Outside mirror communication system

Details Outside mirror communication system Outside mirror communication system

1999-03-04

2001-05-08

Crosland, Donnie L. (Department: 2632)

Communications: electrical

Land vehicle alarms or indicators

C340S315000, C340S315000, C340S870030, C701S049000, C307S010100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06229435

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to intra-vehicular communications systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to arrangements for communicating data between locations of the interior and the exterior of an automobile.
BACKGROUND
In order to reduce solar heating inside automobiles, many vehicular windows incorporate low-E metallic coatings. While this solution has been effective in solar control, it has the unfortunate side effect of RF shielding the interior of the vehicle. As a result, the effectiveness of RF-based systems, such as remote keyless entry, garage door openers, and tire pressure monitoring systems, is reduced.
In addition, bus systems, such as CAN and J1850 type systems, have been used to facilitate intra-vehicular communication. These bus systems are used, for example, to control outside mirror functions, such as mirror position, electrochromic dimming, and turn indicators. It is not desirable to provide access to the vehicle bus in the outside mirror, however, because such access may compromise vehicle security.
There is a need for a bi-directional communication system between the inside of the vehicle and the outside of the vehicle, and especially an outside mirror, which will accommodate a solution to the foregoing problems. Moreover, it has been found desirable to reduce as much as possible the number of wires between the inside of the vehicle and the outside mirrors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is directed to a mirror communication arrangement for use in a vehicle for communicating information between locations inside and outside the vehicle. A power conductor delivers electrical power to a first module, preferably a mirror module, located outside the vehicle. A control arrangement, responsive to a second module (which can also be a mirror module) located inside the vehicle, selectively modulates an amount of electrical power delivered to the first module. A transmitter arrangement inside the second module transmits information to the first module when the electrical power delivered to the first module is modulated.
According to another embodiment, the communication arrangement includes a power conductor configured and arranged to deliver electrical power to a first module located outside the vehicle. A transistor arrangement is responsive to a control signal and selectively interrupts or modulates the delivery of electrical power delivered to the first module. When power is so modulated, an optional capacitor, coupled to the first module, sustains electrical power to the first module. A transmitter arrangement located within a second module inside the vehicle transmits information to the first module when delivery of the electrical power is modulated. In one aspect, a DC or low frequency blocking and matching network isolates power and data signals from an electrochromic element used as an RF antenna within the first module. Preferably, the modules are mirror modules.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4907222 (1990-03-01), Slavik
patent: 4926158 (1990-05-01), Zeigler
patent: 5504478 (1996-04-01), Knapp
patent: 5798575 (1998-08-01), O'Farrell et al.
patent: 5821632 (1998-10-01), Normann et al.
patent: 6006143 (1999-12-01), Bartel et al.
patent: 6056410 (2000-05-01), Hoekstra et al.

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