Memory mirror system for vehicles

• US 6,867,510 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2002
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kramer, Mark E., Veldman, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeBeradinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/274,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 340/654, 359/877
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators
• 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 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel

Abstract

A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.

Claims

1. A vehicle memory mirror system for a vehicle having an ignition system, comprising:

first and second vehicle mirror assemblies, each including a reflective element, a motor for positioning said reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of said reflective element with respect to said axis and a mirror-based control in order to position said reflective element at a particular position with respect to said axis;

said mirror-based control of at least one of said first and second mirror assemblies comprising a microcomputer;

said microcomputer operating said motor in response to an input;

said input comprising an interrupt input, wherein said mirror-based control of said at least one of said first and second mirror assemblies has a reduced energy mode that is terminated in response to said input whereby said microcomputer is responsive to said input even when the ignition system of the vehicle is off.

2. The memory mirror system of claim 1 wherein said mirror-based control of said first mirror assembly and said mirror-based control of said second mirror assembly comprise microcomputers operating the respective said motor in response to an input and wherein said input of each of said microcomputers comprises an interrupt input.

3. The memory mirror system of claim 1 wherein said mirror-based control receives a command at said input from a control located in the vehicle.

4. The memory mirror system of claim 3 wherein said control located in the vehicle receives another input from one of (i) a mirror switch assembly that is user operable to selectively position said reflective element with respect to said axis, (ii) a memory set switch that is operable by the user of the vehicle in order to set memory positions for said reflective element for multiple vehicle drivers and retrieve memory positions for said reflective element for multiple vehicle drivers, and (iii) the vehicle being placed in reverse gear.

5. The memory mirror system of claim 3 wherein said control located in the vehicle is positioned in a vehicle door.

6. The memory mirror system of claim 3 wherein said control located in the vehicle is positioned under a vehicle dash.

7. The memory mirror system of claim 3 wherein said control located in the vehicle is associated with a seat position control.

8. The memory mirror system of claim 4 wherein said mirror-based control operates said motor at a first speed in response to user operation of said mirror switch assembly and at a second speed in response to one of user operation of said memory set switch and the vehicle being placed in reverse gear.

9. The memory mirror system of claim 4 wherein said control located in the vehicle receives a first input from said mirror switch assembly and another input from at least one of said memory set switch and the vehicle being placed in reverse gear.

10. The memory mirror system of claim 8 wherein said second speed is greater than said first speed.

11. The memory mirror system of claim 9 wherein said mirror-based control controls the speed at which the reflective element moves towards a final position at a lower speed in response to said first input than said another input.

12. The memory mirror system of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second mirror assemblies includes a housing for said reflective element and wherein said mirror-based control is positioned in said housing or said mirror assembly.

13. The memory mirror system of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second mirror assemblies includes a housing for said reflective element and a support of said mirror assembly, said mirror-based control is positioned in said support of said mirror assembly.

14. The memory mirror system of claim 1 wherein each of said mirror assemblies includes at least two accessories and wherein said mirror-based control selectively operates said at least two accessories.

15. The memory mirror system of claim 14 wherein cach of said mirror assemblies comprising at least two accessories selected from the group consisting of a turn signal, a stop signal, a heater, a security device, a garage door opener, an image-capture device, a heading sensor, an intrusion detection circuit, an intelligent vehicle highway system transceiver, a global-positioning system receiver, a keyless entry receiver, a blind spot detector, an electro-optical element, at least one light sensor, an outside temperature sensor, a power-fold mechanism and said motor.

16. The memory mirror system of claim 15 wherein said at least two accessories are selected from the group consisting of a turn signal, a stop signal, a heater, a security light, a power-fold mechanism, an electro-optical element, an intelligent vehicle highway system transceiver and a garage door opener and said motor.

17. The memory mirror system of claim 16 wherein said at least two accessories comprise at least one of said turn signal and said security light.

18. The memory mirror system of claim 17 wherein said mirror-based control provides an output to operate said at least one of said turn signal and said security light.

19. The memory mirror system of claim 15 wherein said at least two accessories comprise at least one of said stop signal and said turn signal.

20. The memory mirror system of claim 19 wherein said mirror-based control provides an output to operate said at least one of said stop signal and said turn signal.

21. The memory mirror system of claim 15 wherein said at least two accessories comprise at least one of said security light and said stop signal.

22. The memory mirror system of claim 21 wherein said mirror-based control provides an output to operate said at least one of said security light and said stop signal.

23. The memory mirror system of claim 21 wherein said mirror-based control receives an input from a keyless entry receiver system to actuate said security light.

24. The memory mirror system of claim 15 wherein said at least two accessories comprise at least one of said power-fold mechanism and said motor.

25. The memory mirror system of claim 24 wherein said mirror-based control provides an output to operate said at least one of said power-fold mechanism and said motor.

26. The memory mirror system of claim 15 wherein said at least two accessories comprise at least one of said electro-optical element and said heater.

27. The memory mirror system of claim 26 wherein said mirror-based control provides an output to operate said at least one of said electro-optical element and said heater.

28. The memory mirror system of claim 27 wherein said reflective element comprises said electro-optical element a said heater and wherein said mirror-based control provides an output o operate said electro-optical reflective element and said heater.

29. The memory mirror system of claim 28 wherein said electro-optical element comprises an electrochromic mirror.

30. The memory mirror system of claim 1 wherein said first and second mirror assemblies are selected from the group consisting of an interior rearview mirror assembly, a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly and a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.

31. The memory mirror system of claim 30 wherein one of said first and second mirror assemblies comprises said driver exterior rearview mirror assembly and the other of said first and second rearview mirror assemblies comprises said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.

32. The memory mirror system in claim 30 wherein one of said first and second mirror assemblies comprises said interior rearview mirror assembly and the other of said first and second rearview mirror assemblies comprises said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.

33. The memory mirror system in claim 30 wherein one of said first and second mirror assemblies comprises said interior rearview mirror assembly and the other of said first and second rearview mirror assemblies comprises said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.

34. The memory mirror system in claim 1 wherein said first rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly and said second rearview mirror assembly comprise one of a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly and a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.