Patent ID: 6340850
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle rear vision system suitable for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle communication network, said system comprising:an interior rearview mirror assembly and an exterior rearview mirror assembly; said interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optical reflectance element and a first microprocessor-based control; said exterior rearview mirror assembly including an exterior electro-optical reflectance element and a second microprocessor-based control; said first microprocessor-based control including a control channel for controlling a partial reflectance level of said first interior electro-optical reflectance element; said second microprocessor-based control including a control channel for controlling a partial reflectance level of said second exterior electro-optical reflectance element; said second microprocessor-based control including at least one another control channel, said at least one another control channel operable to at least one of (i) selectively activate a heater element in heat transfer association with said second exterior electro-optical reflectance element, (ii) operate a positioning device for said second exterior electro-optical reflectance element, (iii) actuate a security light, (iv) actuate a turn signal, and (v) actuate a stop signal; and wherein one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls at least one of (i) formats message for the vehicle communication network and (ii) decodes messages from the vehicle communication network.