Patents Assigned to Gentex Corporation
  • Publication number: 20230271552
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle including a housing. An electro-optic assembly is located in the housing, the electro-optic assembly includes a partially reflective, partially transmissive front substrate. The front substrate defines a first surface and a second surface. A rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A display module is located in the housing and a camera unit is located outside the housing and includes a camera. The camera is configured to capture an image. An electronic control unit (“ECU”) is located in the housing and is configured to send instructions to the camera to capture the image and to generate information about the image on the display module. A flexible conductor is at least partially located in the housing and electrically coupled between the ECU and the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric S. Sloterbeek
  • Patent number: 11740479
    Abstract: An imager assembly including calibration functionality and a housing. An imager is disposed inside the housing. The imager includes a lens assembly. An electro-optic element is disposed on a wall of the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition. A light source directs light at the electro-optic element which redirects the light toward the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Tom B. Sherman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Adam R. Heintzelman, Keith W. Bigoness, Donald L. Bareman, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Publication number: 20230266630
    Abstract: An anodic redox species including a phenazine compound that is substituted with at least one sterically hindered group and an electrochromic device using these chemical compounds are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Punam Giri, Leroy Kloeppner, Kelly Baumann
  • Publication number: 20230266632
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electro-optic element having an electrode with a reduced reflectance construction. The electro-optic element may comprise a first substrate, a second substate disposed substantially parallel the first substate, a first electrode associated with the first substate, a second electrode associated with the second substate, and an electro-optic medium disposed between the first and second electrodes. Additionally, the electrode having the reduced reflectance construction may have a first transparent conductive oxide layer, and a high refractive index layer disposed such the first transparent conductive oxide layer is between the high refractive index layer and the electro-optic medium. The the high refractive index layer comprising titanium di-oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Henry A. Luten
  • Publication number: 20230266631
    Abstract: An electro-optic assembly includes a first substrate and a second substrate that is disposed in a substantially parallel spaced apart relationship with the first substrate. A first conductive layer is disposed on the first substrate, and a second conductive layer is disposed on the second substrate. A cathodic electro-optic film is in contact with the second conductive layer and includes a cathodic species. An anodic electro-optic film is in contact with the first conductive layer. The anodic electro-optic film includes a plurality of anodic species mixed at a molar ratio that is configured to generally maintain an a* value and a b* value of the electro-optic assembly both staying between ?8 and 8 between a high-end transmission state and a fully darkened state caused by an applied voltage range. An electrolyte medium is disposed between the cathodic and anodic electro-optic films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Garret C. DeNolf, Caleb Knust, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Punam Giri
  • Publication number: 20230256908
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a mirror assembly. An imager is centrally disposed on the mirror assembly and configured to acquire an image of a biometric feature of a vehicle occupant within a field of view of the imager. A first light source is disposed within the mirror assembly and configured to project a ray of light onto a target surface corresponding to an eye of the vehicle occupant. The first light source is spaced from the target surface by a first distance. The first light source is spaced from the imager by a second distance. The ray of light forms an angle of incidence having legs extending from the target surface to the first light source and to the imager, and wherein the first distance and the second distance are operable to define the angle of incidence in the range of 5° to 15°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Joshua D. Lintz, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Derek S. Blaskowski
  • Publication number: 20230257504
    Abstract: A medium for an electro-optic element includes a first block copolymer unit including at least one of a first di-block copolymer and first tri-block copolymer and at least one of a first donor compound and first acceptor compound conjugated with the at least one of the first di-block copolymer and first tri-block copolymer, thereby forming the first block copolymer unit. The medium further includes a second block copolymer unit including at least one of a second di-block copolymer and second tri-block copolymer and at least one of a second donor compound and a second acceptor compound conjugated with the at least one of the second di-block copolymer and second tri-block copolymer, thereby forming the second block copolymer unit. The first block copolymer unit is polymerized with the second block copolymer unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus A. Brinks, Joshua P. McClure
  • Publication number: 20230255294
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for attaching ear accessories to a helmet allows an accessory to be attached at a point outside the helmet shell utilizing, for example, a slidable mounting rail, and to reach under the edge of the helmet shell so that the accessory is supported in contact with the wearer's head. The hinge mechanism is well suited for use in connection with military helmets that have a “bulge” or protrusion over the ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Rogers, Charles H. Rogers, Darwin Keith-Lucas, Duco W. Noordzij
  • Patent number: 11719868
    Abstract: A system for reducing haze in a display comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a masking layer disposed on the first surface of the first substrate; an optically clear adhesive; at least one of a display element and an imager; a first linear polarizer disposed between the display element and the optically clear adhesive; and a second linear polarizer. The masking layer comprises at least one opening in optical communication with at least one of the display element and the imager. The second linear polarizer may have a transmission angle generally aligned to the transmission angle of the first linear polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Gary J. Dozeman, Adam R. Heintzelman
  • Patent number: 11708024
    Abstract: A dynamic imaging system is disclosed. The dynamic imaging system may comprise one or more imager, one or more input device, a controller, and/or a display. Each imager may be operable to capture a video stream having a field of view. In some embodiments, the controller may articulate the imager or crop the field of view to change the field of view in response to signals from the one or more input devices. For example, the signal may relate to the vehicle's speed. In other embodiments, the controller may apply a warp to the field of view. The warp may be applied in response to signals from the one or more input devices. In yet other embodiments, video streams from one or more imagers may be stitched together by the controller. Further, the controller may likewise move the stitch line in response to signals from the or more input devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas E. Humbert, Leah R. Hoffmeyer, David M. Falb
  • Patent number: 11709408
    Abstract: A device and system for augmenting the focal length of an electronic display. The device may comprise a display, a first mirror, a second mirror, and a lens. The display is operable to emit light corresponding to a first image in a first direction. The first mirror has a first focal length and is operable to reflect light from the first direction to a second direction. The second mirror has a second focal length and is operable to reflect light from the second direction to a third direction. The lens has a third focal length and is operable to transmit light from the third direction. Further, the light transmitted by the lens is viewable by a user as a second image. Additionally, the perceived distance from the user to the second image is greater than a distance from the user to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew D. Weller
  • Patent number: 11709407
    Abstract: An electro-active device is disclosed that may comprise a buffer immobilized on one or more films. The electro-active device may comprise a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first and second substrates may be disposed in a spaced apart relationship. Further, the first electrode may be associated with the first substrate and the second electrode may be associated with the second substrate. Additionally, a cathodic film may be associated with one electrode and an anodic film may be associated with the other electrode. The anodic film may comprise an anodic compound immobilized thereon and the cathodic film likewise may comprise a cathodic compound immobilized thereon. Further, a buffer component may be immobilized on the cathodic film and/or the anodic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Looman, Kelvin L. Baumann, Sue F. Franz
  • Patent number: 11709381
    Abstract: A heads-up display may comprise a viewing screen having a reflective surface; a housing defining an opening; a display element disposed within the housing and comprising an integral linear polarizer configured to polarize light in a first direction; and a first linear polarizer disposed between the display element and the viewing screen covering the opening defined by the housing configured to polarize light in the first direction. The display element may be capable of causing images to be displayed on the viewing screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Adam R. Heintzelman, Gary J. Dozeman, Ryan B. Balili
  • Publication number: 20230229052
    Abstract: A rearview assembly includes an electrochromic element. The electrochromic element includes a first substrate including a first surface and a second surface. The electrochromic element further includes a second substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The first substrate and the second substrate form a cavity. The electrochromic element includes an electrochromic medium contained in the cavity. The rearview assembly includes an image sensor directed toward the fourth surface and configured to capture near-infrared light reflected from an object and projected through the electrochromic element. The rearview assembly includes a transflective film disposed adjacent to the fourth surface having a near-infrared light transmission level and a visible light reflectance level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mario F. Saenger Nayver, John S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11706377
    Abstract: A unified imaging device used for detecting and classifying objects in a scene including motion and micro-vibrations by receiving a plurality of images of the scene captured by an imaging sensor of the unified imaging device comprising a light source adapted to project on the scene a predefined structured light pattern constructed of a plurality of diffused light elements, classifying object(s) present in the scene by visually analyzing the image(s), extracting depth data of the object(s) by analyzing position of diffused light element(s) reflected from the object(s), identifying micro-vibration(s) of the object(s) by analyzing a change in a speckle pattern of the reflected diffused light element(s) in at least some consecutive images and outputting the classification, the depth data and data of the one or more micro-vibrations which are derived from the analyses of images captured by the imaging sensor and are hence inherently registered in a common coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoav Zuta, Gideon Carmon, Roi Levy, Guy Raz
  • Publication number: 20230214085
    Abstract: A feedback apparatus for a user identification system of a vehicle includes an indicator device configured to selectively activate a status icon and a plurality of directional segments disposed around the status icon. A controller is in communication with a scanning device configured to authenticate an object depicted in image data representing a field of view. The controller is configured to identify an alignment direction of the object within the field of view and activate one or more of the directional segments in response to the alignment direction. Additionally, the controller is configured to activate the status icon in response to the alignment direction indicating that the object is aligned in the field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Daniel P. Bayer
  • Publication number: 20230211732
    Abstract: A rearview assembly is disclosed. The rearview assembly may comprise: a housing and a display. The housing may be operable to me mounted to a vehicle. More specifically, the housing may be mounted to the vehicle interior. The display may be associated with the housing. Additionally, the display may have a first region and a second region. The first region may be substantially aligned with the housing. The second region may extend substantially beyond the housing. In some embodiments, the display may be a substantially transparent OLED display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Patent number: D993059
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, Jr., Nigel T. Lock, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Patent number: D993297
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Winters, Christopher Kent Barmore
  • Patent number: D993751
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas Priester