Patents by Inventor Mark E. Kramer
Mark E. Kramer 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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Publication number: 20240046706Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior prismatic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior prismatic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through a prismatic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are disposed at the mirror assembly that are operable to emit near infrared light to illuminate at least the driver-side front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera behind the prismatic mirror reflective element is not readily apparent to an occupant of the vehicle. The camera at least (a) views the driver-side front seating area of the vehicle and (b) views a passenger-side front seating area of the vehicle. The driver of the equipped vehicle is monitored via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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Patent number: 11798319Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least the driver-side front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant of the vehicle. The camera at least (a) views the driver-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle and (b) views a passenger-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle. The driver of the equipped vehicle is monitored via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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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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Publication number: 20230177885Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least the driver-side front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant of the vehicle. The camera at least (a) views the driver-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle and (b) views a passenger-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle. The driver of the equipped vehicle is monitored via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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Patent number: 11631332Abstract: 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 pad is disposed between the mirror back plate and the mirror reflective element. The blind zone indication module is located at an aperture formed through the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
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Patent number: 11562599Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least a front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant sitting in the interior cabin of the vehicle. The interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The camera at least views a driver-side front seating area of the vehicle and, via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera, the driver seated at the driver-side front seating area is monitored.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2022Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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Publication number: 20220270409Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least a front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant sitting in the interior cabin of the vehicle. The interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The camera at least views a driver-side front seating area of the vehicle and, via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera, the driver seated at the driver-side front seating area is monitored.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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Publication number: 20220189310Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module having a light source that is electrically powered to emit light. When the light source of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light source passing through (i) a light-transmitting portion of a housing of the blind zone indication module and (ii) a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate illuminates an icon that is viewable to a driver of the vehicle who views the mirror reflective element. Illumination of the icon is responsive to a blind spot detection system of the vehicle detecting presence of another vehicle that is traveling in the same direction and in a lane adjacent to a lane that the equipped vehicle is traveling in and that is approaching or is overtaking the equipped vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
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Patent number: 11348374Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in a vehicle and including a mirror reflective element. A camera is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly and views a driver sitting at a driver seat of the equipped vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. A control includes a vision system-on-a-chip image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The control, via processing at the vision system-on-a-chip image processor of image data captured by the camera, determines driver movement. The vehicular driver monitoring system generates an output responsive at least in part to the determined driver movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICSInventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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Patent number: 11270590Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflector sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater pad, and a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of a front end of the plastic housing. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element and illuminates an icon of the mirror reflective element that is viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with the mirror assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
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Publication number: 20220044568Abstract: 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 pad is disposed between the mirror back plate and the mirror reflective element. The blind zone indication module is located at an aperture formed through the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
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Publication number: 20210383104Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in a vehicle and including a mirror reflective element. A camera is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly and views a driver sitting at a driver seat of the equipped vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. A control includes a vision system-on-a-chip image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The control, via processing at the vision system-on-a-chip image processor of image data captured by the camera, determines driver movement. The vehicular driver monitoring system generates an output responsive at least in part to the determined driver movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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Patent number: 11132903Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The blind zone indication module attaches at the rear side of the mirror reflective element via an aperture of the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes a housing that houses a circuit element and at least one light emitting diode therein. The rear side of the mirror back plate includes structure at the indicator receiving portion that at least partially receives the housing. 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 of an exterior rearview mirror assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
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Patent number: 11100315Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of captured image data, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera, and determines if the detected object constitutes a hazardous condition. Responsive to determination of the hazardous condition, the control controls the video display device to automatically display an alert to the driver of the vehicle, with the alert including display of video images of the object that are derived from captured image data or a graphic overlay on displayed video images.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
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Publication number: 20210256852Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflector sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater pad, and a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of a front end of the plastic housing. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element and illuminates an icon of the mirror reflective element that is viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with the mirror assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
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Patent number: 10943488Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflector sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater pad, and a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element and illuminates an icon of the mirror reflective element that is viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with the mirror assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
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Publication number: 20200342762Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflector sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater pad, and a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element and illuminates an icon of the mirror reflective element that is viewable by a driver of a vehicle equipped with the mirror assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
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Publication number: 20200234592Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The blind zone indication module attaches at the rear side of the mirror reflective element via an aperture of the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes a housing that houses a circuit element and at least one light emitting diode therein. The rear side of the mirror back plate includes structure at the indicator receiving portion that at least partially receives the housing. 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 of an exterior rearview mirror assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
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Patent number: 10713953Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflector sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater pad, and a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing having a front end configured for attaching the blind zone indication module at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing of the blind zone indication module. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
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Publication number: 20200135031Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflector sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, a heater pad, and a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing having a front end configured for attaching the blind zone indication module at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing of the blind zone indication module. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson