim 21 , wherein the one or more of the data signals indicating at least one of: a vehicle malfunction, a vehicle system operation, or data received and/or available to the vehicle operator.
23 . A mirror system according to claim 22 , wherein the vehicle malfunction including at least one of: low oil, overheating, tire failure, or underinflation.
24 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , further comprising a connection device including input feeds respectively connected to at least one of the one or more image capture devices.
25 . A mirror system according to claim 24 , wherein the connection device further comprises a power feed for providing a power to the monitor module from a power source.
26 . A mirror system according to claim 25 , wherein the power source is vehicle battery.
27 . A mirror system according to claim 24 , wherein the connection device further comprises a line out feed configured to connect the monitor module to an output device.
28 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more image capture devices comprise a built-in audio capture device.
29 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein a lever lock mechanism is used to lock the mirror unit and the monitor module assembly in place.
30 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more image capture devices is connected to the vehicle's ignition system to receive power.
31 . A mirror system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more video feeds are continue to be captured until the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.
32 . A mirror system according to claim 31 , wherein the predetermined threshold includes at least one of: the vehicle operator activating a panic button, a g-force measured beyond a threshold by an accelerometer, a sufficient bump measured by the accelerometer, an excessive brake measured by the accelerometer, or a vehicle speed exceeds a certain predetermined threshold.
33 . A method of preparing a mirror system for enhanced viewing by a vehicle operator of areas within or exterior to a vehicle, the method comprising:
mounting a mirror unit;
mounting one or more image capture devices on the vehicle and configured to transmit one or more video feeds displayable by a 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;
selecting using a video input switch between a single-feed configuration or a multiple-feed configuration, the single-feed configuration providing a video input from one of the one or more image capture devices, the multiple-feed configuration providing a split video input from the at least one of one or more image capture devices;
enabling, by a delay timer, at least one of the plurality of image capture devices to continue to transmit video for a predetermined time responsive to predetermined criteria; and
illuminating, by a light source, the interior of the vehicle during low lighting situations in at least one of a visible range or infrared range, wherein the light source at least one of integrated within a light sensor, integrated within the one or more 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.
34 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein the delay timer enables at least one of the one or more image capture devices to continue to transmit video for the predetermined time at predetermined intervals responsive to the predetermined criteria.
35 . A method according to claim 33 , 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.
36 . A method according to claim 33 , further comprising:
mounting an exterior light source 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.
37 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein one of the one or more triggering signals comprises a backup signal.
38 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein the video input switch is located on a dashboard of the vehicle.
39 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein the video input switch is further configured to provide at least one image responsive to a full mirror view.