Adjustable Patents (Class 359/604)
  • Patent number: 11794653
    Abstract: A vehicular variable reflectance mirror reflective element includes a rear glass substrate joined with a front glass sheet via a perimeter seal. An electrochromic medium disposed in an interpane cavity established between the rear glass substrate and the front glass sheet and bounded by the perimeter seal. With the rear glass substrate joined with the front glass sheet, the front glass sheet is cut at a front glass substrate portion to form a front glass substrate. A back plate is attached at the rear of the rear glass substrate. With the front glass sheet cut at the front glass substrate portions to form the front glass substrate having the rear glass substrate joined therewith via the perimeter seal, and with the back plate fixtured at a finishing tool, the cut edges of the front glass substrate are processed to provide a finished perimeter edge of the front glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 11789329
    Abstract: An electrochromic device composed of a pattern forming layer, an optical coating layer, an electrochromic component, and an opaque white layer arranged is revealed. The pattern forming layer has at least one pattern-shaded hollow hole for exposure of the optical coating layer. The optical coating layer which includes at least two layers of high and low refractive index material stacked alternately is the main layer to render colors. When transmittance of the electrochromic component which generates color changes is lower than 50%, a difference in the transmittance at 500 nm, 600 nm, and 700 nm is no more than 10%. Under such colored state, the color of light reflected by the optical coating layer is enhanced. The opaque white layer is for a sharper color contrast of the reflected light. Thereby light reflected by the optical coating layer show colors different from those of the electrochromic component in bleached and colored states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Redoxlens Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi-Wen Chung
  • Patent number: 11772366
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Collins, Ronald M. Parker, Robert T. Rozbicki, Dhairya Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 11753024
    Abstract: Anticipatory vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) actuation, including: determining, based on sensor data capturing an environment around a vehicle, a predicted environmental state corresponding to a future time and comprising a transition in exterior lighting; determining, based on the predicted environmental state, an actuation state for one or more headlights of the vehicle; and configuring the one or more headlights of the vehicle according to the actuation state before the future time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GHOST AUTONOMY INC.
    Inventors: Volkmar Uhlig, Mario Delgado, Par Botes
  • Patent number: 11628709
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an anti-glare device, a control method and a vehicle. The anti-glare device includes a sensing circuit, a driving circuit and an electrically-controlled color-variable thin film. The sensing circuit is configured to acquire status information about the vehicle in a running state. The driving circuit is configured to generate a driving signal for the electrically-controlled color-variable thin film in accordance with the status information. The electrically-controlled color-variable thin film is arranged on a front windshield of the vehicle and configured to change a transmittance to external light beam in accordance with the driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naifu Wu, Xitong Ma, Lixin Kou
  • Patent number: 11608972
    Abstract: A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a first reflector having a first color, a second reflector having a second color, and a mask that either allows incoming light to reach the first reflector and not the second reflector or allows incoming light to reach the second reflector and not the first reflector. An active light unit may emit light of a particular color in response to receiving light. In this fashion, the active light unit may simulate the operation of a reflector. The reflector unit and the active light unit may operate on a bi-directional vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Da Liu, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Andrew Mark Stieber
  • Patent number: 11505987
    Abstract: A light transmitting panel assembly includes a first panel, a second panel, a frame, a gap between the first panel and the second panel, and a first active component located between the first panel and the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Marcelo B. da Silveira Magalhaes, Peter F. Masschelein, Gregory A. Cohoon, Derek C. Scott, David E. Kingman
  • Patent number: 11433814
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a variable reflectance mirror reflective element suitable for use in a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes providing a front glass sheet and a plurality of rear glass substrates, and joining and spacing the rear glass substrates at the front glass sheet via perimeter seals. After the rear glass substrates are joined with the front glass sheet, the front glass sheet is cut to form a plurality of front glass substrates. A back plate is attached at the rear side of each of the rear glass substrates. After cutting the front glass sheet, the back plate of the respective rear glass substrate and cut front glass substrate portion is fixtured at a finishing tool, which processes the cut edges of at least the respective front glass substrate to provide a finished perimeter edge of the front glass substrate to form a variable reflectance mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 11373395
    Abstract: Examples relate to simultaneous localization and calibration. An example implementation may involve receiving sensor data indicative of markers detected by a sensor on a vehicle located at vehicle poses within an environment, and determining a pose graph representing the vehicle poses and the markers. For instance, the pose graph may include edges associated with a cost function representing a distance measurement between matching marker detections at different vehicle poses. The distance measurement may incorporate the different vehicle poses and a sensor pose on the vehicle. The implementation may further involve determining a sensor pose transform representing the sensor pose on the vehicle that optimizes the cost function associated with the edges in the pose graph, and providing the sensor pose transform. In further examples, motion model parameters of the vehicle may be optimized as part of a graph-based system as well or instead of sensor calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Holz, Troy Straszheim
  • Patent number: 11304276
    Abstract: A system includes at least one lighting device, e.g., at least one LED luminaire, and a control circuit configured to control a spectral output produced by the at least one lighting device responsive to environmental information about an area illuminated by the at least one lighting device. The control circuit may be configured to control a color temperature of the illumination responsive to the environmental information. In some embodiments, the control circuit may be configured to lower the color temperature of the illumination responsive to the environmental information indicating a level of reflected light and/or a weather condition, such as precipitation, correlated with the presence or likely presence of glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLC
    Inventors: Dante P. Nava, Joshua J. Markle, Robert E. Higley, Edward Steinke
  • Patent number: 11203309
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror control system includes a touchpad including a sensing surface operative to produce signals indicative of a desired movement of a vehicle mirror responsive to a gesture detected by the sensing surface. A vehicle mirror assembly and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Francisco Calvillo Cortés, Oscar Gerardo Rodriguez Lango, José Manuel Hernández Vázquez
  • Patent number: 11133359
    Abstract: A thin, sheetlike, electronic, self-powered component including at least a display device and/or a sensor, as well as an energy source or a combination of the preceding is provided. Furthermore, the integration of this electrical component in existing products, especially printing and paper products, without the objects having to be damaged or destroyed is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: INURU GMBH
    Inventors: Patrick Barkowski, Marcin Ratajczak
  • Patent number: 10953814
    Abstract: A window heater for a vehicular camera or the like provides for a first heating element surrounding the field-of-view of the camera and a second heater element winding through the field-of-view of the camera to optimize heat delivery to the windshield without obstructing the camera's field-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Bulgajewski, Piotr Sliwa, John F. Healey
  • Patent number: 10824860
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus for a vehicle comprises a display housing comprising a display device forming a display plane and a support housing in supportive connection with the display housing. The support housing is in connection with a connection surface of a portion of the vehicle and forms an interior cavity extending substantially perpendicular from the connection surface. A first PCB is disposed in the interior cavity, wherein the first PCB comprises a plurality of planar faces terminating at a plurality of edges. The planar faces extend substantially perpendicular to the connection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric S. Lundy, Jason D. Hallack
  • Patent number: 10793071
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element disposed at a housing. The housing and the reflective element are tandemly and pivotally adjustable about a mounting structure mounted at an interior portion of the vehicle to provide a desired rearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle. A user input is actuatable by the driver of the vehicle. A motorized actuator is operable responsive to actuation of the user input to tilt the reflective element and the housing in tandem about a horizontal axis. Responsive to actuation of the motorized actuator responsive to the user input, the motorized actuator tandemly tilts the reflective element and the housing about the horizontal axis to orientate an outermost front surface of the reflective element more towards the driver or more away from the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jake A. Mohan
  • Patent number: 10677411
    Abstract: A luminous signalling module for a motor vehicle, including a liquid-crystal display with a back face and a front face; a backlighting panel placed facing the back face of the liquid-crystal display, configured to backlight the liquid-crystal display with a view to forming, by transmission through the display, a luminous image; and a depolarizing optical device, for example a diffuser, facing the front face of the liquid-crystal display, configured to cancel out a linear polarization of the luminous image generated by the liquid-crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Julia Petit, Kedar Sathaye, Sebastien Neveu
  • Patent number: 10650270
    Abstract: Examples relate to simultaneous localization and calibration. An example implementation may involve receiving sensor data indicative of markers detected by a sensor on a vehicle located at vehicle poses within an environment, and determining a pose graph representing the vehicle poses and the markers. For instance, the pose graph may include edges associated with a cost function representing a distance measurement between matching marker detections at different vehicle poses. The distance measurement may incorporate the different vehicle poses and a sensor pose on the vehicle. The implementation may further involve determining a sensor pose transform representing the sensor pose on the vehicle that optimizes the cost function associated with the edges in the pose graph, and providing the sensor pose transform. In further examples, motion model parameters of the vehicle may be optimized as part of a graph-based system as well or instead of sensor calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Holz, Troy Straszheim
  • Patent number: 10630966
    Abstract: A stereoscopic cluster for a vehicle may include: a processor configured to: detect at least one pair of left and right eyes from acquired image data; distinguish a pair of left and right eyes of a first user among at least two pairs of left and right eyes when the at least two pairs of left and right eyes are detected; and provide a stereoscopic screen based on the distinguished pair of left and right eyes of the first user; and a display controlled by the processor to display the stereoscopic screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS COPORATION
    Inventor: Ji Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 10598984
    Abstract: A reflectivity adjustable wall unit includes a transflective layer, a reflective layer, a first sealing gap defined between the transflective layer and the reflective layer, and a liquid crystal layer in the first sealing gap. The transflective layer is used as an outer layer of the reflectivity adjustable wall unit, and reflects some of ambient light irradiated at the transflective layer while allowing some of the ambient light to pass through. The reflective layer is disposed opposite to the transflective layer. The reflective layer includes an electrochromic reflective layer, a liquid crystal electrode layer and a base substrate, and the electrochromic reflective layer, the liquid crystal electrode layer and the base substrate are sequentially arranged from an outside to an inside. The electrochromic reflective layer has variable reflectivity under control of an external control voltage; and the liquid crystal layer has variable index under control of the liquid crystal electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLGOY GROUP CO., LTD., CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bo Shi
  • Patent number: 10517196
    Abstract: A flexible display device includes a flexible display panel and a heat dissipating layer. The flexible display panel includes a bending region and a non-bending region. The heat dissipating layer includes a first heat dissipating sublayer and a second heat dissipating sublayer. The first heat dissipating sublayer is disposed on the non-bending region and the second heat dissipating sublayer is disposed on the first heat dissipating sublayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bao Chen, Shuru Lin
  • Patent number: 10300842
    Abstract: An illumination assembly configured to emit diffuse light through an indicator is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substrate having an applique disposed thereon. The applique forms an opening configured to transmit light through the substrate. The assembly further comprises a light source in connection with a circuit and configured to emit light through the shape. A diffusing layer is applied to a surface of the assembly between the circuit and the substrate. The diffusing layer comprises a resin material configured to cure in response to exposure to ultraviolet light or heat. The diffusing layer further comprises a filler material comprising a plurality of beaded structures configured to diffuse light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Garret C. DeNolf, David J. Cammenga, Adam R. Heintzelman
  • Patent number: 10207705
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system includes a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle, and an electronic control unit that includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the cameras. A plurality of other sensors sense at least one of rearward and sideward of the equipped vehicle and capture sensor data. The collision avoidance system may determine imminence of collision with the equipped vehicle by another vehicle present exterior the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to (a) image processing by the image processor of image data captured by a forward-viewing camera, a rearward-viewing camera, a driver side-viewing camera and/or a passenger side-viewing camera, and (b) radar data sensed by the plurality of other sensors, lidar data sensed by at least one lidar sensor of said plurality of other sensors and/or information transmitted to or from the equipped vehicle via a car2car (v2v) communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Johannes Wolf
  • Patent number: 10166935
    Abstract: In a dimmable trim component for a vehicle interior, a trim article includes a reflective member having a photoreactive or an electro-optic coating disposed over the reflective member. The reflective member is configured to reflect ambient light. The coating is a bistable coating and is operable between a first light transmissive state and a second light transmissive state. When in the first light transmissive state, ambient light is transmitted to the reflective member for reflection by the reflective member through the coating. When in the second light transmissive state, a portion of the ambient light is absorbed by the coating and therefore, not reflected by the reflective member, such that the coating provides a dimming effect to the trim article in high ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bilger, Megan May Lovejoy, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake
  • Patent number: 10126624
    Abstract: An electro-optic assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface; a rear substrate spaced from and substantially parallel to the front substrate. The rear substrate comprises a third surface and a fourth surface substantially parallel to the third surface. The assembly further comprises an electrical contact for providing an electrical connection to an electrode in proximity to an electro-optic material and an appliqué layer. The appliqué layer is on at least a portion of the fourth surface and forms a contact-obscuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Adam R. Heintzelman, Joel A. Stray, Autumn W. Trombka
  • Patent number: 10005425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat-belt warning device comprising a device which detects a seat occupied by a passenger, a device which detects whether the seat-belt associated with a seat is being used, and a device which emits a warning signal. According to the invention, the device which detects seat occupancy by a passenger comprises an optical image-producing system comprising an image evaluation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Guido Becker, Thierry Mousel, Paul Schockmel
  • Patent number: 10007113
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle, a display device has a display area displaying an image projected by an optical device by way of a reflection area as a virtual image. The optical device has at least one reflector and an actuator which moves the reflector. The actuator includes a shape memory material, which is designed to be deformed by a temperature-dependent phase transition and thereby move the reflector. By the provision of a thermal shape memory actuator that functions without an electric current, the optical path can be changed, so that overheating of internal temperature-sensitive components of the display device can be prevented in a way that is particularly inexpensive and efficient in terms of installation space and it is also possible to dispense with electronic sensing, evaluation and activation entirely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Christian Wall
  • Patent number: 9855895
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate having a first side and an opposing second side. The mirror reflective element has a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary reflector portion. The auxiliary reflector portion includes a curved recess established at the second side of the glass substrate. An auxiliary mirror metallic reflector is coated at the curved recess at the second side of the glass substrate and a principal mirror metallic reflector is coated at the principal reflector portion. The mirror reflective element is configured so that, when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with the mirror reflective element is normally mounted at a side of a vehicle, the curved recess is disposed at an outboard upper region of the mirror reflective element relative to the side of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9834157
    Abstract: In a dimmable trim component for a vehicle interior, a trim article includes a reflective member having a photoreactive or an electro-optic coating disposed over the reflective member. The reflective member is configured to reflect ambient light. The coating is a bistable coating and is operable between a first light transmissive state and a second light transmissive state. When in the first light transmissive state, ambient light is transmitted to the reflective member for reflection by the reflective member through the coating. When in the second light transmissive state, a portion of the ambient light is absorbed by the coating and therefore, not reflected by the reflective member, such that the coating provides a dimming effect to the trim article in high ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Paul Bilger, Megan May Lovejoy, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake
  • Patent number: 9802609
    Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system includes a first image processor that processes image data captured by a forward-viewing camera to detect vehicles and determine vehicles present in the occupied lane and adjacent lane, and a second image processor that processes image data captured by a rearward-viewing camera to detect the presence of vehicles and determine vehicles present in the occupied lane and adjacent lane. Information relating to the vehicles is wirelessly transmitted between the vehicles. Responsive at least in part to at least one of (i) image processing of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera and/or rearward-viewing camera, (ii) sensor data sensed by at least one other sensor, and (iii) information transmitted to or from the equipped vehicle via the car2car (v2v) communication system, the collision avoidance system is operable to determine imminence of collision with the equipped vehicle by another vehicle present exterior the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Johannes Wolf
  • 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: 9701247
    Abstract: A method of forming a mirror reflector sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes providing a glass substrate and physically removing glass from a portion of a second surface of the glass substrate to form a curved recess locally thereat, and coating via a vacuum deposition process the second surface of the glass substrate with a mirror reflector to form a mirror reflective element suitable for use in an automotive exterior rearview mirror assembly. The method includes forming a mirror back plate in a plastic molding operation and providing a heater pad and disposing the heater pad between the coated second surface of the glass substrate and the first side of the mirror back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9499102
    Abstract: A method of forming a mirror reflector sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes providing a glass substrate and physically removing glass from a portion of a second surface of the glass substrate to form a curved recess locally thereat, and coating via a vacuum deposition process the second surface of the glass substrate with a mirror reflector to form a mirror reflective element suitable for use in an automotive exterior rearview mirror assembly. The method includes forming a mirror back plate in a plastic molding operation and providing a heater pad and disposing the heater pad between the coated second surface of the glass substrate and the first side of the mirror back plate. The heater pad is adhered to the coated second surface of glass substrate and to the first side of the mirror back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9391341
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a molten salt battery. The method includes a housing step (S100) for housing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator in a battery container; an injecting step (S110) for injecting the molten salt into the battery container while heating the battery container; a closing step (S120) for closing the battery container with a closing lid; a heating and drying step (S130) for heating the battery container in a vacuum state with a check valve open; and a sealing step (S150) for closing the check valve. In summary, the positive electrode, negative electrode, separator and molten salt are heated and dried in a vacuum state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Sakai, Atsushi Fukunaga, Koji Nitta, Shinji Inazawa
  • Patent number: 9315155
    Abstract: A method of forming a mirror reflector sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes providing a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface. Glass is physically removed from a portion of the second surface of the glass substrate to form a curved recess locally thereat. The second surface of the glass substrate is coated with a mirror reflector via a vacuum deposition process. When used in an automotive exterior rearview mirror assembly, the mirror reflective element provides a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary reflector portion to a driver of the vehicle who views the mirror reflective element when normally operating the vehicle. A mirror back plate is formed in a plastic molding operation and a heater pad is disposed between the coated second surface of the glass substrate and a first side of the mirror back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9274394
    Abstract: A multi-zone reflector having an opaque zone and a transflective zone. The reflector includes a supporting base, a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, and an upper reflecting layer extending over the opacifying layer and the transflective zone of the reflector. The lower reflecting layer substantially completely covers the transflective zone, and the opacifying layer is disposed substantially outside the transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer. Over at least a portion of the transflective zone, the upper and lower reflecting layers have a common surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Jeffrey N. Williams, Lansen M. Perron
  • Patent number: 9151880
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to mirrors having a reflective layer of or including silicon aluminum (e.g., SiAl). The mirrors may be first surface mirrors, or second surface mirrors. The SiAl layer may be provided between dielectric layers. The mirrors may be flat or bent in different instances, and may or may not be heat treated. In certain example instances, such mirrors may be used in interior residential, commercial, appliance, and/or other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Guardian do Brasil Vidros Planos Ltda., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Afonso Kreling, Fabiola Ramos Torres, Juan Baillo Abreu, Willem Den Boer, Alexey Krasnov
  • Patent number: 9134466
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to mirrors having a reflective layer of or including silicon aluminum (e.g., SiAl). The mirrors may be first surface mirrors, or second surface mirrors. The mirrors may be flat or bent in different instances, and may or may not be heat treated. In certain example instances, such mirrors may be used in interior residential, commercial, appliance, and/or other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: Guardian do Brasil Vidros Planos Ltda., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Afonso Kreling, Fabiola Ramos Torres, Juan Baillo Abreu, Philip J. Lingle, Jean-Marc Lemmer, Willem Den Boer, Alexey Krasnov
  • Patent number: 9091896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) of the electrochromic type comprising successively a substrate (2), a reflection control coating (8), a laminating interlayer (10), a functional system (4) of the electrochromic type and a substrate (2). This particular arrangement of the laminating interlayer between the reflection control coating and the functional system and the choice of the refractive index and thickness of the reflection control coating are such that the saturation values of C* in the colorimetric system (L*, a*, b*) of the device in reflection are less than or equal to 10 for angles of incidence of 60° and 8° relative to the normal (N) to the outer face (6B) of the counter-substrate and that the absolute value of the difference between the value of C* at an angle of incidence of 8° and the value of C* at an angle of incidence of 60° is less than or equal to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver Selles, Ingolf Ripberger, Philippe Letocart, Julien Orillard
  • Patent number: 9039210
    Abstract: A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gregory E. Longerich, William Owens, Richard J. Wright, David C. Robillard, Emerald J. Adair, Perry H. Frahm
  • Patent number: 9029907
    Abstract: An optoelectronic semiconductor component includes a radiation emitting semiconductor chip having a radiation coupling out area. Electromagnetic radiation generated in the semiconductor chip leaves the semiconductor chip via the radiation coupling out area. A converter element is disposed downstream of the semiconductor chip at its radiation coupling out area. The converter element is configured to convert electromagnetic radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip. The converter element has a first surface facing away from the radiation coupling out area. A reflective encapsulation encapsulates the semiconductor chip and portions of the converter element at side areas in a form-fitting manner. The first surface of the converter element is free of the reflective encapsulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Gertrud Kräuter, Bernd Barchmann, Krister Bergenek, Michael Zitzlsperger, Johann Ramchen
  • Patent number: 8988758
    Abstract: A thermochromic window doped with a dopant and a method of manufacturing the same. The thermochromic window includes a substrate and a thermochromic thin film formed on the substrate. The thermochromic thin film has a thermochromic material doped with a dopant, the concentration of the dopant gradually decreasing in a depth direction from one surface of the upper surface and the undersurface of the thermochromic thin film. The thermochromic window has a high level of visible light transmittance and high phase change efficiency while having a low phase transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Won Choi, Yung-Jin Jung, Dong Gun Moon, Jee Yun Cha
  • Patent number: 8919971
    Abstract: The invention is related to an interior rear view mirror that is constructed by front plastic glass shaped in u-form and a mirror housing. The mirror comprises a second plastic glass which crate a inter glass space for a device which changes the reflectivity of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Ulrich Bruhnke, Oliver Eder, Kurt Wilfinger
  • Patent number: 8864321
    Abstract: A controller or control method may be designed or configured to operate without information about the current temperature of the device and/or the device's environment. Further, in some cases, the controller or control method is designed or configured to control transition of an optical device to an intermediated state between two end states. For example, the controller may be configured to control a transition to a state of transmissivity that is intermediate between two end states of transmissivity. In such case, the device has three or more stable states of transmissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Disha Mehtani, Gordon Jack, Anshu Pradhan
  • Publication number: 20140268351
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, they relate to a rearview mirror assembly including a switchable reflective element and a display. The switchable reflective element is a type that is selectively switchable between a reflective mode and a transmissive mode. The display is positioned behind the switchable reflective element for displaying images through the switchable reflective element when in the transmissive mode. The rearview mirror assembly may further include either an anti-reflection coating provided on at least one of the front and rear sides of the switchable reflective element, or first and second prisms provided on opposite sides of the switchable reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Mark A. VanVuuren, Ethan J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140211317
    Abstract: A rearview mirror incorporates the use of electrochromic mirror glass capable of dimming via electronic controls. The electrochromic mirror glass dims when glare from vehicle driving aft of the motor vehicle impinge on the rearview mirror. The rearview mirror includes a control circuit with a single sensor. The sensor receives glare from aft and ambient light forward the motor vehicle. A light conductor guides light from the two directions. A sensor receives the light from the two directions and is able to discern between the glare light and the ambient light, by filtering the light received from each direction based on color. One color is received from one location and not from the other. The sensor is sensitive to wavelengths and can identify the magnitude of flux received in each color. This allows the interior rearview mirror to identify situations that are appropriate for dimming the electrochromic mirror glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Rolf Thiel, Manfred Herrler
  • Patent number: 8779947
    Abstract: Vehicle-related messaging methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one of the methods, a telematics unit disposed in a vehicle detects that the vehicle is no longer in operation. Upon making the detection, the telematics unit automatically transmits a message to a device, where the message includes a suggestion, a recommendation, an indication, or a notification pertaining to a vehicle utility. An application resident on the device, or on a cloud computing system in communication with the device, presents the message on the device by displaying i) the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification and ii) a plurality of actionable items associated with the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Tengler, Mark S. Frye
  • Patent number: 8730551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Henry A. Luten, David J. Cammenga, Juan C. Lara, Jeffrey A. Forgette
  • Patent number: 8717521
    Abstract: A reflective device wherein the device reflectivity is adjustable via automatic or manual means. The variable reflectance element includes a metallic mirror reflector on one side of a substrate and additional substrate layers consisting of a polarizer and a LCD whose material characteristics have been optimized for dimming. The mirror assembly provides alternate trigger mechanisms for initiating the dimming function, the dimming function being automatically referenced to ambient light levels (day or night) or manually adjusted or selected. In the automatic mode the dimming mirror assembly provides the user immediate eye protection from reflected high intensity glare by effecting near instantaneous adjustment in mirror reflectivity, such that the intensity of the reflected light impinging on the eyes is automatically adjusted so as to be at comfortable levels. The mirror assembly construction is in one piece, and allows the viewing of a display or TFT monitor located adjacent to the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Rydeen North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Maeda
  • Patent number: 8674285
    Abstract: A vehicle interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and ambient and glare light sensors. A control circuit is operable to establish a reflectance level of the reflective element. At least one of (a) the mirror system includes a charge accumulation device selectively connected with the ambient or glare light sensor and the control circuit establishes the ambient and glare light levels as a function of time for an output of the charge accumulation device to reach a reference level when connected to the respective light sensor, (b) a common element is used to measure outputs of the light sensors sequentially to correspond errors due to component variations, and (c) the mirror system includes temperature compensation of the glare and/or ambient light sensor and the temperature compensation is responsive to a reference light sensor that is substantially not exposed to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: RE49072
    Abstract: A vehicle side mirror is provided and includes a mirror and a mirror housing in which the mirror is installed. Additionally, a blind spot detection (BSD)-integrated mirror holder supports the mirror and includes a mounting groove formed in a front surface thereof that faces the mirror. A BSD module is configured to provide a warning regarding a danger in a blind spot on a rear lateral side of a vehicle and is disposed in the mounting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SL Mirrortech Corporation
    Inventor: Jeong Hun Oh