Abstract: An imaging lens module includes at least one plastic lens element having an optical axis, an object side and an image side. The plastic lens element includes, in order from a center to a peripheral region thereof, an optical effective portion and an outer peripheral portion. The outer peripheral portion surrounds the optical effective portion, wherein the outer peripheral portion includes, on at least one of the object side and the image side, a plurality of groove structures and a contacting surface. The contacting surface is an annular plane and perpendicular to the optical axis. The groove structures and the contacting surface are located on the same side. There is an air gap between the groove structures and at least one optical element adjacent thereto. The groove structures and the contacting surface located on the same side are not overlapped along a direction parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method of making a mirror substrate for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes providing a glass substrate having a planar front surface, a planar rear surface and a circumferential perimeter edge. The glass substrate is positioned at a fixture and the front perimeter edge portion of the glass substrate is ground by moving a grinding wheel around the periphery of the glass substrate to establish a rounded surface about and around the periphery of the glass substrate and between the planar front surface and a rear portion of the perimeter edge of the glass substrate. The rounded surface has a radius of curvature of at least 2.5 mm. The rounded surface provides a curved transition between the planar front surface of the glass substrate and the rear portion of the perimeter edge of the glass substrate. The planar rear surface of the glass substrate is coated with a coating.

Abstract: A rearview mirror for a vehicle includes a housing defining an interior cavity and an actuation mechanism coupled within the interior of the housing. The actuation mechanism includes an arcuate first track fixed with the housing. A mounting plate is rotatably coupled within the cavity of the housing at a first end thereof and defines a generally vertically arranged second track alignable with the first track. A toggle unit is coupled within the interior cavity of the housing and is rotatable about an axis between first and second positions. A first arm of the toggle unit extends from the toggle unit and defines an opening therein alignable with the first track and having two opposite, facing, cam surfaces extending away each other. The actuation mechanism further includes an actuation pin extending through the first track, the second track, and the opening.

Abstract: An inside mirror assembly for a vehicle may include a housing which has an opening portion formed at a front side thereof, a fixed reflective plate which is fixed and mounted to the opening portion of the housing, a tilting reflective plate which is tiltably mounted in the housing, and disposed parallel to a rear surface of the fixed reflective plate in a day reflective mode, or disposed so that an upper end portion of the tilting reflective plate is tiltable rearward at a predetermined angle on a basis of a lower end portion of the tilting reflective plate in order to reduce light reflectivity in a night reflective mode, and a tilting operation mechanism which is connected with the tilting reflective plate, mounted inside and outside of the housing, and adjusts a tilting angle of the tilting reflective plate.

Abstract: An automobile side mirror includes a reflective portion having a front mirror that is incompletely silvered and a rear mirror angularly offset from the front mirror, the rear mirror being fixed relative to the front mirror. The mirror includes a bracket hingedly coupled to the reflective portion and a solenoid hingedly coupled to the reflective portion to selectively move the reflective portion from a first configuration to a second configuration. The mirror includes a return element to return the reflective portion from the second configuration to the first configuration. A light sensor is positioned to detect an amount of light directed toward the reflective portion. A processor is in communication with the light sensor and in communication with the solenoid, the processor including programming to actuate the solenoid upon detection of a predetermined amount of light directed at the light sensor.

Abstract: A glare reduction device that includes a pair of external mirrors located on a vehicle, with each mirror including an internal motor and a layer of light-reducing covering that is extendable and retractable over each mirror by a small, internal electric motor. The light-reducing covering is preferably a glare-reducing glass panel, but may also be a glare-reducing film or a glare-reducing filter, with the light-reducing covering being mounted within a guide track. Each of the motors is controlled by a control switch that is located within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, with each electric motor receiving power from the 12-volt DC electrical system of the vehicle. When the motor is activated, it will either extend or retract the light-reducing covering as needed.

Abstract: A vehicular integrated mirror system is provided that is supported on a vehicle body that includes a door, and has an outside mirror disposed outside a vehicle compartment and an interior mirror disposed within the vehicle compartment at a position in the proximity of the outside mirror so that, in cooperation with the outside mirror, a vehicle rear field of vision is obtained, wherein a mirror holder retaining the outside mirror and the inside mirror is swingably supported on mirror support means mounted on the vehicle body in order to change the reflection angle of the two mirror relative to a vehicle driver, and the reflection angle of the outside mirror and the inside mirror is changed by remote drive means that makes the mirror holder swing by remote operation. This enables the reflection angle of the outside mirror and the inside mirror to be remotely controlled.

Abstract: An optical lens component includes a lens element with a mounting portion. The mounting portion has spaced parallel surfaces that extend perpendicularly to the optical axis of the lens element. At least one of the spaced parallel surfaces is provided with a light-scattering structure for coupling out light entering the mounting portion. A light absorber is provided to absorb light scattered from the light-scattering structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mirror unit for a vehicle, which includes a mirror case (10) having a receiving space formed therein; a pivoting bracket (20) axially coupled to an inside of the mirror case (10); a first operating unit (30) installed to a predetermined position in the mirror case (10) to rotate the pivoting bracket (20) as much as 180 degrees by one touch; and front and rear mirrors (40)(45) systematically attached and detached freely to/from both sides of the pivoting bracket (20).

Abstract: A low fringing film coating includes a transparent polymeric layer having a surface, and a plurality of projections extending away from the surface. The projections have a mean height of 0.05 to 1 ?m and a mean distance between projections of 0.5 to 2 mm. The coating can be produced by coating a polymeric composition onto a substrate. The polymeric composition includes a polymeric material, a good solvent for the polymeric material and a poor solvent or the polymeric material. The solvents are at least partially evaporated to form a low fringing transparent polymeric layer.

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: Multiple cavity low-emissivity coatings. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each include silver.

Abstract: Low-emissivity coatings that are highly reflective to infrared radiation. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each include silver.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a variable reflectance vehicular mirror includes a front substrate having a transparent conductive coating disposed on a second surface, and a rear substrate having a third surface conductive coating disposed on its third surface and preferably, a fourth surface conductive coating disposed on its fourth surface. At least a portion of the third surface conductive coating may wrap around an edge portion of the rear substrate and at least a portion of the fourth surface conductive coating may wrap around at least a second portion of the perimeter edge so as to establish electrical continuity between the fourth surface conductive coating on the fourth surface and the third surface conductive coating on the third surface. The rear substrate may have a smaller dimension than the front substrate so as to provide an overhang region, preferably at the wraparound region.

Abstract: An observation optical system is disclosed with which the Fresnel reflection at the surfaces of optical members can be reduced, the transmittance can be improved, and the surface reflection ghost that occur among a plurality of optical surfaces can be suppressed. The observation optical system of the present invention comprises a plurality of optical surfaces, and a fine periodic structure, with a period smaller than the wavelength of incident light, is provided at an effective optical region of at least one surface among the aforementioned plurality of optical surfaces.

Abstract: A glare reduction rear view mirror assembly for eliminating the glare from the headlights of vehicles coming up from behind the user's vehicle. The glare reduction rear view mirror assembly includes a frame having back, top, bottom, and side walls, and also having an open front; and also includes bracket members being attached to the frame and being adapted to fasten to a vehicle; and further includes a transparent pane being disposed over the open front of the frame; and also includes a mirror pane being pivotally disposed in the frame behind the transparent pane; and further includes an assembly for pivoting the mirror pane longitudinally.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element, a support for attaching the reflective element to a portion of the vehicle and a control. The reflective element is movable with respect to the support. The control is for establishing a reflective level of the reflective element and for determining a heading of the vehicle. The control includes a first circuit assembly and a second circuit assembly interconnected by at least one wire between the first and second circuit assemblies. The first circuit assembly is mounted to be movable with movement of the reflective element. The second circuit assembly is mounted substantially fixed at the support.

Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.

Abstract: A system apparatus, means and method for controlling a plurality of variable reflectance mirrors (or mirror segments), including a rearview mirror and side view mirrors, which change their reflectance level in response to a plurality of drive voltages applied thereto, for controlling the vehicle lighting system and for monitoring a vehicle interior for an automotive vehicle. The system includes a light sensing device and a control circuit formed as a single VLSI CMOS circuit. The light sensing device comprises a photosensor array having a field of view encompassing a vehicle interior. The logic and control circuit determines a background light signal from photosensor element signals generated by the photosensor elements in the photosensor array indicative of light levels incident on the photosensor elements. The circuit also determines a peak light signal in three different zones or sub-arrays of the photosensor array. The zones or sub-arrays may correspond to three mirrors or mirror segments.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of electrochromic elements, for example, used in automobiles, to control the glare of the IEC elements used as a rearview mirror (20) as well as the OEC elements (24, 26) used as sideview mirrors (24, 26). The IEC element and each of the OEC elements is provided with an individual drive circuit (21, 22). The drive circuits for the OEC's elements may be customized to account for various factors such as the type of curvature as well as the size and shape. Since individual drive circuitry is provided for the IEC elements and each of the OEC elements, the reflectance of each of the electrochromic elements (20, 24, 26) can be relatively accurately controlled by way of glare signal from inside the automobile.

Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.

Abstract: The inventive sensor device provides different fields of view in transverse directions. The sensor device include a support structure, a sensing element mounted on the support substrate for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto, and an encapsulant encapsulating the sensing element on the support structure. The encapsulant includes an integral anamorphic lens. Alternatively or additionally, the encapsulant may have at least a first zone and a second zone, where the second zone exhibits at least one different characteristic from the first zone, such as a different optical, physical, thermal, or compositional characteristic.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element, a support for attaching the reflective element to a portion of the vehicle and a control. The reflective element is movable with respect to the support. The control is for establishing a reflective level of the reflective element and for determining a heading of the vehicle. The control includes a first circuit assembly and a second circuit assembly interconnected by at least one wire between the first and second circuit assemblies. The first circuit assembly is mounted to be movable with movement of the reflective element. The second circuit assembly is mounted substantially fixed at the support.

Abstract: A method for reducing reflection of undesirable light in an opto-electronic package includes the coating of the interior surfaces of the package with light absorbing materials. Accordingly, when stray or scattered light is incident on package surfaces, reflections are minimized and therefore the optical noise, interference and feedback are reduced.

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 control system for a plurality of electrochromic elements, for example, used in automobiles, to control the glare of the IEC elements used as a rearview mirror (20) as well as the OEC elements (24, 26) used as sideview mirrors (24, 26). The IEC element and each of the OEC elements is provided with an individual drive circuit (21, 22). The drive circuits for the OEC's elements may be customized to account for various factors such as the type of curvature as well as the size and shape. Since individual drive circuitry is provided for the IEC elements and each of the OEC elements, the reflectance of each of the electrochromic elements (20, 24, 26) can be relatively accurately controlled by way of glare signal from inside the automobile.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle (20) is controlled by a system at least one semiconductor light sensor (170, 170′) having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal (164) indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic (66) varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals (166) based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors (170, 170′) may be varied by changing the integration time (228) for producing charge from light (176) incident on light transducers (178), by selecting between light transducers (178, 490, 500, 504) of different sensitivity within the light sensor (170), by using a light transducer (530) with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light (176), and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors (24,26), headlamps (44), and moisture removal means (38, 40, 42).

Abstract: A windshield glare-reducing assembly includes a tubular sleeve configured to receive an elongated light source such as a fluorescent lamp. Louvers are supported along the sleeve so as to fit closely around such a lamp without touching or being mounted directly on the lamp. The louvers are shaped, spaced and positioned to reduce the amount of light emitted from the lamp towards a vehicle windshield and then reflecting from the windshield into the driver's eyes. The sleeve is shaped to allow the sleeve and louvers to be easily installed on and removed from a lamp and to ease replacement of burned-out and damaged lamps.

Abstract: A retractable device (20), of a light shield type, is mounted on an optical instrument (10), such as a space telescope. The device comprises rods (22, 24) articulated about the optical instrument (10), within planes containing its axis (12), and a flexible and opaque covering (26), carried by these rods (22, 24). Motor units such as torsion springs integrated into the articulation devices (28, 30) of the rods allow the device (20) to be changed from a retracted configuration into an active configuration.

Abstract: A dual rear view mirror assembly for trucks and other vehicles comprising a bracket assembly having an upper portion and a lower portion, each bracket portion having an inboard end adapted to be attached to a truck and like vehicles forwardly of the driver and to one side thereof, each bracket portion having an outboard end with attachment mechanisms, an inboard first mirror having a supporting strip on its upper edge, lower edge and inboard edge, the supporting strip including adjustable support means coupled to the bracket assembly for allowing the adjustment of the first mirror at its inboard end about a vertical axis, and an outboard second mirror having a supporting strip on its upper edge, lower edge and outboard edge, the inboard edge of the second mirror being located adjacent to the outboard edge of the first mirror, and adjustment means coupling the first mirror and second mirror about a vertical axis extending through the line of coupling between the first and second mirrors whereby the second mirr

Abstract: An electrochromic assembly includes a transparent front element and a rear element each having front and rear surfaces. At least one of the front and rear elements is made from a plastic that maintains its integrity when exposed to organic solvents. A layer of transparent conductive material is disposed on the rear surface of the front element. A layer of conductive material is also disposed on the front surface of the rear element. The front element and the rear element when joined form a chamber therebetween. The chamber contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the organic solvent, which is effective to attenuate light passing therethrough.

Abstract: This single-actuator-and-cam, remotely adjustable, exterior vehicle rear-view mirror provides the driver with glare-free viewing toward the rear of the vehicle, by switching between a high-reflectivity position and a low-reflectivity position at the same view adjustment. The exterior rear-view mirrors are repositioned with only a single motor working with a rotary cam to scan all possible mirror positions. The single-motor mechanism increases the reliability of the mirror system. The single motor accomplishes both the directional alignment and the day/night reflectivity adjustment of the mirror by use of a cam which has positions for all predicted view positions, with two reflectivity positions for each view. This invention works equally well with flat wedge mirrors and wide-angle convex wedge mirrors.

Abstract: An electro-optic rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior mirror housing (10) containing an interior electro-optic mirror unit (18). At least one light sensor, and preferably a pair of light sensors (24, 26), is provided for sensing the ambient light level outside the vehicle. Control circuitry, which may be mounted on a PCB (36), is responsive to an output (34) from the at least one light sensor (24, 26) to establish a drive voltage for the electro-optic mirror unit (18).

Abstract: A bright light reducing side rear view mirror system is provided including a frame attached to a side of an exterior of a vehicle. Also included is a mirror assembly having a mirror and a glass plate mounted to the frame A surface of the glass plate is angled with respect to the mirror for reducing an intensity of light being reflected towards a driver within the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic tilting side view mirror comprising a housing, a mirror pivotally connected to the housing, and a solenoid link pivotally connected to both the mirror and the housing. The solenoid link moves the mirror from a normal viewing position to its antiglare viewing position when the driver manually shifts the rear view mirror to an anti-glare viewing position or when the rear view mirror is automatically shifted to an anti-glare viewing position.

Abstract: A dual state mirror assembly for use with motor vehicles includes a housing having an open front for receiving an outer substrate to form an enclosure. The outer substrate has a surface coated with a thin metal film to act as a beam splitter. An inner substrate having a reflective front surface is mounted within the enclosure so that in a first position, the inner substrate is in direct contact with the outer substrate, to produce a single bright reflected image, and so that in a second position, the inner substrate is placed at an angle with respect to the outer substrate, to provide a dimmed image and to minimize glare.

Abstract: A dual state mirror assembly for use with motor vehicles includes a housing having an open front for receiving an outer substrate to form an enclosure. The outer substrate has a surface coated with a thin metal film to act as a beam splitter. An inner substrate having a reflective front surface is mounted within the enclosure so that in a first position, the inner substrate is in direct contact with the outer substrate, to produce a single bright reflected image, and so that in a second position, the inner substrate is placed at an angle with respect to the outer substrate, to provide a dimmed image and to minimize glare.

Abstract: A dual reflective element vehicle side view mirror including a mirror housing; a dual element mirror having a first surface having a reflective element thereon and a second surface opposite to and parallel with the first surface having a second reflective element thereon that is covered by a tinted transparent material; and a mirror positioning mechanism including a rotating pin in connection with the dual element mirror for rotating the dual element mirror from a first position to a second position. The mirror housing has rotation cavity formed therein in connection with a mirror opening sized to allow the dual element mirror to be placed there across in a manner such that a gap exists between the entire perimeter edge of the housing defining the mirror opening and the perimeter side edges of the dual element mirror. The rotation cavity is sized to allow the dual element mirror to rotate at least one-hundred eighty degrees about an axis positioned across the mirror opening.

Abstract: A rear-view assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror and an anti-dazzle adaptor which is movably mounted in front of the mirror and which includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity. The anti-dazzle adaptor for a rear-view device of a vehicle includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; and means for movably mounting the anti-dazzle adaptor on the rear-view device of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a housing (11) containing a first mirror carrier (10, 50, 80) having a first substantially plane mirror (12, 58, 82) mounted thereon and a second mirror carrier (16, 52, 82) mounted adjacent to the first mirror carrier (10, 50, 80) for angular movement about an axis (18, 56, 86) parallel to an adjacent edge of the first mirror (12, 58, 82). The second mirror carrier (16, 52, 82) has a plane mirror (24, 66, 98) on a first face and a convex mirror (26, 68, 100) on a second face. When the second mirror carrier (16, 52, 82) in a first orientation, the mirror (24, 66, 82) on the first face forms a substantially continuous reflective surface with the mirror (12, 58, 88) on the first mirror carrier (10, 50, 80) of substantially uniform curvature.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising a first planar reflective surface, a second longitudinally convex reflective surface providing a wider field of rearward vision relative to the first reflective surface, the convex surface additionally curving downwardly at its opposite ends in a direction towards the planar reflective surface, a frame surrounding the first and second reflective surfaces for maintaining the same in a position in parallel longitudinal alignment with one another, markings adjacent the second reflective surface providing a visual indication of a safe lane changing zone and a slider for translating side-to-side movements thereof into back-and-forth movements of the first planar reflective surface.

Abstract: A side mirror for a motor vehicle includes a day/night mirror having a planar reflecting surface and a blind spot mirror having a planar reflecting surface. The mirror includes a housing which covers the day/night mirror in a manner that prevents overhead lights from showing a double image. The day/night mirror reflecting surface is angled with respect to the blind spot mirror reflecting surface, and the blind spot reflecting surface is angled with respect to the day/night mirror reflecting surface in a horizontal plane when the mirror is mounted on the vehicle. Each of the mirrors is mounted on a spherical ball, and the mirrors can be moved independently of each other by a various systems having the controls remote from the mirror inside the vehicle. The systems include a cable system, or an electrical system or a mechanical system. The day/night mirror has an additional control to position the mirror for night driving as well as for day driving.

Abstract: A reduced vibration day/night rearview mirror assembly provides improved stability of the mirror assembly. The assembly preferably includes a molded mirror case, a prismatic mirror element, and a two piece actuator assembly which provides reduced vibratory movement between a mirror mounting bracket and the mirror assembly. The actuator assembly includes a toggle member and a pivot lever which pivotally interconnect. The toggle member has a pivot journal defined along at least a portion of a first side and has a pivot surface defined along at least a portion of a second, opposing side. The pivot lever has a pivot shaft for pivotally mounting the lever in the mirror case and has an open-sided pivot channel generally parallel to and spaced from the pivot shaft for receiving and pivotally engaging the pivot surface of the toggle member. The case has cooperating supports for receiving the pivot lever pivot shaft and a pivot axle for engaging the toggle member pivot journal.