Electrochromic rearview mirror incorporating a third surface partially transmissive reflector

A vehicle rearview mirror assembly comprising:

• a housing;
• a mirror element disposed in said housing and including at least one substantially transparent substrate having a coating applied to at least one surface;
• and
• at least one graphic compass display positioned in said housing,
• wherein said coating is at least partially reflective, and
• wherein said at least one display comprises:
• at least one indicia panel at least partially formed in said coating, said indicia panel including a first region and at least one second region having a higher transmittance than said first region, said second region defines an indicia symbol;
• and
• at least one light source positioned in said housing to transmit light through said second region of said indicia panel to selectively display at least one the indicia symbol.

A vehicle rearview mirror assembly comprising:

• a housing;
• a mirror element disposed in said housing and including at least one substantially transparent substrate having a reflective coating applied to at least one surface;
• at least one graphic compass display positioned in said housing, said at least one display comprises:
• at least one indicia panel, said indicia panel including at least a first region and at least one second region defining at least one indicia symbol, and
• at least one light source positioned in said housing to transmit light through said second region of said indicia panel to selectively display the indicia symbol;
• a light sensor for sensing a light level;
• and
• a control coupled to said light sensor for automatically varying the intensity of said at least one light source as a function of the sensed light level.