INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE

• US 20110176323A1
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeLine, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Uken, John T., Skiver, Timothy G., McCaw, Joseph P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• 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 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic 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 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/00 Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/08 Mirrors vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/028 using properties of sound source
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a circuit board disposed in a mirror casing rearward of a reflective element. A plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted to the circuit board for providing backlighting for a display element disposed rearward of the reflective element. With at least some of the light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by actuated light emitting diodes passes through the display element and through a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of the reflective element for viewing of displayed information by the driver of the vehicle. Individual light emitting diodes arc aligned with respective openings through a light reflecting element disposed between the circuit board and the display element, To the driver of the vehicle viewing the reflective element, the presence of the display element is substantially not apparent until at least one of the light emitting diodes is actuated.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror casing;

a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;

a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;

said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;

wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;

wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;

said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;

wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element; and

wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.

2. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light reflecting element comprises curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respective openings.

3. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respective openings comprise parabolic reflecting surfaces.

4. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein, at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflecting wall.

5. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element.

6. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 5, wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.

7. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.

8. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least some light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are nested in said light reflecting element.

9. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.

10. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.

11. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element.

12. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 11, wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.

13. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 12, wherein said plate-like structure of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element.

14. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes.

15. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes.

16. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes.

17. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes is arranged in a matrix array.

18. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said matrix array comprises a linear array.

19. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.

20. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 19, wherein said array of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes.

21. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array.

22. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein said transparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface and wherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the plane of said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismatic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front surface of said transparent substrate.

23. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.

24. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said surface of said rear substrate at which said mirror reflector is disposed opposes said electro-optic medium, and wherein said electro-optic medium contacts said mirror reflector.

25. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes arc mounted to the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element.

26. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board.

27. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 26, wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.

28. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein said at least one other electrical component mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element comprises an electrical connector.

29. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein a plurality of electrical components is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.

30. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein said at least one other electrical component comprises at least one of (a) an electrical switch, (b) an electrical connector and (c) a light assembly.

31. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.

32. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 31, wherein said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle.

33. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 32, wherein said traffic sign display comprises a speed limit display.

34. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mirror casing is adjustable via a ball and socket joint and wherein a ball member of said ball and socket joint comprises a passageway therethrough for wiring to pass into said mirror casing.

35. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, comprising a carrier disposed in said mirror casing, said carrier supporting said display element and said circuit board, wherein said carrier supports at least one switch for actuating a vehicle function, and wherein said carrier comprises a plate member, said plate member having a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from said reflective element from said first portion, and said second portion including said display element, and wherein said carrier supports said plurality of light emitting diodes, and wherein each of said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is isolated from adjacent light emitting diodes wherein light leakage between the respective adjacent light emitting diodes is substantially reduced, and wherein said carrier includes a divider wall between adjacent light emitting diodes.

36. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror casing;

a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;

a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;

said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;

wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;

wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective clement for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;

said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;

wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;

wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element; and

wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.

37. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.

38. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 37, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.

39. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.

40. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element, and wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, comprising a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said plate-like structure of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.

41. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.

42. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein one of (a) said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein said transparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface and wherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the plane of said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismatic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said minor reflector through said front surface of said transparent substrate, and (b) said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.

43. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board, and wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.

44. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to display information derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equipped vehicle.

45. The interior rearview minor assembly according to claim 36, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.

46. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror casing;

a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;

a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;

said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;

wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;

wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;

said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;

wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;

wherein said light reflecting element comprises curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respective openings;

wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element; and

wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.

47. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.

48. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein said respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.

49. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element, and wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.

50. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.

51. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein one of (a) said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein said transparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface and wherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the plane of said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismatic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front surface of said transparent substrate, and (b) said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.

52. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board, and wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.

53. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to display information derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equipped vehicle.

54. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.

55. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror casing;

an electrochromic reflective element comprising a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said rear substrate, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium;

a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;

said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;

wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board;

wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;

wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;

said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;

wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element; and

wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.

56. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.

57. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein said respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.

58. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element, and wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.

59. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.

60. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.

61. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to display information derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equipped vehicle.

62. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.

63. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror casing;

an electrochromic reflective element comprising a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said rear substrate, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium;

a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;

wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array;

said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;

wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;

wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;

wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element;

said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;

wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;

wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflecting wall; and

wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.

64. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.

65. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.

66. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.

67. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein a plurality of electrical components is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.

68. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 67, wherein one of said plurality of electrical components mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element comprises an electrical connector.

69. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror casing;

a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;

a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;

said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;

wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;

wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;

said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;

wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;

a circuit board assembly comprising an attachment element, said display element, said light reflecting element and said circuit board, said attachment element providing support for said display element, said light reflecting element and said circuit board, and wherein said circuit board assembly is attached at the rear of said reflective element;

wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.

70. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is attached at the rear of said reflective element.

71. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein said circuit board assembly is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element.

72. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 71, wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, comprising a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said plate-like structure of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element

73. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 71, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array.

74. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 73, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted to the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board.

75. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 74, wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.

76. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 75, wherein said at least one other electrical component mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective clement comprises an electrical connector.

77. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflecting wall.

78. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 77, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.

79. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 78, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electrochromic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium and wherein said surface of said rear substrate at which said mirror reflector is disposed opposes said electrochromic medium, and wherein said electrochromic medium contacts said mirror reflector.

80. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 79, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.

81. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 79, wherein said display element is operable to display a compass heading.