Patents Assigned to Fico Mirrors, S.A.
  • Patent number: 9663047
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for inferring the behavior or state of the driver of a vehicle, use of the method and computer program for carrying out the method The method comprises evaluating a series of descriptive functions of the conditions of interaction of the driver with the vehicle based at least on information from inertial sensors of an autonomous computation device, by comparing such evaluation with reference information associated with a behavior of the driver that is considered normal. The system is suitable for implementing the method of the invention. The use is for detecting behavioral changes of a driver. The computer program is suitable for performing the steps of the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Bande Martínez, Ariadna Bartra Cisa, Mireya Fernández Chimeno, Santiago Marco Colás, Juan Ramos Castro
  • Patent number: 8882315
    Abstract: External rear-view mirror assembly comprising a housing (1), a circuit board (3) supporting a plurality of LEDs LED-1, LED-2, an opaque cover (5) arranged in front of the circuit board (3) and provided with a plurality of through holes (5a), said cover having a shape adapted to the front external surface (1a) of the rear-mirror (1), which comprises at least a prism (6) with a first surface (6a) in contact with at least a LED 4, and a second surface (6b) fitting within at least one of said holes (5a) and aligned with the front external surface (5b) of the cover (5), said second surface (6b) being a Fresnel lens adapted to direct the light coming from said LED 4 in a predetermined direction D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Nestor Ruiz Ortega, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
  • Patent number: 8622559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mirror support used in a door mirror vehicle which provides stability and distributes the forces in an uniform way due to two gear knees which are attached to the first ends of two perpendicular arms, a first arm and a second arm setting up a cross and also relates to a device to adjust the orientation of a mirror comprising the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Moises Caballero Tapia
  • Patent number: 8075146
    Abstract: A fixing device for position regulating mechanisms for external rear-view mirrors for motor vehicles, applicable to external rear-view mirrors of the type which are comprised of a support (1), attached to which is a housing (6) which encases or is part of the aforementioned position regulating mechanism (2), to which a mirror support plate is affixed, it being possible to operate the same, manually or electrically, from the interior of the vehicle. The support (1) comprises elastic pressure exertion means (4) comprising a portion of the base (5) arranged on the support (1) and are provided with at least one tab (7), which pressure exertion means (4) are intended to withstand the pressure of the housing of the regulating mechanism when the latter is attached to the support by means of the fixing means, said pressure means being elastically distorted in such a way that they exert an effort force on the housing against the fixing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza Vicioso
  • Patent number: 8044789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for improving the monitoring of the external environment of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the vehicle comprises a built-in system for detecting objects with which it is likely to collide, within a monitored area covering a blind spot, comprising a capturing device for acquiring images that are representative of one or more objects located within said area and an electronic system for processing and analysing input signals. The inventive method comprises the automatic activation of an infrared light source in the direction of the monitored area when the images acquired cannot be processed and analysed in order to provide a result that would reliably detect a determined object and the automatic deactivation of said infrared light source when the acquired images produce the correct result without the need for infrared light. In addition, the system comprises a model with an infrared light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Lorenzo Servera Serapio
  • Patent number: 7690823
    Abstract: Comprises in combination: at least one light source; a support plate for the light source, which is at least one; a protective cover that permits the light emitted by the light source to reach the outside; at least one wall which, in combination with the cover, forms a casing to hold the said light source, in which at least the said support plate has a black coloured surface facing the said cover; and in which the position of said light source, which is at least one, in relation to the casing, is such that it emits the light directly to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Santiago Miguel Sanz, Daniel Bande Martinez, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
  • Publication number: 20090244743
    Abstract: A fixing device for position regulating mechanisms for external rear-view mirrors for motor vehicles, applicable to external rear-view mirrors of the type which are comprised of a support (1), attached to which is a housing (6) which encases or is part of the aforementioned position regulating mechanism (2), to which a mirror support plate is affixed, it being possible to operate the same, manually or electrically, from the interior of the vehicle. The support (1) comprises elastic pressure exertion means (4) comprising a portion of the base (5) arranged on the support (1) and are provided with at least one tab (7), which pressure exertion means (4) are intended to withstand the pressure of the housing of the regulating mechanism when the latter is attached to the support by means of the fixing means, said pressure means being elastically distorted in such a way that they exert an effort force on the housing against the fixing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza Vicioso
  • Patent number: 7572018
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding mechanism for exterior rear-view mirrors in an automotive vehicle, comprising a housing integral with a mirror-carrying casing, and an actuated ring acting as an axis of rotation of the mentioned casing with respect to a support chassis fixed to the vehicle, the ring being provided with first positional fixing means susceptible to coupling the mentioned ring to the support chassis and with second positional fixing means which, in collaboration with a stop element integral with the housing and loaded by un elastic member, limit the rotation of the mentioned casing around the ring and according to one rotating direction, all this with the stop element and the elastic member being integrated in a single piece with elastic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Jorge Errando Smet, Santiago Miguel Sanz, Angel Perez Trujillo
  • Publication number: 20090147388
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle exterior rear-view mirror including a casing or chassis with a neck to which an adaptor is mated. The adaptor has an abutment surface adapted to abut against a support sheet element associated to an outer panel of the vehicle. The support sheet element has an opening aligned with respective passages of the casing and the adaptor, respectively. A coupling stem is installed through the passages with the possibility of rotation and axial movement. Anchor configurations are formed at a lower end of the stem, the configurations engaging portions of the lower face of the support sheet element adjacent to the opening. An elastic element is arranged between the casing and the stem to push the stem inwards the casing or chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza
  • Patent number: 7489234
    Abstract: A system and method for the magnetic detection of the presence of objects in a blind angle of an automobile vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first detector of distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the entry of a ferromagnetic object into a blind angle, a second, a third and possibly a fourth detector of magnetic distortion deriving from the vehicle's trajectory, inclination and/or vibration and magnetic fields generated inside the actual vehicle, respectively, all associated with an electronic circuit. The method includes employing the proposed system to, through the generation of a table relating trajectory, inclination and/or vibrations or magnetic fields generated inside the vehicle with a corresponding distortion of the magnetic filed due to the specific circumstances, neutralize the effects of the possible magnetic distortion on the detection of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Llorenç Servera Serapio, Francesc Daura Luna
  • Patent number: 7463166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling the operation of presence-detection devices and to the implementation method thereof. The inventive system comprises: external presence detection means which are used to detect objects entering a determined surveillance area outside a motor vehicle and which are powered by a power source, an electronic system, and means which are used to detect the state of a closure device belonging to a door of said vehicle and which are associated with and co-operate with the electronic system in order to control the power source. Optionally, internal presence detection means and inclination detection means, which are included in the system, can be taken into account when said control operation is being performed. The inventive system also varies the surveillance area and adapts same as a function of the inclination of the vehicle in relation to the ground plane. The invention also relates to a method which uses the inventive control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Segura Gordillo, Francesc Daura Luna, Eduard Mundet Tarrago
  • Patent number: 7378947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the active monitoring of the safety perimeter of a motor vehicle, which is used to detect moving objects or static obstacles inside said safety perimeter. The inventive device includes a first sensor which covers a first detection zone comprising at least part of a blind angle of the vehicle and which sends input signals to an information-processing device which generates output signals for means used to alert the driver. Moreover, the device also includes at least one second sensor which covers a second detection zone and which forms one unit with the aforementioned first sensor. According to the invention, the first and second sensors co-operate in order to cover a combined detection zone containing the blind angle, which is increased in relation to the zone covered by the first sensor and which forms a section of the safety perimeter. The above-mentioned unit comprising the first and at least one second sensor use the same alarm means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Daniel Bande Martinez, Andrea Saccagno
  • Patent number: 7125127
    Abstract: An outside rearview mirror flexing mechanism, which is capable of moving the outside rearview mirror between a flexed position and an extended position and vice versa, and which is of the type comprising an electric motor, a mechanical transmission and an electronic control circuit. The flexing mechanism is capable of attaining an activated state by being connected to an electrical power source, and it is capable of being in a locked position and in an unlocked position. The flexing mechanism is provided with a position detector which is capable of detecting the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Oriol Rovira Vera, Llorenc Servera Serapio
  • Patent number: 7049946
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot. The invention relates to a device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot, where the objects contain at least one ferromagnetic material whereby they distort the earth's magnetic field. The device is mounted on a vehicle that has at least one blind spot. The detection device can detect the object located in the blind spot because it is provided with a unit for detecting the distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the object. Preferably it includes a logical circuit with neural nets for processing the signals received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Lluís Martinez Garcia
  • Publication number: 20050168855
    Abstract: It comprises a swivel pin (1) coaxially inserted through a holed element connected to the frame of said mirror, said swivel pin having at a first end (1a) a flange (4) and at a second end (1b) at least a retaining configuration (3) adapted for being fixed on a corresponding retaining configuration of a base connected to a vehicle, an elastic member being arranged between said flange (4) and a support of said holed element. Said elastic member comprises a hollow cylinder (5) of moulded plastic material arranged as a skirt, from the peripheral edge (4) towards said second end (1b) of the swivel pin (1), coaxially to it, said hollow cylinder (5) being provided with at least one opening (6) defining at least one helical strip (7) suitable to provide the hollow cylinder (5) with an elastic property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Fanelli, Cristophe Valade
  • Patent number: 6899439
    Abstract: The regulating mechanism comprises a base member (2), which can be coupled to the mounting (1), and a cover (3), in which a mirror mounting plate (31), provided with a mirror glass (35), is assembled. The mounting (1), and/or the cover (3), are provided with positioning means (9, 26; 37, 38; 42) of the mirror mounting plate (31), enabling said plate (31) to be positioned in any of the positions habitually used, either manually or through a mechanical or electrical control device. The base member (2) and the cover (3) or the base member (2) and the mirror mounting plate (31) have respective and complementary dampening means which comprise, in the base member (2), dampening means (32), and in the cover (3), or in the mirror mounting plate (31), a dampening extension (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza Vicioso