	US 7,583,184 B2
	Video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle
Kenneth Schofield, Holland, Mich. (US); Frank O'Brien, Holland, Mich. (US); Robert L. Bingle, Holland, Mich. (US); and Niall R. Lynam, Holland, Mich. (US)
Assigned to Donnelly Corporation, Holland, Mich. (US)
Filed on Jan. 31, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/700,363.
Application 11/700363 is a continuation of application No. 10/755915, filed on Jan. 13, 2004, granted, now 7,446,650.
Application 10/755915 is a continuation of application No. 09/793002, filed on Feb. 26, 2001, granted, now 6,690,268, filed on Feb. 10, 2004.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/263680, filed on Jan. 23, 2001.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/243986, filed on Oct. 27, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/238483, filed on Oct. 06, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/237077, filed on Sep. 30, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/234412, filed on Sep. 21, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/218336, filed on Jul. 14, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/186520, filed on Mar. 02, 2000.
Prior Publication US 2007/0132567 A1, Jun. 14, 2007
Int. Cl. B60Q 1/00 (2006.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 340—438 [340/425.5; 348/148; 362/494; 359/838]

46 Claims

1. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an electrochromic reflective element, said reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;

said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;

a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;

said mirror reflector comprising a metal layer;

said metal layer comprising at least one of (i) silver, (ii) aluminum, (iii) an alloy of silver, and (iv) an alloy of aluminum;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a video screen;

said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate;

said video screen comprising a back-lit liquid crystal device;

said video screen emitting light when actuated to display a video image, said emitted light passing through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said mirror reflector comprising a transflective mirror reflector and wherein the presence of said video screen disposed to the rear of said fourth surface of said second substrate is substantially unobservable to a driver of the vehicle until said video screen is actuated to emit light that passes through said electrochromic reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising control circuitry;

said control circuitry receiving a signal indicative of selection of a reverse gear of the vehicle by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry actuates said video screen upon selection of a reverse gear by the driver of the vehicle in order to display video images captured by a video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said control circuitry deactuates said video screen upon deselection of a reverse gear of the vehicle in order to cease display of video images captured by said video imaging device disposed to the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of and external to the vehicle;

wherein said video mirror system includes indicia overlaying the video images as seen on said video screen; and

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one light emitting diode, said at least one light emitting diode emitting white light when actuated.