US-20260126696-A1 - VEHICULAR INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH REMOTE AUTO-DIMMING CONTROLLER

US20260126696A1US 20260126696 A1US20260126696 A1US 20260126696A1US-20260126696-A1

Abstract

A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes a camera accommodated by a mirror head of an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly. The camera moves together and in tandem with the mirror head. The mirror head accommodates reflectivity-dimming circuitry operable to adjust dimming of a mirror reflective element of the mirror assembly and a serializer. An electronic control unit (ECU) is disposed at the vehicle remote from the mirror assembly and the mirror head is connected to the ECU via a coaxial cable. Image data captured by the camera is transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable. A control signal for adjusting dimming of the mirror reflective element is transferred to the reflectivity-dimming circuitry from the ECU via the coaxial cable. Power is transferred to the mirror head via the coaxial cable.

Inventors

Austin T. Buerkle

Assignees

MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251027

Claims (20)

1 . A vehicular cabin monitoring system, the vehicular cabin monitoring system comprising: a vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head adjustable about a mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of an interior cabin of a vehicle; wherein the mirror head accommodates an electrochromic mirror reflective element; a cabin monitoring camera accommodated by the mirror head, wherein the cabin monitoring camera moves together and in tandem with the mirror head when, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting structure to set a rearward view provided by the electrochromic mirror reflective element for a driver of the vehicle; wherein the mirror head accommodates (i) reflectivity-dimming circuitry operable to adjust dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element and (ii) a serializer; an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed at the vehicle remote from the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly; wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is electrically connected to the ECU via a coaxial cable; wherein image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera is transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable; wherein the ECU comprises electronic circuitry and associated software, and wherein the electronic circuitry of the ECU comprises an image processor operable to process image data transferred to the ECU; wherein the reflectivity-dimming circuitry adjusts dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element responsive to receiving a control signal, and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the control signal is transferred from the ECU to the reflectivity-dimming circuitry via the coaxial cable; wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, power is transferred to the mirror head from the ECU via the coaxial cable; and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable is processed at the ECU for at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a driver monitoring function and (ii) an occupant monitoring function.
2 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU generates the control signal based on at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a determined level of ambient light at the interior cabin of the vehicle and (ii) determination of glare light incident at the electrochromic mirror reflective element.
3 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 2 , wherein the mirror head accommodates an ambient light sensor, and wherein sensor data captured by the ambient light sensor is transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable and is processed at the ECU to determine the level of ambient light at the interior cabin of the vehicle.
4 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 2 , wherein the mirror head accommodates a glare light sensor, and wherein sensor data captured by the glare light sensor is transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable and is processed at the ECU to determine glare light incident at the electrochromic mirror reflective element.
5 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 2 , wherein image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable is processed at the ECU for the at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) determination of the level of ambient light at the interior cabin of the vehicle and (ii) determination of glare light incident at the electrochromic mirror reflective element.
6 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the control signal comprises a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.
7 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the coaxial cable comprises the only electrical connection between the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and the ECU.
8 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the mirror head accommodates a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the serializer and the reflectivity-dimming circuitry are disposed at the PCB.
9 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the mirror head accommodates a near infrared light emitter, and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the near infrared light emitter is electrically operable to emit near infrared light that illuminates at least a portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, and wherein the cabin monitoring camera is operable to capture image data representative of near infrared light reflected from objects within the interior cabin of the vehicle.
10 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 9 , wherein, responsive to processing image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable at the ECU, the vehicular cabin monitoring system adjusts operation of the near infrared light emitter to adjust near infrared light emitted by the near infrared light emitter.
11 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 10 , wherein cabin monitoring control signals are transferred from the ECU to the mirror head via the coaxial cable to adjust operation of the near infrared light emitter.
12 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein camera control signals are transferred from the ECU to the cabin monitoring camera via the coaxial cable to control operation of the cabin monitoring camera.
13 . A vehicular cabin monitoring system, the vehicular cabin monitoring system comprising: a vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head adjustable about a mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of an interior cabin of a vehicle; wherein the mirror head accommodates an electrochromic mirror reflective element; a cabin monitoring camera accommodated by the mirror head, wherein the cabin monitoring camera moves together and in tandem with the mirror head when, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting structure to set a rearward view provided by the electrochromic mirror reflective element for a driver of the vehicle; wherein the mirror head accommodates (i) reflectivity-dimming circuitry operable to adjust dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element and (ii) a serializer; an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed at the vehicle remote from the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly; wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is electrically connected to the ECU via a coaxial cable; wherein the coaxial cable comprises the only electrical connection between the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and the ECU; wherein image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera is transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable; wherein the ECU comprises electronic circuitry and associated software, and wherein the electronic circuitry of the ECU comprises an image processor operable to process image data transferred to the ECU; wherein camera control signals are transferred from the ECU to the cabin monitoring camera via the coaxial cable to control operation of the cabin monitoring camera; wherein the reflectivity-dimming circuitry adjusts dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element responsive to receiving a control signal, and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the control signal is transferred from the ECU to the reflectivity-dimming circuitry via the coaxial cable, and wherein the control signal comprises a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal; wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, power is transferred to the mirror head from the ECU via the coaxial cable; and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable is processed at the ECU for at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a driver monitoring function and (ii) an occupant monitoring function.
14 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 13 , wherein the mirror head accommodates a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the serializer and the reflectivity-dimming circuitry are disposed at the PCB.
15 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 13 , wherein the mirror head accommodates a near infrared light emitter, and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the near infrared light emitter is electrically operable to emit near infrared light that illuminates at least a portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, and wherein the cabin monitoring camera is operable to capture image data representative of near infrared light reflected from objects within the interior cabin of the vehicle.
16 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 15 , wherein, responsive to processing image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable at the ECU, the vehicular cabin monitoring system adjusts operation of the near infrared light emitter to adjust near infrared light emitted by the near infrared light emitter, and wherein cabin monitoring control signals are transferred from the ECU to the mirror head via the coaxial cable to adjust operation of the near infrared light emitter.
17 . A vehicular cabin monitoring system, the vehicular cabin monitoring system comprising: a vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head adjustable about a mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of an interior cabin of a vehicle; wherein the mirror head accommodates an electrochromic mirror reflective element; a cabin monitoring camera accommodated by the mirror head, wherein the cabin monitoring camera moves together and in tandem with the mirror head when, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting structure to set a rearward view provided by the electrochromic mirror reflective element for a driver of the vehicle; wherein the mirror head accommodates (i) reflectivity-dimming circuitry operable to adjust dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element and (ii) a serializer; an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed at the vehicle remote from the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly; wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is electrically connected to the ECU via a coaxial cable; wherein the coaxial cable comprises the only electrical connection between the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and the ECU; wherein image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera is transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable; wherein the ECU comprises electronic circuitry and associated software, and wherein the electronic circuitry of the ECU comprises an image processor operable to process image data transferred to the ECU; wherein the reflectivity-dimming circuitry adjusts dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element responsive to receiving a control signal, and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the control signal is transferred from the ECU to the reflectivity-dimming circuitry via the coaxial cable; wherein the ECU generates the control signal based on at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a determined level of ambient light at the interior cabin of the vehicle and (ii) determination of glare light incident at the electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable is processed at the ECU for the at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) determination of the level of ambient light at the interior cabin of the vehicle and (ii) determination of glare light incident at the electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, power is transferred to the mirror head from the ECU via the coaxial cable; and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable is processed at the ECU for at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a driver monitoring function and (ii) an occupant monitoring function.
18 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein the control signal comprises a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.
19 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein the mirror head accommodates a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the serializer and the reflectivity-dimming circuitry are disposed at the PCB.
20 . The vehicular cabin monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein the mirror head accommodates a near infrared light emitter, and wherein, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the near infrared light emitter is electrically operable to emit near infrared light that illuminates at least a portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, and wherein the cabin monitoring camera is operable to capture image data representative of near infrared light reflected from objects within the interior cabin of the vehicle, and wherein, responsive to processing image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera and transferred to the ECU via the coaxial cable at the ECU, the vehicular cabin monitoring system adjusts operation of the near infrared light emitter to adjust near infrared light emitted by the near infrared light emitter, and wherein cabin monitoring control signals are transferred from the ECU to the mirror head via the coaxial cable to adjust operation of the near infrared light emitter.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/714,978, filed Nov. 1, 2024, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of interior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to provide a mirror assembly that is adjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle, such as via a double ball pivot or joint mounting configuration where the mirror head and reflective element are adjusted relative to the interior portion of a vehicle by pivotal movement about the double ball pivot configuration. The mirror head and reflective element are pivotable about either or both of the ball pivot joints by a user that is adjusting the user's rearward view. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cabin monitoring system includes a vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly including a mirror head adjustable about a mounting structure. The mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of an interior cabin of a vehicle. The mirror head accommodates an electrochromic mirror reflective element. A cabin monitoring camera is accommodated by the mirror head, and the cabin monitoring camera moves together and in tandem with the mirror head when, with the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting structure to set a rearward view of a driver of the vehicle. The mirror head accommodates a printed circuit board (PCB) having (i) a serializer and (ii) auto-dimming driver circuitry operable to adjust dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element. An electronic control unit (ECU) is disposed at the vehicle remote from the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly. Image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera is transferred to the ECU. The ECU includes electronic circuitry and associated software, and the electronic circuitry of the ECU includes an image processor operable to process image data transferred to the ECU. The auto-dimming driver circuitry adjusts dimming of the electrochromic mirror reflective element responsive to receiving a control signal. With the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the control signal is transferred to the auto-dimming driver circuitry from the ECU. With the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the mirror head is electrically connected to the ECU via a coax cable. With the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle, (i) power is transferred to the mirror head via the coax cable, (ii) the control signal is transferred to the auto-dimming driver circuitry from the ECU via the coax cable and (iii) image data is transferred from the serializer to the ECU via the coax cable. The coax cable may provide a complete power-over-coax connection for power and data transfer between the mirror head and the vehicle ECU. With the vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle image data captured by the cabin monitoring camera is processed at the ECU for at least one of (i) a driver monitoring function and (ii) an occupant monitoring function. These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mirror reflective element of the mirror assembly; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the mirror assembly connected via a coax cable to a controller at the vehicle and remote from the mirror assembly, with the mirror assembly having an ambient light sensor and a glare light sensor; and FIG. 4 is another schematic diagram of the mirror assembly connected via the coax cable to the remote controller, with the mirror assembly not including the ambient light sensor or the glare light sensor. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly 10 includes a mirror head 12 that includes a casing 14 and a reflective element 16 positioned at a front portion of the casing 14 (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror assembly 10 is configured to be adjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle (such as to an interior or in-cabin surf