Patents by Inventor Robert E. Roush, JR.

Robert E. Roush, JR. 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: 9550455
    Abstract: An imager system configured for a vehicle control system is provided that includes at least one imager configured to capture a multi-focus image having depth data, the imager comprising an image sensor comprising an array of pixels, and an optics assembly in optical communication with the image sensor, the optics assembly configured to capture light rays, wherein the optics assembly comprising a main lens assembly configured to substantially focus a scene on to a plane, a micro lens assembly in optical communication between the main lens and the image sensor to substantially focus on to same the plane as the main lens assembly extending out to infinity, and a controller in communication with the imager, wherein the controller is configured to output a signal for controlling a function of the vehicle, the signal based upon the depth data determined from the multi-focus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew M. Foley, Robert E. Roush, Jr., Henry A. Luten
  • Patent number: 9381862
    Abstract: An optical element such as a reflector defining a differentiable fiducial surface having a first portion, with a flat region, that seamlessly adjoins, along a curved line, a second portion having a two-dimensionally curved region. The quality of optical imaging in the reflector is drastically improved by reducing the ratio of optical powers measured in two perpendicular directions along the two-dimensionally curved portion of the surface. The vehicular rearview assembly including such a reflector possesses a field-of-view (FOV) that is significantly higher than the FOV of a conventional flat mirror and facilitates visual access to a “blind spot” behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Gentry, Robert E. Roush, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140334024
    Abstract: An optical element such as a reflector defining a differentiable fiducial surface having a first portion, with a flat region, that seamlessly adjoins, along a curved line, a second portion having a two-dimensionally curved region. The quality of optical imaging in the reflector is drastically improved by reducing the ratio of optical powers measured in two perpendicular directions along the two-dimensionally curved portion of the surface. The vehicular rearview assembly including such a reflector possesses a field-of-view (FOV) that is significantly higher than the FOV of a conventional flat mirror and facilitates visual access to a “blind spot” behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Gentry, Robert E. Roush, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8817356
    Abstract: An optical element such as a reflector defining a differentiable fiducial surface having a first portion, with a flat region, that seamlessly adjoins, along a curved line, a second portion having a two-dimensionally curved region. The quality of optical imaging in the reflector is drastically improved by reducing the ratio of optical powers measured in two perpendicular directions along the two-dimensionally curved portion of the surface. The vehicular rearview assembly including such a reflector possesses a field-of-view (FOV) that is significantly higher than the FOV of a conventional flat mirror and facilitates visual access to a “blind spot” behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel J Gentry, Robert E Roush, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130286188
    Abstract: An imager system configured for a vehicle control system is provided that includes at least one imager configured to capture a multi-focus image having depth data, the imager comprising an image sensor comprising an array of pixels, and an optics assembly in optical communication with the image sensor, the optics assembly configured to capture light rays, wherein the optics assembly comprising a main lens assembly configured to substantially focus a scene on to a plane, a micro lens assembly in optical communication between the main lens and the image sensor to substantially focus on to same the plane as the main lens assembly extending out to infinity, and a controller in communication with the imager, wherein the controller is configured to output a signal for controlling a function of the vehicle, the signal based upon the depth data determined from the multi-focus image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew M. Foley, Robert E. Roush, JR., Henry A. Luten
  • Publication number: 20120099173
    Abstract: An optical element such as a reflector defining a differentiable fiducial surface having a first portion, with a flat region, that seamlessly adjoins, along a curved line, a second portion having a two-dimensionally curved region. The quality of optical imaging in the reflector is drastically improved by reducing the ratio of optical powers measured in two perpendicular directions along the two-dimensionally curved portion of the surface. The vehicular rearview assembly including such a reflector possesses a field-of-view (FOV) that is significantly higher than the FOV of a conventional flat mirror and facilitates visual access to a “blind spot” behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Gentry, Robert E. Roush, JR.