EP0285724A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Improved automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles
Assignee: Gentex Corp
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Filing: 1987-10-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-10-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved automatic rearview mirror system which is particularly adapted for use with automotive vehicles and which may be utilized as a fully integrated inside/outside rearview mirror system or as an inside or an outside rearview mirror system. The system includes a variable reflectance member (5) the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal applied thereto, and the system also includes improved means (18,19,20,21,22) operable to apply an electrical signal to the variable reflectance member to vary the reflectivity of such member as a function of sensed ambient light and sensed glare causing light.
Inventors
- 👤 Jon H. Bechtel
- 👤 Harlan J. Byker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, comprising a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal applied thereto, ambient light sensing means effective to sense ambient light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the ambient light level, glare sensing means effective to sense glare causing light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the glare causing light level, and means operable to apply an electrical signal to said variable reflectance member to vary the reflectivity of said member as a function of the sensed ambient light level signal and the sensed glare causing light level signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, comprising a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal applied thereto, ambient light sensing means effective to sense ambient light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the ambient light level, glare sensing means effective to sense glare causing light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the glare causing light level, and means operable to apply an electrical signal to said variable reflectance member to vary the reflectivity of said member as a function of the sensed ambient light level signal and the sensed glare causing light level signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mirror system according to claim 1, characterised by means for controlling the sensitivity of said glare sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for manually adjusting the sensitivity of said glare sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mirror system according to claim 3, characterised by light emitting diode means illuminating said means for manually adjusting the sensitivity of said glare sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means effective to cause said variable reflectance member to exhibit its maximum reflectivity responsive to interruption of electrical power to the system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for limiting the voltage and/or the current of the signal applied to said variable reflectance member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by having a power supply, and a power supply over-voltage detection means inhibiting drive voltage to said variable reflectance member when the power supply voltage exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mirror system as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that means are included for providing a moving weighted time average of the sensed ambient light level signal independent of the sensed glare causing light level signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for providing a smoothing time averaging effect on the ambient light level electrical signal and acting on this electrical signal to produce a filtered ambient light level electrical signal independent of the glare causing light level electrical signal, and means operable to apply an electrical signal to said variable reflectance member to change said member between said reflectance modes as a function of the output of said filtered electrical signal from said ambient light sensing means and said electrical signal from said glare sensing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for decreasing the sensitivity of said glare sensing means when the ambient light level exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means effective to prevent reduction in the reflectivity of said variable reflectance member when the ambient light exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for preventing significant response to the electrical signal generated by said ambient light sensing means when the light detected by said ambient light sensing means is below a predetermined value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for short circuiting the electrical signal applied to said variable reflectance member when a high reflectance level is required.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for inhibiting reduction in the reflectance of said variable reflectance member when the vehicle is in reverse gear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by a second variable reflectance member, preferably disposed on the exterior of said vehicle, the reflectance of the second variable reflectance member varying as a function of an electrical signal applied thereto, and means electrically connecting said variable reflectance members, whereby any changes in the reflectivity of said mirrors occur substantially simultaneously.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mirror system according to claim 15, characterised by said second variable reflectance member having an additional photoelectric sensor means effective to detect said glare causing light level and to generate an additional electrical signal indicative of the glare causing light level impinging thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for mechanically shielding said photoelectric sensor means from light emanating from predetermined directions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by means for indicating the mode status of the first or each variable reflectance member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the or each variable reflectance member comprises an electrochromic mirror having a full reflectance mode and a partial reflectance mode, said electrochromic mirror being changeable between said full reflectance mode and said partial reflectance mode as a function of said ambient light level electrical signal and said electrical signal from the ambient light sensing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mirror system according claim 19, characterised in that the electrochromic mirror has a full reflectance mode, at least one intermediate reflectance mode, and a low reflectance mode, the reflectivity of said mirror varying as a function of an electrical signal applied thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mirror system according to claim 20, characterised by having a power supply including an intermediate reference voltage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised by said glare sensing means being able to sense the glare causing light level once it has been attenuated by said variable reflectance member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mirror system according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said sensed ambient light level electrical signal has a time response slower than the time response of said sensed glare causing light level electrical signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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