Patents by Inventor Richard R. Hook
Richard R. Hook 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).
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Patent number: 11433816Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element assembly portion that includes a mirror reflective element and at least one pivot element, which provides adjustability of the mirror reflective element when the reflective element assembly portion is mounted within an interior cabin of a vehicle. A cap portion is adapted to attach to the reflective element assembly portion. The cap portion includes at least one accessory. The at least one accessory includes an accessory module insertable at least partially into the cap portion. Insertion of the accessory module into the cap portion connects the accessory module to the cap portion both mechanically and electrically. The cap portion may encase a rear portion of the reflective element assembly portion, and a mounting member may extend from the pivot element and through an aperture of the cap portion for mounting the mirror assembly within the interior cabin of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 11072286Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. Individual user input elements of a plurality of user input elements are arranged in a row below the transflective reflective element. At least one of the individual user input elements is a user input element for an imaging system of the vehicle. Each individual display element of a plurality of display elements is associated with a respective user input element of the plurality of user input elements. Each individual display element of the plurality of display elements is selectively activated by activation of its respective user input element. Each individual display element and its respective user input element are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of the respective user input element and activation of the associated individual display element is established.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
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Publication number: 20210078498Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element assembly portion that includes a mirror reflective element and at least one pivot element, which provides adjustability of the mirror reflective element when the reflective element assembly portion is mounted within an interior cabin of a vehicle. A cap portion is adapted to attach to the reflective element assembly portion. The cap portion includes at least one accessory. The at least one accessory includes an accessory module insertable at least partially into the cap portion. Insertion of the accessory module into the cap portion connects the accessory module to the cap portion both mechanically and electrically. The cap portion may encase a rear portion of the reflective element assembly portion, and a mounting member may extend from the pivot element and through an aperture of the cap portion for mounting the mirror assembly within the interior cabin of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 10829052Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a prismatic mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a planar front surface and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate, with an outermost part of the plastic molding providing a curved transition between the planar front surface of the prismatic mirror reflective element and another part of the plastic molding. The outermost part of the plastic molding includes an outer curved surface and lacks an exposed sharp edge. The plastic molding includes a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. A mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the equipped vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20200285331Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. Individual user input elements of a plurality of user input elements are arranged in a row below the transflective reflective element. At least one of the individual user input elements is a user input element for an imaging system of the vehicle. Each individual display element of a plurality of display elements is associated with a respective user input element of the plurality of user input elements. Each individual display element of the plurality of display elements is selectively activated by activation of its respective user input element. Each individual display element and its respective user input element are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of the respective user input element and activation of the associated individual display element is established.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
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Patent number: 10664115Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
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Publication number: 20200047673Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a prismatic mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a planar front surface and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate, with an outermost part of the plastic molding providing a curved transition between the planar front surface of the prismatic mirror reflective element and another part of the plastic molding. The outermost part of the plastic molding includes an outer curved surface and lacks an exposed sharp edge. The plastic molding includes a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. A mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the equipped vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 10449903Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 10406970Abstract: A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The activating event may include plugging in of the charging source to the charge port.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Richard R. Hook, David A. Dingman
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Publication number: 20190143901Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20190095011Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
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Patent number: 10175477Abstract: A display system of a vehicle includes a windshield of a vehicle, an interior rearview mirror assembly, an assembly disposed at an upper region of the windshield, and a display device disposed at the assembly. The upper region of the windshield includes a display region. The display device is operable to project a mirror image of display information towards and onto the display region of the windshield for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The display information is viewable at the display region of the windshield and is viewable and discernible by the driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Keith D. Foote, Richard R. Hook, Eric S. Deuel, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 10166927Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 10139978Abstract: A head up display system for a vehicle includes an image projection device disposed in the vehicle and having a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form an image that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The image projection device is disposed at one of (i) an accessory module disposed in the vehicle, (ii) an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in the vehicle, and (iii) a dashboard of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
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Publication number: 20180029535Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 9783115Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with planar front and rear surfaces. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about a circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate. The plane of the front surface of the glass substrate is generally flush with an outermost part of the plastic molding, which provides a curved rounded transition from the front surface of the mirror reflective element 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. The plastic molding includes structure for attaching a rear mirror casing cap portion thereat. With the rear mirror casing cap portion attached at the structure, the rear mirror casing cap portion at least partially encases a rear portion of the plastic molding.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20170253174Abstract: A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The activating event may include plugging in of the charging source to the charge port.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Richard R. Hook, David A. Dingman
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Publication number: 20170255300Abstract: A head up display system for a vehicle includes an image projection device disposed in the vehicle and having a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form an image that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The image projection device is disposed at one of (i) an accessory module disposed in the vehicle, (ii) an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in the vehicle, and (iii) a dashboard of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
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Patent number: 9658727Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. The transflective reflective element has an electrochromic active region, and a plurality of user input elements is disposed outside of the electrochromic active region and below the electrochromic active region. Each of the individual user input elements is a touch or proximity sensor. A plurality of display elements is disposed behind the transflective reflective element at the electrochromic active region, and each display element is selectively activated by activation of a respective user input element. Each of the individual display elements and its associated respective one of the individual user input elements are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of a respective user input element and activation of its associated display element is established.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
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Patent number: 9656599Abstract: A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion, which may include a translucent polymeric material. The activated illumination source may be automatically deactivated. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Richard R. Hook, David A. Dingman