Patents by Inventor Ethan J. Lee
Ethan J. Lee 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: 20160001706Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Danny L. Minikey, JR., Bradley R. Hamlin, Ethan J. Lee, Eric P. Kern
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Publication number: 20150277203Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic cell, a switchable reflective element, a display module, an ambient light sensor, and a controller. The controller automatically selects a display mode or a mirror mode in response to a detected ambient light level. In a display mode, the controller activates the display module, sets the switchable reflective element to a low reflection mode, and sets the electrochromic cell to a clear state with minimum attenuation. In a mirror mode, the controller deactivates the display module, sets the switchable reflective element to a high reflection mode, and varies attenuation by the electrochromic cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Mark A. VanVuuren, Ethan J. Lee
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Publication number: 20150266427Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing configured for attachment to the vehicle; a prismatic element positioned in the housing; a partially reflective, partially transmissive coating provided on a rear surface of the prismatic element; a display mounted behind the prismatic element within the housing; and an actuator device for moving the prismatic element between three distinct viewing positions including a first viewing position, a second viewing position wherein the prismatic element is tilted higher than in the first viewing position, and a third viewing position wherein the prismatic element is tilted higher than in the second viewing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Mark A. VanVuuren, Ethan J. Lee
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Patent number: 9057875Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Richard T. Fish, Jr., Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Bradley R. Hamlin, Ethan J. Lee, Eric P. Kern
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Publication number: 20150085337Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a front shield having a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the partially reflective, partially transmissive element, the front shield, carrier plate, display module, and rear shield.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Ethan J. Lee, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Bradley R. Hamlin, Eric P. Kern, Richard T. Fish, JR.
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Publication number: 20150062342Abstract: A display system for use in a controlled vehicle is provided, and includes a rearview assembly having a display device located behind a mirror element, a camera system configured to acquire images of a scene external of the controlled vehicle, and a processing system configured to receive a signal representative of the acquired images and to produce an image of the scene on the display device of the rearview assembly, wherein the processing system is further configured to adjust the photosensitivity of the camera system based on an input from at least one of an ambient light sensor and a direct glare sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Steven G. Hoek, Ethan J. Lee
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Publication number: 20150055223Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Danny L. Minikey, JR., Bradley R. Hamlin, Ethan J. Lee, Eric P. Kern
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Patent number: 8879139Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Richard T. Fish, Jr., Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Bradley R. Hamlin, Ethan J. Lee, Eric P. Kern
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Patent number: 8878882Abstract: An edge-lit backlight assembly is provided for backlighting a display. The backlight assembly may include: a light guide having a first segment and a second segment disposed within a common plane; a first light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the first segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode propagates through the first segment; and a second light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the second segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the second light emitting diode propagates through the second segment. The first segment of the light guide is at least partially optically isolated from the second segment such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode is at least partially blocked from propagating through the second segment.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Andrew D. Weller, John A. VanderPloeg, Ethan J. Lee
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Publication number: 20140277940Abstract: A display system for use in a vehicle is disclosed including an imager configured to capture images corresponding to a field of view rearward of the vehicle. The imager is in communication with a processing unit configured to receive data representative of the captured images from the imager. A display is in communication with the processing unit which is configured to display images based on the data representative of the captured images received by the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to receive vehicle operating data from the vehicle and data corresponding to a detection of an object in proximity of the vehicle. In response to the vehicle operating data and the object detected, the processing unit is configured to control the field of view of the at least one imager.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Mark A. VanVuuren, Ethan J. Lee
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Publication number: 20140268351Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, they relate to a rearview mirror assembly including a switchable reflective element and a display. The switchable reflective element is a type that is selectively switchable between a reflective mode and a transmissive mode. The display is positioned behind the switchable reflective element for displaying images through the switchable reflective element when in the transmissive mode. The rearview mirror assembly may further include either an anti-reflection coating provided on at least one of the front and rear sides of the switchable reflective element, or first and second prisms provided on opposite sides of the switchable reflective element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Mark A. VanVuuren, Ethan J. Lee
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Publication number: 20140268355Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a partially reflective, partially transmissive element; and a full display module mounted behind the partially reflective, partially transmissive element, the display module having an optic block, and a display in optical communication with the optic block, the display being one an in-place switching liquid crystal display, a fringe filed switching liquid crystal display, and a vertically aligned liquid crystal display.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Ethan J. Lee, John A. VanderPloeg
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Patent number: 8836888Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly comprising a light source illuminating the mirror system within the housing of the assembly. The light source is a layered structure including generally co-extensive optical elements such as a light-guiding element that accepts light from light emitters and distributes this light along an area that is not transverse with respect to a display of the assembly. Light distributed and outcoupled through the light-guiding element illuminates the whole display, while radiation from other emitters may traverse the light-guiding element in order to highlight respectively corresponding segments of the display. The display may be configured in a spatially-segmented fashion to increase brightness of displayed indicia.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Ethan J. Lee, John A. VanderPloeg, William L. Tonar
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Publication number: 20130321496Abstract: An edge-lit backlight assembly is provided for backlighting a display. The backlight assembly may include: a light guide having a first segment and a second segment disposed within a common plane; a first light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the first segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode propagates through the first segment; and a second light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the second segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the second light emitting diode propagates through the second segment. The first segment of the light guide is at least partially optically isolated from the second segment such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode is at least partially blocked from propagating through the second segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, John A. VanderPloeg, Ethan J. Lee
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Publication number: 20130279014Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Danny L. Minikey, JR., Bradley R. Hamlin, Ethan J. Lee, Eric P. Kern
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Patent number: 8411245Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8339526Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8237909Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly (600) includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element (303) and a printed circuit board (603) for mounting electrical components. A liquid crystal display (LCD) (615) is mounted to the printed circuit board (603), while a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (608) are also mounted to the same printed circuit board below the LCD (603) for providing backlighting.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: John B. Ostreko, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Andrew J. LeVesque, William R. Spence, Peter Wm. VanderWel, John B. Wallace, Frederick T. Bauer, Mark W. Newton, Ethan J. Lee, Jeremy A. Fogg
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Publication number: 20110141381Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly comprising a light source illuminating the mirror system within the housing of the assembly. The light source is a layered structure including generally co-extensive optical elements such as a light-guiding element that accepts light from light emitters and distributes this light along an area that is not transverse with respect to a display of the assembly. Light distributed and outcoupled through the light-guiding element illuminates the whole display, while radiation from other emitters may traverse the light-guiding element in order to highlight respectively corresponding segments of the display. The display may be configured in a spatially-segmented fashion to increase brightness of displayed indicia.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Danny L Minikey, JR., Ethan J. Lee, John A. VanderPloeg, William L. Tonar
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Publication number: 20100201896Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly (600) includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element (303) and a printed circuit board (603) for mounting electrical components. A liquid crystal display (LCD) (615) is mounted to the printed circuit board (603), while a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (608) are also mounted to the same printed circuit board below the LCD (603) for providing backlighting.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: John B. Ostreko, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Andrew J. LeVesque, William R. Spence, Peter Wm. VanderWel, John B. Wallace, Frederick T. Bauer, Mark W. Newton, Ethan J. Lee, Jeremy A. Fogg