VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM HAVING A VARIABLE REFLECTANCE CONTROL

• US 20080128589A1
• Filed: 02/11/2008
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Drummond, John P., Schofield, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,453,057 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/206
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/26 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4204 with determination of ambient light solar light G01J2001/4266
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/46 using a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays

Abstract

A vehicle rearview mirror system includes an electro-optic reflective element, an ambient light sensor that is operable to sense ambient light, a glare light sensor that is operable to sense glare light and a circuit that is responsive to the ambient glare light sensors which establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element. The circuit includes a sensor-responsive device and a controller. The sensor-responsive device produces an output that is a function of light sensed by glare and ambient light sensors. The controller connects one of the glare and ambient light sensors at a time with the sensor-responsive device to establish glare and ambient light levels and thereby the reflectance level of the reflective element. The mirror system may include a display operable to project light through the reflective element and may control the intensity of the display as a function of the glare light and ambient light.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said rearview mirror system comprising:

an electro-optic reflective element;

an ambient light sensor that is operable to sense ambient light;

a glare light sensor that is operable to sense glare-producing light; and

a circuit that is responsive to said ambient and glare light sensors and which establishes a reflectance level of said reflective element, said circuit comprising a sensor-responsive device and a controller, said sensor-responsive device producing an output that is a function of light sensed by said glare and ambient light sensors, said controller connecting one of said glare and ambient light sensors at a time with said sensor-responsive device to establish glare and ambient light levels and thereby the reflectance level of said reflective element.