Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Koetje

Christopher R. Koetje 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: 20210245662
    Abstract: A vehicular display system includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of bird's eye surround view cameras and a plurality of camera monitoring system (CMS) cameras disposed at the vehicle. The cameras capture image data and provide captured image data to the ECU. The system includes a video display screen and a video mirror display screen that are operable to display video images derived from video images provided by the ECU. When the vehicle is traveling forward at a speed below a threshold speed, the ECU generates rearward view video images derived from image data captured by the CMS cameras and provides the rearward view video images to the video display screen. When the vehicle is traveling forward at a speed at or above the threshold speed, the ECU generates rearward view video images and provides the rearward view video images to the video mirror display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20210237651
    Abstract: A vehicular dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electrochromic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 85 percent of the viewable reflective region of the mirror reflective element. With the mirror assembly operating in a first state, the video display device does not display video images and the driver views rearward via reflection at the viewable reflective region and, with the mirror assembly operating in a second state, the video display device displays video images for viewing at the viewable reflective region by the driver. Video images displayed by the display screen at a center zone of the viewable reflective region are at unit magnification, and video images displayed at driver-side and passenger-side zones are not displayed at unit magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 11046251
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head, a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle, and a receiving portion for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module. The portable module includes a user input and a housing, and is operable to wirelessly transmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of the user input of the portable module. With the portable module received at the receiving portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by a driver of the vehicle. A retaining element is configured to attach to the mirror casing at the receiving portion to releasably secure the portable module at the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20210191222
    Abstract: A multifunctional rear camera system includes a rear camera and a processor. Responsive to processing of captured image data, the processor generates respective outputs for (i) a rear backup assist function, (ii) a mirror dimming control for at least an electro-optic interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and (iii) ambient light detection. The processor processes a mirror zone of captured image data for mirror dimming control and processes upper corner regions of captured image data for ambient light detection. The processor processes at least lower regions of captured image data for the rear backup assist function. The generated output for the mirror dimming control is provided to the electro-optic interior rearview mirror assembly to control dimming of the electro-optic reflective element. The generated output for the rear backup assist function provides (i) object detection and/or (ii) video display of video images derived from captured image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
  • Patent number: 11034303
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a self-contained battery powered module releasably disposable at the mirror head of the mirror assembly. The self-contained battery powered module includes a toll transponder that communicates with an automated toll system. The mirror head has a receiving portion for receiving the self-contained battery powered module thereat. The receiving portion includes an opening established through a wall of the mirror casing. The self-contained battery powered module may be releasably retained at least partially in the receiving portion via a push-to-release mechanism. The self-contained battery powered module may be removable from the receiving portion via pushing at the self-contained battery powered module to release the self-contained battery powered module from the push-to-release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10981510
    Abstract: A dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 75 percent of the viewable reflective region of the mirror reflective element. With the mirror assembly operating in a first state, the video display device does not display video images and the driver views rearward via reflection at the viewable reflective region and, with the mirror assembly operating in a second state, the video display device displays video images at the display screen for viewing at the viewable reflective region by the driver. Video images displayed by the display screen at a center zone of the viewable reflective region are at unit magnification, and video images displayed at driver-side and passenger-side zones are not displayed at unit magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 10948798
    Abstract: An electro-optic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a caseless electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element and a plate attached at the rear of the reflective element. The mirror reflective element connected to and pivotal about a windshield electronics module via a ball and socket pivot joint. Control circuitry may be disposed in a windshield electronics module for automatically controlling dimming of the electro-optic medium or alternatively, dimming of the electro-optic medium is automatically controlled via a multifunctional rear backup camera system of the equipped vehicle. Optionally, the control circuitry controls dimming of the electro-optic medium of the mirror reflective element via wiring that passes through the ball and socket pivot joint. Optionally, image data captured by the multifunctional rear backup camera may be used for ambient light determination and to provide video image display at the interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
  • Publication number: 20210053493
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head that is pivotally attached via a pivot joint at a mounting structure and that accommodates a reflective element. A display device is disposed within the mirror head. An actuator is disposed within the mirror head and includes an actuator base attached at a rear portion of the reflective element, an actuator body that is pivotally attached at the actuator base, and an electrically operable motor. When the motor is electrically operated, the actuator body pivots relative to the actuator base to pivot the mirror head relative to a socket element of the pivot joint. Pivotal movement of the mirror head relative to the socket element adjusts the reflective element between a mirror mode orientation and a display mode orientation. When the reflective element is in the display mode orientation, the display device is actuated to display video images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20210031693
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror reflective element with a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the mirror reflective element and has a display screen that occupies at least 85 percent of a reflective region of the transflective mirror reflector that is visible to a driver of the vehicle when viewing the mirror reflective element. The video display device is operable to display video images captured by a rearward viewing camera of the vehicle. When the video display device is operated to display video images, light emitted by the video display device passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element for viewing of displayed video images by the driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element. Light emitted by the video display device may exit the mirror reflective element as circularly polarized light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 10829051
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head accommodating a reflective element. A display device is accommodated in the mirror head and behind the reflective element. The reflective element is tiltable between a mirror mode orientation, where the vehicle driver views rearward of the vehicle via the reflective element, and a display mode orientation, where the display device is actuated and the vehicle driver views images displayed by the display device through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element. An actuator has an actuator body that is pivotally mounted at the reflective element and that has a pivot element of a pivot joint that pivotally mounts the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle. The actuator pivots the reflective element relative to the actuator body to tilt the reflective element between the mirror mode orientation and the display mode orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200331393
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a self-contained battery powered module releasably disposable at the mirror head of the mirror assembly. The self-contained battery powered module includes a toll transponder that communicates with an automated toll system. The mirror head has a receiving portion for receiving the self-contained battery powered module thereat. The receiving portion includes an opening established through a wall of the mirror casing. The self-contained battery powered module may be releasably retained at least partially in the receiving portion via a push-to-release mechanism. The self-contained battery powered module may be removable from the receiving portion via pushing at the self-contained battery powered module to release the self-contained battery powered module from the push-to-release mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10807536
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror reflective element with a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the mirror reflective element and has a display screen that occupies at least 75 percent of the reflective region of the mirror reflective element. The video display device is operable to display video images captured by a rearward viewing camera of the vehicle. When the video display device is operated to display video images, light emitted by the video display device passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element for viewing of displayed video images by a driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element. Light emitted by the video display device may exit the mirror reflective element as circularly polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200324703
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head, a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle, and a receiving portion for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module. The portable module includes a user input and a housing, and is operable to wirelessly transmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of the user input of the portable module. With the portable module received at the receiving portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by a driver of the vehicle. A retaining element is configured to attach to the mirror casing at the receiving portion to releasably secure the portable module at the receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 10752174
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head, a mounting member configured to mount at an interior portion of a vehicle, and an attachment member having a connecting portion, a flange, a neck and a pivot element. The attachment member includes a conical portion that tapers from the flange portion toward the neck of the attachment member. The pivot element is disposed at an opposite end of the neck from the conical portion. With the attachment member disposed at a lower portion of the mounting member, and with the connecting portion received in and secured at a receiving portion of the mounting member, the flange abuts an end of the lower portion of the mounting member and an outer surface of the conical portion corresponds with an outer surface of the lower portion of the mounting member. The mirror head is adjustably attached at the pivot element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 10703283
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. A receiving portion of the mirror head is configured for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module at least partially thereat. The module is operable to wirelessly transmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of a user input of the module. With the module at the receiving portion of the mirror head, the user input is accessible by the vehicle driver. A cover element is configured to detachably attach at the mirror casing at the receiving portion to releasably secure the module at the mirror head, with the module being releasable from the mirror head when the cover element is detached from the mirror casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200130585
    Abstract: A dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 75 percent of the viewable reflective region of the mirror reflective element. With the mirror assembly operating in a first state, the video display device does not display video images and the driver views rearward via reflection at the viewable reflective region and, with the mirror assembly operating in a second state, the video display device displays video images at the display screen for viewing at the viewable reflective region by the driver. Video images displayed by the display screen at a center zone of the viewable reflective region are at unit magnification, and video images displayed at driver-side and passenger-side zones are not displayed at unit magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20200039441
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head accommodating a reflective element. A display device is accommodated in the mirror head and behind the reflective element. The reflective element is tiltable between a mirror mode orientation, where the vehicle driver views rearward of the vehicle via the reflective element, and a display mode orientation, where the display device is actuated and the vehicle driver views images displayed by the display device through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element. An actuator has an actuator body that is pivotally mounted at the reflective element and that has a pivot element of a pivot joint that pivotally mounts the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle. The actuator pivots the reflective element relative to the actuator body to tilt the reflective element between the mirror mode orientation and the display mode orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200031286
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror reflective element with a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the mirror reflective element and has a display screen that occupies at least 75 percent of the reflective region of the mirror reflective element. The video display device is operable to display video images captured by a rearward viewing camera of the vehicle. When the video display device is operated to display video images, light emitted by the video display device passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element for viewing of displayed video images by a driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element. Light emitted by the video display device may exit the mirror reflective element as circularly polarized light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200023775
    Abstract: A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes a base for attaching at a vehicle, a mirror casing at the base, and a mirror reflective element sub-assembly at the mirror casing and including an electrochromic (EC) cell and an EC driving circuit. The EC driving circuit includes a fixed voltage switching regulator for providing voltage to a power input of the EC cell, a drive transistor connected to an output of the fixed voltage switching regulator for switching the provided voltage on and off, a protection diode connected to the drive transistor and the EC cell, a bleach transistor connected to the power input of the EC cell and to ground, and a controller connected to the fixed voltage switching regulator, the drive transistor, and the bleach transistor. The controller controls the fixed voltage switching regulator, the drive transistor, and the bleach transistor to control the voltage provided to the EC cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Eric P. Bergstrom, Eric Peterson, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 10518704
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotable about a mirror support. An electro-optic mirror reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector that at least partially reflects light incident thereon and at least partially transmits incident light therethrough. A video display device is disposed rearward of a reflective region of the mirror reflective element and includes a display screen that occupies at least 75 percent of the reflective region. A light sensor is disposed at an overhang region and is integrated with a user input that is configured to actuate at the overhang region of the mirror reflective element. The video display device is operated responsive at least in part to actuation by a user of the user input. Electro-optic dimming of the mirror reflective element and/or display intensity of the video display device is variable responsive to a light level detected by the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje