Patent ID: 6407468
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A mirror for a vehicle comprisinga mirror housing; a reflector positioned in the mirror housing; an electrical circuit including a switch coupled to the mirror housing for activating and de-activating the electrical circuit; a sensor operably connected to the electrical circuit for sensing daylight and darkness; a compact display on a front of the mirror housing including a button coupled to the switch to actuate the switch, the button including a face having a light-transmissive window, and further having marginal material around the window to define a border, and still further having outer material forming an outer region outside of the border, the window and the border both defining an identifying symbol for the button, and the marginal material having an appearance in daylight that contrasts visibly and noticeably with the outer material; a light source positioned to direct light toward the window; the electrical circuit being configured to automatically energize the light source to a first level to allow viewing and identification when in darkness and when the switch has de-activated the circuit, and further being configured to automatically energize the light source to a second level to allow viewing and identification when in darkness and when the switch has activated the circuit, and still further being configured to automatically energize the light source to a third level to allow viewing and identification when in daylight and when the switch has activated the circuit, and also the border being sharply visible due to contrast to the outer material when in the daylight to allow viewing and identification of the button when the switch has de-activated the circuit.