Outside mirror communication system

• US 6,229,435 B1
• Filed: 03/04/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Cammenga, David J., Turnbull, Robert R., Knapp, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Time in patent office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/425.5, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/310.02, 340/310.07, 701/36, 701/49, 701/53, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/02 in which the signal transmitted is magnitude of current or voltage G08C19/36, G08C19/38 take precedence

Abstract

A system for transmission of information between the interior and exterior of a vehicle. A single bus (conductor or conductor pair) carries information between mirrors inside and outside the vehicle. The bus supplies power to the exterior mirror. When information is to be transmitted, this power is interrupted or modulated.

Claims

1. For use in a vehicle, a communication circuit for communicating data signals between a location inside the vehicle and a rearview mirror assembly located outside the vehicle, the communication arrangement comprising:

a power conductor configured and arranged to deliver electrical power to a first module located in said outside rearview mirror assembly;

a control circuit, responsive to a second module located inside the vehicle, for selectively reducing an amount of electrical power delivered to the first module; and

a transmitter circuit inside the second module and configured and arranged to transmit data signals to the first module in response to reduction of the electrical power delivered to the first module.

2. A vehicle communication circuit, according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured and arranged to selectively interrupt the delivery of electrical power to the first module.

3. A vehicle communication circuit, according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured and arranged to modulate the amount of electrical power delivered to the first module between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, wherein said second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level, the second voltage level being delivered when information is transmitted from the second module to the first module.

4. A vehicle communication circuit, according to claim 1, further comprising a capacitor, coupled to the first module, configured and arranged to provide electrical power to the first module upon activation of the control circuit.

5. A vehicle communication circuit, according to claim 1, further including means for modulating a second electrical data signal transmitted from the first module to the second module.

6. A vehicle communication circuit, according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage regulator circuit, configured to provide power to logic circuitry located in the first module.

7. A vehicle communication circuit, according to claim 1, further comprising a DC blocking and matching network for isolating power and data signals from an electrochromic element within the first module.

8. A vehicle communication circuit according to claim 1 wherein one of the first and second modules is a mirror module.

9. A vehicle communication circuit for communicating information between a location inside a vehicle and a rearview mirror assembly located outside the vehicle, the vehicle communication circuit comprising:

a power conductor configured and arranged to deliver electrical power to a first module located in said outside rearview mirror assembly;

a transistor circuit, responsive to a control signal, for selectively interrupting the delivery of electrical power delivered to the first module;

a capacitor, coupled to the first module, configured and arranged to provide electrical power to the first module upon interruption of the delivery of electrical power;

a transmitter circuit, located within a second module inside the vehicle and configured and arranged to transmit information to the first module in response to interruption of delivery of the electrical power; and

a DC blocking and matching network for isolating power and data signals from an electrochromic element within the first module.

10. A vehicle communication circuit according to claim 9 wherein one of the first and second modules is a mirror module.

11. A vehicle communication circuit according to claim 9 wherein one of the first and second modules is a mirror module.

12. For use in a vehicle, a communication system for communicating data signals between a location inside the vehicle and a rearview mirror assembly located outside the vehicle, the communication system comprising:

a power conductor configured and arranged to deliver electrical power to a first module located in said outside rearview mirror assembly;

means responsive to a second module located inside the vehicle, for selectively altering the amount of electrical power delivered to the first module along said power conductor; and

transmitter means for transmitting, along said power conductor to the first module, an electrical data signal in response to the altering of the electrical power delivered to the first module.

13. A communication system, according to claim 12, wherein the altering means is configured and arranged to selectively interrupt the delivery of electrical power to the first module.

14. A communication system, according to claim 12, wherein the altering means is configured and arranged to modulate the amount of electrical power delivered to the first module between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, wherein the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level, wherein the second voltage level is established when said electrical data signal is transmitted from the second mirror module to the first mirror module.

15. A communication system, according to claim 12, further comprising a capacitor, coupled to the first module, configured and arranged to supply electrical power stored therein to the first module in response to the altering means.

16. A communication system, according to claim 12, further including means for modulating electrical data signals transmitted from the first module to the second module.

17. A communication system, according to claim 12, further comprising a voltage regulator circuit, configured and arranged to provide power to logic circuitry located in the first module.

18. A communication system, according to claim 12, further comprising a DC blocking and matching network for isolating emanating data signals from an electrochromic element within the first module.

19. A communication system for communicating data signals between a location inside a vehicle and a rearview mirror assembly located outside the vehicle, the communication system comprising:

a power conductor configured and arranged to deliver electrical power to a first module located in said outside rearview mirror assembly;

means for selectively interrupting the delivery of electrical power delivered to the first module;

electrical storage means for providing electrical power to the first module upon interruption of the delivery of electrical power;

transmitter means for transmitting electrical data signals to the first module in response to interruption of delivery of the electrical power; and

a DC blocking and matching network for isolating data signals from an electrochromic element within the first module.

20. A vehicle communication circuit according to claim 19 wherein one of the first and second modules is a mirror module.