VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE

• US 20100194890A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Weller, Andrew D., McCabe, Ian A., Lynam, Niall R., Blank, Rodney K., Uken, John T., Larson, Mark L., McCaw, Joseph P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,179,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• 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: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133385 with cooling means, e.g. fans
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/09 transflective

Abstract

A vehicular video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a transflective reflective element. The mirror system includes a video display device at a casing of the mirror assembly rearward of the transflective reflective element, with the video display device having a video screen and a plurality of individual white light emitting light sources operable for backlighting the video screen. The intensity of light emitted by the white light emitting light sources is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor. The video screen may be operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle. Light emanating from the white light emitting light emitting diodes may pass through a brightness enhancement film and a light diffuser to be incident at a transflective reflector of a second substrate of the mirror assembly.

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 a mirror casing housing a transflective electro-optic reflective element;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element having a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transparent electrically conducting coating disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate;

said second substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transflective reflector disposed at said second substrate, said transflective reflector comprising a metallic coating that is partially reflective of visible light and that is partially transmissive of visible light;

an electro-optic medium disposed between said first substrate and said second substrate;

said electro-optic medium electrically operable between a bleached state and a dimmed state that has reduced transmission to visible light;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element transmitting at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon when said electro-optic medium is in its bleached state;

a video display device disposed in said casing rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, said video display device comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal video screen and a plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen;

wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly and when said plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen is not emitting visible light, the presence of said video display device rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element is substantially covert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, in the equipped vehicle and when said plurality of individual light sources is operated to backlight said video screen, a video display is viewable through said partially reflective, partially transmissive metallic coating of said transflective electro-optic reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said plurality of individual light sources comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable to generate a backlighting intensity of at least about 30,000 candelas per square meter;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor;

wherein said video screen is operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one brightness enhancement film;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light diffuser; and

wherein light emanating from said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes passes through said brightness enhancement film and said light diffuser to be incident at said transflective reflector of said second substrate.

2. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium and wherein said video display device comprises a video display module and wherein said video display module comprises a metallic reflector and wherein said metallic reflector reflects light toward said video screen to enhance backlighting of said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered to emit light.

3. The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes.

4. The video mirror system of claim 3, wherein at least some of said thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes are operable by a control to pass a forward current of up to about 50 milliamps.

5. The video mirror system of claim 4, wherein each of said thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable by a control to pass a forward current of up to about 50 milliamps.

6. The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said metallic reflector comprises a plurality of apertures and wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes coincide with respective individual apertures of said plurality of apertures.

7. The video mirror system of claim 6, wherein at least one of (a) said metallic reflector comprises a metallic sheet with said apertures established therethrough and (b) said metallic reflector comprises a substrate coated with metal with said apertures established therethrough.

8. The video mirror system of claim 7, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is adapted to receive a voltage feed from the equipped vehicle, and wherein said voltage feed is reduced by a voltage regulator of said interior rearview mirror assembly to a lower voltage to be applied to said white light emitting light emitting diodes.

9. The video mirror system of claim 8, wherein said lower voltage comprises a voltage equal to or less than about 8 volts and wherein said lower voltage is achieved at least partially via a DC to DC conversion.

10. The video mirror system of claim 9, wherein at least one of (a) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as circularly polarized light and exits said first substrate as circularly polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and (b) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as elliptically polarized light and exits said first substrate as elliptically polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle.

11. The video mirror system of claim 10, wherein said video display device and said electro-optic reflective element share circuitry.

12. The video mirror system of claim 11, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes.

13. The video mirror system of claim 11, wherein said video display module comprises a thermally conductive element to enhance the reduction of heat build-up within said interior rearview mirror assembly when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered.

14. The video mirror system of claim 13, wherein said thermally conductive element comprises a thermally conductive plastic.

15. The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least sixty-four white light emitting light emitting diodes.

16. The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes connected and operated electrically in series.

17. The video mirror system of claim 16, wherein, when said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes are powered to emit light, current regulation maintains a substantially constant electrical current through said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes.

18. The video mirror system of claim 17, wherein the intensity of light emitted by said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes is controlled via pulse width modulation.

19. The video mirror system of claim 18, wherein said metallic reflector has a specular reflectivity of at least about 50 percent reflectance of light incident thereon.

20. The video mirror system of claim 19, wherein said metallic reflector functions, at least in part, as a heat sink to reduce heat build-up at said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered.

21. The video mirror system of claim 20, wherein said metallic reflector is one of (a) generally disposed at said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and (b) generally disposed between said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said video screen.

22. The video mirror system of claim 21, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes.

23. The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said video screen, said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said metallic reflector of said video display module are housed in a metal casing.

24. The video mirror system of claim 23, wherein said video screen has a diagonal dimension in the range from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches.

25. The video mirror system of claim 24, wherein said transflective reflector is disposed at said front surface of said second substrate, and wherein said electro-optic medium is disposed between said transparent electrically conducting coating that is disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate and said transflective reflector that is disposed at said front surface of said second substrate.

26. The video mirror system of claim 25, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least two brightness enhancement films and wherein said video screen of said video display module is stood-off the rear surface of said rear substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element.

27. The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an image processor and a video camera, said video camera having a field of view forward of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the equipped vehicle, and wherein image data from said forward-facing video camera is processed by said image processor as part of at least one of (a) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, (b) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and (c) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle.

28. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein image data from said forward-facing video camera is processed by said image processor as part of at least two of (a) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, (b) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and (c) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle.

29. The video mirror system of claim 28, wherein image data from said forward-facing video camera is processed by said image processor as part of a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle.

30. 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 a mirror casing housing a transflective electro-optic reflective element;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element having a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transparent electrically conducting coating disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate;

said second substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transflective reflector disposed at said front surface of said second substrate, said transflective reflector comprising a metallic coating that is partially reflective of visible light and that is partially transmissive of visible light;

an electro-optic medium disposed between said transparent electrically conducting coating that is disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate and said transflective reflector that is disposed at said front surface of said second substrate;

said electro-optic medium electrically operable between a bleached state and a dimmed state that has reduced transmission to visible light;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element transmitting at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon when said electro-optic medium is in its bleached state;

a video display device disposed in said casing rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, said video display device comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal video screen and a plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen;

wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly and when said plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen is not emitting visible light, the presence of said video display device rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element is substantially covert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, in the equipped vehicle and when said plurality of individual light sources is operated to backlight said video screen, a video display is viewable through said partially reflective, partially transmissive metallic coating of said transflective electro-optic reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said plurality of individual light sources comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable to generate a backlighting intensity of at least about 30,000 candelas per square meter;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor;

wherein said video screen is operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least two brightness enhancement films;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light diffuser;

wherein light emanating from said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes passes through said brightness enhancement films and said light diffuser to be incident at said transflective reflector of said second substrate;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium;

wherein said video display device comprises a video display module and wherein said video display module comprises a metallic reflector and wherein said metallic reflector reflects light toward said video screen to enhance backlighting of said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered to emit light;

wherein said metallic reflector comprises a plurality of apertures and wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes coincide with respective individual apertures of said plurality of apertures;

wherein at least one of (a) said metallic reflector comprises a metallic sheet with said apertures established therethrough and (b) said metallic reflector comprises a substrate coated with metal with said apertures established therethrough;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is adapted to receive a voltage feed from the equipped vehicle;

wherein said voltage feed is reduced by a voltage regulator of said interior rearview mirror assembly to a lower voltage to be applied to said white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said lower voltage comprises a voltage equal to or less than about 8 volts and wherein said lower voltage is achieved at least partially via a DC to DC conversion; and

wherein said video screen, said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said metallic reflector of said video display module are housed in a metal casing.

31. The video mirror system of claim 30, wherein said metallic reflector has a specular reflectivity of at least about 50 percent reflectance of light incident thereon, and wherein said metallic reflector functions, at least in part, as a heat sink to reduce heat build-up at said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered.

32. The video mirror system of claim 31, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes and wherein at least some of said thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes are operable by a control to pass a forward current of up to about 50 milliamps.

33. The video mirror system of claim 32, wherein each of said thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable by a control to pass a forward current of up to about 50 milliamps, and wherein at least one of (a) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as circularly polarized light and exits said first substrate as circularly polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and (b) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as elliptically polarized light and exits said first substrate as elliptically polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said video display device and said electro-optic reflective element share circuitry.

34. The video mirror system of claim 31, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least sixty-four white light emitting light emitting diodes.

35. The video mirror system of claim 31, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an image processor and a video camera, said video camera having a field of view forward of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the equipped vehicle, and wherein image data from said forward-facing video camera is processed by said image processor as part of at least one of (a) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, (b) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and (c) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle.

36. The video mirror system of claim 30, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes connected and operated electrically in series, and wherein, when said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes are powered to emit light, current regulation maintains a substantially constant electrical current through said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes, and wherein the intensity of light emitted by said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes is controlled via pulse width modulation.

37. The video mirror system of claim 36, wherein said video screen of said video display module is stood-off the rear surface of said rear substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element and wherein said video screen has a diagonal dimension in the range from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches.

38. 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 a mirror casing housing a transflective electro-optic reflective element;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element having a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transparent electrically conducting coating disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate;

said second substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transflective reflector disposed at said front surface of said second substrate, said transflective reflector comprising a metallic coating that is partially reflective of visible light and that is partially transmissive of visible light;

an electro-optic medium disposed between said transparent electrically conducting coating that is disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate and said transflective reflector that is disposed at said front surface of said second substrate;

said electro-optic medium electrically operable between a bleached state and a dimmed state that has reduced transmission to visible light;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element transmitting at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon when said electro-optic medium is in its bleached state;

a video display device disposed in said casing rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, said video display device comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal video screen and a plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen;

wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly and when said plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen is not emitting visible light, the presence of said video display device rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element is substantially covert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, in the equipped vehicle and when said plurality of individual light sources is operated to backlight said video screen, a video display is viewable through said partially reflective, partially transmissive metallic coating of said transflective electro-optic reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said plurality of individual light sources comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable to generate a backlighting intensity of at least about 30,000 candelas per square meter;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor;

wherein said video screen is operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one brightness enhancement film;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light diffuser;

wherein light emanating from said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes passes through said brightness enhancement film and said light diffuser to be incident at said transflective reflector of said second substrate;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium;

wherein said video display device comprises a video display module and wherein said video display module comprises a reflector and wherein said reflector reflects light toward said video screen to enhance backlighting of said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered to emit light;

wherein said reflector comprises a plurality of apertures and wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes coincide with respective individual apertures of said plurality of apertures;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is adapted to receive a voltage feed from the equipped vehicle;

wherein said voltage feed is reduced by a voltage regulator of said interior rearview mirror assembly to a lower voltage to be applied to said white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said lower voltage comprises a voltage equal to or less than about 8 volts and wherein said lower voltage is achieved at least partially via a DC to DC conversion;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes and wherein at least some of said thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes are operable by a control to pass a forward current of up to about 50 milliamps;

wherein at least one of (a) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as circularly polarized light and exits said first substrate as circularly polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and (b) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as elliptically polarized light and exits said first substrate as elliptically polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said video screen, said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said reflector of said video display module are housed in a metal casing, and wherein said video screen of said video display module is stood-off the rear surface of said rear substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element and wherein said video screen has a diagonal dimension in the range from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches.

39. The video mirror system of claim 38, wherein at least one of (a) said reflector comprises a metallic sheet with said apertures established therethrough and (b) said reflector comprises a substrate coated with metal with said apertures established therethrough, and wherein said reflector has a specular reflectivity of at least about 50 percent reflectance of light incident thereon, and wherein said reflector functions, at least in part, as a heat sink to reduce heat build-up at said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered, and wherein said video display device and said electro-optic reflective element share circuitry.

40. The video mirror system of claim 38, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes connected and operated electrically in series, and wherein, when said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes are powered to emit light, current regulation maintains a substantially constant electrical current through said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes, and wherein the intensity of light emitted by said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes is controlled via pulse width modulation.

41. The video mirror system of claim 38, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes and wherein said video screen is operable during normal operation of the equipped vehicle other at times than when the equipped vehicle is undertaking a reversing maneuver, and wherein said video screen is operable to display at least one of (a) an episodal display, (b) an intermittent display, (c) a compass display, (d) a telephone display and (e) a compass display.

42. 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 a mirror casing housing a transflective electro-optic reflective element;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element having a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transparent electrically conducting coating disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate;

said second substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transflective reflector disposed at said front surface of said second substrate, said transflective reflector comprising a metallic coating that is partially reflective of visible light and that is partially transmissive of visible light;

an electro-optic medium disposed between said transparent electrically conducting coating that is disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate and said transflective reflector that is disposed at said front surface of said second substrate;

said electro-optic medium electrically operable between a bleached state and a dimmed state that has reduced transmission to visible light;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element transmitting at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon when said electro-optic medium is in its bleached state;

a video display device disposed in said casing rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, said video display device comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal video screen and a plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen;

wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly and when said plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen is not emitting visible light, the presence of said video display device rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element is substantially covert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, in the equipped vehicle and when said plurality of individual light sources is operated to backlight said video screen, a video display is viewable through said partially reflective, partially transmissive metallic coating of said transflective electro-optic reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said plurality of individual light sources comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable to generate a backlighting intensity of at least about 30,000 candelas per square meter;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor;

wherein said video screen is operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one brightness enhancement film;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light diffuser;

wherein light emanating from said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes passes through said brightness enhancement film and said light diffuser to be incident at said transflective reflector of said second substrate;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium;

wherein said video display device comprises a video display module and wherein said video display module comprises a reflector and wherein said reflector reflects light toward said video screen to enhance backlighting of said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered to emit light;

wherein said reflector comprises a plurality of apertures and wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes coincide with respective individual apertures of said plurality of apertures;

wherein at least one of (a) said reflector comprises a metallic sheet with said apertures established therethrough and (b) said reflector comprises a substrate coated with metal with said apertures established therethrough;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein at least one of (a) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as circularly polarized light and exits said first substrate as circularly polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and (b) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as elliptically polarized light and exits said first substrate as elliptically polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said video screen, said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said reflector of said video display module are housed in a metal casing;

wherein said video screen has a diagonal dimension in the range from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches; and

wherein said video display device and said electro-optic reflective element share circuitry.

43. The video mirror system of claim 42, wherein said reflector has a specular reflectivity of at least about 50 percent reflectance of light incident thereon, and wherein said reflector functions, at least in part, as a heat sink to reduce heat build-up at said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered, and wherein said video screen of said video display module is stood-off the rear surface of said rear substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element.

44. The video mirror system of claim 42, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is adapted to receive a voltage feed from the equipped vehicle and wherein said voltage feed is reduced by a voltage regulator of said interior rearview mirror assembly to a lower voltage to be applied to said white light emitting light emitting diodes, and wherein said lower voltage comprises a voltage equal to or less than about 8 volts and wherein said lower voltage is achieved at least partially via a DC to DC conversion, and wherein at least some of said thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes are operable by a control to pass a forward current of up to about 50 milliamps.

45. The video mirror system of claim 42, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes connected and operated electrically in series, and wherein, when said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes are powered to emit light, current regulation maintains a substantially constant electrical current through said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes, and wherein the intensity of light emitted by said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes is controlled via pulse width modulation.

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

an interior rearview minor assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror casing housing a transflective electro-optic reflective element;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element having a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transparent electrically conducting coating disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate;

said second substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transflective reflector disposed at said front surface of said second substrate, said transflective reflector comprising a metallic coating that is partially reflective of visible light and that is partially transmissive of visible light;

an electro-optic medium disposed between said transparent electrically conducting coating that is disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate and said transflective reflector that is disposed at said front surface of said second substrate;

said electro-optic medium electrically operable between a bleached state and a dimmed state that has reduced transmission to visible light;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element transmitting at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon when said electro-optic medium is in its bleached state;

a video display device disposed in said casing rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, said video display device comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal video screen and a plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen;

wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly and when said plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen is not emitting visible light, the presence of said video display device rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element is substantially covert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, in the equipped vehicle and when said plurality of individual light sources is operated to backlight said video screen, a video display is viewable through said partially reflective, partially transmissive metallic coating of said transflective electro-optic reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said plurality of individual light sources comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable to generate a backlighting intensity of at least about 30,000 candelas per square meter;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor;

wherein said video screen is operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one brightness enhancement film;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light diffuser;

wherein light emanating from said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes passes through said brightness enhancement film and said light diffuser to be incident at said transflective reflector of said second substrate;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium;

wherein said video display device comprises a video display module and wherein said video display module comprises a reflector and wherein said reflector reflects light toward said video screen to enhance backlighting of said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered to emit light;

wherein said reflector comprises a plurality of apertures and wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes coincide with respective individual apertures of said plurality of apertures;

wherein at least one of (a) said reflector comprises a metallic sheet with said apertures established therethrough and (b) said reflector comprises a substrate coated with metal with said apertures established therethrough;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes and wherein at least some of said thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes are operable by a control to pass a forward current of up to about 50 milliamps;

wherein said video display module comprises a thermally conductive element to enhance the reduction of heat build-up within said interior rearview mirror assembly when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered;

wherein at least one of (a) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as circularly polarized light and exits said first substrate as circularly polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and (b) light emanating from said video display module enters said second substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element as elliptically polarized light and exits said first substrate as elliptically polarized light to be viewed by a driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said video screen, said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said reflector of said video display module are housed in a metal casing, and wherein said video screen has a diagonal dimension in the range from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches.

47. The video mirror system of claim 46, wherein said reflector has a specular reflectivity of at least about 50 percent reflectance of light incident thereon, and wherein said reflector functions, at least in part, as a heat sink to reduce heat build-up at said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered, and wherein said video screen of said video display module is stood-off the rear surface of said rear substrate of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is adapted to receive a voltage feed from the equipped vehicle and wherein said voltage feed is reduced by a voltage regulator of said interior rearview mirror assembly to a lower voltage to be applied to said white light emitting light emitting diodes, and wherein said lower voltage comprises a voltage equal to or less than about 8 volts and wherein said lower voltage is achieved at least partially via a DC to DC conversion.

48. The video mirror system of claim 46, wherein said video display device and said electro-optic reflective element share circuitry and wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes connected and operated electrically in series, and wherein, when said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes are powered to emit light, current regulation maintains a substantially constant electrical current through said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes, and wherein the intensity of light emitted by said pairs of white light emitting light emitting diodes is controlled via pulse width modulation.

49. 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 a mirror casing housing a transflective electro-optic reflective element;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element having a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transparent electrically conducting coating disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate;

said second substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transflective reflector disposed at said second substrate, said transflective reflector comprising a metallic coating that is partially reflective of visible light and that is partially transmissive of visible light;

an electro-optic medium disposed between said first substrate and said second substrate;

said electro-optic medium electrically operable between a bleached state and a dimmed state that has reduced transmission to visible light;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element transmitting at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon when said electro-optic medium is in its bleached state;

a video display device disposed in said casing rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, said video display device comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal video screen and a plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen;

wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly and when said plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen is not emitting visible light, the presence of said video display device rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element is substantially covert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, in the equipped vehicle and when said plurality of individual light sources is operated to backlight said video screen, a video display is viewable through said partially reflective, partially transmissive metallic coating of said transflective electro-optic reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said plurality of individual light sources comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable to generate a backlighting intensity of at least about 30,000 candelas per square meter;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor;

wherein said video screen is operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least two brightness enhancement films;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light diffuser;

wherein light emanating from said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes passes through said brightness enhancement films and said light diffuser to be incident at said transflective reflector of said second substrate;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium and wherein said video display device comprises a video display module and wherein said video display module comprises a reflector and wherein said reflector reflects light toward said video screen to enhance backlighting of said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered to emit light;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium;

wherein said video screen, said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said reflector of said video display module are housed in a metal casing; and

wherein said video screen has a diagonal dimension in the range from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches.

50. The video mirror system of claim 49, wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes and wherein said video screen is operable during normal operation of the equipped vehicle at times other than when the equipped vehicle is undertaking a reversing maneuver.

51. The video mirror system of claim 49, wherein said video screen is operable to display at least one of (a) an episodal display, (b) an intermittent display, (c) a compass display, (d) a telephone display and (e) a compass display.

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 a mirror casing housing a transflective electro-optic reflective element;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element having a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transparent electrically conducting coating disposed at said rear surface of said first substrate;

said second substrate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a transflective reflector disposed at said second substrate, said transflective reflector comprising a metallic coating that is partially reflective of visible light and that is partially transmissive of visible light;

an electro-optic medium disposed between said first substrate and said second substrate;

said electro-optic medium electrically operable between a bleached state and a dimmed state that has reduced transmission to visible light;

said transflective electro-optic reflective element transmitting at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon when said electro-optic medium is in its bleached state;

a video display device disposed in said casing rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element, said video display device comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal video screen and a plurality of individual light sources operable for backlighting said video screen;

wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly and when said plurality of individual light sources operable for bacldighting said video screen is not emitting visible light, the presence of said video display device rearward of said transflective electro-optic reflective element is substantially covert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, in the equipped vehicle and when said plurality of individual light sources is operated to backlight said video screen, a video display is viewable through said partially reflective, partially transmissive metallic coating of said transflective electro-optic reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle when normally viewing said transflective electro-optic reflective element during normal operation of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said plurality of individual light sources comprises a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is operable to generate a backlighting intensity of at least about 30,000 candelas per square meter;

wherein the intensity of light emitted by said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor;

wherein said video screen is operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least two brightness enhancement films;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light diffuser;

wherein light emanating from said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes passes through said brightness enhancement films and said light diffuser to be incident at said transflective reflector of said second substrate;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium and wherein said video display device comprises a video display module and wherein said video display module comprises a reflector and wherein said reflector reflects light toward said video screen to enhance backlighting of said video screen when said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes is powered to emit light;

wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium;

wherein said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes comprises at least thirty-two white light emitting light emitting diodes and wherein said video screen is operable during normal operation of the equipped vehicle at times other than when the equipped vehicle is undertaking a reversing maneuver; and

wherein said video screen is operable to display at least one of (a) an episodal display, (b) an intermittent display, (c) a compass display, (d) a telephone display and (e) a compass display.

53. The video mirror system of claim 52, wherein said video screen, said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes and said reflector of said video display module are housed in a metal casing, and wherein said video screen has a diagonal dimension in the range from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches, and wherein said video screen is operable to display a compass display.