Adjustable Patents (Class 359/604)
  • Patent number: 8642965
    Abstract: A stray light baffle for a seeker or other sensor system and a method for making the same are provided. The seeker, for example, may include a first receiver configured to receive an infrared signal, a second receiver configured to receive a radio frequency signal, a dichroic mirror configured to reflect the infrared signal toward the first receiver and to transmit the radio frequency signal toward the second receiver, and a stray light baffle having a coarse surface comprising a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, wherein an average height of the plurality of peaks is greater than or equal to an average width of the plurality of valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher L. Hernandez, Nicholas B. Saccketti, Jason R. Petty, Lawrence A. Westhoven, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8559092
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 8545030
    Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Anderson, William L. Tonar, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, Tammy G. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8526094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for at least one electrochromic window with—means for generating a charging current, to bring the window from a first state into a second state, wherein the window is darker in the second state than in the first state,—means for discharging the window, to bring the window from the second state into the first state, wherein the discharging of the window can be triggered by an emergency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventor: Philippe Letocart
  • Patent number: 8511841
    Abstract: A vehicular blind spot indicator mirror includes a transparent glass substrate having a mirror reflector coated onto the substrate. Visible light reflectance by the mirror reflector coated substrate is at least about 40 percent visible light reflectance for visible light incident upon a front side of the mirror reflector coated substrate. A blind spot indicator light display is disposed to the rear of the mirror reflector coated substrate and emits visible light upon a detection by a blind spot detector. Light emitted by the display passes through the transparent glass substrate to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front side of the substrate. The display is operable, when electrically powered and when operated in the vehicle during day time driving conditions, to exhibit a display luminance of at least about 60 foot lamberts as measured with the display placed behind, and emitting light through, the transparent glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan
  • Patent number: 8506096
    Abstract: A variable reflectance mirror reflective element includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween, with no part of the rear substrate extending beyond any part of the front substrate. A mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate and includes a stack of thin films having at least one metal thin film. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate and generally conceals the perimeter seal from view by a person viewing through the front substrate. Light that reflects off of the mirror reflector and passes through the electrochromic medium and the front substrate has a substantially untinted reflectant characteristic to a person viewing the mirror reflective element when no voltage is applied to the electrochromic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Donald L. Bareman
  • Patent number: 8433456
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling power windows of a vehicle includes a receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving an open window request signal wirelessly from a portable device, at least one exterior condition sensor mounted on the vehicle for detecting an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle, and a controller mounted on the vehicle for communicating with the receiver and the at least one exterior condition sensor. The controller commands opening of the one or more power windows when the receiver receives the open window request signal provided the at least one exterior condition sensor does not detect an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David G. Peterson, Brian K. Lickfelt, John Sgueglia, Trevor Scott Whitten
  • Patent number: 8304711
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and ambient and glare light sensors. A control circuit is operable to establish a reflectance level of the reflective element. At least one of (a) the mirror system includes a charge accumulation device selectively connected with the ambient or glare light sensor and the control circuit establishes the ambient and glare light levels as a function of time for an output of the charge accumulation device to reach a reference level when connected to the respective light sensor, (b) a common element is used to measure outputs of the light sensors sequentially to correspond errors due to component variations, and (c) the mirror system includes temperature compensation of the glare and/or ambient light sensor and the temperature compensation is responsive to a reference light sensor that is substantially not exposed to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8282224
    Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Anderson, William L. Tonar, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, Tammy G. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8246183
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a prismatic reflective element with an attachment plate attached thereto, and a display-on-demand display disposed behind the prismatic reflective element and operable to display information for viewing through a transflective mirror reflector of the prismatic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and an actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to a first mounting member and the actuator pivotally mounting to a second mounting member of the attachment plate. An electronic circuitry element is attached to the attachment plate and an accessory pod is attached to the mounting assembly and includes circuitry therein. The circuitry of the accessory pod is electrically connected to the electronic circuitry element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Kulas, Lee Karner, Dean Andreozzi
  • Patent number: 8203440
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a photosensor array having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. A portion of the photosensor array captures image data representative of an item of interest exterior the vehicle and within the forward field of view. A control is responsive to an output of the photosensor array and includes an image processor for processing the image data. At least responsive to the control analyzing the image data, the image sensing system senses the presence of an object within the field of view of the photosensor array, and the image sensing system, responsive at least in part to sensing the presence of the object, at least one of (i) controls a vehicle system using forward field of view information and (ii) supplements control of a vehicle system using forward field of view information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 8179586
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. The reflective element includes a resin material disposed at least at a portion of a fourth surface of the rear substrate. While the resin material is in its uncured state at the rear substrate, an electrical connector is engaged with the uncured resin material. The electrical connector is electrically conductively connected with the resin material and is substantially affixed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate via curing of the resin material while the electrical connector is engaged with the resin material. The electrical connector may establish electrical conductivity between the cured resin material and one of (i) a transparent electrically conductive coating at the second surface of the front substrate and (ii) a mirror reflector at the third surface of the rear substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, David C. Wight, Mark E. Kramer
  • Patent number: 8162493
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a circuit board disposed in a mirror casing rearward of a reflective element. A plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted to the circuit board for providing backlighting for a display element disposed rearward of the reflective element. With at least some of the light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by actuated light emitting diodes passes through the display element and through a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of the reflective element for viewing of displayed information by the driver of the vehicle. Individual light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through a light reflecting element disposed between the circuit board and the display element. To the driver of the vehicle viewing the reflective element, the presence of the display element is substantially not apparent until at least one of the light emitting diodes is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy G. Skiver, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken, Jonathan E. DeLine, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8106347
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, which includes an ambient light sensor operable to sense ambient light and a glare light sensor operable to sense glare light. A control is operable to establish a reflectance level of a transflective electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly and is responsive to light detection by the ambient light sensor and/or the glare light sensor. A backlit video screen is disposed behind the reflective element and is operable to display information through the mirror reflector of the reflective element. A display intensity control adjusts display intensity responsive to a light detection by the glare light sensor and/or the ambient light sensor and as a function of a ratio of a glare light value sensed by the glare light sensor to an ambient light value sensed by the ambient light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8102498
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device realizing improved reliability by preventing occurrence of a pixel defect. A liquid crystal display includes first and second substrates. A spacer maintains a distance between the first and second glass substrates. A liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrates. A pixel electrode film and a common electrode film are formed over a base insulation film of the first substrate so as to sandwich a pixel insulation film in between. The common electrode film, the pixel electrode film or both of them are partly removed in a region corresponding to the spacer, and the pixel insulation film is partly removed in that region. It prevents the film structure from being broken due to deformation of the base insulation film made of a soft material caused by a pressure applied onto the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kanaya, Keiichi Yagi
  • Publication number: 20110299170
    Abstract: A variable reflectance rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a rear substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, with the third surface having a conductive coating disposed thereat. A perimeter seal is disposed between and spaces apart the front and rear substrates and forms an interpane cavity therebetween. The perimeter seal has a gap between terminal ends thereof to provide a fill port for the mirror reflective element assembly when the front and rear substrates are mated together. A filter element is disposed at the fill port at least during a cavity filling process, and the filter element allows an electro-optic medium to flow therethrough during the cavity filling process and limits passage of debris, contaminants and/or particles to limit intrusion of debris, contaminants and/or particles into the interpane cavity during the cavity filling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Harlow, Michael J. Baur
  • Publication number: 20110266419
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reflectance of a mirror of a vehicle. A first sensor measures an ambient light condition outside the vehicle. A second sensor measures a glare from the mirror. A controller identifies a characteristic of the vehicle, and adjusts the reflectance of the mirror based on the characteristic, the ambient light condition, and the glare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: NIGEL G. JONES, NICHOLAS P. NAGRANT
  • Patent number: 8004739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for at least one electrochromic window (100, 100.1, 100.2, 100?, . . . ) with means (106, 108) for generating a charging current, to bring the window from a first state into a second state, wherein the window is darker in the second state than in the first state, means (112, 116) for discharging the window, to bring the window from the second state into the first state, wherein the discharging of the window can be triggered by an emergency signal (S1, S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Philippe Letocart
  • Publication number: 20110194185
    Abstract: A mirror element comprising a front element, a rear element, electrochromic material therebetween, and a spotter optic located at the rear surface of the front element. At least a portion of the spotter optic has a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the front surface of the front element has a greater second radius of curvature. A line perpendicular to the front surface extends through both the electrochromic material and the spotter optic. A first electrode coating and a second electrode coating are activated to activate the electrochromic material in order to dim a reflection off of the mirror element. A reflective coating of the spotter optic can form a portion of the first electrode coating. The first electrode coating and the reflective coating can overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Brian J. Steenwyk, Michael L. McLarty, Randall S. Braun
  • Publication number: 20110188122
    Abstract: An exterior mirror reflective element for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a front glass substrate having a transparent conductive coating established at a second surface thereof and a rear glass substrate having a metallic reflector coating established at a third surface thereof, with an electro-optic medium disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate. An electrically conductive clip is disposed along and bridges a perimeter edge of the rear glass substrate to establish electrically conductive connection to the metallic reflector coating at the third surface of the rear glass substrate. A solder joint is established at the electrically conductive clip, and the solder is decoupled from the metallic reflector coating at the third surface of the rear glass substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Hamid Habibi, Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 7988308
    Abstract: A control system for one or more electrochromic elements used in an outside electrochromic (OEC) mirror used in automobiles or other vehicular applications, to control the glare of both IEC elements used as a rearview mirror (20) as well as the OEC elements (24, 26) used as sideview mirrors (24, 26). An ambient light sensor (129) and glare sensor (133) operate to determine a glare level used to control both IEC and OEC electrochromic elements. The drive circuits for the OEC's elements may be controlled so as to account for various factors such as tinted glass characteristics in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Michael T. Dillane, Robert C. Knapp, Darin D. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20110170192
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element, a photo sensor and a light concentrator. The electro-optic reflective element has a front substrate with a first surface and a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating disposed on a second surface, and the electro-optic reflective element has a rear substrate with a third surface transflective metallic reflector disposed at a third surface thereof. The photo sensor is disposed behind a fourth surface of the rear substrate and operable to detect light passing through the transflective metallic reflector and the electro-optic reflective medium disposed between the second and third surfaces. The light concentrator is disposed between the photo sensor and the fourth surface of the rear substrate, and the light concentrator receives light passing through the transflective metallic reflector of the electro-optic reflective element and concentrates light onto a light sensing surface of the photo sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Donald C. Byers, Hamid Habibi, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20110157705
    Abstract: With a self-dimming mirror of a motor vehicle dimming can be automatically cancelled upon a change of a driving situation of the motor vehicle to increase road safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Heiko Bald, Aiko Boehme
  • Patent number: 7967455
    Abstract: A method for controlling a rearview mirror, in particular for motor vehicles, provided with a reflection part with variable reflectance, includes supplying a control unit assigned to the reflection part with a nominal value for the reflectance. To provide a nominal value which is particularly favorable for the respective driving situation, the nominal value is specified by taking into consideration a first characteristic value characteristic of the sensitivity which adjusts in the viewer's eye due to the light situation, and/or a second characteristic value characteristic of the kind of ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Flabeg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bengt Martensson, Klaus Lange, Stefan Hiemer, Klaus Hoegerl, Matthias Schiller
  • Patent number: 7926960
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes a mirror assembly having a variable reflectance element. The variable reflectance element includes a metallic mirror reflector on one side of a substrate, with the metallic mirror reflector being partially transmissive to visible light. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an information display positioned to the rear of the metallic mirror reflector, wherein the information display emits light that transmits through the metallic mirror reflector for viewing by the driver of the vehicle. Responsive to a light level sensed by at least one light sensor, the luminous intensity of the information display is adjustable by a control to provide a luminous intensity of at least about 750 candelas/sq. meter to a driver of the vehicle viewing the information display through the metallic mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror assembly when it is normally mounted in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy G. Skiver, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken, Jonathan E. DeLine, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7916380
    Abstract: Various structures for variable reflectance rearview mirrors and variable transmittance windows are disclosed. One embodiment pertains to the provision of a polarized reflector in a rearview mirror. Another embodiment pertains to the provision of a switchable cholesteric liquid crystal element in a window. Yet another embodiment pertains to the provision of a plurality of apertures in a reflector layer of a rearview mirror where the apertures are sized and positioned in alignment with light emitting areas of a display positioned behind the reflector layer. In another embodiment, a moveable display or mirror element is attached to a rearview mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Frederick T. Bauer, Alan R. Watson
  • Patent number: 7906756
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes an electrochromic transflective reflective element, an ambient light sensor operable to sense ambient light, a glare light sensor operable to sense glare light and a control circuit that is responsive to light detection by at least one of the ambient and glare light sensors and that establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element. The mirror system includes a display element disposed behind the transflective reflective element and operable to display information through the mirror reflector of the reflective element and viewable through the mirror reflector by a driver of the vehicle when the display element is displaying information, and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the display element is not displaying information. The system includes a display intensity control for adjusting display intensity responsive to light detection by at least one of the glare light sensor and ambient light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 7898719
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate having an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. The reflective element includes (a) a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed at a second surface of a front glass substrate and (b) a mirror reflector disposed at a third surface of a rear glass substrate. A conductive trace is established on a fourth surface of the rear glass substrate. An electrical connector establishes electrical conductivity between the conductive trace and one of (i) the transparent electrically conductive coating disposed at the second surface of the front glass substrate and (ii) the mirror reflector disposed at the third surface of the rear glass substrate. The electrical connector connects to the conductive trace via a solderless connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, David C. Wight, Mark E. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20110013285
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. A principal planar reflector portion has a principal mirror reflector disposed at the rear substrate and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion has an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at a curved recess established at a region of a second surface of the front substrate or a third surface of the rear substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 7871169
    Abstract: A vehicular signal mirror includes a reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector on a light-transmitting substrate. The visible light reflectance is at least about 40% for visible light incident upon the front side of the reflective mirror element. A turn signal light display and/or a blind-spot indicator light display is disposed to the rear of the reflective mirror element and configured so that the light emitted by the light display passes through the reflective mirror element to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of the reflective mirror element. The light display exhibits, when electrically powered and when operated in the vehicle during day time driving conditions, a display luminance of at least about 60 foot lamberts as measured with the light display placed behind, and emitting light through, the reflective mirror element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan
  • Publication number: 20100315717
    Abstract: This invention discloses a low cost method to manufacture electrooptic devices at low cost and discloses materials that may be used in fabrication of electrooptic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi
  • Patent number: 7853288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile phone device, more specifically, to a sunlight illuminated and sunlight readable mobile phone device. The display panel opens a transparent window to the ambient light, which allows the sunlight to illuminate the display in both indoor and outdoor applications. A light collecting panel is introduced to reflect or transform the external light with a suitable angle relative to the display panel. A mobile phone with sufficient high contrast ratio, superior readability and ultra wide color gamut has been achieved. The solar light can be utilized as the lighting source in both indoor and outdoor display modes, thus remarkably reduces the power consumption and substantially prolongs the operation time of the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Yao-Dong Ma
  • Publication number: 20100302792
    Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and an electrically-operable actuator. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a breakaway joint assembly. The reflective element has an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from the reflective element. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp that has a light source and a lens. The lamp is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of the actuator. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes. The wire cable includes wires for operating the actuator, the heater and the lamp. The lens of the lamp has a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of a casing of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Linda K. Molenkamp, Roger L. Koops
  • Publication number: 20100296187
    Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7806002
    Abstract: An automotive mirror assembly includes a mirror and transparent substrate adjacent to the mirror. The patterned coating is attached to transparent substrate and defines at least part of capacitive element. A capacitance sensor is in communication with the patterned coating thereby allowing capacitance changes induced in the patterned coating to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Mattson, David A. Hein, Arjun V. Yetukuri
  • Publication number: 20100246017
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, George A. Neuman, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 7771061
    Abstract: A display mirror assembly includes a reflective mirror element having a semitransparent mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate. Visible light transmission through the reflective mirror element is at least 3 percent and visible light reflectance by the reflective mirror element is at least 40 percent for visible light incident upon the front side of the reflective mirror element. The reflective mirror element does not exhibit substantial spectral selectivity in its reflectance of visible light incident upon its front side. A display device is disposed to the rear of the reflective mirror element and configured so that light emitted by the display device passes through the semitransparent mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front. When electrically powered, a display luminance of at least about 60 foot lamberts as measured with said display device placed behind, and emitting light through, the reflective element is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan
  • Patent number: 7726822
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a control having control circuitry. An information display is disposed behind a transflective reflective element to display information that is viewable through the transflective reflector by a driver of a vehicle when the information display is displaying information. A mounting structure mounts the mirror casing to an interior portion of the vehicle, and the mirror casing is adjustable relative to the interior portion of the vehicle via at least one pivot element of the mounting structure. The control circuitry includes a photosensor and the control controls dimming of the electrochromic medium responsive to detection of light by the photosensor. Electrical wiring connects to at least a portion of the control circuitry that is disposed within the mirror casing. The electrical wiring passes through the pivot element of the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Kenneth L. Schierbeek, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7728276
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a transflective reflective element, an ambient light sensor that senses ambient light and a glare light sensor that senses glare light. A control circuit establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element, and the control circuit is responsive to light detection by at least one of the ambient light sensor and the glare light sensor. A display element is disposed behind the reflective element and operable to display information through the reflective element and viewable through the mirror reflector of the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the display element displays information, and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the display element does not display information. A display intensity control adjusts display intensity responsive to a light detection by at least one of the glare light sensor and the ambient light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20100085645
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflective element and a carrier positioned in the mirror case. The mirror case is adapted to mount to a vehicle. The reflective element includes a substrate, with a reflective coating on one side of the substrate, and a window therethrough. The carrier has a display element for displaying one or more indicia through the window to define a display area on the reflective element. The carrier comprises a plate member, with a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflective element and from the first portion. The second portion includes the display element. Preferably, the interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one light assembly for displaying the indicia through said window so that it is visible to an occupant of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy G. Skiver, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken, Jonathan E. DeLine, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7679809
    Abstract: Various structures for variable reflectance rearview mirrors and variable transmittance windows are disclosed. One embodiment pertains to the provision of a polarized reflector in a rearview mirror. Another embodiment pertains to the provision of a switchable cholesteric liquid crystal element in a window. Yet another embodiment pertains to the provision of a plurality of apertures in a reflector layer of a rearview mirror where the apertures are sized and positioned in alignment with light emitting areas of a display positioned behind the reflector layer. In another embodiment, a moveable display or mirror element is attached to a rearview mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Fredrick T. Bauer, Alan R. Watson
  • Patent number: 7670015
    Abstract: In an optical switch controller, in order that residual vibration at movement control of a movable body such as a tilt mirror can be reduced and controlled with high accuracy, a processing unit outputs a driving signal for controlling the angle of the tilt mirror, the driving signal is D/A converted by a D/A converter and then is changed to a high-voltage signal by a high-voltage amplifier to be supplied to the tilt mirror, the electrostatic capacity of the tilt mirror changes corresponding to angle change of the tilt mirror, a mirror-angle detecting unit detects the electrostatic capacity and feeds back it as a correction value to a processing unit, and the processing unit corrects the driving signal using a correction value obtained when the angle of the tilt mirror is actually changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Ide, Kazuyuki Mori, Kensuke Takahashi, Toru Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 7651228
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a variable reflectance element, an information display and a control for adjusting the luminous intensity of information displayed by the information display. The information display comprises backlighting by a of light emitting diodes. The control is responsive to a light level sensed by at least one light sensor disposed at the mirror assembly, and the control may adjust the luminous intensity of information displayed by the information display, preferably to provide a luminous intensity in a range extending from at least about 750 candelas/sq. meter during a daytime condition to less than about 100 candelas/sq. meter during a nighttime condition. The control adjusts the luminous intensity by use of pulse-width modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy G. Skiver, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken, Jonathan E. DeLine, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7649668
    Abstract: A transparent glazing, and a control method thereof, with a field of view that can be darkened over a portion of its surface by electrically controlling at least one functional element incorporated into a multilayer composite, the light transmission of which glazing can be varied reversibly. The functional element, for example a solid-state electrochromic multilayer system, includes at least one electrochromic functional layer enclosed between two surface electrodes. The surface electrodes and their leads are matched to one another and spaced spatially with respect to one another such that darkening starts at one edge of the functional element and, with a remaining voltage applied between the surface electrodes, propagates continuously over the surface of the functional element until it is completely and uniformly colored. The glazing can be used as an electrically controllable sunshield for windshields of vehicles or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Xavier Fanton, Laurent Claude, Samuel Dubrenat, Juergen Schuett
  • Patent number: 7607788
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a reflective element for reflecting incident light, the reflective element having a viewable side, a dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected from the viewable side, a photo-electric power cell for powering the dimming element for varying the intensity of reflected light and a controller for controlling the dimming element in response to ambient light conditions, wherein, in use, the intensity of the light reflected from the viewable side is reduced in low ambient light conditions. In other embodiments a power source is defined, for providing interment power to power the dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected, the power being supplied by the photo-electric power cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Robert William Gilbert, Kash Munir
  • Publication number: 20090251785
    Abstract: The invention is related to an interior rear view mirror that is constructed by front plastic glass shaped in u-form and a mirror housing. The mirror comprises a second plastic glass which crate a inter glass space for a device which changes the reflectivity of the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Visiocorp Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Ulrich Bruhnke, Oliver Eder, Kurt Wilfinger
  • Publication number: 20090237799
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a transflective reflective element, an ambient light sensor that senses ambient light and a glare light sensor that senses glare light. A control circuit establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element, and the control circuit is responsive to light detection by at least one of the ambient light sensor and the glare light sensor. A display element is disposed behind the reflective element and operable to display information through the reflective element and viewable through the mirror reflector of the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the display element displays information, and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the display element does not display information. A display intensity control adjusts display intensity responsive to a light detection by at least one of the glare light sensor and the ambient light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 7572017
    Abstract: A signal mirror system for a vehicle includes a reflective mirror element comprising a semitransparent nondichroic mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate. The visible light transmission through the reflective mirror element is in the range of from about 1% visible light transmission to about 30% visible light transmission and the visible light reflectance is in the range from 40% visible light reflectance to 80% visible light reflectance for visible light incident upon the front side of the reflective mirror element. A turn signal display having at least one light emitting diode is disposed to the rear of the reflective mirror element and configured to emit light that light passes through the semitransparent mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of the reflective mirror element with a display luminance of at least about 30 foot lamberts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan
  • Patent number: 7568810
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element and at least one attachment plate attached thereto. The attachment plate has first and second mounting members protruding therefrom. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and a cam actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to the first mounting member and the cam actuator pivotally mounting to the second mounting member. The toggle portion engages the cam actuator such that pivotal movement of the cam actuator relative to the second mounting member imparts a pivotal movement of the toggle portion relative to the first mounting member. The attachment plate may include at least one mounting member protruding through a circuit board for engaging a mounting assembly that mounts the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Kulas, Lee Karner, Dean Andreozzi
  • Patent number: 7564014
    Abstract: A welding light detection and anti-glare eye protection apparatus, which shields welding light generated in welding or cutting environments to safely protect eyes of a worker from the welding light, and a method for controlling the same are provided. When the apparatus is powered on, it is determined, based on a reference value, whether or not a specific time has passed without detecting welding light. If the specific time has passed without detecting welding light, a power saving mode is performed. If welding light is detected while the power saving mode is performed, normal power is supplied and light transmittance is controlled. When the power saving mode is performed, the reference value is reset so that photosensitivity is reduced below a specific value. This method saves energy while preventing the apparatus from operating abnormally. Thus, it is possible to drive the anti-glare eye protection plate most efficiently according to ambient environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Otos Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon Young Huh