Patents by Inventor Brock R. Rycenga

Brock R. Rycenga has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11646797
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver may comprise an electro-optic element comprising a first substrate having an electrode coating on a surface; a second substrate generally parallel to and in a spaced-apart relationship with the first substrate and having an electrode coating on a surface; and a window in at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate from which the electrode coating has been at least partially removed. The trainable transceiver may also comprise a machine-readable optical image selectively visible through the window; a light source disposed in proximity to the machine-readable optical image; and a controller capable of controlling the light source. Upon receipt of an appropriate input, the controller causes the activation of the light source which, in turn, causes the machine-readable optical image to be visible through the electro-optic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Brock R. Rycenga
  • Publication number: 20220321222
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver may comprise an electro-optic element comprising a first substrate having an electrode coating on a surface; a second substrate generally parallel to and in a spaced-apart relationship with the first substrate and having an electrode coating on a surface; and a window in at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate from which the electrode coating has been at least partially removed. The trainable transceiver may also comprise a machine-readable optical image selectively visible through the window; a light source disposed in proximity to the machine-readable optical image; and a controller capable of controlling the light source. Upon receipt of an appropriate input, the controller causes the activation of the light source which, in turn, causes the machine-readable optical image to be visible through the electro-optic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Brock R. Rycenga
  • Patent number: 10525890
    Abstract: A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a camera mounted with the vehicle and capturing a field of view rearward of the vehicle, a rearview mirror including a display substrate thereon, and an image sensor directed toward an interior of the vehicle and configured to capture image data of an object. The system further includes a controller in communication with the camera and receiving a first video image of the first size corresponding with the field of view, with the image sensor to determine a position of the object within the image data, and with the display substrate to present a portion of the first video image thereon of a size less than the first size. The portion of the first video image is selected to correspond with an expected portion of the field of view based on the determined position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis D. Festerling, Jr., Brock R. Rycenga
  • Patent number: 10154200
    Abstract: An imager module for a vehicle is disclosed. The imager module comprises an imager configured to capture image data over a plurality of image frames based on incoming light in a field of view and an optic device configured to control a transmission of the incoming light. The module comprises a controller configured to identify an exposure time for the imager based on environmental lighting conditions and adjust the exposure time by a flicker mitigation period. The adjustment of the exposure time mitigates an appearance of a periodic light source in the image data. The controller is further configured to control the transmission of the optic device to control the transmission of the incoming light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brock R. Rycenga, Benjamin B. Hilldore, Barry K. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20180178729
    Abstract: A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a camera mounted with the vehicle and capturing a field of view rearward of the vehicle, a rearview mirror including a display substrate thereon, and an image sensor directed toward an interior of the vehicle and configured to capture image data of an object. The system further includes a controller in communication with the camera and receiving a first video image of the first size corresponding with the field of view, with the image sensor to determine a position of the object within the image data, and with the display substrate to present a portion of the first video image thereon of a size less than the first size. The portion of the first video image is selected to correspond with an expected portion of the field of view based on the determined position of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis D. Festerling, JR., Brock R. Rycenga
  • Patent number: 9836657
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining the presence and period of dashed line lane markers in a roadway. The system includes an imager configured to capture a plurality of high dynamic range images exterior of the vehicle and a processor, in communication with the at least one imager such that the processor is configured to process at least one high dynamic range image. The period of the dashed lane markers in the image is calculated for detecting the presence of the dashed lane marker and for tracking the vehicle within the markers. The processor communicates an output for use by the vehicle for use in lane departure warning (LDW) and/or other driver assist features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Brock R. Rycenga, Micah W. TerHaar
  • Publication number: 20170339326
    Abstract: An imager module for a vehicle is disclosed. The imager module comprises an imager configured to capture image data over a plurality of image frames based on incoming light in a field of view and an optic device configured to control a transmission of the incoming light. The module comprises a controller configured to identify an exposure time for the imager based on environmental lighting conditions and adjust the exposure time by a flicker mitigation period. The adjustment of the exposure time mitigates an appearance of a periodic light source in the image data. The controller is further configured to control the transmission of the optic device to control the transmission of the incoming light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Brock R. Rycenga, Benjamin B. Hilldore, Barry K. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150294165
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining the presence and period of dashed line lane markers in a roadway. The system includes an imager configured to capture a plurality of high dynamic range images exterior of the vehicle and a processor, in communication with the at least one imager such that the processor is configured to process at least one high dynamic range image. The period of the dashed lane markers in the image is calculated for detecting the presence of the dashed lane marker and for tracking the vehicle within the markers. The processor communicates an output for use by the vehicle for use in lane departure warning (LDW) and/or other driver assist features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Brock R. Rycenga, Micah W. TerHaar
  • Patent number: 9098751
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining the presence and period of dashed line lane markers in a roadway. The system includes an imager configured to capture a plurality of high dynamic range images exterior of the vehicle and a processor, in communication with the at least one imager such that the processor is configured to process at least one high dynamic range image. The period of the dashed lane markers in the image is calculated for detecting the presence of the dashed lane marker and for tracking the vehicle within the markers. The processor communicates an output for use by the vehicle for use in lane departure warning (LDW) and/or other driver assist features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Brock R. Rycenga, Micah W. TerHaar
  • Publication number: 20130028473
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the presence and period of dashed line lane markers in a roadway. The system includes an imager configured to capture a plurality of high dynamic range images exterior of the vehicle and a processor, in communication with the at least one imager such that the processor is configured to process at least one high dynamic range image. The period of the dashed lane markers in the image is calculated for detecting the presence of the dashed lane marker and for tracking the vehicle within the markers. The processor communicates an output for use by the vehicle for use in lane departure warning (LDW) and/or other driver assist features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Brock R. Rycenga, Micah W. TerHaar
  • Patent number: 8045760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Eric J. Walstra, Keith H. Berends, Brock R. Rycenga, Kevin J. Longworth, David A. Meekhof
  • Patent number: 7565006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatus, algorithms and methods for acquiring and processing images of a scene. Details of various aspects of the associated images are identified and may be utilized to generate various vehicular equipment control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory A. Mart, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, John K. Roberts, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, Eric J. Walstra, Brock R. Rycenga
  • Publication number: 20040143380
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatus, algorithms and methods for acquiring and processing images of a scene. Details of various aspects of the associated images are identified and may be utilized to generate various vehicular equipment control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory A. Mart, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, John K. Roberts, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, Eric J. Walstra, Brock R. Rycenga