The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 08, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 03, 1999
Robert C. Knapp, Coloma, MI (US);
Robert R. Turnbull, Holland, MI (US);
Eric J. Walstra, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Gentex Corporation, Zeeland, MI (US);
Abstract
A communication circuit for use in a vehicle including a first electronic module adapted to be coupled to a power supply of the vehicle, a second electronic module, and an electrical conductor coupled between the first and second modules to provide a transmission path through which power may be supplied and through which bidirectional serial communication is enabled. The first module supplies power to the second module through the electrical conductor. The first and second modules transmit serial data to one another through the electrical conductor. The first and second modules may also transmit RF signals over the electrical conductor. The second module may be housed in an outside rearview mirror assembly while the first module may be disposed inside of the vehicle. Such a communication system allows independent control of multiple electrical components in the outside rearview mirror assembly over a single wire.