Patents Assigned to Gentex Corporation
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Publication number: 20240276607Abstract: A window operable to separate an interior from an exterior is disclosed. The window comprises a pressure pane and an anti-condensation assembly. The anti-condensation assembly is disposed in an interior direction relative the pressure pane. Further, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a substantially transparent substrate disposed in a spaced apart relationship relative the pressure pane. Additionally, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a resistively heatable layer associated with the first substrate. The resistively heatable layer is operable to generate heat when an electrical current is applied thereto. Accordingly, application of power to the resistively heatable layer may serve to reduce or eliminate the presence of visible condensation in the window.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Henry A. Luten, David I. Driscoll, Steven J. Veenman, Kevin L. Ash
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Publication number: 20240263767Abstract: A lighting assembly includes an upper mount having a pan gear and a plurality of indicator flanges. A lower mount is operably coupled to the lower mount and includes a pan motor and a tilt motor. A printed circuit board is operably coupled to the upper mount and includes a plurality of sensors. At least one sensor is selectively and operably coupled with the plurality of indicator flanges of the upper mount. A light module is operably coupled to the lower mount and includes a tilt gear operably coupled to the lower mount. A controller is operably coupled to the printed circuit board, the pan motor, and the tilt motor and is configured to rotate the lower mount and the light module via the pan motor and is configured to tilt the light module via the tilt motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2024Publication date: August 8, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Bradley T. Dubs, Jason D. Hallack, Justin D. Jansen, Ted D. Reeves
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Publication number: 20240264717Abstract: A monitoring system for a vehicle communicates with a user interface and includes a vision system that has a sensor configured to capture a presence of at least one vehicle occupant. A control system includes a processor configured to determine that the at least one vehicle occupant is attempting to interface with a user menu and determine a seating location of a first vehicle occupant attempting to interface with the user interface. The processor is further configured to categorize the first vehicle occupant attempting to interface with the user interface by the seating location and transmit an instruction to generate the user menu on the user interface specific to the categorization.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: August 8, 2024Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Guy Raz
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Patent number: 12054671Abstract: An electro-optic element having enhanced durability by the addition of an additive. The additive may enhance the durability of the electro-optic element by reducing or eliminating the effects of water on species with the electro-optic element, such as the electrolyte. Specifically, the additive may operate to reduce or eliminate the formation and/or accumulation of hydrogen fluoride within the electro-optic element by interaction of the electrolyte with water or alcohol molecules. In some embodiments, the additive may be an organosilicon species, such as (3-cyanopropyl) dimethylfluorosilane.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2021Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: William L. Tonar, Leroy J. Kloeppner
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Patent number: 12049169Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a mount assembly for a rearview assembly, which may comprise a member, a pivot, a cup, and/or a spring. The member may have a cavity with a tapered opening. The pivot may comprise a ball and be configured to support the rearview assembly. The cup may have an end portion, a wall portion, and a cavity. The cavity may be defined, at least in part, by the end and wall portions. Further, the cup may be disposed within the member and the ball portion may be disposed, at least in part, within the cavity of the cup. The spring may be disposed within the member and exert a force on the end portion of the cup. The force exerted onto the cup may be operable to jam the wall portion into the taper, causing the cup's wall portion to deflect and grip the ball portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Eric S. Sloterbeek
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Publication number: 20240246415Abstract: A display assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The display assembly may include a variable transmittance panel in connection with a support structure connecting the display assembly to the vehicle. The variable transmittance panel may include an electro-optic element configured to vary in transmittance in response to a transmittance control signal and a display that is at least partially light transmissive. The display may include opposing display surfaces on a first side and a second side. The first side is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic element. In operation, the display may output display content as display light from both the first side and the second side. The visibility of the display light output from the first side may be controlled or adjusted by the transmittance of the electro-optic element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2024Publication date: July 25, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Andrew D. Weller, Bradley A. Bosma, Michael J. Burns
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Publication number: 20240246483Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes a communication module, and at least one imager module in operable communication with to the communication module that is configured to capture a lane position of the associated vehicle and a driver's behavior. A processor receives the captured lane position and the captured driver's location from the at least one imager module. A memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to monitor the captured lane position and the captured driver's behavior for a sign of low alertness of the driver and generate an alert with the communications module upon detecting the sign of low alertness.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2024Publication date: July 25, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventor: Joshua D. Lintz
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Patent number: 12043178Abstract: A system for securing a motor to a circuit board of a rearview assembly may comprise a display element having an orientation; a motor having at least two motor terminals; a motherboard having a connection header; and a motor connection printed circuit board defining at least two slots and having a body portion and an end portion. Traces may extend from the at least two slots to the end portion of the motor connection printed circuit board. Each of the at least two motor terminals may be inserted into one of the at least two slots defined by the motor connection printed circuit board; and a portion of each of the at least two motor terminals may extend through the slot in which it has been inserted.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2022Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Eric S. Lundy, Gregory J. Nagel, Richard B. Kollewehr
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Publication number: 20240241394Abstract: An eye protection device is disclosed that includes a lens, a first transparent conductive layer (TCL) coupled to the lens and that covers a first heating area on the lens and a second TCL coupled to the lens and that covers a second heating area on the lens. The second TCL and second heating area are spaced from the first TCL and first heating area. The first TCL and second TCL are electrically connected to one another in series.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: July 18, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Haiping YU, Taylor WORTHINGTON
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Publication number: 20240227673Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a mounting bracket connected to the housing. A mounting member extends between a member first end configured to attach to an overhead structure of the vehicle and a connection end connected to the mounting bracket. A tether includes a first end connected to the mounting bracket. The tether extends at least partially through a hollow interior of the mounting member to a second end that is configured to attach to the overhead structure of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2024Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Alexander K. Stapf, Andreas Kraus
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Publication number: 20240227515Abstract: A visor assembly for an automobile includes an outer perimeter. The visor assembly further includes an electrochromic device configured to switch between a transparent state and a darkened state. The electrochromic device includes a first substrate defining a first element surface and a second element surface, a second substrate spaced away from the first substrate and defining a third element surface and a fourth element surface, and an electroactive medium positioned between the first and second substrates. The visor assembly further includes a liquid-crystal device configured to switch between a transparent state and a reflective state and a reflective polarizer positioned between the electrochromic device and the liquid-crystal device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Adam R. Heintzelman, Bradley A. Bosma
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Patent number: 12032125Abstract: An optically transparent device includes an exterior lens and an optical filter coupled to an inner surface of the exterior lens. A protective coating comprised of an acrylate may be coupled to an inner surface of the optical filter to reduce fragments of the optical filter from detaching from the exterior lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Xiaodong Sun, May L. Castro
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Publication number: 20240217440Abstract: A monitoring system for a vehicle includes at least one imaging device configured to capture a first image type and a second image type in a sequence. A first illumination source is configured to emit a flood illumination captured by the at least one imaging device in the first image type. A second illumination source is configured to emit an illumination pattern captured by the at least one imaging device in the second image type. At least one processor is configured to extract a 2-dimensional (“2D”) skeletal representation of a vehicle occupant from the first image type, measure a depth of the 2D skeletal representation with the second image type, and extrapolate a 3-dimensional (“3D”) skeletal representation of the vehicle occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2023Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Bar Mayo, Guy Raz
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Publication number: 20240219015Abstract: An illumination system includes at least one first light-emitting diode that is configured to project a first light within a cool visible spectrum and at least one second light-emitting diode that is configured to project a second light within a warm visible spectrum. An imaging assembly includes an infrared light source that is configured to project an infrared light and an imager that captures an image of a reflection of the infrared light from a surface of an object. A processor is configured to extract a 2-dimensional (“2D”) representation of the object from the image, identify and categorize the object, and generate an illumination signal to at least one of the at least one first light-emitting diode or the at least one second light-emitting diode based on the category of the object to illuminate the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Christopher B. Case, Brock R. Rycenga, Eric S. Lundy, Guy Raz
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Publication number: 20240219797Abstract: A display and window assembly includes a bezel that defines a first window aperture, a second window aperture, and a display aperture located between the first and second window apertures. A display unit is aligned with the display aperture, a first window is aligned with the first window aperture, and a second window is aligned with the second window aperture. The first window and the second window each include a front substrate that has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The second and third surfaces face each other to define a gap. A first electrode is coupled to the second surface, and a second electrode is coupled to the third surface. An electro-optic medium is located between the first electrode and the second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Christopher B. Case, Eric S. Lundy, Nigel T. Lock
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Publication number: 20240221396Abstract: A monitoring system for a vehicle includes an imaging device configured to capture a first image type and a second image type. A first illumination source is configured to emit a flood illumination captured by the imaging device in the first image type. A second illumination source is configured to emit an illumination pattern captured by the imaging device in the second image type. A processor is configured to extract a 2D skeletal representation of a vehicle occupant from the first image type and extrapolate a 3D skeletal representation of the vehicle occupant. The processor is further configured to generate at least one of a communication to the vehicle occupant to change a posture or a signal to a vehicle control system to move at least one of a position of a seat or a position of a steering wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2023Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventor: Guy Raz
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Patent number: 12019346Abstract: An electrochromic device, system using, and method for, which may pre-activate a buffer is disclosed. The electrochromic device may comprise a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrochromic medium. The second substrate may be disposed in apart relationship with the first substrate. The first and second electrodes may be associated with the first and second substrates, respectively. The electrochromic medium may be disposed between the first and second electrodes. Further, the electrochromic medium may comprise electrochromic materials and a redox buffer. Each of the electrochromic materials and the buffer may be operable between activated and deactivated states. The electrochromic device may be configured to apply a voltage to substantially pre-activate the buffer and hold the buffer in this state prior to substantially activating the electrochromic materials, thereby decreasing the response time of the electrochromic device upon activation.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Mario F. Saenger Nayver, John S. Anderson, George A. Neuman
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Patent number: 12017586Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing; a rearview element configured to display images of a scene to the rear of the vehicle, the rearview element disposed in the housing; a circuit board mounted in the housing behind the rearview element, the circuit board having a substantially planar surface and a peripheral edge; and a capacitive touch zone on a surface of the housing, the capacitive touch zone comprising a conductive component mounted to the circuit board, wherein the conductive component comprises a first portion mounted to the planar surface of the circuit board and a second portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of the circuit board at an angle to the planar surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2023Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph P. Brigham, Jochen Peter, Matthew P. Waligorski, Kyle G. Jones, Robert R. Turnbull, Gregory J. Nagel
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Publication number: 20240201552Abstract: An electro-optic assembly includes a front substrate that has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, the second and third surfaces face each other to define a gap. A first electrode is coupled to the second surface and a second electrode is coupled to the third surface. An electro-optic medium is in the gap. At least one of the first and second electrodes are an antireflective electrode stack including a conductive layer formed of a transparent conductive oxide, an overcoat layer in contact with the electro-optic medium and formed of a substantially transparent conductive material, an insulating layer between the conductive layer and the overcoat layer, and a base layer between the substrate and conductive layer. A conduction well contains the electro-optic medium and extends through the insulating layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Mario F. Saenger Nayver, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson
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Patent number: D1038857Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Ted D. Reeves, Bradley L. Busscher, Autumn N. Lagowski