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: 7370983
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a display screen that is extendable and retractable relative to a casing. The display screen is movably mounted at the casing and movable or slidable in a direction generally parallel to a length axis of the reflective element between a non-use position, where the video display screen is positioned substantially within the casing, and a use position, where the video display screen is substantially extended from a side of the casing for viewing. The display screen may be automatically extended in response to an activating event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl P. DeWind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 6867510
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman
  • Publication number: 20030034752
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman
  • Patent number: 6472773
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman
  • Publication number: 20020063473
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman
  • Patent number: 6340849
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman
  • Patent number: 6229226
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror actuator for adjustably positioning a mirror includes at least one motor with a casing and one or more power leads for powering the motor. An electromagnetic interference suppressor is included in the mirror actuator assembly and is mounted externally to the motor casing. The interference suppressor may include either a choke or at least one ferrite bead coupled between the power lead and the motor. The interference suppressor may be positioned either internally within the actuator housing, or externally to the actuator housing. Alternatively, the interference suppressor may include a metallic lining that surrounds the vehicular mirror actuator and which includes at least one feed-through capacitor coupled to said metallic lining and a source of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Robert E. Schnell
  • Patent number: 6163083
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman
  • Patent number: 6093976
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman
  • Patent number: 5796176
    Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Roger L. Veldman