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).
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Publication number: 20210245662Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje
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Publication number: 20210237651Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
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Patent number: 11046251Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
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Publication number: 20210191222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
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Patent number: 11034303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 10981510Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
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Patent number: 10948798Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20210053493Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20210031693Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
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Patent number: 10829051Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20200331393Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 10807536Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20200324703Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2017Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
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Patent number: 10752174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Christopher R. Koetje
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Patent number: 10703283Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20200130585Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
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Publication number: 20200039441Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20200031286Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20200023775Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Eric P. Bergstrom, Eric Peterson, Christopher R. Koetje
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Patent number: 10518704Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje