Patents by Inventor Kenneth G. Slotkowski

Kenneth G. Slotkowski 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).

  • Automatic headlamp dimmer having improved signal discrimination and signal processing
    Patent number: 5329206
    Abstract: An automatic headlamp dimmer system for switching a vehicle's headlamps from high beam to low beam when lights from another vehicle are detected in front of the vehicle. To prevent spurious responses to reflected light from signs and other sources, the dimmer system includes a light detector which is responsive only to infrared light. Also, unwanted responses to flashing lights are avoided by detecting the presence of a periodically varying light signal, and inhibiting switching between high and low beams in response thereto. The system is also capable of sensing the activation of windshield wipers and preventing headlamp switching caused by interruption of light to the system's light sensor by action of the wiper blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignees: Lectron Products, Inc., Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Slotkowski, Paul A. Michaels, Harold R. Macks, Henry J. Ewald
  • Automatic headlamp dimmer
    Patent number: 5182502
    Abstract: An automatic headlamp dimmer system for switching a vehicle's headlamps from high beam to low beam when lights from another vehicle are detected in front of the vehicle. To prevent spurious responses to reflected light from signs and other sources, the dimmer system includes a light detector which is responsive only to infrared light. Also, unwanted responses to flashing lights are avoided by detecting the presence of a periodically varying light signal, and inhibiting switching between high and low beams in response thereto. The system is also capable of sensing the activation of windshield wipers and preventing headlamp switching caused by interruption of light to the system's light sensor by action of the wiper blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignees: Lectron Products, Inc., Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Slotkowski, Paul A. Michaels, Harold R. Macks, Henry J. Ewald
  • Decoding circuit
    Patent number: 4307389
    Abstract: A circuit for sensing a plurality of inputs, each of which have a plurality of condition states, and providing a visibly coded output signal to a single indicator lamp, or the like, whereby one may readily determine the various condition states. The circuit is exemplified in an automotive voltage and current sensing system which senses the conditions of normal voltage, overvoltage, undervoltage and battery discharge. The circuit commands a single lamp to be off, to flash rapidly, to light continuously, or to flash slowly in correspondence to the particular sensed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Slotkowski