VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE

• US 20070171037A1
• Filed: 01/22/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, O'Brien, Frank, Bingle, Robert, Lynam, Niall
• Granted Patent: US 7,579,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5037 the display content changing automatically, e.g. depending on traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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 1/26 : to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 : with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/29 : for viewing an area inside the vehicle, e.g. for viewing passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 : providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 : of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 : for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 : for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 : Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 : with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 : with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 : Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 : Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 : outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 : collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 : with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 : around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0282 : for the use of several passengers, e.g. simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 : Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 : Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 : Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 : using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 : using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 : using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 : combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 : in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 : for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 : for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 : characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 : including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 : the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 : comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 : comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 : Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 : characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 : Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A vehicular video mirror system comprises an interior electrochromic mirror having a transflective mirror reflector and a video screen disposed behind the mirror reflector so that its presence is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until the video screen is actuated to emit light that passes through the electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle. Common control circuit circuitry may control dimming of the electrochromic medium and actuation of the video screen. The control circuitry may receive a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver and actuates the video screen in order to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an electrochromic reflective element, said reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

said mirror reflector comprising a metal layer;

said metal layer comprising at least one of (i) silver, (ii) aluminum, (iii) an alloy of silver, and (iv) an alloy of aluminum;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a video screen;

said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate;

said video screen comprising one of (i) a back-lit liquid crystal device, (ii) a light emitting diode display device, (iii) an electroluminescent display device, (iv) a plasma display device, and (v) a field emission display device;

said video screen emitting light when actuated to display a video image, said emitted light passing through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said mirror reflector comprising a transflective mirror reflector and wherein the presence of said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until said video screen is actuated to emit light that passes through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising at least one light sensing photosensor, said at least one light sensing photosensor sensing the intensity of ambient light present when said interior rearview mirror assembly is being operated in the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising control circuitry;

said control circuitry increasing the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is high and said control circuit circuitry decreasing the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is low;

said control circuitry increasing the intensity of light emitted by said video screen to compensate for loss of transmission through said electrochromic reflective element when said electrochromic medium dims responsive to a voltage applied thereto;

said control circuitry comprising at least one of (i) electronic components that commonly control dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen and (ii) sub-circuitry that commonly controls dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen;

said control circuitry receiving a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry actuates said video screen upon selection of a reverse gear by the driver of the vehicle in order to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry deactuates said video screen upon deselection of a reverse gear of the vehicle in order to cease display of video images captured by said video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle; and

wherein said video screen has a diagonal screen dimension in a range of about 1 inch to about 4 inches.

2. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror-mounting bracket adapted to mount said interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle, and wherein said mirror-mounting bracket mounts said interior rearview mirror assembly to said interior portion by a break-away connection.

3. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly connects to a network bus of the vehicle.

4. The video mirror system according to claim 3, wherein said network bus of the vehicle comprises at least one of (i) a CAN bus and (ii) a LIN bus.

5. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a wireless link to another accessory of the vehicle, said wireless link being in accordance with a short-range RF communication protocol.

6. The video mirror system according to claim 5, wherein said another accessory of the vehicle comprises a portable electronic device.

7. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a metal foil and (ii) a metallized sheet or film to reduce EMI/RF emissions.

8. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, said plurality of light emitting diodes emitting white light when actuated.

9. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said video screen serves as a video screen for at least one of (i) a vehicular camera and (ii) a portable electronic device.

10. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein a forward-facing video camera is provided and wherein said video screen displays at least one of (i) an area immediately forward of the vehicle and (ii) an area down field of the forward direction of motion of the vehicle as imaged by said forward-facing video camera when a forward gear of the vehicle is selected and when the vehicle is moving slowly.

11. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly functions as part of a wireless communication telematic system of the vehicle.

12. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein wiring or cabling required for operation of said video screen passes through a support arm and least one ball joint of said mirror assembly.

13. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein wiring or cabling required for operation of said video screen passes through a support arm and two ball joints of said mirror assembly.

14. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said control circuitry receives video data via a fiber-optic link.

15. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said video imaging device views a towbar/hitch connection.

16. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said video imaging device comprises a CMOS camera.

17. The video mirror system according to claim 1 further comprising electronically generated indicia overlaying on said video screen the video images captured by said video imaging device.

18. The video mirror system according to claim 17, wherein said indicia includes an indication of a distance to an object.

19. The video mirror system according to claim 18, wherein said indication comprises a graphic display.

20. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of (i) a trainable garage door opener, (ii) a universal home access system, (iii) an INTERNET interface, (iv) a remote keyless entry receiver, (v) a video device, (vi) a rain sensor, (vii) a compass sensor, (viii) a flip computer, (ix) an intrusion detector, (x) a phone, (xi) an interior light, (xii) a seat occupancy detector, (xiii) a phone attachment, (xiv) an electro-optic reflective mirror element, (xv) an electrochromic reflective mirror element, (xvi) a headlamp controller, (xvii) a printer, (xviii) a transmitter/receiver, (xix) a modem, (xx) an instrumentation light (xxi) a console light, (xxii) a solar panel, (xxiii) a windshield portion defogger device, (xxiv) an antenna, (xxv) a loudspeaker, (xxvi) a microphone, (xxvii) a digital message recorder, (xxviii) a magnetic tape message recorder, (xxix) a phone control panel, and (xxx) a digital storage device.

21. The video mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a user input for a telematic system of the vehicle.

22. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an electrochromic reflective element, said reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a video screen;

said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate;

said video screen comprising a back-lit liquid crystal device;

said video screen emitting light when actuated to display a video image, said emitted light passing through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said mirror reflector comprising a transflective mirror reflector and wherein the presence of said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until said video screen is actuated to emit light that passes through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising at least one light sensing photosensor, said at least one light sensing photosensor sensing the intensity of ambient light present when said interior rearview mirror assembly is being operated in the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising control circuitry;

said control circuitry comprising at least one of (i) electronic components that commonly control dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen and (ii) sub-circuitry that commonly controls dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen;

said control circuitry receiving a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry actuates said video screen upon selection of a reverse gear by the driver of the vehicle in order to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry deactuates said video screen upon deselection of a reverse gear of the vehicle in order to cease display of video images captured by said video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said video screen has a diagonal screen dimension in a range of about 1 inch to about 4 inches; and

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, said plurality of light emitting diodes emitting white light when actuated.

23. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly connects to a network bus of the vehicle.

24. The video mirror system according to claim 23, wherein said network bus of the vehicle comprises at least one of (i) a CAN bus and (ii) a LIN bus.

25. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a wireless link to another accessory of the vehicle, said wireless link being in accordance with a short-range RF communication protocol, and wherein said another accessory comprises a portable electronic device.

26. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said mirror reflector comprises a metal layer and wherein said metal layer comprises at least one of (i) silver, (ii) aluminum, (iii) an alloy of silver, and (iv) an alloy of aluminum.

27. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said video screen serves as a video screen for at least one of (i) a vehicular camera and (ii) a portable electronic device.

28. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly functions as part of a wireless communication telematic system of the vehicle.

29. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein wiring or cabling required for operation of said video screen passes through a support arm and two ball joints of said mirror assembly.

30. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said video imaging device comprises a CMOS camera.

31. The video mirror system according to claim 22, including electronically generated indicia overlaying on said video screen the video images captured by said video imaging device.

32. The video mirror system according to claim 31, wherein said indicia includes an indication of a distance to an object.

33. The video mirror system according to claim 32, wherein said indication comprises a graphic display.

34. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a user input for a telematic system of the vehicle.

35. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said control circuitry at least one of (i) increases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is high and decreases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is low, and (ii) increases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen to compensate for loss of transmission through said electrochromic reflective element when said electrochromic medium dims responsive to a voltage applied thereto.

36. The video mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said control circuit circuitry comprises at least one of (i) electronic components that commonly control dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen and (ii) sub-circuitry that commonly controls dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen.

37. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an electrochromic reflective element, said reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a video screen;

said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate;

said video screen comprising a back-lit liquid crystal device;

said video screen emitting light when actuated to display a video image, said emitted light passing through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said mirror reflector comprising a transflective mirror reflector and wherein the presence of said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until said video screen is actuated to emit light that passes through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising at least one light sensing photosensor, said at least one light sensing photosensor sensing the intensity of ambient light present when said interior rearview mirror assembly is being operated in the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising control circuitry;

said control circuitry comprising at least one of (i) electronic components that commonly control dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen and (ii) sub-circuitry that commonly controls dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen;

said control circuitry receiving a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry actuates said video screen upon selection of a reverse gear by the driver of the vehicle in order to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry deactuates said video screen upon deselection of a reverse gear of the vehicle in order to cease display of video images captured by said video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said video screen has a diagonal screen dimension in a range of about 1 inch to about 4 inches; and

including electronically generated indicia overlaying on said video screen the video images captured by said video imaging device.

38. The video minor system according to claim 37, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly connects to a network bus of the vehicle.

39. The video mirror system according to claim 38, wherein said network bus of the vehicle comprises at least one of (i) a CAN bus and (ii) a LIN bus.

40. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a wireless link to another accessory of the vehicle, said wireless link being in accordance with a short-range RF communication protocol, and wherein said another accessory comprises a portable electronic device.

41. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said mirror reflector comprises a metal layer and wherein said metal layer comprises at least one of (i) silver, (ii) aluminum, (iii) an alloy of silver, and (iv) an alloy of aluminum.

42. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said video screen serves as a video screen for at least one of (i) a vehicular camera and (ii) a portable electronic device.

43. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly functions as part of a wireless communication telematic system of the vehicle.

44. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein wiring or cabling required for operation of said video screen passes through a support arm and two ball joints of said mirror assembly.

45. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said video imaging device comprises a CMOS camera.

46. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, said plurality of light emitting diodes emitting white light when actuated.

47. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said indicia includes an indication of a distance to an object.

48. The video mirror system according to claim 47, wherein said indication comprises a graphic display.

49. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a user input for a telematic system of the vehicle.

50. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said control circuitry at least one of (i) increases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is high and decreases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is low, and (ii) increases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen to compensate for loss of transmission through said electrochromic reflective element when said electrochromic medium dims responsive to a voltage applied thereto.

51. The video mirror system according to claim 37, wherein said control circuit circuitry comprises at least one of (i) electronic components that commonly control dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen, and (ii) sub-circuitry that commonly controls dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen.

52. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an electrochromic reflective element, said reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a video screen;

said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate;

said video screen comprising a back-lit liquid crystal device;

said video screen emitting light when actuated to display a video image, said emitted light passing through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said mirror reflector comprising a transflective mirror reflector and wherein the presence of said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until said video screen is actuated to emit light that passes through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising at least one light sensing photosensor, said at least one light sensing photosensor sensing the intensity of ambient light present when said interior rearview mirror assembly is being operated in the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising control circuitry;

said control circuitry comprising at least one of (i) electronic components that commonly control dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen and (ii) sub-circuitry that commonly controls dimming of said electrochromic medium and actuation of said video screen;

said control circuitry receiving a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry actuates said video screen upon selection of a reverse gear by the driver of the vehicle in order to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry deactuates said video screen upon deselection of a reverse gear of the vehicle in order to cease display of video images captured by said video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said video screen has a diagonal screen dimension in a range of about 1 inch to about 4 inches;

including electronically generated indicia overlaying on said video screen the video images captured by said video imaging device;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly connects to a network bus of the vehicle;

wherein said video imaging device comprises a CMOS camera; and

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light emitting diode, said at least one light emitting diode emitting white light when actuated.

53. The video mirror system according to claim 52, wherein said network bus of the vehicle comprises at least one of (i) a CAN bus and (ii) a LIN bus.

54. The video mirror system according to claim 52, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a wireless link to another accessory of the vehicle, said wireless link being in accordance with a short-range RF communication protocol, and wherein said another accessory comprises a portable electronic device.

55. The video mirror system according to claim 52, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly functions as part of a wireless communication telematic system of the vehicle.

56. The video mirror system according to claim 52, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, said plurality of light emitting diodes emitting white light when actuated.

57. The video mirror system according to claim 52, wherein said indicia includes an indication of a distance to an object.

58. The video mirror system according to claim 57, wherein said indication comprises a graphic display.

59. The video mirror system according to claim 52, wherein said control circuitry at least one of (i) increases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is high and decreases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen when said ambient light is low, and (ii) increases the intensity of light emitted by said video screen to compensate for loss of transmission through said electrochromic reflective element when said electrochromic medium dims responsive to a voltage applied thereto.