Rear view and multi-media system for vehicles

Details Rear view and multi-media system for vehicles Rear view and multi-media system for vehicles

1999-01-29

2001-10-16

Swarthout, Brent A. (Department: 2736)

Communications: electrical

Land vehicle alarms or indicators

Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...

C340S903000, C340S937000, C348S118000, C348S148000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06304173

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to display systems for vehicles and more particularly to a rear view and multi-media system for a vehicle.
The standard rear view mirrors for vehicles are sometimes insufficient for larger vehicles such as minivans and sport utility vehicles, particularly when the vehicle is backing up. The current popularity of minivans and sport utility vehicles has made this need for improved rear view systems more prominent.
Some vehicle manufacturers are beginning to provide entertainment for passengers in the rear seats. A flat panel display is installed in the headliner or on the back of the front seats. The display is typically mounted in a position such that it is not viewable by the driver, in order to prevent distraction of the driver.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a vehicle display system which provides entertainment for the passengers in the rear seats and an improved rear view to the driver. The vehicle display system may also provide other camera views to the driver such as front or side views. The vehicle display system includes a display which is selectively movable between a first position in which it is viewable by the driver and a second position in which it is viewable by the passengers in the rear seats, but not the driver.
While in the first position, the system provides a rear view to the driver. This rear view is provided by a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle. This camera selectively provides one of several rear views. First, the rear view may provide a distant rear view, which is similar to a rear view mirror view. Second, the rear view camera may provide a near or adjacent rear view of the area immediately adjacent and behind the vehicle. Third, the camera selectively provides a rear view of the interior of the vehicle, such that the driver can monitor children in the rear seats. The display may also provide navigation instructions or other information regarding the vehicle to the driver while in the first position.
When the display is in the second position, viewable by the passengers in the rear seats, the display provides entertainment, such as a video signal from a video game, movie player, television, AutoPC or multi-media presentations, etc.


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