For: multi-functional device with adjustable reflectivity
First Claim
1. A reflective mirror system comprising:
- an interior assembly having a variable reflectance element, said variable reflectance element including an optimized rearview mirror LCD electro-optic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, said first substrate contacted by a polarizing film on its exterior side and said LCD electro-optic medium on the interior side of said first substrate, said second substrate having a metallic mirror reflector at its side contacted by said electro-optic medium, wherein said metallic mirror reflector comprises a reflecting metal film wherein said interior mirror assembly comprises at least one light sensor; and
a control system wherein responsive to a light level sensed by at least said one light sensor, the mirror reflectance is adjustable by said control system when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in an installation, said interior mirror assembly being constructed as a single component.
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Abstract
A reflective device wherein the device reflectivity is adjustable via automatic or manual means. The variable reflectance element includes a metallic mirror reflector on one side of a substrate and additional substrate layers consisting of a polarizer and a LCD whose material characteristics have been optimized for dimming. The mirror assembly provides alternate trigger mechanisms for initiating the dimming function, the dimming function being automatically referenced to ambient light levels (day or night) or manually adjusted or selected. In the automatic mode the dimming mirror assembly provides the user immediate eye protection from reflected high intensity glare by effecting near instantaneous adjustment in mirror reflectivity, such that the intensity of the reflected light impinging on the eyes is automatically adjusted so as to be at comfortable levels. The mirror assembly construction is in one piece, and allows the viewing of a display or TFT monitor located adjacent to the mirror.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A reflective mirror system comprising:
an interior assembly having a variable reflectance element, said variable reflectance element including an optimized rearview mirror LCD electro-optic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, said first substrate contacted by a polarizing film on its exterior side and said LCD electro-optic medium on the interior side of said first substrate, said second substrate having a metallic mirror reflector at its side contacted by said electro-optic medium, wherein said metallic mirror reflector comprises a reflecting metal film wherein said interior mirror assembly comprises at least one light sensor; and
a control system wherein responsive to a light level sensed by at least said one light sensor, the mirror reflectance is adjustable by said control system when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in an installation, said interior mirror assembly being constructed as a single component.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A reflective mirror system comprising a mirror assembly having a variable reflectance element, said reflective element having a front surface and a rear surface, said front surface being closer to a user than said rear surface;
- wherein said reflective element comprises a mirror reflector that partially reflects light incident thereon;
an ambient light sensor system operable to sense ambient light;
a glare light sensor system operable to sense light incident at or near said reflective element;
wherein said ambient light sensor comprises a silicon photo-sensor and associated circuitry formed as an integrated circuit and wherein said glare light sensor comprises a silicon photo-sensor and associated circuitry formed as an integrated circuit and wherein said glare light sensor converts incident light to a signal processed by a microprocessor;
a control circuit operable to establish a reflectance level of said reflective element, wherein said control circuit is responsive to light detection by at least one of said ambient light sensors as well as said glare light sensor;
wherein said mirror system further comprises temperature compensation of at least one of said glare light sensors and said ambient light sensors, and wherein said temperature compensation is responsive to a reference sensor not exposed to light; and
wherein said control circuit establishes a reflectance level of said reflective element responsive to a ratio of a glare light value to a preselected ambient light value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
- wherein said reflective element comprises a mirror reflector that partially reflects light incident thereon;
Specification