Methods and systems for controlling a reflectance of mirror in a vehicle

1. A method for adjusting a reflectance of a mirror of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a characteristic of the vehicle;

determining an ambient light condition outside the vehicle;

determining a glare from the mirror;

obtaining a baseline relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition;

adjusting the baseline relationship based on the characteristic to create an adjusted relationship;

determining an optimal reflectance based on the adjusted relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs; and

adjusting the reflectance of the mirror by adjusting a voltage provided to the mirror in an amount that adjusts the reflectance of the mirror to equal the optimal reflectance.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the characteristic comprises characteristic of a driver of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes a rear window, and the characteristic comprises a tinting on the rear window.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the characteristic comprises the steps of:

obtaining an input from a driver of the vehicle; and

identifying the characteristic using the input.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the characteristic comprises a driver preference for an amount of reflectance of the mirror as reflected in the input from the driver.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusted relationship comprises a function.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the baseline relationship includes a slope; and

the step of adjusting the baseline relationship comprises the step of adjusting the slope.

8. A system for adjusting a reflectance of a mirror of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first sensor configured to measure an ambient light condition outside the vehicle;

a second sensor configured to measure a glare from the mirror; and

a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to:

identify a characteristic of the vehicle;

obtain a baseline relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition;

adjust the baseline relationship based on the characteristic to create an adjusted relationship;

determine an optimal reflectance based on the adjusted relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs; and

adjust the reflectance of the mirror by adjusting a voltage provided to the mirror in an amount that adjusts the reflectance of the mirror to equal the optimal reflectance.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the characteristic comprises a characteristic of a driver of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the vehicle includes a rear window, and the characteristic comprises a tinting on the rear window.

11. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

an input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive an input from a driver of the vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to identify the characteristic using the input.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the characteristic comprises a driver preference for an amount of reflectance of the mirror as reflected in the input from the driver.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the relationship comprises a function.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein:

the baseline relationship includes a slope; and

the processor is configured to adjust the baseline relationship by adjusting the slope.

15. A mirror assembly for a vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror having an adjustable reflectance;

a first sensor configured to measure an ambient light condition outside the vehicle;

a second sensor configured to measure a glare from the mirror;

an input device configured to receive an input; and

a processor coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, the input device, and the mirror, the processor configured to:

identify a characteristic of a driver of the vehicle using the input;

select a relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition, based on the characteristic;

determine an optimal reflectance based on the relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs; and

adjust a voltage provided to the mirror in an amount that adjusts the reflectance of the mirror to equal the optimal reflectance.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 15 , wherein the characteristic comprises a preference of the driver pertaining to the mirror.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain a baseline relationship relating the reflectance, the glare, and the ambient light condition;

adjust the baseline relationship based on the characteristic to create an adjusted relationship; and

determine the optimal reflectance based on the adjusted relationship using the glare and the ambient light condition as variable inputs.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 17 , wherein:

the baseline relationship includes a slope; and

the processor is configured to adjust the baseline relationship by adjusting the slope.

19. The mirror assembly of claim 15 , wherein the characteristic comprises a driver preference for an amount of reflectance of the mirror as reflected in the input from the driver.