INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS

• US 20100126030A1
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Weller, Andrew D., Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R., Cooprider, Troy O., Blank, Rodney K., Schierbeek, Kenneth L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,832,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/354
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a compass sensor. A physical mount mounts the compass sensor at the reflective element whereby the compass sensor adjusts in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element. A control receives at least one signal indicative of at least one magnetic field sensed by the compass sensor. The control determines a directional heading of the vehicle based on the signal or signals and generates a signal indicative of the directional heading of the vehicle. The control may automatically compensate for adjustment of the compass sensor in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element.

Claims

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

an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element with an adjustable rearward field of view;

a compass sensor;

a physical mount for mounting said compass sensor at said reflective element whereby said compass sensor adjusts in tandem with adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element;

a control receiving at least one signal indicative of at least one magnetic field sensed by said compass sensor; and

said control determining a directional heading of the vehicle, said control automatically compensating for a deviating magnetic field of the vehicle and generating a signal indicative of the directional heading of the vehicle, wherein said control compensates for adjustment of said compass sensor in tandem with adjustment of said reflective element.