GB2417151A

GB2417151A - Vehicle multi-function rear view mirror assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2417151A
Application number: GB0418020A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory Dean Hayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-12
Filing date: 2004-08-12
Publication date: 2006-02-15
Also published as: GB0418020D0

Abstract

A rear view mirror assembly 10 includes a mirror 12, an image capture device 20 and an output interface for outputting captured images. The assembly may also contain a microphone 15, a speaker 17, a clock 13 and operational controls 24. The images may be output using an antenna for connection to a PDA or phone, by connection port 26 such as USB or Firewire or by memory card connector 28. Captured images may be used as evidence in the case of an accident or may be sent to a navigation service to facilitate the provision of directions, in which case the unit may accept verbal instructions from the service. The assembly may contain a GPS device and may display information about the status of the vehicle.

Description

REAR VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rear view mirror assembly, and in particular but not exclusively to a rear view mirror assembly having an image capture device mounted therein.

Rear view mirrors are conventionally provided in vehicles such as road vehicles to provide a driver with a view from the rear of the vehicle without having to turn his or her head away from the front of the vehicle. For example, in a road vehicle such as a car or van, a rear view mirror is attached to the front windscreen.

Following an incident such as a road traffic accident, it is often not possible to obtain conclusive evidence of the events leading up to the incident or of the events which took place in the incident itself. The reports given by those actually involved in the incident can be biased. Independent witnesses to the incident may only have witnessed the incident itself and not the events leading to the incident. Furthermore, even where the account given by a witness is not biased, imperfect recollection can lead to inaccurate information being provided and false conclusions being reached.

Navigation is often problematic when travelling in a vehicle such as a road vehicle, particularly where the person navigating is also driving the vehicle and is unable to concentrate entirely upon identifying the correct route. When driving a vehicle, it is difficult and potentially dangerous to simultaneously consult, for example, a map or the display screen of a navigation system provided in the vehicle.

While some navigation systems in vehicles are able to provide audible instructions, these instructions are often difficult to follow as the order in which those instructions are provided is determined by a computer as opposed to a human, and also because the instructions themselves are predefined and therefore difficult to apply effectively to a specific situation.

The present invention has been made, at least in parts, in consideration of problems and drawbacks of conventional systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely explicitly set out in the claims.

Viewed from a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a mirror and a housing portion for supporting the mirror. The assembly also includes an image capture device mounted in the housing portion for capturing an image of a view from the vehicle. The assembly further includes an output interface for outputting images captured by the image capture device.

The rear view mirror assembly can provide images of a vehicle's surroundings.

The captured images can be transmitted to a navigator at a call centre. The images can be used by the navigator to provide effective and meaningful navigation instructions to the operator of a vehicle. The images can be transmitted by the assembly (for which purposes it can be provided with an aerial), or they can be relayed by a mobile communications device such as a mobile phone via, for example, a wireless local connection.

The captured images can also be outputted in the event of an incident such as a road traffic accident or other incident for evidential purposes. For example, the images can be outputted to a portage storage device such as a memory stick and then uploaded onto a personal computer, or transmitted via a local wireless connection to a laptop or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The images can then be used as desired, for example they can be emailed to an insurer.

Further information such as radio navigation data or temporal data can also be stored and or outputted.

By incorporating an image capture device in a rear view mirror assembly, a number of further advantages can be achieved. The assembly, when installed in a vehicle such as a car or van, can be mounted on a front windscreen thereof. This position is typically close to an over-head light of the vehicle. These lights are common in existing vehicles. This can allow a power line to be fed conveniently from the power supply of the over-head light, for supplying power to the components of the rear view mirror assembly such as the image capture device.

Additionally, when mounted on a front windscreen (as is typical of some conventional rear view mirrors) an assembly of the kind described herein is extremely well placed to allow the image capture device to obtain a clear and unobstructed view through at least the front windscreen, as well as through other windows in the vehicle.

Viewed from a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle including a rear view mirror assembly such as that described above.

The vehicle can be a road vehicle such as a car, van or truck.

Viewed from another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for capturing images of a view from a vehicle. The method includes providing a rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle, the assembly including a mirror, a housing portion for supporting the mirror, an image capture device mounted in the housing portion for capturing an image of the view, and an output interface for outputting images captured by the image capture device. The method also includes the image capture device capturing an image of the view. The method further includes the output interface outputting the captured images. s

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which: Figure 1 shows a rear view of an example of a rear view mirror assembly; Figure 2 shows a side view of an example of a rear view mirror assembly; Figure 3 shows a front view of an example of a rear view mirror assembly; Figure 4 shows a first example of a vehicle having a rear view mirror assembly installed therein; Figure 5 shows a second example of a vehicle having a rear view mirror assembly installed therein; Figure 6 shows an example of functional components of a rear view mirror assembly; Figures 7 to 10 illustrate a number of examples of how images captured by an image capture device of a rear view mirror assembly can be outputted; Figure 11 shows a method for capturing images during a journey using a rear view mirror as described herein; Figure 12 shows a method for receiving navigation information based upon images captured by the image capture device of a rear view mirror assembly.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 to 3 show an example of a rear view mirror assembly 10. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a rear, side and front view of the rear view mirror assembly 10, respectively. The word "front" as used here is merely used as a label herein to refer to the face or part of the assembly which is located directed toward the usual direction of motion of a vehicle in which the assembly is mounted. Similarly, the words "side" and "rear" are merely used as labels to refer to the faces or parts that, in use are located at those respective positions to the "front".

The assembly 10 includes a housing portion 14 and a mirror 12. The mirror 12 can be mounted on a surface of the housing portion 14 and may be moveable relative to the housing portion 14. The assembly 10 can also include mounting part 16 for mounting the assembly 10 within a vehicle. For example, the mounting part 16 can be glued to the inner surface of the windscreen of a vehicle such as a road vehicle. In this example, the mounting part 16 and the housing portion 14 are connected together by an arm portion 8, which co-operates with two flexible joins 22 to allow movement of the housing portion 14 and the mirror 12 relative to the mounting part 16, thereby to allow alignment of the mirror 12 as required by the driver of the vehicle. In some examples, the assembly 10 can be removably mountable in a vehicle. This can allow the assembly 10 to be removed from the vehicle as described herein. In some examples the housing portion 14 can be detached from the arm 8 and/or the mounting part 16 to allow removal thereof from a vehicle.

As is shown in Figures 1 and 3, the assembly 10 can also include a power line 18 for receiving power to operate the components of the assembly 10 described below.

For example, where the assembly 10 is installed in a road vehicle such as a car or van, the power line may be conveniently placed to connect to an overhead light in a vehicle which is often provided on an inner surface of a roof of the vehicle (see for example, element 38 in Figure 4). Where it is not practical to receive power by a power connection as described here, in other examples, the assembly 10 can include its own power supply in the form of one or more batteries.

The assembly 10 also includes an image capture device. The image capture device in this example is provided generally within the housing portion 14 and includes a lens 20, which is located in a front surface of the housing portion 14.

In some examples the image capture device may comprise a camera such as a digital camera. The camera can, for example, be a still camera operable to capture one or more still images, or the image capture device can be a digital video camera.

Accordingly, the image capture device may be operable to take individual images at periodic intervals. For example, the image capture device may be operable to capture an image every two or three seconds. Where storage or output capabilities of the rear view mirror assembly permit, images may be captured at a greater frame rate.

In some examples, the assembly can be mounted such that the lens 20 has a field of view through a portion of a vehicle windscreen which can be cleaned using the vehicle's built in windscreen wipers, thereby providing a clear view for the image capture device.

Figures 4 and 5 each show a side view and a birds eye view of a vehicle 30 in which an assembly 10 of the kind described herein is provided. In Figure 4 the arrow labelled A shows the general direction of orientation of the "front" of the assembly, and therefore also the general orientation of the lens 20 of the image capture device of the assembly 10. With this orientation for the lens 20 of the image capture device, the image capture device can capture images of events occurring in front of the vehicle 30.

In some examples, more than one image capture device can be provided. Each image capture device can have a lens oriented to capture images along a different direction. An example of this is shown in Figure 5. In this example, the assembly 10 includes four image capture devices each having a lens 20A - 20D which is oriented in respective direction. Accordingly, in this example, lens 20A has a field of view represented schematically by the arc 36A, the lens 20B has a field of view represented schematically by the arc labelled 36B and each of the lenses 20C and 20D have a field of view represented schematically by the arcs labelled 36C and 36D, respectively.

While the fields of view shown in Figure 5 are represented as arcs, it will be understood that the actual fields of view may be three dimensional, and thus substantially be cone-shaped. Thus, images can be captured in a number of different directions.

Where the assembly 10 is removably mountable as described above, the assembly can also be held in the hands of a user and images can be captured from outside the vehicle using the image capture device. Controls such as the buttons 24 can be used to operate the image capture device.

Returning to Figures 1 to 3, the rear view mirror assemblies 10 described herein can also be provided with one or more means for outputting images captured by the image capture device. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the assembly 10 is provided with a port 26 which can, for example, allow connection to a device such as a mobile communications device or a portable computing device such as a laptop or a portable data assistant (PDA). For this purpose, the port can be compatible with one or more data interface standards such as USB, USB2, Firewire_ (IEEE1394), RS232 and IEEE 1284. In some examples the rear view mirror assembly can be provided with a wireless connection capability (such as that provided by Bluetooth_ or WiFi_). This is described in more detail below. This can allow the output of captured images from the assembly 10 to the mobile communication device or to any other type of device.

The assembly 10 can also or alternatively be provided with a connector for connecting to a portable storage device such as a solid state memory device or miniature magnetic storage device. Examples of a solid state memory device can include a MemoryStick_, SmartMedia_ Card, CompactFlash_ Card, Multimedia_ Card or SecureDigital_ Card. Examples of a miniature magnetic storage device can include a MicroDrive_ device. In this example the assembly 10 is provided with a receiving space 28 for receiving a portable storage device. The receiving space can be provided with contacts (not shown) for connecting to connection pads on a received portable storage device. This can allow images captured by the image capture device of the assembly 10 to be stored upon a received portable storage device.

The assembly 10 can also be provided with a number of input devices such as buttons or a keypad. In this example, the assembly 10 is provided with an array of buttons 24. These input devices can be used for a range of different functions such as switching the electronic components of the assembly 10 on and off, initiating output of captured images from the assembly 10 and so forth.

The assembly 10 can also include a clock. The time can be displayed on a display 13. The display 13 can, for example, be an LCD display. The clock can be used to record time data, as described below. The clock can be an internal clock operable to keep its own time and housed within the housing portion 14. The clock can, in some examples, be set using buttons 24. In some examples, the clock can receive an external signal indicating the correct time and/or providing a synchronizing signal to ensure that the correct time is kept. In one example, the clock is a radio clock, which receives a synchronization signal on a radio wavelength, so as to enable a highly accurate reading of the time local to the assembly 10 to be given. In other examples, a GPS clock can be used. Information on radio clocks and GPS clocks can be found at http://www.fact-index. com/r/ra/radio_clock.html.

The assembly can also include a microphone 15 and a speaker 17, so as to allow audio input and output such as speech - as described below, the rear view mirror assembly can incorporate the functionality of a mobile communications device such as a mobile telephone, and the microphone 15 and speaker 17 can provide part of this functionality.

The microphone 15 can also be operable to collect audio data in conjunction with the capture of images by the image capture device. Thus, sounds such as skidding tyres, impacts as well as sounds originating from within the vehicle can be recorded. In some examples, a separate microphone may be provided for this. Indeed, a microphone can be provided separate from the assembly 10 and audio data from the microphone can be fed back to the assembly 10; such a microphone can be positioned external to the cabin of a vehicle so as to allow better reception of sounds originating from outside the vehicle.

A number of functional components which can be provided in an assembly 10 of the kind described herein are shown schematically in Figure 6. The components can be connected by a common bus 40 so as to allow the flow of data and instructions therebetween. The components can include a processor 42 and memory 44. The memory 44 can store instructions in the form of program code executable by the processor 42 for controlling the operation of the remaining functional components of the assembly 10. The components include an image capture device 46 and an output interface 48. As described above, the output interface 48 can include a connector for connecting to a device such as, for example, a mobile communications device; the output interface 48 can also include a connector for connecting to a received portable storage device. In other examples, the output interface 48 can include an aerial. The aerial can be used to make a wireless connection with an external device (using, for example, Bluetooth_). The aerial can also be configured to allow connection to a communications network such as a mobile communications network. Accordingly, the output interface 48 can provide the capability to output captured images to any external device which is configured to receive those images (for example, a mobile communication device such a mobile telephone or a mobile computing device such a PDA or laptop).

The components of the assembly 10 can also include storage 50, which can be used to store captured images and other information prior to output via the output interface 48. The storage 50 may comprise, for example, one or more memory elements such as non-volatile memory elements on an integrated circuit.

Further components may be included in the assembly 10 as described below.

These further components can also be connected to the common bus 40. For example further component 52, shown schematically in figure 6, is connected to the common bus 40.

The assembly 10 may be operable to receive and/or store data files such as MP3 music files and play them back. In one example, the files can be provided on a portable storage device received in the assembly 10 as described above. The assembly can be provided with its own speaker (for example, speaker 17) for playing the music files. Alternatively, a radio transmitter can transmit a localised radio signal to a radio of the vehicle on a predetermined frequency for playback over the speakers or the vehicle radio. In another example, a wired connection could be provided from the assembly 10 to an in-vehicle entertainment unit of the vehicle to facilitate playback.

A number of arrangements for outputting captured images and further information from a rear view mirror assembly 10 of the kind described herein are now described in relation to Figures 7 to 10.

Figure 7 shows a first arrangement for outputting captured images and further information from a rear view mirror assembly 10. In this example, the rear view mirror assembly 10 includes an output port 26 as described above for connecting to a cable which can also be connected to a mobile computing apparatus 64 such as a laptop or PDA. The output port and cable can, for example, conform to the USB standard. When it is desired to output captured images from the assembly 10, a portable computing apparatus 64 can be provided locally at the vehicle 30 shown schematically in Figure 7 by the dashed line, and the captured images can be uploaded onto the portable computing apparatus 64. Alternatively, as described above, the rear view mirror assembly 10 may be detachable from the vehicle 30 so as to allow it to be removed from the vehicle 30 for connection to a computing apparatus remote from the vehicle 30 (for example, a desktop computer). Images outputted to the computing apparatus can subsequently be transmitted via a communications network 60 to a remote location 70, which may be a predetermined location. The communications network 60 may include a mobile communications network, the public service telephone network (PSTN) and/or the internet.

In the example shown in Figure 8, an assembly 10 is provided with a connector 28 for connecting to a portable storage device 66 such as a memory stick. The assembly 10 may include a receiving bay for receiving the portable storage device 66 as described above. The portable storage device can be retained in the assembly 10 and outputted from the assembly to the portable storage device as images are captured.

When it is so desired, the portable storage device 66 can be removed from the assembly 10 and can be connected to a computing device such as a desktop computer 68. The desktop computer may be connected to a communications network 60 as described above whereby captured images and further information stored on the portable storage device 66 can be uploaded from the portable storage device 66 and transmitted by the network 60 to a remote location 70, for example a predetermined location.

Figures 9 and 10 each show an example of how a mobile communications device 62 can be used in conjunction with an assembly 10 ofthe kind described herein.

In Figure 9, the assembly 10 is provided with a wireless connection capability for connecting wirelessly to a mobile communications device 62. Images captured by the image capture device of the assembly 10 can be outputted to the mobile communication device 62. The outputted captured images and any further information can then be forwarded by the mobile communications device 62 via a communications network 60 to a remote location 70 as described above. This can allow captured images and further information to be outputted from the assembly 10 and transmitted to the remote location 70 on a real time basis. Furthermore, the driver of a vehicle in which the assembly and mobile communications device 62 are provided can also converse verbally via the communications network 60 with a person at the remote location 70 who is receiving the captured images in real time. This will be described in more detail below.

In Figure 10 there is shown a rear view mirror assembly 10 which is itself provided with the capability to connect wirelessly to the communications network 60 and can therefore be considered as a mobile communications device 62. For these purposes, the assembly 10 should be provided with an aerial. In this example, the assembly 10 is able to output captured images and any further information via the aerial and transmit them via the communications network 60 to the remote location 70.

The assembly 10 may also have the capability to receive transmissions from the remote location 70, for example, the assembly 10 may be operable to transmit and receive audio signals to and from the remote location 70 via the communications network 60. As described above, the assembly 10 can be provided with a microphone and a speaker to allow input and output of, for example speech which can be converted to and from audio signals for transmission to the remote location 70. In such examples, the assembly 10 incorporates the functionality of a mobile communications device such as a mobile telephone. In examples where the assembly 10 is not provided with its own speaker, an arrangement similar to that described above in relation to the playback of music files can be used to allow audio output of speech. In particular, a radio transmitter can transmit a localised radio signal to a radio or entertainment unit of the vehicle on a predetermined frequency for playback over the speakers or the vehicle radio. As described above, the connection could also be a wired connection.

In other examples, the operator of a vehicle 30 can use a mobile communications device 62 which is itself connectable to the communications network 60 in conjunction with the assembly 10 in order to allow the driver of the vehicle and a person at the remote location 70 to converse.

Thus there have been described a number of arrangements for outputting captured images and any further information from a rear view mirror assembly 10 within which an image capture device is incorporated.

An assembly 10 of the kind described herein can be used to gather evidence for use in the event of an incident such as a road traffic accident. The images can be used to provide a visual record of the incident.

Images captured by one or image capture devices provided in an assembly 10 can be stored by the assembly 10 for output in the event of an incident. Any of the output methods described in relation to Figure 7 to 10 above can be used to output the captured images. The captured images can be stored locally prior to output, either in internal storage 50, or on a portable storage device received in the assembly, as described in relation to Figure 8.

Where the images are stored prior to output, the images can be stored on a journey by journey basis. For example, to reduce storage space requirements, images stored from a previous journey made by the vehicle, can be overwritten by images captured and stored on a subsequent journey. In order to effect this, the driver of the vehicle can activate the assembly 10 using an input device 24 as described in relation to Figure 3 above to indicate to the assembly that a new journey has begun.

Alternatively, the assembly 10 can determine that an engine of the vehicle has started/stopped so as to determine when to begin and when to cease capturing and storing (overwriting) images. For example, a connection between the assembly 10 and the ignition circuit of the vehicle can be provided for making such a determination.

Such a connection can comprise cutting the power to the assembly 10 when the ignition is switched off.

The assembly 10 may also be operable to output further information in addition to captured images. For example, the assembly 10 may include a radio navigation device such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and may be operable to output GPS positioning data in conjunction with the captured images. This can allow the position of the vehicle at the time at which the images were captured to be determined. Where the vehicle in which the assembly 10 is installed is provided with its own GPS device, the assembly 10 may receive GPS data from the GPS device of the vehicle and output it in conjunction with the captured images. Similarly, the assembly 10 may be able to communicate with a computer of the vehicle to receive and subsequently output data such as GPS data as described above and/or other data including an indication as to whether an antilock break system (ABS) of the vehicle has been used, an indication as to whether an airbag of the vehicle has activated, an indication as to whether the horn of the vehicle has been used and data describing the speed of the vehicle at the time of the incident. The further information may also include a date and/or time, which can be associated with the images. For these purposes, the assembly can be provided with its own clock, for example a radio clock as described above. The further information can also include audio data relating to sounds captured by a microphone (as described above) before and during the occurrence of an incident. It will be understood, that the audio data may not constitute "further" information as such, and may be collected in conjunction with the captured images. Accordingly, audio-visual data comprising the captured images and audio data may be incorporated into a single file and saved and/or outputted using a format such as the MPEG or WMV format.

GPS data outputted by the assembly 10 can also, for example, be used to track the location or route taken by a vehicle for the purposes of toll charging. The GPS data can, for example, be used to determine whether a vehicle has entered a toll zone. This data can, for example, be transmitted directly from the assembly 10 to a remote location using an aerial of the assembly as described above in relation to the assemblyincorporating the functionality of a mobile communications device such as a mobile telephone. Alternatively, the GPS data could be relayed via a separate mobile communications device as described above.

A method for capturing images is now described in relation to Figure 11. The images can be used as evidence in the event of an incident such as a road traffic accident.

At step 80, the beginning of a journey in a vehicle is detected. The commencement of the journey can be detected as described above by receiving a signal from an ignition circuit of the car, or from user input.

At step 82 images are captured by the image capture device. Image capture can continue until either the end of the journey is detected at step 84 (in which case image capture ends at step 86), or until an incident is detected at step 88. Incident detection can, for example, be made by user input (for example a user can press a button 24 on the assembly to indicate the occurrence of an incident). In other examples incident detection can be made by detection of a status from the vehicle, for example a sudden braking force detection, a sudden deceleration detection or an impact detection.

Where an incident is detected at step 88, images captured during the journey can be saved. This can involve storing the captured images in a portable storage device or, for example, outputting the captured images to a mobile computing apparatus or to a remote location via a network, as described above.

It should be noted that in some examples, images can also be captured subsequent to an incident. For example, a driver of a vehicle can remove the assembly from the vehicle and use the image capture device of the assembly to capture further images in a "hand-held" mode. This can allow the driver to collect further evidence such as images of skid marks on the road and images of damage to his or other vehicles, which is not visible from the mounted position of the assembly 10 within the vehicle. These images can also be saved as described above.

At steps 92 and 94, further information such a braking data, airbag status data, horn status data, speed data and audio data can also saved as described above.

The images and any further information can be used as evidence in the event of an incident such as a road traffic accident.

An assembly 10 of the kind described herein can also be used to facilitate navigation. This is described below in relation to Figures 9, 10 and 12.

A method for receiving navigation information associated with images captured by the image capture device of an assembly 10 of the kind described herein is illustrated schematically in Figure 12.

At step 100, as the driver of a vehicle is navigating his way to a destination, the image capture device of the assembly 10 can capture images and optionally store them in storage as described above. At step 102, the captured images are transmitted, preferably in real time, to a remote location 70 as described above in relation to Figures 9 or 10. Accordingly, the captured images can be transmitted directly by the assembly as described in relation to Figure 10 or can be relayed via a mobile communications device as shown in Figure 9.

The remote location 70 can be a call centre which can be contacted by a driver of the vehicle to request navigation information. The request can be made by way of a telephone call using a mobile communications device 62 as described in relation to Figures 9 and 10. Alternatively, where the assembly 10 is provided with its own means for connecting to the communications network 60 shown in Figure 10, there is no requirement for a separate mobile communications device 62 to be present in order to make the request. Accordingly, the assembly 10 can incorporate the functionality of a mobile communications device such as a mobile telephone, and can have its own microphone and speaker as described above. Also, as described above, the assembly can, instead of using its own microphone, relay received audio signals to a radio or in- vehicle entertainment unit a the vehicle.

At the call centre 70 a navigator, such as a person who has local knowledge of the area in which the driver of the vehicle is travelling, can receive the captured images and use the captured images to provide effective and meaningful navigation instructions to the driver of the vehicle by way of verbal instructions relayed through either a mobile communications device 62 or through the assembly 10 itself as described in relation to Figure 10 (in which case the assembly 10 can be provided with a microphone and a speaker, or a link to such devices provided in the vehicle in the context of, for example, an in-vehicle entertainment unit). The navigation information are received by the driver at step 104.

Since the captured images are transmitted to and viewed by the navigator at the call centre 70 substantially in real time, the navigator, who has local knowledge of the area in which the driver is navigating, can use the images to identify the location of the driver and to point out landmarks etc. which the driver can identify. The visual information provided to the navigator by the captured images can be cognitively superior to a simple GPS position value, since the navigator can more readily recognise the location of the driver and can see essentially the same view in front of the car es the driver. The driver can also communicate with the navigator to ask questions regarding the navigation instructions.

In one example, the navigator may be allocated by the call centre upon request for navigation instructions regarding a particular geographical area made by the driver of the vehicle.

The assembly 10 can also output and transmit further information to the navigator at the call centre to further facilitate the navigator in providing appropriate navigation instructions. For example, as described above, GPS data can be output by the assembly 10 and this GPS can be used by the navigator to pinpoint the location of the vehicle.

The above described arrangement can be used for purposes other than navigation. For example, the assembly 10 can provide the functionality of a hands- free mobile communications device. The driver of the vehicle can make and receive telephone calls without being overly distracted from driving the vehicle. In one example, the driver can be put directly through to an operator at a call centre by, for example a single press of a button (such as one of the buttons 24 shown in Figure 1 and 3). The driver can then verbally request the operator to put him through to a desired phone number. This can be done either by using a pre-saved address book allocated to the driver, or by the driver explicitly reciting the desired number. The operator can then dial the appropriate number and put the driver through. In this manner, the driver does not need to dial the number himself, and is free to concentrate upon driving the vehicle. It should be noted that this method of making a phone call can be implemented using either of the arrangements described in relation to Figures 9 or 10, or can be implemented using an assembly which incorporates the functionality of a mobile communications device as described above.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications/additions and/or substitutions may be made within the scope of the invention.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the followings claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications as well as their equivalents.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a mirror; a housing portion for supporting the mirror; an image capture device mounted in the housing portion for capturing an image of a view from the vehicle; and an output interface for outputting images captured by the image capture device.

2. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein the image capture device comprises a still image camera.

3. The assembly Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the image capture device comprises a video camera.

4. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the image capture device is operable to capture digital images.

5. The assembly of any preceding claim, operable to collect and output audio data associated with the captured images.

6. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the assembly is removably mountable within the vehicle.

7. The assembly any preceding claim, wherein the image capture device is arranged to capture images in a direction substantially corresponding to a normal direction of travel of the vehicle.

8. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the image capture device is arranged to capture images in a direction substantially opposite to a direction of reflection of the mirror.

9. The assembly of any preceding claim, comprising one or more further image capture devices.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein each image capture device is arranged to capture images in a respective direction.

The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the output interface comprises a connection port.

12. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the assembly is operable as a mobile communications device.

13. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the output interface comprises an aerial.

14. The assembly any preceding claim, wherein the output interface is operable to output data to a mobile communications device.

15. The assembly of claim 14, operable to cause the mobile communications device to transmit captured images output to the mobile communications device to a predetermined location via a communications network.

16. The assembly of claim 13 or any claim dependent thereon, operable to output the captured images by transmitting the captured images to a predetermined location via a communications network using the aerial.

17. The assembly of claim 16 comprising a speaker, wherein the assembly is operable to receive verbal navigation instructions via the aerial and to output the navigational instructions via the speaker, wherein the navigation instructions are based on the captured images transmitted using the aerial.

18. The assembly of any preceding claim, comprising a microphone.

19. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the output interface is configured to output captured images to a portable storage device.

20. The assembly of any preceding claim, operable to output further information.

21. The assembly of claim 20 comprising a radio navigation device, wherein the further information includes radio navigation positioning data.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the radio navigation device is a Global Positioning Device (GPS), and wherein the further information includes GPS positioning data.

23. The assembly of any of claims 20 to 22 comprising a timing device comprising at least one of a radio clock, a GPS clock and an internal clock, wherein the further information includes a date and/or time.

24. The assembly of any of claims 20 to 23, operable: to receive information from a computer of the vehicle, the information including at least one of braking data, airbag status data, horn status data and speed data; wherein the further information includes the information received form the computer of the vehicle.

25. The assembly of any of claims 20 to 24 when dependent upon claim 13, operable to output the further information by transmitting the further information to the predetermined location via the communications network using the aerial, wherein the navigation instructions are also based on the further information.

26. The assembly of any preceding claim, comprising a store for storing captured images, any audio data and any further information.

27. The assembly of claim 26, operable: to capture and store a first set of images in the store, in response to a determination that an engine of the vehicle has started; to cease capturing and storing images in response to a determination that the engine has stopped; to capture a second set of images in response to a determination that the engine has started; and to store images from the second set in the storage by overwriting images from the first set.

28. A vehicle comprising the rear view mirror assembly of any preceding claim.

29. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the vehicle is a road vehicle.

30. A method for capturing images of a view from a vehicle, the method comprlsmg: providing a rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising an image capture device for capturing an image of the view and an output interface for outputting images captured by the image capture device; capturing an image of the view using the image capture device; and outputting the captured images using the output interface.

31. The method of claim 30, comprising the image capture device capturing still images.

32. The method of claim 30 or claim 31, comprising the image capture device capturing video images.

33. The method of any of claims 30 to 32, comprising the image capture device capturing digital images.

34. The method of any of claims 30 to 33, comprising collecting and outputting audio data associated with the captured images.

35. The method of any of claims 30 to 34, comprising the image capture device capturing images in a direction substantially corresponding to a normal direction of travel of the vehicle.

36. The method of any of claims 30 to 35, comprising the image capture device capturing images in a direction substantially opposite to a direction of reflection of the mirror.

37. The method of any of claims 30 to 36, comprising capturing images in a plurality of different directions.

38. The method of any of claims 30 to 37, wherein the outputting includes transmitting captured images to a predetermined location via a communications network.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the rear view mirror assembly includes an aerial, wherein the outputting includes transmitting the captured images to the predetermined location via the communications network.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the outputting includes outputting captured images to a communications device and wherein the communications device transmits the captured images to the predetermined location via the communications network.

41. The method of any of claims 38 to 40, comprising receiving navigation information based upon the transmitted captured images.

42. The method of any of claims 30 to 41, the method comprising outputting further information.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the further information includes radio navigation positioning data.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the radio navigation positioning data comprises GPS data positioning data.

45. The method of any of claims 42 to 44, wherein the further information includes a date and/or time associated with at least one image.

46. The method of any of claims 42 to 45, comprising: receiving information from a computer of the vehicle, the information including at least one of braking data, airbag status data, horn status data and speed data; and wherein the further information includes the information received from the computer.

47. The method of any of claims 42 to 46 when dependent upon any of claims 38 to 40, comprising transmitting the further information to the predetermined location via the communications network, wherein the navigation instructions are also based on the further information.

48. The method of any of claims 30 to 47, comprising storing the captured images and any further information prior to output.

49. The method of claim 48, comprising: capturing and storing a first set of images in response to a determination that an engine of the vehicle has started; ceasing to capture and store images in response to a determination that the engine has stopped; capturing a second set of images in response to a determination that the engine has started; and storing images from the second set in the storage by overwriting images from the first set.

50. The method of any of claims 30 to 49, comprising outputting the captured images and any further information to a portable storage device.

51. A rear view mirror assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

52. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.