Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an electro-optic mirror unit whose reflectivity is variable in response to an electrical voltage applied thereto. The mirror unit includes a first substrate and a second substrate with an electro-optic medium sandwiched therebetween. The second substrate includes a recess at a perimeter region thereof. The mirror assembly includes at least one light sensor disposed behind the first substrate of the mirror unit and generally at the recessed perimeter region of the second substrate. The at least one light sensor is operable to receive light through the first substrate and unobstructed by the second substrate of the mirror unit. The light may be received through a bezel of the mirror assembly and through the first substrate and unobstructed by the second substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror assembly including a mirror, an electronic component unit, a protective housing exposing the mirror through a viewing aperture and enclosing the electronic component unit, an RF antenna connected to the electronic component unit, and a support bracket assembly adapted to mount the mirror assembly to an interior surface of a vehicle. The electronic component unit may be mounted on one face of a carrier plate and the mirror may be mounted on the other face of said carrier plate, with the support bracket assembly extending through the housing from the carrier plate. The electronic component unit may be adapted to receive information via the RF antenna and may display such information on a visual display.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror comprises a carrier plate, an electronic component unit mounted on one face of the carrier plate, and a mirror mounted on the other face of the carrier plate. A protective housing is supported by the carrier plate, the housing exposing the mirror through a viewing aperture and enclosing the electronic component unit and carrier plate. A support bracket assembly extends from the carrier plate through the housing to mount the mirror assembly to an interior surface of a vehicle. The electronic component unit preferably includes a card reader having a card slot exposed by the housing. In another embodiment, an RF antenna is connected to circuitry included in the electronic component, the antenna preferably being mounted in the support bracket assembly. In yet another embodiment, a visual display is provided for displaying information provided by the electronic component unit.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an electro-optic mirror unit whose reflectivity is variable in response to an electrical voltage applied thereto. At least one light sensor is included and an electrical circuit controls operation of the mirror unit in response to the at least one light sensor. The mirror unit is mounted on one side of a backplate that comprises an electrically non-conductive material comprising a conductive lead frame.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an electro-optic mirror unit whose reflectivity is variable in response to an electrical voltage applied thereto and an electrical circuit for controlling operation of the mirror unit in response to one or more light sensors. A bracket for supporting the mirror unit from an interior portion of the vehicle via interengaging ball and socket members allows angular adjustment of the mirror unit. The ball member includes a plurality of electrical contacts on a convex surface thereof for sliding engagement by respective counter-contacts over a range of angular movement of the mirror unit for supplying power to the electrical circuit from a vehicle electrical system external to the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises an industry standard CAN network with a number of nodes distributed around the vehicle for controlling corresponding parts of the vehicle. One such node is located in the housing of the vehicle interior rearview mirror and directly controls the reflectivity of an electro-optic mirror unit, in accordance with the state of at least one ambient light sensor and a remote keyless entry device. The node also communicates via an ISO9141 interface with a number of slave controllers such as a sun-roof control module mounted adjacent a sun-roof and a roof control module mounted in a roof housing. By this means the UCM exercises indirect control of the sun-roof in accordance with the state of a switch, and exercises indirect control of various lamps GEN1, GEN2, FLL and FRL in the roof housing in accordance with the state of switches Gen, FL and FR mounted in the roof housing or, in the case of the lamps GEN1 and GEN2, when a vehicle door is opened.

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.

Abstract: An electro-optic interior rearview mirror system is provided for a vehicle, comprising an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optic reflective element and an interior mirror housing for said reflective element. The mirror assembly includes a mount for attachment to a portion of the vehicle and a control. The control includes a microprocessor that functions as a controller of a plurality of vehicle functions, the plurality of functions including the reflectance state of the electro-optic reflective element. The control includes a connection to a vehicle bus for receiving control signals via the bus for processing by the microprocessor.

Abstract: An electro-optic rearriew mirror system for a vehicle comprises a mirror housing (10) containing an electro-optic mirror unit (18). A pair of light sensors (24, 26) for sensing the ambient light level outside the vehicle are also mounted in the mirror housing. Control circuitry mounted on a PCB (36) is responsive to a signal (34) from the light sensors (24, 26) to establish a drive voltage for the electro-optic mirror unit (18). The PCB (36) is mounted in a header (16) on the interior ceiling of the vehicle separate from the mirror housing (10).

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises an industry standard CAN network with a number of nodes distributed around the vehicle for controlling corresponding parts of the vehicle. One such node is located in the housing of the vehicle interior rearview mirror and directly controls the reflectivity of an electro-optic mirror unit, in accordance with the state of at least one ambient light sensor and a remote keyless entry device. The node also communicates via an ISO9141 interface with a number of slave controllers such as a sun-roof control module mounted adjacent a sun-roof and a roof control module mounted in a roof housing. By this means the UCM exercises indirect control of the sun-roof in accordance with the state of a switch, and exercises indirect control of various lamps GEN1, GEN2, FLL and FRL in the roof housing in accordance with the state of switches Gen, FL and FR mounted in the roof housing or, in the case of the lamps GEN1 and GEN2, when a vehicle door is opened.

Abstract: An electro-optic interior rearview mirror system is provided for a vehicle, comprising an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optic reflective element and an interior mirror housing for said reflective element. The mirror assembly includes a mount for attachment to a portion of the vehicle and a control. The control includes a microprocessor that functions as a controller of a plurality of vehicle functions, the plurality of functions including the reflectance state of the electro-optic reflective element. The control includes a connection to a vehicle bus for receiving control signals via the bus for processing by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises an industry standard CAN network with a number of nodes distributed around the vehicle for controlling corresponding parts of the vehicle. One such node is located in the housing of the vehicle interior rearview mirror and directly controls the reflectivity of an electro-optic mirror unit, in accordance with the state of at least one ambient light sensor and a remote keyless entry device. The node also communicates via an ISO9141 interface with a number of slave controllers such as a sun-roof control module mounted adjacent a sun-roof and a roof control module mounted in a roof housing. By this means the UCM exercises indirect control of the sun-roof in accordance with the state of a switch, and exercises indirect control of various lamps GEN1, GEN2, FLL and FRL in the roof housing in accordance with the state of switches Gen, FL and FR mounted in the roof housing or, in the case of the lamps GEN1 and GEN2, when a vehicle door is opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating pre-scribed glass shapes 10 from a glass sheet 12 includes a conveyor 22 for transporting the glass sheet parallel to its edges 14 with the margins 18 of the sheet accessible from both sides of the sheet. A pair of glass-cracking devices 24 are located substantially directly opposite one another on opposite sides of the conveyor respectively. Each glass-cracking devices 24 is arranged to bear repetitively on opposite sides of the respective margin 18 as the sheet is conveyed past thereby to break the sheet progressively along its margins to cause the glass sheet to fracture along scribe lines 16 defining the glass shapes. Each glass-cracking devices may comprise a pair of jaws which open and close on the respective margin or a pair of toothed wheels between which the margin passes.

Abstract: A rearview mirror for vehicles includes a mirror case, a reflective element, a support for mounting the assembly on a vehicle, at least one lamp assembly having a reflector member which substantially directs light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle, and a circuit board mounted within the mirror case and having at least one holder for holding a light source which projects into the reflector member. A lens provides shaping and directing properties for light emitting from different areas of the reflector and includes a prescription region which focuses light from the reflector member to a particular target area of the vehicle, and a second region having a prescription different from said first prescription region.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle interior rear view mirror has a base part for attaching directly to the inside surface of a vehicle windscreen, a mirror case support bracket having at one end a spherical ball for mounting a mirror case and at the other end a spring clip arrangement for sliding engagement with the base part to mount the bracket onto the base part. Bearing surfaces are provided on the base part and bracket respectively which come to bear against one another as the bracket approaches its fully engaged position during said sliding engagement and are effective to force the bracket slightly away from the base part against the resilient bias of the clip so as to increase the force exerted by the clip on the flange means in the fully engaged position.

Abstract: A day/night vehicle rearview mirror assembly comprises a casing carrying a prismatic mirror, the casing being pivotally mounted on a mounting plate. Preferably, the casing and mirror are driven between a full reflectance position and partial reflectance position by a rack and pinion assembly having interengaging gear teeth extending between a d.c. motor operated drive shaft and a portion of the casing. Alternately, a friction coupling extends between the drive shaft and casing. A noise and vibration reducing coupling are provided in the drive shaft while appropriate glare sensing circuitry and/or switches control operation of the reversible motor and, thus, the reflectance position of the mirror.

Abstract: A fluid composition for use in a rearview mirror of the type which contains a U.V. stable fluid light controlling medium, the composition consisting of a solvent, e.g., propylene carbonate, with a freezing point less than -30.degree. C. and a boiling point greater than 80.degree. C., a dye or mixture of dyes, e.g., a 1,2-chrome dye and a phthalocyanine dye, which is soluble in the solvent and optionally a U.V. stabilizing agent, e.g., a benzophenone, benzotriazole or organo-nickel complex, which is also soluble in the solvent. The dye or mixture of dyes has specifically defined light absorbance characteristics and in use is a fluid which is nontoxic, easy to handle, has a relatively high flash point, and is relatively inert to glass, rubbers and plastics.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic rearview mirror system (10) for a vehicle comprising a reflective element (22) actuatable between at least two different reflective conditions. The system includes a forward light sensor (11) to detect light forward of the vehicle and a rear light sensor (12) to detect light rearward of the mirror. A control circuit means (14,16) is coupled to the reflective element (22), the forward light sensor (11) and the rear light sensor (12). The control circuit causes the reflective element to assume a reflective state dependent upon the output of the forward and rear light sensors. The control circuit includes means for modifying the output of the forward light sensor (11) to cause a reduction in the sensitivity of the mirror.

Abstract: A casing has a transparent window plate sealed therein. A reflector plate is mounted on a diaphram which forms a sealed chamber with the rearwall of the casing. The casing is mounted on a conventional mirror adjustment mechanism. A plurality of conical compression springs urge the reflector plate against the inside surface of the window plate in the day position of the reflector plate. To move the reflector plate from a day position to a night position, a pump draws an optically dense light attenuating fluid from a reservoir and pumps it into an annular chamber and between the window plate and reflector plate, to move the reflector plate rearwards so that the fluid forms a masking layer between the reflector plate and window plate. The masking layer extinguishes reflections from the reflector plate in the night position. A solenoid valve prevents return of the fluid to the reservoir in the night position.