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: 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
  • Patent number: 10948798
    Abstract: An electro-optic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a caseless electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element and a plate attached at the rear of the reflective element. The mirror reflective element connected to and pivotal about a windshield electronics module via a ball and socket pivot joint. Control circuitry may be disposed in a windshield electronics module for automatically controlling dimming of the electro-optic medium or alternatively, dimming of the electro-optic medium is automatically controlled via a multifunctional rear backup camera system of the equipped vehicle. Optionally, the control circuitry controls dimming of the electro-optic medium of the mirror reflective element via wiring that passes through the ball and socket pivot joint. Optionally, image data captured by the multifunctional rear backup camera may be used for ambient light determination and to provide video image display at the interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
  • Patent number: 10943488
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20210053493
    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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20210031693
    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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10875455
    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 is operable to use the left and right display regions to display video images derived from a respective portion of captured image data. When the video display screen is displaying video images at the right or left display region that are derived from the respective portion of captured image data, the video display screen does not display video images representative of the other portion of captured image data at the other display regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10829051
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head accommodating a reflective element. A display device is accommodated in the mirror head and behind the reflective element. The reflective element is tiltable between a mirror mode orientation, where the vehicle driver views rearward of the vehicle via the reflective element, and a display mode orientation, where the display device is actuated and the vehicle driver views images displayed by the display device through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element. An actuator has an actuator body that is pivotally mounted at the reflective element and that has a pivot element of a pivot joint that pivotally mounts the mirror head at an interior portion of the vehicle. The actuator pivots the reflective element relative to the actuator body to tilt the reflective element between the mirror mode orientation and the display mode orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    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
  • Publication number: 20200342762
    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 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10807536
    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 75 percent of the reflective region of 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 a 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: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 10713953
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200207276
    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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200135031
    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 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10604224
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for insulation and moisture drainage. One exemplary embodiment is a bay blanket configured to insulate an aircraft. The bay blanket includes insulation, and a first trough running along a length of a leftward face of the insulation and adapted to receive water draining from an outboard side of the insulation. The first trough includes sidewalls that meet at an inboard side of the insulation and extend from the inboard side to the outboard side. The bay blanket also includes a second trough running along a length of a rightward face of the insulation and adapted to receive water draining from the outboard side. The second trough includes sidewalls that meet at the inboard side and extend from the inboard side to the outboard side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Irwin, Mark L. Larson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10583782
    Abstract: An electro-optic mirror reflective element for a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a front substrate and a rear substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween. A display element is disposed at the front substrate and includes a transparent organic light emitting diode display. With the electro-optic mirror reflective element disposed at a rearview mirror assembly at the vehicle and when the display element is activated, information displayed by the display element is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. With the electro-optic mirror reflective element disposed at the rearview mirror assembly at the vehicle and when the display element is not activated, the driver views reflected images of the scene rearward of the vehicle as reflected off a specularly reflective mirror reflector disposed at a surface of the rear substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10556663
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for insulation and moisture drainage. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus comprising a bay blanket configured to insulate an aircraft. The bay blanket includes insulation, and a first waterproof lip that protrudes from the insulation in an outboard direction towards a frame of the aircraft and extends along a length of a leftward side of the bay blanket. The bay blanket also includes a second waterproof lip that protrudes from the insulation in an outboard direction towards the frame of the aircraft along a length of a rightward side of the bay blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Dickson, Jesse Vitalez Tibayan, Irina Alekseevna Zakharova, Mark L. Larson