Vehicle driver monitoring system with driver monitoring camera and near ir light emitter at interior rear view mirror assembly

Abstract

A vehicle driver monitoring system comprises 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 a LHD vehicle, a light beam emitted by the first light emitting element is directed towards a driver region of a left-hand drive vehicle; and (ii) if the mirror assembly is installed in a RHD vehicle, a light beam emitted by the second light emitting element is directed towards a driver region of a right-hand drive vehicle. The system enables and / or operates the first or second light emitting elements for a driver monitoring function in response to an indication that the mirror assembly has been or is to be installed in a LHD or 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, entitled "Vehicle driver monitoring system with driver monitoring camera and near IR light emitter at interior rearview mirror assembly".

[0002] Cross-reference to related applications

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

[0004] This invention generally relates to the field of interior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles. Background Technology

[0005] A mirror assembly is known to be adjustablely mounted to the interior of a vehicle, for example via a double-ball pivot or joint mounting configuration, wherein the mirror housing and reflective element are adjusted relative to the interior of the vehicle by pivoting movement about the double-ball pivot configuration. The mirror housing and reflective element are pivoted by a user who is adjusting the rearward field of view of the reflective element about either or both of the ball pivot joints. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver monitoring camera and a near-infrared light emitter disposed at a lens head, for coordinating movement with the lens head when the lens head is adjusted relative to the interior of the vehicle to adjust the driver's rearward view. The camera observes the interior of the vehicle through / through a mirror reflector element, and the near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through / through the mirror reflector element to illuminate the driver's area and / or passenger area of ​​the vehicle's interior. 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 such that, if the mirror assembly is mounted in a left-hand drive vehicle and adjusted to provide rearward 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 towards the driver's area of ​​the left-hand drive vehicle, and the second light-emitting element is oriented at the lens head such that, if the mirror assembly is mounted in a right-hand drive vehicle and adjusted to provide rearward 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 towards the driver's area of ​​the right-hand drive vehicle. The control circuitry is operable to activate the first or second light-emitting element in response to an indication that the interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle is installed or will be installed in a left-hand drive or right-hand drive vehicle (e.g., via a signal from a remote device at the mirror assembly plant, the vehicle, or a similar location). Therefore, the light emitter is software-enabled to make the common mirror assembly suitable for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles.

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

[0008] These and other objects, advantages, uses and features of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the interior rearview mirror assembly with a driver monitoring camera and a near-infrared light emitter;

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

[0011] Figure 3This is a plan view of the lens section of the interior rearview mirror assembly;

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

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Exploded perspective view of the interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0014] Figure 6 It is a plan view of the part of the lens section that houses the near-infrared light emitter, wherein the near-infrared light emitter includes a narrow beam emitter and a wide beam emitter;

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

[0016] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the right-hand drive vehicle, showing a narrow beam emitter that does not illuminate the driver's head;

[0017] Figure 9 and Figure 10 This is a plan view of the other lens sections of the interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0018] Figure 11 It is a plan view of the part of the lens that houses the near-infrared light emitter, which has two narrow beam emitters, one for illuminating the head of the driver of the left-hand driving vehicle and the other for illuminating the head of the driver of the right-hand driving vehicle.

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

[0020] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of a right-hand drive vehicle, showing the right-hand drive narrow beam emitter illuminating the driver's head;

[0021] Figure 14 and Figure 15 This is a plan view of the other lens sections of the interior rearview mirror assembly, showing narrow beam emitters and wide beam emitters for left-hand and right-hand driving vehicles.

[0022] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Exploded perspective view of the interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0023] Figure 17It is a plan view of the part of the lens that houses the near-infrared light emitter, which has two narrow beam emitters, one for illuminating the head of the driver of the left-hand driving vehicle and the other for illuminating the head of the driver of the right-hand driving vehicle.

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

[0025] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of a right-hand drive vehicle, showing the right-hand drive narrow beam emitter illuminating the driver's head;

[0026] Figure 20 This is a block diagram of the controller used to control the DMS optical transmitter;

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

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

[0029] Figure 23 This is a cross-sectional view of the lens section, showing the camera and light emitter arranged behind the mirror reflector;

[0030] Figure 24 It is a cross-sectional view of the lens section with a prism-type reflective element;

[0031] Figure 25 It is an exploded perspective view of the mirror reflection element sub-assembly used in the interior rearview mirror assembly;

[0032] Figure 26 yes Figure 25 Exploded perspective partial sectional view of the mirror reflection element sub-assembly;

[0033] Figure 27 yes Figure 26 A partial perspective cross-sectional view of a mirror-reflecting element sub-assembly;

[0034] Figure 28 It is a perspective view of the vehicle's cabin, showing the DMS / OMS camera mounted on the CMS video display screen;

[0035] Figure 29 This is an exploded perspective view of a box-type electrochromic internal DMS rearview mirror assembly;

[0036] Figure 30The near-infrared emission patterns formed by near-infrared reflectors of two narrow field-of-view LEDs for left-hand drive vehicles and near-infrared emission patterns formed by near-infrared reflectors of two narrow field-of-view LEDs for right-hand drive vehicles are shown.

[0037] Figures 31A to 31D A near-infrared light emitting source is shown, which is located in and supported by a lens section structure of a box-type electrochromic DMS mirror assembly.

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

[0039] Figures 33A to 33C This is a schematic diagram showing an example angle and dimensions of a box-type internal DMS mirror assembly in an LHD vehicle;

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

[0041] Figure 33F This shows the illumination / lighting inside the cabin of an LHD vehicle when the LHD nFOV LED is powered.

[0042] Figure 34A and Figure 34B This is a top view of a box-type internal DMS mirror assembly installed in an RHD vehicle.

[0043] Figure 35A and Figure 35B This is a schematic diagram showing an example angle and size of a box-type internal DMS mirror assembly in an RHD vehicle;

[0044] Figure 35C and Figure 35D The diagram shows the distribution of different driver eye points illuminated by RHD nFOV LEDs in RHD vehicles in the horizontal and vertical planes.

[0045] Figure 35E This illustrates the illumination / lighting inside the cabin of an RHD vehicle when the RHD nFOV LED is powered.

[0046] Figure 36 This shows the illumination / lighting inside the vehicle cabin when the wFOV LED is powered.

[0047] Figure 37 A box-type internal DMS mirror assembly suitable for use on both RHD and LHD vehicles is shown.

[0048] Figure 38 The arrangement of the first, second, and third near-IR irradiation sources on the right side of the lens (to the right side of the camera) as seen by the driver of the vehicle is shown.

[0049] Figures 39A to 39E The different positions of the wFOV and nFOV near-IR illuminators at the lens section of a box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly are shown.

[0050] Figure 40 This is a table showing a stack of transmissive and reflective substrates for visible light transmission / visible light reflection / near-IR light transmission suitable for a box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly;

[0051] Figure 41 It shows Figure 40 A diagram showing the thickness of the layers in the transflector;

[0052] Figure 42 and Figure 43 It shows Figure 40 The transmittance and color of the reflective elements of the visible light transmission / visible light reflection / near-IR light transmission mirrors; and

[0053] Figures 44A to 44D It shows having Figure 40 The transmission and reflection characteristics of the mirror reflector element of the transflector. Detailed Implementation

[0054] Referring now to the accompanying drawings and the illustrative embodiments described therein, the interior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includes a housing 12 and a reflective element 14 located at the front portion of the housing 12. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, 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 passenger compartment surface, or to the vehicle roof or the like) via a mounting structure or mounting configuration or assembly 16. The mirror reflective element may include a variable reflectivity mirror reflective element that changes its reflectivity in response to an electric 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 on a back panel 20 behind a reflective element 14 (and viewed through a hole in the back panel) and viewed towards at least the head area of ​​the driver of the vehicle through the reflective element. The DMS includes a near-infrared light emitter 24 disposed on the back panel 20 and emitting light through another hole in the back panel and through the reflective element.

[0056] A DMS camera is mounted in the lens assembly, moving with the lens assembly (including the mirror housing and mirror reflector, which pivot at a pivot joint connecting the lens assembly to the mounting structure of the interior rearview mirror assembly, which is mounted on the windshield or roof of the vehicle) such that the camera is aligned with the driver's line of sight when the driver aligns the mirror to look rearward. The position of the DMS camera and IR LEDs (one or more) at the lens assembly provides the driver with an unobstructed view. The DMS is preferably housed independently in the interior rearview mirror assembly and can therefore be easily implemented in a variety of vehicles, including existing vehicles and different models of the same vehicle brand (e.g., installed in BMW 3 Series and BMW X3 models, BMW 5 Series and BMW X5 models, and 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 mounted on the mirror assembly for OMS functionality.

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

[0058] The mirror assembly may also include one or more infrared (IR) or near-infrared light emitters 24 (such as IR or near-IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) or similar devices), disposed on a backplate 20 behind the reflective element 14, and emitting near-infrared light through holes in the backplate and through the reflective element toward the head region of the vehicle driver. Figure 5As shown, the IR emitter device 24 includes an IR emitter or LED printed circuit board having a first set of near-infrared light-emitting diodes 24a (e.g., a set of wider beam LEDs) located on one portion of the LED PCB, and a second set of near-infrared light-emitting diodes 24b (e.g., a set of narrower beam LEDs) located on 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 according to the orientation of the lens portion. Therefore, the first set of near-infrared light-emitting diodes can be tilted towards the left side of the vehicle to be directed toward a driver of a left-hand drive vehicle (if the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle and the first set of near-infrared light-emitting diodes is enabled for driver monitoring), while the second set of near-infrared light-emitting diodes can be tilted towards the right side of the vehicle to be directed toward a driver of a right-hand drive vehicle (if the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and the second set of near-infrared light-emitting diodes is enabled for driver monitoring).

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

[0060] See now Figure 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 within the interior rearview mirror assembly (and preferably, both are housed within the lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly). Therefore, the one-box DMS electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly allows vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) (e.g., Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, GM, or Ford) to equip their vehicles with similar DMS interior rearview electrochromic mirror assemblies, which include a camera / illumination source / driver monitoring software / related driver monitoring electronics, such as data processing chips (one or more), memory, electronic components, and printed circuit boards (one or more) including an automatic dimming circuit, data processing chips (one or more), memory, electronic components, light sensors for detecting glare and ambient light, and including a power supply, electrical connectors (one or more), a heat sink (one or more), mechanical parts, etc. The one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly can therefore be purchased by the OEM from the interior rearview mirror assembly manufacturer and installed by the OEM into the vehicle being assembled (typically mounted to the mirror mounting button or a similar element attached to the inside of the vehicle's windshield). For operation on the equipped vehicle, the one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly is connected to the vehicle's vehicle wiring harness, via which the ignition voltage (nominal 12V DC, but can vary from approximately 9V (6V for automatic stop / start) to around 16V, depending on the vehicle type and operating conditions) is supplied. The one-box interior DMS rearview mirror assembly is provided with vehicle data via this wiring harness, including vehicle and other data, which is provided via a CAN bus or link (which can transmit vehicle information to the mirror and output distraction warnings, etc.), or via a local area network (LIN) bus or line. The wiring harness may include a reverse stop signal / line communicating with the internal electrochromic mirror assembly that the driver has selected reverse / reverse advance, 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, for privacy protection, occupant images may be blurred if displayed on an in-cabin display (such as during an in-vehicle video conference) or if wirelessly transmitted to a viewer remote from the vehicle. The system may blur the entire image, leaving only the driver / front passenger or all passengers' faces clear. Optionally, a black bar may be overlaid on a person's face. Image stabilization may be provided to compensate for potential image movement, and / or dynamic image cropping may be possible.

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

[0062] Emotional state

[0063] Cognitive Distraction

[0064] break away

[0065] Visual interference

[0066] Sleepiness level

[0067] Microsleep

[0068] sleep

[0069] Visual state

[0070] posture

[0071] Nodding / shaking

[0072] Activity

[0073] Abnormal head posture, hand position classification, object holding classification, speech

[0074] laugh

[0075] cough

[0076] sneeze

[0077] yawn

[0078] Smoking

[0079] Telephone handling

[0080] videoconference

[0081] View target category

[0082] Child seat seat belt status check

[0083] Passenger size

[0084] Passenger age

[0085] gender

[0086] Existence detection

[0087] Convenience identification

[0088] Security Identification

[0089] Member changes

[0090] Deceiving facial expressions

[0091] Body posture tracking

[0092] Eye tracking

[0093] Head tracking

[0094] Eyelid dynamics

[0095] Brightness control

[0096] Facial search

[0097] mouth shape

[0098] Camera pose estimation

[0099] Frozen image detection

[0100] Facial occlusion

[0101] Lens blockage

[0102] low image quality

[0103] Infrared light blocking

[0104] Camera not pointed

[0105] The internal DMS rearview mirror assembly provides a standalone, one-box DMS solution, which includes a camera / near-infrared illumination source / DMS software and its associated data processing chip (one or more) / automatic dimming circuit / circuit for controlling the external electrochromic mirror reflector element. It is part of the external side mirror / data processing circuit / communication circuit / memory / power supply / related electronic equipment and hardware / heat sink, etc. of the vehicle, and is packaged, integrated, and housed within the vehicle's internal rearview mirror assembly. It is also preferably concealed within the lens portion of the vehicle's internal rearview mirror assembly, behind the transflector reflector element of the vehicle's internal rearview mirror assembly (and concealed from the driver's field of vision by the transflector reflector element).

[0106] Therefore, the interior rearview mirror has an embedded camera, an IR illuminator, and a processor. The processor processes the acquired image data for driver monitoring applications. The inward-facing camera 18 and IR illuminator 24 are fixed within the lens assembly, and thus both components are connected to the mirror body. Therefore, the camera's field of view changes depending on the driver, as the lens assembly is adjusted to the driver's preferred rearward viewing angle.

[0107] exist Figures 3 to 8In the illustrated embodiment, the camera and light emitter are positioned behind a mirror reflector, which may include an electro-optic (e.g., electrochromic or EC) mirror reflector or a prism-type mirror reflector. The mirror housing may include a plastic frame portion that surrounds / encloses the peripheral edge of the mirror reflector. Figure 3 And it provides an externally curved surface that transitions from the outer surface of the mirror housing to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector (optionally, the plastic bezel portion does not partially overlap or cover the flat front surface of the mirror reflector), such that the plastic bezel completes the homologous edge. Optionally, the mirror reflector may provide an exposed externally curved surface that transitions from the outer surface of the mirror housing to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector. Figure 4 ).

[0108] like Figure 5 As shown, a mirror backplate 20 (e.g., via foam tape 26) is adhered to the rear of the mirror reflector 14. A heat diffuser 28 (e.g., a thin aluminum plate) may be disposed at the rear of the backplate, and a printed circuit board 30 may be attached to the rear of the heat diffuser. A heat sink / base and EMI field-molded (FIP) gasket 32 ​​is disposed at the rear of the printed circuit board and 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 may be disposed between the circuit board 30 and the base 32 to enhance heat dissipation from the circuit board to the base and heat sink.

[0109] Optionally, the mirror backplate or attachment plate can be molded from a metal-filled injection-molded material (e.g., stainless steel (SS) fiber, such as polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and SS fiber materials) to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) mitigation (EMC shielding). Alternatively, the heat sink can be formed via additive manufacturing (3D printing or similar processes) to provide an additively manufactured heat sink with capillary effects, helping to distribute heat more evenly and away from high-power components.

[0110] The near-infrared light emitter 24 includes a circuit board or component 25 attached to the base frame 32 via thermal adhesive and disposed at a hole in the back panel, 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 on the left side of the lens (as seen by the driver of a vehicle mounted on the lens) and is configured to illuminate the head region of the driver of a left-hand driving vehicle.

[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, the light emitter 24 has two sets of LEDs disposed on a circuit board. One set of LEDs 24a emits a wider beam of near-infrared light (e.g., four wider beam LEDs) when powered on, and the other set of LEDs 24b emits a narrower beam of near-infrared light (e.g., four narrower beam LEDs) when powered on. The narrower beam LEDs can be powered or energized for driver monitoring functions, while the wider beam LEDs can be powered or energized for occupant monitoring functions (and can be intermittently energized to illuminate specific frames of acquired image data, for example, by utilizing International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 filed March 1, 2022 (Agent's File No. DON01) This application claims the rights to the systems described in FP4421WO) and the following applications: U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 267,316, filed January 31, 2022; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 262,642, filed October 18, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 260,359, filed August 18, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,757, filed May 12, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,371, filed April 27, 2021; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 200,451, filed March 8, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 200,315, filed March 1, 2021, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0112] The narrow-beam LED 24b is angled, tilted, or offset to the left and therefore to the driver of a left-hand driving vehicle (e.g., about ten degrees), while the wider-beam LED 24a is not offset to either side. This is true when the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand driving vehicle. Figure 7 The narrow-beam LED illuminates the driver's head area, while the wider-beam LED illuminates both the passenger and driver areas. However, when the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle ( Figure 8 The narrow beam LED does not illuminate the driver's head area, while the wider beam LED illuminates both the passenger and driver areas.

[0113] Now for reference Figures 9 to 11The mirror assembly includes a near-infrared light emitter configured and operable to selectively emit light toward the driver's head area when the mirror assembly is positioned in a left-hand drive vehicle (where the driver is seated in the left-hand driver's seat) or when the mirror assembly is positioned in a right-hand drive vehicle (where the driver is seated in the right-hand driver's seat). The system provides DMS / OMS illumination, which can be software-configured based on vehicle data according to country codes. For example, the DMS light emitter 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 another group is aimed or angled toward the right-hand side of the vehicle. Optionally, a third group is present, aimed at a point in the middle (in the illustrative example discussed below, the third group is oriented perpendicular to the mirror surface). These groups or sets may consist of various combinations of wide and narrow LEDs or VCSELs. Knowing the country / region where the vehicle is located and whether it is a left-hand drive (LHD) or right-hand drive (RHD) vehicle allows the software on the DMS / OMS ECU (located away from or inside the mirror) to be configured to actuate those LEDs for specific DMS or OMS functions and / or frames (e.g., by utilizing aspects of the driver / occupant monitoring system described in International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 (Attorney's File No. DON01 FP4421WO), filed March 1, 2022 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Because the controller and system are configurable software, the mirror design can be universal across LHD / RHD vehicles and can be used globally.

[0114] Therefore, the DMS light emitter is disposed in a mirror assembly having two sets of narrow-beam LEDs, one set for illuminating the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle when the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the other set for illuminating the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle when the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle. For example, and referring to... Figures 9 to 11The mirror assembly 110 includes a camera 118 and a near-IR light emitter 124, which is positioned behind the mirror reflector 114 and on the left side of the center of the lens portion. The near-IR light emitter includes three groups of LEDs (e.g., four LEDs per group), including a wider beam group of LEDs 124a positioned between the first narrow beam group of LEDs 124b and the second narrow beam group of LEDs 124c. The wider beam group LED 124a is centered on the light emitter PCB 125 and is not biased in any direction (i.e., its main beam axis is generally perpendicular to the flat surface of the mirror reflector and the beam provides illumination across the interior compartment greater than 100 degrees, such as greater than 120 degrees, or greater than 150 degrees), while the first narrow beam group LED 124b is located to the left of the wider group and is biased to the left (e.g., tilted or at an angle of about 0 to 20 degrees, preferably 5 to 15 degrees, such as, for example, 10 degrees), and the second narrow beam group LED... 124c is positioned to the right of the wider group and facing to the right (and each narrow beam group provides illumination across the interior compartment of less than 100 degrees, such as less than 80 degrees, or less than 60 degrees). It is biased (e.g., tilted or angled at about 10 to 30 degrees, preferably 15 to 25 degrees, such as, for example, 20 degrees or 22 degrees). The light emitter circuit board 125 may include three portions, wherein the central portion is parallel to the flat surface of the reflective element, and the side portions are angled or tilted relative to the central portion 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 group LEDs. For applications where the light emitter is located on the right side of the center of the lens, the angle of the light emitter emitting the narrow beam will be reversed, such that the first narrow beam group of LEDs is located to the left of the wider group and is biased to the left (e.g., tilted or at an angle of about 10 to 30 degrees, preferably 15 to 25 degrees, such as, for example, 20 degrees or 22 degrees), and the second narrow beam group of LEDs located to the right of the wider group is biased to the right (e.g., tilted or at an angle of about 0 to 20 degrees, preferably 5 to 15 degrees, such as, for example, 10 degrees).

[0115] Therefore, when the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle ( Figure 12The system is configured such that the driver monitoring LED (an LED energized when the system is acquiring image data for driver monitoring functions) includes a first narrow beam group of LEDs 124b, such that during image acquisition for driver monitoring functions, the driver's head is illuminated by near-infrared radiation emitted by the first narrow beam group of LEDs 124b. Similarly, when the mirror assembly is located in a right-hand drive vehicle ( Figure 13 The system is configured such that the driver monitoring LED includes a second narrow beam group LED 124c, such that during image acquisition for driver monitoring functions, the driver's head is illuminated by near-infrared radiation emitted by the second narrow beam group LED 124c. The wider beam group LED is the same for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive applications and provides wider illumination during image acquisition for occupant monitoring functions.

[0116] The light emitter is software-enabled, causing either the first or second narrow beam LED (for driver monitoring functions) to be activated depending on the type of vehicle in which the mirror assembly is installed (left-hand drive or right-hand drive). Therefore, when the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the first narrow beam LED is activated (for driver monitoring functions), such that when the driver monitoring function is activated, the first narrow beam LED is powered on (and the second narrow beam LED is either not activated or powered on). Alternatively, if the mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, the second narrow beam LED (for driver monitoring functions) is activated, such that when the driver monitoring function is activated, the second narrow beam LED is powered on (and the first narrow beam LED is either not activated or powered on).

[0117] Although shown as having three groups of LEDs, each with four individual LEDs, other arrangements and configurations of LEDs (or other light emitters) are conceivable. For example, and referring to... Figure 14 The light emitter 224 may include two sets of LEDs: a left set 224a with three narrow-beam LEDs and a wider-beam LED, and a right set also with three narrow-beam LEDs and a wider-beam LED. The light emitter is software-enabled, so the activation of either the left or right narrow-beam LEDs (for driver monitoring functions) depends on whether the mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand or right-hand vehicle. The wider-beam LEDs are used for OMS (Operational Motion Monitoring) functions, with the left wider-beam LED available for right-hand vehicle OMS and the right wider-beam LED available for left-hand vehicle OMS.

[0118] Optionally, and refer to Figures 15 to 17The 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 group 324b (narrow beam or nFOV LEDs) is angled, tilted, or offset (e.g., 10 degrees) toward the left side of the vehicle (towards the driver's area of ​​a left-hand driving vehicle), while the right group 324c (narrow beam or nFOV LEDs) consists of two narrower beam group LEDs having three narrower beam LEDs, angled, tilted, or offset (e.g., 20 degrees) toward the right side of the vehicle (towards the driver's area of ​​a right-hand driving vehicle). The light emitter circuit board 325 may include three portions, wherein the central portion 325a is parallel to the flat surface of the reflective element, and the side portions 325b, 325c are angled or tilted relative to the central portion and relative to the flat surface of the reflective element to provide a desired or selected angle for the main beam axis of the narrow beam LEDs. The light emitter is software-enabled, enabling the right and left driver LEDs (for driver monitoring functions) to be activated depending on the vehicle type in which the mirror assembly is installed (see [link]). Figures 17 to 19 ).

[0119] Therefore, the driver monitoring system can control the LED control circuit to activate and power the appropriate group of LEDs based on the vehicle type and whether the system is acquiring image data for driver monitoring or occupant monitoring functions. Figure 20 As shown, different LED groups are powered by an LED control circuit, which receives LED control signals from a microprocessor. The LED control circuit can be located on the circuit board of the light emitter, and the microprocessor can be located at the ECU in the lens or at a remote ECU in the vehicle. The microprocessor controls the light emitter based on images acquired by the DMS / OMS camera, so that appropriate areas of the vehicle cabin are illuminated by the light emitter according to the specific function (driver monitoring or occupant monitoring) of the currently acquired image data. The control sequence for actuating the different groups of LEDs can be similar to... Figure 21 (for left-hand drive vehicles) or Figure 22 (As shown in the diagram for right-hand drive vehicles). Selecting or activating one of the narrow beam group LEDs may occur only once, such as when the mirror is installed on an LHD or RHD vehicle, or before installation, when the mirror assembly is assembled or shipped to the assembly plant, or at any other time before the DMS / OMS is operating normally. After the initial setup, the DMS will operate to energize the appropriate or selected or activated narrow beam group for DMS functions, and will not operate or energize the unselected or inactive narrow beam group for DMS functions.

[0120] Therefore, when the mirror assembly is installed in a vehicle (typically at the vehicle assembly line) or as a replacement repair part, and when the vehicle is powered on, a signal or indicator input (e.g., via a CAN bus signal or similar signal) is provided to the electronic circuitry of the mirror assembly to indicate whether the vehicle is a left-hand drive or right-hand drive vehicle. Optionally, this signal can be provided at the initial start of the vehicle (after the mirror assembly is installed and the vehicle is assembled) or at each ignition cycle. Optionally, the signal can be provided when the mirror assembly is assembled (e.g., at a mirror assembly plant or mirror manufacturer) and designated for left-hand drive or right-hand drive vehicles.

[0121] Electro-optic (e.g., electrochromic (EC)) mirror reflector sub-assemblies transmit near-infrared light and reflect visible light. Therefore, the mirror reflector (i.e., the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflector) effectively allows the IR emitter to emit light through the reflector and allows the camera to "see" through the mirror reflector, while allowing the mirror reflector 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 partially in response to the ambient light level inside 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 positioned behind the mirror reflector and emitting and receiving light through it, the light emitter and camera can be positioned in the lower region of the lens (using a mounting base attached to the interior of a left-hand or right-hand drive vehicle) and below the mirror reflector, and can move cooperatively with the lens.

[0122] The pivotable rearview camera housing includes an inward-looking driver monitoring camera, which presents unique challenges to the camera's field of view. To account for changes in the camera's field of view as the camera housing 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 the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to determine where a specific feature is located within the camera's field of view (e.g., relative to a specific area of ​​the field of view, such as the center area), and thus, the driver monitoring system determines the driver's head position by identifying one or more positions of specific fixed vehicle features (e.g., rear window, pillar, 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 known or specific vehicle features. For example, if the mirror's nominal configuration has a specific feature at a predetermined lateral and / or vertical distance from the center of the image data, and if it is determined that this specific feature has moved or shifted from its predetermined distance position to one side or the other, the processor moves or adjusts the processing of the acquired image data to accommodate the lateral and / or vertical movement of the specific feature. Alternatively, the camera's field of view can be biased by offsetting / displacement of the camera's lens stack relative to the imager (rather than by physically aiming at the entire imager PCB and lens stack). This offset of the lenses 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 (Attorney's File No. MAG04 P4412), filed February 8, 2022, and / or U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,894, filed May 18, 2021, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0123] A driver monitoring system can provide an algorithm / camera with the ability to determine whether the driver has correctly aimed the mirror (for providing an acceptable rear view to a particular driver). This determination can be made by determining (through processing image data acquired via the camera) (i) the driver's face in a given frame, (ii) sufficient light relative to the driver's head mass in a given frame, or (iii) the presence and position of the rear window and / or other fixed vehicle features (e.g., D-pillar, headrest, 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 via a visual alarm, such as an indicator light or display on a screen, or via a tactile alarm). Optionally, the mirror may include an actuator that can adjust the lens portion to a nominal or optimal orientation for that particular driver in response to determining that the lens portion is incorrectly aimed for that particular driver.

[0124] Optionally, and to reduce stray light or glare at the camera, the lens assembly may include a stray light limiting or blocking mechanism. In the DMS / OMS lens assembly, the camera lens and the light emitter are placed close together. The camera has a wide field of view, such as a horizontal field of view of 140 degrees and a diagonal field of view of nearly 180 degrees. Stray light emitted from the light emitter may leak directly into the camera lens, or through reflection from the surface of the cover glass, prism glass, or EC mirror glass, 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. Figure 23 As shown, a stray light blocker can surround the lens, engage the rear of the mirror reflector 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 cap or barrel, or a soft shell (e.g., a flexible or deformable rubber disc or cone element) formed as part of the lens cap / barrel by secondary injection molding or other suitable methods.

[0125] Optionally, the DMS camera can be used to detect ambient light and / or glare (emanating from the headlights of following vehicles) for providing automatic dimming of the EC mirror reflector. The DMS camera may be positioned in the lens section and observes rearward through the mirror reflector (optionally, the DMS camera may be positioned in the lens section above, below, or to the side of the mirror reflector). The processing of image data acquired by the DMS camera can be adjusted to suit the angle of the lens section, such that the ECU or system determines the headlights of following vehicles (behind the equipped vehicle and traveling in the same direction as the equipped vehicle and in the same or adjacent lane) via image processing of the image data acquired by the DMS camera to determine glare at the mirror reflector. The processing of image data acquired by the DMS camera is adjusted to suit the degree of dimming of the mirror reflector. For example, the system knows how much the mirror reflector is dimmed (in response to the determined glare intensity and location) and can adapt the mirror dimming level when processing the acquired image data to determine the presence and intensity of the vehicle's rear light source / headlight. The intelligent / automatic mirror dimming function can utilize various 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.

[0126] Optionally, and particularly for prism-type mirror applications (see...) Figure 24There may be a problem with "ghosting" images entering the camera lens due to the non-parallel surfaces of the prism glass. Another issue could be the IR light from the IR LED / VCSELS bouncing between the prism glass surfaces and reaching the camera lens. The system can optimize the camera's principal target axis to an angle specific to either the second or first surface. For example, the camera lens axis could be perpendicular to the second (rear) surface of the mirror glass substrate and then form the resulting prism angle with the first (front) surface of the mirror glass substrate, or it could be at an angle such that the principal axis is perpendicular to the first surface, or it could be between 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 bias target for the camera's field of view. Alternatively, the area in front of the camera lens or the IR illumination area may be without a mirror reflector (e.g., through a window created by the mirror reflector by laser ablation) to reduce reflections between surfaces.

[0127] Alternatively, a coating, such as an anti-reflective coating, can be applied to the first surface to reduce reflection and promote more light to leave the prism-like glass, or to increase transmittance by utilizing a phase transition. This anti-reflective coating reduces light loss and utilizes the phase transition and the dependence of reflectivity on the refractive index of the glass substrate. The anti-reflective coating forms a dual interface via a thin film, providing two reflected waves. If the waves are out of phase, they at least partially cancel each other out. 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 substrate, such that the two reflections will be 180 degrees out of phase and will cancel each other out.

[0128] Alternatively, to mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the electronics within the interior rearview mirror assembly and limit the number of components, a 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 lens section. For example, and such as Figures 25 to 27 As shown, the mirror reflector subassembly 413 (configured to attach 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 reflector 414 (e.g., via foam tape 426). A printed circuit board 430 may be attached to the rear of the mirror attachment plate 420. A heat sink / base and EMI molded in place (FIP) pad or heat sink 432 are disposed at the rear of the printed circuit board and configured to attach to a pivoting element (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 5 At the socket element shown, the pivoting element is pivotally attached to the ball member of the mirror mount. A thermal interface material or element may be disposed between the circuit board 430 and the base 432 to enhance heat dissipation from the circuit board to the base and heat sink. The camera 418 and the light emitter 424 are disposed behind the mirror attachment plate 420 and are generally aligned with the holes created through the mirror attachment plate 420 and the tape 426.

[0129] The attachment plate 420 includes an EMI mirror attachment plate (which may comprise polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and stainless steel (SS) fiber materials) that interface with an aluminum heat sink 432 (which serves as the other half or part of a Faraday cage). In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror attachment plate engages with the heat sink interface in a tongue and groove manner, wherein the 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 can reduce overall weight and cost. Alternatively, the attachment plate may comprise other suitable materials, such as, for example, aluminum or similar materials.

[0130] The Faraday cage is electrically grounded via one or more spring fingers or flexible metal or conductive elements at the ECU, which contact the radiator when the radiator is attached to the mirror attachment plate (or the radiator may have a flexible conductive element that contacts the ECU when the radiator is attached to the mirror attachment plate). The radiator grounds the EMI attachment plate via a set of metal fasteners 431 (e.g., threaded fasteners, such as screws or the like), which attach and hold the radiator at the EMI attachment plate. Thus, the mirror attachment plate and radiator elements serve as a Faraday cage surrounding the camera 418 and light emitters (one or more) 424 and printed circuit boards (one or more) 430 of the lens section to reduce or mitigate EMI of the electronics within the lens section of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The PC / ASA+SS fiber optic attachment plate is electrically decoupled from the electronics to limit or prevent the material from acting as EMI material, regardless of whether it is grounded.

[0131] Optionally, the vehicle's ECU or other vehicle systems, or the DMS / OMS system, can utilize signals from the DMS / OMS camera or system to determine whether the driver or passenger is accessing the vehicle's infotainment system controls (e.g., reaching towards the vehicle's central touchscreen display). Using this information, and in response to the vehicle's state (e.g., whether the vehicle is moving, in drive or reverse gear, in propulsion mode, or in a parked or off state, etc.), the system can determine whether input to the infotainment system should be permitted. This allows the system to determine when a passenger accesses the touchscreen or infotainment system so that the system can allow passengers to safely use all functions of the infotainment system while the driver is driving the vehicle, whereas the driver may restrict input to prevent distraction (i.e., the system can deactivate some or all infotainment input when it determines that the driver is accessing input while the vehicle is reversing or moving at a speed greater than a threshold speed).

[0132] Optionally, information collected by the OMS located in the interior rearview mirror assembly, such as information relating to the presence of one or more occupants in the vehicle, can be used to actuate a parametric / directional speaker system to (i) provide the driver with private hands-free calling functionality and / or (ii) provide a personalized audio experience. For example, if the system determines that there is an occupant in the vehicle, it can provide a calling function that allows the driver to participate in a telephone conversation that is inaudible to one or more occupants (i.e., the audio system is adapted such that the speaker for telephone calling is pointed only at the driver, and optionally, the other speakers in the vehicle are pointed at the occupant and emit sound waves that cancel out the sound from the driver's speaker, for example 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 may respond, for example, to user input provided by the occupant (e.g., selection via the vehicle touchscreen or via... An occupant's smartphone (connected or otherwise connected to the vehicle system) can provide a personalized audio experience (by customizing the output of the vehicle's speakers to deliver sound to the individual occupant rather than other occupants).

[0133] Optionally, the DMS camera or system can operate or be used in conjunction with the vehicle's garage door opening system. For example, using a DMS camera positioned behind and observing through a mirror reflector (or using a DMS camera located elsewhere in the vehicle's interior), the image data acquired by the camera can be processed (e.g., via the system's algorithms) to determine whether the driver / passenger has raised one, two, or three fingers with their hand (one or two). Using this information, the system can trigger the garage door opener module (which may also be encapsulated within the lens or mirror assembly) to transmit a signal to the garage door opener to open or close the garage door. Depending on the proximity (antenna / receiver distance) between the garage door opener module / vehicle and the garage door opener, the gesture may or may not successfully open the garage door. By utilizing the camera and driver / passenger gestures to actuate the garage door opening system or module, the system saves package space by eliminating the need for human-machine interface buttons in the mirror (which are typically used to interact with the garage door opening system or vehicle module). This system may utilize various aspects of the garage door opener system 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.

[0134] Alternatively, the camera (and associated illumination source) can be positioned externally to the mirror assembly, such as in the vehicle's instrument cluster, overhead console, or A-pillar. The camera monitoring system (CMS) video display is typically located in the lower area of ​​the A-pillar or external to the dashboard to optimize the driver's view. The chosen location for the driver monitoring camera, including the illumination source and camera mirror display, is a trade-off between driver visibility, thermal considerations, packaging concepts, and internal design. Space is often very limited. Wiring for power and video signals must also be considered.

[0135] Optionally, the camera (and associated light source) can be positioned at the CMS video display screen. For example, and refer to Figure 28 A camera 518 for the Driver Monitoring System (DMS) can be positioned on the driver-side CMS display screen 520 (which displays a video image derived from image data acquired by the corresponding driver-side rear-view CMS camera). Similarly, a camera 519 for the Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) can be positioned on the passenger-side CMS display screen 521 (which displays a video image derived from image data acquired by the corresponding passenger-side rear-view CMS camera). The camera (and its associated illumination source) can be located in the upper area of ​​the respective display screen or directly above the upper boundary of the respective display screen.

[0136] Therefore, the driver monitoring camera and illumination source can be integrated into the housing or bezel of the camera mirror display mounted on the driver's side. The camera's position and integration at the video display can be similar to the integration of video conferencing cameras on smartphones, tablets, or laptops. By positioning the DMS / OMS camera at the corresponding CMS display, the system provides seamless integration of the camera and illumination source, as well as optimal orientation relative to the driver's eye socket and head position, since good relative positioning, visibility, and aiming between the driver and the camera / display are necessary for both products (display and camera). The system also reduces vehicle wiring harnesses overall, as the same wiring can be used for both products, especially if all processing is performed at the central domain controller or central ECU. Because the display emits visible light, it can provide additional illumination for the driver's body and face, and better visibility of the visible spectrum for the driver monitoring camera (which typically uses a combination of visible and infrared light-sensitive pixels).

[0137] Optionally, the driver monitoring system can control one or more systems in response to monitoring the driver and / or occupants of the vehicle. For example, the system can process image data acquired by a DMS camera to determine whether the driver is looking at the infotainment center or screen in the vehicle. In response to determining that the driver is looking at 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 whether the driver's hand is moving towards the screen, or whether a passenger's hand is moving towards the screen. If the system determines that the driver is looking at the screen and attempting to use the infotainment center or screen, it will lock it. However, if the system determines that an occupant (non-driver) is attempting to use the infotainment center or screen, it will not lock it and will allow the passenger to use the infotainment system.

[0138] Therefore, a single-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly includes multiple near-infrared light emitting sources. These near-infrared sources may include multiple near-infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or near-infrared emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), such as a row, a string, or a group of sources, like LEDs or VCSEL lasers. The near-infrared sources include a first wide field-of-view (wFOV) source, a second narrow field-of-view (nFOV) source located to one side of the wFOV source, and a third nFOV source located to the other side of the wFOV source. As used herein, the terms “nFOV” and “wFOV” refer to the illumination field or field of view, or directivity, or full width at half maximum (FWHM), or beam angle of each of the nFOV and wFOV sources at 50% intensity.

[0139] Two (or more) narrow field-of-view (nFOV) near-infrared LEDs (which may be arranged horizontally or vertically, or in a matrix of rows and columns, or otherwise) are disposed within (or at least partially surrounded by) a near-infrared reflector (such as a 14.1mm x 6.92mm x 6.5mm reflector, available for example from CoreLED Systems, LLC, Livonia, Michigan) on a first rigid PCB, which is connected board-to-board to a second rigid PCB via a flexible multi-line planar strip cable (comprising multiple individual conductive lines, such as four lines, laid flat and parallel to each other). Two (or more) wide field-of-view (wFOV) near-infrared LEDs (which may be arranged horizontally or vertically, or 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-line planar strip cable (comprising multiple single conductive lines laid flat and parallel to each other). Two (or more) narrow field-of-view (nFOV) near-infrared LEDs (which may be arranged horizontally or vertically, or in a matrix arrangement of rows and columns, or otherwise) are housed within a reflector on a third rigid PCB. The third rigid PCB includes a flexible multi-line planar ribbon cable terminating at an electrical connector that connects to a corresponding electrical connector on the PCB of the ECU 6. While some figures show a group of three near-infrared light sources (LHD nFOV, wFOV, and RHD nFOV) on separate rigid PCBs interconnected via a flexible ribbon connection, other arrangements of the illumination sources within the lens section are possible. 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, etc. The reflector may comprise a stamped and polished 260mm thick sheet of approximately 0.01 inches thick. 1 / 2 hardness brass, which can be post-tinned (e.g., 5 microns of tin on a copper flash), or other suitable near-infrared reflective materials (such as aluminum), can be surface mounted / soldered to their respective LED PCBs to guide, direct, concentrate, or collimate the near-infrared light emitted by each LED toward the appropriate driver or passenger area or cabin area in the vehicle.

[0140] like Figure 38 As shown, wFOV LEDs are arranged horizontally, one next to another and spaced apart, while nFOV LEDs are arranged vertically, one higher than the other and closer together (and surrounded or encircled by their respective reflectors). Figure 38In the illustrative embodiment shown, each of the LHD and RHD groups composed of nFOV LEDs includes two vertically stacked LEDs, and each group has its own reflector. Figure 38 As can be seen, horizontally arranged wFOV LEDs have a larger spacing than vertically arranged nFOV LEDs. Each group of LEDs is vertically stacked to reduce the total distance to the red light filter / mirror reflector, thereby minimizing the aperture (the holes through the attachment plate and through the tape that attaches the mirror reflector to the attachment plate). The arrangement of wFOV and nFOV LEDs can reduce cost and package space.

[0141] The illuminator electric driver drives the LED and acts to prevent power 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 (24V+) of the storage capacitor and releases the stored energy into the LED during the "on time." This allows for lower average current consumption from the vehicle.

[0142] A single-unit 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 is a visible light opaque compound that is black and blocks or filters light in the 200-860 nm range, while allowing light transmission greater than 990 nm. The filter comprises a ready-to-mold thermoplastic having the appearance of black polycarbonate granules. Target transmittance values ​​are: 5% at 875 nm, 50% at 910 nm, 80% at 986 nm, and 85% at 1000 nm. The filter is molded into a rectangular plate, or other shapes as needed. The plate thickness for transmitting near-IR light at 940 nm is at least 0.5 mm in its thickness direction, more preferably at least 1 mm, and most preferably at least 1.25 mm, but preferably less than 6 mm, more preferably less than 4 mm, and most preferably less than 2.5 mm. For example, the filter may be 63.02 mm wide x 23.6 mm high x 1.3 mm thick. LED filters improve system shielding by limiting visible light, preventing any visible light emitted by near-IR LEDs from being visible through the mirror reflector (and thus reducing or eliminating the visibility of red LED light at the mirror reflector when the LED is powered on). LED filters also block or limit ambient cabin light from entering the lens at the location where the LED is viewed through the EC unit to see inside the vehicle cabin.

[0143] The one-piece 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 can be 17.28mm wide x 11.85mm high x 1.02mm thick.

[0144] During operation of a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly, the circuitry ECU controls LEDs and a 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 employ pulse width modulation to acquire certain frames of the acquired image data 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 pulse on; and during OMS operation (and, for example, every ten image data frames), all LHD n-FOV LEDs, w-FOV LEDs, and RHD n-FOV LEDs pulse on (e.g., by utilizing aspects of the DMS mirror described in International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 (Attorney Docket No. DON01 FP4421WO), filed March 1, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0145] Cameras used in security applications typically employ near-IR flood illumination around 850 nm. However, the sensitivity of these conventional cameras decreases at longer wavelengths in the near-IR spectral region. Therefore, these conventional security cameras are less sensitive to 940 nm light than to 850 nm light; when using a 940 nm near-IR illuminator, their range is reduced by about 50%. Furthermore, while 850 nm infrared light is largely not perceived as "light" by the human eye, a slight red glow is visible at LED light sources. For DMS and ODS within vehicles, 940 nm near-IR illumination is preferred, especially when the in-lens camera has a quantum efficiency of at least 15% at 940 nm. Compared to 850 nm illumination, less "red light" is perceptible to the human eye when using 940 nm illumination, thus enhancing the shielding effect of the near-IR emission source within the lens section emitted through the mirror reflector. Furthermore, water absorbs near-IR light at 940nm, and therefore, due to atmospheric moisture, solar radiation is attenuated at 940nm in its illumination spectrum. Consequently, ambient sunlight inside the vehicle cabin (and especially when driving a convertible on a sunny day with the roof down) has a dip or trough at 940nm, which reduces any tendency for ambient sunlight inside the vehicle cabin to interfere with the DMS / ODS function.

[0146] The combination of nFOV and wFOV light sources allows the system to utilize different groups to meet the illumination requirements of both LHD and RHD vehicles. For LHD vehicles, LHD nFOV and wFOV LEDs are the primary 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.

[0147] Irradiance (radiant flux received per unit area of ​​surface) at the driver's head (and especially at the driver's eyes for drowsiness detection) is important, particularly during nighttime driving when the interior of the vehicle is dark and the DMS camera in this area relies primarily on near-IR illumination emitted by a near-IR light source within the lens. The near-IR irradiance near the driver's eyes is preferably at least 1 W / m². 2 More preferably at least 1.8W / m 2 And the optimal value is at least 2.5W / m 2(Especially for a particular driver seated in a specific vehicle equipped with a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly, within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194), while the near-IR irradiance for occupant detection at the front passenger seat position is preferably at least 0.15 W / m². 2 More preferably, it is at least 0.25 W / m 2 And the optimal value is at least 0.4 W / m 2 Furthermore, the near-IR irradiance for occupant detection in areas such as rear seats is at least 0.1 W / m². 2 For optimal performance, at least 0.15 W / m 2 More preferably, and at least 0.2 W / m 2 This is the optimal choice.

[0148] The light emitted by the LED and reflected by the reflector passes through a red light filter and a specular reflector to illuminate the driver's head area, then reflects towards the camera and returns through the specular reflector and the camera lens. At 100% LED power, the light path (irradiance) of a narrow FOV (nFOV) LED is reduced, resulting in only 74% reaching the driver. However, in the worst-case scenario, peak power must be used. Therefore, 178% of the LED irradiance power is required for the exposure limit. Irradiance is primarily proportional to the current flowing through the LED during operation.

[0149] The camera sees (and 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 the position of certain visors (showing drivers of different sizes in different seating positions relative to a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly). Figure 33D This illustrates different eye points projected onto the horizontal plane relative to the light source for left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles and DMS (where the LED is positioned on the right side of the lens). Figure 35C The diagram shows different eyepoints projected onto the horizontal plane relative to the light source for right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles and the DMS (where the LED is positioned on the right side of the lens). All the closest driver eyepoints are bright enough to meet irradiance requirements – nominal targets of 15° vertically and 20° horizontally.

[0150] The DMS SoC, located within the lens section, can sense its silicon die temperature and enter a "throttling mode" when needed to reduce power output (throttling down operating temperature). This "throttling mode" can include reducing the computational algorithm feature set and / or lowering the SoC clock frequency, as well as reducing the frame rate (e.g., dropping from 60fps to 30fps). The ECPWM duty cycle and drive voltage can be altered to reduce power consumption within the lens. Cell gaps can be reduced to allow for lower drive current. IR power can also be reduced. Using LC optical switches in a single-cell DMS / OMS configuration reduces thermal issues. This reduces the required IR LED drive power. Fans, heat pipes, thermal interface materials (TIM), and alternative heat dissipation materials (e.g., copper) can all be used to improve cooling. Heatsink fin design also plays a role in cooling capacity.

[0151] For example, if the temperature is determined to be above a threshold level, the system can provide thermal management and roll back or reduce processing operations occurring within the lens section. The system can determine the temperature within the lens section via an onboard thermistor, an external thermistor, an LED driver with a thermistor, or a processor with a thermistor within the lens section. Various countermeasures can be taken to protect the electronic components within the lens section and / or to avoid exacerbating the outer casing temperature of the lens section of the one-box DMS internal rearview mirror assembly (which has been stored under high temperature / sunlight conditions, causing the lens casing to reach or exceed 85 degrees Celsius). Depending on the temperature sensing capability of the onboard chip and / or external thermistor compared to the onboard thermistor, the operation of the DMS can be temporarily reduced for 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 the threshold temperature. For example, the system can pulse the LED at a slower rate and / or acquire image data at a reduced frame rate, or it can power the LED at a reduced power level (i.e., the system can reduce the maximum intensity of the LED and / or reduce the switching pulse rate of the LED and / or reduce the image acquisition rate). Optionally, the system can output (e.g., via CAN communication) a signal to turn on the vehicle's air conditioning. Optionally, if the temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, the system can provide an alert to the driver indicating that the DMS / OMS function is temporarily unavailable.

[0152] During operation, the DMS camera acquires image data frames (e.g., at a frame acquisition rate of 30fps or 60fps), and appropriate LEDs are turned on and off for the corresponding acquired image data frame pulses. The LED pulse rate is synchronized with the camera's frame acquisition rate; that is, the LEDs are only turned on (and emit near-IR illumination) when the imager is exposed and collecting energy. For example, if the camera acquires image data frames at a rate of 30fps, each frame lasts approximately 33ms, but the imager is only exposed (and collects light energy, converting incoming photons into electrons photoelectrically) for a portion of this time (e.g., 4ms). The LEDs are electrically repetitive pulses, ensuring that they are only powered during the 4ms period when the imager is collecting energy (however, the LEDs can be on for a slightly longer period to ensure they are powered throughout the entire exposure time). The pulse duty cycle is approximately 12%. Synchronization of the LEDs so that they are not powered for the entire frame time (33ms) reduces heat generation, improves thermal management, and avoids prolonged near-IR illumination in the driver's or passenger's eyes. For DMS, and to facilitate video conferencing and driver selfies, the system utilizes the full-color (RGB) capability of the DMS camera, thus merging the three (R, G, B) signals into a single signal or frame. For OMS, the system does not require color and can use the DMS camera as a monochrome camera, while simultaneously improving the camera's sensitivity to incident light. Regarding the duty cycle pulse of the near-IR light source (such as an nFOV LED or wFOV LED) located within the lens section, a duty cycle of at least 8% is preferred; a duty cycle of at least 10% is more preferred, and a duty cycle of at least 12% is most preferred. However, for eye safety and to reduce thermal load, a duty cycle of less than 40% is preferred; a duty cycle of less than 30% is more preferred, and a duty cycle of less than 20% is most preferred.

[0153] Optionally, the system can reduce the LED power (current applied to the LED) during daytime operation and / or dynamically change or adjust the pulse duty cycle based on the main conditions inside the vehicle (such as day or night, whether driving is in sunny or cloudy weather, or whether the vehicle has just been started after being immersed in the hot summer sun, causing the interior mirror temperature to reach 60-80 degrees Celsius or higher). Optionally, the system can increase the LED power (applied current) and / or change or adjust the LED pulse duty cycle to facilitate observation through the driver's glasses, particularly the driver's sunglasses.

[0154] Regarding the near-IR light source housed in the internal chamber of the lens section Figure 30The diagram illustrates near-IR emission patterns formed by two narrow field-of-view (nFOV) 940nm LEDs in a left-hand drive vehicle, and near-IR emission patterns formed by two narrow field-of-view (nFOV) 940nm LEDs in a right-hand drive vehicle. The surface-mounted LEDs can emit in all directions—therefore the reflectors can form directional cones or patterns of near-IR illumination. Figures 31A to 31D This illustrates how these near-IR light sources are positioned within the lens section structure of a box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly, and are supported by / angled to [the plane (its fourth surface) relative to the rear glass surface of the EC unit]. As shown... Figure 31D As shown, the LHD nFOV LED forms an angle of approximately 20 degrees (or approximately 22 degrees) with respect to the front surface of the specular reflector, the wFOV LED forms an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the front surface of the specular reflector, and the RHD nFOV LED forms an angle of approximately 10 degrees with respect to the front surface of the specular reflector. Also as... Figure 31C As shown, the wFOV LED is preferably physically close to the mirror reflector (but can be slightly offset to enhance shielding), so that most or all of the near-IR light emitted by the wFOV LED enters the vehicle compartment, while the nFOV LED is separated from the mirror reflector (by a surface-mounted reflector) and at an angle, so that the near-IR light emitted by the nFOV LED is guided or focused by the reflector toward the driver's area inside the vehicle compartment.

[0155] like Figure 32A As shown, when a box-type internal DMS mirror assembly is installed on the windshield and angled toward the driver ( Figure 32A (As shown in the illustration for left-hand drive vehicles), the lens is tilted or angled at approximately 10-30 degrees relative to the vehicle's transverse axis, which is perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. Figure 32B As shown, the n-FOV light emitter emits light to illuminate the driver's head, wherein the angle or width of the illuminating beam is approximately 60 degrees, and the main axis of the illuminating beam is between 10 and 30 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector, more preferably between 15 and 25 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector, for example, approximately 20 or 22 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector (i.e., the angle between the circuit board on which the nFOV light emitter is disposed and the flat front surface of the mirror reflector is approximately 10-30 degrees, more preferably between 15 and 25 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector, for example, approximately 20 or 22 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector). Figure 33A and Figure 33B The dimensions, angles, and configuration of a box-type internal DMS mirror assembly installed in an LHD vehicle are shown. Figure 33CThe geometry and equations that can be used to determine the angle of an LHD nFOV LED are shown.

[0156] exist Figure 34A In the case where a box-type internal DMS mirror assembly is installed on the windshield and angled toward the driver ( Figure 34A (As shown in the illustration for right-hand drive vehicles), the lens is tilted or angled at approximately 10-30 degrees relative to the vehicle's transverse axis, which is perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. For example... Figure 34B As shown, the n-FOV light emitter emits light to illuminate the driver's head, wherein the angle or width of the illuminating beam is approximately 60 degrees, and the main axis of the illuminating beam is between 0 and 20 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector, more preferably between 5 and 15 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector, for example, about 10 degrees relative to the line perpendicular to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector (i.e., the circuit board on which the nFOV light emitter is disposed has a non-zero angle relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector, at most about 20 degrees, more preferably between 5 and 15 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector, for example, about 10 degrees relative to the flat front surface of the mirror reflector). Figure 35A The angle and configuration of a box-type internal DMS mirror assembly installed in an RHD vehicle are shown. Figure 35B The geometry and equations that can be used to determine the angle of an LHDnFOV LED are shown.

[0157] Therefore, the angle of the LHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflector) can be different from the angle of the RHD wFOV near-IR irradiation source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflector), and in the opposite direction (i.e., the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source is angled towards the left side of the lens (and the vehicle), while the main emission axis of the RHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source is angled towards the right side of the lens (and the vehicle). Optionally, the angle of the LHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflector) can be the same as the angle of the RHD wFOV near-IR irradiation source (relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflector), but in a laterally opposite direction. For example, the angle between the nFOV near-IR irradiation source and the flat surface of the mirror reflector can be between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, such as between 10 degrees and 20 degrees, or, for example, 15 degrees, where the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source is angled to the left of the lens (and the vehicle), and the main emission axis of the RHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source is angled to the right of the lens (and the vehicle). In other words, the LHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source can be at, for example, -15 degrees relative to the flat surface of the mirror reflector, while the RHD nFOV near-IR irradiation source can be at, for example, +15 degrees.

[0158] The primary line of sight of the DMS camera passes perpendicularly through the flat front surface of the mirror reflector element located at the lens section of the box-type DMS interior mirror assembly. When the box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an LHD or RHD vehicle, the field of view of the centrally located DMS camera includes the driver's eye area within the head / eye ellipse when the driver adjusts the lens section. Due to various reasons, including the central area of ​​the lens section's chamber being filled by the DMS camera and the ball-and-socket pivot joint around which the lens section moves when the driver adjusts the mirror in the equipped vehicle, the nFOV near-IR emission light source, designed to illuminate the driver's eye area within the head / eye ellipse, is located within the lens section at a distance d mm from the centerline of the center of the transverse mirror reflector element's length dimension. Figure 32A , Figure 32B , Figure 33A and Figure 33B As shown, the LHD nFOV near-IR emission light source is angled relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector, such that when a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted on an LHD vehicle and the driver adjusts the lens, the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near-IR emission light source is tilted towards the driver. Similarly, and as... Figure 34A , Figure 34B and Figure 35A As shown, the RHD nFOV near-IR emission light source is angled relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector, such that when a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is installed on an RHD vehicle and the driver adjusts the lens, the main emission axis of the RHD nFOV near-IR emission light source is tilted toward the driver.

[0159] For LHD applications of a single-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly, as the size d increases (i.e., as the LHD nFOV near-IR emission light source is positioned further from the centerline of the mirror reflector), the angle that the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near-IR emission light source must face relative to the plane of the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector must be larger in order to provide illumination to the driver of the LHD vehicle. However, for RHD applications of a single-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly, as the size d increases (i.e., as the RHD nFOV near-IR emission light source is positioned further from the centerline of the mirror reflector), the angle that the main emission axis of the RHD nFOV near-IR emission light source must face relative to the plane of the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector must be smaller in order to provide illumination to the driver of the RHD vehicle. Therefore, for applications where a single-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an LHD vehicle, the angle of the LHD nFOV near-IR emission light source relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector is, for example, approximately 20 degrees, and the distance d (between the mirror centerline and the LHD nFOV near-IR emission light source) is approximately 50 mm. For applications where a single-box DMS interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in an RHD vehicle, the angle of the RHD nFOV near-IR emission light source relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector is, for example, approximately 10 degrees, and the distance d (between the mirror centerline and the RHD nFOV near-IR emission light source) is approximately 89 mm.

[0160] Therefore, as the distance d increases, the corresponding angle of the LHD nFOV near-IR emission source (relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector) increases, while the corresponding angle of the RHD nFOV near-IR emission source (relative to the flat front side / surface of the mirror reflector) decreases.

[0161] like Figure 37 As shown, the one-piece internal DMS mirror assembly is suitable for LHD or RHD vehicles. When the one-piece internal DMS mirror assembly is installed in an LHD vehicle (see...), Figure 32A , Figure 32B , Figure 33A , Figure 33B When the driver is sitting in the driver's seat and observing the internal mirror reflector, the camera observes the position of the LHD driver's eyes and the light emitter (one or more) illuminates the position of the LHD driver's eyes.

[0162] therefore, Figure 32A and Figure 32BThis illustrates (in a left-hand drive vehicle) how a driver adjusts the mirror of a box-type DMS interior rearview mirror assembly so that the driver can use the mirror reflector to look behind through the rear window of the vehicle. Depending on the specific driver's seating position and size, the front (outermost) side of the flat interior mirror reflector forms an acute angle relative to the vehicle's lateral axis (viewed from above in a plan view), ranging from approximately 10 to 30 degrees. Figure 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 (where the DMS camera is located). Figure 34A and Figure 34B The situation inside the RHD vehicle is shown. From Figure 31D As can be seen, the main emission axis of the LHD nFOV near-IR emission source is perpendicular to the vertically passing through the box-shaped DMS Infinity shown. TM The angle of the straight line between the mirror reflector element of the lens portion of the electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly and the flat front glass substrate is θ (the corresponding angle is δ for RDH vehicles). The angle θ typically ranges from about -10 degrees to about -35 degrees (e.g., -20 degrees). The angle δ typically ranges from about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees (e.g., 10 degrees).

[0163] Figure 33D and Figure 33E This diagram shows the distribution of LHD nFOV LED illumination at different driver eye points in an LHD vehicle in both a horizontal plane (i.e., from above) and a vertical plane (i.e., from behind the windshield). Figure 33D and Figure 33E As shown, any head / eye within contour line A will have a minimum W / m 2 Near-IR irradiance. Figure 33F This illustrates the illumination inside the cabin of an LHD vehicle when an LHD nFOV LED (with a surface-mount reflector) is powered. Figure 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. Figure 35C and Figure 35D This diagram illustrates the distribution of RHD nFOV LED illumination at different driver eye points in an RHD vehicle in both a horizontal plane (i.e., from above) and a vertical plane (i.e., from behind the windshield). Figure 35C and Figure 35D As shown, any head / eye within contour line B will have a minimum W / m 2 Near-IR irradiance. Figure 35E This illustrates the interior illumination of an RHD vehicle cabin when the RHD nFOV LED (with a surface-mount reflector) is powered. Figure 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. Figure 36 This shows the lighting conditions inside the vehicle cabin when the wFOV LED is powered. Figure 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.

[0164] from Figure 37 As can be seen, the LHD nFOV (relative to the flat rear plane of the internal rearview mirror reflector) is angled, and the RHD nFOV (relative to the flat rear plane of the internal rearview mirror reflector) is also angled. However, the direction of the main emission axis of the RHD nFOV is different from and opposite to that of the LHD nFOV.

[0165] The illumination provided by the light source meets automotive safety requirements, including Safety Goal 2 (ASIL B). According to IEC 62471:2006, this system should be classified as an exempt system. The system operates under safe conditions, therefore it should not emit IR radiation.

[0166] like Figures 31A to 37 As shown, the driver monitoring camera is located at the center of the lens. In RHD vehicles, the nFOV near-IR LED monitoring the driver's head is positioned sideways towards the lens and tilted at an acute angle of approximately 10 degrees [relative to the rear plane of the EC unit's rear glass surface (its fourth surface)], and viewed along this sideways direction away from the lens. In LHD vehicles, the nFOV near-IR LED illuminating the driver's head is positioned closer to the center area of ​​the lens (at the location where the driver monitoring camera is installed), and at an acute angle of approximately 20 degrees [relative to the rear plane of the EC unit's rear glass surface (its fourth surface)], and viewed along a direction opposite to the direction of the other nFOV LEDs. The wFOV near-IR LED providing general cabin / occupant illumination is positioned in the lens between the locations of the nFOV LEDs, with its main viewing axis perpendicular to the rear plane of the EC unit's rear glass flat surface.

[0167] Therefore, when the propulsion system of the equipped vehicle (such as the engine in an internal combustion engine vehicle or the electric drive unit in an electric vehicle) is ignited and / or started, the box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly is powered. When powered, the DMS camera acquires image data frames at a frame acquisition rate of at least 15 fps, preferably at least 30 fps, more preferably at least 60 fps. During driving, the ECU of the box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly can determine whether the vehicle is traveling in a left-hand drive (LHD) or 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 a similar vehicle determined by a system similar to GPS. Furthermore, when the vehicle first leaves its assembly plant, the relevant automaker will position the steering column on the left side of the front cabin area for LHD vehicles and on the right side for RHD vehicles. When the vehicle is set to be either a left-hand drive or a right-hand drive vehicle, or the driver's position is known, 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 to 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 set of light sources (wFOV light source) positioned between a second set of light sources (e.g., a left (LH) light source) and a third set of light sources (e.g., a right (RH) light source).

[0168] For left-hand drive vehicles equipped with a box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly, during the acquisition of a set of DMS images (for driver monitoring functions), the LHD nFOV light source (preferably multiple near-IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably four or fewer LEDs) and the wFOV light source (preferably multiple near-IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably four or fewer LEDs) are energized. The illumination provided by the LHD nFOV light source and the wFOV light source is combined at a minimum of 1.25 W / m². 2 More preferably at least 1.8W / m 2 And the optimal value is at least 2.3W / m 2The irradiance of the wFOV light source illuminates the head area of ​​the driver (who is seated on the left side of the vehicle). The LHD nFOV near-IR light source has a narrow cone / area of ​​illumination field that encompasses / illuminates the driver's head frame area (and thus provides enhanced irradiance to the driver's face). During the acquisition of the acquired image data frame for the DMS group used for driver monitoring functions, the wFOV near-IR light source is also powered on, but the LHD nFOV near-IR light source is not powered on. This selective powering of one of the LHD and RHD light sources instead of the other (in the case of LHD driving, where the LHD light source is powered on and the RHD light source is not powered on) avoids the wasteful generation of heat within the lens section by powering on the RHD light source, which has little irradiance effect on the driver sitting on the left side of the vehicle. However, the wFOV light source increases the irradiance to a certain extent in the driver's head frame area, while also illuminating the area where the driver's hands are located (steering wheel, center console, etc.). Therefore, in both LHD and RHD vehicles, the wFOV light source is powered on for all times when the vehicle is powered on and running. Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition in left-hand drive vehicles, the single-box internal DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the LHD nFOV and wFOV light sources, as these are the light sources that will illuminate the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle. The RHD nFOV light source, when powered, will not illuminate any part of the LHD driver's body in any way; therefore, the RHD nFOV light source will not be powered during DMS frame acquisition in LHD vehicles. Conversely, in RHD vehicles, the situation is exactly the opposite. For DMS frame acquisition in right-hand drive vehicles, the single-box internal DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the RHD nFOV and wFOV light sources, as these are the light sources that will illuminate the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle.

[0169] For left-hand or right-hand vehicles equipped with a box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly, during the acquisition of the OMS group in the acquired image data frame (for occupant monitoring functions), all three sets of near-IR light sources (LHDnFOV, wFOV, and RHD nFOV) are powered on, thereby maximizing the near-IR floodlight illumination inside the vehicle cabin, especially for illuminating areas such as the second-row rear seats or even the third-row rear seats.

[0170] For left-hand drive vehicles equipped with a box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly, during the acquisition of the OMS group in the acquired image data frame (for occupant monitoring or occupant detection functions), the LHD nFOV light source, wFOV light source, and RHD nFOV light source (preferably multiple near-IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably four or fewer LEDs) are all energized. The illumination provided by the LHD nFOV light source, wFOV light source, and RHD nFOV light source is combined to achieve an illumination of at least 0.1 W / m². 2 Preferably at least 0.15W / m 2 And more preferably at least 0.2W / m 2 The irradiance is applied to the second row or rear seats and passenger seating area, and the irradiance provided by the wFOV light source and the RHD nFOV light source is combined to provide at least 0.15 W / m². 2 Preferably at least 0.25W / m 2 And more preferably at least 0.4W / m 2 The irradiance irradiates the area of ​​the front passenger seats.

[0171] Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition of left-hand drive vehicles, the single-box internal DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the LHD nFOV and wFOV light sources, as these light sources will illuminate the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle; and for OMS frame acquisition of left-hand drive vehicles, the single-box internal DMS rearview mirror assembly will power the LHD nFOV, wFOV, and RHD nFOV light sources.

[0172] Similarly, for right-hand drive vehicles equipped with a box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly, during the acquisition of the DMS group (for driver monitoring functions) in the acquired image data frame, the RHD nFOV light source (preferably multiple near-IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably four or fewer LEDs) and the wFOV light source (preferably multiple near-IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably four or fewer LEDs) are energized. The illumination provided by the RHD nFOV light source and the wFOV light source is combined at a minimum of 1.25 W / m². 2 More preferably at least 1.8W / m 2 And the optimal value is at least 2.3W / m 2The irradiance of the RHD nFOV light source illuminates the head area of ​​the driver (located on the right side of the vehicle). The RHD nFOV light source has a narrow field cone that covers the driver's head frame area (thus 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 increases the irradiance of the driver's head frame area to some extent, but also illuminates the area where the driver's hands are located (steering wheel, center console, etc.). Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition of right-hand drive vehicles, the box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the RHD nFOV and wFOV light sources, as 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, and therefore the LHD nFOV light source will not be powered during DMS frame acquisition.

[0173] For right-hand drive vehicles equipped with a box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly, during the acquisition of the OMS group in the acquired image data frame (for occupant monitoring or occupant detection functions), the RHD nFOV light source, wFOV light source, and LHD nFOV light source (preferably multiple near-IR emitting LEDs, including at least two LEDs, and more preferably four or fewer LEDs) are all energized. The illumination provided by the RHD nFOV light source, wFOV light source, and LHD nFOV light source is combined to achieve an illumination of at least 0.1 W / m². 2 Preferably at least 0.15W / m 2 And more preferably at least 0.2W / m 2 The irradiance is applied to the second row or rear seats and passenger seating area, and the irradiance provided by the wFOV light source and the LHD nFOV light source is combined to provide at least 0.15 W / m². 2 Preferably at least 0.25W / m 2 And more preferably at least 0.4W / m 2 The irradiance irradiates the area of ​​the front passenger seats.

[0174] Therefore, for DMS frame acquisition of right-hand drive vehicles, the single-box internal DMS rearview mirror assembly will only power the RHD nFOV and wFOV light sources, as these light sources will illuminate the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle; and for OMS frame acquisition of right-hand drive vehicles, the single-box internal DMS rearview mirror assembly will power the RHD nFOV, wFOV, and LHD nFOV light sources.

[0175] The illumination protocols / scenarios described herein can be dynamic, as they can be adjusted to the current driving conditions. For example, the illumination protocol can be adjusted according to daytime / nighttime conditions (by daytime or nighttime); the illumination protocol can be adjusted in response to the level of ambient cabin illumination, such as the level of ambient cabin illumination at dawn and dusk; or the illumination protocol can also be adjusted (e.g. for thermal management) to temporarily reduce cabin illumination for a limited period of time after ignition or starting when the vehicle is parked in the sun on a hot, sunny day.

[0176] Regardless of whether the box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly is installed in an LHD or RHD vehicle, for occupant detection purposes, the illumination field of the DMS camera preferably covers the seating positions (front and rear) of the vehicle occupants. Similarly, to provide near-IR floodlight illumination to such passengers seated inside the vehicle's interior, the illumination field of the wFOV near-IR illuminator must cover the seating positions (front and rear) of the vehicle passengers, regardless of whether the box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly is used in an LHD or RHD vehicle. However, for DMS functionality to be effective, it is ideal that the driver's face / head / body receive the strongest possible near-IR illumination. Therefore, for LHD vehicles, it is ideal that the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator is directed towards the driver of the LHD vehicle, and for RHD vehicles, it is ideal that the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator is directed towards the driver of the RHD vehicle. Given the limited space in the central area of ​​the DMS lens section to accommodate the camera, wFOV near-IR illuminator, nFOV near-IR illuminator, and lens pivot connector and similar / related hardware, for practical reasons, the nFOV near-IR illuminator is positioned to the left or right of the camera.

[0177] Therefore, and as Figure 31C , Figure 33B , Figure 33C , Figure 35A , Figure 35B and Figure 36 As shown (and as described above), the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator is tilted or angled toward the left side of the vehicle, wherein as the tilt angle increases, the distance of the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator from the center of the lens increases, and the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator needs to be tilted or angled toward the right side of the vehicle, wherein as the tilt angle decreases, the distance of the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator from the center of the lens increases.

[0178] Optionally, for practical reasons, such as manufacturing and packaging considerations and cost, it is ideal to position the nFOV near-IR illuminator centrally located on one side (e.g., the left) or the other side (e.g., the right) of the camera in the lens section, or to position the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator on one side (e.g., the left) and the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator on the other side (e.g., the right). For example, and as... Figure 39A As shown, a box-type internal DMS rearview mirror assembly may have a camera and a wFOV near-IR illuminator positioned at the center of the lens section (where the camera is centrally located above or below the wFOV near-IR illuminator), with one nFOV near-IR illuminator (e.g., an LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator for illuminating the driver of an LHD vehicle) positioned on the left side of the lens section (to the left of the camera), and another nFOV near-IR illuminator (e.g., an RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator for illuminating the driver of an RHD vehicle) positioned on the right side of the lens section (to the right of the camera). Alternatively, it is possible to position the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator on the right side of the lens section and the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator on the left side of the lens section.

[0179] Optionally, the nFOV near-IR illuminator can be positioned more centrally within the lens section (e.g., above or below the centrally located wFOV near-IR illuminator). For example, and as... Figure 39B As shown, the wFOV near-IR illuminator can be located in a central position (e.g., above or below a centrally positioned camera), and the nFOV near-IR illuminator can be positioned at or above (or below) the wFOV near-IR illuminator. Figure 39B As shown, one nFOV near-IR illuminator (e.g., an LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator for illuminating the driver of an LHD vehicle) is positioned to the left of the lens's centerline (on the left side of the camera), and the other nFOV near-IR illuminator (e.g., an RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator for illuminating the driver of an RHD vehicle) is positioned to the right of the lens's centerline (on the right side of the camera). Alternatively, the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator can be positioned to the right of the lens's centerline, and the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator can be positioned to the left of the lens's centerline. It is also possible to arrange the LHD and RHD nFOV near-IR illuminators vertically along the lens's centerline, with one above the other.

[0180] Optionally, the wFOV near-IR illuminator can be centrally positioned (e.g., above or below a centrally positioned camera), and both nFOV near-IR illuminators can be positioned on one or the other side of the lens section. For example, and as... Figure 39C As shown, the wFOV near-IR illuminator is located in a central position (e.g., above or below a centrally positioned camera), and the LHD and RHD nFOV near-IR illuminators are located on the right side of the lens, wherein the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator is positioned closer to the center of the lens than the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator. Alternatively, and as... Figure 39D As shown, the wFOV near-IR illuminator is positioned centrally (e.g., above or below a centrally positioned camera), and the LHD and RHD nFOV near-IR illuminators are positioned on the left side of the lens assembly, wherein the RHD nFOV near-IR illuminator is positioned closer to the center of the lens assembly than the LHD nFOV near-IR illuminator. Optionally, the wFOV near-IR illuminator and / or the nFOV near-IR illuminator may be positioned in the lower region of the lens assembly (see...). Figure 39C and Figure 39D Alternatively, it can be placed in the upper area of ​​the lens (see...). Figure 39E Therefore, and as Figure 39E As shown, one or both of the nFOV near-IR illuminators can be located at a higher position in the upper region of the lens, and / or the wFOV near-IR illuminator can be located at a higher position in the upper region of the lens.

[0181] Inside the vehicle (whether LHD or RHD), the driver grasps the lens to adjust the viewing angle of the internal mirror reflector, allowing the driver to see out the rear window of the vehicle. The camera moves in coordination with the driver's movement of the lens. In doing so, the driver's head position / orientation is seen by the driver monitoring camera within the lens.

[0182] The near-IR signal emitted by the LED is preferably at a wavelength of 940nm, making it easier for the DMS processor to recognize (as water in the atmosphere absorbs 940nm light, ambient sunlight at this wavelength is reduced). The DMS camera includes a filter that allows / passes through light of this wavelength while attenuating other light. Therefore, the camera will operate with an enhanced 940nm signal, which improves driver monitoring when the driver is wearing sunglasses. Other light inside the vehicle (i.e., ambient light) is filtered, allowing the camera to focus on the 940nm wavelength and thus avoiding "seeing" reflections from sunglasses. The DMS function provides dynamic camera control (increasing or decreasing exposure time or frame acquisition rate) and LED control (increasing or decreasing LED power and / or increasing or decreasing on-time) to adapt to changes in lighting and / or to driver sunglasses or similar conditions.

[0183] The mirror reflector may comprise a stack of coatings specific to requirements related to three fundamental requirements: (i) reflecting most visible light to prevent the viewer from seeing details, such as a camera behind the glass (this could also be described as transmitting less than 25% visible light, unidirectionally through the glass sub-assembly); (ii) transmitting near-infrared (NIR) light emitted from an NIR LED behind the glass, reflected away from the occupant and back to the camera behind the glass (the coating is designed to have a transmittance greater than 95% at a wavelength of 940 nm); and (iii) controlling the color of the reflected light incident on the mirror reflector element to be neutral or blue-side for any manufacturing variations, avoiding red-shift and green-shift. Furthermore, due to both fixed and variable costs, a minimum number of layers and a minimum total thickness of all layers are desired in the coating.

[0184] 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 on the tin side of the float soda-lime glass sheet forms a layer rich in tin (i.e., Sn) atoms / impregnated with tin atoms / mixed with tin atoms. This tin-rich glass surface constitutes a SodaSn layer on the side / surface of the soda-lime substrate. Figure 40 A stack of thin-film coatings formed by alternating layers is shown, which are laminations having the thickness and material constituting the coatings. These coatings are placed on the third surface of the mirror “unit” assembly (i.e., the third surface of the laminated electrochromic mirror reflective element, such as the type described in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,274,501; 7,184,190 and / or 7,255,451, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The SodaSn layer is not part of the coating but is an inherent Sn layer formed due to the manufacture of float glass. The presence of Sn also improves the adhesion of the coating on this side of the glass substrate. For the last layer, ITO is a transparent conductive layer required for the electrochromic function and is required on both sides of the solid polymer matrix electrolyte of the electrochromic medium, which preferably forms the laminated electrochromic mirror reflective element.

[0185] Transmissive and reflective substrates suitable for visible light transmission / visible light reflection / near-IR light transmission in one-piece electrochromic internal DMS mirror assemblies, such as Figure 40 As shown in the figure, the layer thickness of the alternating Nb2O5 and SiO2 layers in the transflector stack is illustrated. Figure 41The thickness of each layer is shown in a diagram. The transmissive and reflective mirror reflector includes a first layer of Nb₂O₅ with a physical thickness of 37.62 nm, a first layer of SiO₂ with a physical thickness of 77.41 nm, a second layer of Nb₂O₅ with a physical thickness of 40.67 nm, a second layer of SiO₂ with a physical thickness of 83.25 nm, a third layer of Nb₂O₅ with a physical thickness of 53.29 nm, a third layer of SiO₂ with a physical thickness of 96.76 nm, a fourth layer of Nb₂O₅ with a physical thickness of 64.55 nm, a fourth layer of SiO₂ with a physical thickness of 135.11 nm, a fifth layer of Nb₂O₅ with a physical thickness of 82.21 nm, a fifth layer of SiO₂ with a physical thickness of 68.21 nm, and a layer of ITO with a physical thickness of 120 nm.

[0186] The transmittance characteristics and color diagrams of the transmissive and reflective elements are shown in the figure. Figure 42 and Figure 43 Middle. Through Figure 40 The light transmittance (relative to the wavelength of light) of the mirror reflector element is plotted on... Figure 44A middle. Figure 44B The relationship between the transmittance of light with a wavelength of 940 nm and the angle of incidence is shown. Figure 44C The relationship between the transmittance of visible light and the angle of incidence is shown. Figure 40 The reflection of light (relative to wavelength) by the mirror-reflecting element is shown in Figure 44D The substrate on which the reflector stack is coated is a 2 mm thick, mirror-shaped, flat soda-lime glass substrate for vehicle interiors. For use as a rear substrate in a laminated EC unit (as disclosed herein in its entirety in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,274,501, 7,184,190, and / or 7,255,451, incorporated herein by reference), and to reduce the overall weight of the assembly, a thinner glass substrate is preferred. For example, the thickness of the glass substrate is more preferably 1.6 mm or less, and most preferably 1.1 mm or less. Furthermore, low-iron glass (as described herein) is preferred to improve both overall visible light transmittance and near-IR light (e.g., at 940 nm) transmittance. For example, Guardian... Low-iron glass (available from Guardian Glass Company, 2300 Harmon Rd, Auburn Hills, MI, USA) is more transparent and has a more neutral color than standard soda-lime float glass, and is available in thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 12mm. Additionally, Guardian... Low-iron glass (available from Guardian Glass 19, rue du Puits Romain L-8070 Bertrange Grande-Duchy de Luxembourg). Alternatively, Corning Infra-Red Transmitting Glass 9754 can be used, preferably in conjunction with an infrared cutoff filter that blocks IR radiation with wavelengths higher than 1 micrometer from transmitting through the glass substrate.

[0187] For glass substrates coated with transflectors (such as...) Figure 40 The visible light reflectance of the first surface (measured according to SAE J964a, which is an SAE recommended practice for determining the total reflectance and mirror reflectance of vehicle mirrors with flat and curved surfaces, and for determining the diffuse reflectance and haze of mirrors with 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 coated with the transflector is preferably at least 15%T, more preferably at least 20%T, and most preferably at least 25%T, and preferably less than 35%T, more preferably less than 30%T [measured using CIE standard irradiation D65 and a photodetector, the photodetector having a spectral response that follows the CIE photoluminescence efficiency function (which simulates the response of the human eye in the visible light region)]. The glass substrate for coating the transflector (such as...) Figure 40 The near-IR emission light source of the embodiment shown has a near-IR transmittance of at least 60%T at the near-IR emission peak wavelength (e.g., 940nm), more preferably at least 70%T, and most preferably at least 80%T.

[0188] A box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly preferably includes a dual-substrate laminated EC mirror reflective element, comprising: (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 the box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly, the rear substrate includes Figure 40The reflective mirror substrate comprises a multilayered coating including a third surface of the rear substrate of a dual-substrate laminated EC reflective element (also known as an "EC cell"). A front substrate and a rear substrate are juxtaposed within the EC cell, and an electrochromic medium is sandwiched between (a) a second surface of the front glass substrate (which comprises a transparent conductive coating, preferably ITO, having 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 multilayered reflective coating surface 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 multilayered reflective coating surface of the rear glass substrate. This enables conductive contact with the EC medium. The outermost layer of the third surface of the multilayer stacked transflector coating on the rear glass substrate includes a transparent conductive coating (preferably an indium tin oxide layer, i.e., ITO), which has a sheet resistance preferably less than 30 ohms / square, more preferably less than 25 ohms / square, and most preferably less than 20 ohms / square.

[0189] Note that, Figure 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 reflector for a box-type electrochromic internal DMS mirror assembly is shown. This approach incorporates a single half-metallic / semi-conductive silicon (Si) layer and has a high T% (approximately 90%) at 940 nm and approximately 40% in the visible region. Furthermore, the visual appearance is neutral. The advantage of this design is the reduction in the number of layers and the decrease in the overall stack thickness. For multilayer stacks forming thin-film coatings for the reflector of the internal mirror reflector suitable for a box-type DMS internal rearview mirror assembly, the total physical stack thickness (i.e., the sum of the physical thicknesses of all individual thin-film coating layers in the multilayer stack) is preferably less than 1500 nm, more preferably less than 1000 nm, and most preferably less than 750 nm. This makes DMS stacks easier and less expensive to manufacture. Of course, it is possible to consider using more than one Si semiconductor layer in the multilayer stack.

[0190] Because silicon has a high refractive index (3.5 to 4) (but its extinction coefficient is higher than that of dielectrics such as NbO, TiO2, or SiO2), specular reflectors can include silicon layers. Alternatively, germanium layers can be used in specular reflectors. High-refractive-index and low-refractive-index layers are alternated to achieve an optimal match between transmittance and reflectance. Using high-refractive-index silicon or germanium layers can reduce the number of layers. The layers have different refractive indices, and the amount of this difference relates to how many layers are needed to achieve the desired effect. Larger refractive index differences between layers result in fewer layers being required. Because the sputtering deposition rate of NbO / Nb2O5 is faster than that of TiO2, niobium oxide can be used instead of titanium oxide in specular reflectors.

[0191] Layers are sputtered onto a substrate used for mirror-reflecting elements using pressed oxide ceramic targets. These targets are preferably rotating targets (magnetrons). The vacuum chamber in which the layers are deposited may include a mixture of oxygen and argon. The layers are preferably sputtered via mid-frequency (approximately 40 kHz) sputtering (MF sputtering). A dual rotating magnetron configuration with two targets side-by-side is preferred. A 40 kHz sinusoidal alternating voltage (positive and negative) is applied. This process can utilize two (or more) dual targets per chamber. Silicon can be sputtered using pure silicon targets.

[0192] The target optical design for multilayer stacking is to achieve a visible light transmittance of at least 20%T and a near-IR light transmittance of at least 60%T, 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 must be balanced to achieve the desired effect economically. This 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.

[0193] Intermediate-frequency (IF) AC sputtering (e.g., at 40 kHz) is a preferred deposition technique in multi-station / multi-target inline conveyor tray / disk vacuum deposition processes for alternating coatings of dielectric high-refractive-index / low-refractive-index thin films. These alternating coatings constitute a multilayer stack of transflective elements forming a mirror-transmitting element of a box-type DMS internal rearview mirror assembly. Compared to RF sputtering, IF AC sputtering (also known as dielectric AC sputtering) is better suited for coating dielectrics because it operates in the kHz rather than MHz frequency range, thus requiring less complex and expensive power supplies, and is a process adaptable to large-scale applications. MF or IF AC power supplies cover a wide range of voltage outputs from 300V to 1200V (typically in the 25 to 300kW range) and frequencies from 20 to 70 kHz, with 40 kHz being the most common. To form the niobium oxide or silicon dioxide layer of such a multilayer transflective element, reactive sputtering is preferred, which introduces a reactive gas (oxygen) into a plasma to form an oxide layer deposited on the substrate to be coated. In mid-frequency AC sputtering, two cathodes are used, and the AC current switches back and forth between them. Each reverse switch cleans the target surface to reduce charge buildup on the dielectric that causes the arc. The arc sprays droplets into the plasma and prevents uniform film growth.

[0194] As the substrate moves past the target, the target sputters and deposits material onto the moving substrate. A 25 nm thick film is deposited on a carrier that moves continuously under the sputtering target at 1 m / min. For ITO: NDDR is (10 nm·m / min) / (KW / m), with a maximum power density of approximately 10 KW / m at the target length. Typically, for a constant deposition power level and size, the deposition rate of NbO is about 2.5 times greater than that of, for example, SiO2 or TiO2. Typically, for a constant deposition power level and size, the deposition rate of ITO is about twice that of NbO / Nb2O5 and about five times greater than that of, for example, SiO2 or TiO2.

[0195] Combined with arc detection and suppression circuitry, MF or IF AC sputtering offers the advantages of improved process stability and increased deposition rates, while overcoming the problem of the anode potentially being coated with an insulating coating when using DC sputtering for reactive sputtering of dielectric coatings. In the case of AC sputtering, the cathode serves as the anode every half cycle, providing a "clean" anode surface. IF AC sputtering of multilayer HI / LO index coatings for the specular reflectors of mirror reflectors in a one-piece 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 can be arranged side-by-side, tilted towards each other, or face-to-face.

[0196] As an alternative to inline vacuum deposition, the deposition of various thin-film dielectric coatings for forming multilayer HL stacked mirror reflectors can be performed on glass substrates in a batch vacuum deposition chamber. For example, multiple individually cut mirror-shaped glass substrates can be loaded into planetary jigs within the 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-frequency AC sputtering deposition targets. As the glass substrate rotates through the sputtering targets in the vacuum chamber, the corresponding layers are sputtered onto the glass substrate. This rotation can improve the uniformity of coating on multiple coated substrates. Alternatively, electron beam evaporation can be used, where electron beams are used to evaporate, for example, niobium oxide and silicon oxide / silica, from individual crucibles in a multiple-crucible turret.

[0197] Optionally, the mirror reflector element may include a double-layer electrochromic mirror element or structure having a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate (with a first electrochromic medium disposed therebetween), a second electro-optic 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 can be relaxed from the current 60%-67% reflectance to a more likely 45% visible light reflectance, as the SPM blocks more visible light, reducing its impact on near-IR light. The second or rear SPM can remain dark, becoming clear only when a visible camera image is needed, thus concealing the camera behind the glass but allowing it to be visible if needed or when required. This system has advantages 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 range of visible light transmission control is much wider and becomes clearer. The transmittance of an LC shutter for near-IR light is approximately 85%, and the visible light range is controlled from 0% to 25%T. The near-IR light transmittance of the SPM is approximately 100% in clear light and approximately 90% in darkness, and the visible light transmittance of the SPM is approximately 100% in clear light and approximately 30% in darkness. Therefore, the mirror reflective element can thus include glass-ITO-SPM-ITO-stack ~R45%-glass-ITO-SPM-ITO-glass.

[0198] Therefore, a vehicle driver monitoring system includes a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, comprising a lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to an interior portion of the vehicle. The lens portion includes a specular reflective element. A driver monitoring camera is housed in the lens portion, and when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, the driver monitoring camera moves cooperatively with the lens portion when the lens portion is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rearview field of view. A near-infrared light emitter is housed in the lens portion, and when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, the near-infrared light emitter moves cooperatively with the lens portion when the lens portion is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rearview field of view. 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 portion such that if the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in a left-hand drive vehicle and adjusted to provide a rearview field of view for the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle, a 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 lens section such that if the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and 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's area of ​​the right-hand drive vehicle. The control circuit can operate to activate either the first or second light-emitting element in response to an instruction that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0199] The control circuit may include a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, and, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive or right-hand drive vehicle, the processor processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to determine at least one selected from the group consisting of: (i) driver attention, (ii) driver drowsiness, and (iii) driver gaze direction.

[0200] The driver monitoring camera and the near-infrared light emitter are housed behind the mirror reflector by the lens portion, and the driver monitoring camera observes through the mirror reflector, while the near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the mirror reflector.

[0201] The driver monitoring camera observes through the transflector of the mirror-reflecting element, and the near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light that passes through the transflector of the mirror-reflecting element.

[0202] The near-infrared light emitter may include at least one wider-beam light-emitting element, which is actuated when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring functions. A first light-emitting element is angled relative to the at least one wider-beam light-emitting element toward the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and a second light-emitting element is angled relative to the at least one wider-beam light-emitting element toward the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly. The first light-emitting element may be located to the left of the at least one wider-beam light-emitting element, and the second light-emitting element may be located to the right 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 (LEDs), and the second light-emitting element may include at least two narrower-beam light-emitting diodes, wherein the narrower-beam light-emitting diodes emit a narrower beam of light when energized compared to the beam emitted by the at least one wider-beam light-emitting element when energized.

[0203] The control circuit can activate the first luminous element in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly will be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle.

[0204] The control circuit can activate the second luminous element in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly will be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0205] The control circuit activates the first or second light-emitting element in response to an input signal at the vehicle assembly plant where the vehicle is assembled.

[0206] The mirror reflector is attached to the mirror attachment plate, and the driver monitoring camera and near-infrared light emitter are positioned behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes passing through it. A heat dissipation element may be attached to the mirror attachment plate. The mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element surround the driver monitoring camera, the near-infrared light emitter, and the control circuitry, and function to limit electromagnetic interference from these components.

[0207] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the left-hand drive vehicle (so that the first near-infrared light emitter is activated for driver monitoring), and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring, the first near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, while the second near-infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring, the second near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, while the first near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light.

[0208] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle (so that the second near-infrared light emitter is activated for driver monitoring), and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring, the second near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, while the first near-infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring, the first near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, while the second near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light.

[0209] Therefore, a vehicle driver monitoring system includes a vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle driver monitoring system. The lens portion includes a specular reflective element. The lens portion houses electronic circuitry. A driver monitoring camera is housed within the lens portion, and when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, the driver monitoring camera moves cooperatively with the lens portion when the lens portion is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rearview field of view. A first near-infrared light emitter and a second near-infrared light emitter are housed within the lens portion. When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, the first and second near-infrared light emitters move cooperatively with the lens portion when the lens portion is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust the driver's rearview field of view. The first near-infrared light emitter is housed within the lens portion such that when the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in a left-hand drive vehicle and adjusted by the driver of the vehicle to set the driver's rearview field of view, a light beam emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is directed toward the driver's area of ​​the left-hand drive vehicle. A second near-infrared light emitter is housed within the lens section, such that when the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and adjusted by the driver to set the driver's rear view, the light beam emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter when powered is directed towards the driver's area in the right-hand drive vehicle. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter emits light when powered for driver monitoring. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter emits light when powered is used for driver monitoring.

[0210] The electronic circuitry may include a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive or right-hand drive vehicle, the processor processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to determine at least one selected from the group consisting of: (i) driver attention, (ii) driver drowsiness, and (iii) driver gaze direction.

[0211] The driver monitoring camera and the first and second near-infrared light emitters are housed behind the mirror reflector by the lens portion. The driver monitoring camera observes through the mirror reflector, and the first and second near-infrared light emitters emit near-infrared light through the mirror reflector when powered to emit light. The driver monitoring camera can observe through the transmissive mirror reflector of the mirror reflector, and the first and second near-infrared light emitters emit near-infrared light when powered to emit light, which can pass through the transmissive mirror reflector of the mirror reflector.

[0212] The specular reflective element may include an electrochromic specular 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 spaced from a second flat glass surface by a thickness dimension of the front flat glass substrate, and the rear flat glass substrate includes a third flat glass surface spaced from a fourth flat glass surface by a 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 transmissive and reflective specular reflector disposed thereon. An electrochromic medium is disposed between and in contact with the transparent conductive coating disposed on the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transmissive and reflective specular reflector disposed on the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0213] The transmissive and reflective mirror may include alternating thin film layers of Nb₂O₅ and SiO₂. The transmissive and reflective mirror may include no more than five layers of Nb₂O₅ and five layers of SiO₂. The transmissive and reflective mirror reflector may include a first Nb2O5 layer with a physical thickness of 37.62 nm, a first SiO2 layer with a physical thickness of 77.41 nm, a second Nb2O5 layer with a physical thickness of 40.67 nm, a second SiO2 layer with a physical thickness of 83.25 nm, a third Nb2O5 layer with a physical thickness of 53.29 nm, a third SiO2 layer with a physical thickness of 96.76 nm, a fourth Nb2O5 layer with a physical thickness of 64.55 nm, a fourth SiO2 layer with a physical thickness of 135.11 nm, a fifth Nb2O5 layer with a physical thickness of 82.21 nm, a fifth SiO2 layer with a physical thickness of 68.21 nm, and an ITO layer with a physical thickness of 120 nm.

[0214] The mirror-reflecting element may include a prism-type mirror-reflecting element, and the prism-type mirror-reflecting element includes a glass substrate having a wedge-shaped cross-section having a first flat glass surface spaced apart from a second flat glass surface, wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface. The second flat glass surface is an uncoated glass surface, and the transmissive mirror reflector is disposed on the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the prism-type mirror-reflecting element.

[0215] The lens portion may include a stray light blocking element disposed between the lens of the driver monitoring camera and the mirror reflector. The stray light blocking element surrounds the lens and engages with the rear surface of the mirror reflector 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 also include a flexible tapered element attached to the driver monitoring camera.

[0216] When the mounting base is attached to the 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 located in the lower region of the lens portion and below the mirror reflector.

[0217] The vehicle driver monitoring system may include at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter housed within the lens section. When the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring functions, the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light.

[0218] The first near-infrared light emitter is angled toward the 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 is angled toward the 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 located to the left of the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter, and the second near-infrared light emitter may be located to the right of the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter.

[0219] The first near-infrared light emitter may include at least two narrower beam light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and the second near-infrared light emitter may include at least two narrower beam light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The narrower beam LEDs emit a narrower beam of light when powered to emit light compared to the light emitted by the at least one wider beam near-infrared light emitter when powered to emit light.

[0220] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring functions, the first near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light, while the second near-infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring functions, the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring functions, the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring functions, both the second near-infrared light emitter and the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. When the rearview mirror assembly inside the vehicle 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 can also be powered to emit light.

[0221] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring functions, the second near-infrared light emitter is powered to emit light while the first near-infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring functions, the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring functions, the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter is not powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring functions, both the first near-infrared light emitter and the at least one wider-beam near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring functions, the second near-infrared light emitter may also be powered to emit light.

[0222] The electronic circuitry can activate a first near-infrared light emitter for driver monitoring functions in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the electronic circuitry can activate a second near-infrared light emitter for driver monitoring functions in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0223] The electronic circuitry can activate a first near-infrared light emitter for driver monitoring functions in response to an instruction indicating that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle. The instruction may include an input provided to the electronic circuitry at the vehicle manufacturing plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle.

[0224] The electronic circuitry can activate a first near-infrared light emitter for driver monitoring functions in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly will be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle. The indication may include an input provided to the electronic circuitry at the mirror manufacturing plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is assembled.

[0225] The electronic circuitry can activate a second near-infrared light emitter for driver monitoring functions in response to an instruction that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle. The instruction may include an input provided to the electronic circuitry at the vehicle manufacturing plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0226] The electronic circuitry can activate a second near-infrared light emitter for driver monitoring functions in response to an indication that the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly will be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle. The indication may include an input provided to the electronic circuitry at the mirror manufacturing plant where the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is manufactured.

[0227] The electronic circuitry can respond to input signals at the vehicle assembly plant where the rearview mirror assembly is installed on the vehicle to set up a first or second near-infrared light emitter for driver monitoring functions. The electronic circuitry can also respond to input signals at the mirror manufacturer's assembly plant where the rearview mirror assembly is manufactured for driver monitoring functions.

[0228] The interior of the vehicle may include a portion of the vehicle's windshield located inside the passenger compartment.

[0229] The vehicle driver monitoring system may include an occupant monitoring camera, which is mounted on a display screen located on the A-pillar on the passenger side of the vehicle.

[0230] The mirror reflector is attached to the mirror attachment plate, and the driver monitoring camera and the first and second near-infrared light emitters are disposed behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes passing through the mirror attachment plate. The vehicle driver monitoring system may include a heat dissipation element attached to 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 circuitry, and function to limit electromagnetic interference from the driver monitoring camera, the first and second near-infrared light emitters, and the electronic circuitry.

[0231] When the mounting base is attached to the interior of the vehicle, image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera can be used to determine when the driver attempts to use the vehicle's infotainment system, 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 does not respond to the driver's use of the infotainment system.

[0232] The system can process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to determine driver gestures, and in response to determining the driver gestures, operate the vehicle's garage door opener system. The determined driver gestures may include the driver raising one, two, or three fingers.

[0233] The vehicle driver monitoring system may include a central near-infrared light emitter, housed within the lens portion and disposed between the first and second near-infrared light emitters. The first and second near-infrared light emitters may be located in the right-side region of the lens portion. The first near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the principal beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter may form an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector. Alternatively, the first near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the principal beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter may form an angle greater than 15 degrees and less than 25 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector. The second near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the principal beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter may form an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 20 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector. The second near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter forms an angle greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector.

[0234] The first and second near-infrared light emitters may be disposed in the left-side region of the lens portion. The second near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter forms an angle greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector. Alternatively, the second near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter forms an angle greater than 15 degrees and less than 25 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector. Or, the first near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter forms an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 20 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector. Or, the first near-infrared light emitter may be angled relative to the mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter forms an angle greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the mirror reflector.

[0235] When the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in driver monitoring mode, the first or second near-infrared light emitter can be operated to emit light towards the driver's area. When the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in occupant monitoring mode, the central near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter can be operated to emit light. When the first, central, and second near-infrared light emitters are emitting light, image data for occupant monitoring acquired by the driver monitoring camera can be acquired. When the first and central near-infrared light emitters are emitting light, image data for driver monitoring acquired by the driver monitoring camera can be acquired.

[0236] When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in driver monitoring mode, the first near-infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in driver monitoring mode, the central near-infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in 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.

[0237] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in driver monitoring mode, the second near-infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in driver monitoring mode, the central near-infrared light emitter can be pulsed on and off at a first pulse rate. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the vehicle driver monitoring system is operating in 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.

[0238] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light for driver monitoring functions. When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light for driver monitoring functions.

[0239] When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring, the first near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light, while the second near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring, the second near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring, the first near-infrared light emitter may be powered to emit light.

[0240] When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for driver monitoring functions, the second near-infrared light emitter can be powered to emit light, while the first near-infrared light emitter may not be powered to emit light. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring functions, the first near-infrared light emitter can be powered to emit light. When the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a right-hand drive vehicle, and when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant monitoring functions, the second near-infrared light emitter can be powered to emit light.

[0241] Driver monitoring systems (including cameras and processors) can 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 US-2015-0137126; 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 US Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 650,255 (Agency File No. MAG04) filed on February 8, 2022. Aspects of the systems described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 649,723 (Agency File No. DON01 P4410), filed February 2, 2022, and / or U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 450,721 (Agency File No. MAG04 P4306), filed October 13, 2021, and / or U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 260,359, filed August 18, 2021, and / or U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 201,894, filed May 18, 2021, and / or International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070882 (Agency File No. DON01FP4421WO), filed March 1, 2021, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0242] The mirror assembly may include a mirror actuator that positions the lens portion relative to the driver's head in a predetermined, pre-selected, 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 (all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The mirror assembly (e.g., a mounting base) may be mounted inside the vehicle's windshield, or the mirror assembly may be located or attached to other parts of the vehicle, such as the overhead console or headliner, or similar locations.

[0243] Optionally, the internal mirror assembly may include a dual-mode internal rearview video mirror that can switch from a conventional reflection mode to a real-time video display mode, for example by utilizing U.S. Patent Nos. 10,442,360; 10,421,404; 10,166,924 and / or 10,046,706 and / or U.S. Publications US-2021-0162926; US-2021-0155167; US-2020-0377022; US-2019-0258131; US-2019-0146297; US-2019-0118717 and / or US-2017-0355312, all the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The electrically operated actuator can provide a memory setting function and can also be operated to adjust the lens between reflection mode and video display mode, for example, in response to a user-actuable input in the vehicle or at the mirror assembly (e.g., a toggle, switch or button at the lens section).

[0244] 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 interior or driver monitoring cameras, front or exterior cameras, and rear and side cameras from the CMS, to provide the driver with unique collision mitigation capabilities based on the complete vehicle environment and the driver's state of awareness. Depending on the available space and electrical connections for the specific vehicle application, image processing and detection and determination are performed locally within the interior rearview mirror assembly and / or overhead console area.

[0245] CMS cameras and systems 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 January 6, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Connections between the camera and controller or PCB(s) and / or between the display and controller or PCB(s) may be made via appropriate coaxial cables that can provide power and control to the camera (through the controller) and can provide image data from the camera to the controller, and can provide video images from the controller to the display device. 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.

[0246] The mirror-reflecting element may include a variable reflectivity electro-optic mirror-reflecting element, such as an electrochromic mirror-reflecting element or a liquid crystal mirror-reflecting element. For example, the mirror-reflecting element may include a stacked variable reflectivity electro-optic (e.g., electrochromic) reflective element assembly having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate, together with an electro-optic medium (e.g., an electrochromic medium) sandwiched therebetween and defined by a peripheral seal. The front substrate has a front surface or a first surface (the surface that substantially faces the vehicle driver when the mirror assembly is normally mounted on a vehicle) and a rear surface or a second surface opposite to the front surface, and the rear substrate has a front surface or a third surface and a rear surface or a fourth surface opposite to the front surface. The electro-optic medium is disposed between the second and third surfaces 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 (e.g., an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, or a tin oxide layer or any other transparent semiconducting 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 materials (e.g., silver or gold or the like), or other oxides or the like doped with suitable metallic materials, or, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,274,501, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) and the third surface has a metallic reflector coating (or multilayer or coating) formed thereon. The front or third surface of the back substrate may include one or more transparent semiconductor layers (e.g., ITO layers or the like) and one or more metallic conductive layers (e.g., layers of silver, aluminum, chromium, or the like, or alloys thereof), and may include, for example, the multiple layers disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,274,501, 7,184,190, and / or 7,255,451 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0247] Mirror reflectors may include any suitable coating or layer, such as a transmissive-reflective coating or layer (which partially transmits visible and / or near-infrared light and partially reflects visible light), as in U.S. Patent 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 The coatings or layers described in No. 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) are disposed on the front surface of the rear substrate (commonly referred to as the third surface of the reflective element) and opposite to the electro-optic medium (e.g., an electrochromic medium disposed between the front and rear substrates) and are defined by a peripheral seal. Optionally, the mirror reflector can be disposed on the rear surface of the rear substrate (often referred to as the fourth surface of the reflective element). A driver monitoring camera can be housed in the lens section and observe the driver's head region through the transmissive mirror reflector, and / or, a near-infrared (NIIR) light emitter can be housed in the lens section and emit light through the transmissive mirror reflector to illuminate the driver's head region. The transmissive mirror reflector can be spectrally tuned to allow light of a specific spectral band (such as near-infrared) to transmit or pass through, while reflecting light of other spectral bands (such as visible light). The camera can be sensitive to near-infrared light, such that the NIIR light emitter emits NIIR light that passes through the transmissive mirror reflector, and the camera can be sensitive to NIIR light reflected from the driver's head and returning through the transmissive mirror reflector.

[0248] The third surface defines an active EC region or surface of the rear substrate within the peripheral seal. The coated third surface can also be coated to define a tab-out region (e.g., by utilizing aspects of the mirror assembly described in U.S. Patent 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 the electrical clip of the connector or busbar, such as the type described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,066,112 and 6,449,082 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0249] When the mirror assembly is normally installed in or within the vehicle, the reflective element and mirror housing can be adjusted relative to the base portion or mounting assembly to adjust the driver's rearward field of vision. The mounting assembly may include a single-ball or single-pivot mounting assembly, whereby the reflective element and housing can be adjusted relative to the vehicle windshield (or other interior part of the vehicle) around a single pivot joint, or the mounting assembly may include other types of mounting configurations, such as a double-ball or double-pivot mounting configuration or the like. The socket or pivot element is configured to receive a ball member of the base portion, such as for a single pivot or single ball mount structure or a double pivot or double ball mount structure or the like (e.g., pivot mount assemblies of the type described in U.S. Patent 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).

[0250] The mirror assembly may include any suitable construction, such as a mirror assembly in which a reflective element is nested within a mirror housing and has a border portion of a peripheral region of the front surface of the external reflective element, or a mirror housing having a curved or angled peripheral edge around the reflective element that does not overlap with the front surface of the reflective element (e.g., by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Patent 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 base with an electro-optic or electrochromic reflective element nested within a mirror housing, and a front base having a curved or sloping peripheral edge; or, for example, a mirror assembly having a prism-type reflective element disposed at the outer peripheral edge of the mirror housing, and a prism-type base having a curved or sloping peripheral edge, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,508,831; 8,730,553; 9,598,016 and / or No. 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 electrochromic mirrors and prism-type mirrors of such construction may be traded under the name INFINITY). TM(The mirror is commercially obtained from the assignee of this application). Optionally, the mirror reflective element may include a variable reflectivity liquid crystal (VRLC) reflective element, for example by utilizing aspects of the mirror assembly described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 201,891, filed May 18, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0251] Optionally, the mirror housing may include a frame portion that externally borders a peripheral region of the front surface of the reflective element, or the peripheral region of the front surface of the reflective element may be exposed (e.g., 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. Publications US-2014-0022390; US-2014-0293169 and / or US-2015-0097955, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0252] Although illustrated as an application of an electro-optical mirror, it is conceivable that the mirror assembly may include a prism-type reflective element. The prism-type mirror assembly may be mounted or attached to an interior portion of a vehicle (e.g., the inner surface of the vehicle's windshield) via the aforementioned mounting means, and the reflective element may be toggled, flipped, or adjusted between its daytime reflectivity position and its nighttime reflectivity position by any suitable toggle mechanism, for example, by utilizing U.S. Patent Nos. 7,420,756; 7,338,177; 7,289,037; 7,274,501; and 7,250. All aspects of the mirror assembly described in No. 5,451; No. 7,249,860; No. 6,318,870; No. 6,598,980; No. 5,327,288; No. 4,948,242; No. 4,826,289; No. 4,436,371 and / or No. 44,35,042, and / or U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0085653, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0253] Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more other displays, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,530,240 and / or 6,329,925 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), and / or on-demand transflective displays, and / or video displays or screens, such as those in 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 types disclosed in U.S. Patent Publications US-2006-0050018; US-2009-0015736; US-2009-0015736 and / or US-2010-0097469 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0254] The video display screen can be controlled or operated 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 technology being controlled or operated, for example using U.S. Patent 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; The camera and image processor described in U.S. Patent Publications US-2006-0171704, US-2009-0244361, and / or US-2010-0214791 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) are considered. The image sensor or camera may be actuated, and the display may be actuated in response to the vehicle switching to reverse, such that the display is visible to the driver and displays an image of the rear scene while the vehicle is reversing. It is conceivable that the image processor or controller may include EYEQ, available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem. TM Image processing chips, etc., and process image data acquired by the forward-view camera and driver monitoring camera (and optional surround-view camera and / or vehicle CMS camera).

[0255] Changes and modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described without departing from the principles of the invention, which are intended to be limited only to the scope of the appended claims as interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law.

[0256] Furthermore, this application includes embodiments as described in the following terms.

[0257] Clause 1: A vehicle compartment monitoring system, said vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising:

[0258] A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior rearview lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system.

[0259] The internal rearview camera section houses the internal rearview mirror reflector element;

[0260] The internal rearview camera section houses electronic circuitry.

[0261] The driver monitoring camera housed in the interior rearview lens unit, wherein when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, when the interior rearview lens unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the interior rearview mirror reflector and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview lens unit;

[0262] The vehicles provided are selected from one of the groups consisting of (i) left-hand drive vehicles and (ii) right-hand drive vehicles;

[0263] The first and second near-infrared light emitters, housed in the interior rearview camera unit, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first and second near-infrared light emitters move in coordination with the interior rearview camera unit when the driver of the equipped vehicle adjusts the interior rearview camera unit relative to the mounting base to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver of the equipped vehicle;

[0264] When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

[0265] When the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, when the driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle.

[0266] A processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera;

[0267] The processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions;

[0268] Wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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.

[0269] When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter is turned on and off by pulses at a pulse rate half that of the first near-infrared light emitter.

[0270] When the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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.

[0271] Wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter turns on and off with pulses at a pulse rate half that of the second near-infrared light emitter; and

[0272] Wherein, when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the vehicle, and the 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.

[0273] Clause 2: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 1, wherein the driver monitoring camera is disposed within the interior rearview lens section, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0274] Clause 3: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 2, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's attention.

[0275] Clause 4: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 2, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

[0276] Clause 5: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 2, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's gaze direction.

[0277] Clause 6: The vehicle compartment monitoring system as described in Clause 2, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the reflective element of the interior rearview mirror.

[0278] Clause 7: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 6, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed within the interior rearview camera section behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the interior rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the interior rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0279] Clause 8: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 6, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through a transflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element, and wherein the transflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

[0280] Clause 9: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 8, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0281] Clause 10: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 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, wherein the front flat glass substrate comprises a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a 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 thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, 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 a transmissive and reflective 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 on the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector disposed on the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0282] Clause 11: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 10, wherein the electronic circuitry housed in the interior rearview camera includes a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions.

[0283] Clause 12: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 11, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0284] Clause 13: The vehicle cabin monitoring system as described in Clause 8, wherein the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0285] Clause 14: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 8, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror prism reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element includes 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 the thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the transmissive mirror reflector is disposed at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element.

[0286] Clause 15: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 14, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prism-type reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prism-type reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0287] Clause 16: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 1, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed in the lower region of the interior rearview camera portion, 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.

[0288] Clause 17: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 1 includes a third near-infrared light emitter housed in the interior rearview camera section, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant detection function, 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 an occupant detection function, and wherein an occupant present in the passenger seating area within the interior compartment of the equipped vehicle is detected by processing the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for an occupant detection function via the processor.

[0289] Clause 18: The 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 the 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.

[0290] Clause 19: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview lens portion of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the right of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview lens portion of the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0291] Clause 20: The 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 the 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.

[0292] Clause 21: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector 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.

[0293] Clause 22: The 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 the 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.

[0294] Clause 23: The 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 the 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.

[0295] Clause 24: The 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 the 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.

[0296] Clause 25: The 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 the 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 lens portion 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 rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat position is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

[0297] Clause 26: The 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 the 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 lens portion 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 rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

[0298] Clause 27: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to 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.

[0299] Clause 28: The 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 the 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.

[0300] Clause 29: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 28, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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.

[0301] Clause 30: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 28, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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.

[0302] Clause 31: The vehicle compartment 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.

[0303] Clause 32: The 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 the 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.

[0304] Clause 33: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and the second near-infrared light emitter disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0305] Clause 34: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the 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 disposed on the left side of the interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed at a position between where the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the interior rearview mirror assembly and where the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0306] Clause 35: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 17, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the 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 disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector 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, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the left of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0307] Clause 36: The vehicle compartment monitoring system as described in Clause 1, wherein the interior portion of the equipped vehicle includes a portion of the windshield of the equipped vehicle located inside the compartment of the windshield of the equipped vehicle.

[0308] Clause 37: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 36, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element is attached to the mirror attachment plate, and wherein the driver monitoring camera, 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 passing through the mirror attachment plate.

[0309] Clause 38: The vehicle compartment monitoring system as described in Clause 37 includes a heat dissipation element at the mirror attachment plate.

[0310] Clause 39: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 38, wherein the mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element limit (i) electromagnetic interference 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 circuitry.

[0311] Clause 40: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 1, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflector has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side being separated from the front flat side by the thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector by greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees.

[0312] Clause 41: The 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 reflector, 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 reflector, and wherein the respective main beam axes of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

[0313] Clause 42: The 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 the 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.

[0314] Clause 43: The 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 the 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.

[0315] Clause 44: The 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 the 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0316] Clause 45: A vehicle compartment monitoring system, said vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising:

[0317] A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior rearview lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system.

[0318] The internal rearview camera section houses the internal rearview mirror reflector element;

[0319] The internal rearview camera section houses electronic circuitry.

[0320] The driver monitoring camera housed in the interior rearview lens unit, wherein when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when the interior rearview lens unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the interior rearview mirror reflector and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview lens unit;

[0321] The first and second near-infrared light emitters, housed in the interior rearview camera unit, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first and second near-infrared light emitters move in coordination with the interior rearview camera unit when the interior rearview camera unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver;

[0322] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview lens is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

[0323] A processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera;

[0324] The processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions;

[0325] 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, while the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0326] In the case where the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter turns on and off with a pulse rate that is half the pulse rate of the first near-infrared light emitter; and

[0327] Wherein, when the rearview mirror assembly inside the vehicle is installed in a vehicle equipped with a left-hand drive vehicle, and the 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.

[0328] Clause 46: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 45, wherein the driver monitoring camera is disposed within the interior rearview lens section, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0329] Clause 47: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 46, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's attention.

[0330] Clause 48: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 46, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

[0331] Clause 49: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 46, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's gaze direction.

[0332] Clause 50: The vehicle compartment monitoring system as described in Clause 46, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through the reflective element of the interior rearview mirror.

[0333] Clause 51: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 50, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed within the interior rearview camera section behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the interior rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the interior rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0334] Clause 52: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 50, wherein the driver monitoring camera observes through a transflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element, and wherein the transflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

[0335] Clause 53: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 52, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0336] Clause 54: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 52, 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, wherein the front flat glass substrate comprises a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a 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 thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, 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 a transmissive and reflective 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 on the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector disposed on the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0337] Clause 55: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 54, wherein the electronic circuitry housed in the interior rearview camera includes a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions.

[0338] Clause 56: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 54, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0339] Clause 57: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 52, wherein the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0340] Clause 58: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 52, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror prism reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element includes 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 thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the transmissive mirror reflector is disposed at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element.

[0341] Clause 59: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 58, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0342] Clause 60: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 45, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed in the lower region of the interior rearview camera portion, 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.

[0343] Clause 61: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 45 includes a third near-infrared light emitter housed in the interior rearview camera section, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant detection function, and wherein the processor is operable to process the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for occupant detection function, and wherein an occupant present in the passenger seat area of ​​the interior compartment of a left-hand drive vehicle is detected by processing the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for occupant detection function through the processor.

[0344] Clause 62: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

[0345] Clause 63: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

[0346] Clause 64: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview lens portion of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the right of the third near-infrared light emitter within the interior rearview lens portion of the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0347] Clause 65: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 64, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the third near-infrared light emitter toward the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the third near-infrared light emitter toward the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0348] Clause 66: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to 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.

[0349] Clause 67: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to 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.

[0350] Clause 68: The vehicle compartment 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.

[0351] Clause 69: In the vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 61, 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.

[0352] Clause 70: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector 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.

[0353] Clause 71: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 70, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter comprises 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, the near-infrared light beam being 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.

[0354] Clause 72: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and the second near-infrared light emitter disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0355] Clause 73: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the 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 disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed 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, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0356] Clause 74: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 61, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the 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 disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed 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, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed 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.

[0357] Clause 75: The vehicle compartment monitoring system as described in Clause 45, wherein the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle includes a portion of the windshield of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle located inside the compartment of the windshield of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

[0358] Clause 76: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 75, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element is attached to the mirror attachment plate, and wherein the driver monitoring camera, 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 passing through the mirror attachment plate.

[0359] Clause 77: The vehicle compartment monitoring system as described in Clause 76 includes a heat dissipation element at the mirror attachment plate.

[0360] Clause 78: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 76, wherein the mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element limit (i) electromagnetic interference 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 circuitry.

[0361] Clause 79: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 45, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflector has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side being separated from the front flat side by the thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector by greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees.

[0362] Clause 80: The 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 reflector, 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 reflector, and wherein the respective main beam axes of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

[0363] Clause 81: The 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0364] Clause 82: A vehicle compartment monitoring system, said vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising:

[0365] A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior rearview lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system.

[0366] The interior of the vehicle equipped with left-hand drive includes a portion of the windshield of the vehicle equipped with left-hand drive on the inside of the passenger compartment of the windshield of the vehicle equipped with left-hand drive.

[0367] The internal rearview camera section houses the internal rearview mirror reflector element;

[0368] The internal rearview mirror reflective element includes a transmissive and reflective mirror reflector;

[0369] The internal rearview mirror reflector transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

[0370] The internal rearview camera section houses electronic circuitry.

[0371] The driver monitoring camera housed in the interior rearview lens unit, wherein when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when the interior rearview lens unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the interior rearview mirror reflector and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview lens unit;

[0372] The driver monitoring camera is located inside the interior rearview lens section, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0373] The driver monitoring camera observes through the reflective mirror of the internal rearview mirror reflective element;

[0374] The first and second near-infrared light emitters, housed in the interior rearview camera unit, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first and second near-infrared light emitters move in coordination with the interior rearview camera unit when the interior rearview camera unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver;

[0375] When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview lens is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

[0376] The first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed inside the internal rearview lens section, behind the internal rearview mirror reflector element;

[0377] When the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, it emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the internal rearview mirror reflector element;

[0378] The second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the internal rearview mirror reflector when it is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light;

[0379] A processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera;

[0380] The processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions;

[0381] The electronic circuitry housed within the internal rearview camera unit includes the processor, which is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions.

[0382] 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, while the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0383] The second near-infrared light emitter is turned on and off by pulses with a pulse rate that is half the pulse rate of the first near-infrared light emitter.

[0384] The internal rearview camera section houses a third near-infrared light emitter;

[0385] When the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant detection, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

[0386] The processor of the electronic circuit housed in the internal rearview camera is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for use in the occupant detection function.

[0387] The third near-infrared light emitter is disposed at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter located at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

[0388] Wherein, when the interior rearview camera portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of the following is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring driver attention, (ii) monitoring driver drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring the driver's gaze direction; and

[0389] Specifically, the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for occupant detection, thereby detecting occupants present in the passenger seating area of ​​the interior compartment of the left-hand drive vehicle.

[0390] Clause 83: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, 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, wherein the front flat glass substrate comprises a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a 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 thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, 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 a transmissive and reflective 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 on the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector disposed on the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

[0391] Clause 84: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 83, wherein the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0392] Clause 85: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to 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.

[0393] Clause 86: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to 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.

[0394] Clause 87: The vehicle compartment 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.

[0395] Clause 88: The vehicle compartment 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.

[0396] Clause 89: The 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0397] Clause 90: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 83, wherein, 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

[0398] Clause 91: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 83, wherein, 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

[0399] Clause 92: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element includes an interior rearview mirror prism reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element includes 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 thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the transmissive mirror reflector is disposed at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element.

[0400] Clause 93: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 92, wherein the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

[0401] Clause 94: The 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror prism reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

[0402] Clause 95: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 92, wherein, 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror prism reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

[0403] Clause 96: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 92, wherein, 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror prism reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

[0404] Clause 97: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to 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.

[0405] Clause 98: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to 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.

[0406] Clause 99: The vehicle compartment 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.

[0407] Clause 100: The vehicle compartment 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.

[0408] Clause 101: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is angled toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and wherein, the second near-infrared light emitter disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is angled toward the passenger's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

[0409] Clause 102: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter comprises 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, the near-infrared light beam being 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.

[0410] Clause 103: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 102, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's attention.

[0411] Clause 104: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 102, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

[0412] Clause 105: The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to Clause 102, wherein the processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's gaze direction.

[0413] Clause 106: The 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, second and third near-infrared light emitters are disposed behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes passing through the mirror attachment plate, and a heat dissipation element is disposed at the mirror attachment plate, and wherein the mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element limit (i) electromagnetic interference at the driver monitoring camera, (ii) at the first, second and third near-infrared light emitters and the third near-infrared light emitters and (iii) at the electronic circuitry.

[0414] Clause 107: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflector has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side being separated from the front flat side by the thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein a first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector by greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees.

[0415] Clause 108: The 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 reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is angled to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector with an angle greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees, and wherein the respective main beam axes of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

[0416] Clause 109: The 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 reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the third near-infrared light emitter is perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0417] Clause 110: In the vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is housed in the interior rearview camera unit, such that if the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and the interior rearview camera unit is to be adjusted by the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector 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 forward seating position of the right-hand drive vehicle.

[0418] Clause 111: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein, the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

[0419] Clause 112: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the 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 disposed on the left side of the interior rearview mirror assembly, behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the interior rearview mirror assembly at the left side of the position of the third near-infrared light emitter.

[0420] Clause 113: The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to Clause 82, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the 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 disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed 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.

Claims

1. A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising: A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior rearview lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system. The internal rearview camera section houses the internal rearview mirror reflector element; The internal rearview camera section houses electronic circuitry. The driver monitoring camera housed in the interior rearview lens unit, wherein when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, when the interior rearview lens unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the interior rearview mirror reflector and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview lens unit; The vehicles provided are selected from one of the groups consisting of (i) left-hand drive vehicles and (ii) right-hand drive vehicles; The first and second near-infrared light emitters, housed in the interior rearview camera unit, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first and second near-infrared light emitters move in coordination with the interior rearview camera unit when the driver of the equipped vehicle adjusts the interior rearview camera unit relative to the mounting base to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver of the equipped vehicle; When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle. When the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, when the driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle adjusts the interior rearview lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle. A processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera; The processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions; Wherein, when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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. When the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter is turned on and off by pulses at a pulse rate half that of the first near-infrared light emitter. When the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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 includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped right-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter turns on and off with pulses at a pulse rate half that 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 vehicle, and the 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.

2. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein, The driver monitoring camera is located inside the interior rearview lens section, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

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

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 the 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 the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's gaze direction.

6. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein, The driver monitoring camera observes through the reflective element of the internal rearview mirror.

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 disposed behind the internal rearview mirror reflector within the internal rearview lens section, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light passing through the internal rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light passing through the internal rearview mirror reflector 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 reflector element, wherein the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

9. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector 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, wherein the front flat glass substrate comprises a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a 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 thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, 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 transmissive and reflective 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 on the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector disposed on 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 in the interior rearview camera includes a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions.

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

13. The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the transmissive and reflective mirror 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 prism reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prism 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 the thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the transmissive mirror reflector is disposed at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element.

15. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prism-type reflective element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror prism-type 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 the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed in the lower region of the interior rearview mirror portion, 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 compartment monitoring system of claim 1, comprising a third near-infrared light emitter housed in the interior rearview camera, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for an occupant detection function, 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 an occupant detection function, and wherein an occupant present in the passenger seating area within the interior compartment of the equipped vehicle is detected by processing the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for an occupant detection function via the processor.

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 the 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 compartment monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter within the internal rearview lens portion of the internal rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the right of the third near-infrared light emitter within the internal rearview lens portion of the internal rearview mirror reflector.

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 the 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 reflector, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector 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 the 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 to the 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 compartment monitoring system of claim 21, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 24, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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 lens portion 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 rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat position is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

26. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 24, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a left-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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 lens portion 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 rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector 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 compartment 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. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein, When the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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, while the first near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

29. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 28, wherein, When the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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.

30. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 28, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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.

31. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

32. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 28, wherein when the equipped vehicle includes a right-hand drive vehicle and the mounting base is attached to the 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.

33. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and the second near-infrared light emitter disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

34. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 17, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the 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 disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed 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, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly at a position to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter.

35. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 17, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the 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 disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed 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, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed 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.

36. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the interior portion of the equipped vehicle includes a portion of the windshield of the equipped vehicle located on the inside of the windshield of the equipped vehicle.

37. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 36, wherein, The internal rearview mirror reflective element is attached to the mirror attachment plate, and the driver monitoring camera, 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 passing through the mirror attachment plate.

38. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 37, including a heat dissipation element at the mirror attachment plate.

39. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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 circuitry.

40. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflector has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side and the front flat side being separated by the thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter forms 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 reflector.

41. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 40, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, 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 reflector, and wherein the respective main beam axes of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

42. 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 the 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.

43. 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 the 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.

44. 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 the 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within the 99% eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

45. A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising: A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior rearview lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system. The internal rearview camera section houses the internal rearview mirror reflector element; The internal rearview camera section houses electronic circuitry. The driver monitoring camera housed in the interior rearview lens unit, wherein when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when the interior rearview lens unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the interior rearview mirror reflector and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview lens unit; The first and second near-infrared light emitters, housed in the interior rearview camera unit, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first and second near-infrared light emitters move in coordination with the interior rearview camera unit when the interior rearview camera unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver; When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview lens is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle. A processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera; The processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions; 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, while the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light. In the case where the rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, the second near-infrared light emitter turns on and off with a pulse rate that is half the pulse rate of the first near-infrared light emitter; and Wherein, when the rearview mirror assembly inside the vehicle is installed in a vehicle equipped with a left-hand drive vehicle, and the 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.

46. ​​The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 45, wherein, The driver monitoring camera is located inside the interior rearview lens section, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

47. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 46, wherein, The processor, operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver attention.

48. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 46, wherein, The processor, operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

49. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 46, wherein, The processor, operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's gaze direction.

50. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 46, wherein, The driver monitoring camera observes through the reflective element of the internal rearview mirror.

51. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 50, wherein, The first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed behind the internal rearview mirror reflector within the internal rearview lens section, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light passing through the internal rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light passing through the internal rearview mirror reflector when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

52. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 50, wherein, The driver monitoring camera observes through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element, wherein the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon.

53. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 52, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

54. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 52, 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, wherein the front flat glass substrate comprises a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a 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 thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, 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 a transmissive and reflective 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 on the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector disposed on the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

55. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 54, wherein the electronic circuitry housed in the interior rearview camera includes a processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions.

56. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 54, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

57. The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 52, wherein the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

58. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 52, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element comprises an interior rearview mirror prism reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prism 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 the thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the transmissive mirror reflector is disposed at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element.

59. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 58, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror reflector element when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light.

60. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 45, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed in the lower region of the interior rearview camera portion, 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.

61. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 45, comprising a third near-infrared light emitter housed in the interior rearview camera, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light when the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant detection function, and wherein the processor is operable to process the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for occupant detection function, and wherein an occupant present in the passenger seat area of ​​the interior compartment of a left-hand drive vehicle is detected by processing the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for occupant detection function through the processor.

62. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 61, wherein 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

63. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 61, wherein 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

64. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 61, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter within the internal rearview lens portion of the internal rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed to the right of the third near-infrared light emitter within the internal rearview lens portion of the internal rearview mirror reflector.

65. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 64, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the third near-infrared light emitter toward the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the third near-infrared light emitter toward the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

66. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

67. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

68. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

69. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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, 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.

70. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 61, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed behind the interior rearview mirror reflector 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.

71. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 70, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter comprises 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, the near-infrared light beam being 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.

72. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 61, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and the third near-infrared light emitter is disposed at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly and the second near-infrared light emitter disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

73. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 61, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle, the first, second, and third near-infrared light emitters are positioned behind the interior rearview mirror reflector on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly. The third near-infrared light emitter is positioned between the first and second near-infrared light emitters on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, behind the interior rearview mirror reflector. The first near-infrared light emitter is positioned to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

74. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 61, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle, the first, second, and third near-infrared light emitters are positioned behind the interior rearview mirror reflector on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly. The third near-infrared light emitter is positioned between the first and second near-infrared light emitters on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, behind the reflector of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The first near-infrared light emitter is positioned to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

75. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 45, wherein the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle includes a portion of the windshield of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle located inside the compartment of the windshield of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

76. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 75, wherein, The internal rearview mirror reflective element is attached to the mirror attachment plate, and the driver monitoring camera, 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 passing through the mirror attachment plate.

77. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 76, including a heat dissipation element at the mirror attachment plate.

78. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 76, 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 circuitry.

79. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 45, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflector has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side and the front flat side being separated by the thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector by greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees.

80. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 79, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector with an angle greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees, and wherein the respective main beam axes of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

81. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

82. A vehicle compartment monitoring system, the vehicle compartment monitoring system comprising: A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior rearview lens portion adjustablely attached to a mounting base configured to be attached to the interior portion of a left-hand drive vehicle equipped with the vehicle cabin monitoring system. The interior of the vehicle equipped with left-hand drive includes a portion of the windshield of the vehicle equipped with left-hand drive on the inside of the passenger compartment of the windshield of the vehicle equipped with left-hand drive. The internal rearview camera section houses the internal rearview mirror reflector element; The internal rearview mirror reflective element includes a transmissive and reflective mirror reflector; The internal rearview mirror reflector transmits near-infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon, and reflects visible light incident thereon. The internal rearview camera section houses electronic circuitry. The driver monitoring camera housed in the interior rearview lens unit, wherein when the mounting base of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, when the interior rearview lens unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the interior rearview mirror reflector and the driver monitoring camera move in coordination with the interior rearview lens unit; The driver monitoring camera is located inside the interior rearview lens section, at least partially behind the interior rearview mirror reflector. The driver monitoring camera observes through the reflective mirror of the internal rearview mirror reflective element; The first and second near-infrared light emitters, housed in the interior rearview camera unit, wherein, when the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first and second near-infrared light emitters move in coordination with the interior rearview camera unit when the interior rearview camera unit is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle relative to the mounting base to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver; When the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in the equipped left-hand drive vehicle and when the interior rearview lens is adjusted by the driver of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear view of the interior rearview mirror reflector for the driver, the beam of near-infrared light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter when electrically activated to emit near-infrared light is guided toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle. The first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter are disposed inside the internal rearview lens section, behind the internal rearview mirror reflector element; When the first near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light, it emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the internal rearview mirror reflector element; The second near-infrared light emitter emits near-infrared light through the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector of the internal rearview mirror reflector when it is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light; A processor operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera; The processor is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions; The electronic circuitry housed within the internal rearview camera unit includes the processor, which is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for at least driver monitoring functions. 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, while the second near-infrared light emitter is not electrically activated to emit near-infrared light. The second near-infrared light emitter is turned on and off by pulses with a pulse rate that is half the pulse rate of the first near-infrared light emitter. The internal rearview camera section houses a third near-infrared light emitter; When the driver monitoring camera acquires image data for occupant detection, the third near-infrared light emitter is electrically activated to emit near-infrared light. The processor of the electronic circuit housed in the internal rearview camera is operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera for use in the occupant detection function. The third near-infrared light emitter is disposed at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, at a position between the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter located at the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly. Wherein, when the interior rearview camera portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, and the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for the driver monitoring function, at least one of the following is selected from the group consisting of: (i) monitoring driver attention, (ii) monitoring driver drowsiness, and (iii) monitoring the driver's gaze direction; and Specifically, the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera is processed by the processor for occupant detection, thereby detecting occupants present in the passenger seating area of ​​the interior compartment of the left-hand drive vehicle.

83. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 82, 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, wherein the front flat glass substrate comprises a first flat glass surface separated from a second flat glass surface by a 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 thickness dimension of the rear flat glass substrate, 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 a transmissive and reflective 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 on the second flat glass surface of the front flat glass substrate and the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector disposed on the third flat glass surface of the rear flat glass substrate.

84. The vehicle cabin monitoring system according to claim 83, wherein the transmissive and reflective mirror reflector comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

85. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

86. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

87. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

88. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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, 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.

89. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rear view of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

90. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 83, wherein, 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

91. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 83, wherein, 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the electrochromic reflective element of the interior rearview mirror for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

92. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflective element comprises an interior rearview mirror prism reflective element, and wherein the interior rearview mirror prism 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 the thickness dimension of the glass substrate, and wherein the plane of the first flat glass surface is inclined at an angle relative to the plane of the second flat glass surface, and wherein the transmissive mirror reflector is disposed at the second flat glass surface of the glass substrate of the interior rearview mirror prism reflective element.

93. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 92, wherein, The transmissive and reflective mirror comprises alternating thin film layers of Nb2O5 and SiO2.

94. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror prism reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the driver's eyes is at least 2.5 watts per square meter within 99% of the eye ellipse according to SAE J194.

95. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 92, wherein, 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 lens portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly installed in a left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror prism reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the front passenger seat is at least 0.15 watts per square meter.

96. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 92, wherein 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 lens portion of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly installed in the left-hand drive vehicle is adjusted by the driver of the left-hand drive vehicle to set the rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror prism reflector for the driver, the near-infrared irradiance at the rear passenger seating position is at least 0.1 watts per square meter.

97. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

98. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

99. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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.

100. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 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, 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.

101. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 82, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is angled toward the driver's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter disposed on the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is angled toward the passenger's side front seating position of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle.

102. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 82, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter comprises at least two narrow-beam light-emitting diodes, and wherein the third near-infrared light emitter comprises 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, the near-infrared light beam being 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.

103. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 102, wherein, The processor, operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver attention.

104. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 102, wherein, The processor, operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor driver drowsiness.

105. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 102, wherein, The processor, operable to process image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera, processes the image data acquired by the driver monitoring camera to monitor the driver's gaze direction.

106. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 82, wherein, The interior rearview mirror reflective element is attached to the mirror attachment plate, and wherein the driver monitoring camera and the first, second and third near-infrared light emitters are disposed behind the mirror attachment plate and aligned with corresponding holes passing through the mirror attachment plate, and a heat dissipation element is disposed at the mirror attachment plate, and wherein the mirror attachment plate and the heat dissipation element limit (i) electromagnetic interference at the driver monitoring camera, (ii) at the first, second and third near-infrared light emitters and the third near-infrared light emitter and (iii) at the electronic circuitry.

107. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 82, wherein the interior rearview mirror reflector has a front flat side and a rear flat side, the rear flat side and the front flat side being separated by the thickness dimension of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter is angled greater than 10 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector.

108. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 107, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the second near-infrared light emitter is angled at a greater than 5 degrees and less than 15 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the respective main beam axes of the light emitted by the first near-infrared light emitter and the second near-infrared light emitter diverge.

109. The vehicle compartment monitoring system of claim 108, wherein the third near-infrared light emitter is angled relative to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the main beam axis of the light emitted by the third near-infrared light emitter is perpendicular to the front flat side of the interior rearview mirror reflector.

110. The vehicle cabin monitoring system of claim 82, wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is housed in the interior rearview camera unit such that if the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly is to be installed in a right-hand drive vehicle and the interior rearview camera unit is to be adjusted by the driver of the right-hand drive vehicle to provide the driver with a rearward field of view of the interior rearview mirror reflector, 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 forward seating position of the right-hand drive vehicle.

111. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 82, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the equipped left-hand drive vehicle, the first near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, and wherein the second near-infrared light emitter is disposed on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly behind the interior rearview mirror reflector.

112. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 82, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the 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 positioned on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, behind the interior rearview mirror reflector, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is positioned to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter on the left side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

113. The vehicle compartment monitoring system according to claim 82, wherein, When the mounting base is attached to the interior portion of the 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 positioned behind the interior rearview mirror reflector on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly, wherein the first near-infrared light emitter is positioned to the left of the third near-infrared light emitter on the right side of the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly.

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