US6515378B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle rearview mirror system
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Eletronics Naas Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-08-28
•
Granted: 2003-02-04
•
Expires: 2021-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly, at least one control and, preferably, at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes an exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity. The at least one control at least controls a reflectivity level of the interior electro-optic reflective element, preferably in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal. The at least one control may further control a reflectivity level of the exterior electro-optic reflective element via a bus system of the vehicle. The control or controls may communicate and/or control an accessory of the vehicle via the bus system of the vehicle. The controls may comprise a control node of a vehicle control network.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Drummond
- 👤 Hassel J. Savard
- 👤 Kenneth Schofield
- 👤 Sean J. Fletcher
- 👤 Kenneth L. Schierbeek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; B60R1/12; B60R2001/1284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 87
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly including at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element, said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; and a control, said control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal, said control determining a reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element via a bus system of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly including at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element, said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; and a control, said control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal, said control determining a reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element via a bus system of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein said bus system comprises a controller area network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one exterior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 3 , wherein said control is operable to control the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element and to determine the reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element via said bus system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly is varied under software control according to a selected value of at least one parameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 5 , wherein said control is operable to control the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal comprises a digital pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal is smoothed to provide a substantially constant voltage signal which is applied to said interior electro-optic reflective element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 including an interior lamp of the vehicle, said control being further operable to control a brightness level of said interior lamp in accordance with a duty cycle of a second pulse width modulated signal generated by said control.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal is modulated to have an on/off duty cycle between 0 and 100 percent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 10 further including a capacitor operable to smooth pulse width modulated signals having a duty cycle less than 100 percent to a substantially constant voltage in proportion to said duty cycle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 11 , wherein said substantially constant voltage is between approximately 0 and 1.4 volts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein said control is adapted to connect to a vehicle control network which is operable to control a plurality of accessories of the vehicle, said control encompassing a node of said vehicle control network, said control being operable to at least one of receive signals from and transmit signals to at least one of said accessories via said vehicle control network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 13 , wherein said vehicle control network comprises a controller area network and wherein said vehicle control network node comprises a controller area network control node.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 1 , wherein said control is positioned within a housing of an interior rearview mirror assembly and is further adapted to connect to a second control located exterior to the mirror housing, said control in the mirror housing and the second control being in master/slave relationship.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly having a rearview mirror housing and an interior electro-optic reflective element having a variable reflectivity; a first microcontroller mounted in said interior rearview mirror assembly for controlling the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having its reflectivity controlled in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal provided by said first microcontroller; a second microcontroller mounted in the vehicle outside said interior rearview mirror assembly and connected to said first microcontroller; and at least one accessory of the vehicle, at least one of said first and second microcontrollers encompassing a vehicle control network node of a vehicle control network and being operable to control said at least one accessory via said vehicle control network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
134 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly having a rearview mirror housing and an interior electro-optic reflective element having a variable reflectivity; a first microcontroller mounted in said interior rearview mirror assembly for controlling the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having its reflectivity controlled in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal provided by said first microcontroller; a second microcontroller mounted in the vehicle outside said interior rearview mirror assembly and connected to said first microcontroller; and at least one accessory of the vehicle, at least one of said first and second microcontrollers encompassing a vehicle control network node of a vehicle control network and being operable to control said at least one accessory via said vehicle control network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 16 , wherein said at least one accessory comprises an exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 17 , wherein said first microcontroller is connected to at least one of said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements via a bus system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 18 , wherein said first microcontroller controls the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 16 , wherein said first microcontroller controls the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 16 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal is smoothed to provide a substantially constant voltage signal which is applied to said interior electro-optic reflective element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 16 , wherein the vehicle includes a roof housing positioned on an interior roof of the vehicle, said second microcontroller being mounted in the roof housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 22 , wherein the roof housing contains at least one vehicle interior lamp and said second microcontroller controls the operation of the lamp.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 23 , wherein the vehicle interior lamp is turned on by said second microcontroller upon opening of a vehicle door, and wherein the power dissipated by the lamp upon said turning on is gradually increased from zero to a maximum which is a function of the vehicle battery voltage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 24 , wherein the power dissipated by the lamp is controlled in accordance with a duty cycle of a second pulse width modulated signal generated by said second microcontroller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
118 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; an exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior electro-optic reflective element, said exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; and a control, said control at least controlling a reflectivity level of at least one of said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements in accordance with a duty cycle of at least one pulse width modulated signal generated by an output circuit of said control, said control determining the reflectivity of the other of said at least one of said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements via a bus system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; an exterior rearview mirror assembly having an exterior electro-optic reflective element, said exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; and a control, said control at least controlling a reflectivity level of at least one of said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements in accordance with a duty cycle of at least one pulse width modulated signal generated by an output circuit of said control, said control determining the reflectivity of the other of said at least one of said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements via a bus system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 26 , wherein the reflectivity of said at least one of said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements is varied under software control according to a selected value of at least one parameter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 27 , wherein said control is operable to control the reflectivity of said at least one of said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 28 , wherein said interior and exterior electro-optic reflective elements comprise electrochromic reflective elements and wherein said pulse width modulated signal comprises a digital pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 29 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal is smoothed to provide a substantially constant voltage signal which is applied to said at least one of said interior and exterior electrochromic reflective elements.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 26 , wherein said control is further operable to communicate with at least one accessory of the vehicle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
52 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 31 , wherein said at least one accessory comprises a lamp of the vehicle, said control controlling a brightness level of said lamp in accordance with a duty cycle of another one of said at least one pulse width modulated signal generated by said control.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 32 , wherein said lamp comprises an interior rearview mirror lamp positioned at said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 26 , wherein said control is adapted to connect to a vehicle control network which is operable to control at least one accessory of the vehicle, said control encompassing a control node of said vehicle control network.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 34 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned at said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 34 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned remote from said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 34 , wherein said control is operable to communicate with said at least one accessory via said vehicle control network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
94 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 34 , wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a remote keyless entry accessory, a vehicle sun roof accessory, an alarm accessory, at least one illumination device, a seat belt warning device, a battery level indicator, a vehicle tire indicator, a blind spot warning system, a global positioning system, a safety warning system, a rain sensor, a vehicle compass, a temperature sensor, a garage door opening system, an occupancy detection system, an intrusion detection system, a telephone system, and an emergency rescue system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
111 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly including an exterior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly including at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element, said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; and a control, said control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal, said control being operable to communicate with at least one accessory of the vehicle via a bus system of the vehicle.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
111 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly including an exterior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly including at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element, said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; and a control, said control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal, said control being operable to communicate with at least one accessory of the vehicle via a bus system of the vehicle.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
94 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a remote keyless entry accessory, a vehicle sun roof accessory, an alarm accessory, at least one illumination device, a seat belt warning device, a battery level indicator, a vehicle tire indicator, a blind spot warning system, a global positioning system, a safety warning system, a rain sensor, a vehicle compass, a temperature sensor, a garage door opening system, an occupancy detection system, an intrusion detection system, a telephone system, and an emergency rescue system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein said bus system comprises a controller area network.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein said at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one exterior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein said control is operable to control the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element and to determine the reflectivity of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element via said bus system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly is varied under software control according to a selected value of at least one parameter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 44 , wherein said control is operable to control the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal comprises a digital pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal is smoothed to provide a substantially constant voltage signal which is applied to said interior electro-optic reflective element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 including an interior lamp of the vehicle, said control being further operable to control a brightness level of said interior lamp in accordance with a duty cycle of a second pulse width modulated signal generated by said control.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 39 , wherein said control is adapted to connect to a vehicle control network which is operable to control said at least one accessory of the vehicle, said control encompassing a control node of said vehicle control network.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 49 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned at said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 49 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned remote from said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 49 , wherein said control is operable to communicate with said at least one accessory via said vehicle control network.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
131 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly including at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element, said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; a first control, said first control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element; a second control, said second control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element; and wherein said first control determines a reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element by communication with said second control via a bus system of the vehicle.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
131 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optic reflective element, said interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly including at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element, said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity; a first control, said first control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element; a second control, said second control at least controlling a reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element; and wherein said first control determines a reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element by communication with said second control via a bus system of the vehicle.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 , wherein said bus system comprises a controller area network.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 , wherein said at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one exterior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 , wherein the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element is varied under software control according to a selected value of at least one parameter.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 56 , wherein said first control is operable to control the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 57 , wherein said second control is operable to control the reflectivity of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 , wherein said first control controls the reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal generated by said first control.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 , wherein said second control controls the reflectivity level of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal generated by said second control.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
65 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 , wherein at least one of said first and second controls controls the reflectivity level of at least one of said interior and at least one exterior electro-optic reflective elements, respectively, in accordance with a duty cycle of at least one pulse width modulated signal generated by said at least one of said first and second controls.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 61 , wherein said at least one pulse width modulated signal comprises at least one digital pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 61 , wherein said at least one pulse width modulated signal is smoothed to provide a substantially constant voltage signal which is applied to said at least one of said interior and at least one exterior electro-optic reflective elements.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 including an interior lamp of the vehicle, one of said first and second controls being further operable to control a brightness level of said interior lamp in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal generated by said one of said first and second controls.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 53 , wherein said first and second controls are adapted to connect to a vehicle control network which is operable to control at least one accessory of the vehicle, at least one of said first and second controls encompassing at least one control node of said vehicle control network.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 65 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned at said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 65 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned remote from said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
94 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 65 , wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a remote keyless entry accessory, a vehicle sun roof accessory, an alarm accessory, at least one illumination device, a seat belt warning device, a battery level indicator, a vehicle tire indicator, a blind spot warning system, a global positioning system, a safety warning system, a rain sensor, a vehicle compass, a temperature sensor, a garage door opening system, an occupancy detection system, an intrusion detection system, a telephone system, and an emergency rescue system.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
185 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly having a rearview mirror housing and an interior electro-optic reflective element having a variable reflectivity; a first control mounted in said interior rearview mirror assembly for controlling the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic element; a second control mounted in the vehicle outside said interior rearview mirror assembly and connected to said first control via a vehicle bus system; and at least one accessory of the vehicle, at least one of said first and second controls being operable to control said at least one accessory via said vehicle bus system, wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a remote keyless entry accessory, a vehicle sun roof accessory, an alarm accessory, at least one illumination device, a seat belt warning device, a battery level indicator, a vehicle tire indicator, a blind spot warning system, a global positioning system, a safety warning system, a rain sensor, a vehicle compass, a temperature sensor, a garage door opening system, an occupancy detection system, an intrusion detection system, a telephone system, and an emergency rescue system.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
185 words
A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly having a rearview mirror housing and an interior electro-optic reflective element having a variable reflectivity; a first control mounted in said interior rearview mirror assembly for controlling the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic element; a second control mounted in the vehicle outside said interior rearview mirror assembly and connected to said first control via a vehicle bus system; and at least one accessory of the vehicle, at least one of said first and second controls being operable to control said at least one accessory via said vehicle bus system, wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a remote keyless entry accessory, a vehicle sun roof accessory, an alarm accessory, at least one illumination device, a seat belt warning device, a battery level indicator, a vehicle tire indicator, a blind spot warning system, a global positioning system, a safety warning system, a rain sensor, a vehicle compass, a temperature sensor, a garage door opening system, an occupancy detection system, an intrusion detection system, a telephone system, and an emergency rescue system.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 69 , wherein said bus system comprises a controller area network.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 69 including at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly having at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element, said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity, one of said first and second controls controlling the reflectivity of said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 71 , wherein said one of said first and second controls controlling said at least one exterior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal provided by said one of said first and second controls.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 69 , wherein the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element is varied under software control according to a selected value of at least one parameter.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 73 , wherein said first control is operable to control the reflectivity of said interior electro-optic reflective element according to the state of at least one ambient light sensor.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 69 , wherein said first control controls the reflectivity level of said interior electro-optic reflective element in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal generated by said first control.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 75 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal comprises at least one digital pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 75 , wherein said pulse width modulated signal is smoothed to provide a substantially constant voltage signal which is applied to said interior electro-optic reflective element.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 69 including an interior lamp of the vehicle, one of said first and second controls being further operable to control a brightness level of said interior lamp in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal generated by said one of said first and second controls.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 78 , wherein said interior lamp comprises an interior rearview mirror lamp positioned at said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 69 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned at said interior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle rearview mirror system of claim 69 , wherein said at least one accessory is positioned remote from said interior rearview mirror assembly.
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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) | 2006-02-03 | 2006-08-05 | 2007-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-03 | 2010-08-05 | 2011-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-03 | 2014-08-05 | 2015-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |