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 interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a casing, a reflective element and a display. The reflective element has a back surface and a front surface, with the front surface being directed toward and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The display comprises a display element positioned within the casing. The display element is operable to project light onto a screen portion of the reflective element. The light is viewable as an image on the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. The display element is separate and remote from the screen portion of the reflective element. Preferably, the display element and reflective elements are positioned generally along planes which are angled with respect to one another. The display may include a reflective optic which functions to redirect the projected light toward the screen portion of the reflective element.

Abstract: A vehicle compartment occupancy detection system is operable to detect a presence of a person or animal within a vehicle compartment, such as a vehicle cabin or trunk space, by detecting a change in an electric field within the compartment. The detection system includes an electric field generator and an electric field sensor which is operable to detect changes in the electric field generated within the compartment. The detection system may further be operable to activate an accessory in response to one or more inputs and the electric field sensor. The detection system may be operable in response to one or more inputs which are indicative of a hazardous condition within the vehicle compartment. The detection system may then be operable to take corrective action to at least partially alleviate the hazardous condition and/or to communicate to a person exteriorly of the vehicle that the hazardous condition exists.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a casing, a reflective element and a display. The reflective element has a back surface and a front surface, with the front surface being directed toward and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The display comprises a display element positioned within the casing. The display element is operable to project light onto a screen portion of the reflective element. The light is viewable as an image on the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. The display element is separate and remote from the screen portion of the reflective element. Preferably, the display element and reflective elements are positioned generally along planes which are angled with respect to one another. The display may include a reflective optic which functions to redirect the projected light toward the screen portion of the reflective element.

Abstract: A vehicle compartment occupancy detection system is operable to detect a presence of a person or animal within a vehicle compartment, such as a vehicle cabin or trunk space, by detecting a change in an electric field within the compartment. The detection system includes an electric field generator and an electric field sensor which is operable to detect changes in the electric field generated within the compartment. The detection system may further be operable to activate an accessory in response to one or more inputs and the electric field sensor. The detection system may be operable in response to one or more inputs which are indicative of a hazardous condition within the vehicle compartment. The detection system may then be operable to take corrective action to at least partially alleviate the hazardous condition and/or to communicate to a person exteriorly of the vehicle that the hazardous condition exists.