Patents by Inventor Niall R. Lynam

Niall R. Lynam 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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 10369932
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror reflector and a mirror back plate disposed at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate and has a light transmitting portion that is aligned with an aperture of the mirror back plate. A blind spot indicator module includes a body portion and a connector portion extending laterally from the body portion. Light emitted by at least one light emitting diode passes through the light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle who is driving the vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10363875
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicle includes an electrically variable reflectance mirror reflective element that includes front and rear substrates with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate that conceals the perimeter seal from view by a driver of a vehicle. No part of the rear substrate extends beyond any part of the front substrate. At least a portion of the mirror reflector disposed at at least a portion of the third surface of the rear substrate extends from under the perimeter seal outward towards at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The mirror reflector includes a stack of thin films that includes at least a first metal thin film and a second metal thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORTION
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, 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: 10336255
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera and a display device including a video display screen. Within two seconds of shifting the vehicle transmission into reverse gear, the display device displays rear backup video images derived from captured image data. Rear backup video images derived from captured image data can be displayed after shifting out of reverse gear until a threshold condition is met. A user input is actuatable by the driver of the vehicle to change display of rear backup video images to display of other video images. Display of the other video images occurs after a delay period has elapsed since shifting into reverse gear. During the delay period and commencing when the vehicle transmission was shifted into reverse gear, only rear backup video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera are displayed by the video display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10308186
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle equipped with a blind spot monitoring system includes a mirror reflective element sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a heater pad disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. A light transmitting aperture of the heater pad is juxtaposed with a light transmitting aperture of the mirror reflector of the reflective element and with a light transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes first structure that is configured to attach at an actuator. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the light transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, and, when activated responsive to a blind spot monitoring system of the vehicle, emits light through the light transmitting apertures, forming an illuminated icon viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10308180
    Abstract: A rear backup system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device including a video display screen operable to display video images viewable by a driver of the vehicle. When a transmission of the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear to commence a backup event, video backup images derived from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed at the video display screen of the display device. Display of the video backup images continues after shifting of the transmission out of reverse gear. Display of the video backup images at the video display screen ceases once a threshold condition is met. The threshold condition may include a threshold period of time elapsing after the transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear. The rear backup video camera continues to capture image data at least until the threshold condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10306190
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined and another vehicle present on the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and forward of the equipped vehicle is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the vehicular control system determines that the detected other vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane to the left of the determined traffic lane along which the equipped vehicle is traveling. A speed control system controls speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to (a) processing of captured image data and (b) map data relevant to a current geographic location of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190158790
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined and another vehicle present on the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and forward of the equipped vehicle is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the vehicular control system determines that the detected other vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane to the left of the determined traffic lane along which the equipped vehicle is traveling. A speed control system controls speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to (a) processing of captured image data and (b) map data relevant to a current geographic location of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190152398
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. A receiving portion of the mirror head is configured for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module at least partially thereat. The module is operable to wirelessly transmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of a user input of the module. With the module at the receiving portion of the mirror head, the user input is accessible by the vehicle driver. A cover element is configured to detachably attach at the mirror casing at the receiving portion to releasably secure the module at the mirror head, with the module being releasable from the mirror head when the cover element is detached from the mirror casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, 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: 20190143901
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a planar front surface and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. A mounting element is disposed at the rear of the mirror reflective element and includes a pivot element that is configured to pivotally mount the mirror reflective element at the vehicle. A plastic molding receives the mirror reflective element therein such that a portion of the plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate. The portion of the plastic molding provides a curved rounded transition from the front surface of the glass substrate to a side surface of the plastic molding. The plastic molding includes at least a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10272839
    Abstract: A rear seat occupant monitoring system for a vehicle includes a video display screen disposed in the vehicle cabin so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed a dome light or an overhead console. The dome light or overhead console includes first and second illumination sources that, when operated, illuminate a rear seat area within the field of view of the camera. The first illumination source principally emits visible light when electrically powered, and the second illumination source principally emits non-visible light when electrically powered. The camera captures image data representative of the rear seat area when the rear seat area is illuminated by at least one of the first and second illumination sources. Image data captured by the camera is provided to the video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, John O. Lindahl
  • Publication number: 20190111848
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle equipped with a blind spot monitoring system includes a mirror reflective element sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a heater pad disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. A light transmitting aperture of the heater pad is juxtaposed with a light transmitting aperture of the mirror reflector of the reflective element and with a light transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes first structure that is configured to attach at an actuator. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the light transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, and, when activated responsive to a blind spot monitoring system of the vehicle, emits light through the light transmitting apertures, forming an illuminated icon viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190100142
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera and a display device including a video display screen. Within two seconds of shifting the vehicle transmission into reverse gear, the display device displays rear backup video images derived from captured image data. Rear backup video images derived from captured image data can be displayed after shifting out of reverse gear until a threshold condition is met. A user input is actuatable by the driver of the vehicle to change display of rear backup video images to display of other video images. Display of the other video images occurs after a delay period has elapsed since shifting into reverse gear. During the delay period and commencing when the vehicle transmission was shifted into reverse gear, only rear backup video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera are displayed by the video display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190095011
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle having a field of view at least forward, rearward and/or exterior of the equipped vehicle. An image projection device is disposed in the vehicle and includes a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source, when operated, is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form video images that are viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The video images viewed by the driver viewing the windshield include video images derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Publication number: 20190092238
    Abstract: A rear backup system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device including a video display screen operable to display video images viewable by a driver of the vehicle. When a transmission of the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear to commence a backup event, video backup images derived from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed at the video display screen of the display device. Display of the video backup images continues after shifting of the transmission out of reverse gear. Display of the video backup images at the video display screen ceases once a threshold condition is met. The threshold condition may include a threshold period of time elapsing after the transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear. The rear backup video camera continues to capture image data at least until the threshold condition is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam