US5715093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic rearview mirror system with automatic headlight activation
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 1996-12-17
•
Granted: 1998-02-03
•
Expires: 2016-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle automatic rearview mirror system with headlight activation control for establishing a reflectivity level of an electrochromic rearview mirror element and for controlling the activated state of a vehicle's headlights includes two light sensors, an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit that is responsive to light to which the two light sensors are exposed for establishing a partial reflectivity level for the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element, and a headlight activation control that is responsive to light to which the two light sensors are exposed for activating the vehicle's headlights under low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights under high light conditions. The two light sensors are preferably directionally sensitive and aimed in different directions, one aimed forward of the vehicle and the other aimed rearward of the vehicle. The headlights are preferably activated as a function of the lowest light level to which either of the light sensors is exposed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth L. Schierbeek
- 👤 Niall R. Lynam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415; B60Q1/1423; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/20; B60Q2300/21; B60Q2300/30; B60Q2300/31; B60Q2300/314; B60Q2400/00; B60Q2400/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A vehicle automatic rearview mirror system with headlight activation control for establishing a reflectivity level of an electrochromic rearview mirror element and for activating a vehicle's headlights at low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at high light conditions, comprising: two light sensors; an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit and a headlight activation control circuit which commonly respond to both said light sensors; said electrochromic mirror element drive circuit being responsive to light to which both said light sensors are exposed for establishing a partial reflectivity level for the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element; and said headlight activation control being responsive to light to which both said light sensors are exposed for activating the vehicle's headlights under low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights under high light conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vehicle automatic rearview mirror system with headlight activation control for establishing a reflectivity level of an electrochromic rearview mirror element and for activating a vehicle's headlights at low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at high light conditions, comprising: two light sensors; an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit and a headlight activation control circuit which commonly respond to both said light sensors; said electrochromic mirror element drive circuit being responsive to light to which both said light sensors are exposed for establishing a partial reflectivity level for the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element; and said headlight activation control being responsive to light to which both said light sensors are exposed for activating the vehicle's headlights under low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights under high light conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system in claim 1 wherein said light sensors are directionally sensitive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system in claim 2 wherein said light sensors are aimed in different directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system in claim 3 wherein said light sensors are aimed in a substantially horizontal direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system in claim 4 wherein one of said light sensors is aimed substantially forwardly of said vehicle and the other one of said light sensors is aimed substantially rearwardly of said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system in claim 1 wherein said headlight activation control activates the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level to which either of the light sensors is exposed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system in claim 1 wherein said light sensors, drive circuit and said control are commonly housed with a rearview mirror in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system in claim 7 wherein said rearview mirror is an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity level and wherein said light sensors are commonly used to establish a reflectivity level for said mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in claim 1 wherein said deactivating the vehicle's headlights includes deactivating to a daytime running light condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A vehicle automatic rearview mirror system with headlight activation control for establishing a reflectivity level of an electrochromic rearview mirror element and for activating a vehicle's headlights at low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at high light conditions, comprising: two light sensors; an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for establishing a partial reflectivity level for the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element; and a headlight activation control that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating the vehicle's headlights under low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights under high light conditions; wherein said light sensors are electrically serially connected in a voltage divider.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A vehicle automatic rearview mirror system with headlight activation control for establishing a reflectivity level of an electrochromic rearview mirror element and for activating a vehicle's headlights at low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at high light conditions, comprising: two light sensors; an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for establishing a partial reflectivity level for the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element; and a headlight activation control that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating the vehicle's headlights under low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights under high light conditions; wherein said light sensors are electrically serially connected in a voltage divider.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system in claim 10 wherein said drive circuit is responsive to the voltage between said light sensors for establishing the reflectivity level of the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system in claim 10 wherein said control is responsive to the current level in said voltage divider for activating the vehicle's headlights.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system in claim 10 including a resistor serially connected with said light sensors in said voltage divider and wherein said control is responsive to the voltage across said resistor for activating the vehicle's headlights.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
A vehicle automatic rearview mirror system with headlight activation control for establishing a reflectivity level of an electrochromic rearview mirror element and for activating a vehicle's headlights at low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at high light conditions, comprising: two light sensors; an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for establishing a partial reflectivity level for the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element; and a headlight activation control that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating the vehicle's headlights under low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights under high light conditions; wherein said headlight activation control includes a polling circuit that samples an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors and holds said electrical parameter of the one of said light sensors exposed to the lowest light level, for activating the vehicle's headlights.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
153 words
A vehicle automatic rearview mirror system with headlight activation control for establishing a reflectivity level of an electrochromic rearview mirror element and for activating a vehicle's headlights at low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at high light conditions, comprising: two light sensors; an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for establishing a partial reflectivity level for the vehicle's electrochromic rearview mirror element; and a headlight activation control that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating the vehicle's headlights under low light conditions and deactivating the vehicle's headlights under high light conditions; wherein said headlight activation control includes a polling circuit that samples an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors and holds said electrical parameter of the one of said light sensors exposed to the lowest light level, for activating the vehicle's headlights.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
172 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit, including an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit and a headlight activation control circuit which commonly responds to light to which both said light sensors are exposed, said headlight activation control circuit activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light sensed between said sensors is exposed, said electrochromic mirror element drive circuit establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said both light sensors are exposed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit, including an electrochromic mirror element drive circuit and a headlight activation control circuit which commonly responds to light to which both said light sensors are exposed, said headlight activation control circuit activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light sensed between said sensors is exposed, said electrochromic mirror element drive circuit establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said both light sensors are exposed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combined system in claim 15 wherein said light sensors are directionally sensitive.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combined system in claim 16 wherein said light sensors are aimed in different directions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combined system in claim 17 wherein said light sensors are aimed in a substantially horizontal direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combined system in claim 18 wherein one of said light sensors is aimed substantially forwardly of said vehicle and the other one of said light sensors is aimed substantially rearwardly of said vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combined system in claim 15 wherein said light sensors, said control circuit and said mirror element are commonly housed in a rearview mirror housing in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
199 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light to which either of said sensors is exposed and for establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said light sensors are exposed; wherein said light sensors are electrically serially connected in a voltage divider and said control circuit is responsive to the current level in said voltage divider for activating said headlights and is responsive to the voltage between said light sensors for establishing the reflectivity level of said element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
199 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light to which either of said sensors is exposed and for establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said light sensors are exposed; wherein said light sensors are electrically serially connected in a voltage divider and said control circuit is responsive to the current level in said voltage divider for activating said headlights and is responsive to the voltage between said light sensors for establishing the reflectivity level of said element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combined system in claim 21 including a resistor serially connected with said light sensors in said voltage divider and a junction between said light sensors and wherein said control is responsive to the voltage across said resistor for activating said headlights and is responsive to the voltage at said junction for establishing the reflectivity level of said element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
191 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light to which either of said sensors is exposed and for establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said light sensors are exposed; wherein said control includes a polling circuit that samples an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors and holds said electrical parameter of the one of said light sensors exposed to the lowest light level, for activating said headlights.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
191 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light to which either of said sensors is exposed and for establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said light sensors are exposed; wherein said control includes a polling circuit that samples an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors and holds said electrical parameter of the one of said light sensors exposed to the lowest light level, for activating said headlights.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light to which either of said sensors is exposed and for establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said light sensors are exposed: wherein said deactivating the vehicle's headlights includes deactivating to a daytime running light condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combined automatic rearview mirror system that varies the level of light reflected by an electrochromic rearview mirror to the driver of the vehicle as a function of light levels in the vicinity of said driver and an automatic headlight activation system for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level; two light sensors; and a control circuit that is responsive to light to which said light sensors are exposed for activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest level of light to which either of said sensors is exposed and for establishing a reflectivity level of said mirror element as a function of the relationship of the levels of light to which said light sensors are exposed: wherein said deactivating the vehicle's headlights includes deactivating to a daytime running light condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle 's headlights at dawn, including: providing two light sensors; sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions with said two light sensors; and responding to the light sensed by both said two light sensors and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed between said two light sensors and establishing the reflectivity level of said electrochromic mirror element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed by both of said light sensors.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle 's headlights at dawn, including: providing two light sensors; sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions with said two light sensors; and responding to the light sensed by both said two light sensors and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed between said two light sensors and establishing the reflectivity level of said electrochromic mirror element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed by both of said light sensors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said sensing of light levels includes responding to an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method in claim 26 wherein said light sensors are aimed in different directions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said light sensors are aimed in substantially horizontal directions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said providing includes aiming one of said light sensors substantially forwardly of said vehicle and the other one of said light sensors substantially rearwardly of said vehicle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, including: sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions including providing a pair of light sensors and responding to an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors; and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed in said two directions and establishing the reflectivity level of said element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed in said two directions; wherein said light sensors are electrically serially connected in a voltage divider and wherein said activating said headlights includes responding to the current level in said voltage divider and wherein said establishing the reflectivity level of said element includes responding to the voltage between said light sensors.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, including: sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions including providing a pair of light sensors and responding to an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors; and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed in said two directions and establishing the reflectivity level of said element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed in said two directions; wherein said light sensors are electrically serially connected in a voltage divider and wherein said activating said headlights includes responding to the current level in said voltage divider and wherein said establishing the reflectivity level of said element includes responding to the voltage between said light sensors.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 30 including providing a junction between said light sensors and a resistor that is electrically serially connected with said light sensors, and responding to the voltage across said resistor to activate said headlights and the voltage at said junction to establish the reflectivity level of said element.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, including: sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions including providing a pair of light sensors and responding to an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors; and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed in said two directions and establishing the reflectivity level of said element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed in said two directions; polling said light sensors by sampling an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors and responding to said electrical parameter of the one of said light sensors exposed to the lowest light level to activate said headlights and responding to the relationship between said electrical parameter of each of said light sensors to establish the reflectivity level of said element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, including: sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions including providing a pair of light sensors and responding to an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors; and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed in said two directions and establishing the reflectivity level of said element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed in said two directions; polling said light sensors by sampling an electrical parameter of each of said light sensors and responding to said electrical parameter of the one of said light sensors exposed to the lowest light level to activate said headlights and responding to the relationship between said electrical parameter of each of said light sensors to establish the reflectivity level of said element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, including: sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions; and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed in said two directions and establishing the reflectivity level of said element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed in said two directions; wherein said deactivating the vehicle's headlights includes deactivating to a daytime running light condition.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a vehicle having headlights and a rearview mirror including an electrochromic mirror element having a continuously variable reflectivity that responds to an electrical signal by coloring to a partial reflectance level, a method of establishing the reflectivity level of the mirror as a function of light levels in the vicinity of the driver and for activating the vehicle's headlights at dusk and deactivating the vehicle's headlights at dawn, including: sensing light levels from said vehicle in two directions; and activating and deactivating the vehicle's headlights as a function of the lowest light level sensed in said two directions and establishing the reflectivity level of said element as a function of the relationship of the light levels sensed in said two directions; wherein said deactivating the vehicle's headlights includes deactivating to a daytime running light condition.
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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) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-08-04 | 2002-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | 2006-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-02 | 2009-08-04 | 2010-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |