Patents by Inventor Gregory A. Huizen
Gregory A. Huizen 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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Patent number: 11970115Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module. With the mirror assembly attached at a side of a vehicle, the light module is at least in part disposed at a portion of the mirror head of the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly that faces in a direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The light module includes a two dimensional array of illumination sources that has at least two rows of illumination sources, each row of illumination sources having a plurality of illumination sources. With the mirror assembly attached at the vehicle, the two dimensional array of illumination sources, when electrically powered, emits light at least in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The illumination sources of the two dimensional array of illumination sources are controlled responsive to a turn signal of the vehicle being actuated.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Keith D. Foote
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Publication number: 20240116434Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head accommodating a mirror reflective element and an illumination module, which includes a light source, a first mask, and a second mask. When the light source is powered, emitted light that passes through the first mask is a first color and emitted light that passes through the second mask is a second color. With the mirror assembly mounted at a vehicle, and when the light source is powered to emit light, light emitted by the light source passes through the first mask to project a first projected image onto a ground region and passes through the second mask to project a second projected image onto the ground region. The first projected image includes a first logo portion having the first color, and the second projected image includes a second logo portion having the second color.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Gregory A. Huizen
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Patent number: 11932169Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror control system is configured to attach at a side of a vehicle and includes a mirror assembly having a variable reflectance mirror reflective element. The vehicular rearview mirror control system processes image data captured by a rear backup camera of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a first subset of image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines ambient light rearward of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a second subset of received image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines glare light emanating from a headlight of another vehicle following the equipped vehicle. The first subset of captured image data is different than the second subset of captured image data. A door module unit of the vehicle controls dimming of the variable reflectance mirror reflective element based at least in part on the determined glare light.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Gregory A. Huizen, Rodney K. Blank
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Patent number: 11912201Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a dual mode illumination module having a first light emitting diode (LED) operable to emit visible white light when electrically powered and a second LED operable to emit non-visible light when electrically powered. The first LED, when the vehicle is parked and the first LED is electrically powered, emits visible white light to provide visible ground illumination at a ground region at least partially along the side portion of the vehicle. Visible ground illumination by the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly at the ground region is locked-out during movement of the vehicle. The second LED, when the second LED is electrically powered, emits non-visible light to provide non-visible illumination for a camera viewing exterior and at least sideward of the vehicle. Non-visible light emission by the second LED is not locked-out during movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20240042930Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head adjustable about a mounting base configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle. A driver monitoring camera is accommodated by the mirror head and moves in tandem with the mirror head when the mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust a driver's rearward view. At least one near infrared light emitter is accommodated by the mirror head and is operable to emit near infrared light toward a head region of the driver of the vehicle. Image data captured by the driver monitoring camera is processed to determine driver attentiveness and/or driver drowsiness. The vehicular vision system may adjust processing of the captured image data to accommodate adjustment of the mirror head when the driver adjusts the mirror head to adjust his or her rearward view.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen
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Patent number: 11890990Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head accommodating an interior mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element has a mirror transflector that transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon and reflects visible light incident thereon. A camera is disposed within the mirror head and views through the mirror transflector. The camera includes an imaging sensor having a quantum efficiency (QE) of at least 15% for near infrared light having a wavelength of 940 nm. First, second and third near infrared illumination sources are disposed within the mirror head and operable to emit near infrared light that passes through the mirror transflector. The near infrared illumination sources are at respective locations at the mirror reflective element and, when powered, illuminate respective seat regions for a driver-monitoring function or an occupant-detection function.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2023Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Ian A McCabe, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20240025344Abstract: A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly configured for attaching at an interior portion of an equipped vehicle and having a having a mirror head accommodating a driver monitoring camera and first and second near infrared light emitters. When the equipped vehicle is a left hand drive vehicle, a beam of light emitted by the first near infrared light emitters is directed toward a driver-side front seating location of the left hand drive vehicle when the first near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light for a driver monitoring function. When the equipped vehicle is a right hand drive vehicle, a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element is directed toward a driver-side front seating location of the right hand drive vehicle when the second near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light for the driver monitoring function.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
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Patent number: 11850998Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a mirror reflective element and a ground illumination module having a freeform optic, a ground illumination light source, and first, second and third icon light sources. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the side of the vehicle and when the ground illumination light source is electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the ground illumination light source that passes through the freeform optic illuminates the ground region adjacent to and along the side of the vehicle with a ground illumination intensity. When each individual icon light source is electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the respective icon light source projects a respective projected image onto an icon region that is within the ground region. The respective projected images are individually projected to provide animated images projected onto the icon region.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Gregory A. Huizen
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Publication number: 20230398936Abstract: A vehicular display assembly includes a pixelated display having a plurality of micro-LEDs disposed at a substrate. Packing density of micro-LEDs of the plurality of micro-LEDs at the substrate is at least 10 micro-LEDs per square centimeter. Each individual micro-LED of the plurality of micro-LEDs, when the vehicular display assembly is operated to emit light, may pass less than 4 mA electrical current. The vehicular display assembly is configured to be disposed at a portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular display assembly. With the vehicular display assembly disposed at the portion of the equipped vehicle, light emitted by the plurality of micro-LEDs, when the vehicular display assembly is operated to emit light, is viewable at the portion of the equipped vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20230382303Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly and a light module disposed at the door handle assembly. The light module includes a circuit board having a plurality of illumination sources disposed thereat. Individual illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources are electrically operable to emit light. When the individual illumination sources are electrically operated with the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light module emits light at least outboard away from the door of the equipped vehicle. With the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light module is operable to indicate a charge level of a battery of the equipped vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff
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Publication number: 20230356658Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a base portion configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle, and a mirror head having a mirror reflective element and an electrically-operable mirror actuator. The base portion extends through an aperture in the mirror head. The mirror head includes wall structure that circumscribes and spans a perimeter circumferential edge of a glass substrate of the mirror reflective element. The mirror actuator is operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the base portion, and the aperture allows for movement of the mirror head relative to the base portion. The mirror head includes an electrically-operable accessory that moves together and in tandem with the mirror actuator and the mirror reflective element when the mirror actuator is electrically operated. The accessory, when electrically operated, meets a performance requirement throughout a range of adjustment of the mirror head relative to the base portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Robert L. Esser, Keith D. Foote, Darryl P. De Wind
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Publication number: 20230339404Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera and first and second near-infrared light emitting elements accommodated by a mirror head. The light emitting elements are oriented at the mirror head so that (i) a beam of light emitted by the first light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a left hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the LHD vehicle, and (ii) a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a right hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the RHD vehicle. The system enables and/or operates the first or second light emitting element for a driver monitoring function responsive to indication that the mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2022Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
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Publication number: 20230331158Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head accommodating an interior mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element has a mirror transflector that transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon and reflects visible light incident thereon. A camera is disposed within the mirror head and views through the mirror transflector. The camera includes an imaging sensor having a quantum efficiency (QE) of at least 15% for near infrared light having a wavelength of 940 nm. First, second and third near infrared illumination sources are disposed within the mirror head and operable to emit near infrared light that passes through the mirror transflector. The near infrared illumination sources are at respective locations at the mirror reflective element and, when powered, illuminate respective seat regions for a driver-monitoring function or an occupant-detection function.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Ian A. McCabe, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 11780370Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head adjustably attached at a mounting base configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle. A driver monitoring camera is accommodated by the mirror head so as to move in tandem with the mirror head when the mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust a driver's rearward view. At least one near infrared light emitter is accommodated by the mirror head and is operable to emit near infrared light toward a head region of the driver of the vehicle. Image data captured by the driver monitoring camera is processed to determine driver attentiveness and/or driver drowsiness. The vehicular driver monitoring system adjusts processing of the captured image data to accommodate adjustment of the mirror head when the driver adjusts the mirror head to adjust his or her rearward view.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen
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Patent number: 11780372Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera and first and second near-infrared light emitting elements accommodated by a mirror head. The light emitting elements are oriented at the mirror head so that (i) a beam of light emitted by the first light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a left hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the LHD vehicle, and (ii) a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a right hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the RHD vehicle. The system enables and/or operates the first or second light emitting element for a driver monitoring function responsive to indication that the mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignees: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC., MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
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Patent number: 11766968Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting structure and a mirror head pivotally mounted at the mounting structure via a pivot joint. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a display and mirror assembly, which includes a frame portion, a video display screen at a front side of the frame portion, and a mirror reflective element at a front side of the video mirror display screen. The mirror reflective element includes a variable reflectivity liquid crystal (VRLC) stack of layers, which have a liquid crystal (LC) layer disposed between a rear glass substrate and a front glass substrate. The front and rear glass substrates are integrated in the VRLC stack of layers. With the mounting structure mounted at an interior portion of a vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display video images derived from video images provided by an ECU of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, Gabriele W. Sabatini, Traian Miu
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Patent number: 11738688Abstract: A vehicular lighting assembly includes an plurality of micro-LEDs disposed at a substrate. Width dimension of each individual micro-LED of the plurality of micro-LEDs is less than 500 microns, and length dimension of each individual micro-LED of the plurality of micro-LEDs is less than 500 microns. Packing density of micro-LEDs of the plurality of micro-LEDs at the substrate is at least 10 micro-LEDs per square centimeter. Each individual micro-LED of the plurality of micro-LEDs, when the vehicular lighting assembly is operated to emit light, passes less than 4 mA electrical current. The vehicular lighting assembly is configured to be disposed at a portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular lighting assembly, With the vehicular lighting assembly disposed at the portion of the vehicle, light emitted by the plurality of micro-LEDs, when the vehicular lighting assembly is operated to emit light, is viewable at the portion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Eric Peterson
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Publication number: 20230264631Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror control system is configured to attach at a side of a vehicle and includes a mirror assembly having a variable reflectance mirror reflective element. The vehicular rearview mirror control system processes image data captured by a rear backup camera of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a first subset of image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines ambient light rearward of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a second subset of received image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines glare light emanating from a headlight of another vehicle following the equipped vehicle. The first subset of captured image data is different than the second subset of captured image data. A door module unit of the vehicle controls dimming of the variable reflectance mirror reflective element based at least in part on the determined glare light.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Gregory A. Huizen, Rodney K. Blank
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Publication number: 20230252900Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting structure, a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater element, and a blind zone indication module. The heater element is disposed between the mirror back plate and the mirror reflective element. The blind zone indication module includes a diffuser and a housing that houses a circuit element and a light source. The circuit element includes electrically conductive terminals that are in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit element and that are disposed at a connector portion of the housing that is configured to connect to a wire harness to electrically power circuitry of the circuit element when the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and used at a vehicle. The blind zone indication module is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle at which the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and used.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
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Patent number: 11718233Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly and a light module disposed at the door handle assembly. The light module includes at least three illumination sources linearly arranged at a circuit board and individually operable to emit light. With the door handle assembly mounted at a door of a vehicle, the individual illumination sources are operated responsive to a user input that is actuatable by a driver of the vehicle to activate a turn signal indicator system of the vehicle. With the door handle assembly mounted at the door of the vehicle, and when the illumination sources are operated to emit light responsive to actuation of the user input, an operation sequence of the individual illumination sources is varied between at least a first operation sequence and a second operation sequence based at least in part on movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2023Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff