Patents by Inventor G. Bruce Poe
G. Bruce Poe 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: 20080310005Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventors: William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, G. Bruce Poe, Nelson F. Brummel, Lansen M. Perron
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Patent number: 7443988Abstract: A microphone includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides. The microphone transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which with the circuit produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone can be employed in a vehicle accessory.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe
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Publication number: 20080129206Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling exterior vehicle lights includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain exterior lights on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
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Patent number: 7361875Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt, G. Bruce Poe, David L. Plangger, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Timothy E. Steenwyk
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Publication number: 20080087797Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle including a mounting structure for mounting to a vehicle, a rearward viewing device, and housing with a position sensor, is provided. The position sensor includes first and second radiation emitters, a radiation reception element, and sensor processing circuitry coupled to one of the position sensors and the radiation reception element. The position sensor determines the position of an object in the vicinity of the rearward viewing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, David A. Blaker, Michael A. Bryson, David L. Plangger, G. Bruce Poe, Alan R. Watson
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Publication number: 20080030836Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: William Tonar, John Anderson, Jeffrey Forgette, George Neuman, Gary Dozeman, David Cammenga, Henry Luten, G. Bruce Poe, Nelson Brummel, Lansen Perron
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Patent number: 7327226Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
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Patent number: 7136494Abstract: A microphone assembly for a vehicle accessory includes one or more transducers positioned in a microphone housing. The microphone housing has at least one acoustic port to which the transducer is acoustically coupled. The microphone assembly further includes a windscreen sealed across the acoustic port. The windscreen having hydrophobic properties to prevent water from penetrating the microphone housing through the acoustic port.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
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Patent number: 7130431Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
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Patent number: 7120261Abstract: A microphone assembly includes at one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides. The microphone transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers which with the circuit produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone can be employed in a vehicle accessory.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe
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Patent number: 6980092Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
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Patent number: 6947577Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: GENTEX CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
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Patent number: 6947576Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling exterior vehicle lights includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain exterior lights on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: GENTEX CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
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Patent number: 6928180Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling exterior vehicle lights includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain exterior lights on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
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Patent number: 6791811Abstract: A current sense circuit includes a current sense device and a voltage sense device. The current sense device is positioned to sense a drive current provided to a load by a drive circuit. The voltage sense device is coupled across the current sense device and receives a threshold signal at a first input and provides an output signal on an output whose value is dependent upon whether a sense signal at a second input is above or below the threshold signal. A level of the threshold signal changes in response to a voltage level of a power supply that supplies the drive current to the drive circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: G. Bruce Poe, Robert R. Turnbull
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Publication number: 20040170293Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
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Patent number: 6742904Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt, G. Bruce Poe, David L. Plangger, Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Timothy E. Steenwyk
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Patent number: 6728393Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
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Publication number: 20040070907Abstract: A current sense circuit includes a current sense device and a voltage sense device. The current sense device is positioned to sense a drive current provided to a load by a drive circuit. The voltage sense device is coupled across the current sense device and receives a threshold signal at a first input and provides an output signal on an output whose value is dependent upon whether a sense signal at a second input is above or below the threshold signal. A level of the threshold signal changes in response to a voltage level of a power supply that supplies the drive current to the drive circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: G. Bruce Poe, Robert R. Turnbull
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Publication number: 20040028239Abstract: A microphone assembly for a vehicle accessory includes one or more transducers positioned in a microphone housing. The microphone housing has at least one acoustic port to which the transducer is acoustically coupled. The microphone assembly further includes a windscreen sealed across the acoustic port. The windscreen having hydrophobic properties to prevent water from penetrating the microphone housing through the acoustic port.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Speace, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson