Patents by Inventor Mark E. Kramer

Mark E. Kramer 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: 10614719
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The blind zone indication module attaches at the rear side of the mirror reflective element via an aperture of the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes a housing that houses the circuit element and the at least one light emitting diode therein. The rear side of the mirror back plate includes structure at the indicator receiving portion configured to at least partially receive the housing. The circuit element includes electrically conductive terminals that are in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit element and that are received at a connector portion of the housing that is configured to connect to a wire harness of an exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20200005029
    Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of captured image data, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera, and determines if the detected object constitutes a hazardous condition. Responsive to determination of the hazardous condition, the control controls the video display device to automatically display an alert to the driver of the vehicle, with the alert including display of video images of the object that are derived from captured image data or a graphic overlay on displayed video images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 10522042
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing having a front end configured for attaching the blind zone indication module at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing of the blind zone indication module. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10410049
    Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. The field of view of the camera encompasses a blind spot of the vehicle. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of data captured by at least one sensor of the vehicle, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera. Responsive to detection of the object present exterior of the vehicle, the control controls the video display device to episodically and automatically display video images of the object that are derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Publication number: 20190139416
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing having a front end configured for attaching the blind zone indication module at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing of the blind zone indication module. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10170001
    Abstract: A blind zone indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a hollow housing that includes a front end for attaching the indicator module at the rear of a mirror reflective element configured for use by an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a rear end opposite the front end, and an intermediate portion between the front end and the rear end. The hollow housing comprises an inner surface that is white and is diffusely reflective of light incident thereat. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the hollow housing and closes the front end of the housing. Potting material is disposed at and over a circuit board to seal the circuit board in the module. Light emitted by a light emitting diode, when activated, reflects off the white inner surface of the hollow housing and passes through the diffuser element to exit the indicator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10131280
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element, and a video display device disposed in the mirror case and operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector and the video display device is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera disposed at the vehicle. The on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from the camera such that a video feed generated by the on-screen display controller includes the graphic overlay. The video display device comprises a metallic enclosure that is electrically grounded when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180174468
    Abstract: A blind zone indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a hollow housing that includes a front end for attaching the indicator module at the rear of a mirror reflective element configured for use by an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a rear end opposite the front end, and an intermediate portion between the front end and the rear end. The hollow housing comprises an inner surface that is white and is diffusely reflective of light incident thereat. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the hollow housing and closes the front end of the housing. Potting material is disposed at and over a circuit board to seal the circuit board in the module. Light emitted by a light emitting diode, when activated, reflects off the white inner surface of the hollow housing and passes through the diffuser element to exit the indicator module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20180029534
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element, and a video display device disposed in the mirror case and operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector and the video display device is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera disposed at the vehicle. The on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from the camera such that a video feed generated by the on-screen display controller includes the graphic overlay. The video display device comprises a metallic enclosure that is electrically grounded when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20170372614
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The blind zone indication module attaches at the rear side of the mirror reflective element via an aperture of the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes a housing that houses the circuit element and the at least one light emitting diode therein. The rear side of the mirror back plate includes structure at the indicator receiving portion configured to at least partially receive the housing. The circuit element includes electrically conductive terminals that are in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit element and that are received at a connector portion of the housing that is configured to connect to a wire harness of an exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20170365173
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a hollow housing formed by injection molding of plastic material and providing a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with at least one light emitting diode disposed at the first side of the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed between a rear end and a front end of the housing such that the first side of the circuit board faces the front end of the housing. With the circuit board disposed between the rear and front ends of the housing, potting material is disposed at and over the second side of the circuit board to seal the rear side of the circuit board. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the housing and closes the front end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 9847028
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a hollow housing formed by injection molding of plastic material and providing a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with at least one light emitting diode disposed at the first side of the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed between a rear end and a front end of the housing such that the first side of the circuit board faces the front end of the housing. With the circuit board disposed between the rear and front ends of the housing, potting material is disposed at and over the second side of the circuit board to seal the rear side of the circuit board. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the housing and closes the front end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 9783114
    Abstract: A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle and includes a mirror case and a reflective element. A video display device disposed at the mirror case. The video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera and, responsive to receipt of the video signal, the on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to the video display device. The video feed generated by the on-screen display controller may include a graphic overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9761144
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a signal indication module and a mirror back plate attached at the mirror reflective element. The signal indication module attaches to the mirror reflective element via an aperture of the back plate and has a light source that is activatable to emit light. The signal indication module includes a housing that substantially encases the light source. The signal indication module includes an inner surface at an angle relative to the mirror reflective element. The signal indication module includes a baffle disposed at the inner surface and at least partially in front of the light source, the baffle partially but not fully occluding light emitted by the light source to reduce a bright spot at the reflective element when viewed when the light source is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
  • Patent number: 9754489
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The module includes a housing, a circuit board and a light source and is disposed at an aperture formed through the back plate. The circuit board includes circuitry and electrically conductive terminals in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit board. The electrically conductive terminals extend into a connector portion of the housing. The connector portion is configured to connect to a connector of a wire harness of the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The circuit board may include a constant current circuit that provides a constant current output to the light source over a range of supply voltages provided by a power source of the vehicle. The mirror back plate may include structure at least partially circumscribing the aperture for receiving the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20170228031
    Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. The field of view of the camera encompasses a blind spot of the vehicle. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of data captured by at least one sensor of the vehicle, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera. Responsive to detection of the object present exterior of the vehicle, the control controls the video display device to episodically and automatically display video images of the object that are derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 9632590
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view that encompasses a front seat of the vehicle so as to capture images of an occupant of the vehicle. An image processor is provided with image data captured by the camera and the image processor image processes image data captured by the camera. The image processor, responsive at least in part to image processing of image data captured by the camera, recognizes movement representative of a hand gesture made by the occupant of the vehicle. The image processor is a system-on-a-chip image processor. The control may control a device of the vehicle responsive at least in part to the recognition of the hand gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 9598016
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a video display device operable to display video information that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle through said mirror reflective element and at a display region of said mirror reflective element. The video display device may be operable to display a directional heading at a compass display portion of the display region, and means may be provided to adjust the directional heading display to limit image sticking of the displayed directional heading. The mirror assembly may have a touch zone having at least one touch pad established at a perimeter border band of the reflective element, and may have another touch sensor to detect a touch of a user away from the touch zone to determine when a detected touch at the touch zone is an unintentional touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Blank, John T. Uken, Mark L. Larson, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Timothy G. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20160231827
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view that encompasses a front seat of the vehicle so as to capture images of an occupant of the vehicle. An image processor is provided with image data captured by the camera and the image processor image processes image data captured by the camera. The image processor, responsive at least in part to image processing of image data captured by the camera, recognizes movement representative of a hand gesture made by the occupant of the vehicle. The image processor is a system-on-a-chip image processor. The control may control a device of the vehicle responsive at least in part to the recognition of the hand gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 9317742
    Abstract: A rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior surface of a windshield of the vehicle. A camera is incorporated into the interior rearview mirror assembly and has a field of view toward a front seat of the vehicle so as to capture images of an occupant of the vehicle. The camera captures image data. An image processor is provided with image data captured by the camera. The image processor image processes image data captured by the camera. The image processor, responsive at least in part to image processing of image data captured by the camera, recognizes movement. The movement comprises a hand gesture made by the occupant of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise