Patent ID: 7404654

Claim:
A rearview mirror for a vehicle, the rearview mirror comprising: a reflective element for observing the traffic behind; a signaling mechanism with light-emitting lighting means provided on a rear side of the reflective element, the light of the signaling mechanism radiating at a specific angle of radiation in a predominant direction so that the lighting strength on the front side of the reflective element depends on the viewing angle relative to the predominant direction, said light-emitting lighting means having a defined center point and a lighting means optical axis, said lighting means optical axis extending through said center point; and an optical convergent lens having a defined optical central axis, said optical convergent lens having a domed outside surface disposed opposite said lighting means, said lighting means optical axis extending parallel to said optical central axis at a spaced location therefrom such that said optical central axis of said convergent lens does not extend through said center point of said lighting means, whereby said lighting means is located at a position offset from said optical central axis of said optical convergent lens, said optical convergent lens collecting the light signals of the lighting means and deflecting them in the direction of the predominant direction, said optical convergent lens being arranged between the lighting means and the reflective element.