Methods and systems for controlling a reflectance of mirror in a vehicle

• US 8,450,677 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Jones, Nigel G., Nagrant, Nicholas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ko, Tony
• Application Number:
  US12/772,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20110266419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 250/214.AL, 250/214.C, 250/214.R, 250/205, 359/604
• US Class Current: 250/214.AL
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0414 using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or plane beam-splitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/26 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4204 with determination of ambient light solar light G01J2001/4266

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reflectance of a mirror of a vehicle. A first sensor measures an ambient light condition outside the vehicle. A second sensor measures a glare from the mirror. A controller identifies a characteristic of the vehicle, and adjusts the reflectance of the mirror based on the characteristic, the ambient light condition, and the glare.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a reflectance of a mirror of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a characteristic of the vehicle;

determining an ambient light condition outside the vehicle;

determining a glare from the mirror;

obtaining a baseline relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition;

adjusting the baseline relationship based on the characteristic to create an adjusted relationship;

determining an optimal reflectance based on the adjusted relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs; and

adjusting the reflectance of the mirror by adjusting a voltage provided to the mirror in an amount that adjusts the reflectance of the mirror to equal the optimal reflectance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises characteristic of a driver of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a rear window, and the characteristic comprises a tinting on the rear window.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the characteristic comprises the steps of:

obtaining an input from a driver of the vehicle; and

identifying the characteristic using the input.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the characteristic comprises a driver preference for an amount of reflectance of the mirror as reflected in the input from the driver.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusted relationship comprises a function.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the baseline relationship includes a slope; and

the step of adjusting the baseline relationship comprises the step of adjusting the slope.

8. A system for adjusting a reflectance of a mirror of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first sensor configured to measure an ambient light condition outside the vehicle;

a second sensor configured to measure a glare from the mirror; and

a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to;

identify a characteristic of the vehicle;

obtain a baseline relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition;

adjust the baseline relationship based on the characteristic to create an adjusted relationship;

determine an optimal reflectance based on the adjusted relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs; and

adjust the reflectance of the mirror by adjusting a voltage provided to the mirror in an amount that adjusts the reflectance of the mirror to equal the optimal reflectance.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the characteristic comprises a characteristic of a driver of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the vehicle includes a rear window, and the characteristic comprises a tinting on the rear window.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

an input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive an input from a driver of the vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to identify the characteristic using the input.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the characteristic comprises a driver preference for an amount of reflectance of the mirror as reflected in the input from the driver.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the relationship comprises a function.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the baseline relationship includes a slope; and

the processor is configured to adjust the baseline relationship by adjusting the slope.

15. A mirror assembly for a vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror having an adjustable reflectance;

a first sensor configured to measure an ambient light condition outside the vehicle;

a second sensor configured to measure a glare from the mirror;

an input device configured to receive an input; and

a processor coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, the input device, and the mirror, the processor configured to;

identify a characteristic of a driver of the vehicle using the input;

select a relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition, based on the characteristic;

determine an optimal reflectance based on the relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs; and

adjust a voltage provided to the mirror in an amount that adjusts the reflectance of the mirror to equal the optimal reflectance.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the characteristic comprises a preference of the driver pertaining to the mirror.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain a baseline relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition;

adjust the baseline relationship based on the characteristic to create an adjusted relationship; and

determine the optimal reflectance based on the adjusted relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 17, wherein:

the baseline relationship includes a slope; and

the processor is configured to adjust the baseline relationship by adjusting the slope.

19. The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the characteristic comprises a driver preference for an amount of reflectance of the mirror as reflected in the input from the driver.