Patents by Inventor Mark L. Larson

Mark L. Larson 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: 11498486
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    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: 11479178
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph D. Suchecki, Craig Kendall
  • Patent number: 11458897
    Abstract: A vehicular dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electrochromic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 85 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 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: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20220203899
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally adjustable about a mirror support. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the mirror reflective element. A touch sensor is disposed at the mirror reflective element and is associated with circuitry at a flexible printed circuit of the video display device. The video display device is operable to display video images captured by a rearward viewing camera of the vehicle. Light emitted by the video display device passes through the transflective mirror reflector for viewing of displayed video images by the driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element, at the reflective region of the transflective mirror reflector, reflects at least 40 percent of visible light incident at the front side of the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20220203897
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a video display screen and a video processor operable to process captured video image data captured by a rearward-viewing color video camera at the vehicle. The video display screen includes a left display region at a left portion, a right display region at a right portion, and a middle display region that spans between the left and right display regions. The video display screen (i) displays at the left display region video images derived from captured image data to display a scene occurring in a left side lane, (ii) displays at the right display region video images derived from captured image data to display a scene occurring in a right side lane and (iii) displays at the middle display region video images derived from captured image data to display a scene occurring rearward of the vehicle in the lane the equipped vehicle is travelling in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20220189310
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 11292389
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head that is pivotally attached via a pivot joint at a mounting structure and that accommodates a reflective element. A display device is disposed within the mirror head. An actuator is disposed within the mirror head and includes an actuator base attached at a rear portion of the reflective element, an actuator body that is pivotally attached at the actuator base, and an electrically operable motor. When the motor is electrically operated, the actuator body pivots relative to the actuator base to pivot the mirror head relative to a socket element of the pivot joint. Pivotal movement of the mirror head relative to the socket element adjusts the reflective element between a mirror mode orientation and a display mode orientation. When the reflective element is in the display mode orientation, the display device is actuated to display video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 11285877
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a video display screen and a video processor operable to process captured video image data captured by a rearward-viewing camera at the vehicle. The video display screen includes a left display region at a left portion, a right display region at a right portion, and a middle display region that spans between the left and right display regions. The video display screen displays at the left display region video images derived from image data captured by the rearward-viewing video camera to display a scene occurring at a left side lane at a left side of the equipped vehicle and does not display video images of the scene occurring at the left side lane at the left side of the equipped vehicle at the middle display region of the video display screen or at the right display region of the video display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11279288
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror reflective element with a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the mirror reflective element and has a display screen that occupies at least 85 percent of a reflective region of the transflective mirror reflector that is visible to a driver of the vehicle when viewing the mirror reflective element. The video display device is operable to display video images captured by a rearward viewing camera of the vehicle. When the video display device is operated to display video images, light emitted by the video display device passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element for viewing of displayed video images by the driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element. Light emitted by the video display device may exit the mirror reflective element as circularly polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 11270590
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20220001804
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward-viewing camera located behind and viewing through a vehicle windshield, a rearward-viewing camera located at a rear of the vehicle, and a common image processor operable for processing captured image data. A video display screen is located within the interior cabin of the vehicle viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The common image processor processes first image data captured by the forward-viewing camera to detect at least one vehicle present exterior the equipped vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and while the driver is executing a reversing maneuver, video images derived from image data captured by at least the rearward-viewing camera are displayed by the video display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 11124121
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera located behind and viewing through a vehicle windshield, a rearward-viewing camera located at a rear of the vehicle, and a common image processor operable for processing captured image data. A video display screen is located within the interior cabin of the vehicle viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The common image processor utilizes object detection software at least during processing of first image data captured by the forward-viewing camera to detect at least one vehicle present exterior the equipped vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and while the driver is executing a reversing maneuver, video images derived from image data captured by at least the rearward-viewing camera are displayed on the video display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Publication number: 20210284070
    Abstract: A vehicular video camera display system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a casing and an electro-optic reflective element, with a video display device disposed in the casing behind the electro-optic reflective element. With the interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior cabin portion of the vehicle, a video display screen of the video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable through the electro-optic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A rearward-viewing video camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle. Control circuitry is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly. Image data captured by the rearward-viewing video camera is communicated from the rearward-viewing video camera via a twisted pair wire to the control circuitry disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20210256852
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20210237651
    Abstract: A vehicular dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electrochromic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device is disposed rearward of the viewable reflective region and occupies at least 85 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 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: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20210191222
    Abstract: A multifunctional rear camera system includes a rear camera and a processor. Responsive to processing of captured image data, the processor generates respective outputs for (i) a rear backup assist function, (ii) a mirror dimming control for at least an electro-optic interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and (iii) ambient light detection. The processor processes a mirror zone of captured image data for mirror dimming control and processes upper corner regions of captured image data for ambient light detection. The processor processes at least lower regions of captured image data for the rear backup assist function. The generated output for the mirror dimming control is provided to the electro-optic interior rearview mirror assembly to control dimming of the electro-optic reflective element. The generated output for the rear backup assist function provides (i) object detection and/or (ii) video display of video images derived from captured image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
  • Patent number: 11021107
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a casing and an electrochromic reflective element, with a video display screen disposed in the casing behind the electrochromic reflective element. With the interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior cabin portion of the vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display video images that are viewable through a transflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A rearward-viewing video camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and control circuitry is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly. Image data captured by the rearward-viewing video camera is provided via a coaxial cable to the control circuitry, which is operable to control the video display screen to display video images that are derived, at least in part, from the captured image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20210107407
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a video display screen and a video processor operable to process captured video image data captured by a rearward-viewing camera at the vehicle. The video display screen includes a left display region at a left portion, a right display region at a right portion, and a middle display region that spans between the left and right display regions. The video display screen displays at the left display region video images derived from image data captured by the rearward-viewing video camera to display a scene occurring at a left side lane at a left side of the equipped vehicle and does not display video images of the scene occurring at the left side lane at the left side of the equipped vehicle at the middle display region of the video display screen or at the right display region of the video display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam