Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-28
2003-02-04
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2827)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
C359S602000, C359S604000, C701S049000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06515378
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a vehicle rearview mirror and a vehicle control system incorporating such mirror.
According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle rearview mirror comprising a mirror housing containing a variable reflectivity mirror unit and a microcontroller for controlling the reflectivity of the mirror unit.
There is also provided, as a further independent invention, a vehicle control system comprising a rearview mirror housing, a variable reflectivity mirror unit mounted in the mirror housing, a master microcontroller mounted in the mirror housing for controlling the reflectivity of the mirror unit, a roof housing positioned on the interior roof of the vehicle, a slave microcontroller mounted in the roof housing and connected to the master microcontroller, and at least one input and/or output device connected to the slave microcontroller.
There is also provided, as a further independent invention, a vehicle control system comprising a network controlling a plurality of functions of the vehicle, the network having a node located in a rearview mirror housing of the vehicle, such node controlling at least one function of the mirror.
There is also provided, as a further independent invention, apparatus for controlling an optical characteristic of a vehicle component in accordance with the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal.
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Commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/173,479, filed Jun. 17, 2002 by Applicants Eric J. Hoekstra and Kenneth L. Schierbeek, entitled Digital Electrochromic Mirror System. (DON01 P-980).
Commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/952,693, filed Sep. 12, 2001 by Applicant Kenneth L. Schierbeek, entitled Digital Electrochromic Mirror System. (DON01 P-923).
Commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application filed Mar. 20, 2000 by Kenneth L. Schierbeek for Digital Electrochromic Mirror System (Attorney Docket No. DON01 P-808).
Drummond John P.
Fletcher Sean J.
Savard Hassel J.
Schierbeek Kenneth L.
Schofield Kenneth
Donnelly Mirrors Limited
Paladini Albert W.
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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