Patents by Inventor John T. Uken

John T. Uken 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: 11072286
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. Individual user input elements of a plurality of user input elements are arranged in a row below the transflective reflective element. At least one of the individual user input elements is a user input element for an imaging system of the vehicle. Each individual display element of a plurality of display elements is associated with a respective user input element of the plurality of user input elements. Each individual display element of the plurality of display elements is selectively activated by activation of its respective user input element. Each individual display element and its respective user input element are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of the respective user input element and activation of the associated individual display element is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Publication number: 20210221293
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror control system includes a rearview mirror assembly having a variable reflectance electro-optic mirror reflective element. An electronic control unit receives image data captured by a rear backup camera of the vehicle. The electronic control unit, responsive to processing a first subset of received image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines ambient light rearward of the equipped vehicle. The electronic control unit, responsive to 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 received image data is different than the second subset of received image data. The electronic control unit generates an output to control dimming of the mirror reflective element of the rearview mirror assembly responsive to a determined location of the determined glare light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Gregory A. Huizen, Rodney K. Blank
  • Patent number: 11046251
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head, a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle, and a receiving portion for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module. The portable module includes a user input and a housing, and is operable to wirelessly transmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of the user input of the portable module. With the portable module received at the receiving portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by a driver of the vehicle. A retaining element is configured to attach to the mirror casing at the receiving portion to releasably secure the portable module at the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20210155160
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting arm and a mirror head at one end of the mounting arm distal from an attachment portion of the mounting arm that is configured for attachment at a vehicle. A mirror reflective element is fixedly attached at the mirror head. An innermost side of the mirror reflective element is attached at a front side of an attachment plate. The mirror reflective element moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm when the driver of the vehicle operates an electrically-operable actuator. The attachment plate includes wall structure that extends from the front side of the attachment plate and circumscribes and spans the perimeter circumferential edge of the glass substrate and does not encroach onto and does not overlap the front surface of the glass substrate of the exterior mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Keith D. Foote, Joseph M. Mambourg, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20210129757
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for an electric vehicle having a vehicle battery for powering a propulsion system of the electric vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a mirror reflective element, a mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror assembly at an interior portion of the electric vehicle, and an indicator disposed at the mirror casing along a perimeter region of the mirror reflective element. The indicator includes a plurality of LEDs, and each LED of the plurality of LEDs is individually operated to emit light. With the mirror reflective element and the mirror casing adjustably mounted at the interior portion of the electric vehicle via the mounting structure, and responsive to a battery charge level of the vehicle battery, the indicator electrically powers one or more of the LEDs to convey vehicle battery charge level information to a driver of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventor: John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 10981510
    Abstract: A dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 75 percent of the viewable reflective region of the mirror reflective element. With the mirror assembly operating in a first state, the video display device does not display video images and the driver views rearward via reflection at the viewable reflective region and, with the mirror assembly operating in a second state, the video display device displays video images at the display screen for viewing at the viewable reflective region by the driver. Video images displayed by the display screen at a center zone of the viewable reflective region are at unit magnification, and video images displayed at driver-side and passenger-side zones are not displayed at unit magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 10967796
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror mount configured to attach at an interior portion of the vehicle. A mirror head includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element. The mirror mount includes a ball element and the mirror head includes a socket element, which pivotally attaches at the ball element forming a ball and socket joint to pivotally mount the mirror head at the mirror mount. The mirror head has a thickness dimension spanning between a front planar surface of said mirror reflective element and a rear surface of a laterally sideward region of the mirror casing, with the thickness dimension being less than 20 mm. A central region of the mirror casing has a thickness dimension greater than 20 mm to accommodate the socket element. The socket element is disposed at an aperture through the central region of the mirror casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Gregory A. Huizen, Rodney K. Blank
  • Publication number: 20210078498
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element assembly portion that includes a mirror reflective element and at least one pivot element, which provides adjustability of the mirror reflective element when the reflective element assembly portion is mounted within an interior cabin of a vehicle. A cap portion is adapted to attach to the reflective element assembly portion. The cap portion includes at least one accessory. The at least one accessory includes an accessory module insertable at least partially into the cap portion. Insertion of the accessory module into the cap portion connects the accessory module to the cap portion both mechanically and electrically. The cap portion may encase a rear portion of the reflective element assembly portion, and a mounting member may extend from the pivot element and through an aperture of the cap portion for mounting the mirror assembly within the interior cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10906467
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head movably disposed at a movable portion that is movable relative to a non-movable portion configured for attachment at a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element fixedly attached at an attachment portion and fixed relative to the mirror casing. The mirror reflective element moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head relative to the exterior portion of the vehicle. A first electrically-operated actuator has an axis of rotation when operated that moves the movable portion relative to the non-movable portion about a first axis, and a second electrically-operated actuator has an axis of rotation when operated that moves the mirror head relative to the movable portion about a second axis. The axis of rotation of the first electrically-operated actuator is non-orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the second electrically-operated actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Keith D. Foote, Joseph M. Mambourg, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200361383
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and an electro-optic mirror reflective element. A printed circuit board is disposed in the mirror head and includes (i) a light sensor, (ii) an indicator LED and (iii) an electronic switch. A multi-function light pipe is disposed at the mirror head with (i) a first end at the light sensor, the indicator LED and the electronic switch, and (ii) a second end at a perimeter region of the mirror head so as to be viewable and accessible by the driver of the vehicle. The light sensor senses light from rearward of the vehicle via the light pipe. Light emitted by the indicator LED, when energized, is viewable by the driver via the light pipe. The light pipe actuates the electronic switch responsive to a user actuation at the second end of the light pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Austin T. Buerkle
  • Patent number: 10829052
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a prismatic mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a planar front surface and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate, with an outermost part of the plastic molding providing a curved transition between the planar front surface of the prismatic mirror reflective element and another part of the plastic molding. The outermost part of the plastic molding includes an outer curved surface and lacks an exposed sharp edge. The plastic molding includes a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. A mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200324703
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head, a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle, and a receiving portion for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module. The portable module includes a user input and a housing, and is operable to wirelessly transmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of the user input of the portable module. With the portable module received at the receiving portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by a driver of the vehicle. A retaining element is configured to attach to the mirror casing at the receiving portion to releasably secure the portable module at the receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20200285331
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. Individual user input elements of a plurality of user input elements are arranged in a row below the transflective reflective element. At least one of the individual user input elements is a user input element for an imaging system of the vehicle. Each individual display element of a plurality of display elements is associated with a respective user input element of the plurality of user input elements. Each individual display element of the plurality of display elements is selectively activated by activation of its respective user input element. Each individual display element and its respective user input element are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of the respective user input element and activation of the associated individual display element is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Publication number: 20200269760
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting portion, a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element. The reflective element includes a glass substrate having a planar front surface, a planar rear surface and a circumferential perimeter edge around a periphery of the glass substrate that extends across a thickness dimension separating the planar front surface from the planar rear surface. A front perimeter edge portion of the circumferential perimeter edge includes a rounded glass surface circumferentially around the periphery of the glass substrate, with the rounded glass surface at least partially spanning the thickness dimension of the glass substrate. The rounded glass surface has a radius of curvature of at least 2.5 mm. The planar rear surface of the glass substrate is coated with a coating. No portion of the mirror casing overlaps onto the rounded glass surface of the glass substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Donald S. Rawlings, John T. Uken
  • Publication number: 20200215983
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head and a mounting structure attached at a central region of the mirror back plate. A circuit board is disposed at the mirror back plate to one side of the central region, and first and second electrical connectors are disposed at the rear of the reflective element to the other side of the central region, with the first and second electrical connectors being in electrically conductive continuity with electrically conductive coatings at respective surfaces of the front and rear glass substrates. The electrical conductors are electrically connected between the respective electrical connector and reflectance control circuitry at the circuit board. A wire harness is electrically connected to the circuit board, and a portion of the wire harness passes through the mounting structure and has a connector end for electrically connecting to a vehicle wire harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph D. Suchecki, Craig Kendall
  • Patent number: 10664115
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle having a field of view at least forward, rearward and/or exterior of the equipped vehicle. An image projection device is disposed in the vehicle and includes a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source, when operated, is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form video images that are viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The video images viewed by the driver viewing the windshield include video images derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: 10647258
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and a prismatic interior reflective element. The reflective element comprises a wedge-shaped glass substrate having a perimeter edge about a periphery of the glass substrate and extending between first and second surfaces thereof. The glass substrate has a mirror reflector established at the second surface. A front surface of the perimeter edge provides a smooth curved transition at the perimeter edge between a perimeter region of the first surface and the mirror casing. The front surface of the perimeter edge is rounded with a radius of curvature of at least about 2.5 mm. No portion of the mirror casing encompasses the first surface of the glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Donald S. Rawlings, John T. Uken
  • Publication number: 20200130585
    Abstract: A dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 75 percent of the viewable reflective region of the mirror reflective element. With the mirror assembly operating in a first state, the video display device does not display video images and the driver views rearward via reflection at the viewable reflective region and, with the mirror assembly operating in a second state, the video display device displays video images at the display screen for viewing at the viewable reflective region by the driver. Video images displayed by the display screen at a center zone of the viewable reflective region are at unit magnification, and video images displayed at driver-side and passenger-side zones are not displayed at unit magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 10589684
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and an electro-optic mirror reflective element. A mirror casing sidewall has a terminal end region that circumscribes an open end of the mirror casing and has a rounded end region surface. A first substrate of the reflective element has a rounded circumferential perimeter region extending at least partially between a front surface and a rear surface of the first substrate and having a first radius of curvature. The rounded surface of the mirror casing has a second radius of curvature. The substrate thickness of the first substrate is less than the first radius of curvature. The rounded surface of the mirror casing and the rounded circumferential perimeter region of the first substrate combine to provide a curved transition between the front surface and the outer surface of the mirror casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph D. Suchecki, Craig Kendall
  • Publication number: 20200047673
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a prismatic mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a planar front surface and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate, with an outermost part of the plastic molding providing a curved transition between the planar front surface of the prismatic mirror reflective element and another part of the plastic molding. The outermost part of the plastic molding includes an outer curved surface and lacks an exposed sharp edge. The plastic molding includes a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. A mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam