The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods to protect a side-view mirror of a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor includes obtaining a first dimensional parameter associated with a body portion of a vehicle (for example, a width or a length of the vehicle) and a second dimensional parameter associated with a side-view mirror attached to the vehicle (for example, a protrusion distance of the side-view mirror). A turning path characteristic associated with a movement of the vehicle may then be determined, followed by determining a probability of a collision between the side-view mirror and an object located outside the vehicle. Determining the probability may be based on the first dimensional parameter, the second dimensional parameter, and the turning path characteristic. If the probability of the collision exceeds a threshold value, an alert may be issued, or a preventive maneuver executed in order to prevent the collision.

A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a control disposed in the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen operable to display video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. Responsive to the driver initiating a hitching maneuver event by engaging reverse gear of the vehicle, rear backup video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera are displayed at the video display screen. An overlay overlays the displayed rear backup video images and aids in guiding connection of a trailer hitch of the equipped vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer. Continued display of rear backup video images that are overlaid by the overlay is ceased upon elapse of a threshold period of time or upon exceeding a threshold speed or upon exceeding a threshold distance traveled.

An accessory control system for a vehicle includes a rearview mirror assembly having a display and touch screen and a processor, and a control panel assembly connected with the rearview mirror assembly, the control panel assembly having a control panel, a plurality of switch modules communicated with a plurality of corresponding accessory modules; wherein the processor panel receives instructions and sends the instructions to the control panel that causes the control panel to: activate the switch modules, in response to the activation of the switch modules, activating the accessory modules.

An example method includes detecting a potential threat to a vehicle that is external to the vehicle, determining a severity level of the potential threat and a location of the potential threat relative to the vehicle, and displaying an indication of the potential threat on an electronic display in a particular portion of the electronic display corresponding to the location and with a particular display attribute corresponding to the severity level. The particular portion is one of a plurality of different portions of the electronic display each corresponding to different threat locations, and the particular display attribute is one of a plurality of different display attributes corresponding to different severity levels. A corresponding system that detects and displays notifications of potential threats is also disclosed.

A vehicular video camera display system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a casing and an electrochromic reflective element, with a video display device disposed in the casing behind the electrochromic reflective element. With the interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, a video display screen of the video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable through the electrochromic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A rearward-viewing video camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle. Control circuitry is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly. Image data captured by the rearward-viewing video camera is communicated as a digital signal from the rearward-viewing video camera via a cable to the control circuitry disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly.

A rearview mirror assembly includes a main housing defining an exterior surface, an interior, and an open side, the exterior surface having a recess therein. The assembly also includes a control module coupled within the interior of the housing, a mirror coupled over the open end of the housing, and a communication module. The communication module includes an antenna electrically coupled with the control module and an antenna housing at least partially enclosing the antenna and coupled within the recess of the exterior surface of the main housing.

A display device may comprise a transmittance control structure having a variable transmittance and a mirror type display panel disposed on a rear surface of the transmittance control structure. The mirror type display panel may comprise a substrate, a display member disposed on the substrate, the display member including a light emission region, a first transmission region, and a peripheral region surrounding the light emission region and the first transmission region, and a reflective member facing the substrate with respect to the display member, the reflective member including an opening region corresponding to the light emission region, a second transmission region corresponding to the first transmission region, and a reflective region surrounding the opening region and the second transmission region.

A multi-function rearview device for use with a vehicle includes a housing configured to be attached to the vehicle and to be moveable relative to the vehicle, a rearview element including at least one of a reflective element, a camera and a display element, a bezel formed at an outer portion of the multi-function rearview device surrounding the rearview element, with the rearview element being attached to at least one of the bezel and the housing, one or more light assemblies providing at least one or more light function indications, including a Human Machine Interface (HMI), and at least one sensor, the sensor controlling the one or more light assemblies or the display element.

A wheel bolt torque monitoring system for a vehicle includes a torque sensor disposed at each bolt that is used to mount a wheel at a wheel mount of a vehicle. A transmitting device is disposed at the wheel mount of the vehicle, and the transmitting device receives data from the torque sensors at the wheel mounted at the wheel mount. The transmitting device transmits data to a control unit, which processes data received from the transmitting device to determine when a torque at a bolt is below a threshold torque level. Responsive to the control unit determining that a torque at a bolt is below the threshold torque level, the control unit generates an alert.

This invention relates to mirror assemblies for vehicles and in particular to interior rearview mirror assemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to elements representing a symbol. The symbols are located behind a reflective element and not visible until activated by selection of the corresponding input or other means.