Patent · US Expired

Display for automatic rearview mirror

US5530240A · kind A · utility

791Cited by
55References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 21, 1995
Grant dateJun 25, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 21, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2001/1215
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A rearview mirror system for a vehicle having a reflective element with a reflective surface and a variable light transmission element includes an optical display device behind the reflective element in order to produce a visual display to the driver. A control is provided having a light sensor that senses light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle and produces a continuously variable light signal indicative of such sensed light conditions. The control further includes a drive circuit responsive to the light signal in order to supply a drive signal to the reflective element and thereby establish the light transmission level of the light transmission element. The control further includes an intensity control circuit that varies the intensity of the optical display as a function of the value of the sensed light in the vicinity of the vehicle to accommodate physiological changes in the driver's eyes. The intensity control circuit further varies the intensity of the optical display device as a function of the drive signal supplied to the reflective element in order to compensate for reduced light transmission levels of the light transmission element. The intensity control circuit …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.