Remotely adjustable anti-glare vehicle mirror system with automatic features

• US 6,364,494 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1999
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anvik Corporation
• Original Assignee: Anvik Corporation
• Inventors: Jain, Kanti, Kling, Carl C.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/404,636
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 359/601, 359/602, 359/603, 359/604, 359/843, 359/872, 359/877, 359/606, 359/874, 359/875
• US Class Current: 359/601
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/087 with remote or automatic control means

Abstract

This single-actuator-and-cam, remotely adjustable, exterior vehicle rear-view mirror provides a glare-free rear view, by switching between a high-reflectivity position and a low-reflectivity position at the same view adjustment. Exterior rear-view mirrors are repositioned by a single motor and rotary cam scanning all possible mirror positions. The single-motor mechanism increases reliability while accomplishing both directional alignment and day/night reflectivity selection, using a cam with positions for all predicted view positions, two reflectivity positions for each view. This invention works equally well with flat wedge mirrors and wide-angle convex wedge mirrors. Since each position is unique, each directional/reflectivity position is assigned a set of digital coordinates which can be stored for each vehicle driver and each glare condition, for an initial setting which can be easily, or even automatically, adjusted for changes as the driver desires. Customizing features include manual and vehicle driver identification, controlled override, start-up reset, and glare threshold setting.

Claims

1. A vehicle rear-view mirror control system for a vehicle having at least one rear-view wedge mirror having a characteristic attenuation which is a function of tilt characterized by

means to identify a given vehicle driver;

means to store and recall a set of specific day/night wedge-mirror settings defining a directional alignment for day and a directional alignment for night having the same view attenuated for glare;

means to store and recall a glare threshold for a given vehicle driver;

a plurality of light sensors to determine ambient light and light entering said at least one rear-view wedge mirror to provide light readings; and

means responsive to said means to store and recall a glare threshold for a given vehicle driver to automatically move said at least one rear-view wedge mirror between day and night directional alignments having the same view with differing glare attenuation, when said light readings cross said glare threshold.

2. A vehicle rear-view mirror control system having plural individual mirrors which are individually controllable for directional alignment and have at least two different reflectivities related to directional alignment characterized by

control means for a selected individual mirror to be toggled from one reflectivity mode to another by change to a reflectivity-related different directional alignment;

and

means to override said control system to prevent a selected mirror from changing its reflectivity mode.

3. A vehicle rear-view mirror control system characterized by

means to identify a given vehicle driver;

means to store and recall a repertoire of specific day and night wedge-mirror settings defining a day directional alignment and a night directional alignment for said at least two of said individual mirrors, the night directional alignments being different from the day directional alignments, showing the same views attenuated for glare;

means to store and recall the vehicle driver'"'"'s specific glare thresholds for each of said at least two of said individual mirrors;

a plurality of light sensors to determine ambient light and light entering at least one of said individual mirrors to provide light readings; and

means to automatically toggle each of said at least two individual mirrors between day and night positions when said light readings cross said glare thresholds as adjusted for said specific reflectivity day and night wedge-mirror settings.