Apparatus including at least one light sensor with an input pin for receiving an integration period signal
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one non-imaging light sensor comprising an input pin configured for receiving an integration period signal, wherein said integration period signal identifies a duration of the integration period, and wherein said integration period signal is received by said at least one light sensor prior to the beginning of said integration period,wherein said at least one light sensor comprises a first light sensor having a first output and a second light sensor having a second output representing light received during said integration period, wherein said integration period of said second light sensor is a function of said first output of said first light sensor, andwherein said first light sensor and said second light sensor are mounted in a rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, and wherein said first light sensor is mounted to face forward of the vehicle so as to function as an ambient light sensor and said second light sensor is mounted to face rearward of the vehicle so as to function as a glare light sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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at least one non-imaging light sensor comprising an input pin configured for receiving an integration period signal, wherein said integration period signal identifies a duration of the integration period, and wherein said integration period signal is received by said at least one light sensor prior to the beginning of said integration period, wherein said at least one light sensor comprises a first light sensor having a first output and a second light sensor having a second output representing light received during said integration period, wherein said integration period of said second light sensor is a function of said first output of said first light sensor, and wherein said first light sensor and said second light sensor are mounted in a rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, and wherein said first light sensor is mounted to face forward of the vehicle so as to function as an ambient light sensor and said second light sensor is mounted to face rearward of the vehicle so as to function as a glare light sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one non-imaging light sensor comprising an input pin configured for receiving an integration period signal, wherein said integration period signal identifies a duration of the integration period, and wherein said integration period signal is received by said at least one light sensor prior to the beginning of said integration period, wherein said light sensor generates an output signal representing a light level sensed during the integration period and supplies the output signal trough said input pin, and wherein said at least one light sensor comprises a first light sensor having a first output and a second light sensor having a second output representing light received during said integration period, wherein said integration period of said second light sensor is a function of said first output of said first light sensor. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A rearview assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
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an ambient light sensor mounted to face forward of the vehicle and having an output; and a glare light sensor mounted to face rearward of the vehicle, wherein said glare light sensor comprises an input pin configured for receiving an integration period signal, wherein said integration period signal identifies a duration of the integration period, and wherein said integration period signal is received by said glare light sensor prior to the beginning of said integration period, said glare light sensor producing an output signal representing light received during said integration period, wherein said integration period of said glare light sensor is a function of said output of said ambient light sensor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification