Patents by Inventor Spencer D. Reese
Spencer D. Reese 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: 11017741Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle; a rearview element disposed in the housing that displays images of a scene exterior of the vehicle; a light sensor assembly disposed in the housing; and a controller for receiving the electrical signal of the light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images displayed by the rearview element. The light sensor includes a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light-receiving surface of the light sensor, and a secondary optical element configured to receive light, wherein the light passes through the secondary optical element to the light sensor, the secondary optical element including a tint material that is substantially color neutral for attenuating light passing therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Barry K. Nelson, Jon H. Bechtel, Daniel G. McMillan, Spencer D. Reese
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Patent number: 11006502Abstract: A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Barry K. Nelson, Jon H. Bechtel, Daniel G. McMillan, Spencer D. Reese
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Publication number: 20180249553Abstract: A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Barry K. Nelson, Jon H. Bechtel, Daniel G. McMillan, Spencer D. Reese
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Publication number: 20180158435Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle; a rearview element disposed in the housing that displays images of a scene exterior of the vehicle; a light sensor assembly disposed in the housing; and a controller for receiving the electrical signal of the light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images displayed by the rearview element. The light sensor includes a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light-receiving surface of the light sensor, and a secondary optical element configured to receive light, wherein the light passes through the secondary optical element to the light sensor, the secondary optical element including a tint material that is substantially color neutral for attenuating light passing therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Barry K. Nelson, Jon H. Bechtel, Daniel G. McMillan, Spencer D. Reese
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Patent number: 9961746Abstract: A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Barry K. Nelson, Jon H. Bechtel, Daniel G. McMillan, Spencer D. Reese
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Patent number: 9870753Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle; a rearview element disposed in the housing that displays images of a scene exterior of the vehicle; a light sensor assembly disposed in the housing; and a controller for receiving the electrical signal of the light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images displayed by the rearview element. The light sensor includes a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light-receiving surface of the light sensor, and a secondary optical element configured to receive light, wherein the light passes through the secondary optical element to the light sensor, the secondary optical element including a tint material that is substantially color neutral for attenuating light passing therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Barry K Nelson, Jon H Bechtel, Daniel G McMillan, Spencer D Reese
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Publication number: 20160050737Abstract: A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Barry K. Nelson, Jon H. Bechtel, Daniel G. McMillan, Spencer D. Reese
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Patent number: 9207116Abstract: A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Barry K Nelson, Jon H Bechtel, Daniel G McMillan, Spencer D Reese
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Publication number: 20150022543Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle; a rearview element disposed in the housing that displays images of a scene exterior of the vehicle; a light sensor assembly disposed in the housing; and a controller for receiving the electrical signal of the light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images displayed by the rearview element. The light sensor includes a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light-receiving surface of the light sensor, and a secondary optical element configured to receive light, wherein the light passes through the secondary optical element to the light sensor, the secondary optical element including a tint material that is substantially color neutral for attenuating light passing therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Barry K Nelson, Jon H Bechtel, Daniel G McMillan, Spencer D Reese
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Publication number: 20140224961Abstract: A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Barry K Nelson, Jon H. Bechtel, Daniel G. McMillan, Spencer D. Reese
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Patent number: 8169684Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., John S. Anderson, Mark R. Roth, Nigel T. Lock, Spencer D. Reese
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Patent number: 7825600Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling exterior vehicle lights includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain exterior lights on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
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Patent number: 7613327Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
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Patent number: 7599134Abstract: The present invention relates to improved optical structures, related manufacturing processes and assemblies incorporating the improved optical structures. In at least one embodiment accurate light source color information is provided throughout substantially the entire associated field of view.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Harold C. Ockerse, Darin D. Tuttle, Spencer D. Reese, Joel A. Stray
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Publication number: 20090040629Abstract: The present invention relates to improved optical structures, related manufacturing processes and assemblies incorporating the improved optical structures. In at least one embodiment accurate light source color information is provided throughout substantially the entire associated field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Harold C. Ockerse, Darin D. Tuttle, Spencer D. Reese, Joel A. Stray
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Patent number: 7489031Abstract: The electronic component package of the present invention includes a sealed chamber; a liquid or gel contained in the sealed chamber; at least one electronic component disposed in the sealed chamber in physical and thermal contact with the liquid or gel; and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the electronic component and extending out of the sealed chamber. The electronic component(s) may include any one or combination of a radiation emitter, a thermal or optical sensor, a resistor, and a microprocessor or other semiconductor component.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: John K. Roberts, Spencer D. Reese
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Patent number: 7423821Abstract: The present invention relates to improved optical structures, related manufacturing processes and assemblies incorporating the improved optical structures. In at least one embodiment accurate light source color information is provided throughout substantially the entire associated field of view.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Harold C. Ockerse, Darin D. Tuttle, Spencer D. Reese, Joel A. Stray
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Patent number: 7417221Abstract: An image sensor may be constructed as an imager die onto which is adhered an optical spacer. The imager die and optical spacer may be supported by a dam-and-fill construction which allows light to pass through the optical spacer and onto the imager die. The image sensor may generate control signals for use in a variety of automatic vehicle equipment controls and may be incorporated into an automotive vehicle such as by inclusion into a rearview mirror assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Steven B. Creswick, Stephen L. Otey, Spencer D. Reese, Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam
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Publication number: 20080129206Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling exterior vehicle lights includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain exterior lights on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
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Publication number: 20070221826Abstract: The present invention relates to improved optical structures, related manufacturing processes and assemblies incorporating the improved optical structures. In at least one embodiment accurate light source color information is provided throughout substantially the entire associated field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Jon H. Bechtel, Harold C. Ockerse, Darin D. Tuttle, Spencer D. Reese, Joel A. Stray