Patents by Inventor David A. Blaker

David A. Blaker 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: 20230324758
    Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first electrode electrically connecting with power supply circuitry. A second electrode is spaced from the first electrode and electrically connecting with the power supply circuitry. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one third electrode is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and electrically connecting with one of the first electrode and the second electrode via switching circuitry. The switching circuitry is operable to control an electrical current through the first electrode, the electro-optic medium, and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, David A. Blaker, Xiaoxu Niu, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Bradley R. Hamlin, Michael J. Burns
  • Patent number: 11263986
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle comprises a pixel array comprising a plurality of display elements. The device further comprises at least one test element and a controller. The controller is configured to selectively activate the display elements of the pixel array via a plurality of control signals and identify the activation of the at least one test element in response to at least one of the control signals. The controller is further configured to identify a display fault of the display device by comparing the at least one control signal communicated to the at least one test element to a diagnostic signal communicated from the at least one test element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Blaker, Justin D. Jansen
  • Publication number: 20210327371
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle comprises a pixel array comprising a plurality of display elements. The device further comprises at least one test element and a controller. The controller is configured to selectively activate the display elements of the pixel array via a plurality of control signals and identify the activation of the at least one test element in response to at least one of the control signals. The controller is further configured to identify a display fault of the display device by comparing the at least one control signal communicated to the at least one test element to a diagnostic signal communicated from the at least one test element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Blaker, Justin D. Jansen
  • Patent number: 10429713
    Abstract: An electro-optic (EO) display includes one or more adjustable-intensity color filters; a transparent backlight; and a transflective layer positioned between the adjustable-intensity color filter(s) and the transparent backlight, wherein the transflective layer reflects light off of one surface of the transflective layer and allows light through another surface of the transflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sue F. Franz, Leroy J. Kloeppner, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Blaker, David A. Theiste
  • Publication number: 20190047488
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided having an HD image sensor, a variable focus lens positioned in front of the image sensor and configured to change at least one optical characteristic in response to an electrical stimulus so as to change a field of view of the image sensor. The imaging system further includes a controller coupled to the variable focus lens and configured to select a field of view of the image sensor by selecting the electrical stimulus to be applied to the variable focus lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Ethan J. Lee, David A. Blaker, Neil J. Boehm, William L. Tonar
  • Patent number: 10071689
    Abstract: A rearview device system includes a partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display module in optical communication with the partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display element, an optic block in optical communication with the display element, a first circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the optic block and edge light the display element, an optic holder operably connected to the optic block, defining at least one aperture, a second circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the at least one aperture and the optic block to back light at least one of a portion of the display element and an icon, and wherein light emitted by the light source of the first circuit board and the light source of the second circuit board is visible through the partially reflective, partially transmissive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Andrew D. Weller, David A. Blaker
  • Publication number: 20160137133
    Abstract: A rearview device system includes a partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display module in optical communication with the partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display element, an optic block in optical communication with the display element, a first circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the optic block and edge light the display element, an optic holder operably connected to the optic block, defining at least one aperture, a second circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the at least one aperture and the optic block to back light at least one of a portion of the display element and an icon, and wherein light emitted by the light source of the first circuit board and the light source of the second circuit board is visible through the partially reflective, partially transmissive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Andrew D. Weller, David A. Blaker
  • Publication number: 20150362645
    Abstract: An electro-optic (EO) display includes one or more adjustable-intensity color filters; a transparent backlight; and a transflective layer positioned between the adjustable-intensity color filter(s) and the transparent backlight, wherein the transflective layer reflects light off of one surface of the transflective layer and allows light through another surface of the transflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Sue F. Franz, Leroy J. Kloeppner, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Blaker, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 9007168
    Abstract: A wireless control system is configured to be trainable to control any number of remotely controlled devices. The system can be configured to gather and learn information relating to a signal transmitted by the original transmitter in a manner that is blind to a user of the system. The system can be designed to learn signals automatically such that fewer steps are necessary for a user to train the system to control a particular remotely controlled device. The system can train to remotely controlled devices in this manner with little or no user action required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Bos, Carl Shearer, David A. Blaker, John D. Spencer, Todd R. Witkowski
  • Publication number: 20140349599
    Abstract: A system for searching stored audio data is described. The system includes a memory configured to store audio data received from a radio receiver and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a search pattern, search the stored audio data for the search pattern, and provide audio data based on the search.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. BLAKER, Thomas R. Olson, Brian L. Douthitt
  • Patent number: 8805310
    Abstract: A system for searching stored audio data is described. The system includes a memory configured to store audio data received from a radio receiver and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a search pattern, search the stored audio data for the search pattern, and provide audio data based on the search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Blaker, Thomas R. Olson, Brian L. Douthitt
  • Patent number: 8760267
    Abstract: A wireless control system is configured to be trainable to control any number of remotely controlled devices. The system can be configured to gather and learn information relating to a signal transmitted by the original transmitter in a manner that is blind to a user of the system. The system can be designed to learn signals automatically such that fewer steps are necessary for a user to train the system to control a particular remotely controlled device. The system can train to remotely controlled devices in this manner with little or no user action required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Bos, Carl L. Shearer, David A. Blaker, John D. Spencer, Todd R. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 8411245
    Abstract: A multi-display vehicular rearview mirror system (2600) and method includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element (2603) and a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) (2605a, 2605b, 2605c) positioned behind EC element (2603). A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (2610a, 2610b, 2610c) are used for providing backlighting for each respective LCD of the plurality of LCDs such that the LCDs utilize a plurality of imaging devices (2717, 2719, 2721) for forming substantially a single image across the plurality of LCDs (2605a, 2605b, 2605c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan J. Lee, Daniel B. Lee, Michael G. Hendricks, Mark R. Roth, Craig R. Myers, G. Bruce Poe, David A. Blaker, Carsten Schaudel, Mark A. VanVuuren, John A. VanderPloeg
  • Patent number: 8339526
    Abstract: An inventive rearview assembly for a vehicle may comprise a mirror element and a display including a light management subassembly. The subassembly may comprise an LCD placed behind a transflective layer of the mirror element. Despite a low transmittance through the transflective layer, the inventive display is capable of generating a viewable display image having an intensity of at least 250 cd/m2 and up to 3500 cd/m2. The display includes a novel backlighting subassembly and novel optical components including a magnifying system, a depolarizer, a reflector, and a reflective polarizer. The display may be configured to display an image having edges contoured to correspond to the edges of the mirror element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Mark W. Newton, Ethan J. Lee, William L. Tonar, Darin D. Tuttle, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, John B. Ostreko, Christian M. Kemperman, David A. Blaker
  • Patent number: 8330569
    Abstract: A system for receiving data for training a trainable transmitter used to subsequently transmit a modulated RF signal having the received data includes an antenna, a capacitive detection circuit and a control circuit. The capacitive detection circuit is coupled to the antenna and configured to detect data provided in a control signal of a remote control transmitter used to remotely actuate a device. The control circuit is coupled to the capacitive detection circuit and is configured to store the received data and to generate the RF signal having the received data to be transmitted by the trainable transmitter to actuate the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Blaker, Matthew W. Cardwell
  • Patent number: 8264333
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning signal characteristics of an RF control signal received from a remote control transmitter used to remotely actuate a device and for subsequently transmitting a modulated RF signal having the learned signal characteristics includes an antenna, a wideband receiver and a control circuit. The wideband receiver is coupled to the antenna and is configured to receive an RF control signal from the remote control transmitter. The RF control signal includes a control code, a set of data characteristics and an RF carrier frequency. The control circuit is coupled to the wideband receiver and has a training mode in which the control circuit is configured to identify and store the control code of the RF control signal, to identify at least one data characteristic from the set of data characteristics and to identify at least one RF frequency associated with the RF control signal based on the at least one data characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Blaker, Loren D. Vredevoogd
  • Patent number: 8253528
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver system includes a trainable transceiver fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element. The trainable transceiver is configured to receive a characteristic of an activation signal, store the characteristic of the activation signal in memory and to retransmit the characteristic of the activation signal. The trainable transceiver system also includes a portable transmitter that is configured to receive the characteristic of the activation signal from the trainable transceiver, to store the activation signal characteristic and to retransmit the stored activation signal characteristic. The characteristic of the activation signal may be transmitted from the trainable transceiver to the portable transmitter by, for example, an optical transmission or an RF transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: David A. Blaker
  • Patent number: 8174357
    Abstract: A method for training a trainable RF transmitter to transmit variable code signals used to actuate a remote device having a receiver where the transmitter includes a memory that has stored variable code characteristics for a plurality of different remote devices includes initiating a training sequence and generating at least one RF carrier signal having the variable code characteristics associated with one remote device of the plurality of different remote devices. The method further includes transmitting the at least one RF carrier signal to the receiver of the remote device and repeating the generating and transmitting steps for the variable code characteristics of each remote device in the plurality of different remote device until feedback is received from a user that the remote device is activated. Upon receiving an indication that the remote device is activated, the transmitter stores an identifier of the variable code characteristics that activated the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Loren D. Vredevoogd, David A. Blaker, John D. Spencer
  • Patent number: 8049595
    Abstract: An in-vehicle transmitter for wirelessly controlling a plurality of remote electronic systems is described. The transmitter includes a memory configured to store a plurality of wireless control code for the plurality of remote electronic systems. The plurality of wireless control code includes a first code to control the operation of a first remote electronic system and a second code different than the first code to control the operation of a second remote electronic system. The transmitter further includes a control circuit mounted to a vehicle interior element configured, in response to operator actuation of one switch, so that the transmitter provides a first wireless control signal having the first code and a second wireless control signal having the second code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Olson, Michael R. Benson, Thomas S. Wright, Steven L. Geerlings, David A. Blaker
  • Patent number: 7911358
    Abstract: A wireless control system is configured to be trainable to control any number of remotely controlled devices. The system can be configured to gather and learn information relating to a signal transmitted by the original transmitter in a manner that is blind to a user of the system. The system can be designed to learn signals automatically such that fewer steps are necessary for a user to train the system to control a particular remotely controlled device. The system can train to remotely controlled devices in this manner with little or no user action required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Bos, Carl Shearer, David A. Blaker, John D. Spencer, Todd R. Witkowski