Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Case

Christopher B. Case 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).

  • Publication number: 20240219015
    Abstract: 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 (ā€œ2Dā€) 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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher B. Case, Brock R. Rycenga, Eric S. Lundy, Guy Raz
  • Publication number: 20240219797
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher B. Case, Eric S. Lundy, Nigel T. Lock
  • Patent number: 11590932
    Abstract: A user monitoring apparatus for identifying a user of a vehicle includes a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information comprising a facial feature of the user in a field of view. A panel comprises a display portion. The apparatus further includes a feedback apparatus disposed behind the panel and configured to communicate alignment information visually indicating an alignment of the facial feature within the field of view of the scanning apparatus. The feedback apparatus includes at least one emitter configured to emit an alignment emission through an optical element thereby illuminating the alignment information on the display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Bostrom, Christopher B. Case, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Xiaoxu Niu, Adam R. Heintzelman
  • Patent number: 11338735
    Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an arm having a proximal end coupled with a vehicle door and a distal end. A mirror assembly is coupled to the arm. The mirror assembly includes an electro-optic element. The mirror assembly is rotatable about the distal end between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Christopher B. Case
  • Publication number: 20210339707
    Abstract: A user monitoring apparatus for identifying a user of a vehicle includes a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information comprising a facial feature of the user in a field of view. A panel comprises a display portion. The apparatus further includes a feedback apparatus disposed behind the panel and configured to communicate alignment information visually indicating an alignment of the facial feature within the field of view of the scanning apparatus. The feedback apparatus includes at least one emitter configured to emit an alignment emission through an optical element thereby illuminating the alignment information on the display portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Bostrom, Christopher B. Case, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Xiaoxu Niu, Adam R. Heintzelman
  • Patent number: 11130449
    Abstract: A modular imager assembly includes a housing configured for removable attachment to a vehicle windscreen and for removable attachment with a rearview assembly. An imager is disposed within the housing and is in optical communication with an aperture extending into the housing. A controller is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with the imager and a vehicle headlamp. The controller is operable to control an operation state of the vehicle headlamp in response to image data received by the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Christopher B. Case, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 11066046
    Abstract: An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprises a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information of the user and a feedback apparatus configured to communicate alignment information for the scanning apparatus to a user. A controller is in communication with the scanning apparatus and the alignment apparatus. The controller is configured to activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment with the scanning apparatus. The controller is further configured to capture the identifying information of the user and identify the user in response to the identifying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: GETEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Bostrom, Christopher B. Case, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Xiaoxu Niu, Adam R. Heintzelman
  • Publication number: 20210129753
    Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an arm having a proximal end coupled with a vehicle door and a distal end. A mirror assembly is coupled to the arm. The mirror assembly includes an electro-optic element. The mirror assembly is rotatable about the distal end between first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Christopher B. Case
  • Publication number: 20200094780
    Abstract: An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprises a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information of the user and a feedback apparatus configured to communicate alignment information for the scanning apparatus to a user. A controller is in communication with the scanning apparatus and the alignment apparatus. The controller is configured to activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment with the scanning apparatus. The controller is further configured to capture the identifying information of the user and identify the user in response to the identifying information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Bostrom, Christopher B. Case, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Xiaoxu Niu, Adam R. Heintzelman
  • Publication number: 20190126850
    Abstract: A modular imager assembly includes a housing configured for removable attachment to a vehicle windscreen and for removable attachment with a rearview assembly. An imager is disposed within the housing and is in optical communication with an aperture extending into the housing. A controller is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with the imager and a vehicle headlamp. The controller is operable to control an operation state of the vehicle headlamp in response to image data received by the imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Christopher B. Case, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20140153782
    Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided where the imaging system is configured to image a scene external and forward of a controlled vehicle and to generate image data corresponding to the acquired images. A processor is communicatively connected to the image sensor and is configured to receive and analyze the image data. The processor is further configured to detect whether a road on which the controlled vehicle is traveling is a winding road and generate a signal in response to detection of a winding road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Liken, Christopher B. Case
  • Patent number: D812125
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: John B. Ostreko, Christopher B. Case, James E. Marsh, Mark R. Roth, David M. Falb, Nathan T. Overmyer, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D862267
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Christopher B. Case, James E. Marsh, Gregory A. Herrema, Paul K. Postma, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D1020510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Christopher B. Case, James E. Marsh, Gregory A. Herrema, Paul K. Postma, Douglas J. Newhouse