Control device for antiglare mirror
First Claim
1. A control device for controlling the reflectivity of mirrors in a vehicle comprising:
- an inner mirror having a gel-type electrochromic (EC) cell responsive to a voltage signal greater than a reference voltage to decrease the reflectivity of the inner mirror;
an outer mirror having a thin-film type EC cell responsive to a negative voltage signal for increasing the reflectivity of the outer mirror and responsive to a positive voltage signal for decreasing the reflectivity of the outer mirror;
a detector responsive to light intensity at the inner mirror for generating a first voltage signal having a value corresponding to the light intensity;
a driving circuit responsive to the value of the first voltage signal for generating a positive driving voltage having a value above a reference voltage at times when the intensity is above a certain level; and
a control circuit responsive to the positive driving voltage for varying the reflectivity of the outer mirror in accordance with the detected light intensity of the inner mirror.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control device for controlling an antiglare mirror in vehicles. The inner mirror, which has a gel-type EC cell, reduces its mirror reflectivity as the positive voltage applied thereto increases. A rear light sensor receives the light from behind through the inner mirror. A comparison decision circuit detects the intensity of the light from behind in accordance with the light receiving state of the rear light sensor and an ambient light sensor. A driving circuit applies a positive voltage to the EC cell of the inner mirror so that the light from behind has a predetermined intensity level. A control circuit supplies a negative or positive voltage to outer mirrors in accordance with the positive voltage applied to the inner mirror. The outer mirrors enhances their mirror reflectivity as the negative voltage level applied becomes high and reduces their mirror reflectivity as the positive voltage level applied becomes high.
32 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A control device for controlling the reflectivity of mirrors in a vehicle comprising:
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an inner mirror having a gel-type electrochromic (EC) cell responsive to a voltage signal greater than a reference voltage to decrease the reflectivity of the inner mirror; an outer mirror having a thin-film type EC cell responsive to a negative voltage signal for increasing the reflectivity of the outer mirror and responsive to a positive voltage signal for decreasing the reflectivity of the outer mirror; a detector responsive to light intensity at the inner mirror for generating a first voltage signal having a value corresponding to the light intensity; a driving circuit responsive to the value of the first voltage signal for generating a positive driving voltage having a value above a reference voltage at times when the intensity is above a certain level; and a control circuit responsive to the positive driving voltage for varying the reflectivity of the outer mirror in accordance with the detected light intensity of the inner mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification