US 12,304,391 B2
Vehicular driver monitoring system with driver monitoring camera and near IR light emitter at interior rearview mirror assembly
Anthony J. LaCross, Hastings, MI (US)
Assigned to Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed by Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/390,166.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/477,833, filed on Dec. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0217437 A1, Jul. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. G11B 27/00 (2006.01); B60R 1/04 (2006.01); B60R 1/12 (2006.01); B60R 1/29 (2022.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 1/12 (2013.01) [B60R 1/04 (2013.01); B60R 1/29 (2022.01); B60R 2001/1253 (2013.01); B60R 2011/0033 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicular driver monitoring system, the vehicular driver monitoring system comprising:
an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head adjustable about a mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure is configured to attach at an interior portion of an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular driver monitoring system;
wherein the mirror head comprises a mirror casing, and wherein the mirror head accommodates an electrochromic mirror reflective element;
a camera accommodated by the mirror head;
wherein, with the mounting structure attached at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the camera views within the interior cabin of the vehicle;
wherein the camera views through the electrochromic mirror reflective element;
a light emitter accommodated by the mirror head;
wherein the light emitter, with the mounting structure attached at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, and when the light emitter is electrically operated, emits near infrared (NIR) light that passes through the electrochromic mirror reflective element;
wherein a printed circuit board (PCB) is accommodated by the mirror head, wherein the PCB comprises (i) a first side that faces the electrochromic mirror reflective element, and (ii) a second side opposite the first side and separated from the first side by a thickness of the PCB;
wherein a heat generating electronic component is disposed at the first side of the PCB, and wherein the heat generating electronic component, when electrically operated, generates heat within the mirror head;
wherein, with the mounting structure attached at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, and when the light emitter is electrically operated to emit light, the camera captures image data;
an electronic control unit (ECU);
wherein image data captured by the camera is transferred to the ECU;
wherein the ECU comprises electronic circuitry and associated software, and wherein the electronic circuitry comprises an image processor operable to process image data transferred to the ECU, and wherein, with the mounting structure attached at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the ECU processes image data transferred to the ECU to monitor a driver present in the interior cabin of the vehicle;
a heat sink thermally coupled with the second side of the PCB, wherein the heat sink, when the heat generating electronic component disposed at the first side of the PCB generates heat, draws heat away from the PCB; and
wherein a first plurality of vents are formed through a lower portion of the mirror casing and a second plurality of vents are formed through an upper portion of the mirror casing so that, when the heat generating electronic component generates heat within the mirror head, cooling airflow is drawn into the mirror head via the first plurality of vents formed through the lower portion of the mirror casing and exits out of the mirror head via the second plurality of vents formed through the upper portion of the mirror casing to draw heat away from the PCB and out of the mirror head.