Patents by Inventor Mark W. Pierce

Mark W. Pierce 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: 8583331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to monitoring and automatic control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, William R. Spence, Robert R. Turnbull, El-Sayed Eid
  • Patent number: 8326483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved image sensor-processor interconnections and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved image sensor-processor interconnections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, William R. Spence, Robert R. Turnbull, El-Sayed Eid
  • Patent number: 7887065
    Abstract: A height control valve for a suspension leveling system includes a control unit and a valve assembly. The control unit can include a servo powered by a servo current, the servo being coupled to the valve assembly with a linkage. The control unit also can include a controller in communication with the servo and adapted to sense a change in the servo current when the linkage fully engages the valve assembly to reconfigure the valve assembly to a desired supply, exhaust and/or closed position. Based on the change in servo current, the controller can determine a selected distance to move or reconfigure the valve assembly, with distance being independent of any wear or tolerance in the linkage or elsewhere. The control unit can also include an actuator, the movement of which is sensed by a non-contact sensor that is in communication with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hadley Products
    Inventors: Curtis A. Trudeau, Mark W. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20100213397
    Abstract: A height control valve for a suspension leveling system includes a control unit and a valve assembly. The control unit can include a servo powered by a servo current, the servo being coupled to the valve assembly with a linkage. The control unit also can include a controller in communication with the servo and adapted to sense a change in the servo current when the linkage fully engages the valve assembly to reconfigure the valve assembly to a desired supply, exhaust and/or closed position. Based on the change in servo current, the controller can determine a selected distance to move or reconfigure the valve assembly, with distance being independent of any wear or tolerance in the linkage or elsewhere. The control unit can also include an actuator, the movement of which is sensed by a non-contact sensor that is in communication with the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: HADLEY PRODUCTS
    Inventors: Curtis A. Trudeau, Mark W. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7565006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatus, algorithms and methods for acquiring and processing images of a scene. Details of various aspects of the associated images are identified and may be utilized to generate various vehicular equipment control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory A. Mart, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, John K. Roberts, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, Eric J. Walstra, Brock R. Rycenga
  • Publication number: 20080195276
    Abstract: An imaging system of the invention includes an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels generates a signal indicative of the amount of light received on the pixel. The imaging system further includes an analog to digital converter for quantizing the signals from the pixels into a digital value. The system further includes a memory including a plurality of allocated storage locations for storing the digital values from the analog to digital converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Harold C. Ockerse
  • Patent number: 7149613
    Abstract: An imaging system of the invention includes an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels generates a signal indicative of the amount of light received on the pixel. The imaging system further includes an analog to digital converter for quantizing the signals from the pixels into a digital value. The system further includes a memory including a plurality of allocated storage locations for storing the digital values from the analog to digital converter. The number of allocated storage locations in the memory is less than the number of pixels in the image array sensor. According to another embodiment, an imaging device includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in an array; and a multi-layer interference filter disposed over said pixel array, said multi-layer interference filter being patterned so as to provide filters of different colors to neighboring pixels or groups of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Harold C. Ockerse
  • Patent number: 6868322
    Abstract: An imaging system of the invention includes an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels generates a signal indicative of the amount of light received on the pixel. The imaging system further includes an analog to digital converter for quantizing the signals from the pixels into a digital value. The system further includes a memory including a plurality of allocated storage locations for storing the digital values from the analog to digital converter. The number of allocated storage locations in the memory is less than the number of pixels in the image array sensor. According to another embodiment, an imaging device includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in an array; and a multi-layer interference filter disposed over said pixel array, said multi-layer interference filter being patterned so as to provide filters of different colors to neighboring pixels or groups of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Harold C. Ockerse
  • Publication number: 20040230358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to monitoring and automatic control systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, William R. Spence, Robert R. Turnbull, El-Sayed Eid
  • Publication number: 20040143380
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatus, algorithms and methods for acquiring and processing images of a scene. Details of various aspects of the associated images are identified and may be utilized to generate various vehicular equipment control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory A. Mart, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, John K. Roberts, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, Eric J. Walstra, Brock R. Rycenga
  • Publication number: 20040034457
    Abstract: An imaging system of the invention includes an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels generate a signal indicative of the amount of light received on the pixel. The imaging system further includes an analog to digital converter for quantizing the signals from the pixels into a digital value. The system further includes a memory including a plurality of allocated storage locations for storing the digital values from the analog to digital converter. The number of allocated storage locations in the memory is less than the number of pixels in the image array sensor. According to another embodiment, an imaging device includes an image sensor having a plurality pixels arranged in an array; and a multi-layer interference filter disposed over said pixel array, said multi-layer interference filter being patterned so as to provide filters of different colors to neighboring pixels or groups of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Harold C. Ockerse
  • Patent number: 6631316
    Abstract: An imaging system of the invention includes an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels generate a signal indicative of the amount of light received on the pixel. The imaging system further includes an analog to digital converter for quantizing the signals from the pixels into a digital value. The system further includes a memory including a plurality of allocated storage locations for storing the digital values from the analog to digital converter. The number of allocated storage locations in the memory is less than the number of pixels in the image array sensor. According to another embodiment, an imaging device includes an image sensor having a plurality pixels arranged in an array; and a multi-layer interference filter disposed over said pixel array, said multi-layer interference filter being patterned so as to provide filters of different colors to neighboring pixels or groups of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Harold C. Ockerse
  • Publication number: 20020156559
    Abstract: An imaging system of the invention includes an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels generate a signal indicative of the amount of light received on the pixel. The imaging system further includes an analog to digital converter for quantizing the signals from the pixels into a digital value. The system further includes a memory including a plurality of allocated storage locations for storing the digital values from the analog to digital converter. The number of allocated storage locations in the memory is less than the number of pixels in the image array sensor. According to another embodiment, an imaging device includes an image sensor having a plurality pixels arranged in an array; and a multi-layer interference filter disposed over said pixel array, said multi-layer interference filter being patterned so as to provide filters of different colors to neighboring pixels or groups of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Mark W. Pierce, Harold C. Ockerse