Vehicular rearview mirror system

• US 8,044,777 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Drummond, John P., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US12/693,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20100127825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 362/494, 348/148
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays

Abstract

A vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior electrochromic reflective element that assumes an interior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal. The mirror assembly includes a control that has circuitry operable to provide the drive signal to the reflective element. The control includes a bus interface that interfaces with a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle. The control is in communication with at least one other vehicle accessory via the vehicle bus. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a forward-facing camera. The control may control at least two of (a) dimming of the interior electrochromic reflective element, (b) operation of a video display, (c) operation of the forward-facing camera and (d) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicular rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior electrochromic reflective element, said interior electrochromic reflective element assuming an interior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a control, wherein said control comprises circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element;

said control comprising a bus interface that interfaces with a vehicle bus of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular rearview mirror system;

wherein said control is in communication with at least one other vehicle accessory via said vehicle bus;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video display operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a forward-facing camera; and

wherein said control controls at least two of (a) dimming of said interior electrochromic reflective element, (b) operation of said video display, (c) operation of said forward-facing camera and (d) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle.

2. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element shares at least one component used for operation by at least one of (a) said video display, (b) said forward-facing camera and (c) a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle.

3. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said at least one component comprises a microprocessor.

4. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a garage door opener and wherein said garage door opener is at least partially controlled by said control.

5. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 4, wherein said control shares at least one of a component and circuitry with said garage door opener.

6. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said control comprises digital circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element.

7. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle bus comprises at least one of a wire, a cable and a fiber-optic connection.

8. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one other vehicle accessory includes at least one of (a) circuitry associated with an instrument panel of the equipped vehicle, (b) an element of a remote keyless entry system of the equipped vehicle, (c) an element of an information system of the equipped vehicle, (d) an element of a navigation system of the equipped vehicle, (e) an element of a global-positioning system of the equipped vehicle and (f) an element of a telematics system of the equipped vehicle.

9. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one other vehicle accessory comprises a reverse gear detection function and wherein said control responds to reverse gear information sent over said vehicle bus to establish a high reflectance level of said electrochromic reflective element when a reverse gear of the equipped vehicle is selected.

10. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one other vehicle accessory comprises an element of a remote keyless entry system of the equipped vehicle.

11. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a user actuatable control, actuation of which is transmitted over said vehicle bus.

12. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 11, wherein said user actuatable control comprises a user-operable button.

13. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one other vehicle accessory comprises an exterior mirror assembly that includes an exterior electrochromic reflective element that assumes an exterior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an exterior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal, and wherein said control controls said exterior mirror partial reflectance level of said exterior electrochromic reflective element over said vehicle bus.

14. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein said interior mirror partial reflectance level of said interior electrochromic reflective element assumed in response to said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal differs from said exterior mirror partial reflectance level of said exterior electrochromic reflective element assumed in response to said exterior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal.

15. A vehicular rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior electrochromic reflective element, said interior electrochromic reflective element assuming an interior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a control, wherein said control comprises digital circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element;

said control comprising a bus interface that interfaces with a vehicle bus of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular rearview mirror system;

wherein said control is in communication with at least one other vehicle accessory via said vehicle bus;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a forward-facing camera;

wherein said control controls at least two of (a) dimming of said interior electrochromic reflective element, (b) operation of a video display, (c) operation of said forward-facing camera and (d) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element shares at least one component used for operation by at least one of (a) a video display, (b) said forward-facing camera and (c) a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said at least one component comprises a microprocessor.

16. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 15, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video display operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle.

17. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 16, wherein said control controls at least two of (a) dimming of said interior electrochromic reflective element, (b) operation of said video display, (c) operation of said forward-facing camera and (d) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element shares at least one component used for operation by at least one of (a) said video display, (b) said forward-facing camera and (c) a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle.

18. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 15, wherein said vehicle bus follows a protocol selected from at least one of a LIN protocol, a CAN protocol and a LAN protocol.

19. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 15, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a garage door opener and wherein said garage door opener is at least partially controlled by said control, and wherein said control shares at least one of a component and circuitry with said garage door opener.

20. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 15, wherein said at least one other vehicle accessory includes at least one of (a) circuitry associated with an instrument panel of the equipped vehicle, (b) an element of a remote keyless entry system of the equipped vehicle, (c) an element of an information system of the equipped vehicle, (d) an element of a navigation system of the equipped vehicle, (e) an element of a global-positioning system of the equipped vehicle and (f) an element of a telematics system of the equipped vehicle.

21. A vehicular rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior electrochromic reflective element, said interior electrochromic reflective element assuming an interior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a control, wherein said control comprises digital circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element;

said control comprising a bus interface that interfaces with a vehicle bus of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular rearview mirror system;

wherein said control is in communication with at least one other vehicle accessory via said vehicle bus;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a video display operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a forward-facing camera;

wherein said control controls dimming of said interior electrochromic reflective element and at least one of (a) operation of said video display, (b) operation of said forward-facing camera and (c) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element shares at least one component used for operation by at least one of (a) said video display, (b) said forward-facing camera and (c) a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said at least one component comprises a microprocessor.

22. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 21, wherein said control controls at least two of (a) operation of said video display, (b) operation of said forward-facing camera and (c) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle.

23. A vehicular rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior electrochromic reflective element, said interior electrochromic reflective element assuming an interior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a control, wherein said control comprises circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element;

said control comprising a bus interface that interfaces with a vehicle bus of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular rearview mirror system;

wherein said control is in communication with at least one other vehicle accessory via said vehicle bus, and wherein said vehicle bus follows a protocol selected from at least one of a LIN protocol, a CAN protocol and a LAN protocol;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a forward-facing camera;

wherein said control controls dimming of said interior electrochromic reflective element and at least one of (a) operation of a video display, (b) operation of said forward-facing camera and (c) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said circuitry operable to provide said interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal to said interior electrochromic reflective element shares at least one component used for operation by at least one of (a) a video display, (b) said forward-facing camera and (c) a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said at least one component comprises a microprocessor.

24. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 23, wherein said at least one other vehicle accessory comprises a reverse gear detection function and wherein said control responds to reverse gear information sent over said vehicle bus to establish a high reflectance level of said electrochromic reflective element when a reverse gear of the equipped vehicle is selected.

25. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 23, wherein said at least one other vehicle accessory includes at least one of (a) circuitry associated with an instrument panel of the equipped vehicle, (b) an element of a remote keyless entry system of the equipped vehicle, (c) an element of an information system of the equipped vehicle, (d) an element of a navigation system of the equipped vehicle, (e) an element of a global-positioning system of the equipped vehicle and (f) an element of a telematics system of the equipped vehicle.