US5223814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor for vehicle accessories
Assignee: Gentex Corp
•
Filing: 1991-11-14
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2011-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle accessory includes a reflective element for reflecting light to a photo-sensor positioned within the accessory's housing for controllably detecting an ambient light level. The vehicle accessory may also include a display source for generating vehicle information which is positioned in the housing to utilize the reflective element to also reflect an image from the display source to a driver of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Suman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; B60R1/1207; B60R2001/1215; B60R2001/1223; B60R2001/123; B60R2001/1284; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00896; G07C2009/00928; G08; G08C; G08C2201/00; G08C2201/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a housing; a rearview mirror supported by said housing; means for sensing light supported by said housing; and a reflective element supported on said housing, wherein said reflective element is supported on said housing at a position adjacent said means for sensing light such that light incident upon said reflective element is reflected to said light sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a housing; a rearview mirror supported by said housing; means for sensing light supported by said housing; and a reflective element supported on said housing, wherein said reflective element is supported on said housing at a position adjacent said means for sensing light such that light incident upon said reflective element is reflected to said light sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, further including a display source supported by said housing, said reflective element positioned on said housing to reflect an image generated by said display source to a driver of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 2, and further including a switch with a highly reflective surface mounted on said reflective element, said highly reflective surface positioned to reflect light to said light sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reflective element includes a reflector positioned adjacent said means for sensing light, wherein said reflective element has a reflective surface with a first degree of reflectivity over most of its surface area and said reflector has a second degree of reflectivity, said second degree of reflectivity being greater than said first degree of reflectivity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 2, further including a circuit board supported within said housing, and wherein said display source and said means for sensing light are mounted on said circuit board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said display source is supported in said housing substantially orthogonally to said rearview mirror, and said reflective element is at an angle of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees with respect to a surface of said display source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said reflective element includes a black plastic element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 7, further including a highly reflective applique' positioned on said black plastic element adjacent said means for sensing light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said reflective element is supported on said housing below said rearview mirror.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
A vehicle rearview mirror assembly, comprising: a rearview mirror housing; a rearview mirror supported on said rearview mirror housing; means for adjusting the amount of light reflected by said mirror to a driver of said vehicle; means for sensing an ambient light level supported on said housing, said means for sensing generating an output signal, wherein said means for adjusting the light reflected from said mirror to said driver is coupled to said sensing means and is responsive to said output signal of said sensing means; and reflecting means supported by said housing to reflect light to said sensing means which responds thereto for generating said output signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A vehicle rearview mirror assembly, comprising: a rearview mirror housing; a rearview mirror supported on said rearview mirror housing; means for adjusting the amount of light reflected by said mirror to a driver of said vehicle; means for sensing an ambient light level supported on said housing, said means for sensing generating an output signal, wherein said means for adjusting the light reflected from said mirror to said driver is coupled to said sensing means and is responsive to said output signal of said sensing means; and reflecting means supported by said housing to reflect light to said sensing means which responds thereto for generating said output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A rearview mirror as defined in claim 10 and further including a display source supported on said rearview mirror housing for generating an image of vehicle information for display to a vehicle operator, and wherein said reflecting means is supported on said housing to reflect said image generated by said display source such that said image is visible to the vehicle operator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rearview mirror as defined in claim 11 wherein said reflecting means has a greater degree of reflectivity adjacent said photo-sensor than adjacent said display source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rearview mirror as defined in claim 11 further including a circuit board supported in said rearview mirror housing, said circuit board mounted generally parallel to said mirror.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rearview mirror as defined in claim 13 wherein said display source is supported on said circuit board substantially orthogonally to said mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rearview mirror as defined in claim 14 wherein the reflective surface of said reflecting means and the display source form an angle of approximately forty-five degrees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rearview mirror as defined in claim 15 wherein said reflecting means includes a highly reflective applique' positioned on a reflective element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
84 words
A vehicle accessory, comprising: an accessory housing defining an interior space and having an opening at one edge thereof; sensor means supported by said housing within said interior space for detecting light and generating an output signal dependent upon said detected light; and reflecting means mounted on said housing adjacent said opening to reflect light from outside said housing onto said sensor means within said housing such that said sensor means generates said output signal dependent upon detected ambient light from outside said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
A vehicle accessory, comprising: an accessory housing defining an interior space and having an opening at one edge thereof; sensor means supported by said housing within said interior space for detecting light and generating an output signal dependent upon said detected light; and reflecting means mounted on said housing adjacent said opening to reflect light from outside said housing onto said sensor means within said housing such that said sensor means generates said output signal dependent upon detected ambient light from outside said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A vehicle accessory as defined in claim 17 further including a display source adapted to generate an image of vehicle information, and wherein said reflecting means is positioned adjacent said display source to reflect an image generated by said display source to the driver of the vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle accessory as defined in claim 18 wherein said reflecting means light has a greater degree of reflectivity adjacent said sensor means than adjacent said display source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle accessory as defined in claim 17 wherein said reflecting means includes a polished metal applique'.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle accessory as defined in claim 17 wherein said reflecting means is supported on said housing at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to a light responsive surface of said sensor means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle accessory as defined in claim 17 further including a switch supported on said housing, said reflecting means being affixed to said switch.
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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) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |