Dimming mirror with blind zone sub-mirror and indicator

• US 7,126,456 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Sponsoring Entity: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America, LLC (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rudinitzki, Volker Christian, Boddy, Ian, Foote, Keith D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUGG, GEORGE A
• APPLICATION: US 20050264402A1
• Time in patent office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• 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

Abstract

A rearview mirror system comprises a spotter mirror for providing an image of an object in a vehicle'"'"'s blind zone to the vehicle'"'"'s operator. A recognition enhancement device is provided with the spotter mirror for drawing the attention of the driver to the spotter mirror when an overtaking vehicle enters the driver'"'"'s blind zone. The signaling display is activated by a sensing system which senses the presence of the overtaking vehicle in the blind zone. An electrochromic element is incorporated into the spotter mirror to reduce the intensity of light transmitted from the object and reflected from the spotter mirror. Activation of the electrochromic element to darken the spotter mirror will induce the operator to observe the object in the spotter mirror.

Claims

1. A vehicular rearview mirror system for indicating to a vehicle operator the detection of an object in the vehicle'"'"'s blind zone, comprising:

a first reflective element for providing the operator with a rearward view;

a second reflective element adjacent to the first reflective element that is adapted to provide an image to the operator of the object in the vehicle'"'"'s blind zone adjacent to the rearward view which is not generally observable by the operator in the rearward view; and

a recognition enhancement device located between the first reflective element and the second reflective element for enhancing the operator'"'"'s recognition of the object in the vehicle'"'"'s blind zone, wherein the recognition enhancement device is actuated upon detection of the object in the vehicle'"'"'s blind zone to effectively draw the operator'"'"'s visual attention to the second reflective element.