Patents Examined by Ricky D. Shafer
  • Patent number: 11628769
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror system for a vehicle coupled to a trailer is provided. The vehicle mirror system includes first and second mirror assemblies configured to be located on first and second sides of the vehicle, a trailer angle sensor for sensing a hitch angle between the trailer and the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the first mirror assembly to control a first viewing window of the first mirror assembly for a driver of the vehicle, wherein the first mirror assembly is adjusted to redirect the viewing window to track a feature on the trailer as the trailer articulates relative to the vehicle based on the hitch angle. The second mirror assembly may be controlled to move inwards and downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Marguerite Lynn Kimball
  • Patent number: 11628772
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a powerfold actuator electrically operable to pivot a mirror head relative to a mounting base. The actuator includes a biasing element disposed between an upper housing and an upper end of a pivot tube and releasably retains the powerfold actuator in at least one detent state. An upper detent is disposed radially outboard of the pivot tube and radially inboard of an output gear and a lower detent, and the upper detent includes a detent lip that engages an upper detent surface of the lower detent. When the actuator is in a primary detent state, a spring load path of the biasing element is through the output gear and lower detent to the base. When the actuator is in a secondary detent state, the spring load path is through the detent lip of the upper detent and lower detent to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Steffes, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11624860
    Abstract: A method for producing a half mirror includes forming a reflection region by which light is reflected and a transmission region through which the light is transmitted on a surface of a transparent plate Only the reflection region is coated with a plating. The coating includes a masking step of coating a position of the transparent plate corresponding to the transmission region with a masking material, a plating step of coating the entire surface which includes the transmission region which has been coated with the masking material and the reflection region with the plating, a plating removing step of removing the plating to a depth in which the masking material is exposed after the plating step, and a masking material removing step of removing the masking material after the plating removing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Tsuchiya, Daisuke Nakashima, Shunsuke Iwao, Masayoshi Takori
  • Patent number: 11623569
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a rotating mechanism for an wing mirror, wherein this rotating mechanism enables the wing mirror to be moved, at least, between the positions habitually known as the park and drive positions in a motorised and/or manual manner, which has an elastic system on the independent lifting of the pressure system function for the union of the set of parts of the mechanism in the pivot element, having a set of simplified parts, for fewer costs and efficiency purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: COMPAÑÍA LEVANTINA DE REDUCTORES, S.L.
    Inventors: Vicente Martin Pina, Arturo Picó Anotlí, Jorge Palacios Cortés, José Manuel Barroso Ossorio
  • Patent number: 11623568
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting arm and a mirror head having a mirror reflective element. An electrically-operated actuator includes a first attachment element that attaches at an actuator-mounting bracket of the mounting arm and a second attachment element that attaches at the mirror head. The actuator includes first and second motors that are electrically operated to cause adjustment of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm about respective first and second pivot axes. A mounting post of the mounting arm passes through an opening of the mirror head, the opening providing clearance between the mirror head and the mounting arm to allow movement of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm during electrical operation of the actuator when the base mounting portion of the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior portion of the side door of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert L. Esser
  • Patent number: 11619808
    Abstract: A head mounted display includes a display and an optical assembly. The display includes first pixel emitting first display light and second pixels emitting second display light. The first display light includes a first light spectrum that is different than a second light spectrum of the second display light. The optical assembly is configured to focus the first display light and the second display light for a user of the HMD. The optical assembly provides a first effective focal length to the first display light and provides a second effective focal length to the second display light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Wheelwright
  • Patent number: 11604349
    Abstract: Disclosed are a short-distance optical amplification module, method and system. The module comprises a reflective type polarizing plate, a first phase delay plate, an imaging lens, a second phase delay plate and an absorptive type polarizing plate, arranged successively. The reflective type polarizing plate is arranged on a transmission path of an optical image. The first phase delay plate is arranged on the transmission path of the optical image passing through the reflective delay plate. The imaging lens is arranged on the transmission path of the optical image. The second phase delay plate is configured for converting a polarization direction of the optical image from an elliptical or circular polarization direction to a second linear polarization direction. The absorptive type polarizing plate is arranged on one side of the second phase delay plate that faces away from the imaging lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN DLODLO NEW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gang Li, Weiping Tang
  • Patent number: 11598907
    Abstract: A method for producing a half mirror includes forming a reflection region by which light is reflected and a transmission region through which the light is transmitted on a surface of a transparent plate Only the reflection region is coated with a plating. The coating includes a masking step of coating a position of the transparent plate corresponding to the transmission region with a masking material, a plating step of coating the entire surface which includes the transmission region which has been coated with the masking material and the reflection region with the plating, a plating removing step of removing the plating to a depth in which the masking material is exposed after the plating step, and a masking material removing step of removing the masking material after the plating removing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Tsuchiya, Daisuke Nakashima, Shunsuke Iwao, Masayoshi Takori
  • Patent number: 11598910
    Abstract: There is provided an optical communication apparatus having high communication stability. An optical communication apparatus of the present invention includes: a signal-transmitting portion; and a signal-receiving portion. The signal-transmitting portion includes a light-emitting element, and a first polarizing plate, which light output from the light-emitting element enters, and which is configured to output polarized light. The signal-receiving portion includes a second polarizing plate, which the light from the signal-transmitting portion enters, and a light-receiving element configured to receive light passing through the second polarizing plate. The first polarizing plate includes a first reflective polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori Nishimura
  • Patent number: 11592646
    Abstract: A mechanically tunable reflective metamirror optical device for a targeted design optical wavelength includes a dynamically deformable substrate and a sub-wavelength periodic arrangement of patterned isolated gap surface plasmon (GSP) resonators positioned in or on the dynamically deformable substrate. The patterned isolated GSP resonators are movable relative to each other and comprise a patterned optically thin metal layer for the design wavelength, a patterned optically thick metal layer for the design wavelength, and a patterned insulator layer between the patterned optically thin and optically thick metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Daniel Nikolov, Nick Vamivakas, Fei Cheng, Aaron Bauer, Jannick P. Rolland
  • Patent number: 11576507
    Abstract: The invention comprises a hands-free, adjustable telescoping magnifying mirror. The mirror may have a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface and can be secured to a horizontal or vertical surface using a suction cup base or can be hung over a door or ledge using a retractable hanger bracket. A multi-stage telescoping rod is attached to the suction cup base and a swivel joint may be used to connect the telescoping rod to the mirror housing. The mirror may be extended from the base by extending the telescoping rod and the mirror assembly can stand freely without falling over, whether the suction cup base is engaged or not. Additionally, one or more light sources with diffuser screen may be disposed at a periphery of the first reflective surface or second reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Glen Robert Boehm
  • Patent number: 11572735
    Abstract: A multistage prism window includes first and second transparent plate materials, a first prism, a reflection member, a second prism, and a heat absorption member. The first prism collects, onto the reflection member, light whose angle with respect to a normal line of the first and second transparent plate materials is equal to or greater than a first predetermined angle and transmits light whose angle with respect thereto is smaller than the first predetermined angle. The second prism collects, onto the heat absorption member, light whose angle with respect to the normal line is smaller than the first predetermined angle and equal to or greater than a second predetermined angle and transmits light whose angle with respect thereto is smaller than the second predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI ENERGY SYSTEM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuju Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11564475
    Abstract: A shaving-mirror apparatus that is attachable to and readily removable from both the bottom of a shaving cream/gel container and the top of a shaving gel squeeze bottle, and a method of manufacturing the shaving mirror apparatus. The shaving mirror apparatus may comprise a flat mirror or a convex mirror, and the mirror may further comprise anti-fog and water repellant properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Fearing
  • Patent number: 11560093
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror system includes: a driving mode acquiring unit configured to acquire one of a first driving mode in which a vehicle travels using an occupant's driving operation and a second driving mode in which the vehicle travels regardless of the occupant's driving operation as a driving mode; and a mirror control unit configured to change a reflectance of a vehicular mirror facing rearward according to a light intensity difference between a light intensity on a side in front of the vehicle and a light intensity on a side to the rear of the vehicle with respect to the vehicular mirror when the driving mode is the first driving mode and to keep the reflectance of the vehicular mirror in a state in which the reflectance is lower than that in a normal state when the driving mode is the second driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11561418
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a transparent screen includes a first transparent substrate having a first transparent substrate index of refraction and including a surface relief pattern, a partially reflective coating formed on the surface relief pattern, and a second transparent substrate bonded over the partially reflective coating with an optical adhesive having the first transparent substrate index of refraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVEGA INC.
    Inventors: Mark Freeman, Jay Marsh, Jerome Legerton
  • Patent number: 11555983
    Abstract: There is provided a light source module in which an optical element is accommodated in a housing, in which three projection portions are provided in the housing, and the light source module has a structure where the optical element is pressed to be brought into contact with the three projection portions by a pressing member, so that the optical element is fixed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI-LG DATA STORAGE, INC.
    Inventors: Masashi Yamashita, Fumihito Ichikawa, Kazuhiro Aoyama
  • Patent number: 11550089
    Abstract: Multilayer optical film reflective polarizers previously considered to have excessive off-axis color can provide adequate performance in an LC display in an “on-glass” configuration, laminated to a back absorbing polarizer of the display, without any light diffusing layer or air gap in such laminate. The reflective polarizer is a tentered-one-packet (TOP) multilayer film, having only one packet of microlayers, and oriented using a standard tenter such that birefringent microlayers in the film are biaxially birefringent. The thickness profile of optical repeat units (ORUs) in the microlayer packet is tailored to avoid excessive perceived color at normal and oblique angles. Color at high oblique angles in the white state of the display is reduced by positioning thicker ORUs closer to the absorbing polarizer, and by ensuring that, with regard to a boxcar average of the ORU thickness profile, the average slope from an ORU(600) to an ORU(645) does not exceed 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Carl A. Stover, Gilles J. Benoit, Kristopher J. Derks, Zhaohui Yang
  • Patent number: 11536881
    Abstract: A conical mirror concentrator is disclosed which is configured for use as a laser-cooled cooled atom source. According to embodiments, the conical mirror concentrator may comprise a body; a reflective inner conical surface formed on the body tapering from a large diameter at a first side of body inward to a smaller dimeter in an interior space of the body, wherein the inner conical surface focuses light to an axis within the interior space of the body; a hole extending from the interior space of the body near a pinnacle of the inner conical surface to a second, opposite side of body; and a structure configured to mount the concentrator to an ultra-high vacuum chamber, such as a CF (or Conflat) flange or an anodicly bonded glass plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Unuted States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Paul Kunz, Fredrik Fatemi, Kevin Cox, David Meyer
  • Patent number: 11535156
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the blind spot of a motor vehicle has a mirror assembly with at least one mirror element that can be moved using an actuator, and a microphone assembly. The microphone assembly is designed to determine the sound direction, and the movable mirror element is in the form of a sound reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt, Uwe Gussen, Frederic Stefan
  • Patent number: 11535159
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mirror base configured to attach one or more accessories to the mirror base at an attachment point. The mirror base is attachable to a vehicle door. The vehicle mirror assembly also includes a powerfold assembly. The powerfold assembly includes a motor configured to move the mirror base, a motor assembly shield, a powerfold motor frame surrounding the motor, and a detent mechanism located between the powerfold assembly and the mirror base. The powerfold assembly is located in the vehicle door and is configured to allow movement of the mirror base when the mirror base experiences impact. Methods of manufacturing and operating the mirror assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Faraday & Future Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Lamorte, Cian John Francis Brogan