Automatic rearview mirror system using a photosensor array
US5760962A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2300/8093
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system apparatus, structure 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 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 rear window area and at least a portion of at least one side window area of the vehicle. 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. The peak light signals in each of the zones and a common background light signal are used to determine independent and separate control signals, which are then output to separate mirror drive circui…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.