Patents by Inventor Keith D. Foote

Keith D. Foote 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).

  • Publication number: 20170327045
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blind spot indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes providing a housing, a rear cover and a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed at the housing and the rear cover is attached to a rear end of the housing to encase the circuit board, whereby electrical terminals extending from the circuit board are disposed between a first connector portion of the housing and a second connector portion of the rear cover, thereby forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board at least to electrical power when the blind spot indicator module is used by an exterior rearview mirror assembly that is attached to a vehicle. The circuitry includes a light emitting diode that emits light when electrically powered, and a diffuser element diffuses light emitted by the light emitting diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9776556
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open the vehicle door. A self-contained elongated module includes (i) an elongated housing, (ii) an elongated light-transmitting cover and (iii) a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the self-contained elongated module. At least one light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion. With the door handle assembly mounted at a vehicle door and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and through the elongated light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the exterior door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 9713986
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate disposed at a rear side of a glass substrate of the reflective element. The back plate includes a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at a first side by a plastic injection molding operation. The mirror actuator attaching portion includes structure for attaching the back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the back plate. When the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing the mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle, light emitted by an indicator passes exits the heater pad and the reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20170190281
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open the vehicle door. A self-contained elongated module includes (i) an elongated housing, (ii) an elongated light-transmitting cover and (iii) a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the self-contained elongated module. At least one light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion. With the door handle assembly mounted at a vehicle door and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and through the elongated light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the exterior door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Publication number: 20170167169
    Abstract: A system for extending and retracting a handle of a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a door handle assembly, a control operable to control operation of a motor of an electrically operable actuator of the handle assembly, and a sensing system operable to detect an authorized user. The sensing system, responsive to detecting an authorized user, determines a motion vector of the detected authorized user. The sensing system determines whether the motion vector is indicative of the detected authorized user approaching the door of the vehicle. Responsive to determination that the detected authorized user is approaching the door of the vehicle, the control unlocks the door handle assembly and controls operation of the motor to move a handle portion from a recessed position to a partially extended position so as to be graspable by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Keith D. Foote, Eric S. Deuel
  • Publication number: 20170166130
    Abstract: A camera monitoring system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with a video display screen disposed behind the interior mirror reflective element. The video display screen is operable to display video images derived at least in part from image data captured by at least one video camera of a plurality of video cameras of the equipped vehicle. Image data captured by at least a driver-side viewing video camera and a passenger-side viewing video camera is provided to an image processor and is processed by the image processor to detect vehicles present exterior of the equipped vehicle. Responsive at least in part to detection of another vehicle, video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the driver-side viewing video camera, a rear viewing video camera and/or the passenger-side viewing video camera are displayed by the video display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Kevin P. Benthem, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9669764
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element for a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a glass substrate, an electrochromic film and a mirror reflector. The electrochromic film is provided as a pre-cut mirror shape film and is disposed at the glass substrate. The electrochromic film comprises an electrochromic polymer layer disposed between a front polymeric film and a rear polymeric film. The front polymeric film is disposed between the electrochromic polymer layer and the glass substrate and a transparent electrically conductive coating is disposed between the front polymeric film and the electrochromic polymer layer. An electrically conductive coating is disposed between the rear polymeric film and the electrochromic polymer layer. The polymeric films have respective overhang portions that extend outboard of any other portion of the electrochromic film at respective connecting regions for electrical connection to the electrically conductive coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Gregory A. Huizen
  • Patent number: 9598003
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly suitable for mounting at a door handle region of a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion and a sealed self-contained elongated lighting module having (i) at least one illumination source that, when electrically powered, emits light, (ii) an elongated housing and (iii) an elongated light-transmitting cover. The module may include an antenna and/or a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the sealed self-contained elongated lighting module. With the sealed self-contained elongated light module received in the strap-handle portion, the contour of the sealed self-contained elongated lighting module generally matches the contour of the strap-handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Publication number: 20170072859
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate disposed at a rear side of a glass substrate of the reflective element. The back plate includes a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at a first side by a plastic injection molding operation. The mirror actuator attaching portion includes structure for attaching the back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the back plate. When the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing the mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle, light emitted by an indicator passes exits the heater pad and the reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9580942
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a base portion and a handle portion movable relative to the base portion between a recessed position and a partially extended position. When at the partially extended position, the handle portion is manually movable outward from the base portion to open the vehicle door. A control is operable to control operation of a motor of an actuator to move the handle portion between the recessed position and the partially extended position. The control moves the handle portion from the recessed position to the partially extended position responsive to a trigger. The actuator provides a manual override that allows the user to manually move the handle portion relative to the base portion. Responsive to determination of a lockout condition, the control limits movement of the handle portion from the recessed position towards the partially extended position irrespective of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Keith D. Foote, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 9580017
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a principal mirror element, a wide angle mirror element and an illumination element that at least partially circumscribes the wide angle mirror element. The illumination element emits illumination at least partially around the wide angle mirror element that is viewable by a person viewing the exterior rearview mirror assembly when the mirror assembly is disposed at a side of a vehicle. At least one of (i) the illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is below a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is less than about 100 candelas per square meter, and (ii) the illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is above a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is greater than about 200 candelas per square meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Kevin P. Benthem, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9505350
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes an aperture extending therethrough and includes walls established at a first side of said mirror back plate by the plastic injection molding operation, with the walls at least partially circumscribing the aperture and extending outward from the first side of the mirror back plate. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the mirror back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with the aperture of the mirror back plate and with a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector. The walls include walls of a housing accommodating an indicator associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20160264054
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head and an exterior mirror reflective element fixedly attached at the mirror head. An attachment portion is configured for attachment at an exterior portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a multi-axis adjustment mechanism having at least one electrically-operable actuator. The multi-axis adjustment mechanism is operable to move the mirror head, with the exterior mirror reflective element fixedly attached thereto, about multiple axes relative to the attachment portion. The exterior mirror reflective element moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head relative to the exterior portion of the body of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle who views the exterior mirror reflective element when operating the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    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: 20160250975
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes an aperture extending therethrough and includes walls established at a first side of said mirror back plate by the plastic injection molding operation, with the walls at least partially circumscribing the aperture and extending outward from the first side of the mirror back plate. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the mirror back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with the aperture of the mirror back plate and with a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector. The walls include walls of a housing accommodating an indicator associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9346403
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element and a touch sensor device disposed behind a portion of the reflective element and operable to sense the presence of a person's finger at a touch zone of the reflective element proximate to the touch sensor device. A backlighting device is disposed behind the touch sensor device and is operable to backlight a portion of the touch sensor device. The touch sensor device includes a touch sensor substrate having a conductive trace established at a patterned conductive zone of the touch sensor substrate. When the backlighting device is activated, light emanating from the backlighting device passes through the patterned conductive zone of the touch sensor substrate and illuminates an icon so that the icon is viewable through the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    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
  • Patent number: 9333909
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with an aperture of the mirror back plate. The mirror reflector includes a light-transmitting portion thereof that is generally aligned with the light transmitting portion of the heater pad. An indicator module includes a housing, and a circuit board is disposed in the housing and includes at least one light emitting diode. When an equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle and with the light emitting diode activated, emitted light passes through a light diffuser and through the light transmitting portions and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20160039337
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with an aperture of the mirror back plate. The mirror reflector includes a light-transmitting portion thereof that is generally aligned with the light transmitting portion of the heater pad. An indicator module includes a housing, and a circuit board is disposed in the housing and includes at least one light emitting diode. When an equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle and with the light emitting diode activated, emitted light passes through a light diffuser and through the light transmitting portions and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20160001697
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly suitable for mounting at a door handle region of a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion and a sealed self-contained elongated lighting module having (i) at least one illumination source that, when electrically powered, emits light, (ii) an elongated housing and (iii) an elongated light-transmitting cover. The module may include an antenna and/or a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the sealed self-contained elongated lighting module. With the sealed self-contained elongated light module received in the strap-handle portion, the contour of the sealed self-contained elongated lighting module generally matches the contour of the strap-handle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 9162624
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element attached at a mirror back plate, which includes a mirror actuator attaching portion established at the back plate by a plastic injection molding operation. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. An indicator associated with a blind spot detection system has a light source that is activatable to emit light. When the mirror assembly is mounted at a side of a vehicle and with the light source activated, light emitted by the light source passes through a light diffuser and through an aperture of the mirror back plate and through a light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting window of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20150224934
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element attached at a mirror back plate, which includes a mirror actuator attaching portion established at the back plate by a plastic injection molding operation. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. An indicator associated with a blind spot detection system has a light source that is activatable to emit light. When the mirror assembly is mounted at a side of a vehicle and with the light source activated, light emitted by the light source passes through a light diffuser and through an aperture of the mirror back plate and through a light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting window of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam