BMW files patent in Europe for HUD 'virtual' mirror - paultan.org
BMW has filed a patent with the European Patent Office (EPO) for a “virtual” mirror in head-up display (HUD) form, according to patent documents listed as released yesterday, according to forum i4 Talk. According to …
paultan.org
This is interesting. BMW has developed a digital side wing mirror with its image projected onto the side window (just as a head-up display projects images on the windshield). The driver merely "looks out" through the window and the virtual mirror image will seem to show up where the normal wing mirror would be. It would not work, though, if the side window is down.
This implementation would reduce the number of potentially distracting (depending on exact location) display screens on or above the dashboard or door panels. It might even be possible to retrofit this technology. But, the "mirror" would be gone if the window is down, so would not work in a situation where you need the wing mirror, yet also need the window down, such as a drive-through where you need to pull up close and still need the wing mirror to see how close your back end really is.