Patent Publication Number: US-2023147900-A1

Title: Vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicle side rear view mirrors and more particularly to using motor vehicle side rear view mirrors to communicate an emoticon or other symbol with individuals outside of the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Patent Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 9,308,867 
                 B1 
                 2016 Apr. 12 
                 Henion et al 
               
               
                 10,661,705 
                 B2 
                 220-05-26 
                 Juris et al. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Application Publications 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Publication Nr. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Publ. Date 
                 Applicant 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 2004/0267419 
                 A1 
                 2004 Dec. 30 
                 Jeng 
               
               
                 2005/0117364 
                 A1 
                 2005 Jun. 2 
                 Rennick 
               
               
                 2017/0341569 
                 A1 
                 2017 Nov. 30 
                 Thompson et al 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Drivers of all types of vehicles commonly desire to communicate with observers such as other drivers and pedestrians. Certain brands of vehicles, such as Jeep, encourage this communication, where it is even known as the “Jeep wave.” Presently this communication is achieved by waving, flicking the high beams, or honking, all of which may be misunderstood by the observer. Waving is limited to daytime hours. This apparatus overcomes these problems by showing an easily understood emoticon or other symbol and optional auditory sound to express the greetings of the driver. 
     Side rear view mirrors are equipped with indicators, as in U.S. Pat. No. 9,308,867 to Henion et al. The blind spot monitor proposed signals to the driver about the presence of other drivers, the signal is not communicated to other drivers and pedestrians. Furthermore, the signal is automatically generated by the blind spot monitor, it is not controlled by the driver. The signal does not include an audio component. 
     Side rear view mirrors that are used to communicate turn signals to other drivers are well known. U.S. Pat. No. 10,661,705 to Juris et al. proposes a signal to indicate turns by illuminating a vehicle logo, not signaling an emoticon which signals a greeting to other drivers and pedestrians. Furthermore, there is no audio component. 
     Side rear view mirrors are known to be used to communicate vehicle safety information to others in U.S. Patent Application Publication number 2004/0267419 to Jeng. In this publication, the side rear view mirror communicates only with computers and other peripherals, not with other individuals such as drivers and pedestrians. 
     Side rear view mirrors are known to be used to communicate with others outside the vehicle in U.S. Patent Application Publication number 2005/0117364 to Rennick, and U.S. Patent Application Publication number 2017/0341569 to Thompson et al. These publications project the communication on the roadway instead of using the side rear view mirror itself to communicate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     A first embodiment of a vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle includes a base, a light source, a lens, and a remote controller such as a switch. The lens may be shaped as an emoticon or other symbol. The lens may be included in the base. The controller may be an electrical interrupter switch to cause the lights to flash, so that the lights may be used as turn signals, hazard lights, or marker lights. 
     A second embodiment of a vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle includes a base, an array of light emitting diodes, a controller for the light emitting diodes, and at least one remote controller. The light emitting diodes may be color changing. The light emitting diodes may emit a light which appears as an emoticon. 
     A third embodiment of a vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle includes a base, a light source, a lens, and a remote controller. The lens may be shaped as an emoticon or other symbol. The lens may be included in the base. The controller may be connected to a voice recorder which sends its output to a speaker located in the side rear view mirror or elsewhere on the motor vehicle. 
     A fourth embodiment of a vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle includes a base, an array of light emitting diodes, a controller for the light emitting diodes, and at least one remote controller. The light emitting diodes may be color changing. The light emitting diodes may emit a light which appears as an emoticon. The controller may be connected to a voice recorder which sends its output to a speaker located in the side rear view mirror or elsewhere on the motor vehicle. 
     A fifth embodiment of a vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle wherein the controller may be a voice activated controller. 
     A sixth embodiment of a vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle wherein the controller may be a gesture activated controller. 
     A seventh embodiment of a vehicle side rear view mirror having means to display information to communicate with other individuals outside of the vehicle wherein the light emitting diode matrix is detatchably fixed to the mirror case. 
     Advantages 
     Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to communicate emoticons to other drivers and pedestrians, and to communicate audibly with other drivers and pedestrians, which could be a voice. To communicate through a voice activated controller. To communicate through a gesture activated controller. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a motor vehicle with a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view, partially cutaway of a mirror assembly incorporating a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a top view, partially cutaway of a mirror assembly incorporating a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view, partially cutaway of the mirror assembly incorporating a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a top view, partially cutaway of the mirror assembly incorporating a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Most, if not all, motor vehicles are equipped with two side rear view mirror assemblies, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the discussion below applies equally to the driver side and passenger side rear view mirror assembly  10 . 
       FIG.  1    shows the side rear view mirror assembly which is generally indicated at  10 . The perspective of  FIG.  1    is that of an observer outside of the vehicle. As the observer looks at the side rear view mirror assembly  10  and a portion of the motor vehicle  11 .  FIG.  1    includes a portion of a door  12 , a window  13 , and a controller  14 , which is inside the vehicle  11 . 
     The side rear view mirror assembly includes a base,  2 F that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle  11  and more specifically the door  12  of the vehicle  11 . The base  24  is secured to the door  12 . The design of the base  24  may include a support  25 . 
     The base includes a mirror case  25  which is moveably secured to the base  24 . The mirror case includes a lens  26  which is fixedly secured by known means to the mirror case  25 . A waving hand shaped lens  26  in  FIG.  1    may be shaped as additional emoticons or symbols. The mirror case  25  may include additional openings other than for the aperture  26  for turn signals, security lights, and the like. The mirror case  25  is aesthetically and aerodynamically similar to the general design of the vehicle. 
       FIG.  2    is a top view, partially cutaway of the mirror assembly  10  incorporating a first embodiment of the invention. The side rear view mirror assembly  10  contains a lens  26  and a light source  15 . The lens  26  allows light from the light source  15  to pass through. The light source  15  may be an amber lamp. The light source  15  is connected to a controller  14 . Said light source could be used as a marker light. The controller  14  may be an electrical interrupter switch to cause the light source  15  to flicker, in which case the light source could be used as a turn signal or a hazard light. 
       FIG.  3    is a top view, partially cutaway of the mirror assembly  10  incorporating a second embodiment of the invention. The side rear view mirror assembly  10  contains a transparent cover  18 . The transparent cover  18  contains a light emitting diode matrix panel  19  which is fixedly secured in the transparent cover  18 . The light emitting diode matrix panel  19  may be composed of color changing light emitting diodes. The light emitting diode matrix panel  19  is connected to a light emitting diode matrix panel controller  20 . The matrix controller  20  may be connected to memory  21 . The light emitting diode matrix panel controller  20  is connected to at least one controller represented by the controller  14 . The light emitting diode matrix may be used as a turn signal, a hazard light, or a marker light. 
       FIG.  4    is a top view, partially cutaway of the mirror assembly  10  incorporating a third embodiment of the invention. The side rear view mirror assembly  10  contains a lens  26  and a light source  15 . The lens allows light from the light source  15  to pass through. The light source  15  may be an amber lamp. The light source  15  is connected to a controller  14 . The controller  14  may be an electrical interrupter controller to cause the light source  15  to flicker. Said controller  14  is connected to a voice recorder  16  which may be placed elsewhere in the motor vehicle  11 . The voice recorder  16  is connected to a speaker  17  which may be placed elsewhere in the motor vehicle  11 . 
       FIG.  5    is a top view, partially cutaway of the mirror assembly  10  incorporating a fourth embodiment of the invention. The side rear view mirror assembly  10  contains a transparent cover  18 . The transparent cover  18  sits in front of a light emitting diode matrix panel  19  which is fixedly secured in the mirror assembly  10 . The light emitting diode matrix panel  19  may be composed of color changing light emitting diodes. The light emitting diode matrix panel  19  is connected to a light emitting diode matrix panel controller  20 . The light emitting diode matrix panel controller  20  is connected to at least one controller represented by the controller  14 . Said controller  14  is connected to a voice recorder  16  which may be placed elsewhere in the motor vehicle  11 . The voice recorder  16  is connected to a speaker  17  which may be placed elsewhere in the motor vehicle  11 . 
       FIG.  6    is a fifth embodiment of the invention wherein the controller  14  is an audio controller  22  located inside the motor vehicle  11 . The side rear view mirror assembly  10  could contain the light emitting diode array as explained in detail in  FIG.  3   , or the light source as detailed in  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  7    is a sixth embodiment of the invention wherein the controller  14  is a gesture controller  23  located inside the motor vehicle  11 . The side rear view mirror assembly  10  could contain the light emitting diode array as explained in detail in  FIG.  3   , or the light source as detailed in  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  8    is a seventh embodiment of the invention wherein the light emitting diode matrix panel  19  is detatchably fixed to the mirror case  10 . The light emitting diode matrix panel is connected to a controller  20 . The controller  20  is remotely connected to the remote controller  14 . 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.