EXHIBIT 1036
`
`WO 94/19212 TO SCHOFIELD
`
`(“SCHOFIELD ‘212”)
`
`TRW Automotive U.S. LLC: EXHIBIT 1036
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW
`OF U.S. PATENT NUMBER 8,599,001
`IPR2015-00436
`
`

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`
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`Espacenet my patents list on 06-02-2015 16:20
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`Displaying selected publications
`
`Publication
`WO9419212 (A2)
`
`Title
`AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR AND VEHICLE...
`
`Page
`2
`
`1036-001
`
`

`
`PCT
`WORLD INTEU.ECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`WO 94/19212
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 5 :
`B60R 1/08
`
`A2
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`1 September 1994 (01.09.94)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US94/01954
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`25 February 1994 (25.02.94)
`
`(81) Designated States: AT, BR, CH, DE, DK, ES, GB, JP, KR,
`LU, NL, PT, SE, US, European patent (AT, BE, CH, DE,
`DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`08/023,918
`
`26 February 1993 (26.02.93)
`
`US
`
`Published
`Without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt of that report.
`
`(60) Parent Application or Grant
`(63) Related by Continuation
`us
`Filed on
`
`08/023,918 (CIP)
`26 February 1993 (26.02.93)
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): DONNELLY
`CORPORATION [US/US]; 414 East Fortieth Street, Hoi·
`land, M1 49423 (US).
`
`(72)Inventors;and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): SCHOFIELD, Kenneth
`[GB/US]; 4793 Crestridge Court, Holland, M1 49423 (US).
`LARSON, Mark [US/US]; 13873 Oakwood Circle, Grand
`Haven, M149417 (US).
`
`(74) Agents: FITZPATRICK, Joseph, M. et al.; Fitzpatrick, Cella,
`Harper & Scinto, 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10172
`(US).
`
`(54) Title: AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR AND VEHICLE INTERIOR MONITORING SYS1EM USING A PHOTOSENSOR
`ARRAY
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`A system apparatus, means and method for controlling variable re(cid:173)
`flectance mirrors in response to drive voltages applied thereto, and for mon(cid:173)
`itoring a vehicle interior. The system includes a light sensing device and a
`control circuit (26). The light sensing device comprises a photosensor array
`(32) having a field of view encompassing a vehicle interior. The logic and
`control circuit (34) determines a background light signal indicative of light
`levels incident on the photosensor elements and determines a peak light signal
`in three different zones or sub-arrays of the photosensor array. The peak light
`signals and a common background light signal are used to determine control
`signals for int;lependently controlling the reflectance level of a plurality of mir(cid:173)
`rors (4, 5), or altemativeley the segments of a mirror. The logic and control
`circuit (34) also determines a vehicle intrusion condition and stores image data
`in memory in the compartment image data storage mode of the vehicle interior
`monitoring system.
`
`1036-002
`
`

`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international
`applications under the PCT.
`
`AT
`AU
`BB
`BE
`BF
`BG
`BJ
`BR
`BY
`CA
`CF
`CG
`CH
`Cl
`CM
`CN
`cs
`cz
`DE
`DK
`ES
`Fl
`FR
`GA
`
`Austria
`Australia
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Paso
`BulgariA
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`ctote d'lvoire
`Cameroon
`O!ina
`Czechoslovakia
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Demn.au::k
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`
`United Kingdom
`GB
`Georgia
`GE
`GN ~
`Grecc:c
`GR
`BU
`Hungii'Y
`m
`~land
`IT
`Italy
`Iepan
`JP
`KE
`Kenya
`Kyrg)'lltlll
`KG
`Democratic People's Republic
`KP
`of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakhstan
`Liecl!tc:ustein
`Sri Lanka
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagucar
`Mali
`Mongolia
`
`KR
`KZ
`u
`LK
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`ML
`MN
`
`MR
`Mauritania
`MW Malawi
`Niger
`NE
`NL
`Netberlands
`No !Way
`NO
`NewZealaod
`NZ
`PL
`Poland
`PT
`Portugal
`RO
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`RU
`SD
`Sudan
`Sweden
`SE
`Sl
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`SK
`Senegal
`SN
`TD
`O!ad
`Togo
`TG
`Tajikistan
`TJ
`Tl'
`Tri.oidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`UA
`us
`United States of America
`uz
`Uzbekistan
`VN
`VietNam
`
`.,
`~
`,.
`
`\:'·~·~~
`
`II ,
`
`1036-003
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`TITLE
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`5
`
`10
`
`AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR AND
`VEHICLE INTERIOR MONITORING SYSTEM
`USING A PHOTOSENSOR ARRAY
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of
`co-pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 08/023,918,
`filed Feb. 26, 1993
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`20
`
`15 This invention relates to an automatic rearview mirror
`system for automotive vehicles which automatically
`changes reflectance level in response to glare causing
`light, and more particularly relates to an improved
`automatic rearview mirror system using only a
`rearwardly facing sensor. This invention further
`relates to an automatic rearview mirror and vehicle
`interior monitoring system for automotive vehicles
`which also monitors a vehicle interior or compartment •
`This invention further relates to an automatic rearview
`25 mirror and vehicle interior monitoring system for
`automotive vehicles which. may also be used as a vehicle
`intrusion detection system or as a compartment image
`data storage system.
`
`1036-004
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`Description of Related Art
`
`5
`
`10
`
`Automatic rearview mirrors and mirror systems have been
`devised for varying the reflectance level of a variable
`reflectance rearview mirror by reducing the reflectance
`automatically in response to annoying glare light, as
`seen rearwardly of the rearview mirror or mirrors by a
`driver of the vehicle, and by increasing automatically
`the reflectance to a normal or maximum reflectance
`level when the annoying glare light subsides. These
`automatic mirrors have been changed over the years in
`an effort to improve their performance characteristics
`and associated level of glare protection.
`
`15 Early automatic rearview mirrors used a rearwardly
`facing sensor and control circuit to change mirror
`reflectance. One example of such a "single-sensor"
`type mirror is described in u.s. Patent No. 4,266,856.
`In these prior art single-sensor type mirrors, the rear
`20 glare light was incident on a rearwardly facing sensor
`or photocell, such as a photodiode, photoresistor or
`phototransistor. These mirrors suffered from various
`problems, however, including the problem that these
`mirrors would become increasingly sensitive and even
`"lock-up" in their minimum reflectance level or state
`as the driver encountered significantly higher light
`levels in town or city driving. This required the
`driver to repeatedly adjust the mirror's sensitivity
`control to prevent such problems.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`To overcome the problems of single-sensor type mirrors,
`a non-rearwardly facing photocell for sensing "ambient"
`light was added. It was believed that the desired
`reflectance necessary to relieve the driver from glare
`35 depended not only on glare light but also on ambient
`light. Accordingly, these "two-sensor" type mirrors
`used two separate photocells, one generally facing
`
`I
`
`...
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`5
`
`rearwardly and one generally facing forwardly (or other
`non-rearwardly facing direction) of the mirror or
`vehicle. The signals from these two photocells were
`then compared in some fashion, and when, for example,
`the glare light from the rear was comparatively high
`with respect to the "ambient" light, a control circuit
`would apply a control signal to reduce mirror
`reflectance. Some examples are described in German
`Laid-Open Patent No. 3,041,612; Japanese Laid-Open
`10 Patent No. 58-19941; and U.S. Patents Nos. 3,601,614;
`3,612,666; 3,680,951; 3,746,430; 4,443,057; 4,580,875;
`4,690,508; and 4,917,477.
`In many of these prior art
`automatic rearview mirrors, light generally forward of
`the mirror or vehicle was incident on the second
`15 photocell.
`
`In
`These arrangements, however, also had problems.
`some of these mirrors the forwardly facing or "ambient"
`light sensor was inaccurate because it did not
`20 correctly measure ambient light levels since it did not
`include light generally rearward of the mirror or
`vehicle. Some examples include the devices described
`in u.s. Patent Nos. 4,443,057 and 4,917,477. Other
`prior art devices overcame these deficiencies by
`25 providing a control circuit which correctly measured
`ambient light as a combination of both the forward and
`rear light levels. Examples of this significantly
`different approach are described in u.s. Patent Nos.
`4,793,690 and 4,886,960.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`The prior art two-sensor type systems generally
`provided improved performance over prior art single(cid:173)
`sensor type systems but were also more complex and
`costly.
`In part, this was because using separate
`forwardly and rearwardly facing photocells required
`that the performance characteristics of the two
`separate photocells, such as photoresistors, be matched
`
`1036-006
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`appropriately to ensure consistent performance under
`various operating conditions. Matching photocells such
`as photoresistors, however, generally involves complex,
`expensive and time consuming operations and procedures.
`
`-
`
`5
`
`Both the prior art single-sensor and two-sen~or type
`mirrors presented additional problems when they were
`also used to control the exterior side view mirrors.
`This is because such prior art systems used a common
`10 control or drive signal to change the reflectance level
`of both the interior rearview mirror and the exterior
`left andjor right side view mirrors by substantially
`In u.s. Patent No. 4,669,826, for
`the same amount.
`example, a single-sensor type mirror system used two
`rearwardly facing photodiodes to control both an
`interior rearview mirror and the left andjor right side
`view mirrors based on the direction of incident light
`from the rear. Another example includes the two-sensor
`type system described in u.s. Patent No. 4,917,477.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`In rearview mirror systems, however, each of the
`interior rearview and exterior side view mirrors may
`reflect different source light levels. More
`specifically, the inside rearview mirror, left side
`25 view mirror and right side view mirror each enable the
`driver to view a different portion or zone of the total
`rearward area. Of course, there may be some overlap of
`the image information contained in each of the three
`zones. The situation is further complicated with
`30 multi-lane traffic because each of the mirrors reflects
`different light levels caused by the headlights of the
`vehicles which are following, passing or being passed.
`As a result, in the prior art systems, when the
`reflectance level of the interior rearview mirror was
`reduced to decrease the glare of headlights reflected
`therein, the reflectance level of the exterior left and
`right side view mirrors was also reduced by
`
`35
`
`~ ..
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`1036-007
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`substantially the same amount, even though, for
`example, the side view mirrors might not be reflecting
`the same level of glare light, if any. Accordingly,
`rear vision in the exterior left and right side view
`5 mirrors could be improperly reduced .
`
`10
`
`Other prior art two-sensor type systems used a common
`ambient light sensor and several rearwardly facing
`sensors, one for each of the mirrors. An example is
`the alternate system also described in U.S. Patent No.
`4,917,477. This approach is not satisfactory, however,
`because it reduces system reliability and increases
`complexity and cost.
`
`15 Finally, some prior anti-glare mirrors used several
`sensors to control the segments of a variable
`reflectance mirror. One example is disclosed in u.s.
`Patent No. 4,632,509, which discloses a single-sensor
`type mirror using three rearwardly facing photocells to
`20 control three mirror segments depending on the
`direction of incident light from the rear. See also
`U.S. Patent No. 4,697,883. These prior mirror systems
`generally have the same problems as the other single(cid:173)
`sensor type mirrors. Some other anti-glare mirrors are
`25 generally disclosed in u.s. Patent Nos. 3,986,022;
`4,614,415; and 4,672,457.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Consequently, there is a need for an automatic rearview
`mirror system for an automotive vehicle having improved
`reliability and low cost, which accurately determines
`or otherwise discriminates light levels that the driver
`will experience as glare without the need for a
`separate forwardly facing photocell.
`In addition, as
`noted above, there is also a need for an automatic
`rearview mirror system of ·high reliability and ·low·
`cost, which accurately determines light levels that the
`driver will experience as glare, and which can control
`
`1036-008
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`5
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`independently the reflectance of a plurality of mirrors
`according to the light levels actually reflected by
`each of the rearview and exterior side view mirrors
`without the need for additional and separate rearwardly
`facing photocells. There is also a need for an
`automatic rearview mirror system that can independently
`control the segments of a variable reflectance mirror
`while accurately determining light levels that the
`driver will experience as glare in each segment of the
`10 mirror without the need for additional and separate
`forwardly and rearwardly facing photocells.
`
`..
`
`~
`
`Unauthorized vehicle intrusion for the purpose of
`stealing the vehicle or its contents is a significant
`15 problem. Each year, automotive manufacturers are
`including vehicle anti-theft or intrusion detection
`systems on more vehicles to deter potential intruders
`and to prevent the theft of vehicles or their contents.
`Currently known vehicle anti-theft systems are
`20 generally designed to protect the vehicle or its
`contents from theft or vandalism. There are many
`versions of vehicle anti-theft systems using various
`sensor technologies that attempt to deter theft or
`vandalism using the horn, siren or flashing lights, or
`25 other alarm mechanisms to bring attention to a vehicle.
`As is known, existing intrusion detection systems for
`vehicles use sensor technologies that have various
`limitations, including the problem of false triggering.
`For example, in many cases active vehicle alarms are
`simply ignored by people who assume that the alarm was
`falsely triggered. The proliferation of separate
`automatic rearview mirror systems and vehicle intrusion
`detection systems is also costly. Therefore, vehicle
`intrusion detection systems using an improved sensor
`technology are required that operate in combination
`with other vehicle systems (such as automatic rearview
`mirror systems) or that operate independently.
`
`30
`
`35
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`1036-009
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`Even with such anti-theft systems, recovered stolen
`v~hicles typically provide little or no evidence of the
`vehicle thief. Therefore, systems are required that
`provide an image of the vehicle thief that would be
`5 useful to law enforcement and the insurance industry as
`.an aid in identifying the person{s) responsible for the
`vehicle theft, and that operate in combination with
`other vehicle systems (such as automotive rearview
`mirror systems) or that operate independently.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to overcome
`the problems of the prior art.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to
`provide an automatic rearview mirror system of improved
`reliability.
`
`20 It is yet another object of the present invention to
`provide an automatic rearview mirror system that
`accurately determines light levels that the driver will
`experience as glare without the need for a separate
`forward facing sensor or other non-rearwardly facing
`25 photocells.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to
`provide an automatic rearview mirror system of high
`reliability that accurately determines light levels
`that the driver will experience as glare, and which can
`independently control a plurality of mirrors or mirror
`segments according to different fields of view without
`the need for additional and separate rearwardly facing
`photocells.
`
`According to one aspect of the present invention, using
`a photosensor array and an appropriate control circuit
`
`30
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`allows the elimination of separate forwardly facing or
`other non-rearwardly facing photocells, thereby
`allowing for lower costs and increased reliability
`since it is not necessary to match two separate
`5 photocells such as photoresistors.
`
`According to another aspect, the present invention
`which achieves one or more of these objectives relates
`to a control system for controlling a plurality of
`10 variable reflectance mirrors or mirror segments which
`change their reflectance in response to a signal from a
`drive circuit. The system comprises a plurality of
`variable reflectance mirrors, a photosensor array and a
`control circuit receiving signals from the photosensor
`15 array for controlling the mirrors. The photosensor
`~rray is mountable to view rearwardly of the mirror or
`vehicle. The photosensor array comprises a plurality
`of sets of photosensor elements corresponding to the
`plurality of variable reflectance mirrors. The
`20 photosensor elements in each set produce a plurality of
`photosensor element signals in response to light
`incident thereon. The control circuit determines
`control signals, indicative of a desired reflectance
`for each of the plurality of variable reflectance
`25 mirrors, in response to receiving photosensor element
`signals from the photosensor element set for each view
`or zone corresponding to the rearview mirror and
`exterior side view mirrors and also (or alternatively)
`the mirror segments. The control signals control the
`30 drive circuit to cause the plurality of variable
`reflectance mirrors or mirror segments to assume the
`desired reflectance.
`
`According to another aspect, the present invention
`35 which achieves one or more of these objectives relates
`to an automatic rearview mirror system for an
`automotive vehicle comprising at least one variable
`
`1036-011
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`5
`
`15
`
`reflectance rearview mirror, and an array of sensing
`elements to sense light levels in an area rearward of
`the at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror.
`Each of the sensing elements is adapted to sense light
`levels of light incident thereon and to output an
`electrical signal indicative of the sensed light
`levels. The system further comprises a signal
`processor, connected to the array of sensing elements,
`receiving and using the electrical signals indicative
`10 of the sensed light levels from the sensing elements to
`determine a first electrical signal indicative of a
`background light level in the area rearward of the at
`least one variable reflectance rearview mirror and to
`determine a second electrical signal indicative of at
`least one peak light level in the area rearward of the
`at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror. The
`signal processor determines at least one control signal
`indicative of the desired reflectance level of the at
`least one variable reflectance rearview mirror from the
`20 first electrical signal indicative of the background
`light level and the second electrical signal indicative
`of the at least one peak light level. The system
`further comprises at least one drive circuit connected
`to the signal processor and to the at least one
`25 variable reflectance rearview mirror for receiving the
`at least one control signal and generating and applying
`at least one drive signal to the at least one variable
`reflectance rearview mirror to drive the at least one
`variable reflectance mirror to the desired reflectance
`level.
`
`30
`
`According to another aspect, the present invention
`which.achieves one or more of these objectives relates
`to a control system for controlling a plurality of
`35 variable reflectance mirrors, each of which change
`their reflectance level in response to a drive signal
`from an associated drive circuit, for an automotive
`
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`10
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`vehicle. The system comprises a plurality of variable
`reflectance mirrors, and a photosensor array mountable
`to face substantially towards a rear area. The
`photosensor array comprises a plurality of photosensor
`5 element sets. Each set comprises a plurality of
`photosensor elements. Each of the photosensor elements
`generates a photosensor element signal indicative of a
`light level of light incident thereon, and each of the
`sets corresponds to one of the plurality of variable
`reflectance mirrors. The system further comprises a
`control circuit, connected to the photosensor array,
`for determining and applying a plurality of control
`signals. Each of the control signals is indicative of
`a desired reflectance level for each of the plurality
`15 of variable reflectance mirrors in response to
`receiving the photosensor element signals from each of
`the plurality of photosensor element sets. The system
`further comprises a plurality of drive circuits
`connected to the control circuit and to different ones
`20 of the plurality of variable reflectance mirrors
`associated therewith. Each of the control signals is
`output to the drive circuit associated therewith, to
`generate and apply a drive signal to each of the
`plurality of variable reflect~nce mirrors causing each
`25 of the mirrors to assume a desired reflectance level.
`
`According to another aspect, the present invention
`which achieves one or more of these objectives relates
`to a control system for controlling at least one
`30 variable reflectance mirror for an automotive vehicle.
`The system comprises photosensor array means for
`sensing light levels in an area rearward of the at
`least one variable reflectance mirror and generating
`photosensor array signals, means for determining a
`35 background light signal from the photosensor array
`signals, means for determining a peak light signal from
`the photosensor array signals, and means for
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`controlling a reflectance level of the at least one
`variable reflectance mirror using the background and
`peak light signals.
`
`10
`
`5 According to another aspect, the present invention
`which achieves one or more of these objectives relates
`to a method of controlling the reflectance of at least
`one variable reflectance mirror comprising the steps of
`sensing light levels in an area rearward of the at
`least one variable reflectance mirror with an array of
`sensing elements, determining a background light level
`from the sensed light levels, determining a peak light
`level from the sensed light levels, and controlling a
`reflectance level of the at least one variable
`reflectance mirror using the determined background and
`peak light levels.
`
`15
`
`By using a plurality of photosensor element sets or
`sub-arrays on a photosensor array to control a
`20 plurality of mirrors and also (or alternatively) mirror
`segments, the mirrors may be controlled independently
`to vary their reflectance in accordance with the view
`associated with each of the photosensor element sets or
`sub-arrays.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`According to another aspect, the present invention
`relates to a control system for monitoring a vehicle
`interior and for controlling at least one variable
`reflectance mirror for an automotive vehicle. The
`system comprises photosensor array means for sensing
`light levels in an area rearward of said photosensor
`array means and generating at least a first set of
`photosensor array signals, first determining means
`coupled to said photosensor array means for receiving
`said at least a first set of photosensor array signals
`and determining from at least a portion of said at
`least a first set of photosensor array signals a first
`
`•
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`signal for controlling said at least one variable
`reflectance mirror, second determining means coupled to
`said photosensor array means for receiving said at
`least a first set of photosensor array signals and
`5 determining at least a first set of values indicative
`of said at least a portion of said at least a first set
`of photosensor array signals, and memory means coupled
`to said second determining means for receiving and
`storing said at least a portion of said at least a
`10 first set of photosensor array signals.
`
`According to another aspect, the present invention
`relates to a vehicle intrusion detection system for
`detecting movement within a vehicle interior for an
`15 automotive vehicle. The system comprises photosensor
`array means for sensing light levels in an area
`including at least a portion of a vehicle interior and
`generating at least a first set and a second set of
`photosensor array signals, determining means coupled to
`said photosensor array means for receiving said at
`least a first set and a second set of photosensor array
`signals and determining at least a first set and a
`second set of values indicative of said at least a
`first set and a second set of photosensor array
`signals, and comparing means coupled to said
`determining means for receiving said at least a first
`set and a second set of values indicative of said at
`least a first set and a second set of photosensor array
`signals and comparing said at least a first set and a
`second set of values to generate at least one output
`control signal indicative of the correlation between
`said at least a first set and a second set of values.
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`25
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`30
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`•
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`35
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`According to another aspect, the present invention
`relates to a compartment image data storage system for
`an automotive vehicle. The system comprises
`photosensor array means for sensing light levels in at
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`least a portion of a vehicle compartment and generating
`at least a first set of photosensor array signals,
`determining means coupled to said photosensor array
`means for receiving said at least a first set of
`5 photosensor array signals and determining at least a
`first set of values indicative of said at least a first
`set of photosensor array signals, and memory means
`coupled to said determining means for receiving and
`storing said at least a first set of values indicative
`10 of said at least a first set of photosensor array
`signals.
`
`These and other objects, advantages and features of the
`present invention will be readily understood and
`15 appreciated with reference to the detailed description
`of preferred embodiments discussed below together with
`the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`20
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`25
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`30
`
`Figure 1A is a drawing of an automatic rearview mirror
`of the present invention, including an expanded view of
`a rearwardly facing photosensor array located in the
`upper center area of the mirror surface;
`
`Figure lB is another drawing of an automatic rearview
`mirror of the present invention, including an expanded
`view of the rearwardly facing photosensor array
`alternatively located in a bezel or chin of the mirror;
`
`Figure 2 is a drawing of an automotive vehicle with the
`automatic rearview mirror system of the present
`invention;
`
`35 Figure 2A is an illustrative diagram of a rearward area
`of a vehicle interior as viewed by the photosensor
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`elements of the photosensor array for monitoring the
`vehicle interior;
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`5
`
`Figures 3A and 3B are illustrative diagrams of a
`rearward area as viewed by the photosensor elements of
`the photosensor array;
`
`Figure 4A is a generalized diagram of a photosensor
`array PA(N,M) having a sub-array S(X);
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`10
`
`Figure 4B is a generalized diagram of the photosensor
`array PA(N,M) and sub-arrays S(O), S(1), S(2) and S(3);
`
`Figure 5 is another schematic diagram of the
`15 photosensor array commonly located on a light sensing
`and logic circuit;
`
`Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of the automatic
`rearview mirror system;
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`20
`
`Figure 6A is a schematic block diagram of the automatic
`rearview mirror and vehicle interior monitoring system;
`
`Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating the method of the
`25 present invention for controlling the reflectance of a
`rearview mirror or mirrors;
`
`Figures SA and SB are detailed flow charts for steps
`5150, S160 and S1SO of Fig. 7;
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`30
`
`Figure 9 is a flow chart of the general logic flow of
`Figs. 7, SA and SB for controlling the reflectance of
`three mirrors; and
`
`35 Figure 10 is another schematic block diagram of the
`automatic rearview mirror system of the present
`invention.
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`Figure lOA is a schematic block diagram of the
`automatic rearview mirror and/or vehicle interior
`monitoring system of th~ present invention.
`
`5 Figure llA illustrates the normalized spectral response
`of the photosensor array made using a non-epitaxial
`silicon process.
`
`Figure 11B illustrates the normalized spectral response
`10 of the photosensor array made using an epitaxial
`silicon process.
`
`Figure 12 is a flow chart illustrating the method of
`the present invention of the vehicle interior
`15 monitoring system.
`
`Figure 12A is a flow chart illustrating the method of
`the present invention for a vehicle intrusion detection
`system configuration of the vehicle interior monitoring
`system of Fig. 12.
`
`20
`
`Figure 12B is a flow chart illustrating the method of
`the present invention for the compartment image data
`storage system configuration of the vehicle interior
`25 monitoring system of Fig. 12.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`I. The Automatic Rearview Mirror System
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`30
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`35
`
`Figure 1A illustrates an automatic rearview mirror 1
`comprising a variable reflectance mirror element la and
`a single rearwardly facing photosensor 2. The
`photosensor 2 is mounted facing rearwardly of the
`rearview mirror 1 so that its field of view encompasses
`an area comprising a rear window area and at least a
`portion of either or both side window areas. Also
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`shown is a switch 3 to allow a driver to manually
`control several possible mirror functions, such as an
`on-off control switch, a sensitivity adjustment and a
`force-to-day or a force-to-night switch (i.e., forced
`5 maximum or minimum reflectance levels, respectively).
`An expanded view of the photosensor 2, which is
`preferably located in an upper center area of the
`variable reflectance mirror element la as shown, shows
`a light sensing and logic circuit 26 comprising a
`10 photosensor array 32 and a logic and control circuit 34
`(which is not shown in Fig. 1A but is shown in Figure 6
`as discussed below). A photosensitive surface of each
`of the photosensor elements 32a (shown in Fig. 5) of
`the photosensor array 32 senses light levels or image
`information in a predetermined field of view
`encompassing an area located rearwardly of the rearview
`mirror 1. A lens 30 images or otherwise focuses the
`light information from the predetermined field of view
`onto the photosensor array 32.
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`15
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`20
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`The rearview mirror 1 further comprises a channel mount
`1b or other mounting means used to fixedly attach the
`mirror 1 to the windshield or headliner area of the
`vehicle. The rearview mirror 1 is generally adjustable
`25 with respect to the channel mount 1a to allow a driver
`to position the mirror for correct viewing of the
`rearward area or scene so that the driver's sightline
`through the rearview mirror 1 is aligned approximately
`with the vehicle's centerline.
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`30
`
`Preferably, the photosensor 2 is fixedly mounted on the
`adjustable portion of the rearview mirror 1 as shown in
`both Figs. 1A and 1B so that the viewing axis of the
`photosensor 2 is generally aligned with the viewing
`35 axis of the mirror 1 which is perpendicular to the
`glass surface of the mirror 1. This approach is
`preferable both because of packaging concerns and
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`because it provides a guaranteed sightline. It is,
`however, within the scope of the present invention to
`mount the photosensor array 32 so that it is movable
`with respect to the variable reflectance mirror element
`5 1a of the rearview mirror 1.
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`10
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`More preferably, as shown in Fig. 1A, the