Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first substrate that has a first surface and a second surface. A second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface. A first electrode layer is associated with the second surface. A second electrode layer is associated with the third surface. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second electrode layers. The electro-optic medium is operable between substantially activated and substantially unactivated states based on changes to an electrical potential between the first and second electrode layers. At least one third electrode layer is disposed adjacent to one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. At least one light source operably electrically interposes the at least one third electrode layer and the one of the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer that is adjacent to the at least one third electrode layer.

Abstract: A visor assembly for an automobile includes an outer perimeter. The visor assembly further includes an electrochromic device configured to switch between a transparent state and a darkened state. The electrochromic device includes a first substrate defining a first element surface and a second element surface, a second substrate spaced away from the first substrate and defining a third element surface and a fourth element surface, and an electroactive medium positioned between the first and second substrates. The visor assembly further includes a liquid-crystal device configured to switch between a transparent state and a reflective state and a reflective polarizer positioned between the electrochromic device and the liquid-crystal device.

Abstract: A warning system for a vehicle may comprise at least one imager disposed to capture image data from a scene in a blind spot of a vehicle; a processor associated with the imager and configured to process the image data and determine whether there may be an obstruction in the blind spot; and a controller in communication with the processor. The processor may be configured to determine whether the obstruction in the blind spot may be a person and, upon a determination that the obstruction is a person, sends an appropriate input to the controller. The controller may be configured to, upon receipt of the input indicating that there may be a person in the blind spot, cause an alert to be generated.

Abstract: A display system for a vehicle includes a first camera in connection with the vehicle. The first camera outputs unprocessed image data. A second camera outputs a first processed image data. A display controller is in communication with the first camera via a conductive interface and the second camera via a wireless interface. The controller is configured to receive the unprocessed image data from the first camera and receive the first processed image data from the second camera. The controller further generates second processed image data from the unprocessed image data and selectively outputs the first processed image data and the second processed image data to a vehicle display device.

Abstract: A system for capturing and displaying images may comprise a rearview assembly having WIFI capability; and a WIFI hub removably securable to a surface, the WIFI hub comprising at least one imager capable of capturing images of a scene. The WIFI hub may be capable of transmitting image data from the captured images to the rearview assembly. The rearview assembly may be capable of displaying images from the image data from the captured images.

Abstract: A warning system for a vehicle may comprise at least one imager disposed to capture image data from a scene in a blind spot of a vehicle; a processor associated with the imager and configured to process the image data and determine whether there may be an obstruction in the blind spot; and a controller in communication with the processor. The processor may be configured to determine whether the obstruction in the blind spot may be a person and, upon a determination that the obstruction is a person, sends an appropriate input to the controller. The controller may be configured to, upon receipt of the input indicating that there may be a person in the blind spot, cause an alert to be generated.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system is configured to monitor a scanning region depicting a subject and includes a monitoring apparatus configured to capture scanning data in the scanning region depicting the subject. A feedback apparatus is configured to communicate alignment information from a portion of the vehicle to the subject. The alignment information indicates an alignment of the subject in the scanning region. A concealment apparatus is configured to conceal the scanning apparatus and selectively transmit the alignment information from the feedback apparatus. The system further includes a controller configured to activate the feedback apparatus revealing the alignment information identifying the alignment of the subject within the scanning region of the monitoring apparatus. The controller is further configured to control the scanning apparatus to capture the scanning data of the subject and monitor the subject in the scanning data.

Abstract: Systems for aiding a vehicle driver are disclosed. A system may comprise an imager having a field of view forward relative a vehicle and operable to capture a first image. The system may further comprise a controller communicatively connected to the imager. The controller may be operable to detect a road sign in the first image, to interpret the road sign, and to provide an graphic representation of the road sign and/or provide an auditory response based, at least in part on the road sign. The graphic representation may be displayed by a rear-view assembly. The auditory response may be emitted by a speaker. In some embodiments, a location may be associated with one or more road sign interpretation and both the location and interpretation may be transmitted to a remote server.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle for generating and displaying three-dimensional images may comprise a first imager having a first field of view; a second imager having a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view, the second imager disposed a distance from first imager; and an image signal processor in communication with the first and second imagers; wherein the image signal processor is configured to generate an image having a three-dimensional appearance from the data from the first and second imagers. The first and second imagers may be disposed on a vehicle. The first and second imagers may be configured to capture a scene; and the scene may be exterior to the vehicle.

Abstract: An imaging and display system for use in a vehicle pulling a trailer, the system including: a trailer camera mounted on the trailer such that the camera is oriented to receive images from a first field of view having a horizontal angle and a vertical angle where the vertical angle is greater than the horizontal angle; an image processor for creating a back-up image and a rearward image from an image captured by the camera, the back-up image corresponding to a second field of view cropped from the lowest portion of the first field of view and the rearward image corresponding to a third field of view cropped from a portion of the first field of view above the lowest portion, the third field of view having a horizontal angle and a vertical angle where the horizontal angle is greater than the vertical angle.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system is configured to monitor a scanning region depicting a subject and includes a monitoring apparatus configured to capture scanning data in the scanning region depicting the subject. A feedback apparatus is configured to communicate alignment information from a portion of the vehicle to the subject. The alignment information indicates an alignment of the subject in the scanning region. A concealment apparatus is configured to conceal the scanning apparatus and selectively transmit the alignment information from the feedback apparatus. The system further includes a controller configured to activate the feedback apparatus revealing the alignment information identifying the alignment of the subject within the scanning region of the monitoring apparatus. The controller is further configured to control the scanning apparatus to capture the scanning data of the subject and monitor the subject in the scanning data.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle may comprise a rearview assembly comprising a display element configured for providing a rearward view of a scene behind the vehicle, at least one imaging device in communication with the display element and configured to capture images from within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a printed circuit board in communication with the display element and the at least one imaging device. The display element may be configured to selectively display content received from a source external to the vehicle. The display element may be suitable for receiving inputs from a plurality of sources. At least one of the plurality of sources may be one of the internet and a cellular network.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle for generating and displaying three-dimensional images may comprise a first imager having a first field of view; a second imager having a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view, the second imager disposed a distance from first imager; and an image signal processor in communication with the first and second imagers; wherein the image signal processor is configured to generate an image having a three-dimensional appearance from the data from the first and second imagers. The first and second imagers may be disposed on a vehicle. The first and second imagers may be configured to capture a scene; and the scene may be exterior to the vehicle.

Abstract: A video recording system for a vehicle comprises a rearview mirror assembly and at least one imager. The rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing; a mirror element supported by the housing; and a processor disposed within the rearview mirror assembly. The at least one imager is capable of capturing images and of being in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to process data from the captured images.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprises a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information of the user and a feedback apparatus configured to communicate alignment information for the scanning apparatus to a user. A controller is in communication with the scanning apparatus and the alignment apparatus. The controller is configured to activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment with the scanning apparatus. The controller is further configured to capture the identifying information of the user and identify the user in response to the identifying information.

Abstract: An edge-lit rearview assembly comprising a housing; a mirror element having a perimeter and disposed within the housing; a bezel extending around at least a portion of the perimeter of the mirror element; at least one circuit board; at least one light source in electrical communication with the circuit board; wherein the at least one light source is in optical communication with at least a portion of the bezel.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprises a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information of the user and a feedback apparatus configured to communicate alignment information for the scanning apparatus to a user. A controller is in communication with the scanning apparatus and the alignment apparatus. The controller is configured to activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment with the scanning apparatus. The controller is further configured to capture the identifying information of the user and identify the user in response to the identifying information.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly for use in a vehicle having a windshield is provided and includes a first arcuate substrate having a first surface with an anti-reflective coating and a second surface. A second arcuate substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface with an anti-reflective coating. The first and second substrates are positioned such that the second and third surfaces are at least 0.1 mm apart. A seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and located substantially about a periphery of the electro-optic assembly. An electro-optic medium is positioned in a cavity defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the seal, the electro-optic medium including a refractive index greater than 1.2. The second surface is configured to receive and reflect incident light projected from a projector, thereby displaying information that appears to be displayed forward of the windshield.

Abstract: An edge-lit rearview assembly comprising a housing; a mirror element having a perimeter and disposed within the housing; a bezel extending around at least a portion of the perimeter of the mirror element; at least one circuit board; at least one light source in electrical communication with the circuit board; wherein the at least one light source is in optical communication with at least a portion of the bezel.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle may comprise a rearview assembly comprising a display element configured for providing a rearward view of a scene behind the vehicle, at least one imaging device in communication with the display element and configured to capture images from within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a printed circuit board in communication with the display element and the at least one imaging device. The display element may be configured to selectively display content received from a source external to the vehicle. The display element may be suitable for receiving inputs from a plurality of sources. At least one of the plurality of sources may be one of the internet and a cellular network.