Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly comprising an electro-optic reflective element and, preferably, at least a first and a second photo-sensor, both facing generally in a common direction. A light piping element pipes light to the first photo-sensor from a light environment different from the light environment to which the second photo-sensor is exposed. The first photo-sensor may comprise a semiconductor photo-sensor sensitive both to visible light and to infrared radiation. A spectral filter may be disposed in front of the first photo-sensor to reduce the amount of infrared radiation incident thereat. One of the first and second photo-sensors may have a rearward field of view relative to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle, and the other of the first and second photo-sensors may have a forward field of view relative to the forward direction of the travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a display screen that is extendable and retractable relative to a casing. The display screen is movably mounted at the casing and movable or slidable in a direction generally parallel to a length axis of the reflective element between a non-use position, where the video display screen is positioned substantially within the casing, and a use position, where the video display screen is substantially extended from a side of the casing for viewing. The display screen may be automatically extended in response to an activating event.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a compass sensor having first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. A physical mount mounts the compass sensor at the rear of the reflective element whereby the compass sensor adjusts in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element by the driver of the vehicle. The physical mount is configured to at least partially offset the angle of the reflective element selected by the driver. A control receives a first signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the first magnetoresponsive sensing element and receives a second signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control determines a directional heading of the vehicle based on the first and second signals, and automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field of the vehicle and generates a signal indicative of the directional heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic dimming vehicle mirror system includes an automatic dimming mirror assembly having automatic dimming circuitry. The automatic dimming circuitry includes a mirror control and at least a first silicon-based photo sensor and a second silicon-based photo sensor. The first silicon-based photo sensor is sensitive to both visible light and infrared light. The second silicon-based photo sensor is sensitive principally to infrared light. The mirror control distinguishes headlamp sources from non-headlamp sources by a ratio of a signal indicative of light detected by the first photo sensor to a signal indicative of light detected by the second photo sensor.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a casing having a reflective element, a compass sensor and a control. The compass sensor is disposed within the mirror casing and has a first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control receives a first signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control determines that the casing is adjusted by an occupant of the vehicle in response to a change in the first and second signals being indicative of an abrupt movement of the casing about the mounting structure by an occupant of the vehicle. The control is operable to enter a rapid compensating mode to compensate for the mirror adjustment.

Abstract: A compass compensation system is provided for automatically and continuously calibrating an electronic compass for a vehicle, without requiring an initial manual calibration or preset of the vehicle magnetic signature. The system initially adjusts a two axis sensor of the compass in response to a sampling of at least one initial data point. The system further calibrates the compass by sampling data points that are substantially opposite to one another on a plot of a magnetic field and averaging an ordinate of the data points to determine a respective zero value for the Earth magnetic field. The system also identifies a change in magnetic signature and adjusts the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly comprising an electro-optic reflective element and, preferably, at least a first and a second photo-sensor, both facing generally in a common direction. The system further includes a light piping element that pipes light to the first photo-sensor from a light environment different from the light environment to which the second photo-sensor is exposed. The first photo-sensor comprises a semiconductor photo-sensor sensitive both to visible light and to infrared radiation. A spectral filter is disposed in front of the first photo-sensor to reduce the amount of infrared radiation incident thereat. The spectral filter preferably comprises at least one of a) a filter element having at least about 60% visible light transmission and having less than about 10% transmission in the near-infrared spectral region; and b) an infrared attenuating dye in a polymer material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle rearview mirror system comprises providing a reflective element and providing a common circuit board having first and second circuit portions joined with a breakout interface. The first circuit portion is populated with electronic components and the second circuit portion is populated with at least a compass sensor. After population, the first and second circuit portions are separated from the common circuit board to form, respectively, first and second circuit boards. The first circuit board is disposed at the rear of the reflective element and the second circuit board is interconnected to the first circuit board.