VEHICLE MIRROR WITH ADJUSTABLE REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle mirror comprising:
- a mirror unit including a lens, a light transmission layer disposed to receive light from the lens, and to control light transmission through or reflectivity from the light transmission layer;
a support for the mirror unit and a lens housing;
an energy emitter in the housing for selectively applying energy at or to the light transmission layer to control its light transmission; and
an electrical control system coupled to an output of at least one sensor, the control system being effective to control the light transmission of the light transmission layer based on an output of the sensor.
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Abstract
A vehicle mirror comprises a lens, a reflective member disposed so as to receive light from the lens, and a support disposed so as to support the lens and the reflective member. A control system is connected to the reflective member and is effective to control the reflection of the reflective member. Various techniques are disclosed to control the reflection including the use of photochromic coatings, LCDs, and motor control assemblies.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A vehicle mirror comprising:
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a mirror unit including a lens, a light transmission layer disposed to receive light from the lens, and to control light transmission through or reflectivity from the light transmission layer; a support for the mirror unit and a lens housing; an energy emitter in the housing for selectively applying energy at or to the light transmission layer to control its light transmission; and an electrical control system coupled to an output of at least one sensor, the control system being effective to control the light transmission of the light transmission layer based on an output of the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle mirror comprising:
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a lens; a reflective member disposed so as to receive light from the lens; a support disposed so as to support the lens and the reflective member; and a control system connected to the reflective member and to a motor, the control system being effective to alter a position of a shutter through the motor so that the reflection of the reflective member may be controlled.
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18. A method for controlling a reflection of a mirror, the mirror comprising a lens, a reflective member disposed so as to receive light from the lens, and a support disposed so as to support the lens and the reflective member, the method comprising:
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receiving information from a sensor, the information relating to an operating condition or to an environmental condition; and providing an output which is effective to control a reflection of at least a portion of the reflective member based on the information. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A vehicle mirror comprising:
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a mirror unit including a lens, a light transmission layer disposed to receive light from the lens and to control light transmission through or reflectivity from the light transmission layer; a support for the mirror unit and a lens housing; and wherein the light transmission layer is disposed on only a selected portion of the lens and the light transmission layer at the selected portion is located in a manner whereby it is capable of being directly struck by light passing through the lens to affect the light transmission characteristics of the portion which is struck by such light, whereby the reflectivity of the lens from the struck areas of the light transmission layer is lower as compared to other sections of the lens. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33-35. -35. (canceled)
Specification