Patent US6485155B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6485155B1
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Multiplexing mirror
Assignee: SMR Automotive Systems France SA
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Filing: 2001-07-06
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Granted: 2002-11-26
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Expires: 2021-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A side view mirror including a multiplexor chip, NTC thermistor within the housing. The multiplexor controls multiple functionality from the housing and provides simplified LIN bus connection to the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Duroux
- 👤 Daniel Dumont
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/062; B60R1/07; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207; B60R2001/1215; B60R2001/1223; B60R2001/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for positioning a mirror comprising: (a) providing a mirror including a reflective surface; (b) a carrier assembly attached to said mirror surface, said carrier assembly including a motor having a shaft for adjusting an angular orientation of the mirror by said motor; (c) a signal pickup for electrically picking up a signal for each rotation of the motor shaft; (d) measuring the rotation of the shaft between a first position and a second position of the mirrors for providing a position index for positioning said reflective surface at any predetermined point between said first and second position; and (e) establishing a base point for positioning of said mirror surface by driving the motor to a stop at one of said first and second positions and thereafter actuating said motor along said position index to a predetermined position between said first and second positions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for positioning a mirror comprising: (a) providing a mirror including a reflective surface; (b) a carrier assembly attached to said mirror surface, said carrier assembly including a motor having a shaft for adjusting an angular orientation of the mirror by said motor; (c) a signal pickup for electrically picking up a signal for each rotation of the motor shaft; (d) measuring the rotation of the shaft between a first position and a second position of the mirrors for providing a position index for positioning said reflective surface at any predetermined point between said first and second position; and (e) establishing a base point for positioning of said mirror surface by driving the motor to a stop at one of said first and second positions and thereafter actuating said motor along said position index to a predetermined position between said first and second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a multiplexing chip for providing positioning of the mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said multiplexing chip stores one or several predetermined positions for said mirror surface in memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising a second motor for adjusting said mirror, wherein said motor and said second motors provide for adjustments in an x and y direction, said multiplexing chip monitoring and memorizing the rotations of the motors for determining position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising an NTC thermistor for compensating for temperature variations in the electrical signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said multiplexor also controls mirror functions selected from the group consisting of fold control, heating of the mirror surface, lighting, turn signals, alarms, intercom functions or combinations thereof and wherein said multiplexor includes a wiring harness into a vehicle consisting of three wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said wires include positive power, a negative or ground wire and a serial connection wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said serial connection wire is connected to a controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said multiplexing chip is sealed in a housing and mounted in said mirror housing.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for positioning a mirror comprising: (a) providing a mirror including a reflective surface; (b) a carrier assembly attached to said mirror surface, said carrier assembly including a first motor for adjusting the angular orientation of the mirror by said motor; (c) a signal pickup for electrically picking up a signal for each rotation of the motor shaft; (d) measuring the rotation of the shaft between a first stop position and a second stop position along either a first or second axis and averaging the result to provide a zero position index for positioning said reflective surface at any predetermined point between said first and second position; and (e) establishing a base point for positioning of said mirror surface by driving the motor to said zero position, and thereafter actuating said motor to a predetermined position between said first and second positions by advancing the motor from said zero position to said predetermined position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for positioning a mirror comprising: (a) providing a mirror including a reflective surface; (b) a carrier assembly attached to said mirror surface, said carrier assembly including a first motor for adjusting the angular orientation of the mirror by said motor; (c) a signal pickup for electrically picking up a signal for each rotation of the motor shaft; (d) measuring the rotation of the shaft between a first stop position and a second stop position along either a first or second axis and averaging the result to provide a zero position index for positioning said reflective surface at any predetermined point between said first and second position; and (e) establishing a base point for positioning of said mirror surface by driving the motor to said zero position, and thereafter actuating said motor to a predetermined position between said first and second positions by advancing the motor from said zero position to said predetermined position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a multiplexing chip for providing positioning of the mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said multiplexing chip stores one or several predetermined positions for said mirror surface in memory.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 10 wherein a second motor is provided for adjusting said mirror, said first and second motors providing for adjustments in an x and y direction, said multiplexing chip monitoring and memorizing the rotations of the motors for determining position, and wherein said zero position is established on both axes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13 wherein an NTC thermistor is used to compensate for temperature variations in the electrical signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said multiplexor also controls mirror functions selected from the group consisting of fold control, heating of the mirror surface, lighting, turn signals, alarms, intercom functions or combinations thereof and wherein said multiplexor includes a wiring harness into a vehicle consisting of three wires.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said wires include positive power, a negative or ground wire and a serial connection wire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said serial connection wire is connected to a controller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said multiplexing chip is sealed in a housing and mounted in said mirror housing.
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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) | 2005-11-25 | 2006-05-27 | 2006-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-25 | 2010-05-27 | 2010-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-25 | 2014-05-27 | 2014-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |