Security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system

• US 6,074,077 A
• Filed: 01/18/1999
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pastrick, Todd W., Molenkamp, Linda K., Koops, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US09/232,316
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 362/140-144, 362/494, 362/496, 362/501, 362/511, 362/520, 362/522, 362/540, 362/542, 362/546, 340/468, 340/475, 359/602, 359/604, 359/876, 359/877
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/12 which protect the occupants against personal attack from the inside or the outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A floodlight that is adapted to projecting a pattern of light from the housing of a vehicle exterior mirror on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in that area. The pattern extends laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the mirror housing. In this manner, the lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle. An actuator for the floodlight includes a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter wherein the base unit is responsive to a signal from the remote transmitter in order to actuate the floodlight. The actuator may further include a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of the floodlight during operation of the vehicle. A signal light is additionally included in the exterior mirror housing in order to project a second pattern of light from the mirror housing extending laterally away from the vehicle and rearwardly of the vehicle. In this manner, the second pattern cannot be directly observed by the driver of the vehicle but may be observed by the driver of another vehicle passing the equipped vehicle. The signal light operates in unison with a turn signal, brake signal, or both, of the equipped vehicle.

Claims

1. A security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system, comprising;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle, said assembly including a housing and a mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle;

said assembly including a reflective element and an actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis, said reflective element positioned in said housing;

said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forming one of a rigid mount and a breakaway joint to said side;

said assembly further including a floodlight, said floodlight positioned in said housing of said assembly and projecting a pattern of light from said housing on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area when said assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle;

said floodlight comprising a lens, said floodlight having a light source and a reflector behind said lens; and

said floodlight adapted to project said pattern of light generally rearwardly and downwardly to contact the ground at a vicinity of entry and exit by occupants of the vehicle to establish a lighted security zone from a vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle;

wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight includes a portion of light contacting the side of the vehicle, said light portion reflecting off said side of the vehicle in order to further illuminate the lighted security zone.

2. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

3. The security lighted vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said lens comprises a non-filtering lens.

4. The security lighted vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 3 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

5. The security lighted vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

6. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 2 wherein said lens is selected from the group consisting of a segmented lens, a prismatic lens, and a Fresnel lens.

7. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

8. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 11 wherein said lens comprises a prismatic lens.

9. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

10. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

11. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent fuse lamp.

12. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

13. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forms a rigid mount to the side of the vehicle.

14. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forms a breakaway joint to the side of the vehicle.

15. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 14 wherein said breakaway joint mount comprises a wire-way for passage of wires.

16. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises a glass element having a first surface and a second surface, said glass element coated on one of said first surface and said second surface with a reflective layer.

17. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.

18. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 17 wherein said electro-optic mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

19. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein said assembly includes a signal light positioned in said housing.

20. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 19 wherein said signal light comprises a turn signal light.

21. A security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system comprising;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle, said assembly including a housing and a mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle;

said assembly including a reflective element and an actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis, said reflective element positioned in said housing;

said assembly further including a floodlight, said floodlight positioned in said housing of said assembly and projecting a pattern of light from said housing on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area when said assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle;

said floodlight comprising a light source selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a vacuum fluorescent lamp, a light-emitting diode and a light pipe;

said floodlight adapted to project said pattern of light generally rearwardly and downwardly to contact the ground at a vicinity of entry and exit by occupants of the vehicle to establish a lighted security zone from a vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle; and

said pattern of light projected by said floodlight including a portion of light contacting the side of the vehicle, said light portion reflecting off the side of the vehicle in order to further illuminate the lighted security zone;

wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

22. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said floodlight comprises a lens, said floodlight having said light source and a reflector behind said lens.

23. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 22 wherein said lens comprises a non-filtering lens.

24. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 23 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

25. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

26. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 23 wherein said lens is selected from the group consisting of a segmented lens, a prismatic lens, and a Fresnel lens.

27. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 22 wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

28. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 22 wherein said lens comprises a prismatic lens.

29. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 22 wherein said lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

30. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

31. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 30 wherein said incandescent lamp comprises an incandescent fuse lamp.

32. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

33. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said light source comprises a vacuum fluorescent lamp.

34. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said light source comprises a light-emitting diode.

35. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said light source comprises a light pipe.

36. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forms a rigid mount to the side of the vehicle.

37. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forms a breakaway joint to the side of the vehicle.

38. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 37 wherein said breakaway joint mount comprises a wire-way for passage of wires.

39. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.

40. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 39 wherein said electro-optic mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

41. A security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system, comprising;

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of the vehicle, said assembly including a housing and a mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle;

said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forming one of a rigid mount and a breakaway joint to the side of the vehicle;

said assembly including a reflective element and an actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis, said reflective element positioned in said housing;

said assembly further including a floodlight, said floodlight positioned in said housing of said assembly and projecting a pattern of light from said housing on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area when said assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle;

said floodlight comprising a light source, said light source selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a vacuum fluorescent lamp, a light-emitting diode and a light pipe; and

said floodlight adapted to project said pattern of light generally rearwardly and downwardly to contact the ground at a vicinity of entry and exit by occupants of the vehicle to establish a lighted security zone from a vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle;

wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight includes a portion of light contacting said side of the vehicle, said light portion reflecting off the side of the vehicle in order to further illuminate the lighted security zone.

42. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said floodlight comprises a lens and a reflector, said light source and said reflector behind said lens.

43. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said floodlight comprises a non-filtering lens.

44. The security lighted vehicular exterior rear-view mirror system of claim 43 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

45. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

46. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said floodlight comprises a lens selected from the group consisting of a segmented lens, a prismatic lens, and a Fresnel lens.

47. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 46 wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

48. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 46 wherein said lens comprises a prismatic lens.

49. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 46 wherein said lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

50. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 46 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

51. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 50 wherein said incandescent lamp comprises an incandescent fuse lamp.

52. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 46 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

53. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said light source comprises a vacuum fluorescent lamp.

54. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said light source comprises a light-emitting diode.

55. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said light source comprises a light pipe.

56. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forms a rigid mount to the side of the vehicle.

57. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle forms a breakaway joint to the side of the vehicle.

58. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 57 wherein said breakaway joint mount comprises a wire-way for passage of wires.

59. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 57 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

60. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 56 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

61. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

62. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 41 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.

63. The security lighted vehicular exterior rearview mirror system of claim 62 wherein said electro-optic mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

64. A security lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle, said assembly including a housing and a mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle;

said assembly including a reflective element and an actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis, said reflective element positioned in said housing;

said assembly further including a floodlight, said floodlight projecting a pattern of light from said assembly on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area when said assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle;

said floodlight comprising a light source and a lens, said light source selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a vacuum fluorescent lamp, a light emitting diode and a light pipe;

said floodlight adapted to project said pattern of light generally rearwardly and downwardly to contact the ground at a vicinity of entry and exit by occupants of the vehicle to establish a lighted security zone; and

wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight includes a portion of light contacting the side of the vehicle, said light portion reflecting off said side of the vehicle in order to further illuminate the lighted security zone.

65. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said floodlight comprises a reflector behind said lens.

66. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said floodlight comprises a non-filtering lens.

67. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 66 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

68. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

69. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 65 wherein said lens is selected from the group consisting of a segmented lens, a prismatic lens, and a Fresnel lens.

70. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

71. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said lens comprises a prismatic lens.

72. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

73. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

74. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 69 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

75. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 69 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

76. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

77. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.

78. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said light source comprises a light pipe.

79. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said mount for attachment to said side of the vehicle forms a rigid mount to said side.

80. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said mount for attachment to said side of the vehicle forms a breakaway joint to said side.

81. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 80 wherein said breakaway joint mount comprises a wire-way for passage of wires.

82. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 80 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting a portion of said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

83. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 79 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting a portion of said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

84. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting a portion of said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

85. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.

86. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 85 wherein said electro-optic mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

87. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said assembly includes a signal light.

88. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 87 wherein said signal light comprises a turn signal light.

89. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 64 wherein said lighted security zone extends from a vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle.

90. A security lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle, said assembly including a housing and a mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle;

said mount for attachment to said side of the vehicle forming a breakaway joint to said side;

said assembly including a reflective element and an actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis, said reflective element positioned in said housing;

said assembly further including a floodlight, said floodlight projecting a pattern of light from said assembly on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area when said assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle;

said floodlight comprising a lens, said floodlight having a light source behind said lens;

said floodlight adapted to project said pattern of light generally rearwardly and downwardly to contact the ground at a vicinity of entry and exit by occupants of the vehicle to establish a lighted security zone; and

wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight includes a portion of light contacting the side of the vehicle.

91. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said mount comprises a wire-way through which a wire cable passes.

92. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said lens comprises a non-filtering lens.

93. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 92 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

94. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

95. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 91 wherein said lens is selected from the group consisting of a segmented lens, a prismatic lens, and a Fresnel lens.

96. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

97. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said lens comprises a prismatic lens.

98. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

99. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

100. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 99 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent fuse lamp.

101. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

102. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein a heater is provided to evaporate ice and dew from said reflective element positioned in said housing.

103. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 91 wherein a heater is provided to evaporate ice and dew from said reflective element positioned in said housing and wherein power for said heater is supplied through said wire cable.

104. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from said assembly without projecting a portion of said light pattern forwardly of said assembly.

105. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said reflective element comprises a glass element having a first surface and a second surface, said glass element coated on one of said first surface and said second surface with a reflective layer.

106. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.

107. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 106 wherein said electro-optic mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

108. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said assembly includes a signal light.

109. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 108 wherein said signal light comprises a turn signal light.

110. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 91 wherein said reflective element is an electrochromic mirror and wherein signals to control the level of reflectivity of said electrochromic mirror reflective element pass through said wire cable.

111. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said light source comprises a light pipe.

112. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 111 wherein said light pipe comprises a fibre optic bundle.

113. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 91 wherein said light source comprises a light pipe, wherein said light pipe comprises a fibre optic bundle, and wherein said fibre optic bundle passes through said wire-way.

114. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said lighted security zone extends from a vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle.

115. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 91 wherein said wire cable includes wires supplying control signals to said actuator for positioning said reflective element.

116. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 90 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.

117. A security lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle, said assembly including a housing and a breakaway mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle;

said breakaway mount including a stationary member adapted for attachment to the side of the vehicle and a pivoting member providing breakaway motion for said housing with respect to said stationary member;

said assembly including a reflective element and an actuator for positioning said reflective element about an axis, said reflective element positioned in said housing;

said assembly further including a floodlight, said floodlight projecting a pattern of light from said assembly on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area when said assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle;

said floodlight adapted to project said pattern of light generally rearwardly and downwardly to contact the ground at a vicinity of entry and exit by occupants of the vehicle to establish a lighted security zone, said pattern of light projected by said floodlight contacting the side of the vehicle; and

said floodlight comprising a light source selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a vacuum fluorescent lamp, a light emitting diode and a light pipe.

118. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said floodlight comprises a lens.

119. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 118 wherein said lens comprises a non-filtering lens.

120. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 119 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

121. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

122. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 119 wherein said lens is selected from the group consisting of a segmented lens, a prismatic lens, and a Fresnel lens.

123. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 118 wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

124. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 118 wherein said lens comprises a prismatic lens.

125. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 118 wherein said lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

126. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

127. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 126 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent fuse lamp.

128. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

129. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein a heater is positioned in said housing to evaporate ice and dew from said reflective element.

130. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 129 wherein power for said heater is supplied through a wire cable, said wire cable passing through said breakaway mount.

131. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said pattern of light projected by said floodlight extends rearwardly from a door of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.

132. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said reflective element comprises a glass element having a first surface and a second surface, said glass element coated on one of said first surface and said second surface with a reflective layer.

133. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 130 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.

134. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 133 wherein said electro-optic mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

135. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said assembly includes a signal light.

136. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 135 wherein said signal light comprises a turn signal light.

137. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 134 wherein signals to control the level of refectivity of said electrochromic mirror reflective element pass through said wire cable.

138. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said light source comprises a light pipe.

139. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 138 wherein said light pipe comprises a fibre optic bundle.

140. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 117 wherein said lighted security zone extends from a door of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.

141. A security lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle, said assembly including a housing and a mount for attachment to the side of the vehicle;

said assembly including a reflective element, an actuator for positioning said reflective element about an axis and a heater to evaporate ice and dew from said reflective element, said reflective element, said actuator and said heater positioned in said housing;

said assembly further including a floodlight, said floodlight projecting a pattern of light from said assembly on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area when said assembly is mounted to the side of the vehicle;

said floodlight comprising a light source;

said floodlight adapted to project said pattern of light generally rearwardly and downwardly to contact the ground at a vicinity of entry and exit by occupants of the vehicle to establish a lighted security zone, said pattern of light projected by said floodlight contacting the side of the vehicle; and

wherein power for said heater is supplied through a wire cable, said wire cable passing through said mount.

142. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said floodlight comprises a lens.

143. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 142 wherein said lens comprises a non-filtering lens.

144. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

145. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said pattern of light comprises white light.

146. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 143 wherein said lens is selected from the group consisting of a segmented lens, a prismatic lens, and a Fresnel lens.

147. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 142 wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

148. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 142 wherein said lens comprises a prismatic lens.

149. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 142 wherein said lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

150. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

151. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 150 wherein said light source comprises an incandescent fuse lamp.

152. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said light source comprises a halogen lamp.

153. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said floodlight further comprises a reflector and wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a vacuum fluorescent lamp, a light emitting diode and a light pipe.

154. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said mount comprises a rigid mount.

155. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said mount comprises a breakaway mount, said breakaway mount including a stationary member adapted for attachment to the side of the vehicle and a pivoting member providing breakaway motion for said housing with respect to said stationary member.

156. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said reflective element comprises a glass element having a first surface and a second surface, said glass element coated on one of said first surface and said second surface with a reflective layer.

157. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic mirror.

158. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 157 wherein said electro-optic mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

159. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said assembly includes a signal light.

160. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 159 wherein said signal light comprises a turn signal light.

161. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 158 wherein signals to control the level of refectivity of said electrochromic mirror reflective element pass through said wire cable.

162. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said light source comprises a light pipe.

163. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 162 wherein said light pipe comprises a fibre optic bundle.

164. The security lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 141 wherein said lighted security zone extends from a door of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.