Patents by Inventor Michael K. Larsen

Michael K. Larsen 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: 12280668
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a window having a display. The display includes a substrate, a light source disposed at a first location of the substrate, a light sensor disposed at a second location of the substrate, and a first optical medium disposed on the substrate over the light source. The first optical medium includes a surface at an angle that prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and into the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jonglee Park, Jodi Mary Jean Allen, Michael K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 12259100
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a relatively thin lens that leverages reflective surfaces to provide a thick lens appearance and methods of manufacturing the same. An exemplary vehicle includes a component having a lens. The lens includes a light pipe configured such that opposite sidewalls of the light pipe face each other across an airgap, a first reflector surface having a first reflective material formed on a first sidewall of the opposite sidewalls, a second reflector surface having a second reflective material formed on a second sidewall of the opposite sidewalls, and a third surface positioned between the first reflector surface and the second reflector surface and configured such that light can pass through the third surface and into the airgap. A path of light within the airgap is elongated due to internal reflections between the first reflector surface and the second reflector surface, thereby providing an infinity mirror effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jonglee Park, Stephen Ericson, Michael K. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20250058698
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a headlight. The headlight includes a light source configured to perform a first light function of projecting a beam of light at a first angle of declension from a horizontal line and a second light function of the headlight for projecting the beam of light at a second angle of declension from the horizontal line. The first light function is optically combined with the second light function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Michael K. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20250033470
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a window having a display. The display includes a substrate, a light source disposed at a first location of the substrate, a light sensor disposed at a second location of the substrate, and a first optical medium disposed on the substrate over the light source. The first optical medium includes a surface at an angle that prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and into the light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Jonglee Park, Jodi Mary Jean Allen, Michael K. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20240019099
    Abstract: An adaptive driving beam system is provided. The operating an adaptive driving beam system is operated by defining an output field of the adaptive driving beam system, wherein the output field is divided into a plurality of areas and outputting a field of light into each of the plurality of areas, wherein a brightness of the field of light in each area is individually controlled. The plurality of areas include a first unreduced intensity area, a first reduced intensity area, and a first transition area disposed between the first unreduced intensity area and the first reduced intensity area. The first transition area is a horizontal band having a width of at most one degree of vertical angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Michael K. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20230280522
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a window having a lighting system therein. The lighting system includes a layer of an optical medium, a light source and a lens array. The layer of the optical medium has a first interface and a second interface. The light source emits a light ray that is incident at the first interface and travels through the optical medium to exit the optical medium at the second interface. The lens array is configured to reduce an occurrence of total internal reflection of the light ray at the second interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jonglee Park, Michael K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 11747543
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a window having a lighting system therein. The lighting system includes a layer of an optical medium, a light source and a lens array. The layer of the optical medium has a first interface and a second interface. The light source emits a light ray that is incident at the first interface and travels through the optical medium to exit the optical medium at the second interface. The lens array is configured to reduce an occurrence of total internal reflection of the light ray at the second interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jonglee Park, Michael K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 10766403
    Abstract: A method includes generating a first beam pattern via a headlamp assembly arranged on a motor vehicle and detecting, via a camera, an object in the first light beam pattern. The method additionally includes receiving, via an electronic controller, a signal from the camera indicative of the object, identifying the object as another motor vehicle, and determining a distance between the headlamp assembly and the other vehicle. The method also includes determining a first amount of glare the first beam pattern generates to the other vehicle at the determined distance and identifying when the first amount of glare exceeds target glare. The method further includes identifying a second beam pattern corresponding to a second amount of glare that is below the target glare and switching the headlamp assembly from generating the first beam pattern to generating the second light beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Minjeur, Michael K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 10408706
    Abstract: A device for detecting a light beam projecting from a lamp of a vehicle is described, and includes a plurality of photo-sensors and a plurality of indicator bulbs. The photo-sensors are arranged in a linear array along a first axis, and the indicator bulbs are arranged in a linear array along a second axis that is in parallel to the first axis. A controller is in communication with the photo-sensors and the indicator bulbs. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor signal inputs from the plurality of photo-sensors to detect presence of a light beam projecting from the lamp of a vehicle, determine a cut-off gradient line for the light beam based thereon, and illuminate one of the indicator bulbs to indicate a location of the cut-off gradient line for the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Larsen, Gregory M. Castillo
  • Publication number: 20190001866
    Abstract: A device for detecting a light beam projecting from a lamp of a vehicle is described, and includes a plurality of photo-sensors and a plurality of indicator bulbs. The photo-sensors are arranged in a linear array along a first axis, and the indicator bulbs are arranged in a linear array along a second axis that is in parallel to the first axis. A controller is in communication with the photo-sensors and the indicator bulbs. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor signal inputs from the plurality of photo-sensors to detect presence of a light beam projecting from the lamp of a vehicle, determine a cut-off gradient line for the light beam based thereon, and illuminate one of the indicator bulbs to indicate a location of the cut-off gradient line for the light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Larsen, Gregory M. Castillo
  • Patent number: 10082282
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) string includes an electrically conductive wire and a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are electrically connected to the wire in series along an axial length of the wire. The LED string may include a solder layer, with the LEDs electrically connected to the wire via the solder layer. A tube having an optional phosphor coating may circumscribe the wire and LEDs. When connected to a surface, the LED string emits light in a band of at least 180 degrees with respect to the surface. A light assembly includes a first surface and a first LED string configured as set forth above. The light assembly may include a second LED string positioned with respect to the surface and having additional LEDs configured to illuminate in response to a second control signal from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Zawacki, Michael K. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20180047885
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a first heat sink that may include a first face opposite a second face, a plurality of fins disposed on the second face, and a recess that may be defined by the first face; a second heat sink may be disposed within the recess and may have a third face opposite a fourth face wherein the fourth face may be disposed within the recess; and a light-emitting diode may be disposed on the fourth face of the second heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: DAVID C. HELLMAN, SHANNEN M. BORNGESSER, MICHAEL K. LARSEN, JAMES C. O'KANE
  • Publication number: 20170356635
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) string includes an electrically conductive wire and a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are electrically connected to the wire in series along an axial length of the wire. The LED string may include a solder layer, with the LEDs electrically connected to the wire via the solder layer. A tube having an optional phosphor coating may circumscribe the wire and LEDs. When connected to a surface, the LED string emits light in a band of at least 180 degrees with respect to the surface. A light assembly includes a first surface and a first LED string configured as set forth above. The light assembly may include a second LED string positioned with respect to the surface and having additional LEDs configured to illuminate in response to a second control signal from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Zawacki, Michael K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 9377171
    Abstract: An infrared energy reflecting lens system for a lamp subjectable to sunlight is provided. The lens system includes a lens having an exterior surface and a dichroic coating on the exterior surface of the lens so that at least a portion of the infrared energy content of sunlight is reflected from entering the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Larsen, Alvin T. Pieczynski
  • Publication number: 20160033104
    Abstract: An infrared energy reflecting lens system for a lamp subjectable to sunlight is provided. The lens system includes a lens having an exterior surface and a dichroic coating on the exterior surface of the lens so that at least a portion of the infrared energy content of sunlight is reflected from entering the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael K. Larsen, Alvin T. Pieczynski
  • Publication number: 20140264088
    Abstract: A number of variations may include an infrared selective filter or lens for use with a vehicle headlamp or light transmitting device. A number of variations may include a vehicle headlamp including an infrared selective filter or lens. A number of variations may include a vehicle including a light transmitting device including moveable infrared selective filter or lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Michael K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 6945681
    Abstract: Headlamp assemblies utilize a solid optical body made of glass or another heat resistant, light transmissive material. The solid optical body has an axially positioned cavity therethrough which receives a bulb that injects light through a cylindrical wall of the cavity into the optical body. In order to reflect light from the bulb, the optical body has a rear surface which is coated with a reflecting material, such as aluminize or a dichroic material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention in which a plastic lens is used, the optical body is made of glass with a dichroic coating configured so that the infrared component of light from the bulb is transmitted through the dichroic coating and emitted through the rear of the optical body. This reduces transmission of heat from the bulb to the plastic lens so that the lens can be positioned closer to the optical body, which decreases the fore/aft extent of the headlamp assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael K. Larsen