Patents by Inventor Steven L. Brown
Steven L. Brown 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: 10773724Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module includes a camera, and electrical circuitry associated with the camera is disposed within the accessory module. The accessory module includes a portion that faces towards the windshield when the accessory module is mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield. The portion includes wall structure, and the lens of the camera protrudes through the wall structure to exterior of the accessory module. The accessory module and mounting element are configured so that, with the accessory module mounted to the mounting element, the lens is facing towards the windshield and the camera has a field of view appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20160167667Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module includes a camera, and electrical circuitry associated with the camera is disposed within the accessory module. The accessory module includes a portion that faces towards the windshield when the accessory module is mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield. The portion includes wall structure, and the lens of the camera protrudes through the wall structure to exterior of the accessory module. The accessory module and mounting element are configured so that, with the accessory module mounted to the mounting element, the lens is facing towards the windshield and the camera has a field of view appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2016Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 9266474Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield and configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is configured for mounting to the mounting element via snap attachment. The accessory module accommodates a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield. The camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the vehicle. The accessory module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting with circuitry disposed in the accessory module. The electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least a power source of the vehicle and a communication bus of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20140253730Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield and configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is configured for mounting to the mounting element via snap attachment. The accessory module accommodates a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield. The camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the vehicle. The accessory module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting with circuitry disposed in the accessory module. The electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least a power source of the vehicle and a communication bus of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 8710969Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield and an accessory module. The windshield has a mounting element attached at an inner surface of the windshield, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory module accommodates a camera having a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at the accessory module separate from the lens. The CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20140009672Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield and an accessory module. The windshield has a mounting element attached at an inner surface of the windshield, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory module accommodates a camera having a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at the accessory module separate from the lens. The CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 8531278Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield that has a mounting element adhesively attached to its inner surface, an interior rearview mirror assembly, and an accessory support adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory support includes an accessory receiving portion configured to receive an accessory. The accessory support may comprise part of the interior rearview mirror assembly or may include a mirror mounting element with the interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to the mirror mounting element of the accessory support. The accessory comprises an imaging sensor and the accessory receiving portion is configured to receive the imaging sensor in a manner that compensates for the windshield angle of the windshield so that the imaging sensor has a more generally horizontal forward field of view through the windshield when the accessory support is mounted to the mounting element.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20100208077Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield that has a mounting element adhesively attached to its inner surface, an interior rearview mirror assembly, and an accessory support adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory support includes an accessory receiving portion configured to receive an accessory. The accessory support may comprise part of the interior rearview mirror assembly or may include a mirror mounting element with the interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to the mirror mounting element of the accessory support. The accessory comprises an imaging sensor and the accessory receiving portion is configured to receive the imaging sensor in a manner that compensates for the windshield angle of the windshield so that the imaging sensor has a more generally horizontal forward field of view through the windshield when the accessory support is mounted to the mounting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 7719408Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield that has a mounting element adhesively attached to its inner surface, an interior rearview mirror assembly, and an accessory support adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory support includes an accessory receiving portion configured to receive an accessory. The accessory support may comprise part of the interior rearview mirror assembly or may include a mirror mounting element with the interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to the mirror mounting element of the accessory support. The accessory comprises an imaging sensor and the accessory receiving portion is configured to receive the imaging sensor in a manner that compensates for the windshield angle of the windshield so that the imaging sensor has a more generally horizontal forward field of view through the windshield when the accessory support is mounted to the mounting element.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Publication number: 20090122430Abstract: A mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an accessory module. The accessory module one of (a) comprises part of said interior mirror assembly or (b) has the interior mirror assembly attached thereto. At least one of the interior mirror assembly and the accessory module includes an inductive power receiver that receives power from an inductive power transmitter located remotely from the interior mirror assembly and/or the accessory module. The interior mirror assembly and/or the accessory module includes a data transceiver that wirelessly communicates with a data transceiver located remotely from the interior mirror assembly and/or the accessory module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2009Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 7480149Abstract: An accessory module is mountable to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield and includes a mounting element securable to an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle, and an accessory support having a base portion attachable to the mounting element. The accessory support includes an accessory holding element configured to hold an accessory, at least one circuitry holding element configured to hold a printed circuit board at the accessory support, and an electrical connector for electrically connecting the printed circuit board and the accessory to an electrical source of the vehicle. The base portion, the accessory holding element and the circuitry holding element are integrally molded together so that the accessory support comprises a unitarily molded accessory support. The accessory module includes a cover portion attachable to the accessory support to substantially encompass the accessory and the printed circuit board within the accessory module.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 6823989Abstract: A dual cigarette carton has overall dimensions compatible with commercially available tax-stamping machinery as well as structural features that enable subsequent separation of the dual carton into two five-pack cartons. The dual cigarette carton comprises first and second cartons each having relatively long front and back walls, an interconnecting bottom wall and narrow end walls. First and second cover flaps are connected to the front wall of the first and second cartons along upper edges thereof. The first and second cover flaps overlie one another when the cartons are positioned in back-to-back relationship. A perforated fold line extends between each cover flap and the front wall to which it is connected, and each perforated fold line includes an unperforated portion at one end thereof for strengthening connection between the cover flaps and the front walls as the cartons with cigarette packs therein pass through the tax-stamping machinery.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Duane Curtis Wilder, Frederick Ried Bruchbacher, Claudette M. Calder, Joe Rush, Lenny Lee Harris, Steven L. Brown
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Publication number: 20030217937Abstract: A dual cigarette carton has overall dimensions compatible with commercially available tax-stamping machinery as well as structural features that enable subsequent separation of the dual carton into two five-pack cartons. The dual cigarette carton comprises first and second cartons each having relatively long front and back walls, an interconnecting bottom wall and narrow end walls. First and second cover flaps are connected to the front wall of the first and second cartons along upper edges thereof. The first and second cover flaps overlie one another when the cartons are positioned in back-to-back relationship. A perforated fold line extends between each cover flap and the front wall to which it is connected, and each perforated fold line includes an unperforated portion at one end thereof for strengthening connection between the cover flaps and the front walls as the cartons with cigarette packs therein pass through the tax-stamping machinery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventors: Duane Curtis Wilder, Frederick Ried Bruchbacher, Claudette M. Calder, Joe Rush, Lenny Lee Harris, Steven L. Brown
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Patent number: 4509340Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator assembly for an air conditioning system comprising an accumulator housing defining an enclosed chamber including an inlet and an outlet in the upper end and a refrigerant and oil accumulator in the lower end, and a vapor drier canister assembly comprising a one-piece plastic body defining a closed top wall, a closed side wall and an open bottom. The canister includes an integral outlet projecting into and sealingly engaging the outlet of the housing. A vapor filter is associated with the outlet of the canister such that refrigerant flows through the filter before passing through the outlet. A perforated plate is provided in the bottom of the canister for holding desiccant within the canister. A refrigerant and oil tube is mounted externally of the canister and has a lower end extending to the bottom of the chamber of the accumulator housing and has an upper end extending into the outlet of the canister. A filter is associated with the lower end of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1983Date of Patent: April 9, 1985Assignee: Sealed Power CorporationInventors: Charles J. Mullally, Steven L. Brown, David L. Anderson, Robert F. Hitchcock
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Patent number: 4341174Abstract: A bow dock for use in a two-step docking method to allow the repair or recement of a sonar-dome rubber window on a variety of classes of full draft vessels in harbors and other water of limited depth. The bow dock is provided with docking pedestals and alignment fenders which mate with docking brackets and fenders on the vessel to be docked. Each docking pedestal is provided with an electronic load cell to monitor the pedestal load during docking. The stern gate is fitted with an auxiliary gate and inserts designed to mate with the hull configuration of each vessel class. The stern gate is also provided with a slotted pivot hinge to facilitate sealing of the stern gate to the dock by hydrostatic pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1980Date of Patent: July 27, 1982Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Don L. Stevens, Jr., Steven L. Brown, John A. Malone, Timothy A. Knowles, Thomas G. Webb
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Patent number: D438106Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Steven L. Brown, Claudette Caulder, John Jerome Fleenor, Walter V. Jones