Modular rearview mirror assembly

• US 20050141230A1
• Filed: 02/23/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeLine, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Veldman, Roger L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,108,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective mirror element. The reflective element may be a variable reflectance reflective element having a reflectivity which is variable in accordance with a voltage applied thereto or a prismatic reflective element. The reflective element has a field of view rearward of the vehicle when the interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle. The interior mirror assembly includes at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element to that driver'"'"'s desired setting, and the interior mirror assembly has a mirror support having a mounting portion for attaching the mirror assembly to a portion of the interior of the vehicle and the mirror support includes at least one pivot element. The interior rearview mirror assembly has a directional information display that displays directional information preferably derived from a geographic positioning system or from a magneto-responsive sensor.

Claims

1-38. -38. (canceled)

39. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective mirror element;

said reflective element comprising one of (a) a variable reflectance reflective element having a reflectivity which is variable in accordance with a voltage applied thereto and (b) a prismatic reflective element;

said reflective element having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when said interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle;

said interior mirror assembly including at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element to that driver'"'"'s desired setting;

said interior mirror assembly comprising a mirror support;

said mirror support comprising a mounting portion for attaching said assembly to said portion of the interior of the vehicle;

said mirror support including said at least one pivot element;

said interior rearview mirror assembly further comprising a directional information display; and

wherein said directional information display displays directional information derived from a geographic positioning system.

40. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said mirror assembly has a compass sensor therein, said compass sensor comprising a magneto-responsive sensor selected from the group consisting of a magneto-resistive sensor, a magneto-capacitive sensor, a Hall affect sensor, and a magneto-inductive sensor

41. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein a light is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

42. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a second information display and wherein said second information display comprises a temperature display.

43. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 42 wherein said directional information display comprises one of a liquid crystal display, a vacuum fluorescent display, a light emitting diode display and an electro luminescent display.

44. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of a headlamp controller and a video device.

45. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video microchip.

46. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said directional information display comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display element, a vacuum fluorescent display element, a light emitting diode display element, an electro luminescent display element, a multi-pixel display element, a fixed display element, and a scrolling display element.

47. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said directional information display comprises a vacuum fluorescent display element.

48. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said directional information display comprises a light emitting diode display element.

49. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said reflective element is disposed in a mirror housing and wherein said directional information display is located in said mirror housing.

50. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said directional information display is located at a pod attached at said mounting portion.

51. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one electrical accessory.

52. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one electrical accessory is selected from the group consisting of a garage door opener, a universal home access system, an INTERNET interface, a remote keyless entry receiver, a video device, a rain sensor, a trip computer, an intrusion detector, a phone, a light, a seat occupancy detector, a phone attachment, a headlamp controller, a printer, a transmitter/receiver, a modem, an instrumentation light, a console light, a solar panel, a windshield defogger device, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a digital message recorder, a magnetic tape message recorder, a phone control panel and a digital storage device.

53. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a light.

54. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 53 wherein said light comprises a light emitting diode.

55. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a CMOS video microchip.

56. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a garage door opener.

57. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 56 wherein said garage door opener incorporates rolling code.

58. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a rain sensor.

59. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 58 wherein said rain sensor comprises a windshield contacting rain sensor.

60. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a microphone.

61. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 51 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a control panel.

62. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 61 wherein said control panel controls a phone.

63. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 61 wherein a microphone is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

64. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 including a circuit member comprising electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry comprising a microprocessor.

65. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a connector, said connector adapted for connection to the electrical system of the vehicle in order to provide vehicle electrical power to a plurality of at least two electrical accessories.

66. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 65 wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector.

67. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 65 wherein said connector connects to a multiplex circuit.

68. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said variable reflectance reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

69. The interior mirror system of claim 39 wherein said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element.

70. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein the portion of the interior of the vehicle to which said mounting portion is attached comprises a windshield.

71. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said mirror support includes two pivot elements.

72. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 71 wherein one of said two pivot elements is located at said mounting portion and the other is located a distance therefrom.

73. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a variable reflectance reflective mirror element having a reflectivity which is variable in accordance with a voltage applied thereto;

said reflective element having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when said interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle;

said interior mirror assembly including at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element to that driver'"'"'s desired setting;

said interior mirror assembly comprising a mirror support;

said mirror support comprising a mounting portion for attaching said assembly to said portion of the interior of the vehicle;

said mirror support including said at least one pivot element;

said reflective element disposed in a mirror housing;

a circuit member comprising electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry comprising a microprocessor;

said circuit member disposed in said mirror housing behind said reflective element such that adjustment about the at least one pivot element by the driver to set the rearward field view of said reflective element moves the circuit member in tandem with movement of said reflective element;

said electrical circuitry of said circuit member comprising a compass sensor;

said compass sensor comprising a magneto-responsive sensor selected from the group consisting of a magneto-resistive sensor, a magneto-capacitive sensor, a Hall affect sensor, and a magneto-inductive sensor;

a directional information display located in said mirror housing;

said directional information display displaying directional information provided by said electrical circuitry; and

wherein said directional information is at least partially compensated for directional inaccuracy caused by adjustment of the orientation of said reflective element about said at least one pivot element.

74. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-inductive sensor.

75. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein a light is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

76. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a second information display and wherein said second information display comprises a temperature display.

77. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 76 wherein said directional information display comprises one of a liquid crystal display, a vacuum fluorescent display, a light emitting diode display and an electro luminescent display.

78. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of a headlamp controller and a video device.

79. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video microchip.

80. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said directional information display comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display element, a vacuum fluorescent display element, a light emitting diode display element, an electro luminescent display element, a multi-pixel display element, a fixed display element, and a scrolling display element.

81. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said directional information display comprises a vacuum fluorescent display element.

82. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said directional information display comprises a light emitting diode display element.

83. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-resistive sensor.

84. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a Hall-affect sensor.

85. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one electrical accessory.

86. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said at least one electrical accessory is selected from the group consisting of a garage door opener, a universal home access system, an INTERNET interface, a remote keyless entry receiver, a video device, a rain sensor, a trip computer, an intrusion detector, a phone, a light, a seat occupancy detector, a phone attachment, a headlamp controller, a printer, a transmitter/receiver, a modem, an instrumentation light, a console light, a solar panel, a windshield defogger device, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a digital message recorder, a magnetic tape message recorder, a phone control panel and a digital storage device.

87. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a light.

88. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 87 wherein said light comprises a light emitting diode.

89. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a CMOS video microchip.

90. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a garage door opener.

91. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said garage door opener incorporates rolling code.

92. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a rain sensor.

93. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 92 wherein said rain sensor comprises a windshield contacting rain sensor.

94. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a microphone.

95. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a control panel.

96. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 95 wherein said control panel controls a phone.

97. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 95 wherein a microphone is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

98. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-capacitive sensor.

99. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a connector, said connector adapted for connection to the electrical system of the vehicle in order to provide vehicle electrical power to a plurality of at least two electrical accessories.

100. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 99 wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector.

101. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 99 wherein said connector connects to a multiplex circuit.

102. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said variable reflectance reflective mirror element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

103. The interior mirror system of claim 102 wherein said electrochromic reflective element comprises a solid electrochromic medium.

104. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein the portion of the interior of the vehicle to which said mounting portion is attached comprises a windshield.

105. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said mirror support includes two pivot elements.

106. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 105 wherein one of said two pivot elements is located at said mounting portion and the other is located a distance therefrom.

107. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 73 wherein said circuit member is mounted on the back of said reflective element

108. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said reflective element having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when said interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle;

said interior mirror assembly including at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element to that driver'"'"'s desired setting;

said interior mirror assembly comprising a mirror support;

said mirror support comprising a mounting portion for attaching said assembly to said portion of the interior of the vehicle;

said mirror support including said at least one pivot element;

said reflective element disposed in a mirror housing;

a circuit member comprising electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry comprising a microprocessor;

said circuit member disposed in said mirror housing and mounted behind said reflective element such that adjustment about the at least one pivot element by the driver to set the rearward field view of said reflective element moves the circuit member in tandem with movement of said reflective element;

said electrical circuitry of said circuit member comprising a compass sensor;

said compass sensor comprising a magneto-responsive sensor selected from the group consisting of a magneto-resistive sensor, a magneto-capacitive sensor, a Hall affect sensor, and a magneto-inductive sensor;

a directional information display located in said mirror housing;

said directional information display displaying directional information provided by said electrical circuitry; and

wherein said directional information display displays directional information that is derived at least partially from a geographic positioning system.

109. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-inductive sensor.

110. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein a light is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

111. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a second information display and wherein said second information display comprises a temperature display.

112. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 111 wherein said directional information display comprises one of a liquid crystal display, a vacuum fluorescent display, a light emitting diode display and an electro luminescent display.

113. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of a headlamp controller and a video device.

114. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video microchip.

115. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said directional information display comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display element, a vacuum fluorescent display element, a light emitting diode display element, an electro luminescent display element, a multi-pixel display element, a fixed display element, and a scrolling display element.

116. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said directional information display comprises a vacuum fluorescent display element.

117. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said directional information display comprises a light emitting diode display element.

118. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-resistive sensor.

119. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a Hall-affect sensor.

120. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one electrical accessory.

121. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 120 wherein said at least one electrical accessory is selected from the group consisting of a garage door opener, a universal home access system, an INTERNET interface, a remote keyless entry receiver, a video device, a rain sensor, a trip computer, an intrusion detector, a phone, a light, a seat occupancy detector, a phone attachment, a headlamp controller, a printer, a transmitter/receiver, a modem, an instrumentation light, a console light, a solar panel, a windshield defogger device, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a digital message recorder, a magnetic tape message recorder, a phone control panel and a digital storage device.

122. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 120 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a light.

123. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 122 wherein said light comprises a light emitting diode.

124. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 120 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a CMOS video microchip.

125. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 120 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a garage door opener.

126. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 125 wherein said garage door opener incorporates rolling code.

127. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 120 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a rain sensor.

128. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 127 wherein said rain sensor comprises a windshield contacting rain sensor.

129. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 120 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a microphone.

130. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 120 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a control panel.

131. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 130 wherein said control panel controls a phone.

132. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 130 wherein a microphone is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

133. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-capacitive sensor.

134. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a connector, said connector adapted for connection to the electrical system of the vehicle in order to provide vehicle electrical power to a plurality of at least two electrical accessories.

135. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 134 wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector.

136. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 134 wherein said connector connects to a multiplex circuit.

137. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a variable reflectance reflective mirror element having a reflectivity which is variable in accordance with a voltage applied thereto and wherein said variable reflectance reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

138. The interior mirror system of claim 137 wherein said electrochromic reflective element comprises a solid electrochromic medium.

139. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein the portion of the interior of the vehicle to which said mounting portion is attached comprises a windshield.

140. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said mirror support includes two pivot elements.

141. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 140 wherein one of said two pivot elements is located at said mounting portion and the other is located a distance therefrom.

142. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said circuit member is mounted on the back of said reflective element.

143. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a variable reflectance reflective mirror element having a reflectivity which is variable in accordance with a voltage applied thereto;

said reflective element having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when said interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle;

said interior mirror assembly including two pivot elements enabling a driver of the vehicle adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element to that driver'"'"'s desired setting;

said interior mirror assembly comprising a mirror support;

said mirror support comprising a mounting portion for attaching said assembly to said portion of the interior of the vehicle;

wherein said mirror support includes said two pivot elements and wherein one of said two pivot elements is located at said mounting portion and the other is located a distance therefrom;

said reflective element disposed in a mirror housing;

a circuit member comprising electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry comprising a microprocessor;

said circuit member disposed in said mirror housing and mounted on the back of said reflective element such that adjustment about any one or both of said two pivot elements by the driver to set the rearward field view of said reflective element moves the circuit member in tandem with movement of said reflective element;

said electrical circuitry of said circuit member comprising a compass sensor;

said compass sensor comprising a magneto-responsive sensor selected from the group consisting of a magneto-resistive sensor, a magneto-capacitive sensor, a Hall affect sensor, and a magneto-inductive sensor;

a directional information display;

said directional information display displaying directional information provided by said electrical circuitry; and

wherein said directional information is at least partially compensated for directional inaccuracy caused by adjustment of the orientation of said reflective element about any one or both of said two pivot elements.

144. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-inductive sensor.

145. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein a light is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

146. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a second information display and wherein said second information display comprises a temperature display.

147. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 146 wherein said directional information display comprises one of a liquid crystal display, a vacuum fluorescent display, a light emitting diode display and an electro luminescent display.

148. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of a headlamp controller and a video device.

149. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video microchip.

150. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said directional information display comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display element, a vacuum fluorescent display element, a light emitting diode display element, an electro luminescent display element, a multi-pixel display element, a fixed display element, and a scrolling display element.

151. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said directional information display comprises a vacuum fluorescent display element.

152. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said directional information display comprises a light emitting diode display element.

153. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-resistive sensor.

154. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a Hall-affect sensor.

155. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one electrical accessory.

156. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 155 wherein said at least one electrical accessory is selected from the group consisting of a garage door opener, a universal home access system, an INTERNET interface, a remote keyless entry receiver, a video device, a rain sensor, a trip computer, an intrusion detector, a phone, a light, a seat occupancy detector, a phone attachment, a headlamp controller, a printer, a transmitter/receiver, a modem, an instrumentation light, a console light, a solar panel, a windshield defogger device, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a digital message recorder, a magnetic tape message recorder, a phone control panel and a digital storage device.

157. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 155 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a light.

158. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 157 wherein said light comprises a light emitting diode.

159. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 155 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a CMOS video microchip.

160. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 155 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a garage door opener.

161. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 160 wherein said garage door opener incorporates rolling code.

162. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 155 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a rain sensor.

163. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 162 wherein said rain sensor comprises a windshield contacting rain sensor.

164. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 155 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a microphone.

165. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 155 wherein said at least one electrical accessory comprises a control panel.

166. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 165 wherein said control panel controls a phone.

167. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 165 wherein a microphone is included in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

168. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said magneto-responsive sensor comprises a magneto-capacitive sensor.

169. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a connector, said connector adapted for connection to the electrical system of the vehicle in order to provide vehicle electrical power to a plurality of at least two electrical accessories.

170. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 169 wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector.

171. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 169 wherein said connector connects to a multiplex circuit.

172. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said variable reflectance reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

173. The interior mirror system of claim 172 wherein said electrochromic reflective element comprises a solid electrochromic medium.

174. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein the portion of the interior of the vehicle to which said mounting portion is attached comprises a windshield.

175. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said directional information display is disposed at said interior rearview mirror assembly.

176. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said directional information display is disposed in said mirror housing.