| DONNELLY CORPORATION Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120120239 | FORWARD FACING IMAGING SYSTEM - A forward facing imaging system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at an interior portion of a vehicle and a camera disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly. The camera has a forward field of view through a windshield of the vehicle. The camera captures image data and captured image data is recorded by a recording system. During operation of the vehicle, the recording system records image data, as it is captured over a given period of operation of the vehicle, in a closed-loop fashion onto electronic memory. Image data, as captured by the camera, is processed by an image processor in order to determine the presence of at least one object forward of the equipped vehicle. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119071 | VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and ambient and glare light sensors. A control circuit is operable to establish a reflectance level of the reflective element. At least one of (a) the mirror system includes a charge accumulation device selectively connected with the ambient or glare light sensor and the control circuit establishes the ambient and glare light levels as a function of time for an output of the charge accumulation device to reach a reference level when connected to the respective light sensor, (b) a common element is used to measure outputs of the light sensors sequentially to correspond errors due to component variations, and (c) the mirror system includes temperature compensation of the glare and/or ambient light sensor and the temperature compensation is responsive to a reference light sensor that is substantially not exposed to light. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120113495 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a reflective mirror element, and a mirror mount for attaching the interior rearview mirror assembly to an attachment element attached at an interior portion of the vehicle. When the mirror mount is attached to the attachment element, the reflective mirror element has a field of view rearward of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a pivot joint enabling a driver of the vehicle to pivotally adjust the mirror head to set the rearward field of view of the reflective mirror element to the driver's desired setting with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached to the attachment element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes circuitry, and the circuitry comprises at least one of (a) a transmitter for a toll booth transaction function and (b) a receiver for a toll booth transaction function. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113260 | VEHICULAR VISION SYSTEM - A vehicular vision system includes a photosensor array having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. A portion of the photosensor array captures image data representative of an item of interest exterior the vehicle and within the forward field of view. A control is responsive to an output of the photosensor array and includes an image processor for processing the image data. At least responsive to the control analyzing the image data, the image sensing system senses the presence of an object within the field of view of the photosensor array, and the image sensing system, responsive at least in part to sensing the presence of the object, at least one of (i) controls a vehicle system using forward field of view information and (ii) supplements control of a vehicle system using forward field of view information. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120105641 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes a mirror mounting button adhesively attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield, and an interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror head and a mirror support. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing, and the mirror support includes a mirror mount that is configured to mount the interior rearview mirror assembly to the mirror mounting button at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. A forward facing camera is disposed at the mirror support and has a field of view through the vehicle windshield when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the mirror mounting button at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The forward facing camera is a CMOS camera, and the forward facing camera captures images for a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120105640 | VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM - An information display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed at the interior cabin of a vehicle and a video display screen disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly. The video display screen is operable to display video images captured by a backup camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver. A transmitter is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly, and a graphical user interface generates instructions for operation of the transmitter. The video display screen is operable to selectively display video images captured by the backup camera and instructions from the graphical user interface. When the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver, the information display system displays the video images captured by the backup camera. The graphical user interface interactively operates with the user input for display of instructions for operation of the transmitter. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120099336 | MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY FOR EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR OF A VEHICLE - A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate having a generally planar portion and a display receiving portion, and a display element. The generally planar portion of the mirror back plate is attached at the rear surface of the mirror reflective element. The front surface of the display receiving portion is generally coplanar with the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The display receiving portion is configured so that at least a portion of light emitted by the light source of the display element passes through the display receiving portion and exits the display receiving portion at an angle relative to the front surface of the display receiving portion so that, when the light source is activated, the light emitted by the display element is directed generally toward the driver of the vehicle. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098968 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes a camera, an image processor and a control. The field of view of the camera is in a forward direction of travel of the equipped vehicle, and the camera is operable to capture frames of image data. The image processor is operable to process the image data. The control is operable to adjust a light beam emanating from a forward facing light of the equipped vehicle responsive to image processing of frames of image data. The control, responsive to the image processing, is operable to control at least one of (a) adjustment of a beam direction of a light beam emanating from the forward facing light, (b) adjustment of a visible intensity of a light beam emanating from the forward facing light and (c) adjustment of a range of a light beam emanating from the forward facing light. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120092783 | EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle, a mirror casing secured to the bracket and defining a primary opening, and a single mirror support movably secured within the mirror casing disposed adjacent the primary opening. A primary mirror is fixedly secured to the single mirror support and disposed within the primary opening for providing a view rearward of the vehicle through a primary field of view, and a spotting mirror is fixedly secured to the single mirror support and disposed adjacent the primary mirror. The spotting mirror is defined by a single radius of curvature differing from the primary mirror such that the spotting mirror provides a second field of view rearward of the vehicle, such that the first field of view of the primary mirror overlaps the second field of view of the spotting mirror. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120086808 | VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with an electrochromic reflective element. The reflective element has an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has a transflective third-surface mirror reflector. A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector. The video display includes a thin film transistor video screen that is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes that are operable by a control. The control includes DC to DC conversion circuitry that includes circuitry for converting an ignition voltage of the equipped vehicle to a lower voltage that is closer to the forward voltage applied across individual white light emitting light emitting diodes of the plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes than the ignition voltage. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120078469 | REAR VISION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device. A control activates display of captured video images by the display device when a transmission of the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear and deactivates display of the video images upon shifting of the vehicle transmission out of reverse gear once a threshold deactivation condition is met. The threshold deactivation condition is at least one of (a) forward travel of the vehicle exceeding a threshold speed of forward movement after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear, (b) forward travel of the vehicle exceeding a threshold distance of forward movement after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear and (c) a threshold period of time elapsing after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear, the threshold period of time constituting a linger time. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120062744 | REAR VISION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A rear vision system includes a video camera for capturing video images and a video display disposed in the cabin of the vehicle for displaying the video images captured by the camera. The video camera has a field of view that at least encompasses a vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle. The display displays the video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle and/or connecting the vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle to a tow hitch connector of a trailer. A graphic overlay may be superimposed on the displayed video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle to guide or assist the driver when executing a reversing maneuver and/or when connecting a tow hitch connector of a trailer to the vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120056738 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicular exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly that includes a mirror reflective element fixedly attached to a mirror back plate attached to a mirror actuator. The mirror back plate includes a display indicator, fixedly secured thereto, having a light source that is activatable to emit light. The display indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle and the light source is activated responsive to sensing by the blind spot detection system of an object in a blind spot at a side of the vehicle at which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted. During daytime operation of the vehicle and when the light source is activated and with the exterior mirror assembly mounted at a side of the vehicle, the display indicator, as viewed by the driver of the vehicle, is operable to have a luminance of at least about 5,000 nits. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120038965 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an interior mirror reflective element and a plurality of icons viewable through a glass substrate of the mirror reflective element by a person viewing the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The icons are arranged behind and along a lower portion of the mirror reflective element, and adjacent ones of the plurality of icons are spaced from and local to one another. A portion of the mirror reflector of the reflective element is viewable between and at least partially around the icons when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle and viewed by a driver of the vehicle. A plurality of user inputs are associated with respective ones of the icons and are disposed generally local to the respective ones of the icons in a cognitively associated manner. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120038771 | VEHICULAR INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing, an electro-optic reflective element and an information display. The information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element and is operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle, with the information including video images captured by a camera of the vehicle. Information displayed by the information display is viewable by the driver of the vehicle viewing through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element when the information display is displaying information, and, when the information display is not displaying information, the presence of the information display behind the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element is substantially not discerned by the driver of the vehicle normally viewing the reflective element in the vehicle. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120032780 | VEHICULAR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior electrochromic reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a control that has circuitry operable to provide a drive signal to the reflective element to vary the reflectance level of the interior electrochromic reflective element. The control includes a bus interface that interfaces with a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle. The interior rearview mirror system includes a forward-facing camera. The control may control at least one of (a) operation of a video display, (b) operation of the forward-facing camera and (c) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a video display operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20110320066 | VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY - An information display system for a vehicle includes a display screen disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The information display system is operable to display on the display screen vehicle user information so as to provide information to the driver of the equipped vehicle related to use of the equipped vehicle. The display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver. The video images are captured by the rearward facing camera and are displayed on the display screen when the equipped vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver. When the equipped vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, the information display system is operable to display on the display screen vehicle user information. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110301959 | VOICE ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of the audio signals. A control is in the vehicle and is responsive to the output from the at least one microphone. The control at least partially distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298927 | VEHICULAR VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM - A video mirror system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle and a video display screen disposed to the rear of a rear portion of a reflective element. The video display screen emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing the front portion of the reflective element. A camera having a field of view rearward of the vehicle is mounted to the rear of the vehicle and, during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, a video output of the camera is displayed by the video screen so as to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle. The video display screen is operable to display at least one of (i) an instruction, (ii) an icon, (iii) a character, (iv) a symbol and (v) an indicia. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110292668 | ADAPTIVE FORWARD LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An adaptive forward lighting system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor includes a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, and monitors a scene forward of the direction of travel of the vehicle. The control processes image data from the imaging sensor. Adjustment between a first beam pattern and a second beam pattern of a headlamp of the vehicle is responsive, at least in part, to the processing of the image data. The control may receive vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus, and may adjust between a first beam pattern and a second beam pattern of a headlamp of the vehicle responsive, at least in part, to the vehicle data. The control may process image data to determine, at least in part, a presence, location or characteristic of an object of interest in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110285849 | VEHICULAR IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor has a two-dimensional array of light sensing pixels, and has a forward field of view through the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the image sensing system to the exterior of the equipped vehicle. The imaging sensor is operable to capture image data and the control includes an image processor. The image sensing system determines an object of interest present in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor via processing of the captured image data by the image processor. The image processing includes spatial filtering. The spatial filtering may, at least in part, identify atmospheric conditions. The spatial filtering may include analysis of a spectral signature representative of at least one detected light source present in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110279917 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH WIDE ANGLE PORTION - A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate and a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The auxiliary wide angle curved portion has a curved recess established at a region of the rear surface of the glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and may have a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and may have a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110279256 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor has a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is positioned at a vehicle equipped with the imaging system and has a field of view exteriorly of the equipped vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture image data, and the control processes the captured image data. The control, responsive to the processing of the captured image data, may distinguish an object present in the field of view of the imaging array sensor from a shadow present in the field of view of the imaging array sensor. The control, responsive at least in part to the processing of the captured image data, determines an object of interest present in the field of view of the imaging array sensor. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278439 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH FORWARDLY-VIEWING CAMERA - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an attachment element attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield and an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes a mount for attaching the mirror assembly to the attachment element, a housing, a single ball and socket pivot joint, and an interior rearview mirror head adjustable by a driver of the vehicle about the single pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view. The housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and, with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached at the attachment element, the forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield. The attachment element is a mirror mounting button and a rain sensor is disposed at an inner open central portion of the mirror mounting button and views, via the inner open central portion of the mirror mounting button, through the vehicle windshield. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110249120 | CAMERA MODULE FOR VEHICLE - A camera module for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing having a base portion and a lens portion and a circuit element. The circuit element includes an imaging sensor and associated circuitry. The circuit element may include an electrical connector having a plurality of terminals. A lens may be disposed at least partially in the lens portion of the housing and the circuit element may be disposed at least partially in the base portion of the housing. The base portion and the lens portion may be welded or sealed together to substantially limit water intrusion into the camera module. The imaging sensor may have a dynamic range of greater than approximately 100 dB, and the dynamic range of the imaging sensor may follow, at least in part, a linear response curve up to approximately 62 dB and a non-linear response curve above approximately 62 dB. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110242667 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a prismatic reflective element with an attachment plate attached thereto, and a display-on-demand display disposed behind the prismatic reflective element and operable to display information for viewing through a transflective mirror reflector of the prismatic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and an actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to a first mounting member and the actuator pivotally mounting to a second mounting member of the attachment plate. An electronic circuitry element is attached to the attachment plate and an accessory pod is attached to the mounting assembly and includes circuitry therein. The circuitry of the accessory pod is electrically connected to the electronic circuitry element. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110216198 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view exterior of a vehicle with the field of view being in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data and an image processor is operable to process the image data. A control, responsive to the image processor, is operable to provide at least (a) an adaptive forward lighting function for at least one forward facing light of the equipped vehicle, (b) a lane departure warning function and (c) a traffic control signage function. The control may provide the traffic control signage function at least in part by recognition of a geometrical organization present in the forward field of view of the camera. The adaptive forward lighting function may provide adjustment of a beam direction of the at least one forward facing light of the equipped vehicle. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110205614 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH WIDE ANGLE PORTION - An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. The electrochromic medium is disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate and may be in contact with the principal planar reflector portion and the auxiliary wide angle curved portion. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110202862 | USER-INTERACTIVE DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A user-interactive display system for a vehicle includes a portable hand-held device capable of being carried into and out of the vehicle and a display device viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The portable hand-held device is operable to communicate with a vehicle-based receiver, and the display device is operable to display a listing of choices in response to the communication. A user input of an interior rearview mirror assembly is actuatable by a user to select an item from the displayed listing of choices. The user-interactive display system is operable to at least one of (a) display at the display device data associated with the selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices and (b) audibly play at an audio device in the vehicle data associated with the selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110181727 | VEHICULAR INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an information display operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle through a transflective mirror reflector of a reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. Information display intensity of the information display is adjustable responsive to determination of a light level at the interior rearview mirror assembly by at least one photosensor. The information display is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing video camera of the vehicle and the information display displays video images captured by the rearward facing video camera during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, a signal indicative of the vehicle transmission being in reverse is communicated via a network bus of the vehicle to a control of the interior rearview mirror assembly. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110176323 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a circuit board disposed in a mirror casing rearward of a reflective element. A plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted to the circuit board for providing backlighting for a display element disposed rearward of the reflective element. With at least some of the light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by actuated light emitting diodes passes through the display element and through a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of the reflective element for viewing of displayed information by the driver of the vehicle. Individual light emitting diodes arc aligned with respective openings through a light reflecting element disposed between the circuit board and the display element, To the driver of the vehicle viewing the reflective element, the presence of the display element is substantially not apparent until at least one of the light emitting diodes is actuated. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110170207 | EXTERIOR SIDEVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170206 | EXTERIOR SIDEVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170192 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element, a photo sensor and a light concentrator. The electro-optic reflective element has a front substrate with a first surface and a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating disposed on a second surface, and the electro-optic reflective element has a rear substrate with a third surface transflective metallic reflector disposed at a third surface thereof. The photo sensor is disposed behind a fourth surface of the rear substrate and operable to detect light passing through the transflective metallic reflector and the electro-optic reflective medium disposed between the second and third surfaces. The light concentrator is disposed between the photo sensor and the fourth surface of the rear substrate, and the light concentrator receives light passing through the transflective metallic reflector of the electro-optic reflective element and concentrates light onto a light sensing surface of the photo sensor. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110169956 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an attachment element adhesively attached at an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle and an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head including a reflective mirror element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes circuitry disposed in the mirror head, and at least two electrical accessories of the interior rearview mirror assembly share at least one component of the circuitry. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a portion that does not adjust when the driver of the vehicle, with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached to the attachment element, pivotally adjusts the mirror head to set the rearward field of view of the reflective mirror element to the driver's desired setting. The portion includes a video camera that has a field of view through the windshield of the vehicle. One of the at least two electrical accessories comprises the video camera. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110166785 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle, and a display device. Data relevant to the geographical location of the vehicle is carried from an external provider to the vehicle via a wireless communication link. The data may be wirelessly communicated from the external provider to the vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) location of the vehicle, (b) identity of the vehicle and (c) directional heading of the vehicle, and the data may be at least in part customized to the geographic location of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror system may include a link with a mobile accessory that may be a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle, and the mobile accessory may include at least one of a keypad, a touch pad and a stylus-actuated screen. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110166779 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system includes a rearward facing camera, an interior rearview mirror assembly and a video display screen disposed behind a mirror reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle, and the video display screen is operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle through the mirror reflective element when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle and when the video display screen is operated to display information. When the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver, the video display screen displays images captured by the rearward facing camera to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle, and the video display screen is operable to display other information. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110164135 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system includes a mirror mounting button and a plurality of attachment members adhesively attached at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. An interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror head and a mirror support, and a structure is configured for mounting to the attachment members attached at the vehicle windshield. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing, and the mirror support includes a mirror mount that is configured to mount the interior rearview mirror assembly to the mirror mounting button. The structure is configured to receive and be supported by the plurality of attachment members at the vehicle windshield, and, with the structure receiving and being supported by the attachment members, (a) the structure at least partially surrounds the mirror mounting button and (b) the structure accommodates a forward facing camera having a field of view through the vehicle windshield. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110147570 | VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, which includes an ambient light sensor operable to sense ambient light and a glare light sensor operable to sense glare light. A control is operable to establish a reflectance level of a transflective electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly and is responsive to light detection by the ambient light sensor and/or the glare light sensor. A backlit video screen is disposed behind the reflective element and is operable to display information through the mirror reflector of the reflective element. A display intensity control adjusts display intensity responsive to a light detection by the glare light sensor and/or the ambient light sensor and as a function of a ratio of a glare light value sensed by the glare light sensor to an ambient light value sensed by the ambient light sensor. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110141543 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with first and second surfaces and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. The mirror reflective element includes a mirror reflector established at a surface of the mirror reflective element other than the first surface of the glass substrate. The mirror assembly includes a plastic molding circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the first surface of the glass substrate. The plastic molding includes a portion that (a) abuts the circumferential edge of the glass substrate and (b) has an outer curved surface that extends from generally adjacent to the first surface of the glass substrate and that lacks a sharp edge. The plane of the first surface of the glass substrate may be generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110141542 | REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. The reflective element includes a resin material disposed at least at a portion of a fourth surface of the rear substrate. While the resin material is in its uncured state at the rear substrate, an electrical connector is engaged with the uncured resin material. The electrical connector is electrically conductively connected with the resin material and is substantially affixed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate via curing of the resin material while the electrical connector is engaged with the resin material. The electrical connector may establish electrical conductivity between the cured resin material and one of (i) a transparent electrically conductive coating at the second surface of the front substrate and (ii) a mirror reflector at the third surface of the rear substrate. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140917 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH INDICATOR MODULE - An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a unitary indicator module disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The unitary indicator module includes a plurality of illumination sources disposed behind an at least partially light transmitting portion of the unitary indicator module. Light emitted by any of the illumination sources passes through the at least partially light transmitting portion for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The unitary indicator module is responsive to a control signal to indicate to the driver of the equipped vehicle a detected presence of another vehicle at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle. The unitary indicator module is operable to indicate a degree of hazard at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140606 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror support with a pivot element and a mirror mount configured for attachment to an attachment element at a vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a housing and a reflective element, with the mirror head pivotally attaching to the mirror support via a single pivot joint of the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly includes an imaging sensor disposed at the mirror support and having a forward field of view through the windshield of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a headlamp controller that, responsive to sensing of at least one of an oncoming headlight of another vehicle and a taillight of another vehicle by the imaging sensor, at least partially controls a headlight of the equipped vehicle. The mirror support may be configured to accommodate at least one of circuitry and an accessory. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110134553 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH FORWARDLY-VIEWING CAMERA - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an attachment element attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield and an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes a structure that includes a mount for attaching the mirror assembly to the attachment element, a pivot element, and an interior rearview mirror head pivotally attached at the pivot element. The interior rearview mirror head is adjustable by a driver of the vehicle about the pivot element to adjust a rearward field of view. At least one accessory is encompassed by the structure of the mirror assembly. The structure covers the at least one accessory from view by the driver operating the vehicle. One of the accessories is a forwardly-viewing camera and, with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached to the attachment element, the forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110128137 | VEHICULAR BLIND SPOT INDICATOR MIRROR - A vehicular blind spot indicator mirror includes a transparent glass substrate having a mirror reflector coated onto the substrate. Visible light reflectance by the mirror reflector coated substrate is at least about 40 percent visible light reflectance for visible light incident upon a front side of the mirror reflector coated substrate. A blind spot indicator light display is disposed to the rear of the mirror reflector coated substrate and emits visible light upon a detection by a blind spot detector. Light emitted by the display passes through the transparent glass substrate to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front side of the substrate. The display is operable, when electrically powered and when operated in the vehicle during day time driving conditions, to exhibit a display luminance of at least about 60 foot lamberts as measured with the display placed behind, and emitting light through, the transparent glass substrate. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110122249 | VISION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having an imaging sensor with a field of view exterior the vehicle, a camera controller, a display device and a display controller. The display device is operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The imaging device communicates an image signal to the display device via a link. The display controller may affect the image signal, such as in response to a user input, and the camera controller may adjust a function of the imaging device in response to a detection of the affected image signal. The vision system may adjust an image displayed by the display device in response to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system of the vehicle, such as a distance sensing system of the vehicle that is operable to determine a distance to an object exterior the vehicle. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110109746 | VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY - An information display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in an interior cabin of the equipped vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror reflective element with a mirror reflector disposed at a surface thereof. A display screen is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly, and, when operated, the display screen displays through the mirror reflective element so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and the video images are captured by the rearward facing camera when the equipped vehicle is in reverse gear. When the equipped vehicle is not in reverse gear, the display screen is operable to display information pertaining to an accessory of the equipped vehicle. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110102167 | DRIVER ATTITUDE DETECTION SYSTEM - A driver attitude detection system for a vehicle includes a forward facing imaging sensor for capturing image data of a scene occurring forwardly of and in the direction of forward travel of an equipped vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the forward facing imaging sensor. A control, responsive at least in part to image processing by the image processor of the captured image data, is operable to determine driver performance and generate a control output indicative of driver performance. The driver attitude detection system may include at least one monitoring device for monitoring a vehicle characteristic of the equipped vehicle, and the control may, responsive at least in part to the at least one monitoring device, be operable to determine driver performance and generate the control output. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110096387 | REFLECTIVE MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror reflective element includes a front substrate connected with a rear substrate via a perimeter seal, whereby, when so connected, at least a portion of a circumferential outer edge of the rear substrate is inward of a circumferential outer edge of the front substrate and no portion of the rear substrate protrudes beyond the front substrate. A first electrical connection establishes electrical connection at the front substrate and a second electrical connection may establish electrical connection at the rear substrate. An electrically conductive perimeter hiding band is disposed around a border region of the front substrate and substantially hides the seal and the electrical connections from view by a driver normally operating the vehicle and viewing the reflective element when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110093179 | DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. The vehicle includes a control system operable at least in part to control the speed of the vehicle. The control system may reduce the speed of the vehicle responsive at least in part to a detection of a curve in the road ahead of the vehicle via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging device. The control system may control the speed of the vehicle to a reduced speed for traveling around the detected curve in the road, and may increase the speed of the vehicle to above the reduced speed when the vehicle is traveling along a straighter section of road after the curve in the road. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110090339 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor comprises a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is disposed at an exterior rearview mirror assembly at a side of the vehicle with a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture an image exterior of the vehicle. The control may process the captured images and may determine that the imaging array sensor is misaligned when the imaging array sensor is disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly at the side of the vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the imaging array sensor, may at least partially compensate for the determined misalignment of the imaging array sensor. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110090338 | VEHICULAR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a control. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a video display device operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle through an electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The control may include a digital signal processor disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a vehicle bus node. When the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the equipped vehicle, the vehicle bus node may be connected to a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle, and at least one of (a) the control conveys signals to the vehicle bus via the vehicle bus node and (b) the vehicle bus conveys signals to the control via the vehicle bus node. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110085256 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH WIDE ANGLE PORTION - A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate with a principal planar reflector portion having a principal mirror reflector disposed at a first or second surface of the glass substrate and with an auxiliary wide angle curved portion having an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at a curved recess established at a region of the second surface of the glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110084198 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror information display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element. A display device is disposed behind a transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element and includes a display screen backlit by a plurality of light emitting diodes supported by a circuit board disposed rearward of the fourth surface of the rear substrate. The light emitting diodes of the circuit board are disposed to the rear of the display screen to provide backlighting of the display screen when activated. Information displayed by the display device is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. When the plurality of light emitting diodes is activated and the display device is displaying information, light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes passes through the display screen and through the transflective mirror reflector for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110058040 | VEHICULAR INTERIOR REARVIEW INFORMATION MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview information mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing and a reflective element, and includes an information display operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the reflective element, and information displayed by the information display is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing through the reflective element when the information display is displaying information. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a forward facing camera having a forward field of view in the direction of forward travel of the equipped vehicle, and the forward facing camera views through the windshield of the equipped vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110051270 | EXTERIOR SIDEVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a single mirror backing plate element within a mirror housing. A main plano mirror element and an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element are supported by the backing plate element. The backing plate element has a generally flat portion for supporting the main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element. The curved portion may be angled relative to the generally flat portion in a manner such that, when a driver of the vehicle aligns the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element may be aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side. The main plano mirror element includes a generally flat reflector-coated glass substrate or a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110045172 | METHOD OF FORMING A MIRRORED BENT CUT GLASS SHAPE FOR VEHICULAR EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A method of forming a mirrored bent cut glass shape includes bending a flat sheet of glass to establish a curved sheet of glass. A machine vision system determines a surface profile of the curved sheet of glass, and a computer numerical controlled cutting tool is positioned at the curved sheet of glass and its cutting wheel is maintained at or close to 90 degrees to the tangential plane of the curved sheet of glass. At least one of (a) the cutting wheel and (b) the curved sheet of glass is controlled in three dimensions to cut a bent cut glass shape from the curved sheet of glass, and such controlling is, at least in part, responsive to the surface profile of the curved sheet of glass. A mirror reflector is established at a surface of the bent cut glass shape to form a mirrored bent cut glass shape. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110035120 | VEHICULAR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A vehicular wireless communication system includes a control in a vehicle operable to communicate with an external service provider via a wireless communication link between the equipped vehicle and the external service provider. The control may receive a user input and responsive thereto, may establish the wireless communication link between the equipped vehicle and the external service provider. Data from the external service provider is downloaded to the control via the wireless communication link. The control controls at least one accessory of the vehicle, and the control may control the accessory responsive to at least one of (a) a geographic location of the vehicle as determined by a global positioning system of the equipped vehicle and (b) a biometric characteristic of an occupant of the equipped vehicle. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110026152 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing, a reflective element and an application specific integrated compass chip. The application specific integrated compass chip includes at least two magnetoresponsive sensing elements established on a semiconductor substrate, and further includes associated circuitry commonly established with the magnetoresponsive sensing elements on the semiconductor substrate. Processing of an algorithm by a microprocessor of the interior rearview mirror system determines a directional heading of the vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. An information display of the interior rearview mirror assembly displays the directional heading of the vehicle. The application specific integrated compass chip may have an area of less than approximately two square centimeters. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110019260 | VEHICULAR ELECTROCHROMIC INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A vehicular electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing and an electrochromic mirror reflective element. At least a portion of a front substrate of the reflective element extends beyond a corresponding portion of a rear substrate of the reflective element to establish a ledge at least partially along the periphery of the reflective element, with no part of the rear substrate extending beyond any part of the front substrate. Electrical connections are made to conductive coatings or layers at the front and rear substrates. The electrochromic interior rearview mirror reflective element includes a concealing layer disposed along a perimeter border region to conceal the presence of the perimeter seal and the electrical connections from view by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The mirror casing provides a bezelless mirror casing where no portion of the mirror casing overlaps the first surface of the front substrate. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110013285 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH WIDE ANGLE PORTION - An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. A principal planar reflector portion has a principal mirror reflector disposed at the rear substrate and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion has an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at a curved recess established at a region of a second surface of the front substrate or a third surface of the rear substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110013280 | HEATER PAD FOR A MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT - A heater pad for a variable reflectance mirror reflective element of a vehicular mirror assembly includes a flexible substrate, an electrically conductive heating element, and first and second electrically conducting elements. The first electrically conducting element is in electrical connection with a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating of the equipped mirror reflective element and the second electrically conducting element is in electrical connection with a third surface electrically conductive coating of the equipped mirror reflective element when the equipped mirror reflective element is normally equipped with the heater pad. The electrically conducting elements and the heating element are electrically isolated from one another. The heating element and the first and second electrically conducting elements terminate at an electrical connector that is configured to electrically conductively connect with a wire harness that provides electrical connection to at least one of a power source and a control circuit. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20100321946 | ILLUMINATION MODULE FOR A VEHICLE - An illumination module for a vehicle includes at least one illumination source for illuminating a target area at the vehicle. The illumination module may be mounted at a handle of a vehicle door and may be operable to illuminate the handle region and/or pocket region of the vehicle door and to illuminate a ground region adjacent to the vehicle and generally below the door handle assembly. The illumination module may include an icon established thereat and the at least one illumination source may back light the icon so that the icon, when the illumination module is activated, is viewable by a person viewing the vehicle. The illumination module may project or direct the illumination toward a targeted area so that the icon is discernible at the targeted area. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100312446 | DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle and in a direction of travel of the equipped vehicle, an image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging device, and a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle. The equipped vehicle includes an adaptive speed control system for controlling the speed of the equipped vehicle. The adaptive speed control system may reduce the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to a detection of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging device. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100296187 | EXTERIOR SIDEVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100238014 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH BLIND SPOT INDICATOR - An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly that is mountable at an exterior side of a vehicle and has an inboard portion that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the inboard portion of the mirror casing of the mirror assembly. The blind spot indicator comprises at least one illumination source for indicating to the driver a detected presence of an object alongside of and/or rearward of the vehicle. The indicator may comprise a unitary indicator module that is mountable at the inboard portion of the mirror assembly. The indicator module includes an illumination source and circuitry and is connectable to an electrical connector. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100232045 | VEHICLE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ACTUATOR - A rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mounting structure, an electrical actuator and a reflective element. The mounting structure may be configured to be detachably mounted at an attachment element adhered to an inner surface of the vehicle windshield. The mounting structure is adjustable relative to the vehicle windshield to generally vertically adjust a nominal setting of a rearward field of view of the reflective element. The electrical actuator is operable to adjust the reflective element in order to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include an imaging sensor having a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield. The forward field of view of the imaging sensor may not be adjusted when the electrical actuator adjusts the rearward field of view of the reflective element. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100228435 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The image array sensor comprises a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is positioned at the vehicle with a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture an image exterior of the vehicle. The control may process the captured images and may determine that the imaging array sensor is not aligned within a desired tolerance when the imaging array sensor is positioned at the vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of a misalignment of the imaging array sensor at the vehicle, may adjust at least one of the captured images or an image data set and the image processing to at least partially compensate for the determined misalignment of the imaging array sensor. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100222963 | VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY - A communication system for a vehicle includes an interior assembly and an in-vehicle communication control that is located in the vehicle remote from the interior assembly. A human-machine interface is located at the interior assembly and is connected to the in-vehicle communication control via a connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between the human-machine interface and the in-vehicle communication control. A global positioning system control in the vehicle communicates at least one GPS-derived signal to one of the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link and the at least one human-machine interface signal and the at least one GPS-derived signal share the connective link such that the connective link comprises a shared common connective link between the in-vehicle communication control and the interior assembly. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220407 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH WIDE ANGLE PORTION - An electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate having an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. A curved recess is established at a second surface of the front glass substrate or a fourth surface of the rear glass substrate. A first metallic reflector is coated at the curved recess, with the reflector-coated curved recess establishing an auxiliary wide angle reflector region of the electrochromic mirror reflective element. A second metallic reflector is coated at a surface of the rear glass substrate, with the reflector-coated surface establishing a principal reflector region of the electrochromic minor reflective element. The reflective element may include a hiding layer that hides at least a portion of a component of the electrochromic mirror reflective element that is behind the hiding layer from view by the driver of a vehicle equipped with the electrochromic mirror reflective element. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100219985 | ACCESSORY SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE - An accessory mounting system suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle includes a first attachment element adhesively attached to an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle, and a second attachment element adhesively attached to the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle. The first attachment element accommodates a forward facing camera and an antenna and/or rain sensor. The forward facing camera has a forward field of view through the windshield of the vehicle and in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The forward facing camera may capture images for at least one of a collision avoidance system of the vehicle and an automatic headlamp control system of the vehicle. An interior rearview mirror assembly is detachably mounted to the second attachment element by a mounting configuration of the interior rearview mirror assembly. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100214791 | AUTOMATIC HEADLAMP CONTROL SYSTEM - A vehicle headlamp control system includes an imaging sensor and a control. The control processes data from the imaging sensor and generates at least one control output. Selection of a high beam state and a low beam state for a vehicle headlamp is responsive to the control output, and is determined responsive to a detection of an object of interest. The control is responsive to a signal indicative of a vehicle speed of the controlled vehicle, and inhibits adjustment of the vehicle headlamp from a low beam state to a high beam state when the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed level. The control is responsive to data indicative of a vehicle trajectory of the controlled vehicle, and inhibits adjustment of the vehicle headlamp from a low beam state to a high beam state when a radius of curvature of the vehicle trajectory is below a threshold value. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100208077 | ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield that has a mounting element adhesively attached to its inner surface, an interior rearview mirror assembly, and an accessory support adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory support includes an accessory receiving portion configured to receive an accessory. The accessory support may comprise part of the interior rearview mirror assembly or may include a mirror mounting element with the interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to the mirror mounting element of the accessory support. The accessory comprises an imaging sensor and the accessory receiving portion is configured to receive the imaging sensor in a manner that compensates for the windshield angle of the windshield so that the imaging sensor has a more generally horizontal forward field of view through the windshield when the accessory support is mounted to the mounting element. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100202075 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a casing having a reflective element, a compass sensor and a control. The compass sensor is disposed within the mirror casing and has a first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control receives a first signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control determines that the casing is adjusted by an occupant of the vehicle in response to a change in the first and second signals being indicative of an abrupt movement of the casing about the mounting structure by an occupant of the vehicle. The control is operable to enter a rapid compensating mode to compensate for the mirror adjustment. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100195229 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing having a human machine interface thereat. The mirror assembly includes a display device disposed behind the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror assembly and visible through the transflective mirror reflector to the driver when displaying information. The display device may include a video screen. The user actuatable input may be actuatable by a user to operate at least one element of circuitry disposed in the mirror casing. The human machine interface may be at least partially at a bezel portion of the casing, or may be at least partially at a rear casing portion of the mirror casing. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195226 | ACCESSORY SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE - A vehicular accessory system includes an attachment element at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield. The attachment element accommodates a rain sensor, which has a field of view through an aperture of the attachment element towards the vehicle windshield. An interior rearview mirror assembly has a case that houses a reflective mirror element, and includes a base portion with a mirror mount for attaching the mirror assembly to the attachment element. The base portion encompasses the rain sensor when the mirror mount is attached to the attachment element at the vehicle windshield. The mirror assembly includes a video camera disposed at the base portion. Electrical wiring may, at least in part, connect the video camera in the base portion with circuitry in the case, and the electrical wiring may be routed through a pivot joint of the mirror assembly. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100194890 | VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE - A vehicular video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a transflective reflective element. The mirror system includes a video display device at a casing of the mirror assembly rearward of the transflective reflective element, with the video display device having a video screen and a plurality of individual white light emitting light sources operable for backlighting the video screen. The intensity of light emitted by the white light emitting light sources is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor. The video screen may be operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle. Light emanating from the white light emitting light emitting diodes may pass through a brightness enhancement film and a light diffuser to be incident at a transflective reflector of a second substrate of the mirror assembly. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100188508 | VEHICULAR VIDEO SYSTEM - A vehicle-based video processor module for a video system of a vehicle includes a video processor circuit, a plurality of electronic sensor interfaces that are operable to receive image output data from a plurality of imaging devices and at least one electronic vehicle interface that is operable to communicate with a vehicle communication bus. The video processor circuit is operable to process the image output data from the plurality of imaging devices in a single database in a standard format and enhances the image output data. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100188193 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a front surface, a rear surface and a reflector. A display element is disposed to the rear of the rear surface and is operable to emit light when actuated, the emitted light passing through the mirror reflective element to be viewable to a driver of the vehicle. A garage door opener device is included in the rearview mirror assembly, which includes at least one user actuatable input device associated with operation of the garage door opener device. Actuation of at least one user actuatable input device causes the display element to provide a visual indication to the driver viewing the front surface, when the mirror assembly is installed in the vehicle, of at least one of (i) operation of the garage door opener device and (ii) coding the garage door opener device. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100183823 | INFRARED CURING PROCESS FOR TOUCH PANEL MANUFACTURING - An infrared energy oxidizing and/or curing process includes an infrared oxidation zone having an infrared energy source operable to emit infrared energy that oxidizes a conductive thin film deposited or established on a glass substrate to establish a light transmissive or transparent conductive thin film for manufacturing of a touch panel. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process provides an in-line infrared energy curing process that oxidizes the conductive thin film on the glass substrate as the glass substrate is moved past the infrared energy source. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process bonds a thick film silver frit electrode pattern to the conductively coated glass substrate. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process reduces the transparent conductive thin film. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100182143 | DISPLAY DEVICE FOR EXTERIOR MIRROR - A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror back plate having a display receiving portion established thereat and being molded to have an integral light baffle at the display receiving portion. A display element attached to the display receiving portion of the mirror back plate and a light source is activatable to emit light through the display receiving portion and through the light baffle. The light baffle is configured to allow light emanating from the display element to pass through the light baffle at a predetermined angle so that light exiting the mirror reflective element when the light source is activated is viewable from one direction, while the light baffle substantially shields the light emanating from the display element so that the light is substantially non-viewable from another direction. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100174485 | REARVIEW ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY - A navigation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based telematics system, a vehicle-based global positioning system and a control. The telematics system is operable to receive a user input from a driver of the vehicle and to download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information comprises at least two instructions with each of the instructions being coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control is operable to provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control is operable to provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172008 | REFLECTIVE MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A reflective mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with the reflective mirror assembly. The electro-optic reflective element includes an electro-optic medium disposed between a front substrate and a rear substrate in a cavity established by a seal that connects the front substrate to the rear substrate and that spaces them apart. An overhang region at a first edge region of the front substrate extends beyond a corresponding first edge region of the rear substrate. A transparent electrical conductor is disposed at the front substrate and a mirror reflector is disposed at the rear substrate. An electrically conducting tab extends outward from said seal at least partially to the edge of the rear substrate while making electrical contact with the mirror reflector. At least one hiding layer is disposed around a perimeter region of the front substrate. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100127825 | DIGITAL ELECTROCHROMIC CIRCUIT WITH A VEHICLE NETWORK - A vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror system having an electrochromic reflective element, a digital electrochromic drive circuit supplying a drive signal to the reflective element and a garage door opener. The garage door opener includes a transmitter and logic circuit. The logic circuit supplies signals to the transmitter for transmitting garage door opening signals. A microcontroller is provided which defines, at least in part, the digital drive circuit and logic circuit. In this manner, the digital electrochromic mirror system and the garage door opener have at least some components in common. The microcontroller communicates over a vehicle network with at least one module performing at least one other vehicle function. The vehicle network may have at least wired interconnections and may further have wireless interconnections. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126030 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS - An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a compass sensor. A physical mount mounts the compass sensor at the reflective element whereby the compass sensor adjusts in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element. A control receives at least one signal indicative of at least one magnetic field sensed by the compass sensor. The control determines a directional heading of the vehicle based on the signal or signals and generates a signal indicative of the directional heading of the vehicle. The control may automatically compensate for adjustment of the compass sensor in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100124348 | MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an accessory, a reflective element and a bezel. The mirror assembly may define portions of a pocket that at least partially receives and secures the accessory therebetween when the reflective element is at least partially received in the bezel. The mirror assembly may include a microphone and an acoustic cover positioned at least partially over one or more inlet ports of the microphone. The acoustic cover may include an outer air flow limiting layer that substantially limits air flow therethrough and a diffusing material that may space and support the outer layer from the inlet ports to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates the outer layer. An acoustic barrier may be positioned between a pair of inlet ports of the microphone to enhance the directivity of the microphone. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100118146 | AUTOMATIC VEHICLE EXTERIOR LIGHT CONTROL - A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle exterior lights including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100117815 | INTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM - A rearview mirror assembly incorporating one or more vehicle information displays includes an information display area in a portion of the rearview mirror housing which is at an angle to the plane of the reflective mirror element to provide improved visibility of the display by a front seat passenger . The information display can be provided in either the chin or eyebrow area of the rearview mirror housing, in the end of the mirror housing, or, alternately, in the field of view of the reflective mirror element itself or as a combination thereof. Such rearview mirror assemblies can be used in combination with a rearview mirror support and information display assembly including a rigid mirror stay preferably having a mirror support for independently adjustably mounting the rearview mirror assembly, and may also include a breakaway mount which releasably couples the stay and the supported rearview mirror assembly to a windshield mounted button or a header mounted base such that the entire assembly is released upon impact. The information display is especially useful to provide the operational status of the Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) or air bag. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100110523 | AUTOMOTIVE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An automotive rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a transparent electrical conductor disposed at a second surface of a first substrate and a mirror reflector disposed at a third surface of a second substrate. The mirror assembly includes electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of the electrochromic medium. The mirror assembly may include one or more features and at least one of the features may share a component with the electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry and/or share circuitry with the electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry. The mirror assembly may include a video camera and/or an on-demand display viewable through the mirror reflector by the driver of the equipped vehicle when displaying information and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when not displaying information. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100091509 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having one of (a) a variable reflectance reflective element and (b) a prismatic reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an information display disposed behind and viewable through the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a video camera having, when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle, a field of view that encompasses one of (i) the windshield of the vehicle and (ii) the driver of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include other electrical accessories such as, for example, a light, a rolling code garage door opener, and a microphone. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090603 | VEHICULAR IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100085645 | INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflective element and a carrier positioned in the mirror case. The mirror case is adapted to mount to a vehicle. The reflective element includes a substrate, with a reflective coating on one side of the substrate, and a window therethrough. The carrier has a display element for displaying one or more indicia through the window to define a display area on the reflective element. The carrier comprises a plate member, with a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflective element and from the first portion. The second portion includes the display element. Preferably, the interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one light assembly for displaying the indicia through said window so that it is visible to an occupant of the vehicle. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100066519 | REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A rearview mirror system includes an electro-optic reflective element having a specularly reflecting indicia reflector established at a second surface of a front substrate. The indicia provides a visible contrast between light incident at the mirror reflector and light incident at the indicia reflector so that when the mirror reflective element is in its high reflectance state, indicia information is subtly viewable by a person viewing the reflective element. The indicia may convey information that informs that the rearview mirror assembly is an automatic dimming type, informs of a brand logo and/or informs of a personalization logo. The mirror assembly may include a video display screen and contrast enhancement means for enhancing the viewability of the video display screen when the rearview mirror assembly is operated in high ambient lighting conditions. A control may determine a driver performance in response to a sensing device and a vehicle monitoring device. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100053723 | EXTERIOR REFLECTIVE MIRROR ELEMENT FOR A VEHICULAR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An exterior reflective mirror element suitable for a vehicle includes a transparent glass substrate having a reflector and a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of the substrate. The visual indicator display may be part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle wherein the visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the equipped vehicle of an overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the equipped vehicle. The visual indicator display includes at least a first indicator at a first location to the rear of the exterior reflective mirror element. A first portion of the reflector may be at least partially removed at the first location in order to establish an at least partially transmissive first portion of the exterior reflective mirror element at the first location. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100046059 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element having a transparent substrate and a multi-zone mirror reflector established at a surface thereof. The mirror reflector includes at least a first zone and a second zone, and wherein at least one metallic reflective layer is commonly established at the surface and across the first and second zones of the mirror reflector. A display device is disposed behind the second zone of the mirror reflector and, when the display device is operating to emit display information, emitted display information passes through the second zone of the mirror reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle. The second zone has a degree of transmissivity of light therethrough that is greater than a degree of transmissivity of light through the first zone of the mirror reflector. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100045797 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle equipped with the driver assistance system and in a direction of travel of the equipped vehicle. The imaging device is operable to capture image data and an image processor is operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. The equipped vehicle includes an adaptive speed control system for controlling the speed of the equipped vehicle, and the speed of the equipped vehicle is controlled by the adaptive speed control system at least in part responsive to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging device. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100045790 | VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with an electrochromic reflective element having a front portion and a rear portion generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element has an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has a transflective third-surface mirror reflector. A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100038352 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH HEATER ELEMENT - A mirror reflective element system has a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface having a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating disposed thereon, and a rear substrate that has a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface having a third surface electrically conductive coating disposed thereon. An attaching surface of a heating element is attached at the fourth surface. The heating element has an electrically conductive heating element established thereat and includes first and second electrically conductive traces. The electrically conductive heating element and the first and second electrically conductive traces are electrically isolated from one another. The first electrically conductive trace provides, at least in part, an electrically conductive connection to the transparent second surface electrically conductive coating, and the second electrically conductive trace provides, at least in part, an electrically conductive connection to the third surface electrically conductive coating. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100033797 | MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY - A reflective element assembly for a mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element substrate and a conductive trace or layer disposed at a rear surface of the reflective element substrate. A non-conductive layer is applied at the conductive layer and covers at least a portion of the conductive layer and leaves at least some portions of the conductive layer exposed. At least one circuitry component is applied to at least one of the portions of the conductive layer. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100027145 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a casing having a reflective element, a compass sensor and a control. The compass sensor is disposed within the mirror casing and has a first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control receives a first signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control determines that the casing is adjusted by an occupant of the vehicle in response to a change in the first and second signals being indicative of an abrupt movement of the casing about the mounting structure by an occupant of the vehicle. The control is operable to enter a rapid compensating mode to compensate for the mirror adjustment. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100002081 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is responsive to the imaging sensor. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system, a monitoring system, a passive steering system and/or the like. The control may be operable to process a reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of a target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090322705 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A touch sensory, such as a capacitive touch sensor, includes a substrate having at least one passageway established therethrough. A first conductive coating is established at a first surface of the substrate, and a conductive element is disposed at the substrate and at least partially through the passageway. The conductive element establishes conductive continuity between the first surface and second or opposite surface of the substrate. The passageway may comprise multiple passageways and is/are established inboard of a perimeter edge of the substrate. The conductive element may include a first conductive material disposed at the first surface and partially into the passageway and a second conductive material disposed at the second surface and partially into the passageway, whereby the conductive materials contact one another in the passageway to establish conductive continuity between the first and second surfaces of the substrate. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090318084 | VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A vehicle-based wireless communication system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior mirror reflective element, a housing for the reflective element and a mirror-mounted communication system. The mirror-mounted communication system preferably includes a communication data port for short-range communication with a mobile device that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle. The communication system further includes a telecommunication link from the vehicle to an external provider of information or service. In this manner, the communication system provides connectivity between a low-power mobile device and a provider of information or service that is separate from the vehicle. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316422 | DISPLAY DEVICE FOR EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR - An exterior mirror sub-assembly includes a reflective element, a back plate, and a display element having a light source that is activatable to emit light. The display element attaches to a display receiving portion of the back plate and the light source is activatable to emit light through the display receiving portion. The display receiving portion may be configured to orient the display element at a predetermined angle so that light exiting the display element when the light source is activated may be directed (a) generally away from the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle so as to be principally viewed by drivers of other vehicles or (b) generally toward the driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle so as to be principally viewed by the driver of the host vehicle. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090310238 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element and an attachment plate attached thereto. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and a cam actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to a first mounting element and the cam actuator pivotally mounting to a second mounting element of the attachment plate. The toggle portion engages the cam actuator such that pivotal movement of the cam actuator imparts a pivotal movement of the toggle portion. The attachment plate may include at least one mounting element protruding through a circuit element supported at the attachment plate. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090303025 | OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An occupant detection system for detecting an occupant within a vehicle includes a sensor for sensing movement or acceleration of the vehicle, first and second processors and a decider. The sensor generates a sensor output. The first processor processes the sensor output in a first manner and generates a first output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the vehicle. The second processor processes the sensor output in a second manner and generates a second output indicative of the possibility of the presence of an occupant within the vehicle. The decider processes the first and second outputs and determines whether the combination of the first and second outputs is indicative of an occupant in the vehicle. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090293368 | ARTICULATED WINDOW ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES - A flush-mounted articulated window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening such that, when closed, it is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle. The window assembly includes a transparent sheet with at least one window-mounting member bonded by two separate adhesives to an inner surface of the sheet. The mounting member includes projections which space the mounting member from the inner sheet surface, and/or perforations which allow air and moisture to reach the space provided between the mounting member and the inner sheet surface. A first adhesive temporarily fixtures the mounting member to the sheet. A second adhesive permanently bonds the mounting member to the inner sheet surface. The bond created is sufficiently strong such that application of a load sufficient to cause a failure results in a failure other than in the adhesion of the adhesive to the mounting member and the panel. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090292496 | VEHICLE COMPASS COMPENSATION - A compass compensation system is provided for automatically and continuously calibrating an electronic compass for a vehicle, without requiring an initial manual calibration or preset of the vehicle magnetic signature. The system initially adjusts a two axis sensor of the compass in response to a sampling of at least one initial data point. The system further calibrates the compass by sampling data points that are substantially opposite to one another on a plot of a magnetic field and averaging an ordinate of the data points to determine a respective zero value for the Earth magnetic field. The system also identifies a change in magnetic signature and adjusts the sensor assembly. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090292466 | NAVIGATION SYTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicular rearview mirror-based navigation system includes a rearview mirror system, including an interior rearview mirror assembly, having an interior reflective element and interior mirror housing for the interior reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly further includes a scrolling display. The scrolling display displays scrolling driver informational messages on the scrolling display. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a global-positioning system display receiving an output from a global-positioning system receiving system and displaying turn-by-turn information to a vehicle driver. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290369 | INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicular mirror system comprises an interior electro-optic mirror having a transflective mirror reflector and a display screen disposed behind the mirror reflector so that the presence of the display screen is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until the display screen is actuated to emit light that passes through the electro-optic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle. Control circuitry may receive a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver and may actuate the display screen to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle. Control circuitry may electronically generate indicia overlaying the video images on the display screen. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090262192 | VEHICULAR VISION SYSTEM - A vehicular vision system includes at least a first image capture sensor and a second image capture sensor disposed at a vehicle and spatially separated and having respective fields of view with respect to the direction of travel of the equipped vehicle. A control receives a first image input from the first image capture sensor and a second image input from the second image capture sensor and generates a composite image synthesized from at least the first image input and the second image input. A display system displays the composite image on a single video screen located in a cabin of the equipped vehicle and viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle. The single video screen of the display system may have a display luminance that is variable responsive to a sensing of an ambient light level. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262092 | CAPACITIVE TOUCH SCREEN SUITABLE FOR USE IN AN INTERACTIVE INFORMATION DISPLAY - A capacitive touch screen suitable for use in an interactive information display includes a first transparent glass substrate having first and second surfaces and a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.3 millimeters, and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a transparent conductive thin film disposed at the third surface thereof. The second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate in order to form a capacitive touch screen having enhanced durability. The transparent conductive thin film of the second substrate opposes the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate when the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090251914 | LIGHT MODULE FOR A VEHICULAR EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A light module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to the side of a vehicle comprises an enclosure and a light-transmitting cover. At least one light-emitting diode is disposed within the enclosure cavity. When the exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle and when the light module is disposed in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and when the at least one light emitting diode is electrically powered, light radiated by the at least one light emitting diode radiates through the light-transmitting cover and may radiate away from the side of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly is attached and/or may illuminate the ground in the vicinity of a door of the equipped vehicle. The light module is substantially moisture impervious and is removable from the exterior rearview mirror assembly. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090243825 | ALERT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An alert system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera having a field of view that encompasses the road ahead of and traveled on by the equipped vehicle, and may include a radar detector having a field of view to the side of and rearward of the equipped vehicle as it travels along the road and/or an image-based detector having a field of view to the side of and rearward of the equipped vehicle as it travels along the road. The alert system determines a lane change into a side lane by the equipped vehicle and detects a vehicle in that side lane, and an alert is generated to the driver of the equipped vehicle. The alert may be generated irrespective of the status of a turn signal of the equipped vehicle. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090240397 | VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY - A communication system for a vehicle includes an interior assembly and an in-vehicle communication control that is located in the vehicle remote from the interior assembly. A human-machine interface is located at the interior assembly and is connected to the in-vehicle communication control via a connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between the human-machine interface and the in-vehicle communication control. A global positioning system control in the vehicle communicates at least one GPS-derived signal to one of the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link and the at least one human-machine interface signal and the at least one GPS-derived signal share the connective link such that the connective link comprises a shared common connective link between the in-vehicle communication control and the interior assembly. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090237820 | VEHICULAR INTERIOR ELECTROCHROMIC REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic mirror reflective element assembly and a video display disposed behind a transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element assembly. The transflective mirror reflector includes at least one electrically conducting metal layer and is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate such that a perimeter border region of the third surface is substantially devoid of the electrically conducting metal layer. A third surface electrical conductor disposed at the third surface is in electrical connection with the transflective mirror reflector and may extend from the transflective mirror reflector and from the perimeter seal toward a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The rear substrate may extend beyond a perimeter edge of the front substrate where the third surface electrical conductor is disposed, and the third surface electrical conductor may be electrically accessible outboard of the perimeter seal. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090237799 | VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a transflective reflective element, an ambient light sensor that senses ambient light and a glare light sensor that senses glare light. A control circuit establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element, and the control circuit is responsive to light detection by at least one of the ambient light sensor and the glare light sensor. A display element is disposed behind the reflective element and operable to display information through the reflective element and viewable through the mirror reflector of the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the display element displays information, and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the display element does not display information. A display intensity control adjusts display intensity responsive to a light detection by at least one of the glare light sensor and the ambient light sensor. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090232328 | DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone, with the microphone located at one of a rear portion of the mirror casing, a bezel portion of the mirror casing, a side portion of the mirror casing, an upper portion of the mirror casing, and a lower portion of the mirror casing. The microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor processes the signal and provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090231741 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing, a transflective reflective element, a compass sensor and compass circuitry. An information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of a transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element, and information displayed by the information display is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle through the transflective minor reflector of the reflective element when the information display is displaying information. The compass sensor may be disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the reflective element. The compass circuitry may be responsive to the compass sensor for determining a directional heading of the vehicle. The information display is operable to display the directional heading to the driver of equipped vehicle. The compass circuitry at least partially compensates for movement of the compass sensor caused by adjustment of the mirror housing. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090219394 | ACCESSORY MOUNTING SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE - An accessory mounting system includes an assembly adapted for mounting or attachment at a portion of the windshield of a vehicle. A light absorbing layer at the portion of the windshield of the vehicle at least partially hides the assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle when the viewer is viewing through the windshield with the assembly at the portion of the windshield. The light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion, and a forwardly-viewing camera disposed at the assembly views through the light transmitting portion of the light absorbing layer at the portion of the windshield of the vehicle when the assembly is at the portion of the windshield. The assembly may comprise a pivot element for connecting to an interior mirror or the assembly may comprise a mirror assembly mount button received by a mirror mount of a single-pivot or double-pivot interior rearview mirror assembly. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090213604 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element, a frame portion around a perimeter of the reflective element, and one or more user inputs or buttons movably mounted to the frame portion. At least one bezel segment is positioned partially around the perimeter of the reflective element and frame portion and defines a space or gap along the frame portion between opposed and spaced apart ends of the bezel segment or segments. The input or button is mountable to the frame portion at the space and is movable by a user to engage and actuate an electronic switch within the mirror assembly. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090208058 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a field of view exteriorly and forward of the vehicle in its direction of travel, and an image processor operable to process the captured images in accordance with an algorithm. The algorithm comprises a sign recognition routine and a character recognition routine. The image processor processes the image data captured by the imaging device to detect signs in the field of view of the imaging device and applies the sign recognition routine to determine a sign type of the detected sign. The image processor is operable to apply the character recognition routine to the image data to determine information on the detected sign. The image processor applies the character recognition routine to the captured images in response to an output of the sign recognition routine being indicative of the detected sign being a sign type of interest. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090207514 | REFLECTIVE MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A reflective mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with the reflective mirror assembly. The electrochromic reflective element includes an electrochromic medium disposed between a front substrate and a rear substrate in a cavity established by a seal that connects the front substrate to the rear substrate and that spaces them apart. An overhang region at a first edge region of the front substrate extends beyond a corresponding first edge region of the rear substrate. A transparent electrical conductor is disposed at the front substrate and a mirror reflector is disposed at the rear substrate. An electrically conducting tab extends outward from said seal at least partially to the edge of the rear substrate while making electrical contact with the mirror reflector. At least one hiding layer is disposed around a perimeter region of the front substrate. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090205879 | TOUCH SENSOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A touch sensor, such as a capacitive touch sensor, includes a substrate having at least one passageway established therethrough. A first conductive coating is established at a first surface of the substrate, and a conductive element is disposed at the substrate and at least partially through the passageway, The conductive element establishes conductive continuity between the first surface and second or opposite surface of the substrate. A thin sheet (such as a thin glass or plastic sheet) is disposed at and over the first surface of the substrate. The passageway may comprise multiple passageways established inboard of a perimeter edge of the substrate. The thin glass or plastic sheet may be laminated at or to the substrate. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090201137 | REARVIEW ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY - A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror element having a partially reflective, partially transmissive coating and a video display positioned behind the mirror element such that a display image is viewable through the partially reflective, partially transmissive coating. The video display may generate a viewable display image that has an intensity of at least 250 cd/m | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090174776 | REARVIEW ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY - A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror element having a partially reflective, partially transmissive coating, and a video display positioned behind the mirror element such that a display image is viewable through the partially reflective, partially transmissive coating. The video display may have an output intensity such that the viewable display image has an intensity of at least 250 cd/m | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090153359 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH BLIND SPOT INDICATOR - An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly that is mountable at an exterior side of a vehicle and has an inboard portion that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the inboard portion of the mirror casing of the mirror assembly. The blind spot indicator comprises at least one illumination source for indicating to the driver a detected presence of an object alongside of and/or rearward of the vehicle. The indicator may comprise a unitary indicator module that is mountable at the inboard portion of the mirror assembly. The indicator module includes an illumination source and circuitry and is connectable to an electrical connector. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090147083 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is responsive to the imaging sensor. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system, a monitoring system, a passive steering system and/or the like. The control may be operable to process a reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of a target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090144996 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a casing having a reflective element, a compass sensor and a control. The compass sensor is disposed within the mirror casing and has a first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control receives a first signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control determines that the casing is adjusted by an occupant of the vehicle in response to a change in the first and second signals being indicative of an abrupt movement of the casing about the mounting structure by an occupant of the vehicle. The control is operable to enter a rapid compensating mode to compensate for the mirror adjustment. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090141331 | INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflective element and a carrier positioned in the mirror case. The mirror case is adapted to mount to a vehicle. The reflective element includes a substrate, with a reflective coating on one side of the substrate, and a window therethrough. The carrier has a display element for displaying one or more indicia through the window to define a display area on the reflective element. The carrier comprises a plate member, with a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflective element and from the first portion. The second portion includes the display element. Preferably, the interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one light assembly for displaying the indicia through said window so that it is visible to an occupant of the vehicle. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090134606 | CONSOLE SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN AN INTERIOR CABIN OF A VEHICLE - An accessory system suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle includes an attachment element adhesively attached to an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle, and an accessory module. The accessory module includes structure adapted to attach to the attachment element. The accessory module encompasses an antenna and a forward facing camera. The forward facing camera has a forward field of view through the windshield of the vehicle and in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The accessory system may include an image processor for processing image data captured by the forward facing camera. The forward facing camera may capture images for at least one of a collision avoidance system and an automatic headlamp control system. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090128310 | INTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly with an information display disposed within the housing and behind the reflective element and viewable through the reflective element by a driver of the equipped vehicle viewing the reflective element when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted to an interior portion of the equipped vehicle. A control is responsive to a photo sensor and operable to distinguish between daytime and nighttime lighting conditions. The control is operable to vary the intensity of the information displayed by the information display as viewed through the reflective element by the driver of the equipped vehicle. When the information display is operating during daytime lighting conditions, the control may adjust the intensity of the displayed information to at least about 1000 cd/m | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090122430 | MIRROR SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an accessory module. The accessory module one of (a) comprises part of said interior mirror assembly or (b) has the interior mirror assembly attached thereto. At least one of the interior mirror assembly and the accessory module includes an inductive power receiver that receives power from an inductive power transmitter located remotely from the interior mirror assembly and/or the accessory module. The interior mirror assembly and/or the accessory module includes a data transceiver that wirelessly communicates with a data transceiver located remotely from the interior mirror assembly and/or the accessory module. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090116097 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element having a transparent glass substrate with a transflective reflector established at a surface thereof. The transflective reflector includes at least three thin film layers, which include at least one metallic layer. The transflective reflector exhibits a substantially spectrally neutral reflectant characteristic as viewed by a driver operating a vehicle equipped with the mirror assembly. A backlit active matrix liquid crystal video display screen is disposed behind the transflective reflector. Display information passes through the glass substrate and the transflective reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle. At least one silicon photo sensor is configured to detect ambient light at the vehicle, and the display intensity is adjustable responsive to a sensing of ambient light by the least one silicon photo sensor. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090106029 | VOICE ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may include a microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of these audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communication system. The system may include a control that is responsive to the output from the microphone and that distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle, and the accessory may be responsive to a vocal signal captured by the microphone. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include at least one accessory, such as an antenna, a video device, a security system status indicator, a tire pressure indicator display and/or a loudspeaker. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090103183 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having one of (a) a variable reflectance reflective element and (b) a prismatic reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an information display disposed behind and viewable through the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a video camera having, when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle, a field of view that encompasses one of (i) the windshield of the vehicle and (ii) the driver of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include other electrical accessories such as, for example, a light, a rolling code garage door opener, and a microphone. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090080055 | REARVIEW MIRROR ELEMENT ASSEMBLIES AND SYSTEMS - A rearview mirror element assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front generally planar substrate and a rear generally planar substrate. A reflecting mirror reflector is established at a third surface of the rear substrate and an auxiliary mirror element is positioned rearward of a perimeter region of the front substrate. The auxiliary mirror element provides a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle and a generally planar portion of the electrochromic reflective element provides a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle. A perimeter band or demarcating band may be established at least partially around a perimeter border region of the substrate and may traverse the substrate at the perimeter region of the front substrate behind which the auxiliary mirror element is positioned. The band may demarcate the perimeter region from the generally planar portion of the reflective element. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090072124 | VEHICULAR IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle, and may be at or proximate to an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle. The system includes a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The image sensing system may identify objects of interest based on spectral differentiation or by comparing over successive frames image data associated with objects in the forward field of view of the image sensor or by objects of interest being at least one of qualified and disqualified based at least in part on object motion in the field of view of the imaging sensor. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090067032 | VEHICULAR SIGNAL MIRROR - A vehicular signal mirror includes a reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector on a light-transmitting substrate. The visible light reflectance is at least about 40% for visible light incident upon the front side of the reflective mirror element. A turn signal light display and/or a blind-spot indicator light display is disposed to the rear of the reflective mirror element and configured so that the light emitted by the light display passes through the reflective mirror element to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of the reflective mirror element. The light display exhibits, when electrically powered and when operated in the vehicle during day time driving conditions, a display luminance of at least about 60 foot lamberts as measured with the light display placed behind, and emitting light through, the reflective mirror element. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090065683 | VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicle rearview mirror system includes an electro-optic reflective element, an ambient light sensor that is operable to sense ambient light, a glare light sensor that is operable to sense glare light and a circuit that is responsive to the ambient glare light sensors which establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element. The circuit produces an output that is a function of light sensed by glare and ambient light sensors. The circuit compares an output of a charge accumulation device with a reference, and the circuit selectively connects the glare sensor and the ambient light sensor with the charge accumulation device. The mirror system may include a display operable to project light through the reflective element and may control the intensity of the display as a function of the glare light and ambient light. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090059405 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS - An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a compass sensor. A physical mount mounts the compass sensor at the reflective element whereby the compass sensor adjusts in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element. A control receives at least one signal indicative of at least one magnetic field sensed by the compass sensor. The control determines a directional heading of the vehicle based on the signal or signals and generates a signal indicative of the directional heading of the vehicle. The control may automatically compensate for adjustment of the compass sensor in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090052003 | MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY - A reflective element assembly for a mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element substrate and a conductive trace or layer disposed at a rear surface of the reflective element substrate. A non-conductive layer is applied at the conductive layer and covers at least a portion of the conductive layer and leaves at least some portions of the conductive layer exposed. At least one circuitry component is applied to at least one of the portions of the conductive layer. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090051257 | REFRIGERATOR SHELF ASSEMBLY - A shelf assembly for use in a refrigerator includes a shelf panel and a pair of opposite support rails. The shelf panel has upwardly angled perimeter regions and may comprise a strengthened glass material, such as a transparent strengthened glass material, such as tempered glass. Each of the support rails includes a base portion and an angled portion that extends at an angle from the base portion. The angled portions of the support rails are bonded along the lower surface of the upwardly angled side perimeter regions of the shelf panel. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090040306 | VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH WIDE ANGLE ELEMENT - A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element, a back plate disposed at a rear surface of the reflective element, a wide angle reflector element received in a receiving portion of the back plate. The reflective element has a first reflective coating disposed thereat and the wide angle reflector element has a curved rear surface with a second reflective coating disposed at the curved rear surface. An optical element or optical adhesive may be disposed between a front surface of the wide angle reflector element and the rear surface of the reflective element. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090022886 | METHOD FOR MAKING AN INTERACTIVE INFORMATION DEVICE AND PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREBY - A method and product produced by the method for forming an interactive information device with a conductively coated panel includes forming a reduced contrast, increased light transmitting, conductively coated panel by providing a transparent substrate and applying a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface of the substrate in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. The method further includes applying a transparent layer of a metal oxide such that the metal oxide layer, such as silicon dioxide, overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. The coated panel is then attached to an electro-optic display for displaying information when electricity is applied thereto. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090015736 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY - A video mirror system for a vehicle comprising an interior rearview mirror assembly having a transflective electro-optic reflective element that transmits at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon and reflects at least about sixty percent of visible light incident thereon. A display module is disposed at a rear of the transflective electro-optic reflective element and comprises a plurality of individual light sources. A thermally conductive element may be in substantial thermal contact with the display module and is exposed at a rear casing portion of the mirror assembly so as to draw heat generated by the display module away from the display module and to the exterior of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The exposure of the thermally conductive element at the rear casing portion may be substantially not discernible to a viewer viewing the rear casing portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090013623 | WINDOW ASSEMBLY FOR SCHOOL BUS - A window module for a school bus includes a frame, a fixed window panel affixed to a portion of the frame, a perimeter panel secured to another portion of the frame and defining an opening at the other portion of the frame, and a movable window panel. The movable window panel is slidably positioned at the frame and movable along channel members and interiorly of the fixed window panel when opened and interiorly of and generally at the perimeter panel when at least partially closed. The exterior surfaces of the fixed window panel and of the perimeter panel may form a generally flush surface at an exterior of the school bus when the window assembly is installed at the school bus. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090005136 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH IDENTIFIER MODULE - An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a casing and a reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a module that provides a specific identifier for telecommunication occurring at least one of to the vehicle in which the interior mirror assembly is mounted and from the vehicle in which the interior mirror assembly is mounted. The module may have a caller identifier for a communication system, with the identifier identifying a subscriber of the communication system for making telephone calls to and from the vehicle in which the interior mirror assembly is mounted. The vehicle in which the interior mirror assembly is mounted may have at least one element operable for establishing the telecommunication with the communication system, and the module of the interior mirror assembly may have an identifier module that identifies a subscriber of the communication system. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080316054 | Vehicle Exterior Mirror Assembly With Blind Spot Indicator - An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly that is mountable at an exterior side of a vehicle and has an inboard portion that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the inboard portion of the mirror casing of the mirror assembly. The blind spot indicator comprises at least one illumination source for indicating to the driver a detected presence of an object alongside of and/or rearward of the vehicle. The indicator may comprise a unitary indicator module that is mountable at the inboard portion of the mirror assembly. The indicator module includes an illumination source and circuitry and is connectable to an electrical connector. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080308708 | ACCESSORY MOUNTING SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE - An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an assembly adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface at a portion of the windshield of the vehicle. A light absorbing layer is at that portion of the windshield and at least partially hides the assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle who is viewing through the windshield when the assembly is normally mounted to the receiving structure. The light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion. At least two accessories are housed by the assembly and one of the two accessories includes a forwardly-viewing camera that views through the light transmitting portion of the light absorbing layer at that portion of the windshield of the vehicle when the assembly is mounted to the receiving structure, and wherein the light absorbing layer comprises a ceramic frit layer. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080308219 | MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME - A method for forming a reflective element substrate for a mirror assembly of a vehicle includes generally continuously forming an elongated sheet of substrate material and applying a substantially transparent functional film to a surface of the elongated sheet. The substantially transparent functional film is unrolled from a reel or roll of the film and the unrolled film is applied to the surface of the elongated sheet generally continuously as the sheet is formed or extruded or cast. Two or more mirror substrates are formed from the elongated sheet after the film is applied to the surface of the sheet. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080304170 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH INTEGRAL WIDE ANGLE PORTION - A mirror reflective element for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. The mirror substrate has a first reflector portion and a second reflector portion, with the first reflector portion having a principal reflector portion of the mirror reflective element. The rear surface of the mirror substrate has a curved recess established thereat, and the second curved reflector portion is established at the curved recess. The curved recess has a radius of curvature that is less than a radius of curvature of the first reflector portion, whereby the curved recess, when coated by a reflector coating, provides a wide angle auxiliary reflector portion integrally formed with the mirror reflective element. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080300779 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A navigation system includes a communication port in a vehicle, a hand held portable unit, and a wireless communication between the portable unit and the communication port when the portable unit is in the vehicle. The portable unit has a position locator and is capable of establishing a geographical position of the portable unit. The portable unit is removable from the vehicle by an occupant of the vehicle. An information display may be disposed on, at or within an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, and may display navigational information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The navigational information may be derived from the wireless communication between the portable unit and the communication port. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080291522 | EXTERIOR REFLECTIVE MIRROR ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An exterior reflective mirror element suitable for a vehicle includes a transparent glass substrate having a reflector and a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of the substrate. The visual indicator display may be part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle wherein the visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the equipped vehicle of an overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the equipped vehicle. The visual indicator display includes at least a first indicator at a first location to the rear of the exterior reflective mirror element. A first portion of the reflector may be at least partially removed at the first location in order to establish an at least partially transmissive first portion of the exterior reflective mirror element at the first location. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080266685 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH HEATER ELEMENT - A mirror reflective element system includes a fourth surface electrically conductive element disposed at the fourth surface and in conductive continuity with a second or third surface electrically conductive coating of the second or third surface, respectively. A heating element at the fourth surface comprises an electrically conductive heating element that generates heat to heat a portion of said heating element when powered. First and second electrically conductive contact elements connect to first and second electrically conductive elements at the fourth surface of the rear substrate such that electrically conductive continuity is established between the electrically conductive contact elements and the respective electrically conductive elements when the heating element is attached to the fourth surface. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080266389 | VEHICULAR VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM - A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and a video display screen module. The video display screen module may have a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer film and (b) a brightness enhancing film, and includes a liquid crystal display panel that is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes. The video display screen module is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element or near the reflective element or is extendable from a position at the rear of the reflective element to a position near the reflective element. The video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable by the driver and having a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter when viewable by the driver during daytime viewing. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080259462 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a front surface, a rear surface and a reflector. A display element is disposed to the rear of the rear surface and is operable to emit light when actuated, the emitted light passing through the mirror reflective element to be viewable to a driver of the vehicle. A garage door opener device is included in the rearview mirror assembly, which includes at least one user actuatable input device associated with operation of the garage door opener device. Actuation of at least one user actuatable input device causes the display element to provide a visual indication to the driver viewing the front surface, when the mirror assembly is installed in the vehicle, of at least one of (i) operation of the garage door opener device and (ii) coding the garage door opener device. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080252488 | Vehicle vision system - A vehicular vision system includes at least one imaging sensor for sensing images of objects in a forward field of view of the imaging sensor. The imaging system includes a control responsive to an output of the imaging sensor. The control modulates at least one headlamp of the vehicle in response to the output of the imaging sensor. The control may process an output of the imaging sensor to identify a headlamp or taillight of another vehicle in the forward field of view of the at least one imaging sensor and to determine a distance between the controlled vehicle and the identified headlamp or taillight of another vehicle. The control may modulate the at least one headlamp of the vehicle in response to the image processing. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080232609 | Acoustical Window Assembly for Vehicle - A window assembly for a vehicle includes a window panel ( | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080231704 | VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE - An accessory system for a vehicle includes an accessory module, at least one accessory and an attachment member at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The at least one accessory comprises a camera having a lens, with the camera being disposed in the accessory module, and the accessory module comprising structure to angle the camera with respect to a windshield facing portion of the accessory module. The camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member. The accessory system may include a resilient element disposed between the windshield facing portion and the interior surface of the vehicle windshield to cushion and/or seal the accessory module relative to the interior surface when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080225538 | LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, WITH HIGH-INTENSITY POWER LED - A lighting system for a vehicle comprises a sealed unitary light module including at least one high-intensity power light emitting diode operates with a luminous efficiency of at least about 7 lumens per watt when passing a forward current of at least about 350 milliamps and that emits a luminous flux of at least about 25 lumens when operated at its operating voltage. The sealed unitary light module is removable as a unit from the vehicle and includes a heat dissipating element and a lens. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080225396 | ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL - A reflective element assembly for a variable reflectance vehicular mirror includes a front substrate having a transparent conductive coating disposed on a second surface thereof, and a rear substrate having an electrically conductive metallic reflective coating disposed on a third surface thereof. At least an edge portion of the rear substrate is recessed from a corresponding perimeter edge portion of the front substrate so as to define an overhang region of the front substrate relative to the rear substrate. At least a portion of a third surface conductive coating continues from the third surface over at least the perimeter edge to define a wraparound portion of the third surface conductive coating at the perimeter edge, with the third surface conductive coating establishing electrical continuity between the third surface and the portion of the perimeter edge. An electrical connection may make electrical contact with the wraparound portion at the overhang region. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080219019 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM WITH SIGNAL LIGHT - An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a signal light or security light that provides illumination at a side of the vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes a housing with a reflective element, and may include a positioning device for adjusting the position of the reflective element in the housing. The signal light includes a light source and may be adapted to project light from a non-folding portion or support member of the mirror housing. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080212215 | INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An information display mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an interior portion of a vehicle and having a casing, a mirror support arm and a reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an information display screen disposed separate from and independent of and lateral of the reflective element at a portion of the casing closer to a seating location of the vehicle driver or at a portion of the casing further from a seating location of the vehicle driver. The information display screen may be a touch-sensitive information display screen that displays information responsive to the driver of the vehicle at least one of touching its viewing surface and positioning a finger proximate its viewing surface. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080212189 | Vehicle Mirror Assembly With Indicia At Reflective Element - A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element having at least one substrate with a reflective coating thereon. A specularly reflective indicia reflector is established to form indicia or information at the reflective element. The indicia reflector provides a visible contrast to the main mirror reflector so that the indicia or information is subtly viewable by a person viewing the mirror assembly. The reflective element reflects light incident thereon over the surface coated by the reflective coating of the main mirror reflector, including the area at which the indicia reflector is established. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080201075 | VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A video mirror system for a vehicle comprises an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element that has a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and that has a rear portion that is generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector that preferably is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident at the rear portion of the reflective element, and that preferably is at least about 60 percent reflective to visible light incident at the front portion. A video display screen is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle. | 08-21-2008 |
