Vehicle driver monitoring system with driver monitoring camera and near IR light emitter at interior mirror assembly

Abstract

A vehicle driver monitoring system includes an interior mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera housed by a lens portion and first and second near-infrared light emitting elements. The light-emitting elements are oriented at the lens portion such that: (i) if the mirror assembly is installed in the LHD vehicle, a light beam emitted by the first light-emitting element will be directed towards a driver area of the left-side driving vehicle; and (ii) if the mirror assembly is installed in the RHD vehicle, the light beam emitted by the second light emitting element will be directed toward the driver area of the right-side driving vehicle. The system activates and / or operates the first or second light emitting element for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the mirror assembly has been mounted or is to be mounted in the LHD vehicle or the RHD vehicle.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application CN202280034398.3 (International Application Number PCT / US2022 / 072238) filed on May 11, 2022, with the invention name of “Vehicle driver monitoring system with driver monitoring camera and near IR light emitter at the interior rearview mirror assembly”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 363,598 filed on April 26, 2022, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 267,316 filed on January 31, 2022, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 262,642 filed on October 18, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 260,359 filed on August 18, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,757 filed on May 12, 2021, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention generally relates to the field of interior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles. Background Art

[0005] It is known to provide a mirror assembly that is adjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle, such as by a double ball pivot or joint mounting configuration, wherein the mirror housing and reflective element are adjusted relative to the interior portion of the vehicle by pivoting movement about the double ball pivot configuration. The mirror housing and reflective element are pivoted about either or both of the ball pivot joints by a user who is adjusting the rearward field of view of the reflective element. Summary of the invention

[0006] An interior rearview mirror assembly has a driver monitoring camera and a near infrared light emitter disposed at a mirror head / mirror top (mirror head) to move in coordination with the mirror head when the mirror head is adjusted relative to the interior portion of the vehicle to adjust the driver's rear view. The camera observes the interior compartment of the vehicle through / through the mirror reflective element, and the near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light through / through the mirror reflective element to illuminate the driver's area and / or passenger area of ​​the interior compartment of the vehicle. The near infrared light emitter includes at least a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element. The first light emitting element is oriented at the mirror head so that if the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle / left-hand steering vehicle and adjusted to provide a rear view to the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle, the main axis of the light beam emitted by the first light emitting element will point to the driver's area of ​​the left-hand drive vehicle, and the second light emitting element is oriented at the mirror head so that if the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle / right-hand steering vehicle and adjusted to provide a rear view to the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle, the main axis of the light beam emitted by the second light emitting element will point to the driver's area of ​​the right-hand drive vehicle. The control circuit is operable to enable the first light emitting element or the second light emitting element in response to an indication (e.g., by a signal from a remote device at a mirror assembly plant or at a vehicle or at a vehicle assembly plant or the like) that the interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle is installed or will be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle. Thus, the light emitter is software-enableable to make a common mirror assembly suitable for use with a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0007] Therefore, when the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or is to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter emits light for the driver monitoring function when powered on for light emission, and when the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter emits light for the driver monitoring function when powered on for light emission. When the corresponding first or second near-infrared light emitter is powered on for the driver monitoring function, the other near-infrared light emitter is not powered on for the driver monitoring function.

[0008] These and other objects, advantages, utilities and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera and a near infrared light emitter;

[0010] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the interior rearview mirror assembly showing the DMS camera and light emitter behind the reflective element;

[0011] Figure 3is a plan view of a lens portion of an interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0012] Figure 4 is a plan view of another mirror head of the interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 an exploded perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0014] Figure 6 is a plan view of a portion of a lens head that accommodates a near-infrared light emitter, wherein the near-infrared light emitter includes a narrow beam emitter and a wide beam emitter;

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the interior cabin of a left-hand drive vehicle showing a narrow beam emitter illuminating the driver's head;

[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the interior cabin of a right-hand drive vehicle showing a narrow beam emitter not illuminating the driver's head;

[0017] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 is a plan view of the other mirror portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0018] Fig.11 is a plan view of a portion of a lens head housing a near infrared light emitter having two narrow beam emitters, one for illuminating the head of a driver of a left-hand drive vehicle and the other for illuminating the head of a driver of a right-hand drive vehicle;

[0019] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the interior cabin of a left-hand drive vehicle showing a left-hand drive narrow beam emitter illuminating a driver's head;

[0020] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of an interior cabin of a right-hand drive vehicle showing a right-hand drive narrow beam emitter illuminating a driver's head;

[0021] Fig.14 and Fig.15 is a plan view of the other mirror portion of the inside rearview mirror assembly showing narrow beam emitters and wide beam emitters for left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles;

[0022] Fig.16 yes Fig.15 an exploded perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0023] Fig.17is a plan view of a portion of a lens head housing a near infrared light emitter, having two narrow beam emitters, one for illuminating the head of a driver of a left-hand drive vehicle and the other for illuminating the head of a driver of a right-hand drive vehicle;

[0024] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of the interior cabin of a left-hand drive vehicle showing a left-hand drive narrow beam emitter illuminating a driver's head;

[0025] Fig.19 is a schematic diagram of an interior cabin of a right-hand drive vehicle showing a right-hand drive narrow beam emitter illuminating a driver's head;

[0026] Fig. 20 is a block diagram of a controller for controlling a DMS optical transmitter;

[0027] Fig.21 shows a LED control sequence diagram when the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle;

[0028] Fig. 22 shows a LED control sequence diagram when the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle;

[0029] Fig.23 is a cross-sectional view of a lens head showing a camera and a light emitter arranged behind a mirror reflective element;

[0030] Fig.24 is a cross-sectional view of a lens portion having a prismatic reflective element;

[0031] Fig.25 is an exploded perspective view of a mirror reflective element subassembly for an interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0032] Fig.26 yes Fig.25 An exploded perspective partial cutaway view of a mirror reflective element subassembly;

[0033] Fig. 27 yes Fig.26 A perspective partial cutaway view of a mirror reflective element subassembly;

[0034] Fig.28 is a perspective view of a cabin of a vehicle showing a DMS / OMS camera disposed at a CMS video display screen;

[0035] Fig.29 It is an exploded perspective view of a box-type electrochromic interior DMS rearview mirror assembly;

[0036] Fig.30shows a near infrared emission pattern formed by a near infrared reflector of two narrow field of view LEDs for a left-hand drive vehicle, and a near infrared emission pattern formed by a near infrared reflector of two narrow field of view LEDs for a right-hand drive vehicle;

[0037] FIG. 31A to FIG. 31D A near infrared light emitting source disposed in and supported by a mirror head structure of a box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly is shown;

[0038] Fig.32A and Fig.32B is a top plan view of a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly installed in an LHD vehicle;

[0039] FIG. 33A to FIG. 33C is a schematic diagram showing example angles and dimensions of a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly in an LHD vehicle;

[0040] Fig.33D and Fig.33E shows the distribution of different driver eye points illuminated by the LHD nFOV LED in the LHD vehicle in the horizontal and vertical planes;

[0041] Fig.33F shows illumination / lighting within the cabin of a LHD vehicle when the LHD nFOV LED is powered;

[0042] Fig.34A and Fig.34B is a top plan view of a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly installed in a RHD vehicle;

[0043] Fig.35A and Fig.35B is a schematic diagram showing example angles and dimensions of a box-style interior DMS mirror assembly in a RHD vehicle;

[0044] Fig.35C and Fig.35D shows the distribution of different driver eye points illuminated by the RHD nFOV LED in a RHD vehicle in the horizontal and vertical planes;

[0045] Fig.35E shows illumination / lighting within the cabin of a RHD vehicle when the RHD nFOV LED is powered;

[0046] Fig.36 shows illumination / lighting within the cabin of a vehicle when the wFOV LED is powered;

[0047] Fig.37 A box-style interior DMS mirror assembly suitable for use on both RHD and LHD vehicles is shown;

[0048] Fig.38 shows the arrangement of the first, second and third near IR illumination sources at the right side of the lens head (to the right of the camera) as seen by the driver of an equipped vehicle;

[0049] FIG. 39A to FIG. 39E Different locations of wFOV and nFOV near IR illuminators at the lens head of a box-style interior DMS rearview mirror assembly are shown;

[0050] Fig.40 is a table showing transflector stacks of visible light transmitting / visible light reflecting / near IR light transmitting transflective substrates suitable for use in a one-box electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly;

[0051] Fig.41 It shows Fig.40 A graph of the thickness of a layer of a transflector;

[0052] Fig.42 and Fig.43 Shows Fig.40 the transmittance and color of the visible light transmission / visible light reflection / near IR light transmission transflective reflective element; and

[0053] FIG. 44A to FIG. 44D Shows that there is Fig.40 The transmission and reflection characteristics of the specular reflective element of the transflector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments described therein, an interior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includes a housing 12 and a reflective element 14 ( Figure 1 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror assembly 10 is configured to be adjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle (e.g., to the interior of a vehicle windshield or interior surface of a vehicle cabin or to a roof of a vehicle or the like) via a mounting structure or mounting arrangement or assembly 16. The mirror reflective element may include a variable reflectivity mirror reflective element that changes its reflectivity in response to an electrical current applied to a conductive coating or conductive layer of the reflective element.

[0055] The mirror assembly includes or is associated with a driver monitoring system (DMS), wherein the mirror assembly includes a driver / occupant monitoring camera 18 disposed at a back plate 20 behind the reflective element 14 (and viewing through a hole in the back plate) and viewing through the reflective element toward at least the head area of ​​the driver of the vehicle. The DMS includes a near infrared light emitter 24 disposed at the back plate 20 and emitting light through another hole in the back plate and through the reflective element.

[0056] The DMS camera is arranged in the lens head, and the camera moves with the lens head (including the mirror housing and the mirror reflective element, which are pivoted at the pivot joint, and the pivot joint pivotally connects the lens head with the mounting structure of the internal rearview mirror assembly, and the mounting structure of the internal rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the windshield or ceiling of the equipped vehicle) so that when the driver aligns the mirror to look backward, the camera is aligned with the driver's line of sight. The position of the DMS camera and IR LED (one or more) at the lens head provides the driver with an unobstructed view. The DMS is preferably independently accommodated in the internal rearview mirror assembly, and can therefore be easily implemented in various vehicles, including existing vehicles and different models of the same vehicle brand (for example, installed on BMW 3 Series models and BMW X3 models, and installed on BMW 5 Series models and BMW X5 models, and installed on BMW 7 Series models, etc.). The driver monitoring camera can also provide acquired image data to the occupant monitoring system (OMS), or another separate camera can be set at the mirror assembly for OMS functions.

[0057] The mirror assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 24 having a controller or control unit (disposed at the circuit board or substrate in the mirror housing) including electronic circuitry, including a drive circuit for controlling dimming of the mirror reflective element. The circuit board (or a separate DMS circuit board) includes a processor that processes image data acquired by the camera 18 for monitoring the driver and determining, for example, the driver's attention and / or the driver's drowsiness. The driver monitoring system includes a driver monitoring camera and may also include an occupant monitoring camera (or the driver monitoring camera may have a sufficiently wide field of view to observe the vehicle's occupants or passenger seats as well as the driver's area), and may provide occupant detection and / or monitoring functionality as part of an occupant monitoring system (OMS).

[0058] The mirror assembly may also include one or more infrared (IR) or near-IR light emitters 24 (such as IR or near-IR light emitting diodes (LEDs) or vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) or similar devices) disposed at the back plate 20 behind the reflective element 14 and emitting near-IR light through the apertures in the back plate and through the reflective element toward the head area of ​​the vehicle driver. Figure 5As shown, the IR emitter device 24 includes an IR emitter or LED printed circuit board having a first group of near infrared light emitting diodes 24a (e.g., a group of wider beam LEDs) located at a portion of the LED PCB, and having a second group of near infrared light emitting diodes 24b (e.g., a group of narrower beam LEDs) located at another portion of the LED PCB. One portion of the LED PCB is angled relative to the other portion to emit light in a desired direction depending on the orientation of the mirror head. Thus, the first group of near infrared light emitting diodes may be tilted toward the left side of the vehicle so as to be directed toward the driver of a left-hand drive vehicle (if the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle and the first group of near infrared light emitting diodes is enabled for driver monitoring functions), while the second group of near infrared light emitting diodes may be tilted toward the right side of the vehicle so as to be directed toward the driver of a right-hand drive vehicle (if the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and the second group of near infrared light emitting diodes is enabled for driver monitoring functions).

[0059] BMW, Ford, GM, Tesla, and Subaru vehicles (e.g., GM’s SuperCruise as described at https: / / www.consumerreports.org / car-safety / driver-monitoring-systems-for-gm-earn-points-in-cr-tests-a6530426322 TM or Ford's BlueCruise TM ) are all "two-box" DMS, i.e.: (i) a camera for monitoring the driver's head / eyes and a near-infrared emitting light source for illuminating the driver's head / eyes are contained in a first box or module (which is typically located at the steering column of the equipped vehicle or in the overhead area of ​​the equipped vehicle); and (ii) the electronics / software for analyzing the acquired image data to determine the driver's gaze direction or head position or eye movement or alertness or sleepiness level are contained in a separate second box or module, which is remote from or at a certain distance from the first box and is typically connected to the first box via a wired connection (the second box typically includes an ECU, which may be part of the head unit of the equipped vehicle and may optionally provide other features in addition to the DMS).

[0060] See now Fig.29The "one-box" DMS electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly 110 has both a camera 10 for monitoring the driver's head / eyes and a near-infrared emitting light source 8 for illuminating the driver's head / eyes housed by the interior rearview mirror assembly (and preferably, both are housed within the lens head of the interior rearview mirror assembly). Thus, the one-box DMS electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly allows the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the vehicle (e.g., Volkswagen or Toyota or Honda or GM or Ford) to equip the vehicle with a similar DMS interior rearview electrochromic mirror assembly, which includes a camera / illumination source / driver monitoring software / related driver monitoring electronic circuitry, such as data processing chip(s), memory, electronic components, printed circuit board(s), the printed circuit board including automatic dimming circuitry, data processing chip(s), memory, electronic components, light sensors for detecting glare and ambient light and including a power supply, electrical connector(s), heat sink(s), mechanical components, etc. A box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly can thus be purchased by an OEM from an interior rearview mirror assembly manufacturer and can be installed by the OEM into a vehicle being assembled (typically mounted to a mirror mounting button or similar element adhered to the interior side of the vehicle's windshield). To operate on an equipped vehicle, a box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly is connected to the vehicle's vehicle wiring harness and is provided with ignition voltage (nominal 12 volts DC, but can vary from 9 volts (6 volts for auto stop / start) to around 16 volts, depending on vehicle type and vehicle operating conditions) via the vehicle wiring harness. A box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly is provided with vehicle data via the wiring harness, such data including vehicle and other data, which is provided via a CAN bus or link (which can convey vehicle information to the mirror, and which can output distraction warnings, etc. from the mirror), or via a local area network (LIN) bus or line. The wiring harness may include a reverse prevent signal / line that communicates to the interior electrochromic mirror assembly that the driver has selected reverse gear / reverse propulsion, an Ethernet link, video input / output lines, power, ground, and / or a GMSL / FPD link (video input / output). Video output may be provided, for example for video conferencing and / or "selfie" applications. Optionally, to protect privacy, the image of the occupant may be blurred if displayed on an in-cabin display (such as during an in-vehicle video conference) or if wirelessly transmitted to an audience remote from the equipped vehicle. The system may blur the entire image, leaving only the driver / co-pilot or all passengers' faces sharp. Optionally, black bars may be overlaid on a person's face. Image stabilization may be provided to compensate for potential movement of the image, and / or the image may be dynamically cropped.

[0061] The vehicle harness also receives outputs / data from a one-box interior rearview mirror assembly DMS, which are used for various features, systems and functions of the equipped vehicle. The outputs / data from the one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly include data related to the head position of the driver of the equipped vehicle, the eye gaze direction of the driver of the equipped vehicle, the hand position of the driver of the equipped vehicle, the drowsiness level of the driver of the equipped vehicle, the attention of the driver of the equipped vehicle, etc., as well as other outputs / data related to some (and preferably all) of the following:

[0062] Emotional state

[0063] Cognitive distraction

[0064] Breakaway

[0065] Visual distraction

[0066] Drowsiness level

[0067] Microsleep

[0068] Sleep

[0069] Visual state

[0070] posture

[0071] Nod / Shake your head

[0072] Activity

[0073] Abnormal head posture and hand position classification

[0074] Classification of held objects

[0075] Speech

[0076] laugh

[0077] cough

[0078] sneeze

[0079] yawn

[0080] Smoking

[0081] Telephone handling

[0082] videoconference

[0083] View target categories

[0084] Child seat testing

[0085] Seat belt status

[0086] Crew size

[0087] Age of crew members

[0088] gender

[0089] Presence detection

[0090] Convenient identification

[0091] Security Identification

[0092] Membership Changes

[0093] cheat

[0094] Facial expressions

[0095] Body posture tracking

[0096] Eye Tracking

[0097] Head Tracking

[0098] Eyelid dynamics

[0099] Brightness Control

[0100] Face Search

[0101] Mouth shape

[0102] Camera pose estimation

[0103] Frozen image detection

[0104] Facial occlusion

[0105] Lens clogged

[0106] Low image quality

[0107] Infrared light blocking

[0108] Camera misaligned

[0109] The interior DMS rearview mirror assembly provides an independent one-box DMS solution, which has a camera / illumination near-infrared source / DMS software and its related data processing chip (one or more) / automatic dimming circuit / circuit for controlling the external electrochromic mirror reflective element, which is part of the exterior side-view mirror / data processing circuit / communication circuit / memory / power supply / related electronic equipment and hardware / heat sink, etc. of the equipped vehicle, is packaged, integrated into and accommodated in the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly, and is preferably concealed in the lens head of the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly, behind the transflective mirror reflective element of the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly (and concealed from the driver's field of view by the transflective mirror reflective element).

[0110] Thus, the interior rearview mirror has an embedded camera, IR illuminator and processor for processing acquired image data for driver monitoring applications. The inward-facing camera 18 and IR illuminator 24 are fixed within the mirror head, and thus both components are coupled to the mirror body. Thus, the camera's field of view can be varied from driver to driver, as the mirror head is adjusted to the driver's preferred rearward viewing angle.

[0111] exist Figures 3 to 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the camera and the light emitter are disposed behind a mirror reflective element, which may include an electro-optical (e.g., electrochromic or EC) mirror reflective element or a prismatic mirror reflective element. The mirror housing may include a plastic frame portion that circumscribes / surrounds the peripheral edge ( Figure 3 ) and provide an outer curved surface transitioning from the outer surface of the mirror housing to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element (optionally, no portion of the plastic frame portion overlaps or covers the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element), so that the plastic frame completes the homologous edge. Optionally, the mirror reflective element may provide an exposed outer curved surface that transitions from the outer surface of the mirror housing to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element ( Figure 4 ).

[0112] like Figure 5 As shown, the mirror back plate 20 is adhered (e.g., via foam tape 26) to the rear of the mirror reflective element 14. A heat spreader 28 (e.g., a thin aluminum plate) can be disposed at the rear of the back plate, and a printed circuit board 30 can be attached to the rear of the heat spreader. A heat sink / chassis and EMI form-in-place (FIP) gasket 32 ​​is disposed at the rear of the printed circuit board and is configured to be attached to a pivot element 34 (shown as a socket element) that is pivotally attached to the ball member 16a of the mirror mount 16. A thermal interface material 33 can be disposed between the circuit board 30 and the chassis 32 to enhance heat dissipation from the circuit board to the chassis and heat sink.

[0113] Optionally, the mirror back plate or attachment plate can be molded from a metal filled injection moldable material (e.g., stainless steel (SS) fiber, such as polycarbonate (PC) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and SS fiber material) to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) mitigation (EMC shielding). Optionally, the heat sink can be formed via additive manufacturing (3D printing or similar process) to provide an additively manufactured heat sink with a capillary effect to help transfer heat more evenly and away from high power components.

[0114] The near infrared light emitter 24 comprises a circuit board or element 25 attached to the chassis 32 via a thermal adhesive and disposed at a hole in the back plate, wherein an IR long pass filter 36 is disposed between the reflective element and the near IR light emitter. The near IR light emitter 24 is disposed to the left of the mirror head (as viewed by a driver of a vehicle on which the mirror head is mounted) and is configured to illuminate the head area of ​​a driver of a left-hand drive vehicle.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, the light emitter 24 has two groups of LEDs disposed on a circuit board. One group of LEDs 24a emits a wider beam of near-infrared light when powered on (e.g., four wider beam LEDs), and the other group of LEDs 24b emits a narrower beam of near-infrared light when powered on (e.g., four narrower beam LEDs). The narrower beam LEDs may be powered or powered on for driver monitoring functions, while the wider beam LEDs may be powered or powered on for occupant monitoring functions (and may be intermittently powered on to illuminate specific frames of acquired image data, such as by utilizing International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 filed on March 1, 2022 (Attorney Docket DON01 FP4421WO), which claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 267,316 filed on January 31, 2022, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 262,642 filed on October 18, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 260,359 filed on August 18, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,757 filed on May 12, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,371 filed on April 27, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 200,451 filed on March 8, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 200,315 filed on March 1, 2021, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0116] The narrow beam LED 24b is angled or tilted or offset (e.g., ten degrees or so) to the left and therefore to the driver of a left-hand drive vehicle, while the wider beam LED 24a is not offset to either side. Figure 7 ), the narrow beam LED illuminates the driver's head area, while the wider beam LED illuminates the passenger area as well as the driver area. However, when the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle ( Figure 8 ), the narrow beam LED will not illuminate the driver's head area, while the wider beam LED will illuminate the passenger area as well as the driver area.

[0117] Reference now Figures 9 to 11, the mirror assembly includes a near infrared light emitter that is configured and operable to selectively emit light toward the driver's head area when the mirror assembly is set in a left-hand drive vehicle (where the driver is sitting in the left driver's seat) or when the mirror assembly is set in a right-hand drive vehicle (where the driver is sitting in the right driver's seat). The system provides DMS / OMS illumination, which is software configurable based on vehicle data for a country / region code. For example, the DMS light emitters may include two or three independent rows / groups / sets of emitters or LEDs. One group is aimed or angled toward the left hand side of the vehicle, and one group is aimed or angled toward the right hand side of the vehicle. Optionally, there is a third group aimed somewhere in the middle (in the illustrative example discussed below, the third group is oriented perpendicular to the mirror surface). These groups or sets may be composed of various combinations of wide and narrow LEDs or VCSELs. Knowing the country / region the vehicle is located in and whether it is a left-hand drive (LHD) or right-hand drive (RHD) vehicle allows the software on the DMS / OMS ECU (remote or in the mirror) to be configured to actuate those LEDs for specific DMS or OMS functions and / or frames (for example by utilizing various aspects of the driver / occupant monitoring system described in International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 filed on March 1, 2022 (Attorney Docket No. DON01 FP4421WO), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Because the controller and system are software configurable, the mirror design can be universal across LHD / RHD vehicles and can be used worldwide.

[0118] Thus, the DMS light emitter is provided in a mirror assembly having two sets of narrow beam LEDs, one set for illuminating a driver of a left-hand drive vehicle when the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the other set for illuminating a driver of a right-hand drive vehicle when the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle. Figures 9 to 11, the mirror assembly 110 includes a camera 118 and a near IR light emitter 124, which is disposed behind the mirror reflective element 114 and to the left of the center of the mirror head. The near IR light emitter includes three groups of LEDs (e.g., each group has four LEDs), including a wider beam group LED 124a disposed between a first narrow beam group LED 124b and a second narrow beam group LED 124c. The wider beam group LED 124a is centrally located at the light emitter PCB 125 and is not offset in either direction (i.e., its main beam axis is generally perpendicular to the flat surface of the mirror reflective element and the beam provides greater than 100 degrees of illumination across the interior cabin, such as greater than 120 degrees of illumination across the interior cabin, such as greater than 150 degrees of illumination across the interior cabin), while the first narrow beam group LED 124b is disposed to the left of the wider group and is offset toward the left (e.g., tilted or angled by about 0 to 20 degrees, preferably 5 to 15 degrees, such as, for example, 10 degrees), and the second narrow beam group LED 124b is disposed to the left of the wider group and is offset toward the left (e.g., tilted or angled by about 0 to 20 degrees, preferably 5 to 15 degrees, such as, for example, 10 degrees). 124c is disposed to the right of the wider group and is offset (e.g., tilted or angled by about 10 to 30 degrees, preferably 15 to 25 degrees, such as, for example, 20 degrees or 22 degrees) toward the right (and each narrow beam group provides less than 100 degrees of illumination across the interior cabin, such as less than 80 degrees of illumination across the interior cabin, such as less than 60 degrees of illumination across the interior cabin). The light emitter circuit board 125 may include three portions, with a center portion parallel to the planar surface of the reflective element, and side portions angled or tilted relative to the center portion and relative to the planar surface of the reflective element to provide a desired or selected angle of the main beam axis of the narrow beam group LEDs. For applications where the light emitters are positioned to the right of the center of the mirror head, the angles of the light emitters emitting narrow light beams will be reversed / opposed, such that a first narrow beam group LED is positioned to the left of the wider group and biased to the left (e.g., tilted or angled approximately 10 to 30 degrees, preferably 15 to 25 degrees, such as, for example, 20 degrees or 22 degrees), and a second narrow beam group LED positioned to the right of the wider group is biased toward the right (e.g., tilted or angled approximately 0 to 20 degrees, preferably 5 to 15 degrees, such as, for example, 10 degrees) (and each narrow beam group provides illumination across the interior cabin less than 100 degrees, such as illumination across the interior cabin less than 80 degrees, such as illumination across the interior cabin less than 60 degrees).

[0119] Therefore, when the mirror assembly is set in a left-hand drive vehicle ( Fig.12), the system is arranged so that the driver monitoring LEDs (LEDs that are energized when the system is acquiring image data for the driver monitoring function) include the first narrow beam group LEDs 124b, so that during image acquisition for the driver monitoring function, the driver's head is illuminated by the near infrared radiation emitted by the first narrow beam group LEDs 124b. Similarly, when the mirror assembly is arranged in a right-hand drive vehicle ( Fig.13 ), the system is arranged so that the driver monitoring LEDs include a second narrow beam group LED 124c, so that during image acquisition for the driver monitoring function, the driver's head is illuminated by near infrared radiation emitted by the second narrow beam group LED 124c. The wider beam group LEDs are the same for left-hand drive applications or right-hand drive applications, and provide wider illumination during image acquisition for the occupant monitoring function.

[0120] The light emitters are enabled by software such that the first or second narrow beam group LEDs (for the driver monitoring function) are enabled depending on the type of vehicle (left-hand drive or right-hand drive) in which the mirror assembly is installed. Thus, when the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the first narrow beam group LEDs are enabled (for the driver monitoring function) such that when operating for the driver monitoring function, the first narrow beam group LEDs are energized (and the second narrow beam group LEDs are not enabled or energized). Alternatively, if the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, the second narrow beam group LEDs (for the driver monitoring function) are enabled such that when operating for the driver monitoring function, the second narrow beam group LEDs are energized (and the first narrow beam group LEDs are not enabled or energized).

[0121] Although shown as having three groups of LEDs, each group having four individual LEDs, other LED (or other light emitter) arrangements and configurations are contemplated. Fig.14 , the light emitter 224 may include two groups of LEDs, a left group 224a having three narrow beam LEDs and a wider beam LED, and a right group also having three narrow beam LEDs and a wider beam LED. The light emitters are software enabled, so the enabling of the left narrow beam LEDs or the right narrow beam LEDs (for the driver monitoring function) depends specifically on whether the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle. The wider beam LEDs are used for the OMS function, and the left wider beam LEDs may be used for the OMS of a right-hand drive vehicle, and the right wider beam LEDs may be used for the OMS of a left-hand drive vehicle.

[0122] Optionally, and with reference to Figures 15 to 17, the light emitter 324 can be similar to the light emitter 124 discussed above, but the central wider beam group LED 324a (wFOV LED) has only two LEDs, and each of the two narrower beam group LEDs has three narrower beam LEDs. The left side group 324b (of the narrow beam or nFOV LEDs) is angled or tilted or offset (such as, for example, 10 degrees) toward the left side of the vehicle (toward the driver area of ​​a left-hand drive vehicle), and the right side group 324c (of the narrow beam or nFOV LEDs) is two narrower beam group LEDs, which have three narrower beam LEDs, are angled or tilted or offset (such as, for example, 20 degrees) toward the right side of the vehicle (toward the driver area of ​​a right-hand drive vehicle). The light emitter circuit board 325 can include three parts, wherein the central part 325a is parallel to the flat surface of the reflective element, and the side parts 325b, 325c are angled or tilted relative to the central part and relative to the flat surface of the reflective element to provide a desired or selected angle of the main beam axis of the narrow beam LEDs. The light emitters are software enabled so that the right and left driver LEDs (for driver monitoring functions) are enabled depending on the type of vehicle the mirror assembly is installed on (see Figures 17 to 19 ).

[0123] Thus, the driver monitoring system may control the LED control circuit to enable and energize or power the appropriate set of LEDs depending on the type of vehicle and depending on whether the system is acquiring image data for a driver monitoring function or an occupant monitoring function. Fig. 20 As shown, the different groups of LEDs are powered by an LED control circuit which is provided with LED control signals from a microprocessor. The LED control circuit may be provided at the circuit board of the light emitter, and the microprocessor may be at the ECU at the head of the lens or at a remote ECU in the vehicle. The microprocessor controls the light emitters based on the image acquired by the DMS / OMS camera so that appropriate areas of the vehicle cabin are illuminated by the light emitters based on the specific function (driver monitoring or occupant monitoring) for which the system is currently acquiring image data. The control sequence for actuating the different groups of LEDs of the light emitters may be similar to Fig.21 (for left-hand drive vehicles) or Fig. 22 (for right hand drive vehicles). Selection or activation of one of the narrow beam group LEDs may occur only once, such as when the mirror is installed at a LHD or RHD vehicle, or prior to installation and when the mirror assembly is assembled or shipped to an assembly plant, or any other time prior to normal operation of the DMS / OMS. After initial setup, the DMS will operate to energize the appropriate or selected or enabled narrow beam group for DMS functions, and will not operate or energize the unselected or unenabled narrow beam groups for DMS functions.

[0124] Thus, when the mirror assembly is installed in a vehicle (typically at a vehicle assembly line) or installed as a replacement service part, and when the vehicle is powered on, a signal or flag input (e.g., via a CAN bus signal or the like) is provided to the electronic circuitry of the mirror assembly indicating whether the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle. Optionally, the signal may be provided at initial vehicle startup (after the mirror assembly is installed and the vehicle is assembled) or at each ignition cycle. Optionally, a signal may be provided when the mirror assembly is assembled (e.g., at a mirror assembly plant or mirror manufacturer) and is designated for use with a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0125] The electro-optical (e.g., electrochromic (EC)) mirror reflective element subassembly transmits near infrared light and reflects visible light. Thus, the mirror reflective element (i.e., the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element) effectively allows the IR emitter to emit light through the reflective element and allows the camera to "see" through the mirror reflective element, while allowing the mirror reflective element to reflect at least some of the visible light incident thereon to serve its intended rear-view purpose. The IR emitter can be actuated at least in part in response to the ambient light level in the vehicle cabin and at the driver's head area, where the light level is determined by a light sensor or by processing image data acquired by a driver monitoring camera. Although shown and described as being disposed behind the mirror reflective element and emitting light through the mirror reflective element and receiving light through the mirror reflective element, the light emitter and camera can be disposed at a lower area of ​​the mirror head (using a mounting base, which is attached to an interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle) and below the mirror reflective element and movable in coordination with the mirror head.

[0126] Having an inward-looking driver monitoring camera in a pivotable rearview mirror head presents unique challenges to the camera's viewing angle. To account for changes in the camera's field of view when the mirror head is adjusted, the mirror's driver monitoring processor calculates the camera's position and angle within the vehicle based on image data acquired by the camera and processed by the processor. For example, the system can process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to determine where a particular feature is located in the camera's field of view (e.g., relative to a particular area of ​​the field of view, such as a central area), and therefore, the driver monitoring system determines the position of the driver's head by one or more positions of a particular fixed vehicle feature (e.g., a rear window, a pillar, a center console, or the like) determined in the acquired image data. The system can adjust the processing of the image data acquired by the camera to accommodate changes in the position of a known or particular vehicle feature. For example, if the nominal setting of the mirror has a particular feature that is a predetermined distance laterally and / or vertically from the center of the image data, if it is determined that the particular feature has moved or shifted to one side or the other from the predetermined distance position, the processor moves or adjusts the processing of the acquired image data to accommodate the lateral and / or vertical movement of the particular feature. Optionally, the field of view of the camera is biased by offsetting / shifting the lens stack of the camera relative to the imager (rather than by physically aiming the entire imager PCB and lens stack). This offset of the lens relative to the imager can utilize various aspects of the systems described in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,946,798 and / or 10,525,883 and / or U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 650,255 filed on February 8, 2022 (Attorney Docket No. MAG04 P4412) and / or U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,894 filed on May 18, 2021, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0127] The driver monitoring system can provide the algorithm / camera with the ability to determine whether the driver is aiming the mirror correctly (for providing an acceptable rear view field of view to a particular driver). Such a determination can be made by determining (via processing of image data acquired by the camera) that (i) the driver's face is in a given frame, (ii) sufficient light is in a given frame relative to the driver's head mass, or (iii) the presence and position of the rear window and / or other fixed vehicle features (e.g., D-pillars or headrests or the like) within the camera's field of view. If the system determines that the mirror is improperly aimed, the algorithm can trigger the vehicle to warn the driver of improper use of the interior rearview mirror (e.g., via an audible alarm, or, for example, via a visual alarm, such as an indicator light or displayed on a display screen, or, for example, via a tactile alarm). Optionally, the mirror can include an actuator that can adjust the mirror head to a nominal or optimal orientation for a particular driver in response to determining that the mirror head is improperly aimed for the particular driver.

[0128] Optionally, and in order to reduce stray light or glare at the camera, the lens unit may include a stray light limiting or blocking mechanism. In a DMS / OMS lens unit, the camera lens and the light emitter are placed in close proximity. The camera has a wide angle field of view, such as a 140 degree horizontal field of view and a diagonal field of view close to 180 degrees. Stray light from the light emitter may leak into the camera lens directly or through reflection from the cover glass or prismatic glass or EC mirror glass surface and produce glare / ghosting in the acquired image. The stray light blocking mechanism is disposed between the camera lens and the glass surface in front of the lens. Fig.23 As shown, the stray light blocker can surround the lens, engage the rear portion of the mirror reflective element, and block light from entering the lens. The stray light blocker can be in the form of a hard shell cone attached to the lens cover or barrel, or a soft shell (e.g., a flexible or deformable rubber disk or cone element) formed as part of the lens cover / barrel by secondary injection molding or other suitable means.

[0129] Optionally, the DMS camera can be used to detect ambient light and / or glare (from the headlights of the following vehicle) for providing automatic dimming of the EC mirror reflective element. The DMS camera can be set in the lens head and look backward through the mirror reflective element (optionally, the DMS camera can be set in the lens head at a position above or below or to the side of the mirror reflective element). The processing of the image data acquired by the DMS camera can be adjusted to adapt to the angle of the lens head, so that the ECU or system determines the headlights of the following vehicle (behind the equipped vehicle and traveling in the same direction as the equipped vehicle and in the same lane or an adjacent lane) via image processing of the image data acquired by the DMS camera to determine the glare at the mirror reflective element. The processing of the image data acquired by the DMS camera is adjusted to adapt to the degree of dimming of the mirror reflective element. For example, the system knows how much the mirror reflective element is dimmed (in response to the determined glare intensity and position), and can adapt the mirror dimming level when processing the acquired image data to determine the presence and intensity of the rear light source / headlight of the vehicle. The smart / automatic mirror dimming functionality can utilize aspects of the systems described in U.S. Publication Nos. US-2019-0258131 and / or US-2019-0047475 and / or International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070062 filed on January 6, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0130] Alternatively, and particularly for prismatic mirror applications (see Fig.24), there may be issues with "ghost" images entering the camera lens caused by the non-parallel surfaces of the prismatic glass. Another issue may be IR light from the IR LED / VCSELS bouncing between the prismatic glass surfaces and reaching the camera lens. The system can optimize the camera primary target axis to an angle specific to the second surface or the first surface. For example, the camera lens axis can be perpendicular to the second (rear) surface of the mirror glass substrate and then form a resulting prismatic angle with the first (front) surface of the mirror glass substrate, or it can be at a certain angle so that the primary axis is perpendicular to the first surface, or it can be between the vertical axes or further away from the vertical axis. This optimization can be achieved by moving the imager relative to the lens stack, which provides an optical offset target for the field of view of the camera. Optionally, the area in front of the camera lens or the IR illumination area can be free of a mirror reflector (e.g., a window created through the mirror reflector by laser ablation of the mirror reflector) to reduce reflections between the surfaces.

[0131] Optionally, a coating such as an anti-reflection coating can be provided at the first surface to reduce reflections and promote more light to leave the prismatic glass or to increase transmittance by taking advantage of phase changes. Such anti-reflection coatings reduce light losses and take advantage of phase changes and the dependence of reflectivity on the refractive index of the glass mirror substrate. The anti-reflection coating forms a double interface via a thin film, which provides two reflected waves. If the waves are out of phase, they are at least partially canceled. For example, the coating can have a quarter wavelength thickness, and the refractive index of the coating can be less than the refractive index of the glass mirror substrate, so that the two reflections will be 180 degrees out of phase and will cancel each other.

[0132] Optionally, to mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the electronics within the interior rearview mirror assembly and to limit the number of components, the mirror glass attachment plate (which provides stability and structure to the mirror glass) can also be used as half or part of a Faraday cage surrounding the electronics in the mirror head. Figure 25 to Figure 27 As shown, the mirror reflective element subassembly 413 (configured to be attached to the mirror mount and / or mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly) includes a mirror attachment plate 420, which is adhered to the rear of the mirror reflective element 414 (e.g., via foam tape 426). A printed circuit board 430 can be attached to the rear of the mirror attachment plate 420. A heat sink / mount and EMI form-in-place (FIP) gasket or heat sink 432 is provided at the rear of the printed circuit board and is configured to be attached to the pivot element (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The mirror attachment plate 420 is provided behind the mirror attachment plate 420 and is generally aligned with the holes established through the mirror attachment plate 420 and the tape 426.

[0133] The attachment plate 420 includes an EMI mirror attachment plate (which may include polycarbonate (PC) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and stainless steel (SS) fiber materials) that interfaces with an aluminum heat sink 432 (which serves as the other half or portion of the Faraday cage). In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror attachment plate interfaces with the heat sink in a tongue and groove manner, wherein a peripheral lip 432a of the heat sink 432 is received in a peripheral groove or channel or receiving portion 420a of the attachment plate 420 to engage and secure or retain the heat sink 432 at the attachment plate 420 (optionally, the lip of the attachment plate may be received in a groove or channel or receiving portion of the heat sink). The PC ABS+SS fiber material mirror attachment plate structure may reduce overall mass and cost. Optionally, the attachment plate may include other suitable materials such as, for example, aluminum or the like.

[0134] The Faraday cage is electrically grounded via one or more spring fingers or flexible metallic or conductive elements at the ECU that contact the heat sink when the heat sink is attached at the mirror attachment plate (or the heat sink may have a flexible conductive element that contacts the ECU when the heat sink is attached at the mirror attachment plate). The heat sink is grounded to the EMI attachment plate via a set of metal fasteners 431 (e.g., threaded fasteners, such as screws or the like) that attach and hold the heat sink at the EMI attachment plate. Thus, the mirror attachment plate and heat sink elements act as a Faraday cage around the camera 418 and light emitter(s) 424 and printed circuit board(s) 430 of the lens head to reduce or mitigate EMI from the electronics within the lens head of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The PC / ASA+SS fabric attachment plate is electrically decoupled from the electronics to limit or avoid the material from acting as an EMI material, whether grounded or not.

[0135] Optionally, the vehicle's ECU or other system of the vehicle or the DMS / OMS system can utilize signals from the DMS / OMS camera or system to determine whether the driver or passenger is contacting the vehicle's infotainment system controls (e.g., reaching toward the vehicle's central touchscreen display). Using this information, and in response to the state of the vehicle (e.g., whether the vehicle is moving, or in forward or reverse gear or propulsion, or in park or off, etc.), the system can determine whether input to the infotainment system should be allowed. This allows the system to determine when a passenger is accessing the touchscreen or infotainment system so that the system can allow the passenger to safely use all of the infotainment system's features while the driver is driving the vehicle, while the driver may have limited input to prevent distraction (i.e., when the system determines that the driver is accessing input while the vehicle is reversing or moving at a speed greater than a threshold speed, the system can disable some or all of the infotainment inputs).

[0136] Optionally, using information collected by the OMS disposed in the interior rearview mirror assembly, such as information regarding the presence of one or more occupants in the vehicle, the parametric / directional speaker system can be actuated to (i) provide the driver with a private hands-free calling function and / or (ii) provide a personalized audio experience. For example, if the system determines that there is an occupant in the vehicle, the system can provide a calling function that allows the driver to engage in a telephone conversation that the occupant(s) cannot hear (i.e., the audio system is adapted so that the speakers used for the telephone call are directed only toward the driver, and optionally, other speakers of the vehicle are directed toward the occupant and emit sound waves that cancel the sound from the driver's speakers, such as by utilizing aspects of the system described in U.S. Patent No. 9,800,983, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Optionally, the system can, for example, respond to user input provided by the occupant (e.g., via a vehicle touch screen selection or via a An occupant's smartphone that is connected or otherwise linked to the vehicle system can provide a personalized audio experience (by tailoring the output of the vehicle speakers to provide sound to individual occupants and not to other occupants).

[0137] Optionally, the DMS camera or system can be operated or used in conjunction with the garage door opening system of the vehicle. For example, using a DMS camera arranged behind and observed by a mirror reflective element (or using a DMS camera arranged elsewhere in the vehicle compartment), the image data obtained by the camera can be processed (e.g., via the algorithm of the system) to determine whether the driver / passenger raises one, two or three fingers with his / her hand (one or two). Using this information, the system can trigger the garage door opener module (which can also be encapsulated in the lens head or mirror assembly) to transmit a signal to the garage door opener to open or close the garage door. Depending on the proximity of the garage door opener module / vehicle to the garage door opener (antenna / receiver distance), the gesture may or may not successfully open the garage door. By utilizing a camera and a driver / passenger gesture to actuate the garage door opening system or module, the system saves packaging space by not requiring a human-machine interface button in the mirror (which is usually used to interact with the module of the garage door opening system or vehicle). The system may utilize aspects of the garage door opener systems described in U.S. Patent Nos. 11,046,251; 10,864,865; 10,189,411; 7,023,322 and / or 6,362,771, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0138] Alternatively, the camera (and associated illumination source) can be disposed outside the mirror assembly, such as at the instrument cluster, overhead console, or A-pillar of the vehicle. The camera monitoring system (CMS) video display screen is typically located in the lower area of ​​the A-pillar or outside the dashboard to optimize the driver's viewing of the vehicle. The selected location for the driver monitoring camera, including the illumination source and the camera mirror display, is a trade-off between the driver's visibility, heat dissipation considerations, packaging concepts, and interior design. Typically, available space is very limited. The wiring harness routing for power and video signals must also be considered.

[0139] Optionally, the camera (and associated illumination source) may be located at the CMS video display screen. Fig.28 , a camera 518 for a driver monitoring system (DMS) may be disposed at a driver-side CMS display screen 520 (which displays a video image derived from image data acquired by a corresponding driver-side rear-view CMS camera). Similarly, a camera 519 for an occupant monitoring system (OMS) may be disposed at a passenger-side CMS display screen 521 (which displays a video image derived from image data acquired by a corresponding passenger-side rear-view CMS camera). The camera (and associated illumination source) may be located at an upper region of the corresponding display screen or directly above an upper boundary of the corresponding display screen.

[0140] Thus, the driver monitoring camera and the illumination source can be integrated at the housing or bezel of the camera mirror display mounted on the driver's side. The location and integration of the camera at the video display screen can be similar to the integration of video conferencing cameras such as on smartphones, tablets or laptops. By positioning the DMS / OMS camera at the corresponding CMS display screen, the system provides seamless integration of the camera and the illumination source, as well as optimal orientation relative to the driver's eye sockets and head position, because good relative position, visibility and aiming between the driver and the camera / display are required for both products (display and camera). The system also reduces the vehicle wiring harness overall, because the same wiring can be used for both products, especially if all processing is performed at the central domain controller or central ECU. Since the display emits visible light, the display can provide additional illumination to the driver's body and face for better visibility of the visible spectrum of the driver monitoring camera (which typically uses a combination of visible and infrared light sensitive pixels).

[0141] Optionally, the driver monitoring system can control one or more systems in response to monitoring of the driver and / or occupants of the vehicle. For example, the system can process image data acquired by the DMS camera to determine whether the driver is viewing an infotainment center or screen in the vehicle. In response to determining that the driver is viewing the infotainment center or screen, the system can lock the driver's access to and use of the infotainment system while allowing passengers to access the infotainment center or screen and use the infotainment system. For example, the system can determine that the driver is looking at the screen and determine whether the driver's hand is moving toward the screen, or whether the passenger's hand is moving toward the screen. If the system determines that the driver is looking at the screen and trying to use the infotainment center or screen, the system will lock it. However, if the system determines that an occupant (non-driver) is trying to use the infotainment center or screen, the system will not lock it and allow passengers to use the infotainment system.

[0142] Therefore, a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly includes multiple near-infrared light emitting sources. The near-infrared light source may include multiple near-infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs) or near-infrared emitting vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), such as a row or a string or a group of light sources, such as LEDs or VCSEL lasers. The near-infrared light source includes a first wide field of view (wFOV) light source, a second narrow field of view (nFOV) light source located on one side of the wFOV light source, and a third nFOV light source located on the other side of the wFOV light source. The terms "nFOV" and "wFOV" used herein refer to the illumination field or field of view or directivity (directivity) or full width at half maximum (FWHM) or beam angle of the nFOV light source and the wFOV light source, respectively, at 50% intensity.

[0143] A row or string or group of two (or more) narrow field of view (nFOV) near infrared light emitting LEDs (which may be arranged horizontally or vertically, or may be arranged in a matrix of rows and columns or otherwise) are disposed within (or at least partially surrounded by) a near infrared light reflector (such as a 14.1 mm x 6.92 mm x 6.5 mm reflector, such as available from CoreLED Systems, LLC of Livonia, Michigan) on a first rigid PCB, which is connected board-to-board to a second rigid PCB via a flexible multi-wire planar ribbon cable (including a plurality of individual conductive wires, such as four wires, laid flat and parallel to each other). A row or string or group of two (or more) wide field of view (wFOV) near infrared light emitting diodes (which may be arranged horizontally or vertically, or may be arranged in a matrix of rows and columns or otherwise) are disposed on the second rigid PCB. The second rigid PCB is connected to a third rigid PCB via a flexible multi-wire planar ribbon cable (including a plurality of individual conductive wires laid flat and parallel to each other). A row or string or group of two (or more) narrow field of view (nFOV) near-infrared emitting LEDs (which may be arranged horizontally or vertically, or may be arranged in a matrix of rows and columns or otherwise) are disposed within a reflector on a third rigid PCB. The third rigid PCB includes a flexible multi-wire planar ribbon cable that terminates in an electrical connector that is connected to a corresponding electrical connector of the PCB of the ECU 6. Although a group of three near-infrared emitting light sources (LHD nFOV light source, wFOV light source, and RHD nFOV light source) on each rigid PCB interconnected via a flexible ribbon connection is shown in certain figures, other arrangements of the individual illumination sources in the lens head may be considered. For example, all light sources may be located on one PCB, or two rows of light sources may be located on one PCB and one row of light sources may be located on another PCB, and so on. The reflector may include a stamped and polished 260 mm thick sheet metal approximately 0.01 inches thick. 1 / 2 hard temper brass, which may be post-tinned (e.g., 5 microns of tin on copper flash), or other suitable near-infrared reflective material (such as aluminum), which may be surface mounted / soldered at the respective LED PCBs to direct or guide or concentrate or collimate the near-infrared light emitted by each LED toward the appropriate driver or passenger area or cabin area in the vehicle.

[0144] like Fig.38 As shown, the wFOV LEDs are arranged horizontally, next to each other and spaced apart, while the nFOV LEDs are arranged vertically, one above the other and closer together (and surrounded or surrounded by their own reflectors). Fig.38In the exemplary embodiment shown, the LHD and RHD groups of nFOV LEDs each include two vertically stacked LEDs, each with its own reflector. Fig.38 As can be seen in the figure, the horizontally arranged wFOV LEDs are spaced farther apart than the vertically arranged nFOV LEDs. The LEDs in each group are stacked vertically to reduce the total distance to the red filter / mirror reflective element, thereby making the apertures (the holes through the attachment plate and the holes through the tape that attaches the mirror reflective element to the attachment plate) as small as possible. The arrangement of wFOV LEDs and nFOV LEDs can reduce cost and packaging space.

[0145] The illuminator electric driver drives the LEDs and acts to protect against surges (such as 2.3A surges) in the vehicle's power supply by storing energy in a capacitor. During the LED's "off time", the illuminator electric driver boosts the voltage of the storage capacitor (24V+) and releases the stored energy into the LEDs during the "on time". This allows for a lower average current draw from the vehicle.

[0146] A box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly includes a filter at the LED to attenuate or block visible light. For example, the LED filter may include Luminate TM 7276F visible light opaque compound that is black and blocks or filters light from 200-860nm and allows transmission of light greater than 990nm. The filter comprises a ready-to-mold thermoplastic that has the appearance of black polycarbonate particles. The target transmittance values ​​are: 5% at 875nm, 50% at 910nm, 80% at 986nm, and 85% at 1000nm. The filter is molded into a rectangular plate, or molded into other shapes as required. The plate thickness that transmits near-IR light at 940nm has a dimension in its thickness direction of at least 0.5mm, more preferably at least 1mm thick, and most preferably at least 1.25mm thick, but preferably less than 6mm thick, more preferably less than 4mm thick, and most preferably less than 2.5mm thick. For example, the filter can be 63.02mm wide x 23.6mm high x 1.3mm thick. The LED filter improves the obscuration of the system by limiting visible light to prevent any visible light emitted by the near IR emitting LEDs from being visible through the mirror reflective element (and thereby reducing or preventing the LED red light emission from being visible at the mirror reflective element when the LEDs are energized). The LED filter can also block or limit ambient cabin light from entering the mirror head at the location where the LEDs are viewed through the EC unit to see into the vehicle cabin.

[0147] The one-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly also includes an IR blocking filter located in front of the EC glare sensor. The IR blocking filter at the EC glare sensor blocks a certain percentage of IR light from reaching the EC glare sensor. The EC glare sensor IR blocking filter may be 17.28 mm wide x 11.85 mm high x 1.02 mm thick.

[0148] During operation of the one-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly, the circuit ECU controls the LEDs and the camera. For example, the camera can acquire image data at a frame acquisition rate of 60 frames per second (fps), and the LHD n-FOV LED, w-FOV LED, and RHD n-FOV LED are pulse-width modulated so that certain frames of the acquired image data are acquired when some or all of the LEDs are powered. During DMS operation (and, for example, every other image data frame), the LHD n-FOV LED and w-FOV LED are pulsed on; and during OMS operation (and, for example, every tenth image data frame), all LHD n-FOV LEDs, w-FOV LEDs, and RHD n-FOV LEDs are pulsed on (e.g., by utilizing various aspects of the DMS mirror described in International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 filed on March 1, 2022 (Attorney Docket No. DON01 FP4421WO), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0149] Cameras used for security applications and the like often use near IR flood illumination around 850nm simultaneously. However, the sensitivity of such conventional cameras decreases at longer wavelengths in the near IR spectral region. Therefore, such conventional security cameras are not as sensitive to 940nm light as to 850nm light; they have a 50% smaller range when using a 940nm near IR light illuminator than when using an 850nm near IR light illuminator. In addition, while 850nm infrared light is largely invisible to the human eye as "light", a slight red glow can be seen at the LED light source. For in-cabin DMS and ODS, it is preferred to use 940nm near IR illumination, and especially when the in-mirror camera has a quantum efficiency of at least 15% at 940nm. When using 940nm illumination, any "red light" that can be sensed by the human eye is less than that of 850nm illumination, and thus the shielding of the near IR emitting light source in the mirror head emitted by the mirror transflector is enhanced. Additionally, water absorbs near IR light at 940nm, so solar radiation is attenuated at 940nm of its illumination spectrum due to moisture in the atmosphere. As a result, the ambient sunlight present in the cabin of a vehicle (and especially when driving a convertible on a sunny day with the top down) has a dip or valley at 940nm, which reduces any tendency of ambient sunlight present in the cabin of the vehicle to interfere with the DMS / ODS function.

[0150] The combination of nFOV and wFOV light sources enables the system to utilize different groups to meet the illumination requirements of LHD and RHD vehicles. For LHD vehicles, LHD nFOV and wFOV LEDs are the main light sources for driver monitoring, while LHD nFOV, wFOV and RHD nFOV LEDs are all used for occupancy monitoring to detect front and rear seat passengers, children in child seats, etc.

[0151] The irradiance (radiant flux received per unit surface area) at the driver's head (and especially at the driver's eyes for drowsiness detection) is important, especially when driving at night when the interior cabin is dark and where the DMS camera in the lens head relies mainly on near IR illumination emitted by the near IR light source in the lens head. The near IR irradiance near the driver's eyes is preferably at least 1 W / m 2 , more preferably at least 1.8 W / m 2 , and most preferably at least 2.5 W / m 2(particularly within the 99th percentile eye ellipses according to SAE J194 for a specific driver seated in the driver's seat of a specific vehicle equipped with a one-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly), and the near IR irradiance for occupant detection at the front passenger seat seating position of the front passenger is preferably at least 0.15 W / m 2 , more preferably at least 0.25 W / m 2 , and most preferably at least 0.4 W / m 2 , and the near IR irradiance for occupant detection in the rear seats, etc., is at least 0.1W / m 2 Preferably, at least 0.15 W / m 2 More preferably, at least 0.2 W / m 2 Is the most preferred.

[0152] The optical path of the light emitted by the LED and reflected by the reflector passes through the red light filter and through the mirror reflective element to illuminate the driver's head area, and is reflected toward the camera, returning through the mirror reflective element and the lens of the camera. At 100% LED power, the optical path (irradiance) of the narrow FOV (nFOV) LED is reduced so that only 74% reaches the driver. However, in the worst case, the peak power must be used. Therefore, 178% of the LED irradiance power needs to be used for the exposure limit. The irradiance is mainly proportional to the current running through the LED.

[0153] The camera sees (and the LED illuminates) the driver's head box or area. Forward field of view, near IR illumination, and camera-to-eye visibility can be affected by certain visor positions (drivers of different sizes in different seating positions relative to a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly are shown). Fig.33D FIG. 4 shows the different eye points with respect to which the light source is projected on the horizontal plane for a left-hand drive (LHD) vehicle and a DMS (where the LED is arranged at the right side of the lens head), while FIG. Fig.35C The different eye points are shown for a right-hand drive (RHD) vehicle and a DMS (where the LED is placed at the right side of the lens head) relative to the light source projected on the horizontal plane. All of the closest driver eye points are bright enough to meet the irradiance requirements - the nominal target is 15° vertical / 20° horizontal.

[0154] The DMS SoC, located in the mirror head, can sense its silicon die temperature and enter a "throttling mode" when necessary to reduce power output (thus reducing operating temperature). "Throttling mode" may include reducing the algorithm feature set of calculations, and / or reducing the SoC clock frequency, as well as reducing the frame rate (for example, reducing 60fps to 30fps). The ECPWM duty cycle and drive voltage can be changed to reduce the power consumed in the mirror. The cell gap can be reduced to allow lower drive current. IR power can also be reduced. Using LC optical switches in a DMS / OMS single box type can reduce thermal issues. This reduces the required IR LED drive power. Fans, heat pipes, thermal interface materials (TIMs), and alternative heat dissipation materials (such as copper) can all be used to improve cooling. The heat sink fin design also plays a role in cooling capabilities.

[0155] For example, if the temperature is determined to be above a threshold level, the system may provide thermal management and may back off or reduce processing operations occurring within the lens head. The system may determine the temperature within the lens head via an onboard thermistor or an external thermistor or via an LED driver with a thermistor or via a processor with a thermistor in the lens head. In order to protect the electronic components within the lens head and / or to avoid exacerbating the skin temperature of the mirror housing of the lens head of a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly (the box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly has been parked in high temperature / sunlight conditions, causing the housing of the lens head to reach or exceed 85 degrees Celsius), a variety of countermeasures may be used. Depending on the onboard chip and / or external thermistor's ability to sense temperature to the onboard thermistor, etc., the operation of the DMS may be temporarily reduced during a period of time (up to 1 minute, up to 5 minutes, up to 10 minutes, up to 15 minutes, etc.) and / or until the temperature detected by the thermistor drops below a threshold temperature. For example, the system may pulse the LED at a slower rate and / or acquire image data at a reduced frame rate, or may power the LED at a reduced power level (i.e., the system may reduce the maximum intensity of the LED and / or reduce the on / off pulse rate of the LED and / or reduce the image acquisition rate). Optionally, the system may output (e.g., via CAN communication) a signal to turn on the vehicle's air conditioning. Optionally, if the temperature is above a threshold temperature, the system may provide an alert to the driver that the DMS / OMS function is temporarily inoperable.

[0156] During operation, the DMS camera acquires frames of image data (e.g., at a frame acquisition rate of 30fps or 60fps), and the appropriate LEDs are pulsed on and off for the corresponding acquired frames of image data. The LED pulse rate is synchronized with the camera's frame acquisition rate; that is, the LED is only on (and emits near-IR radiation) when the imager is exposed and collecting energy. For example, if the camera acquires frames of image data at a rate of 30fps, each frame is approximately 33ms in duration, but the imager is only exposed (and collects light energy, photoelectrically converting incoming photons into electrons) for a portion of this time (e.g., 4ms of this time). The LED is electrically repetitively pulsed so that the LED is only energized during the 4ms period when the imager is collecting energy (but the LED can be on for slightly longer periods of time to ensure that the LED is energized for the entire period of time that the imager is exposed). The pulse duty cycle is approximately 12%. The LED is synchronized so that it is not energized for the entire frame time (33ms) to reduce its heat generation, enhance thermal management, and avoid long-term continuous exposure of the driver's eyes or the eyes of the passenger to the near-IR radiation. For DMS, and to facilitate video conferencing and driver selfies, the system uses the full color capability (RGB) of the DMS camera, so the system merges the three (R, G, B) signals into a single signal or frame. For OMS, the system does not require color and is able to use the DMS camera as a monochrome camera while increasing the camera's sensitivity to incident light. In terms of the duty cycle pulse of the near-IR light source (such as an nFOV LED or a wFOV LED) disposed in the lens head, the preferred duty cycle is at least 8%; the more preferred duty cycle is at least 10% and the most preferred duty cycle is at least 12%. However, for eye safety and to reduce thermal load, the preferred duty cycle is less than 40%; the more preferred duty cycle is less than 30% and the most preferred duty cycle is less than 20%.

[0157] Optionally, the system may reduce the power of the LED (the current applied to the LED) during daytime operation, and / or may dynamically change or adjust the pulse duty cycle depending on the prevailing conditions in the vehicle cabin (e.g., whether it is day or night, or whether driving on a sunny or cloudy day, or whether the equipped vehicle has just been started after being hot soaked in the hot summer sun outdoors, causing the temperature of the interior mirror to reach 60-80 degrees Celsius or higher). Optionally, the system may increase the power of the LED (the current applied) and / or change or adjust the pulse duty cycle of the LED to allow viewing through the driver's glasses, particularly the driver's sunglasses.

[0158] Regarding the near IR light source housed in the internal chamber of the lens head, Fig.30A near IR emission pattern formed by a near IR reflector using two narrow field of view (nFOV) 940nm LEDs for use in a left-hand drive vehicle and a near IR emission pattern formed by a near IR reflector using two narrow field of view (nFOV) 940nm LEDs for use in a right-hand drive vehicle are shown. The surface mounted LEDs can emit in all directions - so the reflector can form a directional cone or pattern of near IR illumination. FIG. 31A to FIG. 31D It is shown how these near IR light emitting sources are arranged in and supported by / angled with the mirror head structure of a box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly [relative to the plane of the rear side of the rear glass surface of the EC unit (its fourth surface)]. Fig.31D As shown, the LHD nFOV LED is at an angle of about 20 degrees (or about 22 degrees) relative to the front surface of the mirror reflective element, the wFOV LED is at an angle of 0 degrees relative to the front surface of the mirror reflective element, and the RHD nFOV LED is at an angle of about 10 degrees relative to the front surface of the mirror reflective element. Fig.31C As shown, the wFOV LED is preferably physically close to the mirror reflective element (but may be slightly offset to enhance shielding) so that most or all of the near IR light emitted by the wFOV LED enters the vehicle cabin, while the nFOV LED is separated from the mirror reflective element (via a surface mounted reflector) and at a certain angle so that the near IR light emitted by the nFOV LED is directed or focused by the reflector toward the driver area within the vehicle cabin.

[0159] like Fig.32A As shown, when a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly is mounted on the windshield and angled toward the driver ( Fig.32A The mirror head is tilted or angled at about 10-30 degrees relative to the transverse axis of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Fig.32B As shown, the n-FOV light emitter emits light to illuminate the driver's head, wherein the angle or width of the illumination light beam is approximately 60 degrees, and the main axis of the illumination light beam is between 10 and 30 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element, more preferably between 15 and 25 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element, for example, approximately 20 degrees or 22 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element (that is, the angle of the circuit board on which the nFOV light emitter is arranged relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element is approximately 10-30 degrees, more preferably between 15 and 25 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element, for example, approximately 20 degrees or 22 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element). Fig.33A and Fig.33B Shown are the dimensions and angles and configuration of a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly installed at a LHD vehicle. Fig.33CThe geometry and equations that can be used to determine the angle of the LHD nFOV LED are shown.

[0160] exist Fig.34A When a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly is mounted on the windshield and angled toward the driver ( Fig.34A The mirror head is tilted or angled at about 10-30 degrees relative to the transverse axis of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Fig.34B As shown, the n-FOV light emitter emits light to illuminate the driver's head, wherein the angle or width of the illumination light beam is approximately 60 degrees, and the main axis of the illumination light beam is between 0 and 20 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element, more preferably between 5 and 15 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element, for example, approximately 10 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element (that is, the circuit board on which the nFOV light emitter is arranged is at a non-zero angle relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element, with a maximum of approximately 20 degrees, more preferably between 5 and 15 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element, for example, approximately 10 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element). Fig.35A Shown are the angles and configuration of a box-style interior DMS mirror assembly installed at a RHD vehicle. Fig.35B The geometry and equations that can be used to determine the angle of the LHDnFOV LED are shown.

[0161] Thus, the angle of the LHD nFOV near IR illumination source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflective element) may be different from and in the opposite direction to the angle of the RHD wFOV near IR illumination source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflective element) (i.e., the primary emission axis of the LHD nFOV near IR illumination source is angled toward the left side of the mirror head (and the vehicle), while the primary emission axis of the RHD nFOV near IR illumination source is angled toward the right side of the mirror head (and the vehicle)). Alternatively, the angle of the LHD nFOV near IR illumination source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflective element) may be the same as the angle of the RHD wFOV near IR illumination source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflective element), but in a laterally opposite direction to the angle of the RHD wFOV near IR illumination source. For example, the angle of the nFOV near IR illumination source relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflective element can be between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, such as between 10 degrees and 20 degrees, such as, for example, 15 degrees, wherein the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near IR illumination source is angled to the left side of the mirror head (and the vehicle), and the main emission axis of the RHDnFOV near IR illumination source is angled to the right side of the mirror head (and the vehicle). In other words, the LHD nFOV near IR illumination source can be at, for example, -15 degrees, and the RHD nFOV near IR illumination source can be at, for example, +15 degrees relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflective element.

[0162] The primary line of sight of the DMS camera passes perpendicularly through the flat front surface of the mirror reflective element disposed at the lens head of a box-type DMS interior mirror assembly. When a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted on an LHD vehicle or an RHD vehicle, the field of view of the centrally located DMS camera includes the driver's eye region of the head / eyellipse as the driver adjusts the lens head. For various reasons, including the central area of ​​the cavity of the lens head being crowded by the DMS camera and the ball-and-socket pivot joint about which the lens head moves when the driver adjusts the mirror in an equipped vehicle, an nFOV near-IR emitting light source intended to illuminate the driver's eye region of the head / eyellipse is located within the lens head at a distance d mm from a centerline bisecting the center of the length dimension of the mirror reflective element. As shown in FIG. Fig.32A , Fig.32B , Fig.33A and Fig.33B As shown, the LHD nFOV near IR emitting light source is angled relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element such that, when a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is installed on a LHD vehicle and the mirror head is adjusted by the driver, the primary emission axis of the LHD nFOV near IR emitting light source is tilted toward the driver. Similarly, and as Fig.34A , Fig.34B and Fig.35A As shown, the RHD nFOV near IR emitting light source is angled relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element such that, when a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is installed on a RHD vehicle and the mirror head is adjusted by the driver, the primary emission axis of the RHDnFOV near IR emitting light source is tilted toward the driver.

[0163] For LHD applications of a one-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly, as dimension d increases (i.e., as the LHDnFOV near-IR emitting light source is positioned farther from the centerline of the mirror reflective element), the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near-IR emitting light source must subtend a larger angle relative to the plane of the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element in order to provide an illumination line to the driver of the LHD vehicle. However, for RHD applications of a one-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly, as dimension d increases (i.e., as the RHD nFOV near-IR emitting light source is positioned farther from the centerline of the mirror reflective element), the main emission axis of the RHD nFOV near-IR emitting light source must subtend a smaller angle relative to the plane of the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element in order to provide an illumination line to the driver of the RHD vehicle. Thus, for applications where a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in an LHD vehicle, the angle of the LHD nFOV near IR emitting light source relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element is, for example, about 20 degrees, and the distance d (between the mirror centerline and the LHD nFOV near IR emitting light source) is about 50 mm. For applications where a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in an RHD vehicle, the angle of the RHD nFOV near IR emitting light source relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element is, for example, about 10 degrees, and the distance d (between the mirror centerline and the RHD nFOV near IR emitting light source) is about 89 mm.

[0164] Therefore, as the distance d increases, the corresponding angle of the LHD nFOV near IR emitting light source (relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element) increases, while the corresponding angle of the RHD nFOV near IR emitting light source (relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflective element) decreases.

[0165] like Fig.37 As shown, a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly is suitable for use in an LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle. When a box-type interior DMS mirror assembly is installed in an LHD vehicle (see Fig.32A , Fig.32B , Fig.33A , Fig.33B ), when the driver sits in the driver's seat and observes the interior mirror reflective element, the camera observes the LHD driver's eye position and the light emitter(s) illuminate the LHD driver's eye position.

[0166] therefore, Fig.32A and Fig.32BShown is how the driver (in a left-hand drive vehicle) adjusts the mirror of a cassette DMS inside rearview mirror assembly so that the driver can use the mirror reflective element to look rearward through the rear window of the equipped vehicle. Depending on the seating position and size of the particular driver, the front side (outermost side) of the flat inside mirror reflective element subtends an acute angle relative to the transverse axis of the vehicle (in plan view from above), ranging from about 10 degrees to 30 degrees. Fig.32A It can also be seen that the nFOV LED is located at a certain distance to the right of the center of the lens head (where the DMS camera is located). Fig.34A and Fig.34B The situation in a RHD vehicle is shown. Fig.31D As can be seen in the figure, the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near IR emission light source is relative to the vertical line passing through the DMS Infinity Box shown in FIG. TM The angle of the straight line of the flat front glass substrate of the mirror reflective element of the mirror head of the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly is θ (for RDH vehicles, the corresponding angle is δ). The angle θ usually ranges from about -10 degrees to about -35 degrees (e.g., -20 degrees). The angle δ usually ranges from about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees (e.g., 10 degrees).

[0167] Fig.33D and Fig.33E 1 shows the distribution of different driver eye points illuminated by the LHD nFOV LEDs in the LHD vehicle in the horizontal plane (i.e., looking from above) and the vertical plane (i.e., looking from behind the windshield). Fig.33D and Fig.33E As shown, any head / eye within contour A will have a power of at least 2.5 W / m 2 Near IR irradiance. Fig.33F 1 shows the illumination inside the cabin of a LHD vehicle when the LHD nFOV LED (with surface mounted reflector) is powered. Fig.33F As shown, the horizontal half beam angle of the LHD nFOV LED is 41.4 degrees, and the vertical half beam angle of the LHD nFOV LED is 40.9 degrees. Fig.35C and Fig.35D Graphs showing the distribution of different driver eye points illuminated by the RHD nFOV LEDs in a RHD vehicle in the horizontal plane (i.e., looking from above) and the vertical plane (i.e., looking from behind the windshield). Fig.35C and Fig.35D As shown, any head / eye within contour line B will have a power of at least 2.5 W / m 2 Near IR irradiance. Fig.35E 1 shows the illumination inside the cabin of a RHD vehicle when a RHD nFOV LED (with a surface mounted reflector) is powered. Fig.35EAs shown, the horizontal half beam angle of the RHD nFOV LED is 41.4 degrees, and the vertical half beam angle of the LHD nFOV LED is 40.9 degrees. Fig.36 FIG. 4 shows the illumination inside the vehicle cabin when the wFOV LED is powered. Fig.36 As shown, the horizontal half-beam angle of the wFOV LED is 155 degrees, and the vertical half-beam angle of the wFOV LED is 130 degrees.

[0168] from Fig.37 As can be seen in FIG, the LHD nFOV (relative to the plane of the flat rear side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element) is angled, and the RHD nFOV (relative to the plane of the flat rear side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element) is also angled. However, the direction of the main emission axis of the RHD nFOV is different and opposite to the direction of the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV.

[0169] The illumination provided by the light source meets automotive safety requirements, including Safety Goal 2 (ASIL B). According to the IEC 62471:2006 standard, the system should be classified as an exempt system. The system operates in a safe state, whereby the system should not emit IR radiation.

[0170] like FIG. 31A to FIG. 37 As shown, the driver monitoring camera is located in the center of the lens head. The nFOV near IR LED that monitors the driver's head in an RHD vehicle is positioned toward a lateral side of the lens head and is tilted at an acute angle of about 10 degrees [relative to the plane behind the rear glass surface of the EC unit (its fourth surface)] and is viewed in a direction away from the lateral side of the lens head. The nFOV near IR LED that illuminates the driver's head in an LHD vehicle is positioned closer to the central area of ​​the lens head (where the driver monitoring camera is set) and is at an acute angle of about 20 degrees [relative to the plane behind the rear glass surface of the EC unit (its fourth surface)) and is viewed in a direction opposite to the direction of the other nFOV LEDs. The wFOV near IR LED that provides general cabin / occupant illumination is set in the lens head between the locations of the nFOV LEDs and has its primary viewing axis perpendicular to the plane behind the flat surface of the rear glass of the EC unit.

[0171] Thus, when the propulsion system of the equipped vehicle (such as the engine in an internal combustion vehicle or the electric drive in an electric vehicle) is ignited and / or started, the one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly is powered. When powered, the DMS camera acquires image data frames at a frame acquisition rate of at least 15fps, preferably at least 30fps, and more preferably at least 60fps. During driving, the ECU of the one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly can understand whether the vehicle is driving in a left-hand drive (LHD) country or a right-hand drive (RHD) country. This can be based on data provided by the equipped vehicle, which is based on the current geographical location of similar equipped vehicles determined by a GPS system. In addition, when the vehicle first leaves its vehicle assembly plant, the relevant automobile manufacturer will set the steering column at the left side of the front cabin area for LHD vehicles and the steering column at the right side of the front cabin area for RHD vehicles. When configured as a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle / knowing the driving position of the vehicle, the image processing of the image data acquired by the DMS camera is configured to process image data representing the driver's area (e.g., the left front seat area of ​​a left-hand drive vehicle or the right front seat area of ​​a right-hand drive vehicle) for DMS frame acquisition, and control or power the light source to provide enhanced illumination of the driver's area for DMS frame acquisition. In a preferred embodiment, the light source of a box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly includes a first group of light sources (wFOV light sources) disposed between a second group of light sources (e.g., a left side (LH) light source) and a third group of light sources (e.g., a right side (RH) light source).

[0172] For a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly, during acquisition of a set of DMS of acquired image data frames (for driver monitoring functions), the LHD nFOV light source (preferably a plurality of near IR emitting LEDs, which include at least two LEDs, and more preferably include four or fewer LEDs) and the wFOV light source (preferably a plurality of near IR emitting LEDs, which include at least two LEDs, and more preferably include four or fewer LEDs) are energized. The illumination provided by the LHD nFOV light source and the wFOV light source are combined to provide at least 1.25 W / m 2 , more preferably at least 1.8 W / m 2 and most preferably at least 2.3 W / m 2The irradiance of the driver's head area (who is sitting on the left side of the vehicle) is irradiated. The LHD nFOV near IR light source has a narrow illumination field cone / area that includes / irradiates the driver's head grid area (and thereby provides enhanced irradiance at the driver's face). During this acquisition process of the DMS group of acquired image data frames for the driver monitoring function, the wFOV near IR light source is also energized, but the LHD nFOV near IR light source is not energized. This selective energization of one of the LHD and RHD light sources but not the other (taking LHD driving as an example, where the LHD light source is energized and the RHD light source is not energized) avoids wasteful generation of heat in the lens head by energizing the RHD light source, where the RHD light source has little effect on irradiating the driver sitting on the left driver's seat. However, the wFOV light source will add a certain degree of irradiance to the driver's head grid area, and will also irradiate the area where the driver's hands are located (steering wheel, center console, etc.), so whether in LDH or RHD vehicles, the wFOV light source is energized at all times when the vehicle is powered and running. Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition in a left-hand drive vehicle, a box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the LHD nFOV light source and the wFOV light source, because these are the light sources that will illuminate the driver of a left-hand drive vehicle. The light emitted by the RHD nFOV light source when powered does not cover any part of the LH driver in any sense, so during DMS frame acquisition in a LHD vehicle, the RHD nFOV light source is not powered. Of course, in a RHD vehicle, the opposite is true. For DMS frame acquisition in a right-hand drive vehicle, a box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the RHD nFOV light source and the wFOV light source, because these are the light sources that will illuminate the driver of a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0173] For left-hand drive vehicles or right-hand drive vehicles equipped with a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly, during acquisition of the OMS group in an acquired image data frame (for occupant monitoring function), all three groups of near IR light sources (LHDnFOV and wFOV and RHDnFOV) are energized so that the near IR flood lighting within the vehicle cabin is maximized and particularly used to illuminate areas such as the second row rear seats or even the third row rear seats.

[0174] For a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly, during acquisition of an OMS group in an acquisition image data frame (for occupant monitoring or occupant detection functions), the LHD nFOV light source, the wFOV light source, and the RHDnFOV light source (preferably a plurality of near IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably including four or fewer LEDs) are all powered on. The illumination provided by the LHD nFOV light source, the wFOV light source, and the RHD nFOV light source are combined to provide at least 0.1 W / m 2 , preferably at least 0.15W / m 2 , and more preferably at least 0.2 W / m 2 The irradiance of the second row or rear seat and passenger seating area is irradiated by the wFOV light source and the RHD nFOV light source combined to provide at least 0.15 W / m 2 , preferably at least 0.25W / m 2 , and more preferably at least 0.4 W / m 2 The irradiance is applied to the front passenger seat area.

[0175] Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition of a left-hand drive vehicle, a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the LHDnFOV light source and the wFOV light source, as these are the light sources that will illuminate the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle; and for OMS frame acquisition of a left-hand drive vehicle, a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly will power the LHD nFOV light source, the wFOV light source, and the RHD nFOV light source.

[0176] Similarly, for a right-hand drive vehicle equipped with a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly, during acquisition of a DMS group (for driver monitoring function) in an acquired image data frame, the RHD nFOV light source (preferably a plurality of near IR emitting LEDs, which include at least two LEDs, and more preferably include four or fewer LEDs) and the wFOV light source (preferably a plurality of near IR emitting LEDs, which include at least two LEDs, and more preferably include four or fewer LEDs) are energized. The illumination provided by the RHD nFOV light source and the wFOV light source are combined to provide at least 1.25 W / m 2 , more preferably at least 1.8 W / m 2 and most preferably at least 2.3 W / m 2The irradiance at the driver's head area (located on the right side of the vehicle) is illuminated by the RHD nFOV light source. The RHD nFOV light source has a narrow cone of illumination field that covers the driver's head grid area (thereby providing enhanced irradiance at the driver's face without increasing the input power of the RHD nFOV light source, while also reducing heat generation in the system and reducing the number of LEDs required), while the wFOV light source can increase the irradiance at the driver's head grid area to a certain extent, but will also illuminate the area where the driver's hands are located (steering wheel, center console, etc.). Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition of a right-hand drive vehicle, a box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the RHD nFOV light source and the wFOV light source, because these are the light sources that will illuminate the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle. The light emitted by the LHD nFOV light source when powered does not cover any part of the RH driver, so the LHD nFOV light source is not powered during DMS frame acquisition.

[0177] For a right-hand drive vehicle equipped with a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly, during acquisition of an OMS group in an acquisition image data frame (for occupant monitoring or occupant detection functions), the RHD nFOV light source, the wFOV light source, and the LHDnFOV light source (preferably a plurality of near IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably including four or fewer LEDs) are all powered. The illumination provided by the RHD nFOV light source, the wFOV light source, and the LHD nFOV light source are combined to provide at least 0.1 W / m 2 , preferably at least 0.15 W / m 2 , and more preferably at least 0.2 W / m 2 The irradiance of the second row or rear seats and the passenger seat area is irradiated by the wFOV light source and the LHD nFOV light source combined to provide at least 0.15 W / m 2 , preferably at least 0.25W / m 2 , and more preferably at least 0.4 W / m 2 of irradiance illuminates the front passenger seat area.

[0178] Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition of a right-hand drive vehicle, a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the RHDnFOV light source and the wFOV light source, as these are the light sources that will illuminate the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle; and for OMS frame acquisition of a right-hand drive vehicle, a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly will power the RHD nFOV light source, the wFOV light source, and the LHD nFOV light source.

[0179] The illumination protocols / scenarios described herein can be dynamic in that they can be adjusted to the current driving situation. For example, the illumination protocol can be adjusted based on day / night conditions (by time of day or time of night); the illumination protocol can be adjusted in response to the level of ambient cabin illumination, such as the level of ambient cabin illumination on sunny days versus cloudy days, dawn versus dusk; or the illumination protocol can also be adjusted (such as for thermal management) to temporarily reduce the illumination in the cabin for a short, limited time after ignition or start occurs when the vehicle is parked in the sun on a hot sunny day.

[0180] Regardless of whether a one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly is provided in a LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle, for the purpose of occupant detection, the illumination field of the DMS camera preferably covers the seating positions (front and rear) of the vehicle's occupants. Similarly, in order to provide near-IR flood illumination to such occupants seated within the vehicle's interior cabin, regardless of whether the one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly is used in a LHD or RHD vehicle, the illumination field of the wFOV near-IR illuminator covers the seating positions (front and rear) of the vehicle's occupants. However, in order to achieve DMS functionality, it is ideal that the driver's face / head / body receive as intense near-IR illumination as possible. Therefore, for LHD vehicles, it is ideal to have the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator be directed toward the driver of the LHD vehicle, while for RHD vehicles, it is ideal to have the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator be directed toward the driver of the RHD vehicle. Given that the center area of ​​the DMS lens head has limited space to accommodate the camera, wFOV near IR illuminator, nFOV near IR illuminator, mirror pivot joint and similar / related hardware, for practical considerations, the nFOV near IR illuminator is set to the left side of the camera or the right side of the camera.

[0181] Therefore, and if Fig.31C , Fig.33B , Fig.33C , Fig.35A , Fig.35B and Fig.36 As shown (and as described above), the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator is tilted or angled toward the left hand side of the vehicle, wherein as the tilt angle increases, the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator is positioned farther from the center of the mirror head, and the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator needs to be tilted or angled toward the right hand side of the vehicle, wherein as the tilt angle decreases, the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator is positioned farther from the center of the mirror head.

[0182] Alternatively, for practical reasons, such as manufacturing and packaging and cost reasons, it may be desirable to place the nFOV near IR illuminator on one side (e.g., left) or the other side (e.g., right) of a camera centrally located in the lens head, or to place the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator on one side (e.g., left) and the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator on the other side (e.g., right). Fig.39A As shown, a box-type interior DMS rearview mirror assembly may have a camera and a wFOV near IR illuminator disposed at the center of the mirror head (where the camera is centrally located above or below the wFOV near IR illuminator), wherein one nFOV near IR illuminator (e.g., an LHD nFOV near IR illuminator, which is used to illuminate the driver of an LHD vehicle) is disposed at the left side of the mirror head (located to the left of the camera), and another nFOV near IR illuminator (e.g., an RHD nFOV near IR illuminator, which is used to illuminate the driver of an RHD vehicle) is disposed at the right side of the mirror head (located to the right of the camera). Alternatively, it may be considered to dispose the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator at the right side of the mirror head and the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator at the left side of the mirror head.

[0183] Alternatively, the nFOV near IR illuminator may be positioned more centrally in the lens head (e.g., above or below the centrally positioned wFOV near IR illuminator). Fig.39B As shown, the wFOV near IR illuminator can be located at a central location (e.g., above or below a centrally positioned camera), and the nFOV near IR illuminator can be disposed at or above (or below) the wFOV near IR illuminator. Fig.39B As shown, one of the nFOV near IR illuminators (e.g., a LHD nFOV near IR illuminator for illuminating the driver of a LHD vehicle) is disposed at the left side of the centerline of the lens head (located on the left side of the camera), and the other nFOV near IR illuminator (e.g., a RHD nFOV near IR illuminator for illuminating the driver of a RHD vehicle) is disposed at the right side of the centerline of the lens head (located on the right side of the camera). Alternatively, it may be considered that the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator is disposed on the right side of the centerline of the lens head, and the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator may be disposed on the left side of the centerline of the lens head. It may also be considered that the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator and the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator are arranged vertically on the centerline of the lens head, with one being located above the other.

[0184] Optionally, the wFOV near IR illuminator may be centrally located (e.g., above or below a centrally located camera head), and both nFOV near IR illuminators may be located at one or the other side of the lens head. Fig.39C As shown, the wFOV near IR illuminator is located in a central position (e.g., above or below a centrally disposed camera), and the LHD and RHDnFOV near IR illuminators are disposed at the right side of the lens head, wherein the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator is disposed closer to the center of the lens head than the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator. Fig.39D As shown, the wFOV near IR illuminator is arranged in the center (e.g., above or below the centrally arranged camera head), and the LHD and RHD nFOV near IR illuminators are arranged at the left side of the lens head, wherein the RHD nFOV near IR illuminator is arranged closer to the center of the lens head than the LHD nFOV near IR illuminator. Optionally, the wFOV near IR illuminator and / or the nFOV near IR illuminator may be arranged in the lower area of ​​the lens head (see Fig.39C and Fig.39D ), or can be set in the upper area of ​​the lens head (see Fig.39E ). Therefore, and if Fig.39E As shown, one or both of the nFOV near IR illuminators may be located at a higher position in the upper region of the lens head, and / or the wFOV near IR illuminator may be located at a higher position in the upper region of the lens head.

[0185] In a vehicle (whether LHD or RHD), the driver grasps the mirror head to adjust the viewing angle of the interior mirror reflective element so that the driver sees out the rear window of the equipped vehicle. The camera moves in coordination with the driver moving the mirror head. In doing so, the driver moves the mirror head to the point where the driver monitoring camera inside the mirror head can see the position / orientation of the driver's head.

[0186] The wavelength of the near IR signal emitted by the LED is preferably 940nm, making it easier to be recognized by the DMS processor (because water in the atmosphere absorbs 940nm light, ambient sunlight at this wavelength will be reduced). The DMS camera includes a filter that allows / passes light at this wavelength and attenuates other light. Therefore, the camera will operate with an enhanced 940nm signal, which enhances monitoring of the driver if the driver is wearing sunglasses. Other light in the vehicle cabin (i.e., ambient light) is filtered so that the camera focuses on the 940nm wavelength and then avoids "seeing" the reflection of the sunglasses. The DMS function can provide dynamic camera control (increase or decrease exposure time or frame acquisition rate) and LED control (increase or decrease the power of the LED and / or increase or decrease the on time) to adapt to changes in lighting and / or adapt to driver sunglasses or similar situations.

[0187] The mirror reflector may include a stack of coatings specific to needs related to three basic requirements: (i) reflect most visible light to prevent details such as a camera behind the glass from being seen (this can also be said to transmit less than 25% visible light, one-way through the glass subassembly), (ii) transmit near-infrared (NIR) light, which is emitted from the NIR LED behind the glass, reflects off the occupant and returns to the camera behind the glass (the coating targets a transmission of greater than 95% at a wavelength of 940nm), and (iii) control the color of the reflected light incident on the mirror reflective element to be neutral or on the blue side for any manufacturing variations, avoiding red and green shifts. In addition, due to fixed and variable costs, it is desirable to have a minimum number of layers in the coating and a minimum total thickness of all layers.

[0188] Soda lime glass comprises a flat air side separated from the tin side by the thickness dimension of the glass sheet or substrate. The glass sheet is formed by moving molten glass through a molten tin bath. Therefore, the outer glass surface at the tin side of the float soda lime glass sheet forms a layer rich in tin (i.e., Sn) atoms / impregnated by tin atoms / mixed with tin atoms. The tin-rich glass surface constitutes a SodaSn layer at the side / surface of the soda lime substrate. Fig.40 Shown is a stack of thin film coatings formed by alternating layers, which are stacked layers with thickness and materials constituting the coatings. These coatings are placed on the third surface of the mirror "unit" assembly (i.e., the third surface of a laminated electrochromic mirror reflective element, such as the type described in U.S. Patent No. 7,274,501; No. 7,184,190 and / or No. 7,255,451, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The SodaSn layer is not part of the coating, but an intrinsic Sn layer formed due to the manufacture of float glass. The presence of Sn also improves the adhesion of the coating at this side of the glass substrate. For the last layer, ITO is a transparent conductive layer required for the electrochromic function, and needs to be on both sides of the solid polymer matrix electrolyte of the electrochromic medium that preferably forms the laminated electrochromic mirror reflective element.

[0189] Transflective substrates suitable for visible light transmission / visible light reflection / near IR light transmission of a one-box electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly such as Fig.40 , which shows the layer thicknesses of the alternating Nb 2 O 5 and SiO 2 layers of the transflector stack. Fig.41The thickness of each layer is shown in the form of a diagram. The transflective mirror reflector includes a first layer of Nb2O5 with a physical thickness of 37.62nm, a first layer of SiO2 with a physical thickness of 77.41nm, a second layer of Nb2O5 with a physical thickness of 40.67nm, a second layer of SiO2 with a physical thickness of 83.25nm, a third layer of Nb2O5 with a physical thickness of 53.29nm, a third layer of SiO2 with a physical thickness of 96.76nm, a fourth layer of Nb2O5 with a physical thickness of 64.55nm, a fourth layer of SiO2 with a physical thickness of 135.11nm, a fifth layer of Nb2O5 with a physical thickness of 82.21nm, a fifth layer of SiO2 with a physical thickness of 68.21nm, and a layer of ITO with a physical thickness of 120nm.

[0190] The transmittance characteristics and color diagram of the transflector are shown in Fig.42 and Fig.43 In. Through Fig.40 The transmittance of light of the mirror reflective element (relative to the wavelength of light) is plotted at Fig.44A middle. Fig.44B The relationship between the transmittance and the incident angle of light with a wavelength of 940 nm is shown. Fig.44C The relationship between the transmittance of visible light and the incident angle is shown. Fig.40 The reflection of light (with respect to wavelength) of the mirror reflective element is shown in Fig.44D The substrate on which the transflector stack is coated is a vehicle interior mirror-shaped flat soda lime glass substrate having a plate thickness of 2 mm. For use as a rear substrate in a laminated EC unit (as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,274,501; 7,184,190 and / or 7,255,451, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), and to reduce the weight of the overall assembly, a thinner glass substrate is preferably used. For example, the plate thickness of the glass substrate is more preferably 1.6 mm or less, and the plate thickness of the glass substrate is most preferably 1.1 mm or less. In addition, it is preferred to use low iron glass (as described herein) to improve both the overall visible light transmittance and the transmittance of near IR light (such as at 940 nm). For example, Guardian Low-iron glass (available from Guardian Glass Company, 2300 Harmon Rd, Auburn Hills, MI, USA) is more transparent and more neutral in color than standard soda-lime float glass and is available in sheets ranging from 2 mm to 12 mm thick. Low iron glass (available from Guardian Glass 19, rue du Puits Romain L-8070 Bertrange Grande-Duchy de Luxembourg). In addition, Corning Infra-Red Transmitting Glass 9754 may be used, preferably with an infrared cut filter that blocks IR radiation with wavelengths above 1 micron from being transmitted through the glass substrate.

[0191] For a glass substrate coated with a transflector (such as Fig.40 The photopic visible light reflectance of the embodiment shown in the figure (measured as the first surface in accordance with SAE J964a, which is an SAE recommended practice for determining the total reflectance and mirror reflectance of vehicle mirrors having flat surfaces and curved surfaces and for determining the diffuse reflectance and haze of mirrors having flat surfaces) is preferably at least 45% R, more preferably at least 55% R, and most preferably at least 65% R. The visible light transmittance of the glass substrate for coating the transflector is preferably at least 15% T, more preferably at least 20% T, and most preferably at least 25% T, and is preferably less than 35% T, more preferably less than 30% T [measured using CIE standard illuminant D65 and a photosensitive detector having a spectral response that follows the CIE photosensitivity luminous efficiency function (which simulates the response of the human eye in the visible light region)]. The glass substrate for coating the transflector (such as Fig.40 The near IR transmittance of the near IR emitting light source of the embodiment shown in ) at the near IR emission peak wavelength (such as 940nm) is preferably at least 60%T, more preferably at least 70%T, and most preferably at least 80%T.

[0192] A box-type electrochromic interior DMS mirror assembly preferably includes a dual substrate laminated EC mirror reflective element having: (i) a front glass flat substrate (having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being separated from the first surface by a thickness dimension of the front glass substrate) and (ii) a rear glass flat substrate (having a third surface and a fourth surface, the fourth surface being separated from the third surface by a thickness dimension of the rear glass substrate). In a box-type electrochromic interior DMS mirror assembly, the rear substrate includes Fig.40The transflective mirror substrate of the embodiment of the present invention is a transflective mirror substrate, and the multilayer stack of coatings includes the third surface of the rear substrate of the double substrate laminated EC mirror reflective element (also known as an "EC unit"). The front substrate and the rear substrate are juxtaposed in the EC unit, and the electrochromic medium is sandwiched between (a) the second surface of the front glass substrate (which includes a transparent conductive coating, preferably ITO, with a sheet resistance preferably less than 30 ohms / square, more preferably less than 25 ohms / square, and most preferably less than 20 ohms / square) and (b) the transflector coated surface of the multilayer stack of the rear glass substrate. The electrochromic medium (i) contacts the transparent conductive coating at the second surface of the front substrate, and (ii) contacts the outermost layer of the third surface of the transflector coated multilayer stack of the rear glass substrate. In order to achieve conductive contact with the EC medium, the outermost layer of the third surface of the transflector coating of the multilayer stack of the rear glass substrate includes a transparent conductive coating (preferably an indium tin oxide layer, i.e., ITO), which has a sheet resistance of preferably less than 30 ohms / square, more preferably less than 25 ohms / square, and most preferably less than 20 ohms / square.

[0193] Note that in Fig.40 In this alternating multilayer stack, and depending on other factors in the overall structure, fewer, more or different layers can be used. For example, a third surface conductive transflector of a box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly is shown. This method incorporates a single semi-metallic / semi-conductive silicon (Si) layer and has a high T% (about 90%) at 940nm and about 40% in the visible light region. In addition, the visual appearance is neutral. The advantage of this design is that the number of layers is reduced and the total stack thickness is reduced. For a multilayer stack of thin film coatings that form a mirror transflector for an internal mirror reflective element suitable for a box-type DMS internal rearview mirror assembly, the total physical stack thickness (that is, the sum of the physical thicknesses of all individual thin film coating layers in the multilayer stack) is preferably less than 1500nm, more preferably less than 1000nm, and most preferably less than 750nm. This makes the DMS stack easier and less expensive to manufacture. Of course, it is contemplated to use Si semiconductor layers for more than one layer in the multilayer stack.

[0194] The mirror-transflector may include a silicon layer due to the high refractive index of silicon (3.5 to 4) (but its extinction coefficient is higher than dielectrics such as NbO or TiO2 or SiO2). Alternatively, the mirror-transflector may use a germanium layer. The layers alternate high and low refractive index layers to achieve the best match of transmittance and reflectivity. The number of layers can be reduced by using layers of high refractive index silicon or germanium. The layers have different refractive indices, and the amount of this difference is related to how many layers are needed to achieve the desired effect. A larger refractive index difference between the layers can result in fewer layers being required. Since the sputtering deposition rate of NbO / Nb2O5 is faster than the sputtering deposition rate of TiO2, the mirror-transflector may use niobium oxide instead of titanium oxide.

[0195] The layers are sputter deposited onto the substrate used for the mirror reflective element using a pressed oxide ceramic target. These targets are preferably rotating targets (magnetrons). In the vacuum chamber where the layers are deposited, the chamber may include a mixture of oxygen and argon. The layers are preferably sputtered via medium frequency (about 40KHz) sputtering (MF sputtering). Preferably, a dual rotating magnetron is used, with two targets side by side. A 40KHz sinusoidal alternating voltage (positive and negative) is applied. The process can use two (or more) dual targets per chamber. Silicon can be sputter deposited using a pure silicon target.

[0196] The target optical design for the multilayer stack is to achieve a transmittance of at least 20%T for visible light and at least 60%T for near IR light, and to achieve this in the most economical and efficient manner. The number of layers, the refractive index of the layers, and the sputtering rate of the layers are balanced to achieve the desired effect economically. The process can utilize various aspects of the process described in U.S. Patent No. 5,751,489, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0197] Medium frequency AC sputtering (e.g. at 40 kHz) in a multi-station / multi-target inline conveyor tray / dish vacuum deposition process is a preferred deposition technique for dielectric high refractive index / low refractive index thin film alternating coatings that constitute the multilayer stack of the mirror transflector that forms the mirror reflective element of a cassette DMS interior rearview mirror assembly. Medium frequency AC sputtering (also known as dielectric AC sputtering) is more suitable for coating dielectrics than RF sputtering because it operates in the kHz rather than MHz frequency range and therefore requires a less complex and expensive power supply and is a process that can be adapted for large-scale applications. MF or medium frequency AC power supplies cover a wide range of voltage outputs between 300V and 1200V (generally in the range of 25 to 300kW) and frequencies between 20 and 70kHz, with 40kHz being the most common. In order to form the niobium oxide or silicon dioxide layers of such a multilayer transflector, reactive sputtering is preferably used, i.e. a reactive gas (oxygen) is introduced into the plasma to form an oxide layer that is deposited on the coated substrate. In medium frequency AC sputtering, two cathodes are used and the AC current switches back and forth between them, with each reverse switch cleaning the target surface to reduce charge buildup on the dielectric that causes arcing, which can eject droplets into the plasma and prevent uniform film growth.

[0198] As the substrate moves through the target, the target will sputter deposit material onto the moving substrate. A carrier moving continuously at 1 meter / minute under the sputtering target will deposit a 25nm thick film. For ITO: NDDR is (10nm.m / min) / (KW / m), with a target length maximum power density of about 10KW / m. Typically, for a constant deposition power level and size, the deposition rate of NbO is about 2.5 times greater than, for example, SiO2 or TiO2. Typically, for a constant deposition power level and size, the deposition rate of ITO is about 2 times greater than that of NbO / Nb2O5 and about 5 times greater than, for example, SiO2 or TiO2.

[0199] In combination with arc detection and suppression circuitry, MF or medium frequency AC sputtering offers the advantages of improved process stability and increased deposition rates, as well as overcoming the problem of the anode being coated with insulating coatings that is faced when reactive sputtering of dielectric coatings is performed with DC sputtering. In the case of AC sputtering, the cathode acts as an anode every half cycle and provides a "clean" anode surface. Medium frequency AC sputtering of multilayer HI / LO index coatings for the mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element of a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly preferably uses dual magnetrons to confine electrons above the target and reduce arcing for process control. Optionally, "balanced" or "unbalanced" magnetrons may be arranged side by side, tilted toward each other, or face to face.

[0200] As an alternative to in-line vacuum deposition, the deposition of various thin film dielectric coatings used to form multilayer HL stack mirror transflectors can be deposited onto glass substrates in a batch vacuum deposition chamber. For example, multiple individual cut mirror-shaped glass substrates can be loaded into a planetary fixture in a vacuum deposition chamber. For deposition of, for example, niobium oxide and silicon oxide layers, a cylindrical vacuum chamber can be equipped with two (one for NbO and one for SiO2) dual medium frequency AC sputtering deposition targets, which sputter the corresponding layers onto the glass substrate as the glass substrate rotates past the sputtering targets in the vacuum chamber, and this rotation can improve the uniformity of the coating onto multiple coated substrates. Alternatively, an electron beam evaporation method can be used, in which, for example, niobium oxide and silicon oxide / silicon dioxide are evaporated from individual crucibles of a multiple-crucible turret with an electron beam.

[0201] Alternatively, the mirror reflective element may include a dual layer electrochromic mirror element or construction having a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate (with a first electrochromic medium disposed therebetween) and a second electro-optical medium (e.g., an electrochromic medium such as a solid polymer matrix or SPM) and a third glass substrate located behind the second or rear glass substrate. The visible light reflectance of the cold mirror coating may be relaxed from the current 60%-67% reflectance to a more likely 45% visible light reflectance because the SPM may block more visible light, reducing the impact on near IR light. The second or rear SPM may remain dark and only become clear or undarkened when a visible camera image is needed, which hides the camera behind the glass but allows it to be visible if or when needed. The system has an advantage over using a liquid crystal shutter in terms of near IR light transmission. A higher percentage of near IR light can pass through the SPM. Moreover, the transmission control range of visible light is a much larger range and becomes clear. The LC shutter transmittance for near IR light is about 85%, and the visible light range control is 0% to 25%T. The SPM near IR light transmission is about 100% in clear and about 90% in dark, and the SPM visible light transmission is about 100% in clear and about 30% in dark. Thus, the specular reflective element may thus include a glass-ITO-SPM-ITO-stack ~ R45%-glass-ITO-SPM-ITO-glass.

[0202] Therefore, a vehicle driver monitoring system includes a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, which includes a lens head adjustably attached to a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached to an interior portion of a vehicle. The lens head includes a mirror reflective element. A driver monitoring camera is accommodated by the lens head, and when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, the driver monitoring camera moves in coordination with the lens head when the lens head is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rearview field of view. A near-infrared light emitter is accommodated by the lens head, and when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, when the lens head is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rearview field of view, the near-infrared light emitter moves in coordination with the lens head. The near-infrared light emitter includes at least a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element. The first light-emitting element is oriented at the lens head so that if the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle and is adjusted to provide a rearview field of view for the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle, the light beam emitted by the first light-emitting element is directed toward the driver's area of ​​the left-hand drive vehicle. The second light emitting element is oriented at the mirror head so that if the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and is adjusted to provide a rear view for the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle, the light beam emitted by the second light emitting element is directed toward the driver area of ​​the right-hand drive vehicle. The control circuit is operable to activate the first light emitting element or the second light emitting element in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or is to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0203] The control circuit may include a processor operable to process image data captured by the driver monitoring camera, and, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle, the processor processes the image data captured by the driver monitoring camera to determine at least one item selected from the group consisting of: (i) driver attention, (ii) driver drowsiness, and (iii) driver gaze direction.

[0204] A driver monitoring camera and the near infrared light emitter are housed by the lens head behind the mirror reflective element, and the driver monitoring camera observes through the mirror reflective element and the near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light through the mirror reflective element.

[0205] The driver monitoring camera observes through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element, and the near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element.

[0206] The near infrared light emitter may include at least one wider beam light emitting element, and the at least one wider beam light emitting element is activated when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant monitoring function. The first light emitting element is angled toward the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly relative to the at least one wider beam light emitting element, and the second light emitting element is angled toward the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly relative to the at least one wider beam light emitting element. The first light emitting element may be disposed at the left side of the at least one wider beam light emitting element, and the second light emitting element may be disposed at the right side of the at least one wider beam light emitting element. The first light emitting element may include at least two narrower beam light emitting diodes, and the second light emitting element may include at least two narrower beam light emitting diodes, and the narrower beam light emitting diodes emit a narrower beam of light when energized than the beam emitted by the at least one wider beam light emitting element when energized.

[0207] The control circuit may enable the first light emitting element in response to an indication that the interior vehicle rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle. The control circuit may enable the first light emitting element in response to an indication that the interior vehicle rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle.

[0208] The control circuit may enable the second light emitting element in response to an indication that the interior vehicle rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle. The control circuit may enable the second light emitting element in response to an indication that the interior vehicle rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0209] The control circuit enables the first light emitting element or the second light emitting element in response to an input signal at a vehicle assembly plant where the vehicle is assembled.

[0210] The mirror reflective element is attached at a mirror attachment plate, and the driver monitoring camera and the near infrared light emitter are arranged behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes through the mirror attachment plate. A heat dissipation element may be attached at the mirror attachment plate. The mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element may surround the driver monitoring camera, the near infrared light emitter and the control circuit, and function to limit electromagnetic interference of the driver monitoring camera, the near infrared light emitter and the control circuit.

[0211] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle (so that the first near-infrared light emitter is enabled for a driver monitoring function), and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the second near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, and the first near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light.

[0212] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle (so that the second near-infrared light emitter is enabled for a driver monitoring function), and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the second near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light and the first near-infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, and the second near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light.

[0213] Therefore, a vehicle driver monitoring system includes a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, which includes a lens head adjustably attached to a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached to an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle driver monitoring system. The lens head includes a mirror reflective element. The lens head contains an electronic circuit. A driver monitoring camera is contained by the lens head, and, in the case where the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, when the lens head is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rear view field, the driver monitoring camera moves in coordination with the lens head. A first near infrared light emitter and a second near infrared light emitter are contained in the lens head. In the case where the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, when the lens head is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rear view field, the first and second near infrared light emitters move in coordination with the lens head. The first near infrared light emitter is contained in the lens head so that when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle and is adjusted by the driver of the vehicle to set the driver's rear view field, a light beam emitted by the first near infrared light emitter is directed toward the driver's area of ​​the left-hand drive vehicle. The second near infrared light emitter is housed within the mirror head so that when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and is adjusted by the driver of the vehicle to set the driver's rear view field of view, the light beam emitted by the second near infrared light emitter when powered to emit light is directed toward the driver's area of ​​the right-hand drive vehicle. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter when powered to emit light emits light for driver monitoring functions. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, the second near infrared light emitter when powered to emit light emits light for driver monitoring functions.

[0214] The electronic circuit may include a processor operable to process image data captured by the driver monitoring camera, and wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle, the processor processes the image data captured by the driver monitoring camera to determine at least one item selected from the group consisting of: (i) driver attention, (ii) driver drowsiness, and (iii) driver gaze direction.

[0215] A driver monitoring camera and the first and second near infrared light emitters are housed by the lens head behind the mirror reflective element, and the driver monitoring camera observes through the mirror reflective element, and the first and second near infrared light emitters emit near infrared light through the mirror reflective element when powered to emit light. The driver monitoring camera can observe through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element, and the first and second near infrared light emitters emit near infrared light when powered to emit light, which near infrared light can pass through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element.

[0216] The mirror reflective element may include an electrochromic mirror reflective element having a front flat glass substrate and a rear flat glass substrate. The front flat glass substrate includes a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the front flat glass substrate, and the rear flat glass substrate includes a third flat glass surface separated from a fourth flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate. The second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate has a transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate has a transflective mirror reflector disposed thereon. The electrochromic medium is disposed between and in contact with the transparent conductive coating disposed at the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transflective mirror reflector disposed at the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0217] The transflective mirror reflector may include alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2. The transflective mirror reflector may include no more than five layers of Nb2O5 and five layers of SiO2. The transflective mirror reflector may include a first layer of Nb2O5 having a physical thickness of 37.62 nm, a first layer of SiO2 having a physical thickness of 77.41 nm, a second layer of Nb2O5 having a physical thickness of 40.67 nm, a second layer of SiO2 having a physical thickness of 83.25 nm, a third layer of Nb2O5 having a physical thickness of 53.29 nm, a third layer of SiO2 having a physical thickness of 96.76 nm, a fourth layer of Nb2O5 having a physical thickness of 64.55 nm, a fourth layer of SiO2 having a physical thickness of 135.11 nm, a fifth layer of Nb2O5 having a physical thickness of 82.21 nm, a fifth layer of SiO2 having a physical thickness of 68.21 nm, and an ITO layer having a physical thickness of 120 nm.

[0218] The mirror reflective element may include a prismatic mirror reflective element, and the prismatic mirror reflective element includes a glass substrate, the glass substrate has a wedge-shaped cross section, the wedge-shaped cross section has a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at a certain angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface. The second flat glass surface is an uncoated glass surface, and the transflective mirror reflector is arranged at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the prismatic mirror reflective element.

[0219] The lens head may include a stray light blocking element disposed between the lens of the driver monitoring camera and the mirror reflective element. The stray light blocking element surrounds the lens and engages a rear surface of the mirror reflective element to block stray light from entering the lens. The stray light blocking element may include a tapered element attached to the driver monitoring camera. The stray light blocking element may include a flexible tapered element attached to the driver monitoring camera.

[0220] With the mounting base attached to an interior portion of the left-hand drive vehicle or the right-hand drive vehicle, the driver monitoring camera and the first and second near-infrared light emitters may be disposed at a lower region of a mirror head and below the mirror reflective element.

[0221] The vehicle driver monitoring system may include at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter housed in the lens head. The at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter is powered to emit light when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function.

[0222] The first near infrared light emitter may be angled toward a left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly relative to the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter, and the second near infrared light emitter may be angled toward a right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly relative to the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter. The first near infrared light emitter may be disposed at a left side of the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter, and the second near infrared light emitter may be disposed at a right side of the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter.

[0223] The first near infrared light emitter may include at least two narrower beam light emitting diodes, and the second near infrared light emitter may include at least two narrower beam light emitting diodes. The narrower beam light emitting diodes may emit narrower beams of light when powered to emit light than the beams emitted by the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter when powered to emit light.

[0224] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for a driver monitoring function, the first near infrared light emitter is powered to emit light and the second near infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant monitoring function, the second near infrared light emitter and the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant monitoring function, the first near infrared light emitter may also be powered to emit light.

[0225] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for a driver monitoring function, the second near infrared light emitter is powered to emit light and the first near infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for a driver monitoring function, the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for a driver monitoring function, the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the first near infrared light emitter and the at least one wider beam near infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the second near infrared light emitter may also be powered to emit light.

[0226] The electronic circuit may enable a first near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or is to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the electronic circuit may enable a second near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0227] The electronic circuit may enable the first near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle. The indication may include an input provided to the electronic circuit at a vehicle manufacturing plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle.

[0228] The electronic circuit may enable the first near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle. The indication may include an input provided to the electronic circuit at a mirror manufacturing plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is assembled.

[0229] The electronic circuit may enable the second near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle. The indication may include an input provided to the electronic circuit at a vehicle manufacturing plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0230] The electronic circuit may enable the second near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the interior vehicle rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle. The indication may include an input provided to the electronic circuit at a mirror manufacturing plant where the interior vehicle rearview mirror assembly is manufactured.

[0231] The electronic circuit may set the first near infrared light emitter or the second near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an input signal at a vehicle assembly plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed on a vehicle. The electronic circuit may set the first near infrared light emitter or the second near infrared light emitter for a driver monitoring function in response to an input signal at a mirror manufacturer assembly plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is manufactured.

[0232] The interior portion of the vehicle may include a portion of a windshield of the vehicle at an interior side of the windshield of the vehicle.

[0233] The vehicle driver monitoring system may include an occupant monitoring camera disposed at a display screen located at an A-pillar on the passenger side of the vehicle.

[0234] The mirror reflective element is attached at a mirror attachment plate, and the driver monitoring camera and the first and second near infrared light emitters may be disposed behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes through the mirror attachment plate. The vehicle driver monitoring system may include a heat dissipation element attached at the mirror attachment plate. The mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element surround the driver monitoring camera, the first and second near infrared light emitters, and the electronic circuit, and function to limit electromagnetic interference of the driver monitoring camera, the first and second near infrared light emitters, and the electronic circuit.

[0235] With the mounting base attached to an interior portion of the vehicle, image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera may be used to determine when a driver is attempting to use an infotainment system of the vehicle, and, in response to determining that the driver is attempting to use the infotainment system and in response to the vehicle being operated by the driver, the infotainment system is unresponsive to the driver's use of the infotainment system.

[0236] Image data captured by the driver monitoring camera may be processed to determine a driver gesture, and in response to determining the driver gesture, a garage door opener system of the vehicle is operated. The determined driver gesture may include the driver raising one, two, or three fingers.

[0237] The vehicle driver monitoring system may include a central near infrared light emitter housed within the mirror head and disposed between the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter. The first and second near infrared light emitters may be disposed at a right region of the mirror head. The first near infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near infrared light emitter may be at an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflective element. The first near infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near infrared light emitter may be at an angle greater than 15 degrees and less than 25 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflective element. The second near infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near infrared light emitter may be at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 20 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflective element. The second near infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the specular reflective element, wherein a main beam axis of light emitted by the second near infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the specular reflective element.

[0238] The first and second near-infrared light emitters may be arranged at a left area of ​​the mirror head. The second near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflective element. The second near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 15 degrees and less than 25 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflective element. The first near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 20 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflective element. The first near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflective element.

[0239] When the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in a driver monitoring mode, the first near infrared light emitter or the second near infrared light emitter may be operated to emit light toward the driver area. When the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in an occupant monitoring mode, the central near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter may be operated to emit light. When the first near infrared light emitter, the central near infrared light emitter, and the second near infrared light emitter are emitting light, image data for occupant monitoring acquired by the driver monitoring camera may be acquired. When the first near infrared light emitter and the central near infrared light emitter are emitting light, image data for driver monitoring acquired by the driver monitoring camera may be acquired.

[0240] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in a driver monitoring mode, the first near infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in a driver monitoring mode, the central near infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in an occupant monitoring mode, the second near infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a second pulse rate different from the first pulse rate. The second pulse rate can be half of the first pulse rate. The driver monitoring camera can acquire image data at an acquisition rate corresponding to the first pulse rate.

[0241] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in a driver monitoring mode, the second near infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in a driver monitoring mode, the central near infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in an occupant monitoring mode, the first near infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a second pulse rate different from the first pulse rate. The second pulse rate can be half of the first pulse rate. The driver monitoring camera can acquire image data at an acquisition rate corresponding to the first pulse rate.

[0242] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or is to be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the second near infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light for a driver monitoring function. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light for a driver monitoring function.

[0243] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for a driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light, and the second near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the second near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light.

[0244] In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for a driver monitoring function, the second near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light, and the first near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. In the case where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant monitoring function, the second near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light.

[0245] The driver monitoring system (including the camera and the processor) may utilize U.S. Patent Nos. 10,065,574; 10,017,114; 9,405,120 and / or 7,914,187 and / or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2021-0323473; US-2021-0291739; US-2020-0202151; US-2020-0143560; US-2017-0274906; US-2017-0217367; US-2016-0209647; US-20 16-0137126; US-2015-0352953; US-2015-0296135; US-2015-0294169; US-2015-0232030; US-2015-0092042; US-2015-0022664; US-2015-0015710; US-2015-0009010 and / or US-2014-0336876, and / or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 650,255 filed on February 8, 2022 (Attorney Docket No. MAG0404000). P4412), U.S. patent application serial number No. 17 / 649,723 filed on February 2, 2022 (attorney docket number DON01 P4410), and / or U.S. patent application serial number No. 17 / 450,721 filed on October 13, 2021 (attorney docket number MAG04 P4306), and / or U.S. provisional application serial number No. 63 / 260,359 filed on August 18, 2021, and / or U.S. provisional application serial number No. 63 / 201,894 filed on May 18, 2021, and / or aspects of the system described in International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 filed on March 1, 2021 (attorney docket number DON01FP4421WO), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0246] The mirror assembly may include a mirror actuator that positions the mirror head relative to the driver's head in a predetermined or preselected or determined orientation. The mirror assembly and / or mirror actuator may utilize various aspects of the mirror system described in U.S. Patent Nos. 9,616,815; 7,722,199 and / or 6,698,905 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The mirror assembly (e.g., mounting base) may be mounted at the inboard side of the vehicle windshield, or the mirror assembly may be located or attached elsewhere in the vehicle, such as at an overhead console or headliner of the vehicle or the like.

[0247] Optionally, the interior mirror assembly can include a dual-mode interior rearview video mirror that can switch from a traditional reflective mode to a real-time video display mode, for example by utilizing U.S. Patents No. 10,442,360; No. 10,421,404; No. 10,166,924 and / or No. 10,046,706 and / or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2021-0162926; US-2021-0155167; US-2020-0377022; US-2019-0258131; US-2019-0146297; US-2019-0118717 and / or US-2017-0355312, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The electrically operated actuator may provide a memory setting function and may also be operable to adjust the mirror head between a reflective mode and a video display mode, for example in response to a user-actuated input in the vehicle or at the mirror assembly (e.g., a toggle or switch or button at the mirror head).

[0248] Optionally, the driver monitoring system can be integrated with the vehicle's camera monitoring system (CMS). The integrated vehicle system incorporates multiple inputs, such as from an interior or driver monitoring camera, a front or exterior view camera, and inputs from the CMS's rear and side view cameras to provide the driver with unique collision mitigation capabilities based on the complete vehicle environment and the driver's state of awareness. Image processing as well as detection and determination are performed locally within the interior rearview mirror assembly and / or overhead console area, depending on the available space and electrical connections for a particular vehicle application.

[0249] The CMS camera and system may utilize aspects of the systems described in U.S. Publication Nos. US-2021-0245662; US-2021-0162926; US-2021-0155167; US-2018-0134217 and / or US-2014-0285666, and / or International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070062 filed on January 6, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Connections between the camera and the controller or PCB(s) and / or between the display and the controller or PCB may be made via respective coaxial cables, which may provide power and control of the camera (via the controller) and may provide image data from the camera to the controller, and may provide video images from the controller to the display device. The connections and communications may utilize aspects of the systems described in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,264,219; 9,900,490; and / or 9,609,757, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0250] The mirror reflective element may include a variable reflectivity electro-optical mirror reflective element, such as an electrochromic mirror reflective element or a liquid crystal mirror reflective element. For example, the mirror reflective element may include a laminated variable reflectivity electro-optical (e.g., electrochromic) reflective element assembly having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate, sandwiched between an electro-optical medium (e.g., electrochromic medium), and defined by a peripheral seal. The front substrate has a front surface or first surface (a surface that substantially faces the vehicle driver when the mirror assembly is normally mounted on the vehicle) and a rear surface or second surface opposite to the front surface, and the rear substrate has a front surface or third surface and a rear surface or fourth surface opposite to the front surface, the electro-optical medium being disposed between the second surface and the third surface and defined by a peripheral seal of the reflective element (e.g., known in the field of electrochromic mirrors). The second surface has a transparent conductive coating established thereon (e.g., an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, or a doped tin oxide layer or any other transparent semiconductive layer or coating or the like (e.g., indium cerium oxide (ICO)), indium tungsten oxide (IWO), or an indium oxide (IO) layer or the like, or a zinc oxide layer or coating, or a zinc oxide coating or the like doped with aluminum or other metallic material (e.g., silver or gold or the like), or other oxides or the like doped with suitable metallic materials, or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), and the third surface has a metallic reflector coating (or multiple layers or coatings) established thereon. The front or third surface of the rear substrate may include one or more transparent semiconductor layers (e.g., an ITO layer or the like) and one or more metal conductive layers (e.g., layers of silver, aluminum, chromium, or the like, or alloys thereof), and may include, for example, multiple layers disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501; 7,184,190 and / or 7,255,451 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0251] The specular reflector may include any suitable coating or layer, such as a transflective coating or layer (which partially transmits visible light and / or near infrared light and which partially reflects visible light), as described in U.S. Patents Nos. 7,626,749; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190; 6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,511; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5 ,610,756; No.5,406,414; No.5,253,109; No.5,076,673; No.5,073,012; No.5,115,346; No.5,724,187; No.5,668,663; No.5,910,854; No.5,142,407 and / or No.4,712,879 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) The coating or layer is arranged at the front surface of the rear substrate (commonly referred to as the third surface of the reflective element) and is opposite to the electro-optical medium (for example, an electrochromic medium arranged between the front substrate and the rear substrate) and is defined by a peripheral seal. Optionally, a mirror reflector may be disposed at a rear surface of the rear substrate (commonly referred to as a fourth surface of the reflective element. A driver monitoring camera may be housed in the lens head and observe the driver's head area through the transflective mirror reflector, and / or a near IR light emitter may be housed in the lens head and emit light through the transflective mirror reflector to illuminate the driver's head area. The transflective mirror reflector may be spectrally tuned to transmit or pass light in a specific spectral band (e.g., near infrared) while reflecting light in other spectral bands (e.g., visible light). The camera may be sensitive to near infrared light, such that the near IR light emitter may emit near IR light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector, and the camera may be sensitive to near IR light that reflects off the driver's head and returns through the transflective mirror reflector.

[0252] The third surface defines an active EC area or surface of the rear substrate within the perimeter seal. The coated third surface may also be coated to define a tab-out area (e.g., by utilizing aspects of the mirror assembly described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501; 7,184,190 and / or 7,255,451, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) for providing electrical connection of the conductive layer to an electrical clip of a connector or busbar, such as the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,112 and 6,449,082 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0253] When the mirror assembly is normally mounted at or in a vehicle, the reflective element and the mirror housing are adjustable relative to the base portion or mounting assembly to adjust the driver's rear view field of view. The mounting assembly may include a single ball or single pivot mounting assembly, whereby the reflective element and the housing are adjustable relative to the vehicle windshield (or other interior portion of the vehicle) about a single pivot joint, or the mounting assembly may include other types of mounting configurations, such as a dual ball or dual pivot mounting configuration or the like. The socket or pivot element is configured to receive a ball member of a base portion, such as for a single pivot or single ball mounting structure or a dual pivot or dual ball mounting structure or the like (e.g., pivot mounting assemblies of the type described in U.S. Patents Nos. 6,318,870; 6,593,565; 6,690,268; 6,540,193; 4,936,533; 5,820,097; 5,100,095; 7,249,860; 6,877,709; 6,329,925; 7,289,037; 7,249,860 and / or 6,483,438, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0254] The mirror assembly may include any suitable configuration, such as a mirror assembly in which the reflective element is nested within a mirror housing and has a frame portion that circumscribes a peripheral area of ​​a front surface of the reflective element, or a mirror housing having a curved or angled peripheral edge that surrounds the reflective element and does not overlap the front surface of the reflective element (e.g., by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Patents Nos. 7,184,190; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,289,037; 7,360,932; 7,626,749; 8,049,640; 8,277,059 and / or 8,529,108, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), or For example, a mirror assembly having a rear substrate of an electro-optical or electrochromic reflective element nested in a mirror housing, and the front substrate has a curved or inclined peripheral edge, or a mirror assembly having a prismatic reflective element disposed at the outer peripheral edge of the mirror housing, and the prismatic substrate has a curved or inclined peripheral edge, such as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,508,831; 8,730,553; 9,598,016 and / or 9,346,403 and / or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2014-0313563 and / or US-2015-0097955, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference (and such constructed electrochromic mirrors and prismatic mirrors may be marketed under the trade name INFINITY TMMirrors are commercially available from the assignee of the present application). Optionally, the mirror reflective element may include a variable reflectivity liquid crystal (VRLC) reflective element, for example by utilizing various aspects of the mirror assembly described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,891, filed on May 18, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0255] Optionally, the mirror housing may include a frame portion that circumscribes a peripheral area of ​​the front surface of the reflective element, or the peripheral area of ​​the front surface of the reflective element may be exposed (for example by utilizing aspects of the mirror reflective element described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,508,831 and / or 8,730,553 and / or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2014-0022390; US-2014-0293169 and / or US-2015-0097955 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference)).

[0256] Although shown as an electro-optic mirror application, it is contemplated that the mirror assembly may include a prismatic reflective element. The prismatic mirror assembly may be mounted or attached to an interior portion of a vehicle (e.g., an interior surface of a vehicle windshield) via the above-described mounting device, and the reflective element may be toggled or flipped or adjusted between its daytime reflectivity position and its nighttime reflectivity position by any suitable toggle device, such as by utilizing U.S. Patents Nos. 7,420,756; 7,338,177; 7,289,037; 7,274,501; 7,25 5,451; 7,249,860; 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288; 4,948,242; 4,826,289; 4,436,371 and / or 44,35,042, and / or aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0085653, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0257] Alternatively, the mirror assembly may include one or more other displays, such as those of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,530,240 and / or 6,329,925 (incorporated herein in their entireties by reference), and / or on-demand transflective displays, and / or video displays or screens, such as those of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,890,955; 7,855,755; 7,338,177; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190; 7,046,448; 5,668,663; 5,724,187; 5,53 0,240; No. 6,329,925; No. 6,690,268; No. 7,734,392; No. 7,370,983; No. 6,902,284; No. 6,428,172; No. 6,420,975; No. 5,416,313; No. 5,285,060; No. 5,193,029 and / or No. 4,793,690 and / or the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. US-2006-0050018; US-2009-0015736; US-2009-0015736 and / or US-2010-0097469 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0258] The video display screen may be controlled or operable in response to input or signals, such as signals received from one or more cameras or image sensors (e.g., video cameras or sensors, such as CMOS imaging array sensors, CCD sensors, or the like) of the vehicle, and in response to an image processor or image processing technique, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962; 6,690,268; 6,498,620; 6,396,397; 6,222,447; 6,201,642; 6,097,023; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 6,922,29 2; No.6,757,109; No.6,717,610; No.6,590,719; No.6,320,176; No.6,559,435; No.6, 831,261; No.6,806,452; No.6,822,563; No.6,946,978; No.7,038,577; No.7,004,606; No. 7,720,580; No. 8,446,470; No. 8,451,107 and / or No. 9,126,525, and / or aspects of the camera and image processor described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. US-2006-0171704; US-2009-0244361 and / or US-2010-0214791 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). The image sensor or camera can be activated and the display can be activated in response to the vehicle switching to reverse so that the display can be visible to the driver and display an image of the rear scene when the driver is reversing. It is contemplated that the image processor or controller may include EYEQ available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem. TM Image processing chip, etc., and processes image data acquired by the front-view camera and driver monitoring camera (as well as optional surround-view camera and / or the vehicle's CMS camera).

[0259] Changes and modifications may be made to the specifically described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the following claims interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law.

[0260] In addition, the present application includes implementations described according to the following clauses.

[0261] Clause 1: A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising:

[0262] a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior rearview mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system;

[0263] wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates an interior rearview mirror reflective element;

[0264] wherein the interior rearview mirror head houses electronic circuitry;

[0265] a driver monitoring camera housed by the interior rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an interior portion of an equipped vehicle, the interior rearview mirror reflective element and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview mirror head when the interior rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver;

[0266] wherein the equipped vehicle is one selected from the group consisting of (i) a left-hand drive vehicle and (ii) a right-hand drive vehicle;

[0267] a first near infrared light emitter and a second near infrared light emitter housed by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base attached at an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when a driver of the equipped vehicle adjusts the inside rearview mirror head relative to the mounting base to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver of the equipped vehicle;

[0268] wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview mirror portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, a beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle;

[0269] wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, when a driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview mirror portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, a beam of near-infrared light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle;

[0270] a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera;

[0271] wherein the processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function;

[0272] wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light;

[0273] wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the second near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is smaller than a pulse rate of the first near infrared light emitter;

[0274] wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light;

[0275] wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is smaller than a pulse rate of the second near infrared light emitter; and

[0276] Wherein, when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, and the image data obtained by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of which is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring driver attention, (ii) monitoring driver drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring driver gaze direction.

[0277] Clause 2: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 1, wherein the driver monitoring camera is disposed within the interior rearview mirror head, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0278] Clause 3: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 2, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver attention.

[0279] Clause 4: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 2, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

[0280] Clause 5: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 2, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor a driver's gaze direction.

[0281] Clause 6: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 2, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0282] Clause 7: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 6, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element within the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0283] Clause 8: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 6, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

[0284] Clause 9: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 8, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0285] Clause 10: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 8, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element having a front flat glass substrate and a rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the front flat glass substrate includes a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the front flat glass substrate, and wherein the rear flat glass substrate includes a third flat glass surface separated from a fourth flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate has a transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and wherein the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate has the transflective mirror reflector disposed thereon, and wherein the electrochromic medium is disposed in the space between the front flat glass substrate and the rear flat glass substrate and is in contact with the transparent conductive coating disposed at the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transflective mirror reflector disposed at the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0286] Clause 11: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 10, wherein the electronic circuitry housed by the interior rearview camera head includes a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function.

[0287] Clause 12: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 11, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0288] Clause 13: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 8, wherein the transflective specular reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0289] Clause 14: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 8, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element includes a glass substrate, and wherein the glass substrate has a wedge-shaped cross-section, the wedge-shaped cross-section has a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at a certain angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the first flat glass surface is an uncoated glass surface, and wherein the transflective mirror reflector is arranged at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element.

[0290] Clause 15: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 14, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0291] Clause 16: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 1, wherein when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are arranged at a lower area of ​​the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein the near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter when activated to emit near-infrared light does not pass through the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0292] Clause 17: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 1, comprising a third near-infrared light emitter housed by the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant detection function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the processor operable to process the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is operable to process the acquired image data for the occupant detection function, and wherein by processing the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for the occupant detection function by the processor, an occupant present in a passenger seat area within the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle is detected.

[0293] Clause 18: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0294] Clause 19: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the left side of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview mirror head of the interior rearview mirror reflection element, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the right side of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview mirror head of the interior rearview mirror reflection element.

[0295] Clause 20: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 19, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0296] Clause 21: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0297] Clause 22: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 21, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0298] Clause 23: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 22, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0299] Clause 24: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 21, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0300] Clause 25: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 24, wherein the near infrared irradiance at the passenger side front seating position is at least 0.15 watts per square meter when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and at least the third near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver.

[0301] Clause 26: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 24, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the occupant detection function, and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

[0302] Clause 27: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 24, wherein the second near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light, and the third near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light.

[0303] Clause 28: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the first near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0304] Clause 29: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 28, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0305] Clause 30: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 28, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0306] Clause 31: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 28, wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0307] Clause 32: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 28, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0308] Clause 33: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter being arranged at the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and the second near-infrared light emitter being arranged at the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0309] Clause 34: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 17, wherein when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0310] Clause 35: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0311] Clause 36: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of Clause 1, wherein the interior portion of the equipped vehicle includes a portion of a windshield of the equipped vehicle at a cabin interior side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle.

[0312] Clause 37: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 36, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element is attached at a mirror attachment plate, and wherein the driver monitoring camera and the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes through the mirror attachment plate.

[0313] Clause 38: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 37, comprising a heat sink element at the mirror attachment plate.

[0314] Clause 39: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 38, wherein the mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element limit electromagnetic interference (i) at the driver monitoring camera, (ii) at the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter, and (iii) at the electronic circuit.

[0315] Clause 40: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 1, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side being separated from the front flat side by a thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0316] Clause 41: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 40, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein a main beam axis of light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is angled greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the corresponding main beam axes of light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

[0317] Clause 42: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 1, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0318] Clause 43: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 1, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0319] Clause 44: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 1, wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and at least the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function and the interior rearview mirror portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is adjusted by a driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set a rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within a 99% eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0320] Clause 45: A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising:

[0321] a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior rearview mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached at an interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system;

[0322] wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates an interior rearview mirror reflective element;

[0323] wherein the interior rearview mirror head houses electronic circuitry;

[0324] a driver monitoring camera housed by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein with the mounting base of the inside vehicle rearview mirror assembly attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the inside rearview mirror reflective element and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver;

[0325] a first near infrared light emitter and a second near infrared light emitter received by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver;

[0326] wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview mirror head is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, a beam of near infrared light emitted by the first near infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle;

[0327] a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera;

[0328] wherein the processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function;

[0329] wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light;

[0330] wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle equipped therewith, the second near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is less than a pulse rate of the first near infrared light emitter; and

[0331] Wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the image data obtained by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of which is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring the driver's attention, (ii) monitoring the driver's drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring the driver's gaze direction.

[0332] Clause 46: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 45, wherein the driver monitoring camera is disposed within the interior rearview mirror head, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0333] Clause 47: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 46, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver attention.

[0334] Clause 48: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 46, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

[0335] Clause 49: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 46, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor a driver's gaze direction.

[0336] Clause 50: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 46, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0337] Clause 51: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 50, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element within the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0338] Clause 52: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 50, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

[0339] Clause 53: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 52, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0340] Clause 54: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 52, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element having a front flat glass substrate and a rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the front flat glass substrate includes a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the front flat glass substrate, and wherein the rear flat glass substrate includes a third flat glass surface separated from a fourth flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate has a transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and wherein the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate has the transflective mirror reflector disposed thereon, and wherein the electrochromic medium is disposed in the space between the front flat glass substrate and the rear flat glass substrate and is in contact with the transparent conductive coating disposed at the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transflective mirror reflector disposed at the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0341] Clause 55: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 54, wherein the electronic circuitry housed by the interior rearview camera head includes a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function.

[0342] Clause 56: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 54, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0343] Clause 57: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 52, wherein the transflective specular reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0344] Clause 58: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 52, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element includes a glass substrate, and wherein the glass substrate has a wedge-shaped cross-section, the wedge-shaped cross-section has a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at a certain angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the first flat glass surface is an uncoated glass surface, and wherein the transflective mirror reflector is arranged at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element.

[0345] Clause 59: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 58, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0346] Clause 60: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 45, wherein when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed at a lower region of the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein the near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter when activated to emit near-infrared light does not pass through the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0347] Clause 61: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 45, comprising a third near-infrared light emitter housed by the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant detection function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the processor is operable to process the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for the occupant detection function, and wherein by processing the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for the occupant detection function by the processor, an occupant present in the passenger seat area within the interior cabin of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is detected.

[0348] Clause 62: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 61, wherein the near infrared irradiance at the passenger side front seating position is at least 0.15 watts per square meter when at least the third near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver.

[0349] Clause 63: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 61, wherein the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter when at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver.

[0350] Clause 64: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the left side of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview mirror head of the interior rearview mirror reflection element, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the right side of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview mirror head of the interior rearview mirror reflection element.

[0351] Clause 65: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 64, wherein the first near infrared light emitter is angled toward the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly relative to the third near infrared light emitter, and wherein the second near infrared light emitter is angled toward the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly relative to the third near infrared light emitter.

[0352] Clause 66: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of Clause 61, wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0353] Clause 67: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 61, wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0354] Clause 68: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0355] Clause 69: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0356] Clause 70: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 61, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0357] Clause 71: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 70, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter includes at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter includes at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter includes at least two wide-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein each of the narrow-beam light-emitting diodes emits a near-infrared light beam when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the near-infrared light beam is narrower than the near-infrared light beam emitted by any of the wide-beam light-emitting diodes when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0358] Clause 72: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 61, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter being disposed at the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and the second near-infrared light emitter being disposed at the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0359] Clause 73: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 61, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0360] Clause 74: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 61, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0361] Clause 75: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 45, wherein the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle includes a portion of a windshield of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle at an interior side of the windshield of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

[0362] Clause 76: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 75, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element is attached to a mirror attachment plate, and wherein the driver monitoring camera and the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes through the mirror attachment plate.

[0363] Clause 77: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 76, comprising a heat dissipation element at the mirror attachment plate.

[0364] Clause 78: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 76, wherein the mirror attachment plate and the heat sink element limit electromagnetic interference (i) at the driver monitoring camera, (ii) at the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter, and (iii) at the electronic circuit.

[0365] Clause 79: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 45, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side being separated from the front flat side by a thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0366] Clause 80: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 79, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein a main beam axis of light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is angled greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the corresponding main beam axes of light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

[0367] Clause 81: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 45, wherein, when at least the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within a 99% eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0368] Clause 82: A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising:

[0369] a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior rearview mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached at an interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system;

[0370] Wherein, the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle includes a portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle's windshield at the inner side of the vehicle compartment of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle's windshield;

[0371] wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates an interior rearview mirror reflective element;

[0372] wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector;

[0373] wherein the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon;

[0374] wherein the interior rearview mirror head houses electronic circuitry;

[0375] a driver monitoring camera housed by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein with the mounting base of the inside vehicle rearview mirror assembly attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the inside rearview mirror reflective element and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver;

[0376] wherein the driver monitoring camera is disposed within the interior rearview mirror head, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element;

[0377] wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element;

[0378] a first near infrared light emitter and a second near infrared light emitter received by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver;

[0379] wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview mirror head is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, a beam of near infrared light emitted by the first near infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle;

[0380] wherein the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter are disposed in the interior rearview mirror head behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element;

[0381] wherein the first near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near infrared light;

[0382] wherein the second near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near infrared light;

[0383] a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera;

[0384] wherein the processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function;

[0385] wherein the electronic circuitry housed by the interior rearview camera head includes the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function;

[0386] wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light;

[0387] wherein the second near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is less than a pulse rate of the first near infrared light emitter;

[0388] wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates a third near infrared light emitter;

[0389] wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant detection function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light;

[0390] wherein the processor of the electronic circuitry housed by the interior rearview mirror head is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for use in the occupant detection function;

[0391] wherein the third near infrared light emitter is disposed at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between where the first near infrared light emitter is located at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near infrared light emitter is located at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0392] wherein, in a case where the interior rearview mirror portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of which is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring driver attention, (ii) monitoring driver drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring driver gaze direction; and

[0393] Wherein, an occupant present at a passenger seat area within an interior cabin of a left-hand drive equipped vehicle is detected by processing image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera through the processor for an occupant detection function.

[0394] Clause 83: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element having a front flat glass substrate and a rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the front flat glass substrate includes a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the front flat glass substrate, and wherein the rear flat glass substrate includes a third flat glass surface separated from a fourth flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate has a transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and wherein the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate has the transflective mirror reflector disposed thereon, and wherein the electrochromic medium is disposed in the space between the front flat glass substrate and the rear flat glass substrate and is in contact with the transparent conductive coating disposed at the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transflective mirror reflector disposed at the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0395] Clause 84: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 83, wherein the transflective specular reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0396] Clause 85: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 83, wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0397] Clause 86: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 85, wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0398] Clause 87: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 85, wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0399] Clause 88: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 85, wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0400] Clause 89: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 83, wherein, when at least the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within a 99% eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0401] Clause 90: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 83, wherein the near infrared irradiance at the passenger side front seating position is at least 0.15 watts per square meter when at least the third near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element for the driver.

[0402] Clause 91: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 83, wherein the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter when at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element for the driver.

[0403] Clause 92: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element includes a glass substrate, and wherein the glass substrate has a wedge-shaped cross-section, the wedge-shaped cross-section has a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at a certain angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the first flat glass surface is an uncoated glass surface, and wherein the transflective mirror reflector is arranged at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element.

[0404] Clause 93: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 92, wherein the transflective specular reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0405] Clause 94: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 92, wherein, when at least the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within a 99% eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0406] Clause 95: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 92, wherein the near infrared irradiance at the passenger side front seating position is at least 0.15 watts per square meter when at least the third near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element for the driver.

[0407] Clause 96: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 92, wherein the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter when at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element for the driver.

[0408] Clause 97: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of Clause 92, wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0409] Clause 98: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 97, wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0410] Clause 99: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 97, wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0411] Clause 100: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 97, wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0412] Clause 101: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter disposed at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is angled toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter disposed at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is angled toward a passenger-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

[0413] Clause 102: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter includes at least two narrow-beam LEDs, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter includes at least two narrow-beam LEDs, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter includes at least two wide-beam LEDs, and wherein each of the narrow-beam LEDs emits a near-infrared light beam when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the near-infrared light beam is narrower than the near-infrared light beam emitted by any of the wide-beam LEDs when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0414] Clause 103: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 102, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver attention.

[0415] Clause 104: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 102, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

[0416] Clause 105: The vehicle cabin monitoring system of clause 102, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor a driver's gaze direction.

[0417] Clause 106: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element is attached to a mirror attachment plate, and wherein the driver monitoring camera and the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes through the mirror attachment plate, and a heat dissipation element is arranged at the mirror attachment plate, and wherein the mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element limit electromagnetic interference (i) at the driver monitoring camera, (ii) at the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter, and (iii) at the electronic circuit.

[0418] Clause 107: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side being separated from the front flat side by a thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0419] Clause 108: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 107, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein a main beam axis of light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is angled greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the corresponding main beam axes of light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

[0420] Clause 109: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 108, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein a main beam axis of light emitted by the third near-infrared light emitter is perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

[0421] Clause 110: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is housed by the interior rearview mirror head so that if the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly will be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and the interior rearview mirror head will be adjusted by the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, then when the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, the beam of near-infrared light emitted will be directed toward the driver's side front seating position of the right-hand drive vehicle.

[0422] Clause 111: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0423] Clause 112: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0424] Clause 113: A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter, the second near-infrared light emitter and the third near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element at the right side of the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the right side of the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter.

Claims

1. A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising: a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior rearview mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system; wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates an interior rearview mirror reflective element; wherein the interior rearview mirror head houses electronic circuitry; a driver monitoring camera housed by the interior rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an interior portion of an equipped vehicle, the interior rearview mirror reflective element and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview mirror head when the interior rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver; wherein the equipped vehicle is one selected from the group consisting of (i) a left-hand drive vehicle and (ii) a right-hand drive vehicle; a first near infrared light emitter and a second near infrared light emitter housed by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base attached at an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when a driver of the equipped vehicle adjusts the inside rearview mirror head relative to the mounting base to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver of the equipped vehicle; wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview mirror portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, a beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle; wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, when a driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview mirror portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, a beam of near-infrared light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle; a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera; wherein the processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function; wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light; wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the second near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is smaller than a pulse rate of the first near infrared light emitter; wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light; wherein, when the equipped vehicle comprises a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is smaller than a pulse rate of the second near infrared light emitter; and Wherein, when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, and the image data obtained by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of which is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring driver attention, (ii) monitoring driver drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring driver gaze direction.

2. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein: The driver monitoring camera is disposed within the interior rearview mirror head, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

3. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein: The processor operable to process image data captured by the driver monitoring camera processes image data captured by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver attentiveness.

4. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein: The processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

5. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein: The processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor a driver's gaze direction.

6. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein: The driver monitoring camera views through the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

7. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein: The first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are arranged behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element within the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

8. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein: The driver monitoring camera observes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

9. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

10. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element comprises an interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element having a front flat glass substrate and a rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the front flat glass substrate comprises a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the front flat glass substrate, and wherein the rear flat glass substrate comprises a third flat glass surface separated from a fourth flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, and wherein the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate has a transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and wherein the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate has the transflective mirror reflector disposed thereon, and wherein an electrochromic medium is disposed in a space between the front flat glass substrate and the rear flat glass substrate and contacts the transparent conductive coating disposed at the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transflective mirror reflector disposed at the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

11. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the electronic circuitry housed by the interior rearview mirror head includes a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function.

12. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror electrochromic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

13. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the transflective specular reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

14. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element comprises an interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element comprises a glass substrate, and wherein the glass substrate has a wedge-shaped cross-section having a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a plate thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein a plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to a plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the first flat glass surface is an uncoated glass surface, and wherein the transflective mirror reflector is disposed at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element.

15. A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prismatic reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

16. The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein when the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are arranged at a lower area of ​​the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein the near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter when activated to emit near-infrared light does not pass through the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

17. The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 1 includes a third near-infrared light emitter housed by the interior rearview mirror head, and wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant detection function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the processor operable to process the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is operable to process the acquired image data for the occupant detection function, and wherein by processing the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for the occupant detection function by the processor, an occupant present in a passenger seat area within the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle is detected.

18. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 17, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

19. The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the left side of the third near-infrared light emitter in the interior rearview mirror head of the interior rearview mirror reflection element, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is arranged on the right side of the third near-infrared light emitter in the interior rearview mirror head of the interior rearview mirror reflection element.

20. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 19, wherein: When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

21. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

22. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 21, wherein: When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

23. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 22, wherein: When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached at an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

24. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 21, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the occupant detection function, at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

25. A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 24, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the occupant detection function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the passenger-side front seating position is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

26. A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 24, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and at least the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the occupant detection function, and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the equipped left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

27. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 24, wherein the second near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light, and the third near infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near infrared light.

28. A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side is separated from the front flat side by a thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element.

29. A vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 28, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is at an angle greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflective element, and wherein the corresponding main beam axes of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

30. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein: When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

31. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein: When the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

32. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein: When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to an interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and at least the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light for the driver monitoring function and the interior rearview mirror head of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within a 99% eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

33. A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising: a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior rearview mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached at an interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system; wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates an interior rearview mirror reflective element; wherein the interior rearview mirror head houses electronic circuitry; a driver monitoring camera housed by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein with the mounting base of the inside vehicle rearview mirror assembly attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the inside rearview mirror reflective element and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver; a first near infrared light emitter and a second near infrared light emitter received by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver; wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview mirror head is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, a beam of near infrared light emitted by the first near infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle; a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera; wherein the processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function; wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light; wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle equipped therewith, the second near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is less than a pulse rate of the first near infrared light emitter; and Wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the image data obtained by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of which is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring the driver's attention, (ii) monitoring the driver's drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring the driver's gaze direction.

34. A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising: a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior rearview mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting base, the mounting base being configured to be attached at an interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system; Wherein, the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle includes a portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle's windshield at the inner side of the vehicle compartment of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle's windshield; wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates an interior rearview mirror reflective element; wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector; wherein the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon; wherein the interior rearview mirror head houses electronic circuitry; a driver monitoring camera housed by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein with the mounting base of the inside vehicle rearview mirror assembly attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the inside rearview mirror reflective element and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver; wherein the driver monitoring camera is disposed within the interior rearview mirror head, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element; wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element; a first near infrared light emitter and a second near infrared light emitter received by the inside rearview mirror head, wherein, with the mounting base attached at an interior portion of an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter move in coordination with the inside rearview mirror head when the inside rearview mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the inside rearview mirror reflective element for the driver; wherein, when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview mirror head is adjusted by a driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflective element for the driver, a beam of near infrared light emitted by the first near infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near infrared light is directed toward a driver-side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle; wherein the first near infrared light emitter and the second near infrared light emitter are disposed in the interior rearview mirror head behind the interior rearview mirror reflective element; wherein the first near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near infrared light; wherein the second near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflective element when electrically activated to emit near infrared light; a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera; wherein the processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function; wherein the electronic circuitry housed by the interior rearview camera head includes the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least a driver monitoring function; wherein, when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for the driver monitoring function, the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light; wherein the second near infrared light emitter is pulsed on and off at a pulse rate that is less than a pulse rate of the first near infrared light emitter; wherein the interior rearview mirror head accommodates a third near infrared light emitter; wherein when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant detection function, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light; wherein the processor of the electronic circuitry housed by the interior rearview mirror head is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for use in the occupant detection function; wherein the third near infrared light emitter is disposed at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position between where the first near infrared light emitter is located at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near infrared light emitter is located at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly; wherein, in a case where the interior rearview mirror portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of which is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring driver attention, (ii) monitoring driver drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring driver gaze direction; and Wherein, an occupant present at a passenger seat area within an interior cabin of a left-hand drive equipped vehicle is detected by processing image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera through the processor for an occupant detection function.

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