VEHICLE SIDE MIRROR WITH VIDEO DISPLAY AND AUTOMATIC CAMERA SYSTEM

Abstract

An automatic side mirror camera system for a vehicle where the camera system eliminates blind spots. The vehicle side mirror has a built-in video display portion, enabling drivers to see both the mirror and the camera display at the same time. A camera is housed inside the side mirror housing, and turns on automatically when the turn signal is turned on by the driver. The automatic side mirror camera system may also be connected to a backup camera, and automatically display the view from the backup camera whenever the vehicle is in reverse. The automatic side mirror camera system may also be connected to one or more proximity sensors located on the vehicle so that the camera display turns on automatically if one of the proximity sensors is triggered.

Claims

1. An automatic blind spot mirror and camera system for vehicles, comprising: a. a mirror having a back side and a front reflective side; b. a mirror housing having i. one or more built-in signal blinkers having one or more light sources and a plastic covering, wherein the one or more built-in signal blinkers are operably connectable to a vehicle to receive an on signal and an off signal from the vehicle and blink the one or more light sources while receiving the on signal; ii. a camera compartment having a lens opening, wherein the mirror housing is attachable to a vehicle via an attachment arm, wherein the mirror housing surrounds and protects the back side of the mirror while leaving the front reflective side visible; c. an adjustable camera having i. a lens; ii. a programable memory and processor; and iii. a motor operably connected to the lens to adjust a position of the lens, altering a view field of the camera, wherein the programable memory and processor, and the motor are housed inside the camera compartment, wherein the lens opening surrounds and holds the lens in place, wherein the programable memory and processor are operably connected to the one or more built-in signal blinkers so the camera automatically begins to capture a video when the one or more built-in signal blinkers are turned on; d. a video display portion having a display surface, wherein the mirror is shaped and positioned so as to surround the video display portion on one more sides, wherein the display surface is operably positioned to form a continuation of the front reflective side of the mirror, wherein the mirror housing surrounds and encloses the video display portion on any sides not surrounded by the mirror, and wherein the video display portion is operably connected to the camera to receive the video from the camera and display the video on the display surface.

2. The automatic blind spot mirror and camera system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the programable memory and processor are operably connectable to the one or more proximity sensors located on a vehicle body so the camera automatically begins to capture a video when the one or more proximity sensors is triggered.

3. The automatic blind spot mirror and camera system for vehicles according to claim 2, wherein the one or more proximity sensors also include radar detectors, and wherein detecting radar also triggers the one or more proximity sensors.

4. The automatic blind spot mirror and camera system for vehicles according to claim 2, further comprising: e. a second adjustable camera having i. a second lens; ii. a second programable memory and processor; iii. a second motor operably connected to the second lens to adjust a position of the second lens, altering a view field of the second camera; and iv. a second camera compartment having a body and a second lens opening, wherein the second programable memory and processor, and the second motor are housed inside the body of the second camera compartment, wherein the second lens opening surrounds and holds the lens in place, wherein the second programable memory and processor are operably located at a rear of a vehicle to form a backup camera, wherein the second programable memory and processor are operably connected to the video display portion to transmit video to display on the display surface, wherein the second programable memory and processor are operably connected to a gear indicator on the vehicle so that the second adjustable camera automatically begins to capture and transmit video to the video display portion when the vehicle is in a reverse gear.

5. A vehicle and automatic mirror and camera system comprising: a. a vehicle having a right side, a left side, a front, and a rear; and b. one or more automatic blind spot camera systems according to claim 1, wherein the mirror and camera system is located on the right side of the vehicle, on the left side of the vehicle, or on the right side of the vehicle and the left side of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle and automatic mirror and camera system comprising: a. a vehicle having a right side, a left side, a front, and a rear; and b. one or more automatic blind spot camera systems according to claim 4, wherein one mirror and camera system is located on the right side of the vehicle, and one mirror and camera system is located on the left side of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle and automatic mirror and camera system according to claim 5, wherein the programable memory and processor are operably connectable to the one or more proximity sensors located on a vehicle body so the camera automatically begins to capture a video when the one or more proximity sensors is triggered.

8. The vehicle and automatic mirror and camera system according to claim 7, wherein the one or more proximity sensors also include radar detectors, and wherein detecting radar also triggers the one or more proximity sensors.

9. The vehicle and automatic mirror and camera system according to claim 6, wherein the programable memory and processor are operably connectable to the one or more proximity sensors located on a vehicle body so the camera automatically begins to capture a video when the one or more proximity sensors is triggered.

10. The vehicle and automatic mirror and camera system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more proximity sensors also include radar detectors, and wherein detecting radar also triggers the one or more proximity sensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The figures that accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, a vehicle side mirror with video display and automatic camera system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the presently claimed invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a vehicle side mirror with video display and automatic camera system, according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle side mirror with video display and automatic camera system, according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle side mirror with video display and automatic camera system, according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle with a vehicle side mirror with video display and automatic camera system, according to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention of FIG. 1

[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As discussed above, embodiments of the presently claimed invention relate to a smart signal automatic vehicle blind spot camera, and more particularly to an automatic side mirror camera system for a vehicle where the camera system is structured and arranged to improve the vehicle's blind spots, and the side mirror has a built-in video display portion.

[0020] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-3, a vehicle side mirror 1 with a built-in camera 2 operably located to capture images from the vehicles blind spot. The camera 2 is housed in a camera compartment 3 in the mirror housing 4, which surrounds and protects the mirror 5 and together with the mirror 5 forms the vehicle side mirror 1. The side mirror 1 is attached to the vehicle 7 by an arm 6. The mirror housing 4 includes one or more built-in signal blinkers and warning indicators 8a, 8b.

[0021] A video display portion 9 is also located within the mirror housing 4, with the mirror 5 shaped around the video display portion 9 so that a driver can view both the mirror 5 and the video display portion 9 at the same time. The video display portion 9 is connected to the camera 2 to display the images captured by the camera thereon. The camera 2 and video display portion 9 are also connected to the vehicle's 7 turn signal so that the camera 2 and video display portion 9 automatically turn on when a turn signal indicator 8 is activated.

[0022] The camera 2 is adjustable so the driver can view different angles around the vehicle 7, ensuring all blind spots are covered by the camera 2. The camera is connected to one or more proximity sensors 10 that detects an obstacle or another vehicle in the blind spot and automatically turns on the camera 2 and video display portion 9. The proximity sensor(s) 10 may also include a radar detector.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the video display portion 9 may additionally be connected to display images from a backup camera 11 located at the back of the vehicle 7. The vehicle may have additional proximity sensor(s) 10 located around the vehicle 7 as needed to ensure all blind spots are covered by the camera 2 and any backup camera 11.

[0024] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.