Patents by Inventor John K. Roberts

John K. Roberts 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).

  • Patent number: 7712917
    Abstract: Methods of controlling a backlight unit including a plurality of solid state light emitting devices include receiving a request to set a color point of the backlight unit at a requested color point, and determining if the requested color point is within an acceptable range. In response to the requested color point being outside the acceptable range, a modified color point is selected in response to the requested color point, and a color point of the backlight unit is set at the modified color point. Corresponding solid state lighting units are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 7690812
    Abstract: Provided are solid state lighting devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state lighting tile according to some embodiments of the invention includes a substrate, a solid state lighting element mounted on a surface of the substrate, and a reflector sheet on the surface of the substrate. A method of forming a solid state lighting device according to some embodiments of the invention includes providing a substrate of a solid state lighting tile, mounting a solid state lighting element on a surface of the substrate, and attaching a reflector sheet to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Chenhua You, Paul E. Sims
  • Publication number: 20100039806
    Abstract: An LED light unit includes a tile, a plurality of discrete LED light sources, and an edge connector. The LED light sources are on and dispersed across a major surface of the tile and are electrically connected to electrical pads along an edge region of the tile. The edge connector includes a plurality of contacts that are connected to a plurality of wires extending away from the edge connector, and is configured to releasably connect to an edge of the tile so that the contacts directly connect to the pads and electrically connect the wires of the edge connector to the LED light sources. An LED lighting assembly includes a plurality of the discrete tiles mounted to a plurality of bars, and a plurality of edge connectors that are each connected to an end one of the tiles along different ones of the bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Paul E. Sims
  • Patent number: 7621655
    Abstract: An LED light unit includes a tile, a plurality of discrete LED light sources, and an edge connector. The LED light sources are on and dispersed across a major surface of the tile and are electrically connected to electrical pads along an edge region of the tile. The edge connector includes a plurality of contracts that are connected to a plurality of wires extending away from the edge connector, and is configured to releasably connect to an edge of the tile so that the contacts directly connect to the pads and electrically connect the wires of the edge connector to the LED light sources. An LED lighting assembly includes a plurality of the discrete tiles mounted to a plurality of bars, and a plurality of edge connectors that are each connected to an end one of the tiles along different ones of the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Paul E. Sims
  • Patent number: 7613327
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
  • Patent number: 7568823
    Abstract: A vehicle system is disclosed that includes a vehicle lamp assembly including a plurality of LEDs that emit white light so as to function as an illuminator light. The lamp assembly also may include a plurality of LEDs that emit colored light to function as a signal light. The lamp assembly may include a camera. The lamp assembly may serve as a CHMSL or as a tail light. The system also includes a controller that rapidly pulses the LEDs at a rate that is imperceivable by the human eye. The pulsing intervals of the LEDs may be related to the readout intervals of the camera sensor array. In this manner, the LEDs may be pulsed on during camera readout to increase the illumination while the camera is capturing an image, or may be pulsed off during camera readout to prevent feedback glare from interfering with image capture by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick T. Bauer, Lois Bauer, John K. Roberts, Joseph S. Stam
  • Patent number: 7565006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatus, algorithms and methods for acquiring and processing images of a scene. Details of various aspects of the associated images are identified and may be utilized to generate various vehicular equipment control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory A. Mart, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, John K. Roberts, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, Eric J. Walstra, Brock R. Rycenga
  • Publication number: 20090153450
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for providing a stabilized color management system in a solid state lighting panel. Methods according to some embodiments include receiving, in the microcontroller, a color management reference value corresponding to a color characteristic of the solid state lighting panel and adjusting a control mode of the microcontroller responsive to the color management reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 7524097
    Abstract: A light emitting assembly having a first light source and a second light source. The first and second light sources are oriented such that when the first and second light sources emit light, light emitted from the first and second light sources overlaps and is capable of forming white light. The light emitted from the first light source exhibits color coordinates different from the light emitted from the second light source. Also disclosed is a license plate illuminator having an LED device capable of emitting white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, John K. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20090040674
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for protecting display components from adverse operating conditions. A lighting panel system according to some embodiments includes a lighting panel including a plurality of strings of solid state lighting devices arranged across the panel and a protection system configured to determine an adverse operating condition and adjust a lighting panel luminance setting responsive to the adverse operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 7489031
    Abstract: The electronic component package of the present invention includes a sealed chamber; a liquid or gel contained in the sealed chamber; at least one electronic component disposed in the sealed chamber in physical and thermal contact with the liquid or gel; and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the electronic component and extending out of the sealed chamber. The electronic component(s) may include any one or combination of a radiation emitter, a thermal or optical sensor, a resistor, and a microprocessor or other semiconductor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Spencer D. Reese
  • Publication number: 20090033612
    Abstract: Methods of controlling a display including a backlight unit having a plurality of solid state light emitting devices are disclosed. The methods include receiving a target color point for the display, measuring a temperature associated with the display, generating a compensated target color point in response to the measured temperature, and setting a color point of the backlight unit to produce the compensated target color point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 7485844
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for automatically detecting moisture on the windshield of a vehicle. The automatic moisture detecting system includes an optical system for imaging a portion of the windshield onto an image array sensor, such as a CMOS active pixel sensor. The voltage of each of the pixels which represents the illumination level is converted to a corresponding gray scale value by an analog digital converter. The spatial frequency composition of the gray scale values are analyzed to determine the amount of rain present in order to provide a control signal to control the operation of the windshield wipers of the vehicle as a function of the amount of moisture present. The system is also adapted to detect the level of fog both on the interior of the windshield as well as the exterior of the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, John K. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7470049
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one LED mounted to a printed circuit board, a reflector including at least one heat stake, and a mounting plate comprising at least one aperture for receiving the at least one heat stake. The at least one LED is positioned between the reflector and the mounting plate such that the at least one LED is held in position when the at least one heat stake is received within the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Walser, Kenton J. Ypma, Daniel J. Bostwick, John K. Roberts, Robert Steel, Steven J. Miskelley, Darin D. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20080291669
    Abstract: Methods of controlling a backlight unit including a plurality of solid state light emitting devices include receiving a request to set a color point of the backlight unit at a requested color point, and determining if the requested color point is within an acceptable range. In response to the requested color point being outside the acceptable range, a modified color point is selected in response to the requested color point, and a color point of the backlight unit is set at the modified color point. Corresponding solid state lighting units are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 7452113
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in controlling the direction of light rays and apparatus incorporating the improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Newton, John K. Roberts, Timothy A. Bonardi, Jeremy A. Fogg, Timothy J. Thomas, Darin D. Tuttle, Jeremy A. Walser
  • Publication number: 20080278097
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for controlling a solid state lighting panel. A system according to some embodiments of the invention includes a controller that provides control signals to current drivers that are configured to provide current to multiple solid state lighting devices. The system also includes a sequence generator that generates a firing sequence for firing multiple strings of slid state lighting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas
  • Publication number: 20080225512
    Abstract: Provided are solid state backlight devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state backlight unit according to some embodiments of the invention includes a housing having a major surface and multiple LEDs on a first surface of the major surface. The solid state backlight unit also includes a specular reflector proximate to the first surface of the major surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Chenhua You
  • Publication number: 20080225553
    Abstract: Provided are solid state lighting devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state lighting tile according to some embodiments of the invention includes a substrate, a solid state lighting element mounted on a surface of the substrate, and a reflector sheet on the surface of the substrate. A method of forming a solid state lighting device according to some embodiments of the invention includes providing a substrate of a solid state lighting tile, mounting a solid state lighting element on a surface of the substrate, and attaching a reflector sheet to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Chenhua You, Paul E. Sims
  • Patent number: D585847
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Paul E. Sims, Chenhua You