Abstract: A control system for controlling the climate of a vehicle includes a control element, a temperature sensor, a motor and a microprocessor. The microprocessor may receive a temperature signal indicative of the temperature at the control element and may receive at least one further input. The at least one further input may comprise an input signal indicative of a high side voltage of the motor, a low side voltage of the motor, and/or an electrical current applied to the motor. The control system controls the motor via an output of the microprocessor. The control system may control the motor in response to the temperature signal and the at least one further input. The control system may reduce occurrence of high-power dissipative modes in response to a detection of a temperature above a threshold level via intelligent power management.

Abstract: A monitoring device for vehicles includes a housing, at least one electrochromic mirror glass arranged in the housing so as to have a front side facing an observer, and at least one camera. The at least one electrochromic mirror glass comprises a reflective layer that is reflective in the visible spectral range of light. The at least one camera is arranged behind the reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from the front side. The at least one camera takes images through the reflective layer. The electrochromic mirror glass has an electrochromic layer and the reflective layer is arranged behind the electrochromic layer in the viewing direction.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective mirror element. The reflective element may be a variable reflectance reflective element having a reflectivity which is variable in accordance with a voltage applied thereto or a prismatic reflective element. The reflective element has a field of view rearward of the vehicle when the interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle. The interior mirror assembly includes at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element to that driver's desired setting, and the interior mirror assembly has a mirror support having a mounting portion for attaching the mirror assembly to a portion of the interior of the vehicle and the mirror support includes at least one pivot element.

Abstract: A rearview mirror display system for a vehicle including a rearview mirror assembly, a reflective element and a projection display. The rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing. The reflective element is included at the casing and has a front and a back. The front is directed toward and viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the assembly is mounted in the vehicle. The projection display is positioned in the casing to the rear of the back of the reflective element. The reflective element comprises a transflective reflective element. An image projected by the projection display is viewable by a driver of the vehicle from the front of the transflective reflective element.

Abstract: An accessory system of a vehicle comprises an accessory module assembly having a mounting portion, a head portion and a rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion extends generally upward when mounted to an attachment member at a vehicle windshield. The head portion may extend generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle from an upper portion of the mounting portion. The head portion comprises electronic circuitry for at least one accessory. The mirror assembly is mountable to the mounting portion, with the head portion of the accessory module assembly extending generally above the mirror casing. The head portion may be viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the mounting portion. The head portion may be pivotable or articulatable relative to the base portion of the accessory module assembly.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system is provided for a vehicle equipped with at least a front driver-side wheel location, a front passenger-side wheel location, a rear driver-side wheel location and a rear passenger-side wheel location. A tire (that is inflated to a tire pressure) is associated with one each of the four wheel location and has associated therewith a tire pressure sensor sensing the tire pressure in that tire. A signal indicative of the tire pressure is broadcast via a radio frequency wireless transmission from each of the four tire sensors to a controller located within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The controller processes the transmitted signals and applies a triangulation technique to determine at which of the front driver-side wheel location, front passenger-side wheel location, rear driver-side wheel location and rear passenger-side wheel location are located the four tires transmitting signals to the controller.

Abstract: An electrical connector is soldered or affixed to a conductive element of a glass sheet of a vehicular window via radiation heating of a layer of solder with an infrared radiative heating device. The heating device may include an infrared lamp and a reflector, which functions to direct the radiant energy from the lamp to a target region generally corresponding with the location of the solder layer between the electrical connector and the conductive element. The heating device is operable to rapidly and substantially heat the solder layer to a desired temperature to melt the solder layer, while substantially limiting directing of heat to the glass sheet. The electrical connector may be affixed at a vehicular or modular window assembly plant, such that the glass sheet may be transported from a glass manufacturing plant to the vehicular or modular window assembly plant without the electrical connector.

Abstract: A safety sensing system for a compartment of a vehicle is operable to detect an occupant within the vehicle compartment. The system may be operable to sense ambient conditions in the vehicle compartment, and may generate a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. The system may actuate indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person or animal detected in the compartment. Optionally the system may open the vehicle compartment in response to a detection of an occupant and the sensed conditions. The safety system includes a false trigger protection means that limits or reduces false detections of a person or animal within the compartment.

Abstract: An interior mirror system for a vehicle comprises a housing having an interior compartment and is adapted for releasable mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle. A first electrical component/accessory is disposed in the interior compartment of the housing. A rearview mirror including a rearview mirror element and at least a second electrical component/accessory is pivotally connected to the housing. The first electrical component/accessory comprises a rain sensor module manufactured separate from the manufacturing of the rearview mirror that includes the second electrical component/accessory. The rain sensor module is received in the housing in a manner that connects the module electrically to the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle includes a variable reflectance reflective element, which includes an electrochromic medium, a first information display positioned to the rear of the variable reflectance reflective element, and a second information display. The mirror assembly further includes a single control for adjusting the luminous intensity of the first information display and the second information display and at least one light sensor, with the output of the control being generated responsive to a light level sensed by the at least one light sensor. In addition, the luminous intensity of the first information display and of the second information display increases responsive to the output of the control to compensate for any decrease in transmission of the electrochromic medium.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a reflective mirror element and a first polymeric pivot joint allowing pivotal adjustment of the field of view of the reflective element. The assembly includes a polymeric support element, a polymeric rearview mirror mount, and a second polymeric pivot joint. The polymeric support element includes one of a first polymeric ball member and a first polymeric socket. The polymeric rearview mirror mount is adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The support element pivots about the rearview mirror mount by means of the second polymeric pivot joint. At least one of the pivot joints includes frictional resistance modification means generating frictional resistance to movement of a ball member in a socket, such means preferably comprising at least one of an interference fit, a textured surface, a raised projection and annular ridges on the ball member or socket.

Abstract: A lighting system for use in the interior cabin of a vehicle comprises a vehicle accessory comprising a non-incandescent solid-state light source. The non-incandescent solid-state light source provides illumination of less than about 10 lux at a target location within the interior cabin of the vehicle when the non-incandescent solid-state light source passes a current of less than about 100 mA whenever the battery/ignition electrical power system of the vehicle is switched on. Preferably, the non-incandescent solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode. An electrical resistor may be connected in series with the light emitting diode. The target location illuminated by the light source may include at least one of a shift lever console, a floor console, or other locations within the vehicle interior cabin.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, electronic circuitry, an imaging sensor, a rain sensor control and a headlamp control. The electronic circuitry is operable to control an electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly. The imaging sensor is positioned with a field of view through a window of the vehicle. The rain sensor control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a windshield wiper of the vehicle and/or a defogging system of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The headlamp control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a headlamp of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The rain sensor control and the headlamp control at least one of (a) access a common component of the electronic circuitry, and (b) share a common component of the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: An indicator for use with a microphone of a vehicular audio system, such as a cellular telephone, emergency communication device, or other audio device, provides a user of the audio system with a status signal relating to a reception quality of a vocal signal from the user. The microphone may be mounted within an accessory module, which may be mounted to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The accessory module houses a microphone and may be positioned adjacent to a headliner of the vehicle generally above an interior rearview mirror which is supported therebelow. The accessory module provides a fixed orientation of the microphone and is easily installed to the vehicle as it is manufactured or as an aftermarket device. The accessory module may further include a wire cover, which extends to a mounting for the mirror in order to substantially encase a mirror wire harness, thereby retaining the mirror harness and providing a finished appearance to the mirror and accessory module.

Abstract: An automobile exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly, which includes a reflective element assembly. The reflective element assembly includes a first reflective element having a unit magnification and a second reflective element having a curvature. The first reflective element and the second reflective element are supported at a support element. The mirror system preferably further includes an actuator, which is operable to adjust the orientation of the reflective element assembly. The second reflective element is disposed adjacent to and separate from the first reflective element when it is included in the exterior sideview mirror assembly. Further, a demarcation element is provided between the first reflective element and the second reflective element. A portion of the second reflective element adjacent the demarcation element has a front surface that is generally coplanar with the front surface of the first reflective element.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior mirror assembly having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is configured to mount to a side of the vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element and is movable about the fixed portion between a normal viewing position where the movable portion is extended outwardly from the vehicle and a folded position where the movable portion is folded toward the side of the vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes at least one light assembly projecting a light pattern from the exterior mirror assembly. A proximity detector is preferably provided that actuates a powerfold mechanism when the proximity detector detects an object so as to move the movable portion from the normal viewing position to the folded position.

Abstract: A vehicular video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a video display assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing incorporating a reflective element. The reflective element has a rearward field of view when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in a vehicle. The mirror assembly further includes a mirror-mounting portion, which is adapted to mount the interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle, such as a windshield portion or a header portion. The mirror casing is adjustable about the mirror-mounting portion for adjusting the rearward field of view of the reflective element. The video display assembly includes a video screen which is incorporated in a video display housing. The video display assembly also includes a display-mounting portion, which is adapted to mount the video display assembly at the interior portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates one or more integrated subassembly modules or carrier members to which are connected separate electrical components such as lamps, reflectors, switches, plug receptacles and the like to simplify mirror assembly and provide integral support, electrical connections, and an electrical distribution network for the mirror assembly having added, electrically operated features. The carrier member includes a circuit member secured to and/or at least partially encased or encapsulated within a support body such that electrical connections extend therefrom. Preferably, the carrier member may include recesses at opposite ends for receiving and supporting reflectors thereon to prevent vibration while allowing interchangeability for different vehicle types. The carrier member may form a stop for a toggle actuator to limit the movement of the mirror housing between day and night positions in the event a prismatic mirror element is included.

Abstract: A conductively coated panel for inclusion in a transparent interactive input device useful with an electro-optic display includes a transparent substrate having a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface. The conductive layer is applied in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. A transparent layer of a metal oxide such as silicon dioxide overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. An interactive device, and a method for forming an interactive device with the conductively coated panel, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element, a housing or casing supporting the reflective element, and the casing including a storage space. The storage space provides storage for at least one accessory and for storing the accessory in the location easily accessible by an occupant of the vehicle whereby the accessory can be inserted into and removed from the storage space for use by an occupant of the vehicle. The storage space may take the form of a recess provided in a top wall of the casing, a recessed portion provided in a front wall, back wall, or end wall of the casing. In one form, the recessed portion houses a pendent accessory which is movable between a retracted position within the recess to an extended position for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle. For example, the pendent accessory may include a reflective element or a display element, for displaying information to an occupant of the vehicle.