Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a bracket having a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The windshield-facing side of the bracket is configured to be bonded by an adhesive at a first windshield location to an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The cabin-facing side of the bracket includes first structure. An accessory module is configured to mount to the bracket. A housing of the accessory module has second structure that directly engages the first structure of the bracket when mounting the housing to the bracket. An electronic device and circuitry are housed by the housing. With the accessory module mounted to the bracket attached to the vehicle windshield, the circuitry may be in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic accessory system for a vehicle includes an accessory module housing electronics, which includes a CMOS camera and a vehicle bus node and a digital signal processor. When the accessory module is mounted at a vehicle windshield, the vehicle bus node is connected to a vehicle bus of the vehicle. At least one of (a) data generated by the electronics is conveyed to the vehicle bus via the vehicle bus node and (b) the vehicle bus conveys data to the electronics via the vehicle bus node. The digital signal processor is operable at a computational speed of at least 75 million instructions per second, and may include at least one of (a) at least 40 kilobytes of on-chip memory, (b) at least one serial port, (c) at least one DMA port, (d) at least one timer and (e) at least one interrupt capability.

Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a bracket having a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The windshield-facing side of the bracket is configured to be bonded by an adhesive at a first windshield location to an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The cabin-facing side of the bracket includes first structure. An accessory module is configured to mount to the bracket. A housing of the accessory module has second structure that directly engages the first structure of the bracket when mounting the housing to the bracket. An electronic device and circuitry are housed by the housing. With the accessory module mounted to the bracket attached to the vehicle windshield, the circuitry may be in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of a vehicle. The bracket has a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The cabin-facing side of the bracket has first structure. An accessory module has a housing, with an electronic device and circuitry housed in the housing. The electronic device includes a camera that has a CMOS imaging array. The circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle. The housing has second structure that is configured to engage the first structure of the bracket when the housing is being attached to the bracket.

Abstract: An electronic accessory system for a vehicle includes an accessory module housing electronics, which includes a CMOS camera and a vehicle bus node and a digital signal processor. When the accessory module is mounted at a vehicle windshield, the vehicle bus node is connected to a vehicle bus of the vehicle. At least one of (a) data generated by the electronics is conveyed to the vehicle bus via the vehicle bus node and (b) the vehicle bus conveys data to the electronics via the vehicle bus node. The digital signal processor is operable at a computational speed of at least 75 million instructions per second, and may include at least one of (a) at least 40 kilobytes of on-chip memory, (b) at least one serial port, (c) at least one DMA port, (d) at least one timer and (e) at least one interrupt capability.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of a vehicle. The bracket has a windshield-facing side and a cabin-facing side. The cabin-facing side of the bracket has first structure. An accessory module has a housing, with an electronic device and circuitry housed in the housing. The electronic device includes a camera that has a CMOS imaging array. The circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the vehicle. The housing has second structure that is configured to engage the first structure of the bracket when the housing is being attached to the bracket.

Abstract: A rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a control. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a video display device operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle through an electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The control may include a digital signal processor disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a vehicle bus node. When the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the equipped vehicle, the vehicle bus node may be connected to a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle, and at least one of (a) the control conveys signals to the vehicle bus via the vehicle bus node and (b) the vehicle bus conveys signals to the control via the vehicle bus node.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of the vehicle. The accessory mounting system includes control circuitry housed in a housing, and the control circuitry is associated with an electronic device housed in the housing. The electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a microphone, a camera, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a rain sensor and an automatic toll booth transducer. The control circuitry is in communication with a vehicle bus system of the equipped vehicle. The bracket may include first structure and the housing may include second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be configured to enable the housing (i) to be attached to the bracket with the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield and (ii) to be detached from the bracket with the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of the audio signals. A control is in the vehicle and is responsive to the output from the at least one microphone. The control at least partially distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least two microphones for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of the audio signals. A control is in the vehicle and is responsive to the output from the at least one microphone. The control at least partially distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The at least two microphones provide sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and a wireless communication system.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may include a microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of these audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communication system. The system may include a control that is responsive to the output from the microphone and that distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle, and the accessory may be responsive to a vocal signal captured by the microphone. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include at least one accessory, such as an antenna, a video device, a security system status indicator, a tire pressure indicator display and/or a loudspeaker.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting assembly wherein a trim ring, containing a lighting assembly, is mounted on a vehicle headliner. The lighting assembly contains a lighting element having a light engine. The light engine having a housing and a light source mounted within the housing. The housing optionally containing a circuit board adapted to control light emitting from the light source. The light source contained within the housing may either be an LED or a traditional light bulb. The light source may optionally be colored, or textured, to provide unique ambient mood light options. The assembly further provides a light pipe having at least one light pipe aperture. The lighting element positioned adjacent, or connected to, the light pipe aperture. The light source in the lighting element directs light down the light pipe thereby creating a uniform output of light along the light pipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting assembly wherein a trim ring, containing a lighting assembly, is mounted on a vehicle headliner. The lighting assembly contains a lighting element having a light engine. The light engine having a housing and a light source mounted within the housing. The housing optionally containing a circuit board adapted to control light emitting from the light source. The light source contained within the housing may either be an LED or a traditional light bulb. The light source may optionally be colored, or textured, to provide unique ambient mood light options. The assembly further provides a light pipe having at least one light pipe aperture. The lighting element positioned adjacent, or connected to, the light pipe aperture. The light source in the lighting element directs light down the light pipe thereby creating a uniform output of light along the light pipe.

Abstract: A rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a control. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a video display device operable to display video information for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle through an electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The control may include a digital signal processor disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a vehicle bus node. When the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the equipped vehicle, the vehicle bus node may be connected to a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle, and at least one of (a) the control conveys signals to the vehicle bus via the vehicle bus node and (b) the vehicle bus conveys signals to the control via the vehicle bus node.

Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone, with the microphone located at one of a rear portion of the mirror casing, a bezel portion of the mirror casing, a side portion of the mirror casing, an upper portion of the mirror casing, and a lower portion of the mirror casing. The microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor processes the signal and provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise.

Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone, with the microphone located at one of a rear portion of the mirror casing, a bezel portion of the mirror casing, a side portion of the mirror casing, an upper portion of the mirror casing, and a lower portion of the mirror casing. The microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor processes the signal and provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise.

Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes at least a first microphone and a second microphone. The first microphone generates a first signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith and the second microphone generates a second signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor is provided that processes the first signal and the second signal and that provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise. The digital signal processor preferably comprises a microprocessor executing at least one million instructions per second.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may include a microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of these audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communication system. The system may include a control that is responsive to the output from the microphone and that distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle, and the accessory may be responsive to a vocal signal captured by the microphone. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include at least one accessory, such as an antenna, a video device, a security system status indicator, a tire pressure indicator display and/or a loudspeaker.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly preferably includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of these audio signals, the at least one microphone providing sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The system includes a control that receives the output signal from the at least one microphone and distinguishes the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The system preferably comprises a learning mode whereby a vocal characteristic of a particular driver or occupant of the vehicle is learnt so that the ratio of vocal signals emanating from that particular driver or occupant to non-vocal noise signals received by the system is enhanced.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly preferably includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of these audio signals, the at least one microphone providing sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The system includes a control that receives the output signal from the at least one microphone and distinguishes the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The system preferably comprises a learning mode whereby a vocal characteristic of a particular driver or occupant of the vehicle is learnt so that the ratio of vocal signals emanating from that particular driver or occupant to non-vocal noise signals received by the system is enhanced.