Rearview assembly with multiple ambient light sensors

• US 8,620,523 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2012
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Nelson, Barry K., Schmidt, David J., Boehm, Neil J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Application Number:
  US13/494,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20120330504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/49, 359/604, 359/838, 359842-844
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers

Abstract

A rearview assembly configured for use with a vehicle and method are provided, wherein the rearview assembly includes a first light sensor generally facing forward with respect to an forward driving orientation of the vehicle and configured to detect ambient light, a second light sensor generally facing forward with respect to a forward driving orientation of the vehicle and configured to detect ambient light, a rearview component configured to display an image rearward of the vehicle, and a processor communicatively connected to the first light sensor, the second light sensor, and the rearview component, wherein the processor is configured to control the rearview component based upon light detected by at least one of the first and second light sensors.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly configured for use with a vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

a first light sensor generally facing forward with respect to a forward driving orientation of the vehicle and configured to detect ambient light;

a second light sensor generally facing forward with respect to a forward driving orientation of the vehicle and configured to detect ambient light, wherein said second light sensor is spaced apart at least about 10 cm from said first light sensor;

a rearview component configured to display an image rearward of the vehicle; and

a processor communicatively connected to said first light sensor, said second light sensor, and said rearview component, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon light detected by at least one of said first and second light sensors.

2. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon light detected by said first light sensor if said first light sensor detects more light than said second light sensor.

3. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon light detected by said second light sensor if said second light sensor detects more light than said first light sensor.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein said rearview component is an electro-optic reflective element.

5. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein said rearview component is a display, and wherein said processor controls a brightness of said display based upon light detected by at least one of said first and second light sensors.

6. The rearview assembly of claim 1, and further comprising:

a housing; and

a mounting mechanism for mounting said housing to the vehicle,

wherein said rearview component is mounted in said housing, said first light sensor is mounted in said housing on a first side of said mounting mechanism, and said second light sensor is mounted in said housing on a second side of said mounting mechanism that is opposite said first side.

7. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon an average of light detected by said first and second light sensors.

8. A rearview assembly configured for use with a vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

a housing;

a rearview component mounted in said housing and configured to display an image rearward of the vehicle;

a mounting mechanism for mounting said housing to the vehicle;

a first light sensor generally facing forward with respect to a forward driving orientation of the vehicle and configured to detect ambient light, said first light sensor mounted in said housing on a first side of said mounting mechanism;

a second light sensor generally facing forward with respect to a forward driving orientation of the vehicle and configured to detect ambient light, said second light sensor mounted in said housing on a second side of said mounting mechanism that is opposite said first side; and

a processor communicatively connected to said first light sensor, said second light sensor, and said rearview component, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon light detected by at least one of said first and second light sensors.

9. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon light detected by said first light sensor if said first light sensor detects more light than said second light sensor.

10. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon light detected by said second light sensor if said second light sensor detects more light than said first light sensor.

11. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein said rearview component is an electro-optic reflective element.

12. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein said rearview component is a display, and wherein said processor controls a brightness of said display based upon light detected by at least one of said first and second light sensors.

13. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein said second light sensor is spaced apart at least about 10 cm from said first light sensor.

14. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein said processor is configured to control said rearview component based upon an average of light detected by said first and second light sensors.