Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a vehicle toll module, which may comprise a first antenna, a radio frequency power detector, an attenuator, and/or a controller. The first antenna may receive a first signal from a toll collection system remotely located relative the vehicle and generate a first output based thereon. The radio frequency power detector may be configured to adjust the first output to generate a second output. The attenuator may be configured to receive the second output and generate a third output based thereon. The controller may be connected to the attenuator and configured to: receive the third output, extract data from the second output, and generate a third output based on a unique identifier associated with the toll module, in response to the extracted data. Additionally, the third output may be received by an antenna which may either transmit a second signal or backscatters the first signal.
Abstract: A monitoring system is configured to prevent a door of a vehicle from contacting an object in a travel path of the door. The monitoring system includes an alarm device and a structured light assembly that has at least one optical projector and at least one image capturing module configured to detect an object in the travel path of the door. A control system is configured to generate a notification, with the alarm device, upon the detected presence of the object in the travel path of the door.
Abstract: A detection system for an aircraft that includes at least one chemical sensor or an array of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing an airborne material. The chemical sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes in the presence of the airborne material. The system further includes a processor coupled to the chemical sensor. The processor monitors electrical characteristic of the chemical sensor and generates a detection signal in response to a change in the electrical characteristic.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 21, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 24, 2023
Assignee:
GENTEX CORPORATION
Inventors:
Michael F. Behm, Benjamin R. Bunes, Douglas W. Later
Abstract: A rearview display system is provided for a vehicle having: a rear camera generating a rearward video stream, a right-side camera generating a right-side stream, and a left-side camera generating a left-side stream. The system includes a processing circuit for generating a composite video stream from: (a) the rearward stream and the right-side stream, (b) the rearward stream and the left-side stream, and (c) at least the rearward stream. When the composite stream is formed from the rearward stream and the right-side stream, the rearward stream extends across the whole composite stream with the exception of a right corner where the right-side stream is superimposed over the rearward stream. When the composite stream is formed from the rearward stream and the left-side stream, the rearward stream extends across the whole composite stream with the exception of a left corner where the left-side stream is superimposed over the rearward stream.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 6, 2022
Date of Patent:
October 24, 2023
Assignee:
GENTEX CORPORATION
Inventors:
Mark A VanVuuren, Leah R. Hoffmeyer, Ethan J. Lee
Abstract: An electro-optic element having multiple regions is disclosed. The electro-optic element comprises an electro-optic medium disposed between two electrodes. Further, the electro-optic medium is operable between activated and un-activated states based, at least in part, on exposure to an electrical potential. In some embodiments, in response to an electrical potential of a first polarity, the electro-optic medium may be substantially activated in one region and substantially un-activated in another region. In response to an electrical potential of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the electro-optic medium may be substantially activated in both regions. In other embodiments, the electro-optic medium is operably activated such that electro-optic medium is activated in one region and un-activated in another region, regardless of polarity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2021
Date of Patent:
October 24, 2023
Assignee:
GENTEX CORPORATION
Inventors:
Mario F. Saenger Nayver, George A. Neuman, John S. Anderson, Yuping Lin, Eric A. Gobrogge
Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A first electrode is coupled to the first substrate and a second electrode is coupled to the second substrate. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and is configured to be electro-activated between states. A plurality of transistors are in electrical communication with the electro-optic medium to switch localized regions of the electro-optic medium between states.
Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a movable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle. The movable panel includes an electro-optic apparatus configured to adjust in transmittance. A wireless connection interface includes a vehicle-side coupling module and a panel-side coupling module. The vehicle-side coupling module is in connection with a support frame of the vehicle forming an opening that receives the movable panel. The vehicle-side coupling module is aligned with an interface surface of the movable panel. The wireless connection interface communicates power or electrical signals from a transmission unit of the vehicle-side coupling module to a reception module of the panel-side coupling module.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 9, 2023
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2023
Assignee:
GENTEX CORPORATION
Inventors:
Drew D. Brennan, Robert R. Turnbull, John B. Ostreko, Douglas C. Papay, Brian S. Lorence, Danny L. Minikey, Jr.
Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first electrode electrically connecting with power supply circuitry. A second electrode is spaced from the first electrode and electrically connecting with the power supply circuitry. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one third electrode is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and electrically connecting with one of the first electrode and the second electrode via switching circuitry. The switching circuitry is operable to control an electrical current through the first electrode, the electro-optic medium, and the second electrode.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 6, 2023
Publication date:
October 12, 2023
Applicant:
Gentex Corporation
Inventors:
Robert R. Turnbull, David A. Blaker, Xiaoxu Niu, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Bradley R. Hamlin, Michael J. Burns
Abstract: The disclosure provides for a scanning apparatus. The scanning apparatus may be configured to capture identifying information of a user and may comprise one or more infrared emitters, at least one image sensor configured to capture image data in a field of view, and a controller in communication with the scanning apparatus. The controller may be configured to activate the one or more infrared emitters, control the at least one image sensor to capture a first image in the field of view, deactivate the one or more infrared emitters, and control the at least one image sensor to capture a second image in the field of view.
Abstract: A full display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a partially reflective, partially transmissive element is located in the housing. A bezel assembly includes at least one localized region that is substantially opaque to a visible spectrum of light and substantially transmissive to an infrared spectrum of light. At least one illumination element is located in the housing and oriented to project infrared illumination through the at least one localized region.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 21, 2023
Publication date:
September 28, 2023
Applicant:
Gentex Corporation
Inventors:
Danny L. Minikey, JR., Steven J. Veenman, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Nigel T. Lock, Michael G. Hendricks, Eric S. Lundy
Abstract: A full display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic assembly containing an electro-optic medium, a display module, and at least one imager module configured to capture a blind spot. A processor and a memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in response to a detection of an object in the blind spot, generate a first warning indicia in a first region of the full display mirror assembly. The processor is further caused to, in response to a detection that a vehicle containing the full display mirror assembly is turning or about to turn towards the blind spot with the object, generate a second warning indicia in a second region of the full display mirror assembly by enlarging the first region.
Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a partially reflective, partially transmissive element is located in the housing. A bezel assembly includes at least one localized region that is substantially opaque to a visible spectrum of light and substantially transmissive to an infrared spectrum of light. At least one illumination element is located in the housing and oriented to project infrared illumination through the at least one localized region.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 21, 2023
Publication date:
September 28, 2023
Applicant:
Gentex Corporation
Inventors:
Danny L. Minikey, JR., Steven J. Veenman, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Nigel T. Lock, Michael G. Hendricks, Eric S. Lundy
Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first electro-optic element and a second electro-optic element in series with the first electro-optic element via a common node conductively connecting the first electro-optic element to the second electro-optic element. A power supply circuitry includes a first node and a second node. The first node connects the power supply circuitry to the first electro-optic element, and the second node connects the power supply circuitry to the second electro-optic element.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 22, 2023
Publication date:
September 28, 2023
Applicant:
Gentex Corporation
Inventors:
Mario F. Saenger Nayver, Ryan B. Balili, Patrick Kreun, Robert R. Turnbull, Donald L. Bareman, Winston D. Carston, Stephen F. Richlich, Leroy J. Kloeppner
Abstract: A system for monitoring an alertness level of an occupant of a vehicle includes a first sensor operable to detect an event exterior to the vehicle. A second imager is operable to capture an image of the occupant. A controller is in electrical communication with the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller is configured to determine a target direction aligning with a region of the event. The controller is further configured to determine a viewing direction of the occupant based on the image. The controller is further configured to compare the target direction to the viewing direction. The controller is further configured to determine the alertness level of the driver based on the comparison of the target direction to the viewing direction.