DIGITAL ELECTROCHROMIC CIRCUIT WITH A VEHICLE NETWORK

• US 20100127825A1
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Drummond, John P., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,044,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.710
• 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 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

Abstract

A vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror system having an electrochromic reflective element, a digital electrochromic drive circuit supplying a drive signal to the reflective element and a garage door opener. The garage door opener includes a transmitter and logic circuit. The logic circuit supplies signals to the transmitter for transmitting garage door opening signals. A microcontroller is provided which defines, at least in part, the digital drive circuit and logic circuit. In this manner, the digital electrochromic mirror system and the garage door opener have at least some components in common. The microcontroller communicates over a vehicle network with at least one module performing at least one other vehicle function. The vehicle network may have at least wired interconnections and may further have wireless interconnections.

Claims

1. A vehicular rearview mirror system, comprising:

a digital electrochromic mirror system, including a digital drive circuit and an electrochromic reflective element, said reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a drive signal, said drive circuit providing a drive signal to said reflective element;

a garage door opener, including a transmitter and a logic circuit, said logic circuit supplying signals to said transmitter for transmitting garage door opening signals;

a microcontroller defining, at least in part, said digital drive circuit and said logic circuit, wherein said digital electrochromic mirror system has components in common with said garage door opener; and

said microcontroller communicating over a vehicle network with at least one other module performing at least one other vehicle function.