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).

  • Patent number: 7253448
    Abstract: A semiconductor optical radiation package includes a leadframe, at least one semiconductor optical radiation emitter, and an encapsulant. The leadframe has a heat extraction member, which supports the semiconductor optical emitter and provides one or more thermal paths for removing heat generated within the emitter to the ambient environment, as well as at least two electrical leads for providing electrical coupling to the semiconductor optical radiation emitter. The encapsulant covers and protects the emitter and optional wire bonds from damage and allows radiation to be emitted from the emitter into the ambient environment. The semiconductor optical radiation package provides high emitted flux and is preferably compatible with automated processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Joseph S. Stam, Spencer D. Reese, Robert R. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 7075112
    Abstract: The electronic component package (10) of the present invention includes a sealed chamber; a liquid or gel (20) contained in the sealed chamber; at least one electronic component (12) disposed in the sealed chamber in physical and thermal contact with the liquid or gel (20); and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the electronic component and extending out of the sealed chamber. The electronic component(s) (12) 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Spencer D. Reese
  • Patent number: 6947576
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: GENTEX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6947577
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: GENTEX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
  • Patent number: 6928180
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6849867
    Abstract: A radiation emitting device of the present invention includes at least one radiation emitter, first and second electrical leads electrically coupled to the radiation emitter, and an integral encapsulant configured to encapsulate the radiation emitter and a portion of the first and second electrical leads. The encapsulant has at least a first zone and a second zone, where the second zone exhibits at least one different characteristic from the first zone. Such different characteristics may be a physical, structural, and/or compositional characteristic. Preferably, the at least one different characteristic includes at least one of the following: mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, thermal capacity, coefficient of thermal expansion, specific heat, oxygen and moisture impermeability, adhesion, and transmittance with respect to radiation emitted from the radiation emitter. The radiation emitter may be in a form of an emitter, and is preferably an LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Spencer D. Reese
  • Patent number: 6828170
    Abstract: A semiconductor optical radiation package includes a leadframe, at least one semiconductor optical radiation emitter, and an encapsulant. The leadframe has a heat extraction member, which supports the semiconductor optical emitter and provides one or more thermal paths for removing heat generated within the emitter to the ambient environment, as well as at least two electrical leads for providing electrical coupling to the semiconductor optical radiation emitter. The encapsulant covers and protects the emitter and optional wire bonds from damage and allows radiation to be emitted from the emitter into the ambient environment. The semiconductor optical radiation package provides high emitted flux and is preferably compatible with automated processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Joseph S. Stam, Spencer D. Reese, Robert R. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 6774988
    Abstract: The optical system of the present invention includes a lens system assembly, a spectral filter material and a pixel array configured such that small, distant, light sources can be reliably detected. The optical system of the present invention provides accurate measurement of the brightness of the detected light sources and identification of the peak wavelength and dominant wavelength of the detected light sources. Use of the optical system of the present invention provides the ability to distinguish headlights of oncoming vehicles and taillights of leading vehicles from one another, as well as, from other light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, Darin D. Tuttle, Gregory S. Bush, Harold C. Ockerse
  • Publication number: 20040113549
    Abstract: The electronic component package (10) of the present invention includes a sealed chamber, a liquid or gel (20) contained in the sealed chamber, at least one electronic component (12) disposed in the sealed chamber in physical and thermal contact with the liquid or gel (20); and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the electronic component and extending out of the sealed chamber. The electronic component(s) (12) 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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: John K Roberts, Spencer D Reese
  • Patent number: 6728393
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
  • Publication number: 20040021853
    Abstract: The optical system of the present invention includes a lens system assembly, a spectral filter material and a pixel array configured such that small, distant, light sources can be reliably detected. The optical system of the present invention provides accurate measurement of the brightness of the detected light sources and identification of the peak wavelength and dominant wavelength of the detected light sources. Use of the optical system of the present invention provides the ability to distinguish headlights of oncoming vehicles and taillights of leading vehicles from one another, as well as, from other light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, Darin D. Tuttle, Gregory S. Bush, Harold C. Ockerse
  • Patent number: 6639360
    Abstract: 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 said 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Spencer D. Reese
  • Publication number: 20030168670
    Abstract: A radiation emitting device of the present invention includes at least one radiation emitter, first and second electrical leads electrically coupled to the radiation emitter, and an integral encapsulant configured to encapsulate the radiation emitter and a portion of the first and second electrical leads. The encapsulant has at least a first zone and a second zone, where the second zone exhibits at least one different characteristic from the first zone. Such different characteristics may be a physical, structural, and/or compositional characteristic. Preferably, the at least one different characteristic includes at least one of the following: mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, thermal capacity, coefficient of thermal expansion, specific heat, oxygen and moisture impermeability, adhesion, and transmittance with respect to radiation emitted from the radiation emitter. The radiation emitter may be in a form of an emitter, and is preferably an LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Spencer D. Reese
  • Patent number: 6611610
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps includes an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
  • Publication number: 20030138131
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
  • Publication number: 20030138132
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe
  • Publication number: 20030123706
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Publication number: 20030123705
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6587573
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Jon H. Bechtel, Spencer D. Reese, John K. Roberts, William L. Tonar, G. Bruce Poe, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6521916
    Abstract: A radiation emitting device of the present invention includes at least one radiation emitter, first and second electrical leads electrically coupled to the radiation emitter, and an integral encapsulant configured to encapsulate the radiation emitter and a portion of the first and second electrical leads. The encapsulant has at least a first zone and a second zone, where the second zone exhibits at least one different characteristic from the first zone. Such different characteristics may be a physical, structural, and/or compositional characteristic. Preferably, the at least one different characteristic includes at least one of the following: mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, thermal capacity, coefficient of thermal expansion, specific heat, oxygen and moisture impermeability, adhesion, and transmittance with respect to radiation emitted from the radiation emitter. The radiation emitter may be in a form of an emitter, and is preferably an LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Spencer D. Reese