Interior rearview mirror system

• US 8,508,383 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Peterson, Kenneth C., Foote, Keith D., Hook, Richard R., Deuel, Eric S., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US13/429,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20120182141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/09 transflective
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror system of a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element. The reflective element includes (i) an electro-optic active region where an electro-optic medium is disposed and is bounded by a perimeter seal and (ii) a user input region outboard of the electro-optic active region. At least one backlit user input, such as a capacitive touch sensor, is disposed at the reflective element at the user input region and outboard of the perimeter seal and the electro-optic medium. A control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of a finger of a user that is at or near the first surface of the front substrate at the user input region, and the control generates an output signal indicative of a determined touch or proximity of a finger of a user.

Claims

1. An interior rearview minor system of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element, wherein said reflective element comprises a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electro-optic medium disposed between said front substrate and said rear substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;

wherein said front substrate has a first surface that generally faces a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview minor assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle, and wherein said front substrate has a second surface opposite said first surface;

wherein said second surface of said front substrate has a transparent conductive coating established thereat;

wherein said rear substrate has a third surface that contacts said electro-optic medium and a fourth surface opposite said third surface, and wherein said third surface of said rear substrate has a metallic mirror reflector established thereat;

wherein the surface area of said first surface is larger than the surface area of said third surface and wherein no part of said rear substrate extends beyond any part of said front substrate to be viewable by a viewer viewing said first surface of said front substrate;

wherein said reflective element comprises (i) an electro-optic active region where said electrochromic medium is disposed and is bounded by said perimeter seal and (ii) a user input region outboard of said electro-optic active region;

wherein a hiding band is disposed at said second surface of said front substrate and at a location that generally corresponds to said perimeter seal when said front and rear substrates are mated together, and wherein said hiding band substantially hides said perimeter seal from view by a viewer viewing said first surface of said front substrate;

at least one backlit user input disposed at said reflective element at said user input region and outboard of said perimeter seal and said electro-optic medium, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a capacitive touch sensor;

wherein an isolation line is established at said second surface of said front substrate to electrically isolate a first portion of said transparent conductive coating that is at said user input region and outboard of said perimeter seal and said electro-optic medium from a second portion of said transparent conductive coating that is at said electro-optic active region and in contact with said electro-optic medium;

wherein said isolation line is established via scribing said transparent conductive coating at said second surface of said front substrate; and

a control, wherein said control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of a finger of a user that is at or near said first surface of said front substrate at said user input region, and wherein said control generates an output signal indicative of a determined touch or proximity of a finger of a user.

2. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said perimeter seal covers said isolation line.

3. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, comprising a display device comprising a display representative of a plurality of individual alphanumeric input characters, wherein said plurality of individual alphanumeric input characters of said display device is backlit by a backlighting device, and wherein said display device is backlit by said backlighting device responsive to at least one of (i) a user input, (ii) a signal indicative of an initial ignition-on condition, (iii) the vehicle ignition on and the vehicle not in motion, and (iv) the vehicle ignition on and the vehicle engine not running, and wherein said backlighting device is deactivated in response to at least one of (a) a period of time elapsing following the activation of said backlighting device, (b) a period of time elapsing following detection of a touch or proximity of an object at said reflective element, and (c) movement of the vehicle, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes an indicator responsive to a detection of an object rearward of the vehicle and responsive to at least one of a distance to the detected object and a location of the detected object, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a microphone, and wherein said mirror system provides a recording function at said mirror assembly and wherein an operator can selectively activate and control a record and playback device of said interior rearview mirror assembly.

4. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a plurality of individual reconfigurable inputs that provide enhanced user selection and control of accessories associated with said interior rearview mirror assembly.

5. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of individual reconfigurable inputs are operable to control and change features of said interior rearview mirror system.

6. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a plurality of backlit user inputs.

7. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said plurality of backlit user inputs are part of a touch screen.

8. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein said touch screen comprises a projective capacitive touch screen.

9. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity at said first surface by sensing a change in frequency of an oscillator and determining the location of the touch or proximity responsive to the determined change in frequency.

10. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein circuitry including said oscillator is disposed in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

11. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 10, wherein said circuitry comprises a counter and a multiplexer.

12. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 11, wherein said isolation line is established via laser scribing said transparent conductive coating at said second surface of said front substrate.

13. An interior rearview mirror system of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element, wherein said reflective element comprises a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electro-optic medium disposed between said front substrate and said rear substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;

wherein said front substrate has a first surface that generally faces a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle, and wherein said front substrate has a second surface opposite said first surface;

wherein said second surface of said front substrate has a transparent conductive coating established thereat;

wherein said rear substrate has a third surface that contacts said electro-optic medium and a fourth surface opposite said third surface, and wherein said rear substrate has a mirror reflector established at a surface thereof;

wherein said reflective element comprises (i) an electro-optic active region where said electrochromic medium is disposed and is bounded by said perimeter seal and (ii) a user input region outboard of said electro-optic active region;

wherein a hiding band is disposed at said second surface of said front substrate and at a location that generally corresponds to said perimeter seal when said front and rear substrates are mated together, and wherein said hiding band substantially hides said perimeter seal from view by a viewer viewing said first surface of said front substrate;

at least one backlit user input disposed at said reflective element at said user input region and outboard of said perimeter seal and said electro-optic medium, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a capacitive touch sensor;

wherein an isolation line is established at said second surface of said front substrate to electrically isolate a first portion of said transparent conductive coating that is at said user input region and outboard of said perimeter seal and said electro-optic medium from a second portion of said transparent conductive coating that is at said electro-optic active region and in contact with said electro-optic medium;

wherein said perimeter seal covers said isolation line;

wherein said isolation line is established via laser scribing said transparent conductive coating at said second surface of said front substrate; and

a control, wherein said control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of a finger of a user that is at or near said first surface of said front substrate at said user input region, and wherein said control generates an output signal indicative of a determined touch or proximity of a finger of a user.

14. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a plurality of individual reconfigurable inputs that provide enhanced user selection and control of accessories associated with said interior rearview mirror assembly.

15. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 14, wherein said plurality of individual reconfigurable inputs are operable to control and change features of said interior rearview mirror system.

16. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a plurality of backlit user inputs.

17. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein said control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity at said first surface by sensing a change in frequency of an oscillator and determining the location of the touch or proximity responsive to the determined change in frequency.

18. An interior rearview mirror system of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element, wherein said reflective element comprises a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electro-optic medium disposed between said front substrate and said rear substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;

wherein said front substrate has a first surface that generally faces a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle, and wherein said front substrate has a second surface opposite said first surface;

wherein said second surface of said front substrate has a transparent conductive coating established thereat;

wherein said rear substrate has a third surface that contacts said electro-optic medium and a fourth surface opposite said third surface, and wherein said rear substrate has a mirror reflector established at a surface thereof;

wherein said reflective element comprises (i) an electro-optic active region where said electrochromic medium is disposed and is bounded by said perimeter seal and (ii) a user input region outboard of said electro-optic active region;

wherein a hiding band is disposed at said second surface of said front substrate and at a location that generally corresponds to said perimeter seal when said front and rear substrates are mated together, and wherein said hiding band substantially hides said perimeter seal from view by a viewer viewing said first surface of said front substrate;

at least one backlit user input disposed at said reflective element at said user input region and outboard of said perimeter seal and said electro-optic medium, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a projective capacitive touch sensor;

wherein an isolation line is established at said second surface of said front substrate to electrically isolate a first portion of said transparent conductive coating that is at said user input region and outboard of said perimeter seal and said electro-optic medium from a second portion of said transparent conductive coating that is at said electro-optic active region and in contact with said electro-optic medium;

wherein said perimeter seal covers said isolation line; and

a control, wherein said control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of a finger of a user that is at or near said first surface of said front substrate at said user input region, and wherein said control generates an output signal indicative of a determined touch or proximity of a finger of a user.

19. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said at least one backlit user input comprises a plurality of backlit user inputs.

20. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity at said first surface by sensing a change in frequency of an oscillator and determining the location of the touch or proximity responsive to the determined change in frequency.