Patent ID: 9481304
Filing Date: 2016-11-01
CPC Classification: B60R,G02B

Claim Text:
1. An exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use on a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror system comprising: an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element supported at a mirror head portion mountable to a side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system; a mirror heating element disposed at a rear side of said reflective element and operable to heat said reflective element; and a control operable to power said mirror heating element to heat said reflective element, wherein said control controls heating of said mirror heating element responsive at least in part to (i) a speed signal indicative of a speed of travel of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a temperature signal indicative of a temperature at or on said reflective element; wherein, responsive to said control receiving a speed signal indicative of vehicle movement, said control powers said mirror heating element; wherein, responsive to said control receiving a speed signal indicative of little or no vehicle movement for a predetermined period of time, said control reduces power applied to said mirror heating element; and wherein said control, responsive to said control receiving a speed signal indicative of little or no vehicle movement for a predetermined period of time of at least about three minutes, said control reduces power applied to said mirror heating element.