US5434407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic rearview mirror incorporating light pipe
Assignee: Gentex Corp
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Filing: 1993-08-23
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Granted: 1995-07-18
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Expires: 2013-08-23
Abstract
Abstract An improved automatic rearview mirror for automotive vehicles, the mirror incorporating a light pipe effective to direct light from a convenient location to a conveniently placed light sensor and effective to optimize the performance and economy of the mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick T. Bauer
- 👤 Jon H. Bechtel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including light sensing means effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, light directing means, and means mounting said light directing means in spaced relationship with respect to said light sensing means whereby light passing through said light directing means impinges on said light sensing means, said light directing means being in the form of a light pipe, one end of said light pipe defining a curvilinear lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including light sensing means effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, light directing means, and means mounting said light directing means in spaced relationship with respect to said light sensing means whereby light passing through said light directing means impinges on said light sensing means, said light directing means being in the form of a light pipe, one end of said light pipe defining a curvilinear lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a curvilinear lens, means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a curvilinear lens, means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a concave lens, means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a concave lens, means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a convex lens means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a convex lens means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a Fresnel lens, means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an automatic rearview mirror system for automotive vehicles, the combination including a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal, light sensing means effective to sense light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the sensed light level, a light pipe, said light pipe having the capability of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a Fresnel lens, means mounting said light pipe adjacent said light sensing means whereby light emanating from said other end of said light pipe impinges upon said light sensing means, and means operable to change the reflectivity of said reflectance member as a function of an electrical signal generated by said light sensing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a curvilinear lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a curvilinear lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a concave lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a concave lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a convex lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a convex lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a Fresnel lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a light sensing device, the combination including a housing having a front wall and defining a chamber, said front wall defining an opening communicating with said chamber, a base disposed within said chamber, light sensing means mounted on such base and effective to detect light and generate a corresponding electrical signal indicative of the light level, a light pipe, said light pipe being mounted in said chamber and extending between said opening in said front wall and said base, said light pipe being capable of internally reflecting light impinging on one end thereof to the other end thereof, said one end of said light pipe defining a Fresnel lens, said other end of said light pipe being disposed in confronting relationship with respect to said light sensing means.
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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) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |