US 6,172,613 · Granted 2001-01-09
The Mirror That Talks: Donnelly's Airbag Status Display
Imagine a rearview mirror that does more than just show you what's behind the car—it also displays important safety info like whether your passenger's airbag is armed. Donnelly figured out how to fit a tiny information screen into the mirror's housing at just the right angle so front-seat passengers could actually read it without turning their head.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a rearview mirror assembly that combines a reflective mirror element with an information display screen positioned in the mirror's housing—typically in the upper or lower trim area—angled so passengers can see it clearly. What's protected here is the specific geometry and placement of embedding an electronic display within the mirror structure itself, including the optional breakaway mount system that detaches the entire assembly from the windshield or header upon impact.
Why it matters
This patent solved a real safety problem in the late 1990s: communicating airbag system status to passengers without adding clutter to the dashboard. By integrating the display into an existing mirror that everyone looks at, Donnelly created a solution that automakers could adopt to meet emerging regulatory requirements for airbag status indicators without redesigning the entire interior. It's an example of smart packaging—using existing real estate in the cabin to add functionality.
Real-world use
Every time a passenger glances at the rearview mirror to check the view behind the car, they might also spot a tiny light or message confirming the side airbag is active and ready to protect them.
Original USPTO abstract
A rearview mirror assembly incorporating one or more vehicle information displays includes an information display area in a portion of the rearview mirror housing which is at an angle to the plane of the reflective mirror element to provide improved visibility of the display by a front seat passenger. The information display can be provided in either the chin or eyebrow area of the rearview mirror housing, in the end of the mirror housing, or, alternately, in the field of view of the reflective mirror element itself or as a combination thereof. Such rearview mirror assemblies can be used in combination with a rearview mirror support and information display assembly including a rigid mirror stay preferably having a mirror support for independently adjustably mounting the rearview mirror assembly, and may also include a breakaway mount which releasably couples the stay and the supported rearview mirror assembly to a windshield mounted button or a header mounted base such that the entire assembly is released upon impact. The information display is especially useful to provide the operational status of the Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) or air bag.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 6,172,613
- Filing date
- 1999-02-05
- Grant date
- 2001-01-09
- Assignee
- Donnelly Corporation
- Inventor(s)
- DELINE JONATHAN E., LYNAM NIALL R.
- CPC class
- B60R1/088
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