Author: claimsbot

1. A method of making a sheet-form loop product, the method comprising
placing a layer of staple fibers on a first side of a substrate;
needling fibers of the layer through the substrate by penetrating the substrate with needles that drag portions of the fibers through the substrate during needling, leaving exposed loops of the fibers extending from a second side of the substrate;
passing the substrate and the fibers through a nip defined between a roll and a hot can such that the fibers on the first side of the substrate are fused together to anchor the exposed loops, while substantially preventing fusion of the fibers extending from the second side of the substrate, wherein the roll has a compliant rubber surface, and the complaint rubber surface and the hot can cooperate to apply a uniform pressure across the first side of the substrate; and
cooling the compliant rubber surface of the roll by circulating liquid coolant through a core about which the rubber surface is positioned and directing air onto the rubber surface,
wherein the loop product has an overall weight of less than about 2 ounces per square yard.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to fusing, heating the fibers from the first side of the substrate.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the fibers include bicomponent fibers having a core of one material and a sheath of another material, and wherein anchoring the exposed loops comprises melting material of the sheaths of the bicomponent fibers to bind the fibers together.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fibers include first fibers having a relatively high melting temperature and second fibers having a relatively lower melting temperature, the melting temperature of the second fibers being selected to allow the second fibers to fuse and anchor the loops.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the fibers are loose and unconnected to the substrate and each other until needled.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein, after passing the substrate and the fibers through the nip, the fibers and filaments of the substrate on the first side of the substrate are fused together by a network of discrete bond points.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the bond points are in a random distribution.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the fibers comprise drawn staple fibers, and the fused fibers maintain a longitudinal molecular orientation throughout the bond points.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the needling of the fibers of the layer through the substrate and the fusing together to anchor the exposed loops forms loops sized and constructed to be releasably engageable by a field of hooks for hook-and-loop fastening.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a nonwoven web.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the nonwoven web comprises a spunbond web.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein, prior to needling, the spunbond web comprises a non-random pattern of fused, spaced apart regions, each fused region surrounded by unfused regions.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein the nonwoven web comprises filaments formed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, and blends and copolymer thereof.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein the nonwoven web comprises filaments having a specific gravity of less than about 1.5 gcm3.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein the nonwoven web has a linear filament layer density of at least about 25 filamentslayer.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the nonwoven web has an overall basis weight of less than about 0.75 osy.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the staple fibers are disposed on the first side of the substrate in a layer of a total fiber weight of less than about 2 ounces per square yard (67 grams per square meter).
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the staple fibers are disposed on the substrate in a layer of a total fiber weight of no more than about one ounce per square yard (34 grams per square meter).
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the staple fibers are disposed on the substrate in a carded, unbonded state.
20. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to disposing the fibers on the substrate, carding and cross-lapping the fibers.
21. The method of claim 11 wherein the staple fibers and filaments of the nonwoven web are of substantially the same denier.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein pressure in the nip is from about 5 to about 40 psi.
23. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting roll compliance, nip pressure and line speed so that nip dwell time is from about 25 to 200 msec.
24. The method of claim 1 further comprising preheating the substrate from the first side prior to passing the substrate through the nip.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein preheating comprises training the substrate about the hot can that carries the substrate into the nip.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising applying tension to the substrate to maintain a contact pressure against the hot can prior to passing the substrate through the nip.
27. The method of claim 24 wherein preheating comprises heating the substrate, using infrared heating, to a temperature sufficient to soften but not melt surfaces of at least some of the fibers on the first side.
28. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a polymer film.
29. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a scrim.
30. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises paper.
31. The method of claim 1 wherein the needling comprises elliptical needling.
32. The method of claim 1 further comprising embossing the loop product after passing the substrate and fibers through the nip.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A heat-sensitive recording material comprising a heat-sensitive recording layer, an intermediate layer, and a protective layer, which are sequentially formed in this order on a support, wherein the heat-sensitive recording layer contains a leuco dye and a developer; the intermediate layer contains an aqueous adhesive; and the protective layer is a cured form obtained by irradiation of an ultraviolet- or electron-beam-curable resin composition with ultraviolet light or an electron beam;
the heat-sensitive recording material further comprising, on the protective layer, an uppermost layer containing an aqueous adhesive and a pigment having a mean particle diameter of not more than 100 nm,
wherein the uppermost layer-side surface of the heat-sensitive recording material has a gloss at 75\xb0 of not less than 90% and a gloss at 20\xb0 of not less than 35% in accordance with JIS P 8142-1993.
2. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1, wherein the uppermost layer contains an aqueous adhesive comprising a polyurethane ionomer.
3. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pigment comprises one member selected from the group consisting of layered silicate compounds and colloidal silica, and the content of one member selected from the group consisting of layered silicate compounds and colloidal silica is 20 to 70 mass %, based on the total solids content of the uppermost layer.
4. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the uppermost layer contains a resin obtained from the aqueous adhesive, which is a polymer latex having a heterogeneous particle structure containing a urethane resin component in at least one phase.
5. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the uppermost layer has an average thickness of 0.02 to 0.4 \u03bcm, and the average thickness is not less than a mean particle diameter of the pigment.
6. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective layer contains a filler having a 50% mean volume particle diameter (D50) of less than 2.0 \u03bcm as determined from the cumulative volume distribution, and a ratio of the 90% mean volume particle diameter (D90) to the 50% mean volume particle diameter (D50) (D90D50) of not more than 3.0, and the protective layer has an average thickness of 0.5 to 5 \u03bcm, and the average thickness is not less than a mean particle diameter of the filler.
7. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective layer contains at least one filler selected from the group consisting of synthetic zeolite and spherical silica.
8. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective layer surface has a gloss at 75\xb0 of not less than 90% in accordance with JIS P 8142-1993 and a wetting tension of not less than 50 mNm.
9. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the uppermost layer is formed by using an uppermost layer coating composition containing
an alkyl phosphate;
an alkali metal pyrophosphate; and
at least one thickener selected from the group consisting of acrylic alkali thickeners, polyethylene oxide, xanthan gum, and sodium polyacrylate; and wherein
the alkyl phosphate content is 0.5 to 10 mass %, based on the total solids content of the uppermost layer,
and the alkali metal pyrophosphate content is 3 to 20 mass %, based on the pigment.
10. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 9, wherein the acrylic alkali thickener content is 0.1 to 3 mass %, based on the total solids content of the uppermost layer.
11. The heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 9, wherein the content of at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, xanthan gum, and sodium polyacrylate is 0.05 to 0.5 mass %, based on the total solids content of the uppermost layer.
12. A method for producing a heat-sensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat-sensitive recording material comprising a heat-sensitive recording layer, an intermediate layer, and a protective layer, which are sequentially formed in this order on a support, the heat-sensitive recording layer containing a leuco dye and a developer, the intermediate layer containing an aqueous adhesive, and the protective layer being cured by irradiation of an ultraviolet- or electron-beam-curable resin composition with ultraviolet light or an electron beam,
applying to the protective layer an uppermost layer coating composition containing an aqueous adhesive and a pigment with a mean particle diameter of not more than 100 nm and drying the composition to form an uppermost layer,
wherein the uppermost layer-side surface has a gloss at 75\xb0 of not less than 90% and a gloss at 20\xb0 of not less than 35% in accordance with JIS P 8142-1993.

1. An apparatus for detecting liquid level with a probe, comprising:
a pipetting probe configured for causing output of a capacitance value;
a generation module configured for generating an analog signal corresponding to the capacitance value;
a signal converting module configured for converting the analog signal into discrete signals;
a signal processing module configured for causing a determination of whether to adopt a slope detecting process or an amplitude detecting process for processing the discrete signals based at least upon an amount of liquid detected and for causing to output a liquid level contacting indication signal; and
a control module configured for controlling a movement of the pipetting probe based at least upon the liquid level contacting indication signal.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the signal processing module further comprises:
a first judgment unit for judging if a current discrete signal in the discrete signals satisfies a condition that its value is greater than a first threshold value (Vl) and a slope between it and a previous discrete signal is greater than a predetermined slope threshold;
a first counting unit for increasing a first counting value if it is judged that the current discrete signal satisfies the condition, otherwise decreasing the first counting value; and a first output unit for outputting the liquid level contacting indication signal when the first counting value reaches a first counting threshold.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
a second judgment unit for judging if the current discrete signal is greater than a second threshold value (Vh) that is greater than the first threshold value;
a second counting unit for increasing a second counting value if the current discrete signal is greater than the second threshold value, otherwise decreasing the second counting value; and
a second output unit for outputting the liquid level contacting indication signal when the second counting value reaches a second counting threshold
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
where the current discrete signal is greater than the second threshold value, means for stopping a first determination unit.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal converting module is an AID converter, and the discrete signals are digital signals.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a filter unit for filtering the analog signal; and
an amplifier unit for amplifying the filtered analog signal and outputting it to the signal converting module.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, the generation module further comprising:
an oscillation and frequency division circuit for generating and outputting a reference signal; and
a PLL integrated circuit for generating an oscillation signal corresponding to the capacitance value of the pipetting probe, and based on the reference signal generated by the oscillation and frequency division circuit and the oscillation signal, generating the analog signal.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the signal processing module is further configured for causing an increment or a decrement of a counting value based at least upon a result of the slope detecting process or of the amplitude detecting process, and the counting value causes the act of outputting the liquid level contacting indication signal when the counting value exceeds a counting threshold.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the signal processing module is further configured for causing a second determination of whether one or more of the discrete signals constitute a noise signal based at least upon the result.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the signal processing module is configured for causing the second determination of the noise signal by examining at least two contiguous signals of the discrete signals.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal processing module is configured for causing the determination further based at least on a time period for the liquid level detecting signal to reach a first time period.
12. A method for detecting liquid level with a probe, comprising steps of:
identifying a capacitance value of the probe;
generating an analog signal corresponding to the capacitance value;
converting the generated analog signal into discrete signals;
determining whether to adopt a slope detecting process or an amplitude detecting process for processing the discrete signals and outputting a liquid level contacting indication signal; and
controlling a movement of the probe based at least upon the output liquid level contacting indication signal.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of outputting the liquid level contacting indication further comprises;
judging if a current discrete signal in the discrete signals satisfies a condition that its value is greater than a first threshold value (Vl) and a slope between it and a previous discrete signal is greater than a predetermined slope threshold;
increasing a first counting value if it is judged that the current discrete signal satisfied the condition, otherwise decreasing the first counting value; and
outputting the liquid level contacting indication signal when the first counting value reaches a first counting threshold.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein, further comprising:
judging if the current discrete signal is greater than a second threshold value (Vh) that is greater than the first threshold value;
increasing a second counting value if the current discrete signal is greater than the second threshold value, otherwise decreasing the second counting value; and
outputting the liquid level contacting indication signal when the second counting value reaches a second counting threshold.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein, further comprising:
when it is judged that the current discrete signal is greater than the second threshold value, the step of determining if the current discrete signal is greater than a first threshold value (Vl) and a slope between it and a previous discrete signal is greater than a predetermined slope threshold is stopped.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the discrete signals are digital signals.
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
incrementing or decrementing a counting value based at least upon a result of the slope detecting process or the amplitude detecting process, wherein the counting value causes the act of outputting the liquid level contacting indication signal when the counting value exceeds a counting threshold.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
determining whether or not one or more of the discrete signals constitute a noise signal based at least upon the result.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the act of determining whether or not the one or more of the discrete signals constitute a noise signal by examining at least two contiguous signals of the discrete signals.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror casing;
a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;
a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;
a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;
said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;
wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;
wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;
a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;
said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;
wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element; and
wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
2. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light reflecting element comprises curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respective openings.
3. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respective openings comprise parabolic reflecting surfaces.
4. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein, at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflecting wall.
5. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element.
6. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 5, wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.
7. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.
8. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least some light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are nested in said light reflecting element.
9. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.
10. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.
11. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element.
12. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 11, wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.
13. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 12, wherein said plate-like structure of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element.
14. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes.
15. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes.
16. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes.
17. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes is arranged in a matrix array.
18. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said matrix array comprises a linear array.
19. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.
20. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 19, wherein said array of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes.
21. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array.
22. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein said transparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface and wherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the plane of said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismatic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front surface of said transparent substrate.
23. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.
24. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said surface of said rear substrate at which said mirror reflector is disposed opposes said electro-optic medium, and wherein said electro-optic medium contacts said mirror reflector.
25. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes arc mounted to the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element.
26. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board.
27. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 26, wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
28. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein said at least one other electrical component mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element comprises an electrical connector.
29. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein a plurality of electrical components is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
30. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein said at least one other electrical component comprises at least one of (a) an electrical switch, (b) an electrical connector and (c) a light assembly.
31. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
32. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 31, wherein said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle.
33. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 32, wherein said traffic sign display comprises a speed limit display.
34. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mirror casing is adjustable via a ball and socket joint and wherein a ball member of said ball and socket joint comprises a passageway therethrough for wiring to pass into said mirror casing.
35. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, comprising a carrier disposed in said mirror casing, said carrier supporting said display element and said circuit board, wherein said carrier supports at least one switch for actuating a vehicle function, and wherein said carrier comprises a plate member, said plate member having a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from said reflective element from said first portion, and said second portion including said display element, and wherein said carrier supports said plurality of light emitting diodes, and wherein each of said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is isolated from adjacent light emitting diodes wherein light leakage between the respective adjacent light emitting diodes is substantially reduced, and wherein said carrier includes a divider wall between adjacent light emitting diodes.
36. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror casing;
a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;
a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;
a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;
said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;
wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;
wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective clement for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;
a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;
said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;
wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;
wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element; and
wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
37. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.
38. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 37, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.
39. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.
40. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element, and wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, comprising a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said plate-like structure of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.
41. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.
42. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein one of (a) said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein said transparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface and wherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the plane of said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismatic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said minor reflector through said front surface of said transparent substrate, and (b) said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.
43. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board, and wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
44. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to display information derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equipped vehicle.
45. The interior rearview minor assembly according to claim 36, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.
46. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror casing;
a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;
a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;
a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;
said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;
wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;
wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;
a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;
said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;
wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;
wherein said light reflecting element comprises curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respective openings;
wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element; and
wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
47. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.
48. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein said respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.
49. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element, and wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.
50. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.
51. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein one of (a) said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein said transparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface and wherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the plane of said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismatic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front surface of said transparent substrate, and (b) said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.
52. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board, and wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
53. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to display information derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equipped vehicle.
54. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.
55. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror casing;
an electrochromic reflective element comprising a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said rear substrate, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium;
a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;
a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;
said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;
wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board;
wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;
wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;
a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;
said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;
wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element; and
wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
56. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.
57. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein said respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein said display element is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.
58. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, comprising an attachment element at the rear of said reflective element, wherein said circuit board is mounted at said attachment element, and wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element.
59. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises an array of light emitting diodes.
60. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
61. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element is operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior the equipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to display information derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equipped vehicle.
62. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.
63. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror casing;
an electrochromic reflective element comprising a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said rear substrate, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium;
a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;
a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;
wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array;
said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;
wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;
wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;
a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;
wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element;
said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;
wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;
wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflecting wall; and
wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
64. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein a selected set of light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.
65. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.
66. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
67. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein a plurality of electrical components is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
68. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 67, wherein one of said plurality of electrical components mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element comprises an electrical connector.
69. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror casing;
a reflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate;
a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element;
a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;
said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for a display element;
wherein said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element where said display element is disposed rearward of said reflective element;
wherein, with at least some of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said display element and through said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;
a light reflecting element disposed between said circuit board and said display element;
said light reflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough;
wherein individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said light reflecting element;
a circuit board assembly comprising an attachment element, said display element, said light reflecting element and said circuit board, said attachment element providing support for said display element, said light reflecting element and said circuit board, and wherein said circuit board assembly is attached at the rear of said reflective element;
wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflective element is substantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
70. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachment element is attached at the rear of said reflective element.
71. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein said circuit board assembly is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element.
72. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 71, wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, comprising a first side facing towards said reflective element and a second side opposite said first side and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein said first side of said plate-like structure of said attachment element is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachment element
73. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 71, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array.
74. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 73, wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted to the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflective element and wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuit board.
75. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 74, wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
76. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 75, wherein said at least one other electrical component mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from said reflective clement comprises an electrical connector.
77. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective element individually nest into respective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflecting wall.
78. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 77, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said display element and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.
79. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 78, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element having a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparent substrate of said electrochromic reflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front transparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium and wherein said surface of said rear substrate at which said mirror reflector is disposed opposes said electrochromic medium, and wherein said electrochromic medium contacts said mirror reflector.
80. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 79, wherein said display element is operable to display an alert associated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
81. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 79, wherein said display element is operable to display a compass heading.