US5148014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mirror system with remotely actuated continuously variable reflectant mirrors
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 1990-11-19
•
Granted: 1992-09-15
•
Expires: 2010-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A light transmitting system for a vehicle includes a window or mirror with variable transmittance. A first input device, which may comprise a user adjustable device or an ambient light sensor, provides a comfort setting. A second input device, which overrides the first, may be operated manually, or by the vehicle engaging reverse gear or switching on headlights, to increase or decrease the reflectivity and transmittance of mirror and window embodiments respectively. Where a mirror is used, a third input device, which may comprise a photosensor, may be actuated to provide lower reflectivity when experiencing glare.
Inventors
- 👤 Niall R. Lynam
- 👤 Dale M. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; B60J; B60J3/00; B60J3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 88
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element at a comfort level that is a function of ambient light levels, said level of reflectivity being selected from a continuously variable first range of reflectivity values, a user operable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of reflectivity of said reflective element to the level of reflectivity established by said first input device upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element at a comfort level that is a function of ambient light levels, said level of reflectivity being selected from a continuously variable first range of reflectivity values, a user operable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of reflectivity of said reflective element to the level of reflectivity established by said first input device upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said second level is at least 60l% reflectance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said controllable variable reflectivity of said reflective element is variable over a given range of reflectivity values and wherein said first level of reflectivity is within another range of reflectivity values that is within and narrower than said given range of reflectivity values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said first input device is user manipulable for manually establishing a desired comfort level of reflectivity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said second input device is user manipulable in order to selectively establish said second reflectance level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said second input device is actuated in response to the vehicle being placed in reverse gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said reflective element changes reflectivity from said first to said second levels at a faster rate than from said second to said first levels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rearview mirror system ion claim 1 including means for causing said reflectance element to achieve a maximum reflectivity value when electrical power to said system is interrupted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said control includes memory means for storing at least one value of said first level of reflectivity, whereby values of said first level of reflection can be stored and can be retrieved for multiple vehicle drivers or upon power being removed and restored to said rearview mirror system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 including another reflective device having a controllable variable reflectivity and wherein said control is adapted to controlling the reflectivity of both of said reflective devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 10 wherein said first input device is adapted to causing said control to establish said first level of reflectivity for both of said reflective devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes headlights and switch means for selectively actuating said headlights, and further wherein said first input device is actuated in response to said switch means actuating said headlights.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 12 wherein said second input device is actuated in response to the vehicle being placed in reverse gear irrespective of whether said switch means is actuating said headlights.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said first input device is an ambient light sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 14 wherein said reflective element is an exterior mirror and further wherein said ambient light sensor is positioned in an interior portion of said vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 14 wherein said control lowers said first level of reflectivity in response to lower level of ambient light sensed by said ambient light sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises an all solid-state electrochromic mirror.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 17 wherein said mirror includes a multiple-layer stack of inorganic metal oxide thin film layers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 18 wherein said multiple-layer stack includes an anodically coloring electrochromic film and a cathodically coloring electrochromic film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 18 wherein said multiple-layer stack includes an ion transporting and electron insulating inorganic metal oxide film
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
145 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; wherein said control returns the level of reflectivity of said reflective element to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device; and current limiting means for controlling the rate of change of reflectance of said reflective element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
145 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; wherein said control returns the level of reflectivity of said reflective element to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device; and current limiting means for controlling the rate of change of reflectance of said reflective element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 21 wherein said current limiting means includes a resistor in series with said reflective element
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 21 including means for causing the reflective element to achieve a maximum reflectivity value when electrical power to said system is interrupted.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
198 words
The rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is less than said first level, wherein actuation of said second user input device selectively overrides said first user input device when actuated; a third input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a third level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said third input device selectively overrides said first and second input devices when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of reflectivity of said reflective element upon deactuation of said third input device to the one of said first and second levels that existed upon actuation of said third input device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
198 words
The rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is less than said first level, wherein actuation of said second user input device selectively overrides said first user input device when actuated; a third input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a third level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said third input device selectively overrides said first and second input devices when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of reflectivity of said reflective element upon deactuation of said third input device to the one of said first and second levels that existed upon actuation of said third input device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said reflective element has a range of reflectivity values and wherein said first input device is adapted to causing said control to establish said first level from a range of reflectivity values that is more narrow than said range of reflectivity of said reflective element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said third level is at least 60% reflectance.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said first input device is user manipulable for manually establishing a desired comfort level of reflectivity.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 including another reflective device having a controllable variable reflectivity and wherein said control is adapted to controlling the reflectivity of both of said reflective devices.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said second input device is user manipulable in order to selectively establish said second level of reflectivity.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said second input device is a photosensor that is responsive to glare-producing light exceeding a predetermined level.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said third input device is actuated in response to the vehicle being placed in reverse gear.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said reflective element changes reflectivity from one of said first and second levels to said third level at a faster rate than from said third level to one of said first and second levels.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said control includes memory means for storing at least one value of said first level of reflectivity, whereby values of said first level of reflection can be stored and retrieved for multiple vehicle drivers or can be retrieved upon power being removed and restored to said rearview mirror system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 further including current limiting means for controlling the rate of change of reflectivity of said reflective element.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 34 wherein said current limiting means is a resistor in series with said reflective element.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 further including resume means for causing said second input device to cease being actuated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 36 wherein said resume means includes timer means for causing said second input device to cease being actuated a predetermined time duration after being actuated.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 37 wherein said resume means further includes user override means that is user actuatable for causing said second input device to cease being actuated during said predetermined time duration.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 24 wherein said first input device is an ambient light sensor.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 39 wherein said control lowers said first level of reflectivity in response to lower level of ambient light sensed by said ambient light sensor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 39 wherein said reflective element is in an exterior mirror and further wherein said ambient light sensor is located within an interior portion of said vehicle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 41 wherein said ambient light sensor is used exclusively in said system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 41 wherein said ambient light sensor is used concurrently with one of an automatic mirror control and a twilight sentinel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
157 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element from a continuously variable first range of reflectivity values; a user-actuatable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said reflective element changes reflectivity from said first to said second levels at a faster rate than from said second to said first levels in order to provide a rapid bleach to a high reflective state.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
157 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element from a continuously variable first range of reflectivity values; a user-actuatable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said reflective element changes reflectivity from said first to said second levels at a faster rate than from said second to said first levels in order to provide a rapid bleach to a high reflective state.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 44 including means for causing the reflective element to achieve a maximum reflectivity value when electrical power to said system is interrupted.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 44 further including current limiting means for controlling the rate of change of reflectivity of said reflective element.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 46 wherein said current limiting means is a resistor in series with said reflective element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 44 wherein said reflective element comprises an all solid-state electrochromic mirror.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 48 wherein said mirror includes a multiple-layer stack of inorganic metal oxide thin film layers.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said multiple-layer stack includes an anodically coloring electrochromic film and a cathodically coloring electrochromic film.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said multiple-layer stack includes an ion transporting and electron insulating inorganic metal oxide film.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
179 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said reflective element changes reflectivity from said first to said second levels at a faster rate than from said second to said first levels, wherein said reflective element has a range of reflectivity values, and wherein said first input device is adapted to causing said control to establish said first level from a second range of reflectivity values that is more narrow than said range of reflectivity of said reflective element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
179 words
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: a reflective element having a controllable variable reflectivity; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of reflectivity of said reflective element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of reflectivity of said reflective element that is greater than said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said reflective element changes reflectivity from said first to said second levels at a faster rate than from said second to said first levels, wherein said reflective element has a range of reflectivity values, and wherein said first input device is adapted to causing said control to establish said first level from a second range of reflectivity values that is more narrow than said range of reflectivity of said reflective element.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 52 wherein said second range of reflectivity values is between 20% and 80%.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 53 wherein said first input device is an ambient light sensor.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 54 wherein said control lowers said first level of reflectivity in response to a lower level of ambient light sensed by said ambient light sensor.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 54 wherein said reflective element is an exterior mirror and further wherein said ambient light sensor is located within an interior portion of said vehicle.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 56 wherein said ambient light sensor is used exclusively in said system.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 56 wherein said ambient light sensor is used concurrently with one of an automatic mirror control and a twilight sentinel.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
150 words
A light transmitting window system for a vehicle comprising; a light transmitting window having a controllable variable level of light attenuation; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting window; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting window from a continuously variable range of attenuation values; a user operable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting window that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting window to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
150 words
A light transmitting window system for a vehicle comprising; a light transmitting window having a controllable variable level of light attenuation; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting window; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting window from a continuously variable range of attenuation values; a user operable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting window that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting window to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system in claim 59 wherein said light transmitting element is a window.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
47 words
The light transmitting system in claim 59 wherein said control includes memory means for storing at least one value of said first level of attenuation, whereby said value of said first level of attenuation can be retrieved upon power being removed from and restored to said system.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system in claim 59 further including current limiting means controlling the rate of change of level of attenuation of said transmitting element.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in claim 62 wherein said current limiting means is a resistor in series with said transmitting window.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light transmitting mirror system in claim 59 wherein said transmitting window comprises an all solid-state electrochromic element.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light transmitting system in claim 64 wherein said element includes a multiple-layer stack of inorganic metal oxide thin film layers.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The light transmitting system in claim 65 wherein said multiple-layer stack includes an anodically coloring electrochromic film and a cathodically coloring electrochromic film.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light transmitting system in claim 65 wherein said multiple-layer stack includes an ion transporting and electron insulating inorganic metal oxide film.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
183 words
A light transmitting system for a vehicle comprising: a light transmitting element having a controllable variable level of light attenuation; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting element, wherein said transmitting element has a range of attenuation values and wherein said first input device is adapted to causing said control to establish said first level from a second range of attenuation values that is more narrow than said range of attenuation of said transmitting element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting element that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting element to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
183 words
A light transmitting system for a vehicle comprising: a light transmitting element having a controllable variable level of light attenuation; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting element; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting element, wherein said transmitting element has a range of attenuation values and wherein said first input device is adapted to causing said control to establish said first level from a second range of attenuation values that is more narrow than said range of attenuation of said transmitting element; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting element that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting element to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light transmitting system in claim 68 wherein said first input device is an ambient light sensor.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
47 words
The light transmitting system in claim 68 wherein said control includes memory means for storing at least one value of said first level of attenuation, whereby said value of said first level of alleviation can be retrieved upon power being removed from and restored to said system.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system in claim 68 wherein said light transmitting element is a rearview mirror.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system in claim 71 wherein said first input device is an ambient light sensor and wherein said control establishes a level of attenuation of said transmitting element that decreases for increasing levels of ambient light.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in claim 72 wherein said ambient light sensor is located at an interior portion of said vehicle.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system in claim 73 wherein said rearview mirror is located at an exterior portion of said vehicle.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
166 words
A light transmitting system for a vehicle comprising: a light transmitting window having a controllable variable level of light attenuation; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting window; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting window, said first input device being an ambient light sensor and wherein said control establishes a level of attenuation of said transmitting window that increases for increasing levels of ambient light; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting window that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting window to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
166 words
A light transmitting system for a vehicle comprising: a light transmitting window having a controllable variable level of light attenuation; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting window; a first input device for said control that is adapted to causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting window, said first input device being an ambient light sensor and wherein said control establishes a level of attenuation of said transmitting window that increases for increasing levels of ambient light; a second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting window that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting window to said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in claim 75 wherein said ambient light sensor is located at an interior portion of said vehicle.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
169 words
A light transmitting system for a vehicle comprising: a light transmitting element having a controllable level of light attenuation that is variable over a given range of values; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting element; a user operable first input device for said control that is manually manipulable for causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting element from a continuously variable range of attenuation values within and narrower than said given range of values; a user operable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting element that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting element too said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
169 words
A light transmitting system for a vehicle comprising: a light transmitting element having a controllable level of light attenuation that is variable over a given range of values; a control that is adapted to establishing the level of attenuation of said transmitting element; a user operable first input device for said control that is manually manipulable for causing said control to establish a first level of attenuation of said transmitting element from a continuously variable range of attenuation values within and narrower than said given range of values; a user operable second input device for said control that is selectively actuatable by a user in order to cause said control to establish a second level of attenuation of said transmitting element that has a predetermined relationship to said first level, wherein actuation of said second input device selectively overrides said first input device when actuated; and wherein said control returns the level of attenuation of said transmitting element too said first level upon deactuation of said second input device.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light transmitting system in claim 77 wherein said element is a rearview mirror.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light transmitting system in claim 77 wherein said element is a window.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-15 | 1996-03-16 | 1996-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-15 | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-15 | 2004-03-16 | 2004-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |