Method of Controlling an Electrochromic Mirror and an Electrochromic System for a Motor Vehicle

An electrochromic system for use with a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one electrochromic mirror as said rearview mirror, at least one first light sensor to monitor the environmental light surrounding the rearview mirror, at least one second light sensor to monitor the incident light on the electrochromic rearview mirror, and at least one control unit for controlling said electrochromic rearview mirror, associated to said first and second light sensors, said control unit adapted to control the electrochromic mirror in accordance with the following steps:

• a) detecting an incidence on said mirror of a light signal with a light intensity above a certain predetermined threshold;
• b) adjusting the electrochromic mirror to a pre-fixed maximum level of darkness, based upon at least one of said detections;
• c) adjusting the electrochromic mirror to a minimum level of darkness, after an end of said light signal incidence on said electrochromic mirror;
• d) determining if steps a) and b) have occurred a predetermined number of times in a predetermined time period and based on said determination continuing with the following steps:
• e) adjusting said electrochromic mirror to an intermediate level;
• f) detecting the incidence on said mirror of a subsequent light signal with a light intensity above a certain predetermined threshold;
• g) darkening said electrochromic mirror from said intermediate level to said maximum level of darkness, based upon said detection of step f):
• and
• h) returning said electrochromic mirror to said intermediate level of darkness, after an end of said subsequent light signal incidence on the electrochromic mirror.