Patent ID: 6402328
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B60R,G01J

Abstract:
A rearview mirror for an automotive vehicle allowing a vehicle operator to view a scene generally behind the vehicle operator, the mirror comprising:a dimming element having a variably reflective surface, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal; an ambient light sensor positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle, the ambient light sensor operative to output a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an ambient light integration period; a glare sensor positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator, the glare sensor operative to output a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over a glare integration period; and a dimming logic in communication with the dimming element, the ambient light sensor, and the glare sensor, the dimming logic operative to (a) determine an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal, (b) determine the glare integration period based on the determined ambient light level, (c) determine a mirror glare level based on the glare signal, and (d) determine the dimming element control signal based on the determined mirror glare level.