US6406152B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital electrochromic mirror system
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 2001-10-09
•
Granted: 2002-06-18
•
Expires: 2021-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and at least one exterior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly. Each mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element that assumes a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto. A drive circuit applies a drive signal to each of the electrochromic reflective elements. The drive circuit may include a digital controller, a master drive circuit responsive to the digital controller to apply a first drive signal to one of the electrochromic reflective elements and a slave drive circuit responsive to the digital controller to apply a second drive signal to a second of the electrochromic reflective elements. The second drive signal may be derived from the first drive signal. The drive circuit may include a digital controller and a switching power supply controlled by the digital controller to produce a drive signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric J. Hoekstra
- 👤 Kenneth L. Schierbeek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 98
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said at least one accessory shares at least one of: A) a component with said control circuit and B) circuitry with said control circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said at least one accessory shares at least one of: A) a component with said control circuit and B) circuitry with said control circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said control circuit includes a first binary switching device for applying a source to the electrochromic cell and a second binary switching device for draining charge from the electrochromic cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 2 wherein said control circuit comprises a switching power supply.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 3 wherein said switching power supply comprises a buck converter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 2 wherein said first and second binary switching devices are operated in saturated modes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 10 cycles per second.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 6 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 20 cycles per second.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 7 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 25 cycles per second.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said information display displays vehicle heading.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 9 including a magneto-inductive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 9 including a flux gate vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 9 including a magneto-resistive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 9 including a magneto-capacitive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said information display displays outdoor temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 14 wherein said information display also displays vehicle heading.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said display is positioned behind said reflective element and viewed through said reflective element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 16 wherein said control controls said intensity of said display as a function of reflectance level of said reflective element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 including a housing for said reflective element wherein said display is positioned at said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 including a plurality of sensitivity settings for said microcomputer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 19 wherein said digital controller includes memory and wherein said sensitivity settings are stored with said memory.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display in response to an output of said ambient light sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said control circuit is connected with a vehicle network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 22 wherein said digital controller comprises a node of said vehicle network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 22 wherein said vehicle network is chosen from one of a CAN and a LAN.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 22 wherein said control circuit uses multiplexing on said vehicle network.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
207 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element and a housing for said reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said display is at least one of: A) positioned behind said reflective element and viewed through said reflective element, and B) positioned on a portion of said housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
207 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element and a housing for said reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said display is at least one of: A) positioned behind said reflective element and viewed through said reflective element, and B) positioned on a portion of said housing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 wherein said control circuit includes a first binary switching device for applying a source to the electrochromic cell and a second binary switching device for draining charge from the electrochromic cell.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 27 wherein said control circuit comprises a switching power supply.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 28 wherein said switching power supply comprises a buck converter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 27 wherein said first and second binary switching devices are operated in saturated modes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 10 cycles per second.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 31 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 20 cycles per second.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 32 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 25 cycles per second.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 wherein said information display displays vehicle heading.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 34 including a magneto-inductive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 34 including a flux gate vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 34 including a magneto-resistive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 34 including a magneto-capacitive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 wherein said information display displays outdoor temperature.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 39 wherein said information display also displays vehicle heading.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
42 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 wherein said display is positioned behind said reflective element and viewed through said reflective element and wherein said control controls said intensity of said display as a function of reflectance level of said reflective element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 including a plurality of sensitivity settings for said microcomputer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 42 wherein said digital controller includes memory and wherein said sensitivity settings are stored with said memory.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 wherein said microcomputer of said digital controller controls the intensity of said display in response to an output of said ambient light sensor.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 26 wherein said control circuit is connected with a vehicle network.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 45 wherein said digital controller comprises a node of said vehicle network.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 45 wherein said vehicle network is chosen from one of a CAN and a LAN.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 45 wherein said control circuit uses multiplexing on said vehicle network.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
178 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said information display displays vehicle heading.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
178 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said information display displays vehicle heading.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said control circuit includes a first binary switching device for applying a source to the electrochromic cell and a second binary switching device for draining charge from the electrochromic cell.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 50 wherein said control circuit comprises a switching power supply.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 51 wherein said switching power supply comprises a buck converter.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 50 wherein said first and second binary switching devices are operated in saturated modes.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 10 cycles per second.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 54 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 20 cycles per second.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 55 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 25 cycles per second.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 including a magneto-inductive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 including a flux gate vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 including a magneto-resistive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 including a magneto-capacitive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said information display also displays outdoor temperature.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said display is positioned behind said reflective element and viewed through said reflective element.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 62 wherein said control controls said intensity of said display as a function of reflectance level of said reflective element.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 including a housing for said reflective element wherein said display is positioned at said housing.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 including a plurality of sensitivity settings for said microcomputer.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 65 wherein said digital controller includes memory and wherein said sensitivity settings are stored with said memory.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said microcomputer of said digital controller controls the intensity of said display in response to an output of said ambient light sensor.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 49 wherein said control circuit is connected with a vehicle network.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 68 wherein said digital controller comprises a node of said vehicle network.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 68 wherein said vehicle network is chosen from one of a CAN and a LAN.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 68 wherein said control circuit uses multiplexing on said vehicle network.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
181 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said control circuit is connected with a vehicle network.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
181 words
A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system, comprising: an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly, said electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element, said electrochromic reflective element assuming a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto; a control circuit applying a drive signal to said electrochromic reflective element, said control circuit comprising a digital controller, said digital controller including a microcomputer; said control circuit establishing said partial reflectance level of said electrochromic mirror assembly as a function of a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation signal of said digital controller; said digital controller receiving an input from at least one light sensor responsive to ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly including an information display, said microcomputer of said digital controller controlling the intensity of said display as a function of the ambient light conditions around the vehicle; said mirror assembly further including at least one accessory selected from the group comprising a headlamp controller, a video camera, a rain sensor, a microphone and a telephone; and wherein said control circuit is connected with a vehicle network.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said control circuit includes a first binary switching device for applying a source to the electrochromic cell and a second binary switching device for draining charge from the electrochromic cell.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 73 wherein said control circuit comprises a switching power supply.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 74 wherein said switching power supply comprises a buck converter.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 73 wherein said first and second binary switching devices are operated in saturated modes.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 10 cycles per second.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 77 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 20 cycles per second.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 78 wherein said pulse-width modulation signal has a repetition rate of at least approximately 25 cycles per second.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said information display displays vehicle heading.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 80 including a magneto-inductive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
14 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 80 including a flux gate vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 80 including a magneto-resistive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 80 including a magneto-capacitive vehicle heading sensor.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said information display also displays outdoor temperature.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said display is positioned behind said reflective element and viewed through said reflective element.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 86 wherein said control controls said intensity of said display as a function of reflectance level of said reflective element.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 including a housing for said reflective element wherein said display is positioned at said housing.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 including a plurality of sensitivity settings for said microcomputer.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 89 wherein said digital controller includes memory and wherein said sensitivity settings are stored with said memory.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said microcomputer of said digital controller controls the intensity of said display in response to an output of said ambient light sensor.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said digital controller comprises a node of said vehicle network.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said vehicle network is chosen from one of a CAN and a LAN.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rearview mirror system in claim 72 wherein said control circuit uses multiplexing on said vehicle network.
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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) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-12-17 | 2006-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-17 | 2009-12-17 | 2010-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-17 | 2013-12-17 | 2014-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |