Patent ID: 6465904
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
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 interior electro-optical reflectance element; said second microprocessor-based control including a control channel for controlling a partial reflectance level of said exterior electro-optical reflectance element; wherein at least one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls (i) formats messages for the vehicle communication network and (ii) decodes messages from the vehicle communication network; a multiplex communication link providing bi-directional serial communication between said first microprocessor-based control and said second microprocessor-based control, said communication link including one of a fiber-optic communication channel and a radio communication channel; a vehicle headlight control for controlling a state of a vehicle headlight; wherein one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls receives an input from at least one light sensor and wherein said vehicle headlight control generates a vehicle headlight control signal responsive to receipt of said input by said one of said first and second microprocessor-based controls, and wherein said input is communicated over said communication link.