Abstract:
One embodiment of a rearview mirror encompassing a plurality of radar detectors and laser detectors comprises of an opaque housing, a rearview mirror assembly, a universal mount, and a PCB assembly providing all of the illumination, audible indication, logic, user inputs, and radar and laser detection. Visual indications of radar or laser signals via illuminated indicators visible through the mirror, provide a fully functioning rearview mirror, when in standby mode. The device accommodates a plurality of mounts in order to accommodate all vehicle types. The geometry and mounting locations provide for more sensitive and accurate detection of radar and laser signals, while neither distracting the drive, detracting from the aesthetic nature of the vehicle, or causing a safety hazard.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention generally relates to a rearview mirror assembly, specifically to a rearview mirror assembly for use in vehicles and incorporating functions of a radar detector and/or laser detector. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Radar detectors for vehicles have been in common use for many years as they provide a desired function for the vehicle driving public. There are several factors that make the use of radar detectors unpleasant for the consumer and prevent its more widespread use. 
     Radar detectors are typically after-market purchases and are installed as home using a variety of simple included mounts. When using these included mounts, consumers are given instructions as to where to mount the device in order to experience the greatest performance from the device. An ideal position is in the center of the vehicle, close to the windshield glass, and as high as possible without being in the line of sight of the tinted band typically found at the top of most windshields. 
     One of the most common mounts utilizes a plurality of suction cups attached to a mounting bracket by which the radar detector is suspended from the windshield of the vehicle. The other involves attaching the device to a bracket that clips to a sun visor mounted to the ceiling of the vehicle. Under these constraints, the best possible location is in the location typically occupied by the rearview mirror. Since that location is not available, the next options available, given the included mounts, are either attached to the windshield directly below the rearview mirror or attached to the right side of the driver&#39;s sun visor. 
     The Suction Cup Mount 
     Using suction cups presents difficulty because the suction cups can become loose and have to be readjusted. They also rely on the windshield being clean and dry however, dirt and oils are introduced each time the mount is reattached, further reducing its ability to adhere securely to the windshield. Loose suction cups can lead to driver distraction and pose a safety hazard when the device falls off of the windshield while the vehicle is traveling. These mounts are accompanied by a spiral power cable that dangles downward from the device where it can be plugged into a power outlet such as a cigarette-lighter outlet. As most vehicles only have one such outlet, using it for a radar detector prevents it from being used for powering additional devices such as a mobile phone, portable music player, etc. Mounting a radar detector to the windshield with a cable dangling can be distracting to the driver and can obstruct his or her view of the road ahead. This cable also inhibits the use of other controls on the vehicle console such as thermostat, audio, and navigation controls. Windshield mounts also make the radar detector visible from outside the vehicle, encouraging break-in and theft. 
     In the case of older vehicles, specifically the American muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s, the suction cups are an inadequate mount because of the steep angle at which windshields on those vehicles are mounted. Most suction cup based mounting brackets hold the radar detector at a pre-determined angle with respect to the windshield. While this is suitable for the majority of vehicles, in a muscle car this mounts the radar detector at an angle such that the radar detector receiver will be pointed downward and not allow for maximum sensitivity of the device. Depending on the geometry of the radar detector enclosure, many angularly adjustable mounts are not able to support the load of the device because it creates a great moment arm about the mounted suction cups, causing the radar detector to be unstable and fall off the windshield. This can be especially distracting and potentially hazardous to the driver and passengers of the vehicle. 
     The Visor Clip Mount 
     The second mounting mentioned, including a sun visor clip, prohibits the use of the sun visor for its original intention, thus creating a safety hazard in bright sunlight. The sun visor clip method also frequently has inadequate connection between the clip and the device, causing the device to fall off of the sun visor and into the face or lap of the driver, creating an additional safety hazard. 
     In the aforementioned case of a muscle car, the sun visor mounting clips frequently cause two problems. First, these clips are designed to accommodate the modern sun visor that is much thicker than older models and the clip does not attach securely to the sun visor of a muscle car. Second, the friction about the hinge where the sun visor pivots is greater in modern vehicles than in muscle cars, in order to accommodate the greater weight in these modern visors. In most cases, the hinge on the sun visor of a muscle car cannot support the additional load of the radar detector&#39;s weight. U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,176 to Zamarripa (1997), mentions several additional difficulties with both the suction cup and sun visor clip mounting methods. 
     The design of U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,176 to Zamarripa (1997) fails to account for the awkward and potentially hazardous power cable or the security risks with a device that is visible from outside the vehicle. In this design, only the standard power option of a spiral cable is available. Thus, the problems of the obtrusive cable dangling down to a cigarette-lighter power outlet still remain. This design is also very large, in order to accommodate a wide variety of radar detector enclosures and creates a blind spot for the driver in the center of the windshield where this mount attaches to the rearview mirror. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,904 to Pastore (1986) discloses a rearview mirror assembly comprising of a two-way mirror with information display designed to maximize reflective surface when information is not displayed; however, a two-way mirror does not provide optimal image reflectance, reducing the effectiveness of the rearview mirror assembly&#39;s primary function. More specifically, because both sides of the two-way mirror have variable lighting conditions for instance, daytime versus nighttime on the exposed side and Light Emitting Diode (LED) illumination versus non-illumination on the interior, the reflectance of the mirror varies greatly and cannot be relied upon for the primary function. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,579 to Roberts et al. (2003) discloses a rearview mirror assembly comprising of a transparent housing and a radar laser detector where either the housing or rearward viewing means is at least partially transparent to wavelengths of light to which said laser radar detector is sensitive. The biggest limitation of this design is that the transparency is only sensitive to wavelengths of light and not radar waves, preventing the device from detecting radar signals. 
     Thus, a need exists for a radar detector and laser detector mount that overcomes the previously mentioned problems in the prior art without introducing any new problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a rearview mirror assembly contains within it a radar detector and a laser detector. Visual and audible indicators are present only when the device is in an active state. An active state is defined as when the internal radar detector or laser detector have detected a radar signal or a laser signal. While in standby mode, when the device is powered but no signals are detected, with the power indicator dimmed, the device provides no indication that any special features are available and appears just as a normal rearview mirror. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures  
       In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
         FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of a rearview mirror assembly in standby mode, in which the device is powered but no radar or laser signal is detected, in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of the rearview mirror assembly in standby mode, in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the rearview mirror assembly with various indicators, behind the mirrored glass, illuminated by LEDs, in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear view of a rearview mirror assembly, in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows a front view of a rearview mirror assembly in standby mode with a masked out portion around the perimeter of the glass, in accordance with the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  shows a front view of a rearview mirror assembly with a masked out portion around the perimeter of the glass with various indicators illuminated by LEDs through the masked out portion, in accordance with the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  shows a front view of a rearview mirror assembly in standby mode, with various etched indicators, in accordance with the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  shows a front view of a rearview mirror assembly with various etched indicators illuminated by LEDs, in accordance with the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  shows a front view of a rearview mirror assembly in standby mode with a wider bezel, relative to the other embodiments, in accordance with the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  shows a front view of a rearview mirror assembly with a wider bezel, relative to the other embodiments, with illuminated indicators by LEDs, in accordance with the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 11A  shows a front view of a rear view mirror assembly with a glass mount and location of section lines B-B and C-C, in accordance with a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 11B  shows a cross sectional view at line B-B from  FIG. 11A , in accordance with a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 11C  shows a cross sectional view at line C-C from  FIG. 11A , in accordance with a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of the windshield mount assembly, in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 13A  shows a front view of a rear view mirror assembly with a ceiling mount and location of section lines B-B and C-C, in accordance with a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 13B  shows a cross sectional view at line B-B from  FIG. 13A , in accordance with a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 13C  shows a cross sectional view at line C-C from  FIG. 13A , in accordance with a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  shows an exploded view of the ceiling mount, in accordance with the fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  shows a front perspective view of a rearview mirror assembly with a ceiling mount, in accordance with the fifth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DRAWING 
     Reference Numerals 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 100 
                 Rearview mirror assembly 
               
               
                   
                 102A 
                 Windshield mount assembly 
               
               
                   
                 102B 
                 Ceiling mount assembly 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 Housing 
               
               
                   
                 106A 
                 Bezel 
               
               
                   
                 106B 
                 Wide bezel 
               
               
                   
                 108A 
                 Mirror glass assembly, standby mode 
               
               
                   
                 108A′ 
                 Mirror glass assembly when all indicators are illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 108B 
                 Mirror glass assembly, standby mode 
               
               
                   
                 108B′ 
                 Mirror glass assembly with all indicators are illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 108C 
                 Mirror glass assembly, standby mode 
               
               
                   
                 108C′ 
                 Mirror glass assembly, with all indicators illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 108D 
                 Mirror glass assembly 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 Multi-function roller/push button 
               
               
                   
                 112A 
                 Power indicator 
               
               
                   
                 112B 
                 Power indicator 
               
               
                   
                 112C 
                 Power indicator 
               
               
                   
                 112D 
                 Power indicator 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 Multi-function push button 
               
               
                   
                 116A 
                 Directional arrows illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 116B 
                 Directional arrows illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 116C 
                 Directional arrows 
               
               
                   
                 116C′ 
                 Directional arrows illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 116D 
                 Directional arrows 
               
               
                   
                 116D′ 
                 Directional arrows illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 118A 
                 Signal type indicator illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 118B 
                 Signal type indicator illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 118C 
                 Signal type indicator 
               
               
                   
                 118C′ 
                 Signal type indicator illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 118D 
                 Signal type indicator 
               
               
                   
                 118D′ 
                 Signal type indicator illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 120A 
                 Intensity indicator illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 120B 
                 Intensity indicator illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 120C 
                 Intensity indicator 
               
               
                   
                 120C′ 
                 Intensity indicator illuminated 
               
               
                   
                 120D 
                 Intensity indicator 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 Speaker opening 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 Aperture for radar receiver 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 Aperture for laser receiver 
               
               
                   
                 128A 
                 Windshield mount bracket 
               
               
                   
                 128B 
                 Ceiling mount bracket 
               
               
                   
                 130A 
                 Windshield mount shaft 
               
               
                   
                 130B 
                 Ceiling mount shaft 
               
               
                   
                 132A 
                 Cable exit in windshield mount shaft 
               
               
                   
                 132B 
                 Cable exit in ceiling mount shaft 
               
               
                   
                 134A 
                 Windshield mount spherical joint 
               
               
                   
                 134B 
                 Ceiling mount spherical joint 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 PCB assembly 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 Spherical joint bushing 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 Ceiling mount shaft endcap 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment—FIGS.  1 - 4  and  11 - 12   
     One embodiment of the rearview mirror assembly is illustrated in  FIG. 1  (front perspective view),  FIG. 2  (front view in standby mode),  FIG. 3  (front view with illuminated indicators), and  FIG. 4  (rear view). 
       FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of rearview mirror assembly  100 , and windshield mount assembly  102 A that enables rearview mirror assembly  100  to attach to a vehicle windshield. The mirror assembly  100  consists of a housing  104  and a bezel  106 A, which supports mirror glass assembly  108 A. Mirror assembly  100  accommodates multi-function roller/push button  110  and multi-function push button  114  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Internal to mirror assembly  100  is a PCB assembly  136  which contains controlling electronics for the detection and notification of radar and laser signals. Functions provided by the PCB assembly  136  include but are not limited to illumination of indicators via LEDs, audible notification via speaker, user inputs. Multi-function roller/push button  110  has multiple input methods. It is able to be pressed-in momentarily to select an option or to be pressed and held-in to navigate options or menus. Additionally, a user can slide their finger up or down along the rotating portion of the button in order to increase or decrease relative levels or to scroll through a list of items or settings. 
     Housing  104  has an internal hemispherical recess that mates to the window mount assembly  102 A, described in more detail with  FIG. 11C . I currently envision the mirror glass assembly  108 A affixing to the housing  104  via screws. It could also be affixed with pressure sensitive adhesive, mechanical snaps, plastic posts from housing  104  that can be melted by ultrasonic welding or by the application of heat from a heat-staking process. Bezel  106 A contains features which engage into housing  104  which ensures mirror glass assembly  108 A cannot be removed during normal use. Besides mechanical features, bezel  106 A and housing  104  may be fastened together via custom screws installed with special driver, to ensure the device against tampering. Other methods of securing the device include liquid adhesive, mechanical snaps, or ultrasonic welding. I presently contemplate that the housing and bezel be made of Thermoplastic polymers that are opaque. They may also be made of Thermoset polymers, metals such s Aluminum, Magnesium, Steel, etc. or composite materials of Carbon or other suitable fibers. 
       FIG. 2  shows a front view of the first embodiment of mirror assembly  100 . With the device in standby mode, the front view of the rearview mirror assembly  108 A appears as a conventional rearview mirror without any additional features. In standby mode, the device is powered, as indicated by the illumination of power indicator  112 A which can be dimmed via settings. All other indicators are hidden from view in this state. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front view of the first embodiment of rearview mirror assembly  100  where the following indicators are illuminated: directional indicators  116 A, signal type indicator  118 A, and intensity indicator  120 A. Indicators can be illuminated by user input of multi-function buttons, by detection of radar or laser signals, or by the powering on of the device. 
       FIG. 4  shows a rear view of mirror assembly  100 . Housing  104  incorporates a user input method of multi-function push button  114 . Additionally, aperture for laser receiver  126  and aperture for radar receiver  124  are embedded within housing  104 . I currently envision that aperture for laser receiver  126  and aperture for radar receiver  124  will be heat-staked into the housing  104 . Additional fastening methods include pressure sensitive adhesive, liquid adhesive, mechanical snaps, etc. Speaker opening  122  shows one placement option for output of the speaker which is part of the PCB assembly  136  ( FIG. 11B ). Other placements can be made to improve sound or to optimize the locations of aperture for laser receiver  126  and aperture for radar receiver  124 . The windshield mount assembly  102 A is shown in a rear view as seen through the front of the windshield. Windshield mount assembly  102 A is placed in a location with respect to housing  104  which does not obstruct aperture for radar receiver  124  and aperture for laser receiver  126  during orientation changes of rear view mirror assembly  100 . Instead of having pluralities of apertures dedicated to each type of receiver, a singular aperture may be used to accommodate for multiple receivers of various types. Additionally, pluralities of receivers can be placed in various orientations on any face of the device with any number of corresponding apertures. 
       FIG. 11A  consists of rearview mirror assembly  100  with section lines B-B and C-C, defining the section views shown in  FIGS. 11B and 11C . 
       FIG. 11B  is a section view line B-B, as defined by  FIG. 11A . It shows the assembled state of windshield mount assembly  102 A which includes windshield mount bracket  128 A, windshield mount shaft  130 A, cable exit  132 A, and windshield mount spherical joint  134 A. Cable exit aperture  132 A allows for cables exiting rearview mirror assembly  100  from being pinched during orientation changes or adjustments made by user. The location of cable exit  132 A allows for concealment of power cable where the windshield meets the ceiling of the vehicle, preventing the cable from dangling and distracting the driver of the vehicle. Windshield mount assembly  102 A attaches to housing  104  and is fastened by spherical joint bushing  138  via screws in the present embodiment. Ultrasonic welding, heat-staking, or mechanical snaps are also possible methods to retain windshield mount assembly  102 A into housing  104 . Also shown in  FIG. 11B  are aperture for laser receiver  126 , multi-function roller/push button  110 , PCB assembly  136 , multi-function push button  114 , mirror glass assembly  108 A, and bezel  106 A. 
       FIG. 11C  is a section view line C-C, as defined by  FIG. 11A . It shows the assembled state of windshield mount assembly  102 A which includes windshield mount bracket  128 A, windshield mount shaft  130 A, and windshield mount spherical joint  134 A. Windshield mount bracket  128 A is fastened via threads into windshield mount shaft  130 A. Additional methods for attachment include welding, liquid adhesive, press-fitting, etc. Windshield mount shaft  130 A may be fastened to windshield mount spherical joint  134 A via threads. Additional fastening methods may include welding, liquid adhesive, press-fitting, etc. Windshield mount assembly  102 A attaches to housing  104  and is fastened by spherical joint bushing  138  via screws in the present embodiment. Ultrasonic welding, heat-staking, or mechanical snaps are also possible methods to retain windshield mount assembly  102 A into housing  104 . Also shown in  FIG. 11C  are multi-function roller/push button  110 , PCB assembly  136 , multi-function push button  114 , mirror glass assembly  108 A, and bezel  106 A. 
       FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of windshield mount assembly  102 A which includes windshield mount bracket  128 A, windshield mount shaft  130 A, cable exit  132 A, and windshield mount spherical joint  134 A. 
     FIGS.  5 - 6 —Second Embodiment 
     The second embodiment is differentiated by the masked perimeter of the mirror glass assembly  108 A. 
       FIG. 5  consists of rear view mirror assembly  100  in standby mode and shows the presence of windshield mount assembly  102 A, bezel  106 A, multi-function push button  114 , and mirror glass assembly  108 A. Power indicator  112 B is illuminated to indicate power to the device and standby mode. 
       FIG. 6  consists of rear view mirror assembly  100  with all available indicators illuminated. One example when this occurs is during the startup sequence after the device has been powered. Also shown are windshield mount assembly  102 A, bezel  106 A, multi-function push button  114 , and mirror glass assembly  108 B′. Illuminated indicators include power indicator  112 B, directional indicators  116 B, signal type indicator  118 B, and intensity indicator  120 B are visible in mirror glass assembly  108 B′. 
     FIGS.  7 - 8 —Third Embodiment 
     The third embodiment is differentiated by the etched indicators of the mirror glass assembly  108 C. 
       FIG. 7  consists of rear view mirror assembly  100  when in standby mode. Also shown are windshield mount assembly  102 A, bezel  106 A, multi-function push button  114 , and mirror glass assembly  108 C. Power indicator  112 C is illuminated indicating power to the device and standby mode. Directional indicators  116 C, signal type indicator  118 C, and intensity indicator  120 C are visible in mirror glass assembly  108 C but are not illuminated. 
       FIG. 8  consists of rear view mirror assembly  100  with all available indicators illuminated. One example when this occurs is during the startup sequence after the device has been powered. Also shown are windshield mount assembly  102 A, bezel  106 A, multi-function push button  114 , and mirror glass assembly  108 C′. Illuminated indicators include power indicator  112 C, directional indicators  116 C′, signal type indicator  118 C′, and intensity indicator  120 C′ are visible in mirror glass assembly  108 C′. 
     FIGS.  9 - 10 —Fourth Embodiment 
     The fourth embodiment is differentiated by the wider bezel (wide bezel  106 B). 
       FIG. 9  consists of rear view mirror assembly  100  when in standby mode. Also shown are windshield mount assembly  102 A, wide bezel  106 B, multi-function push button  114 , and mirror glass assembly  108 D. Power indicator  112 D is illuminated indicating power to the device and standby mode. Directional indicators  116 D, signal type indicator  118 D, and intensity indicator  120 D are visible in wide bezel  106 B but are not illuminated. 
       FIG. 10  consists of rear view mirror assembly  100  with all available indicators illuminated. This occurs during the startup sequence when the device is being powered on. Also shown are windshield mount assembly  102 A, bezel  106 B, multi-function push button  114 , and mirror glass assembly  108 D. Illuminated indicators including power indicator  112 D, directional indicators  116 D′, signal type indicator  118 D′, and intensity indicator  120 D′ are visible within wide bezel  106 B. 
     FIGS.  13 - 15 —Fifth Embodiment 
     The fifth embodiment is differentiated by ceiling mount assembly  102 B. 
       FIG. 13A  consists of rearview mirror assembly  100  with section lines B-B and C-C, defining the section views shown in  FIGS. 13B and 13C . 
       FIG. 13B  is a section view of line B-B, as defined by  FIG. 13A . It shows the assembled state of ceiling mount assembly  102 B which includes ceiling mount bracket  128 B, ceiling mount shaft  130 B, cable exit  132 B, ceiling mount spherical joint  134 B, and ceiling mount shaft endcap  140 . Cable exit aperture  132 B allows for cables exiting rearview mirror assembly  100  from being pinched during orientation changes or adjustments made by user. The location of cable exit  132 B allows for concealment of power cable where the windshield meets the ceiling of the vehicle, preventing the cable from dangling and distracting the driver of the vehicle. Ceiling mount assembly  102 B attaches to housing  104  and is fastened by spherical joint bushing  138  vis screws in the present embodiment. Ultrasonic welding, heat-staking, or mechanical snaps are also possible methods to retain ceiling mount assembly  102 B into housing  104 . Also shown in  FIG. 13B  are aperture for laser receiver  126 , multi-function roller/push button  110 , PCB assembly  136 , multi-function push button  114 , mirror glass assembly  108 A, and bezel  106 A. 
       FIG. 13C  is a section view line C-C, as defined by  FIG. 13A . It shows the assembled state of ceiling mount assembly  102 B which includes ceiling mount bracket  128 B, ceiling mount shaft  130 B, and ceiling mount spherical joint  134 B. Ceiling mount bracket  128 B is fastened via threads into ceiling mount shaft  130 B. Additional methods for attachment include welding, liquid adhesive, press-fitting, etc. Ceiling mount shaft  130 B may be fastened to ceiling mount spherical joint  134 B via threads. Additional fastening methods may include welding, liquid adhesive, press-fitting, etc. Ceiling mount assembly  102 B attaches to housing  104  and is fastened by spherical joint bushing  138  via screws in the present embodiment. Ultrasonic welding, heat-staking, or mechanical snaps are also possible methods to retain windshield mount assembly  102 A into housing  104 . Also shown in  FIG. 13C  are multi-function roller/push button  110 , PCB assembly  136 , multi-function push button  114 , mirror glass assembly  108 A, and bezel  106 A. 
       FIG. 14  shows an exploded view of ceiling mount assembly  102 B which includes ceiling mount bracket  128 B, ceiling mount shaft  130 B, ceiling mount spherical joint  134 B, and ceiling mount shaft endcap  140 . 
       FIG. 15  shows a front perspective view of rearview mirror assembly  100  which includes housing  104  that accommodates the mounting of ceiling mount assembly  102 B to affix the rearview mirror assembly  100  onto an interior ceiling of the vehicle. The mirror assembly  100  consists of a housing  104  and a bezel  106 A, which supports mirror glass assembly  108 A. Mirror assembly  100  accommodates multi-function roller/push button  110  and multi-function push button  114  (not shown in  FIG. 15 ). 
     Operation 
     When installed in a vehicle, the first embodiment of the rearview mirror assembly appears, to the casual observer, to have no special features other than the basic reflective nature of a rearview mirror. The only visible difference is a plurality of unobtrusive function buttons shown as multi-function roller/push button  110  and multi-function push button  114  ( FIG. 2 ), although additional buttons, different types of buttons, and different locations of buttons may be used. Multi-function roller/push button  110  and multi-function push button  114  protrude from housing  104 , enabling them to be found by a user&#39;s tactile response without visual confirmation. To power up the device, the user grabs the mirror assembly the same way they might adjust the angle of a standard rearview mirror—by gripping the mirror assembly  100  between their thumb and four fingers. In this way, their thumb would find the multi-function push button  114 . Pressing this button once and releasing, powers the device. This will trigger the device to go through a brief startup sequence, illuminating all indicators available ( FIG. 2 ) and testing the speaker by emitting beeps at the specified volume level. After that, only power indicator  112 A remains illuminated to assure the user that the device is still powered. The device is now in standby mode and ready for use. 
     While the default settings are acceptable for most users, there are several settings that can be customized for the user&#39;s preferences. Sliding multi-function roller/push button  110  up and down adjusts the volume level up or down, respectively. Visual feedback is provided to the user by simultaneously displaying the volume changes relative to maximum and minimum volume output via intensity indicator  120 A. Auditory feedback is provided to the user by emitted beeps through speaker opening  122  at each volume level the user scrolls through using the rotating feature of multifunction roller/push button  110 . Depressing multi-function roller/push button  110  briefly, followed by rotating the button up or down, adjusts the brightness of the illuminated indicators with either increased brightness or decreased brightness, respectively. Once multi-function roller/push button  110  is depressed, all available indicators are illuminated briefly, regardless of mode. As the multi-function roller/push button  110  is rotated up or down, intensity indicator  120 A displays the level of brightness currently selected relative to the maximum and minimum brightness available. Additionally, the brightness of the rest of the indicators fluctuates with the multi-function roller/push button  110  as it is rotated by the user. Once the desired brightness is reached, the user presses the button once to set the brightness and exit the brightness setting. 
     The two main functions of the invention are to provide rearward vision via a mirrored surface and that of a radar and laser detector. When in standby mode, the device can detect radar and/or laser signals via the receivers within the enclosure. When a signal is received, the device enters active mode and various information is communicated to the user with visual and/or auditory indications. In the present embodiment, the indications available for visual feedback include signal type indicator  118 A, which designates the type of signal received. For radar signals received, the band of signal is designated via signal type indicator  118 A. Directional indicators  116 A are available to indicate from what direction the signal is coming. Intensity indicator  120 A describes the intensity of the signal received. All of these indicators need not be present in order for the device to function, and additional indicators may be added to show different information related to the radar detector or laser detector. Audible feedback is available for either signal information or for feedback in the settings mode. When a signal is detected, a user may mute the device by pressing multi-function push button  114 . Pressing multi-function push button  114  twice in quick succession mutes the sounds as well as dims the display such that directional indicators  116 A, signal type indicator  118 A, and intensity indicator  120 A are no longer visible. 
     Advantages 
     From the description above, a number of advantages of my rearview mirror with reader detector and laser detector become evident. 
     (a) Placing radar detector(s) and laser detector(s) inside of a rearview mirror places the detectors at the optimal location for receiving of radar and laser signals, thus increasing the accuracy of the device over other radar and laser detectors. 
     (b) Using a rearview mirror as a housing for a radar/laser detector allows for a much wider aperture for the receiver, thus increasing the sensitivity of the device over conventional radar/laser detectors. 
     (c) Drivers frequently glance at their rearview mirror during normal driving, therefore the presence of visual indicators in this location does not add any distraction. In this first embodiment, the visual indicators are behind the mirror, thus leaving the entire mirrored surface free for normal use of rearward vision. 
     (d) The device appears like a standard rearview mirror so it does not attract the attention of potential thieves, detract from the aesthetic nature of the vehicle, or distract the driver with dangling cables. 
     (e) This device allows muscle car owners to utilize the technology of radar and laser detectors in their vehicles that was previously unavailable to them because the standard mounts are not compatible with most muscle cars. 
     (f) The unit is universal, with a plurality of mounts that can accommodate nearly every vehicle. A user can easily remove one mount and install the other to accommodate the preferred mounting for their vehicle. 
     Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the embodiments showing the integration of a rearview mirror with a reader and/or laser detector provides the user with an improvement over the currently available solutions. 
     Furthermore, the rearview mirror assembly has the additional advantages in that:
     different materials can be used for the hosing and bezel, for instance a metal housing can be paired with a plastic bezel enabling a robust housing or a plastic housing coupled to a metal bezel.   using other materials can improve the tactile feel of the device or facilitate internal cooling of the electronics   a band of indicators can be in a single section and not around the perimeter of the mirror such as a band along the bottom or along the top of the mirror   indicators can be distributed among the bezel and the mirror glass assembly   a display can be integrated into the bezel to allow for dynamic text to notify the user of more detailed information; dynamically changing information such as the distance to emitting radar or laser signal, etc.   widening the rearview mirror assembly accommodates for a wider aperture for radar receiver, thereby improving the detection of radar signals   utilizing different colors of LEDs for specific indicators enables the user to quickly and easily identify different types of information   an array of detectors at various angles could be incorporated into the assembly to increase the sensitivity of radar and laser receivers   additional mounts are possible for vehicles where the aforementioned mounts are not practical; one such mount may include dashboard mount   The mounts can be made in a complementary geometry to any existing vehicle mounts, for after-market installation   

     Although the description contains may specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. For example, the shape of the mirror can have other geometries such as rectangular, oval, circular, etc. Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.