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: 10522042
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes 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 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10442360
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a reflective element. A display device is disposed in the mirror head and behind the reflective element. The display device, when actuated, is viewable through the reflective element. The mirror head is adjustable between a mirror mode orientation, where the driver of the vehicle views rearward of the vehicle via the reflective element, and a display mode orientation, where the driver of the vehicle views images displayed by the display device through the reflective element. When in the display mode orientation, the reflective element is angled upward or downward relative to the orientation of the reflective element when in the mirror mode orientation. An actuator is pivotally mounted at the mirror head and includes a pivot element that adjustably mounts the mirror head at a mirror mount that attaches at the interior surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    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: 10421404
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle 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 a polymer reflector layer is disposed in front of the video display device. 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 polymer reflector layer and the mirror reflective element for viewing of displayed video images by a driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element. Linearly polarized light emitted by the video display device is circularly polarized as it passes through the polymer reflector layer, such that the displayed video images comprise circularly polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Christopher R. Koetje, Anthony J. LaCross, Eric Peterson
  • Publication number: 20190270410
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190258131
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
  • Publication number: 20190243492
    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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    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: 20190217782
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 10300856
    Abstract: A vehicular display system includes a single video display screen and a video processor operable to process captured video image data captured by a camera at the vehicle. The single 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 between the left and right display regions. The display screen is operable to use each display region to display video images derived from a respective portion of captured image data. When the 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 single video display screen does not display video images representative of the other portion of captured image data at the other display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190146297
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Hamid Habibi, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Mark L. Larson, Patrick M. Foley, IV, Michael L. Gallas
  • Publication number: 20190139416
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes 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 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10261648
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    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: 10239457
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera located behind and viewing through a vehicle windshield, a rear 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 rear camera are displayed on the video display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    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: 20190071018
    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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph D. Suchecki, Craig Kendall
  • Publication number: 20190009724
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera located behind and viewing through a vehicle windshield, a rear 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 rear camera are displayed on the video display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 10170001
    Abstract: A blind zone indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a hollow housing that includes a front end for attaching the indicator module at the rear of a mirror reflective element configured for use by an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a rear end opposite the front end, and an intermediate portion between the front end and the rear end. The hollow housing comprises an inner surface that is white and is diffusely reflective of light incident thereat. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the hollow housing and closes the front end of the housing. Potting material is disposed at and over a circuit board to seal the circuit board in the module. Light emitted by a light emitting diode, when activated, reflects off the white inner surface of the hollow housing and passes through the diffuser element to exit the indicator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Kendall, Jeremy R. Shooks, Mark E. Kramer, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20180370440
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotable about a mirror support. An electro-optic mirror reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector that at least partially reflects light incident thereon and at least partially transmits incident light therethrough. A video display device is disposed rearward of a reflective region of the mirror reflective element and includes a display screen that occupies at least 75 percent of the reflective region. A light sensor is disposed at an overhang region and is integrated with a user input that is configured to actuate at the overhang region of the mirror reflective element. The video display device is operated responsive at least in part to actuation by a user of the user input. Electro-optic dimming of the mirror reflective element and/or display intensity of the video display device is variable responsive to a light level detected by the light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Publication number: 20180354423
    Abstract: A vehicular display system includes a single video display screen and a video processor operable to process captured video image data captured by a camera at the vehicle. The single 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 between the left and right display regions. The display screen is operable to use each display region to display video images derived from a respective portion of captured image data. When the 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 single video display screen does not display video images representative of the other portion of captured image data at the other display region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10112538
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element disposed at an outer end region of a sidewall of the mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes a first glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface and a substrate thickness spanning between the front and rear surfaces. The first glass substrate includes a flat region and a rounded perimeter edge circumscribing the flat region. Curvature of a rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall matches curvature of the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate whereby the rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall and the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate combine to provide a curved transition between the front surface of the flat region and a principal outside surface of the sidewall of the mirror casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph D. Suchecki, Craig Kendall
  • Publication number: 20180290722
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Dickson, Jesse Vitalez Tibayan, Irina Alekseevna Zakharova, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20180251069
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a reflective element. A display device is disposed in the mirror head and behind the reflective element. The display device, when actuated, is viewable through the reflective element. The mirror head is adjustable between a mirror mode orientation, where the driver of the vehicle views rearward of the vehicle via the reflective element, and a display mode orientation, where the driver of the vehicle views images displayed by the display device through the reflective element. When in the display mode orientation, the reflective element is angled upward or downward relative to the orientation of the reflective element when in the mirror mode orientation. An actuator is pivotally mounted at the mirror head and includes a pivot element that adjustably mounts the mirror head at a mirror mount that attaches at the interior surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark L. Larson, Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Eric Peterson