Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02202320 1997-04-10
REARVIEW MIRROR WITH ENHANCED FEATURES
FIELD OF THE I~V~N110N
The present invention relates to a rearview mirror and
alarm system for a vehicle and more particularly to a rearview
5 mirror system combining a flat and a convexly curved reflective
surface designed to provide an enhanced field of rearward vision
and including a remote radio frequency (RF) controlled alarm
system with, preferably, electronic vibration sensor, siren
alarm, car finder/locator, panic alarm, rechargeable battery
with cigarette lighter adapter and key fob remote RF
transmitter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional automotive rearview mirrors provide a
limited field of view and have blinds spots, requiring the
driver to make awkward head movements to check for traffic. At
present, enhanced-vision rearview mirrors which alleviate this
problem are available. One such device, which combines both a
flat and convexly curved reflective surface, is described in
U.S. Patent 5,557,467.
Vehicle intrusion alarm systems of various designs are
currently available for most vehicles. These alarms are
sometimes bulky and difficult to install because they must be
placed in a locations where they are accessible for the purposes
of activation, yet must be kept out of the way to avoid
obstructing the vehicle occupants. In addition, consumers may
purchase other automotive products to be installed as after-
market, add-on devices following the purchase of a vehicle.
These devices may include car finders or locators, panic alarms,
radar detectors, pagers, miniature surveillance cameras or
global positioning systems (GPS).
Such products, when purchased and installed separately
can be very costly, difficult to install, and tend to clutter
up the interior of a vehicle. In some cases, interference
between units is a distinct possibility~ especially if several
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remote RF controlled devices are being used at the same time.
In addition, it may be difficult and costly to provide multiple
lndividual units with convenient sources of power.
SUMMARY OF THE lNV~N-LlON
Accordingly, it is the general object of the present
invention to overcome and mitigate from the disadvantages
presented by the prior art by providing an enhanced rearview
mirror system similar to that described in U.S. Patent 5,557,467
and by combining with it many previously available add-on,
o after-market automotive products together in one unique and
innovative self-contained unit which is inexpensive, compact and
completely integrated.
According to the present invention then, there is
provided a rearview mirror with enhanced features for a vehicle
comprising a mirror housing unit; an alarm siren contained
within said mirror housing unit; a rechargeable battery
contained within said mirror housing unit; an electronic
vibration detector means contained within said mirror housing
unit, said electronic vibration detector means having an armed
mode and an unarmed mode; a radio frequency receiver contained
within said mirror housing unit; electronic control means for
controlling the functions of said alarm siren, said rechargeable
battery, said electronic vibration detector means and said radio
frequency receiver, said electronic control means being
contained on a printed electronic circuit board contained within
said mirror housing unit; and a two-channel remote miniature
radio frequency transmitter comprising means for signalling said
electronic control means to activate or deactivate said alarm
siren and to arm or disarm said electronic vibration detector
means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now
be further described in greater detail and will be better
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understood when read in con]unction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the present
invention with the back cover attached.
FIG. 4 is an front interior view of the present
invention with the front of the mirror housing unit removed.
o FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention
showing the mounting bracket.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
Note that similar reference numerals are used in
different Figures to denote similar components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIG. 1, the present enhanced rearview
mirror system 10 is shown in schematic form and comprises a
mirror housing unit 20, a two-channel remote RF transmitter 80
and a vehicle cigarette lighter power adapter 70.
Contained within the mirror housing unit 20 are a
number of enhanced features including an alarm siren 21 which
is capable of generating in excess of 105 db of sound which will
vary in frequency depending upon whether the intrusion alarm,
the panic alarm or the car finder feature has been activated.
The siren is designed to give one warning beep approximately 3
seconds before it sounds and once triggered will sound for a
pre-determined length of time depending upon the power source
being used. In an alternative embodiment of the present
30 invention (not shown), the alarm siren or an auxiliary alarm
siren may be located separate from the mirror housing unit 20
and may be placed on the exterior of the vehicle in the engine
compartment or in the trunk. This remote alarm siren may be
powered from the main battery of the vehlicle or from a separate
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battery unit and can be activated in conjunction with and at the
same time as the alarm siren 21 contained within the mirror
housing unit 20.
A printed electronic circuit board (PCB) 25 is located
5 within the mirror housing unit 20 and comprises electronic
control means to control the functions of all system components.
Also built into the PCB 25 is an RF receiver unit (not shown)
capable of receiving RF signals from the remote RF transmitter
80. RF signals are used to activate or deactivate the panic
o alarm or car finder features of the present invention. RF
signals are also used to deactivate the intrusion alarm and to
completely disarm the system.
Also attached to the PCB 25 is a secondary printed
electronic circuit board 29 containing an piezo electronic
vibration detector unit (not shown) which activates the alarm
in response to excessive vibration. The piezo electronic
vibration detector is a common, commercially available
electronic component which functions as an intrusion detector
by triggering the alarm siren 21 when any excessive vibration
20 iS encountered. Vibration of the vehicle created by the opening
of a door or the breaking of a window will be sufficient to
activate the alarm. The electronic vibration detector may be
armed by pressing the arming button 30 (FIG. 4) on the mirror
housing unit 20 and can only be disarmed from the remote RF
25 transmitter 80.
A red LED power indicator light 27 is located on the
bottom rim of the mirror housing unit 20 and is designed to
flash on and off periodically when the alarm is armed. The
light is visible from both the front and back of the mirror
30 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). This acts as a visual deterrence against
anyone wishing to break into the vehicle and informs the owner
that the alarm is armed and operating. Placement of the LED
indicator light 27 on the rearview mirror of a vehicle is a
distinct advantage since this is a highly visible location
35 offering maximum deterrence. There may also be a red LED
indicator light located on the cigarett~e lighter power adapter
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portion 71 to indicate that the battery is being recharged or
that the system is being powered directly from the cigarette
lighter power adapter.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a xenon
5 strobe light 26 is built into the overhanging upper moulding of
the lower mirror and contained within the mirror housing unit
20. The strobe light 26 is activated at the same time as the
siren alarm 21 and acts to increase the visibility of the
vehicle and deter any intruder. The location of the xenon
o strobe light 26 is of prime importance in that the reflective
properties of the mirror are utilized to increase the visibility
of the strobe light and improve the effectiveness of the alarm.
All of the components contained within the mirror
housing unit 20 are powered by a single rechargeable battery 22.
15 The system is equipped with a low-battery sensor and a yellow
low battery indicator light 24 to warn the operator that the
battery is low on power and in need of a charge. To charge the
battery, connecter 72 of the cigarette lighter adapter 70 is
attache~ to a corresponding connecter 28 on the mirror housing
20 unit 20 and the cigarette lighter adapter portion 71 is plugged
into the cigarette lighter of the vehicle. The battery is
capable of operating the system for approximately 30 hours once
the alarm has been armed in the active mode. If the alarm is
to remain armed for longer periods the cigarette lighter power
25 adapter 70 can be used to power the unit for an indefinite
period. Alternatively, the battery can be adapted to recharge
using solar power readily available through the front window of
the vehicle. It may also be possible to supply power to the
components of the mirror housing unit directly from the existing
30 main battery of the vehicle or from an existing alternative
power source available in some vehicles. In that case, the
rechargeable battery 22 would be used as a backup and the system
would be equipped with a tamper resistant switch to activate the
alarm should an attempt be made to disconnect the main power
supply. A two-channel battery powered remote RF transmitter
80 is designed as a key fob to be attached to a kèy chain and
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carried with the vehicle operator. The remote RF transmitter
has two control buttons 81 and 82. One control button is used
to deactivate the alarm or the car finder and to completely
disarm the system, while the other control button activates the
5 remote car finder feature or the panic alarm. When the remote
car finder is activated either the alarm siren or the strobe
light or both are activated for a short period to permit vehicle
location. The remote transmitter 80 functions by sending an RF
signal to the RF receiver located on the PCB 25 located within
the mirror housing unit 20 and can have a range of up to 300
feet. The panic alarm can be activated in an emergency
situation to alert others and call attention to the vehicle by
activating the alarm siren and strobe light. To provide extra
security for the operator, additional panic buttons may be
placed on the mirror housing unit 20 or at other locations
throughout the vehicle.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which shows a frontal
view of the present invention as it would be seen by someone
operating the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the mirror
20 housing unit 20 has been constructed of durable ABS plastic.
The upper convexly curved mirror 32 and lower planar mirror 31
are made of shatter proof glass and the mirror housing unit has
front surface dimensions of approximately 103/~" x 4~", and weighs
approximately 395 grams. A conventional vehicle rearview mirror
25 mounting device 51 (FIG. 5) is attached to the back of the
mirror housing unit 20 at a point 50 (FIG. 3).
As with most conventional mirrors, the mirror also
includes a day/night switch 40.
A reading/map light (not shown) can be built into the
30 bottom of the mirror housing unit 20 and an exterior pocket may
be included on the back (not shown) in order to hold disposable
air fresheners.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a
cover (not shown) has been specially designed to fit over the
35 top half of the mirror housing unit 20 and completely cover the
upper convexly curved mirror 32. A7ternatively, a shutter
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system maybe be included to perform the same function. This
option has been found advantageous for some drivers who have had
difficulty easily adapting to the expanded dual mirror system
utilized by the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the present invention
showing the location 50 where the rearview mirror mounting
device 51 (FIG. S) is attached to the back cover. Also shown
are a series of openings 55 in the back cover surrounding the
location of the alarm siren 21. The red LED power indicator
0 light 27 is visible from back as well as the front of the mirror
housing unit 20.
It is contemplated by the inventor that further
embodiments of the present invention will comprise additional
adaptations for the installation of other features within the
mirror housing unit 20. These features may include devices such
as a mini camera with accompanying monitor for observing back
seat passengers or recording traffic conditions or other
exterior activities, a radar detector, a pager, a global
positioning system, or a complete information centre. Necessary
means for controlling and storing information required by such
systems may be included on printed electronic circuit boards
contained within the mirror housing unit 20 or within a separate
control unit installed at another location within the vehicle.
Operation of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention will now be described with specific reference to the
schematic diagram shown in FIG. 1 and to the front interior view
shown in FIG. 4. The vehicle alarm system including the car
finder and panic alarm feature are operable only after being
armed from within the vehicle by pressing the arming button 30
located on the mirror housing unit 20. One press of the arming
button 30 causes a high pitch warning beep to be emitted. On
a second press of the arming button 30 a series of high pitch
warning beeps are emitted at 3 second intervals for a period of
20 seconds. This gives the vehicle occupants an opportunity to
exit the vehicle and lock the doors. After approximately 20
seconds the red LED power indicator lig~ht 27 begins to flash to
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indicate that the system is armed. The red LED indicator light
27 can be seen from both the front and back of the mirror and
continues to flash while the system remains armed to act as a
visible deterrent to anyone wishing to break into or damage the
s vehicle.
The system can only be disarmed and deactivated using
the remote RF transmitter 80. The remote RF transmitter has two
control buttons 81 and 82. If the alarm or car finder features
are not activated, pressing the left control button 82 will
completely disarm the unit. This should be done by the operator
prior to re-entering the vehicle. Once any of the vehicle
alarm, car finder or panic alarm features has been activated,
pressing the left control button 82 will deactivate the alarm
siren 21 and return the system to the active armed mode.
Pressing the left control button 82 again will completely disarm
the unit. Two rapid high pitch beeps are emitted once the unit
has been disarmed.
To activate either the panic alarm or the car finder
feature of the present invention, control button 81 on the
remote RF transmitter 80 is pushed once. In both cases, the
unit must have first be placed into the armed mode by following
the steps described above. Once activated, the alarm siren 21
will begin emitting a series of extended high pitch sounds
separated by short periods of silence. During a period of
2s silence the alarm siren 21 may be deactivated by pressing the
left control button 82. This deactivates the alarm siren 21 but
leaves the unit in the armed mode. To completely disarm the
unit the left control button 82 must be pressed again. The unit
will emit two rapid beeps.
Once armed, the vehicle alarm is activated by any
excessive vibration sensed by the piezo electronic vibration
detector attached to the secondary PCB 29 contained within the
mirror housing unit 20. Once activated, the alarm siren 21 will
emit a series of extended high pitch sounds separated by short
periods of silence. The high pitch sound emitted when the
vehicle alarm is activated is distinguishable from the high
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pitch sound emitted when the car finder or panic alarm is
activated. During a period of silence the alarm siren 21 may
be deactivated by pressing the left control button 82. This
deactivates the alarm siren 21 but leaves the unit in the armed
s mode. To completely disarm the unit the left control button 82
must be pressed again. The unit will emit two rapid beeps. J
Referring now to the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 6,
an alternative embodiment of the present invention as
contemplated by the inventor will be described. In this
o embodiment, an enhanced rearview mirror system 100 is shown
wherein the electronic vibration detector (not shown) is
contained within a main control unit 60 which is located within
the vehicle but is separate from the mirror housing unit 200.
The main control unit 60 also houses an RF receiver (not shown)
15 and an infrared transmitter (not shown). The main control unit
60 receives RF signals from a two-channel remote RF transmitter
800 and transmits infrared signals to an infrared sensor 230
located on the mirror housing unit 200. Also contained within
the mirror housing unit 200 is an alarm siren 210, a battery
220, a xenon strobe light 260, an LED indicator light 270 and
a printed electronic circuit board 250 containing electronic
control means. The remote RF transmitter 800 contains two
buttons 800 and 801 which can be used to activate or deactivate
the alarm and to arm or disarm the system.
The main control unit 60 can be mounted anywhere within
the vehicle such that infrared signals are able to travel
between it and the infrared sensor 230 contained within the
mirror housing unit 20. Mounting the main control unit 60 under
the vehicle dash would be possible provided the infrared signals
30 can be bounced off the interior of the vehicle to reach the
infrared sensor 230. The main control unit 60 receives radio
frequency signals from the remote control unit 800 to arm or
disarm the system or to activate or deactivate the car finder
or panic alarm. The main control unit 60 in turn transmits
35 infrared signals to the infrared sensor 230 on the mirror
housing unit 200 to activate or deactivate the alarm siren 210
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and the xenon strobe light 260. The main control unit and alarm
sensor is powered by connection to the cigarette lighter adapter
700 or to the main battery power source of the vehicle and can
include a battery backup and tamper resistant switch.
A piezo electronic vibration detector (not shown)
contained within the main control unit 60 functions as an
intrusion detector when any excessive vibration is encountered
by causing the main control unit 60 to send an infrared signal
to the infrared sensor 230 thereby triggering the alarm siren
o 210 and the xenon strobe light 260. Vibration of the vehicle
created by the opening of a door or the breaking of a window
will be sufficient to activate the alarm.
To provide additional security, the present invention
may be equipped with a perimeter shock sensor which can be
plugged into a special jack on the main control unit 60. The
perimeter shock sensor may be equipped with a sensitivity
control to adjust the amount of vibration required to trigger
the alarm.
The above-described embodiments of the present
20 invention are meant to be illustrative only and are not intended
to limit the scope of the present invention. Various
modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled
in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present
invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present
25 invention are set out in the following appended claims.
