Rearview mirror assembly

Abstract

The objective is to reduce or eliminate problems associated with rearview mirror assemblies having both a sensor and a display. The rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optical element, a display element, and a sensor. The electro-optical element includes a first substrate, a second substrate, an electro-optical medium, and a spectral filter. The first substrate and the second substrate are spaced apart and have a first edge and a second edge, respectively. The electro-optical medium is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The spectral filter is opaque in appearance and disposed in a peripheral configuration on the first substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate have a mismatch such that a line bisecting the first substrate does not bisect the second substrate. The display element is operable to display a digital image. The sensor is operable to sense a condition and generate a signal based thereon. The sensor is optically aligned to the mismatch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a rearview mirror assembly, and more particularly to a rearview mirror assembly with enhanced functionality. Cross - reference to related applications This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 222,081, filed on Jul. 15, 2021, entitled "REARVIEW ASSEMBLY", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure substantially reduces or eliminates problems associated with rearview mirror assemblies having both sensors and display devices.

[0003] According to one aspect, a rearview mirror assembly is disclosed. The rearview mirror assembly may include an electro-optic element, a display device, and / or a sensor. The electro-optic element includes a first substrate, a second substrate, an electro-optic medium, and a spectral filter. The first substrate has a first surface, a second surface, and a first edge. The second substrate has a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second edge. Further, the second substrate may be disposed in a first direction in a relationship substantially spaced apart from the first substrate such that the second and third surfaces face each other. The electro-optic medium may be disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The spectral filter may be disposed in a peripheral configuration on the second surface. Further, the spectral filter may have an appearance that is substantially opaque to a user. Additionally, the first substrate and the second substrate may have at least one substantial mismatch in the first substrate and the second substrate such that a line extending in the first direction due to the mismatch bisects the first substrate but does not bisect the second substrate. The display element may be disposed in the first direction with respect to the electro-optic element. Further, the display element may be operable to display a digital image having a field of view rearward or laterally with respect to the vehicle. The sensor may be operable to sense a state and generate a signal based thereon. Further, the first sensor may be optically aligned with the mismatch. Thus, if it is not the first mismatch, the sensor may occupy the space that the second substrate would occupy. In some embodiments, the sensor may be a camera operable to image an occupant of the vehicle. In some embodiments, one mismatch may be located at a lower corner of the rearview mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the first substrate has a width and height that are substantially larger than the display element. In some embodiments, the spectral filter may have a substantially larger width when aligned with the mismatch. In some embodiments, the spectral filter may extend over substantially the entire mismatch. In some embodiments, when viewed under normal operating conditions, the first mismatch may be aligned with a lower corner of the rearview mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the spectral filter may include an aperture aligned with the camera.In some embodiments, the display element does not extend beyond the second substrate. In some embodiments, the back mirror assembly may further comprise a touch screen user interface that is substantially aligned with the second mismatch. In some embodiments, the controller may be capable of performing at least one of biometric authentication, driver monitoring, and passenger monitoring operations, at least in part based on signals.

[0004] These aspects and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and recognized by those skilled in the art by considering the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings. It will also be understood that the features of each embodiment disclosed herein may be used in combination with or instead of the features in other embodiments. In the drawings:

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006] For the purposes of the description herein, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in this disclosure are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, specific characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless otherwise explicitly stated in the claims.

[0007] The present disclosure is directed to a rearview mirror assembly having enhanced features and functionality. Accordingly, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate embodiments of various aspects of the rearview mirror assembly 10. The rearview mirror assembly 10 may include an electro-optical element 100, a display element 200, a housing 300, one or more sensors 400, and / or a user interface 500. Further, the rearview mirror assembly 10 may be disposed on and / or within a vehicle and may be operable to provide a user with a view to the rear and / or side of the vehicle. The user may be an occupant of the vehicle, such as a driver. Accordingly, the rearview mirror assembly 10 may be an interior or exterior rearview mirror assembly 10. In some embodiments, the rearview mirror assembly 10 may further include and / or be part of a system 1 including a camera 600 and / or a controller 700, as shown in FIG. 4. Embodiments of the rearview mirror assembly 10 may have the advantage of achieving an attractive aesthetic while incorporating both the display element 200 and the sensors 400.

[0008] Further, the electro-optical element 100 may include a first substrate 110, a second substrate 120, a first electrode 130, a second electrode 140, a seal 150, a chamber 160, an electro-optical medium 170, and / or a spectral filter 180. Further, the electro-optical element 100 may be configured to operate between a substantially activated state and a substantially deactivated state. Operation between such states may correspond to a change in the degree of transmittance or reflectivity of the electro-optical element 100.

[0009] The first substrate 110 may be substantially transparent in the visible and / or infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The first substrate 110 may have a first surface 111, a second surface 112, and a first edge 113. The first surface 111 and the second surface 112 are disposed on opposite sides of each other, and the second surface 112 may be disposed in a first direction 11 with respect to the first surface 111. The first direction 11 may be defined as a direction substantially orthogonal to the first surface 111. Thus, the first direction 11 may be parallel to and / or correspond to the Z-axis from the perspective of a user oriented towards the first surface 111. Accordingly, the first direction 11 may correspond to depth. The first edge 113 may be an edge defined by the perimeter of the first substrate 110 that surrounds and extends between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112. Additionally, the first substrate 110 may be made of any of a number of materials such as aluminosilicate glass, such as Falcon commercially available from AGC, borosilicate aluminosilicate (BAS) glass, polycarbonate, such as ProLens® polycarbonate, commercially available from Professional Plastics and may be hard-coated, polyethylene terephthalate, such as Spool Shield® CPET available from Kuraray®, soda lime glass, such as extra-clear soda lime glass, float glass, natural and synthetic polymer resins and plastics such as polyethylene (e.g., low density and / or high density), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polysulfone, acrylic polymers (e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)), polymethacrylate, polyimide, polyamide (e.g., alicyclic diamine dodecanedioic acid polymer (e.g., Trogamid® CX7323)), epoxy, cyclic olefin polymer (COP) (e.g., Zeonor1420R), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) (e.g., Topas6013S-04 or Mitsui Apel), polymethylpentene, cellulose ester-based plastics (e.g., cellulose triacetate), transparent fluoropolymers, polyacrylonitrile, and / or combinations thereof.A specific substrate material is disclosed, but this is for illustrative purposes only, and many other substrate materials are equally suitable as long as the material is at least substantially transparent and exhibits suitable physical properties such as strength and resistance to the environmental conditions of the electro-optical element 100, such as ultraviolet exposure from the sun, humidity, and extreme temperatures.

[0010] Similarly, the second substrate 120 may have a third surface 123, a fourth surface 124, and a second edge 125. The third surface 123 and the fourth surface 124 are disposed on opposite sides of each other, and the fourth surface 124 may be disposed in a first direction 11 with respect to the third surface 123. The second edge 125 may be an edge defined by the perimeter of the second substrate 120 that surrounds and extends between the third surface 123 and the fourth surface 124. Additionally, the second substrate 120 may be disposed in the first direction 11 that is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first substrate 110. Thus, the third surface 123 can face the second surface 112. In this way, the first substrate 110 may be disposed in a second direction 12 with respect to the second substrate 120. The second direction 12 may be a direction opposite to the first direction 11. In some embodiments, the second substrate 120 may be substantially transparent in the visible and / or infrared regions. Thus, the second substrate 120 may be made of the same or a similar material suitable for the first substrate 110.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second substrate 120 may have at least one substantial mismatch with the first substrate 110. The mismatch may be formed by all or a part of the second edge 125 being substantially inside with respect to the first edge 113. As a result, the line extending in the first direction 11 and / or the second direction 12 and bisecting the first substrate 1110 may not bisect the second substrate 120. In some embodiments, this substantially inside relationship may define a recess of the second substrate 120. Thus, the first substrate 110 may extend beyond the second substrate 120 in the third direction and / or the fourth direction 13, 14, or their opposing directions in one or more portions of the electro - optical element 100. The third direction and the fourth direction 13, 14 may each be substantially orthogonal to each other, and may also be substantially orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction 11, 12. Thus, the third direction 13 may be parallel to and / or correspond to the X - axis from the perspective of a user oriented towards the first surface 111. Similarly, the fourth direction 14 may be parallel to and / or correspond to the Y - axis from the perspective of a user oriented towards the first surface 111. Thus, the third direction 13 may correspond to the width, and the fourth direction 14 may correspond to the height. Thus, the first, second, third, and fourth surfaces 111, 112, 123, 124 may each be placed in a plane extending in the second direction and the third direction 11, 12. In some embodiments, the substantially inside relationship of the second edge 125 with respect to the first edge 113 may occur at one or both of the lower corners of the back - mirror assembly 10 when viewed by the user under normal operating conditions where the user is oriented towards the first surface 111.

[0012] The first electrode 130 may be associated with the second surface 112 of the first substrate 110. Thus, in some embodiments, the first electrode 130 may be disposed on the second surface 112 of the first substrate 110. Additionally, the first electrode 130 is a conductive material. In some embodiments, the first electrode 130 may be in electrical communication with the electro-optical medium 170. In some embodiments, the first electrode 130 may be substantially transparent, reflective, and / or semi-transmissive in the visible, infrared, and / or near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, for example, the conductive material 130 of the first electrode may be a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) such as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0013] The second electrode 140 may be associated with the third surface 123 of the second substrate 120. Thus, in some embodiments, the second electrode 140 may be disposed on the third surface 123 of the second substrate 120. Additionally, the second electrode 140 may be a conductive material. In some embodiments, the second electrode 140 may be in electrical communication with the electro-optical medium 170. Thus, both the first electrode and the second electrode 130, 140 may be operable to apply a potential and / or an electric field to the electro-optical medium 170. In some embodiments, the second electrode 140 may be substantially transparent, reflective, and / or semi-transmissive in the visible, infrared, and / or near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, for example, the conductive material 140 of the second electrode may be a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) such as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0014] Seal 150 can be disposed in a peripheral configuration to define chamber 160 in combination with one or more of first substrate 110, second substrate 120, first electrode 130, and second electrode 140. In some embodiments, seal 150 can be disposed substantially between first substrate 110 and second substrate 120. In some such embodiments, seal 150 may substantially follow second edge 125. In such an embodiment, in various portions, seal 150 may be substantially internally aligned with respect to first substrate 110. Further, seal 150 may include any material that can adhere to one or more of first substrate 110, second substrate 120, first electrode 130, and second electrode 140 to join chamber 160 so that electro-optic medium 170 does not inadvertently leak from chamber 160.

[0015] Electro-optic medium 170 can be disposed within chamber 160. Electro-optic medium 170 can be disposed between first electrode 130 and second electrode 140. Further, electro-optic medium 170 may be operable between a substantially activated state and a substantially deactivated state, at least in part based on exposure to a particular potential or electric field applied by first electrode 130 and second electrode 140. Thus, electro-optic medium 170 may be, for example, an electrochromic medium, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) medium, a twisted nematic liquid crystal medium, or a suspended particle liquid crystal medium. In embodiments where electro-optic medium 170 is electrochromic, in the activated state, electro-optic medium 170 may be operable to exhibit a change in extinction coefficient at one or more wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum as compared to the deactivated state. In some embodiments of sycg, this change may occur in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0016] The spectral filter 180 is disposed in a peripheral configuration between the first substrate 110 and the seal 170 and / or the second substrate 120. Thus, the spectral filter 180 may be associated with the second surface 112 and / or the first electrode 130. Additionally, the spectral filter 180 is disposed in the second direction 12 and may be substantially opaque to a user looking in the first direction 11 towards the spectral filter 180. Further, the spectral filter 180 may be reflective. Thus, the spectral filter 180 incorporates a concealing layer such as a chrome ring or other similar finish and may conceal what is generally disposed in the first direction 11 behind it when a user is disposed in the second direction 12 with respect to the rearview mirror assembly 10 and observes by looking in the first direction 11. In other embodiments, the spectral filter 180 may be composed of a single layer or a stack of layers. In some embodiments, the spectral filter 180 may be constructed from a material such as chrome and filled in a laser cut line formed within the first substrate 110. In some such embodiments, the laser cut line may have a varying line width.

[0017] In some embodiments, the spectral filter 180 may have a width generally following the first edge 113. The width corresponds to the size of the first substrate 110 within its extension with respect to the first edge 113. Additionally, at least a portion of the spectral filter 180 may be substantially aligned with the mismatch between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120, and the first substrate 110 extends beyond the second substrate 120 in the third direction 13 and / or the fourth direction 14. Further, the width of the spectral filter 180 may be substantially large when aligning with the mismatch. In some such embodiments, the spectral filter 180 may have a width and alignment such that the spectral filter 180 covers substantially the entire mismatch.

[0018] In some embodiments, the spectral filter 180 may also include or define an aperture 181. The aperture 181 may be absent from the spectral filter 180 or may be a portion thereof that is transmissive to light traveling substantially in the first direction 11 in the first wavelength range. In some embodiments, the first wavelength range may be within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In other embodiments, the first wavelength range may be within the infrared and / or near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some embodiments, the spectral filter 180 may have a substantially uniform appearance relative to the aperture 191 and the remainder of the spectral filter 180 to provide an attractive aesthetic. The spectral filter 180 may be limited to any one of a number of materials and methods, including, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 17 / 237,478, entitled "Discreet Opening," which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0019] The display element 200 may be any device configured and / or operable to display a digital image on the display area 210. The digital image may be captured by a rearview mirror and / or a side mirror camera 600 of the vehicle. Thus, the display element 200 may be operable to provide the user with a rearward and / or lateral field of view from the vehicle, such as that associated with an interior and / or exterior rearview mirror of a conventional vehicle. For example, the display element 200 may be an LCD, LED, OLED, microLED, plasma, DLP, or another technology. Additionally, the display element 200 is disposed in a first direction 11 with respect to the electro-optical element 100. Additionally, the display element 200 is disposed spaced apart from, associated with, or in contact with the electro-optical element 100 such that an image displayed by the display element 200 within the display area 210 is visible to the user through the electro-optical element 100. Thus, the display area 210 may be substantially aligned with the second substrate 120 in a third direction 13 and / or a fourth direction 14. Additionally, the display element 200 may be associated with the second substrate 120. In some embodiments, the displayed image may be transmitted in a second direction 12 such that its transmission does not substantially extend in either the third direction 13 or the fourth direction 14 beyond a second edge 125 of the second substrate 120. Thus, the image transmission may not substantially extend within a mismatch between the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120. Thus, the display area 210 may have a width and / or height that is smaller than the width and / or height of the first substrate 110.

[0020] The housing 300 may be a structure that defines a cavity having an opening in its second direction 12. The display element 200 may be disposed within the cavity. Additionally, the electro-optical element 100 may be substantially aligned with or substantially disposed within the opening of the cavity. Further, the housing 300 may be in abutting contact with the electro-optical element 100, may partially enclose the electro-optical element 100, or may completely enclose the electro-optical element 100. In some embodiments, the back mirror assembly 10 may be bezel-less. In some such embodiments, the housing 300 may extend around a portion of the electro-optical element 100 such that the housing 300 does not extend onto the first surface 111 of the first substrate 110. In other such embodiments, the housing 300 may extend around a portion of the optical element 100 such that the housing 300 does not extend onto the first edge 113 of the first substrate 110. Thus, in some embodiments, the housing 300 may not extend in the second direction 12 beyond a plane extending from the first surface 111. In other words, the housing 300 may not break through a plane extending from the first surface 111. In other embodiments, the housing 300 may not extend in the second direction 12 beyond a plane extending from the second surface 112. In other words, the housing 300 may not break through a plane extending from the second surface 112.

[0021] Sensor 400 may be any device operable to sense a state and generate a signal based thereon. For example, sensor 400 may be an optical sensor such as a camera or a glare light sensor. Further, the optical sensor may be sensitive to light in a first wavelength range. The sensed state may correspond to a state within the cabin of the vehicle. Thus, in embodiments where sensor 400 is a camera, the camera may be operable to image in the visible, infrared, and / or near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, sensor 400 may be operable to image the vehicle and / or the cabin of the driver and / or passengers disposed therein. In other examples, sensor 400 may be a different type of sensor such as a radar, lidar, ultrasonic, and / or LED time-of-flight sensor. Sensor 400 may be disposed within housing 300. Further, sensor 400 may be optically aligned with a mismatch between first substrate 110 and second substrate 120. Thus, sensor 400 may be disposed in a first direction 11 with respect to first substrate 110. Additionally, sensor 400 may be aligned with spectral filter 180 and / or its aperture 181. In some embodiments, sensor 400 may be positioned proximate to or in contact with first substrate 110 and / or second surface 112. Specifically, sensor 400 may occupy the space otherwise occupied by second substrate 120 if there is no mismatch between first substrate 110 and second substrate 120. In some such embodiments, this space may be occupied by the lens of sensor 400. Additionally, in some embodiments, first substrate 110, second substrate 120, spectral filter 180, and / or housing 300 may be symmetric. Additionally, in some embodiments, electro-optical element 100 may hold a mismatch of at least two substrates that may be mirror images of each other. Thus, a plurality of sensors 400 may be included in back mirror assembly 10, each associated with a respective substrate mismatch.

[0022] The user interface 500 may be a button. The button may be, for example, capacitive touch, tactile, carbon pill, or other similar technologies. Thus, the user interface 500 may be the touch screen surface. Additionally, the user interface 500 may be disposed in a region that is substantially symmetrically located with respect to the location of the mismatch of the substrate on which the sensor 400 is disposed. For example, in an embodiment where the sensor 400 is disposed in alignment with the substrate mismatch at a first lower corner such as the lower right corner of the back mirror assembly 10, the user interface 500 may be disposed at a second lower corner such as the lower left corner of the back mirror assembly 10. Additionally, the user interface 500 may be associated with the first surface 111 of the first substrate 110. Further, the user interface 500 may be aligned with the spectral filter 180. In such an embodiment, the spectral filter 180 may form or include one or more marks indicating the function of the user interface 500. In some such embodiments, the light source may be disposed in a first direction 11 with respect to the spectral filter 180 and may be operable to irradiate the marks. In some embodiments, the operation of the user interface 500 may be operable to cause the sensor 400 to capture an image.

[0023] Camera 600 may be configured and / or operable to capture light and generate one or more corresponding images, such as a digital image. As a result, camera 600 may be a pixel sensor of semiconductor charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In some embodiments, one or more images may be continuously captured as a video stream. In some embodiments, the image captured by camera 600 may have a field of view corresponding to the scene outside the vehicle. Thus, the field of view may substantially correspond to the field of view conventionally associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly, a driver's side exterior rearview mirror assembly, a passenger's side exterior rearview mirror assembly, or a backup camera. Thus, the scene may be rearward and / or lateral to the vehicle. Additionally, camera 600 may be communicatively connected to display element 200. As used herein, "communicatively connected" may mean directly or indirectly connected via one or more electrical components. Thus, camera 600 may be operable to communicate one or more of the one or more captured images to display element 200.

[0024] The controller 700 may include a memory 710 and / or a processor 720. The memory 710 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium (CRM). As a result, the memory 710 may be configured to store, and / or be operable to store, one or more instructions, such as one or more algorithms, to provide the configuration and operation of the controller 700. Examples of the memory 141 include a conventional hard disk, solid state memory, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), optical disk or magnetic disk, dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Further, the controller 700 may be communicatively connected to the sensor 400. Accordingly, the controller 700 may be operable to receive data collected from the sensor 400. The instructions and / or algorithms may be operable to analyze the data received from the sensor 400. Further, the data may be analyzed according to one or more performances of biometric authentication, driver monitoring, or passenger monitoring operations. The processor 720 may be communicatively connected to the memory 710. Further, the processor 720 may be any device or electronic circuit configured to process or execute one or more sets of electronic instructions, such as algorithms. These instructions may be stored in the memory 710. Examples of the processor 720 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0025] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be employed alone or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing component A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B in combination, A and C in combination, B and C in combination, or A, B, and C in combination.

[0026] In this document, relational terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used only to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, and do not necessarily require or imply an actual relationship or order between such entities or actions.

[0027] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term "associated" generally means directly or indirectly connecting two components (electrical or mechanical) to each other. Such connection can be essentially fixed or essentially movable. Such connection can be achieved where two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members are integrally formed as one unit with each other or with the two components. Such connection can be essentially permanent or essentially removable or separable, unless otherwise specified.

[0028] The term "substantially" and its variations will be understood by those skilled in the art to describe features that are equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a surface that is "substantially planar" is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Further, "substantially" is intended to indicate that two values are equal or approximately equal. In cases where the use of a term is not clear to those skilled in the art, considering the context in which it is used, "substantially" may indicate values within about 10% of each other, for example within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0029] The term "transparent" is applied relatively. "Transparent" refers to an optical element or material that is substantially transmissive at the wavelength in question and thus generally enables light of such a wavelength to pass through. The wavelength in question varies based on the context. However, when the wavelength in question is not readily apparent, the wavelength in question shall generally be taken to refer to visible light.

[0030] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or other variations of such terms are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the recited elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprise" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0031] Although several embodiments are described in the present disclosure, numerous variations, changes, transformations, and modifications may be understood by those skilled in the art, and it should be understood that the present disclosure is intended to cover these variations, changes, transformations, and modifications within the scope of the appended claims unless the language expressly provides otherwise.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror assembly, comprising: An electro-optical element, comprising: A first substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and a first edge; A second substrate having a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second edge, the second substrate being disposed substantially spaced apart from the first substrate such that the second surface and the third surface face each other, and being disposed in a first direction; An electro-optical medium disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; A spectral filter disposed peripherally on the second surface, the spectral filter having a substantially opaque appearance to a user; The first substrate and the second substrate having at least one substantial mismatch such that a line extending in the first direction due to the mismatch bisects the first substrate but does not bisect the second substrate; A display element disposed in the first direction with respect to the electro-optical element, the display element being operable to display a digital image having a rearward or sideward view with respect to the vehicle; A sensor operable to sense a state and generate a signal based thereon, the sensor being optically aligned with the first mismatch; The rearview mirror assembly, wherein the display element does not extend beyond the second substrate.

2. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a camera operable to image an occupant of the vehicle.

3. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein one mismatch is located at a lower corner of the rearview mirror assembly.

4. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate has a width and a height that are substantially larger than those of the display element.

5. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spectral filter extends over substantially the entire extent of the mismatch.

6. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first mismatch is aligned with a lower corner of the rearview mirror assembly when viewed under normal operating conditions.

7. A rearview mirror assembly, comprising: An electro-optical element, comprising: A first substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and a first edge; A second substrate having a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second edge, the second substrate being disposed substantially spaced apart from the first substrate such that the second surface and the third surface face each other and being disposed in a first direction in a relationship where the first substrate and the second substrate are substantially spaced apart from each other. An electro-optical medium disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A spectral filter disposed in a peripheral configuration on the second surface, the spectral filter having a substantially opaque appearance to a user. The first substrate and the second substrate have at least one substantial mismatch such that a line extending in the first direction due to the mismatch bisects the first substrate but does not bisect the second substrate. A display element disposed in the first direction with respect to the electro-optical element, the display element being operable to display a digital image having a rearward or sideward view with respect to the vehicle. A sensor operable to sense a state and generate a signal based thereon, the sensor being optically aligned with a first mismatch. The sensor is a camera operable to image an occupant of the vehicle. The spectral filter includes an aperture aligned with the camera, a rearview mirror assembly.

8. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a touch screen user interface substantially aligned with a second mismatch.

9. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein a controller can perform at least one of biometric authentication, driver monitoring, and occupant monitoring operations based at least in part on the signal.

10. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mismatch is caused by at least a part of the second edge being substantially inside the first edge.

11. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mismatch is at least partially defined by a recess in the second substrate.

12. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electro-optical medium is electrochromic.

13. The display element has a display area defined by the digital image. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display area is substantially aligned with the second substrate.

14. The display element has a display area defined by the digital image, The back mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display area has a width and a height smaller than the width of the first substrate.

15. The back mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate have two substantial mismatches.

16. The back mirror assembly according to claim 15, wherein the two substantial mismatches are mirroring each other.

Images