INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20100085645A1
• Filed: 12/07/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeLine, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Uken, John T., Skiver, Timothy G., McCaw, Joseph P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,926,960 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/604
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors
• 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 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/00 Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/08 Mirrors vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/028 using properties of sound source
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflective element and a carrier positioned in the mirror case. The mirror case is adapted to mount to a vehicle. The reflective element includes a substrate, with a reflective coating on one side of the substrate, and a window therethrough. The carrier has a display element for displaying one or more indicia through the window to define a display area on the reflective element. The carrier comprises a plate member, with a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflective element and from the first portion. The second portion includes the display element. Preferably, the interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one light assembly for displaying the indicia through said window so that it is visible to an occupant of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An information display system for a vehicle, said information display system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror case having a reflective element, said mirror case being adapted to mount to a vehicle; and

wherein said reflective element comprises a variable reflectance element, said variable reflectance element including an electro-optic medium disposed between a first sheet and a second sheet, said first sheet having a transparent conductive coating on its side contacted by said electro-optic medium, said second sheet having a metallic mirror reflector on its side contacted by said electro-optic medium, said metallic mirror reflector of said variable reflectance element being partially transmissive to visible light;

a carrier positioned in said mirror case, said carrier having a display element for displaying one or more indicia through said reflective element.