Patents by Inventor William L. Tonar
William L. Tonar 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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Publication number: 20190204702Abstract: An optical assembly is provided that includes an electro-optic element that is configured to transition between a substantially clear state and a substantially darkened state. The electro-optic element can include an electrochromic polymer or network film that is substantially aligned with light having a predetermined polarization such that the electro-optic element is variably transmissive to the polarized light.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Leroy J. Kloeppner, Henry A. Luten, William L. Tonar, Zachary B. Erno
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Patent number: 10321122Abstract: The disclosure provides for a display system for a vehicle comprising at least one image sensor, an image processor, and a display. The image processor is in communication with the image sensor and configured to generate autostereoscopic image data. The display is in communication with the image processor and configured to display the autostereoscopic image data. The autostereoscopic image data is configured to provide a depth perception to assist in determining a proximity of an object in the image data.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: William L. Tonar, Andre J. Rieder
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Patent number: 10317765Abstract: A method for removing a material from a surface includes passing a laser through a lens such that the laser impinges on the material. The surface from which the material is removed has an array of artifacts thereon with a spacing between the artifacts and a pitch between lines of the artifacts. At least the spacing between the artifacts is varied.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Henry A. Luten, Donald L. Bareman, Thomas J. Scott, Kurtis L. Geerlings, William L. Tonar, Niels A. Olesen
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Patent number: 10303031Abstract: An electro-optic element is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. The second surface has a first electrically conductive layer and a second substantially transparent substrate has third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. At least one of the first and second substantially transparent substrates includes a polymer. A primary seal is positioned such that the primary seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity. The electro-optic medium is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic medium is operable between generally clear and darkened states. A polymeric barrier is disposed between the first electrically conductive layer and the electro-optic medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: William L. Tonar
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Patent number: 10273182Abstract: An apparatus, method, and process that includes a substantially transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and an edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the substantially transparent substrate, wherein the edge is a laser induced channel edge having enhanced edge characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Bareman, William L. Tonar, Niels A. Olesen, Thomas J. Scott, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
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Patent number: 10266126Abstract: An imaging device enclosure for a vehicle including a housing having an image device aperture. A motor is disposed in the housing and is operably connected with a mobile wedge. The mobile wedge is operable between an extended position and a retracted position. An imaging device is slidably connected with the mobile wedge and is movable between the retracted position corresponding to the extended position of the mobile wedge and the extended position corresponding to the retracted position. A flexible boot is disposed over the image device aperture. The flexible boot defines a flexible opening. The imaging device protrudes through the flexible opening when the imaging device is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Danny L. Suman, Luke W. Koops, William L. Tonar, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Kristopher R. Green, Timothy L. Pawlowski
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Patent number: 10247996Abstract: An electrical control system for controlling a variable transmittance window is disclosed. The system comprises a driver circuit in communication with an electro-optic element. A controller is in communication with the driver circuit. The controller is configured to identify a temperature condition of the electro-optic element and adjust an output voltage supplied to the electro-optic element in response to the temperature condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: David I. Driscoll, Bradley L. Busscher, Michael T. Stephenson, Kevin L. Ash, William L. Tonar
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Publication number: 20190064414Abstract: An illumination system is provided that includes a light source configured to emit a first handedness polarization of light onto a body, the first handedness polarization of light having at least one of a circular and an elliptical polarization. The body reflects a second handedness polarization of light. An optical filter is configured to at least one of absorb and reflect the second handedness polarization of light and transmit the first handedness polarization of light.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, Kurtis L. Geerlings
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Publication number: 20190060026Abstract: An illumination system for a medical suite comprises a light assembly comprising at least one illumination source configured to selectively direct a light emission in a region of the surgical suite. The system further comprises an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view in the medical suite. A controller is in communication with the light assembly and the imager. The controller is configured to detect a location of the marker in the image data and control the light assembly to direct the light emission within the region based on the location of the marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, David M. Falb, Christopher J. Adamski, Jeremy A. Schut, William L. Tonar, Jason D. Hallack, Michael J. Metivier, Brian J. Beardsley
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Patent number: 10214147Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes a housing, a bezel and an electro-optic mirror element. The electro-optic mirror element includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first substantially transparent substrate and a second substrate having a second edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the second substrate and a fourth surface. The first substantially transparent substrate and the second substrate define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is disposed within the cavity. The edge of the first substantially transparent substrate and the second edge of the second substrate are coupled to at least one of the bezel and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Mathias R. Fox, Kenneth R. Filipiak, Niels A. Olesen
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Publication number: 20190047488Abstract: An imaging system is provided having an HD image sensor, a variable focus lens positioned in front of the image sensor and configured to change at least one optical characteristic in response to an electrical stimulus so as to change a field of view of the image sensor. The imaging system further includes a controller coupled to the variable focus lens and configured to select a field of view of the image sensor by selecting the electrical stimulus to be applied to the variable focus lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Ethan J. Lee, David A. Blaker, Neil J. Boehm, William L. Tonar
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Patent number: 10131016Abstract: A laser system includes a buffer material at an entry surface of a substrate in which laser-induced channels are formed. The laser beam propagates through the buffer material and impinges the substrate with a central axis of the laser beam at an oblique angle of incidence. The buffer material has a refractive index that may be closer to that of the substrate than is the refractive index of the atmosphere, such as air, in which the laser system operates. The buffer material facilitates forming laser-induced channels at relative large angles with respect to the substrate surface by attenuating energy loss or other effects on the laser beam that are normally caused by the mismatch in refractive index between the environment and the substrate in the absence of the buffer material.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, Donald L. Bareman, David J. Cammenga, Niels A. Olesen, Henry A. Luten, William L. Tonar
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Publication number: 20180316859Abstract: An imaging device is disclosed. The device comprises an image sensor configured to capture image data and a filter. The filter is configured to selectively control a range of wavelengths of light entering the image sensor. The filter comprises a liquid crystal structure configured to pass the range of wavelengths in a first configuration and reflect the range of wavelengths in a second configuration. The device further comprises a controller in communication with the image sensor and the filter. The controller is configured to adjust the filter from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to an environmental lighting condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Mario F. Saenger Nayver, Joshua D. Lintz, George A. Neuman, Adam R. Heintzelman, William L. Tonar, Xiaoxu Niu
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Publication number: 20180299728Abstract: An electro-optic element includes a first substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substrate defines third and fourth surfaces. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is disposed in the cavity. The electro-optic material being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic element is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A transflective film includes a liquid crystal material. The transflective film has a thickness of from about 6 ?m to about 24 ?m. An adhesion layer is positioned between the transflective film and the second substrate. An alignment layer is positioned between the transflective film and the adhesion layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventor: William L. Tonar
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Publication number: 20180231861Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic (TPV) integrated directly into the structure of an electrochromic (EC) device is beneficial in that it can eliminate at least one substrate and provide more uniform coloring. Integration of a transparent photovoltaic with an electrochromic device may also reduce or eliminate the need for an electrical bus on a substrate. In some embodiments, positioning the TPV internally with the EC cell may eliminate the need for additional substrate layers or a conductive layer on one side of the TPV cell. Integrating a PV cell into the EC device can additionally reduce the need for external wiring and an external power supply. Alternatively, the TPV can assist in charging a battery where the battery can be used to power the EC device when there is no sunlight available.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Sue F. Franz, William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, George A. Neuman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Donald L. Bareman, Kevin L. Ash
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Patent number: 10029940Abstract: The roughness of a separation surface formed along a process path along which a plurality of laser-induced channels is formed in a substrate can be controlled through process parameters. Laser pulse power can be varied to vary the resulting roughness. Higher laser pulse power can form larger laser-induced channels, enabling larger inter-channel spacing and/or higher roughness in applications where it is desired. Lower laser pulse power can be employed to achieve smoother separation surfaces when desired.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, David J. Cammenga, Donald L. Bareman, William L. Tonar
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Publication number: 20180129046Abstract: A heads up display system of a vehicle includes a combiner screen having a first substantially transparent substrate defining a first surface and a second surface, a second substantially transparent substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is positioned within the cavity and a transflective layer having a multilayer polymeric film positioned on one of the first and second surfaces, and a projector for projecting light having a first polarization toward the first surface of the first substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, David L. Poll
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Publication number: 20180105114Abstract: A vehicle display mirror system is disclosed. The system comprises an electro-optic device configured to switch between a mirror state and a display state. The electro-optic device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate forming a cavity. The cavity is configured to retain an electro-optic medium that is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. The system further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device. The substantially transparent display comprises a switchable output grating configured to selectively diffract light outward from the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, William L. Tonar
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Publication number: 20180101079Abstract: A window assembly includes an electro-optic element which has a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate defines third and fourth surfaces. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity. The electro-optic medium is switchable such that the electro-optic element is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. An absorptive layer is positioned on the fourth surface of the electro-optic element and a reflective layer is positioned on the absorptive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventor: William L. Tonar
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Patent number: 9927609Abstract: A heads up display system of a vehicle including a combiner screen having a first substantially transparent substrate defining a first surface and a second surface, a second substantially transparent substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is positioned within the cavity and a reflective polarizer is positioned on one of the first and second surfaces. A projector projects light having a first polarization toward the first surface of the first substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, David L. Poll