Abstract: A vehicle directional heading system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera viewing through a heatable localized region of the windshield, which includes a heating element disposed thereat. A compass system includes a compass sensor and associated compass circuitry that, responsive to an output of the compass sensor indicative of sensed magnetic fields, is operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle. When the heatable localized region is heated by an electrically resistive material of the heating element passing an applied electric current when the heating element is electrically powered, a magnetic signature is generated. The compass sensor of the compass system senses said magnetic signature, and the compass circuitry determines a vehicle directional heading of the vehicle that is compensated for the magnetic signature.

Abstract: A vehicle directional heading system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera viewing through a heatable localized region of the windshield, which includes a heating element disposed thereat. A compass system includes a compass sensor and associated compass circuitry that, responsive to an output of the compass sensor indicative of sensed magnetic fields, is operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle. When the heatable localized region is heated by an electrically resistive material of the heating element passing an applied electric current when the heating element is electrically powered, a magnetic signature is generated. The compass sensor of the compass system senses said magnetic signature, and the compass circuitry determines a vehicle directional heading of the vehicle that is compensated for the magnetic signature.

Abstract: A compass system for a vehicle includes a compass sensor and compass circuitry. The compass sensor is disposed at or near an interior heated surface of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with the compass system. The compass circuitry, responsive to an output of the compass sensor indicative of sensed magnetic signals or fields, is operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle. The compass circuitry is operable to determine a magnetic signature generated by a heating element that heats the interior heated surface of the windshield when the heating element is powered. The compass circuitry, responsive to a determination that the heating element is powered, is operable to compensate the sensed magnetic signals to determine the vehicle directional heading. The compensation is derived from the determined magnetic signature. The compass circuitry may compensate the sensed magnetic signals by applying an offset derived from the determined magnetic signature.

Abstract: A compass system for a vehicle includes a compass sensor and compass circuitry. The compass sensor is disposed at or near an interior heated surface of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with the compass system. The compass circuitry, responsive to an output of the compass sensor indicative of sensed magnetic signals or fields, is operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle. The compass circuitry is operable to determine a magnetic signature generated by a heating element that heats the interior heated surface of the windshield when the heating element is powered. The compass circuitry, responsive to a determination that the heating element is powered, is operable to compensate the sensed magnetic signals to determine the vehicle directional heading. The compensation is derived from the determined magnetic signature. The compass circuitry may compensate the sensed magnetic signals by applying an offset derived from the determined magnetic signature.

Abstract: An integrated automotive compass suitable for use in a vehicle includes an application specific integrated circuit that includes at least first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. The first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements and at least a portion of associated circuitry are established on a common semiconductor substrate using CMOS technology. When powered via a vehicle power source, the application specific integrated circuit, at least in part, generates a compass directional heading of the vehicle. The directional heading of the vehicle is determined, at least in part, responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements. Automatic compensation for a deviating magnetic field during operation of the vehicle is achieved, at least in part, via an algorithm processed by a processor of application specific integrated circuit.

Abstract: An integrated automotive compass suitable for use in a vehicle includes an application specific integrated circuit that includes at least first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. The first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements and at least a portion of associated circuitry are established on a common semiconductor substrate using CMOS technology. When powered via a vehicle power source, the application specific integrated circuit, at least in part, generates a compass directional heading of the vehicle. The directional heading of the vehicle is determined, at least in part, responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements. Automatic compensation for a deviating magnetic field during operation of the vehicle is achieved, at least in part, via an algorithm processed by a processor of application specific integrated circuit.

Abstract: An automatic compass system for a vehicle includes compass circuitry having a multi-axis compass sensor and associated circuitry. The multi-axis compass sensor includes first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. The magnetoresponsive sensing elements and at least a portion of the associated circuitry are established on a common silicon substrate using CMOS technology. The associated circuitry includes at least one of (i) an A/D converter, (ii) a D/A converter, (iii) signal processing circuitry, (iv) memory, (v) signal filtering circuitry, (vi) a display driver. The compass circuitry (i) determines a directional heading of the equipped vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and (ii) automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. Responsive to the compass circuitry, an information display of the equipped vehicle may display the directional heading of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic compass system for a vehicle includes compass circuitry having a multi-axis compass sensor and associated circuitry. The multi-axis compass sensor includes first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. The magnetoresponsive sensing elements and at least a portion of the associated circuitry are established on a common silicon substrate using CMOS technology. The associated circuitry includes at least one of (i) an A/D converter, (ii) a D/A converter, (iii) signal processing circuitry, (iv) memory, (v) signal filtering circuitry, (vi) a display driver. The compass circuitry (i) determines a directional heading of the equipped vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and (ii) automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. Responsive to the compass circuitry, an information display of the equipped vehicle may display the directional heading of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having compass circuitry having a multi-axis sensor and associated circuitry. At least a portion of the compass circuitry is established on a semiconductor substrate using CMOS technology. The multi-axis sensor comprises at least first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. The magnetoresponsive sensing elements may be disposed in the mirror casing and move in tandem with the mirror casing and the reflective element when the mirror casing is adjusted by the driver of the vehicle. Processing of an algorithm by a microprocessor of the interior rearview mirror system determines a directional heading of the equipped vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. An information display may display the directional heading of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an information display. The display is disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly rearward of a transflective mirror reflector of an electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly. Information display intensity of the display is adjustable responsive to determination of a light level at the mirror assembly by a photosensor of the mirror assembly. The display is operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle, and the information at least includes video images captured by a camera of the vehicle. A control of the mirror assembly is in communication with a network bus of the equipped vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle. A reflectance level of the electrochromic reflective element is controlled at least responsive to a determination of a light level by the photosensor.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing, a reflective element and an application specific integrated compass chip. The application specific integrated compass chip includes at least two magnetoresponsive sensing elements established on a semiconductor substrate, and further includes associated circuitry commonly established with the magnetoresponsive sensing elements on the semiconductor substrate. Processing of an algorithm by a microprocessor of the interior rearview mirror system determines a directional heading of the vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. An information display of the interior rearview mirror assembly displays the directional heading of the vehicle. The application specific integrated compass chip may have an area of less than approximately two square centimeters.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an information display. The display is disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly rearward of a transflective mirror reflector of an electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly. Information display intensity of the display is adjustable responsive to determination of a light level at the mirror assembly by a photosensor of the mirror assembly. The display is operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle, and the information at least includes video images captured by a camera of the vehicle. A control of the mirror assembly is in communication with a network bus of the equipped vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle. A reflectance level of the electrochromic reflective element is controlled at least responsive to a determination of a light level by the photosensor.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing, an electro-optic reflective element and an information display. The information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element and is operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle, with the information including video images captured by a camera of the vehicle. Information displayed by the information display is viewable by the driver of the vehicle viewing through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element when the information display is displaying information, and, when the information display is not displaying information, the presence of the information display behind the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element is substantially not discerned by the driver of the vehicle normally viewing the reflective element in the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing, an electro-optic reflective element and an information display. The information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element and is operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle, with the information including video images captured by a camera of the vehicle. Information displayed by the information display is viewable by the driver of the vehicle viewing through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element when the information display is displaying information, and, when the information display is not displaying information, the presence of the information display behind the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element is substantially not discerned by the driver of the vehicle normally viewing the reflective element in the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an information display operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle through a transflective mirror reflector of a reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. Information display intensity of the information display is adjustable responsive to determination of a light level at the interior rearview mirror assembly by at least one photosensor. The information display is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing video camera of the vehicle and the information display displays video images captured by the rearward facing video camera during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, a signal indicative of the vehicle transmission being in reverse is communicated via a network bus of the vehicle to a control of the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Abstract: A calibration method for calibrating a compass system suitable for use in a vehicle includes sampling data points of a magnetic field with a magneto-responsive sensor and processing output signals of the sensor via compass circuitry. The compass circuitry includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog signals of the sensor to digital signals and a digital-to-analog converter for converting digital signals to analog signals that are supplied to the sensor for adjusting the sensor. The output signals of the sensor are adjusted to be within an operable range of an analog-to-digital converter via an initial calibration mode. After completion of the initial calibration mode, output signals of the sensor are processed to determine when the output signals are outside a range of the analog-to-digital converter. An output of a digital-to-analog converter is adjusted to reposition the output signals of the sensor to be within the range of the analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an information display operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle through a transflective mirror reflector of a reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. Information display intensity of the information display is adjustable responsive to determination of a light level at the interior rearview mirror assembly by at least one photosensor. The information display is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing video camera of the vehicle and the information display displays video images captured by the rearward facing video camera during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, a signal indicative of the vehicle transmission being in reverse is communicated via a network bus of the vehicle to a control of the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Abstract: An interior rearview information mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing and a reflective element, and includes an information display operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the reflective element, and information displayed by the information display is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing through the reflective element when the information display is displaying information. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a forward facing camera having a forward field of view in the direction of forward travel of the equipped vehicle, and the forward facing camera views through the windshield of the equipped vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview information mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing and a reflective element, and includes an information display operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the reflective element, and information displayed by the information display is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing through the reflective element when the information display is displaying information. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a forward facing camera having a forward field of view in the direction of forward travel of the equipped vehicle, and the forward facing camera views through the windshield of the equipped vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing, a reflective element and an application specific integrated compass chip. The application specific integrated compass chip includes at least two magnetoresponsive sensing elements established on a semiconductor substrate, and further includes associated circuitry commonly established with the magnetoresponsive sensing elements on the semiconductor substrate. Processing of an algorithm by a microprocessor of the interior rearview mirror system determines a directional heading of the vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. An information display of the interior rearview mirror assembly displays the directional heading of the vehicle. The application specific integrated compass chip may have an area of less than approximately two square centimeters.