Mirror Patents (Class 359/838)
  • Patent number: 12053928
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus (100) has an exposure arrangement (110), comprising a radiative element (120); a masking element (130), having a substantially rectangular masking area (132); an optical path (140) between the radiative element (120) and the masking area (132), having a linear segment (145); and an intensity-unifying arrangement (150), having a first, a second, a third, and a fourth reflective surface (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524) The first and second reflective surfaces (1521, 1522,) are arranged on opposite sides of the linear segment (145), and the third and fourth reflective surfaces (1523, 1524) are arranged on opposite sides of the linear segment (145). In a cross section of the intensity-unifying arrangement (150) along any plane, perpendicularly intersecting the linear segment (145), the reflective surfaces (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524) follow a boundary (156) of a rectangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Inventors: Tero Rakkolainen, Juha Koivisto
  • Patent number: 11999362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly for protecting a sensor/transmitter of a driving assistance system comprising a protection device that partially surrounds the sensor/transmitter where the protection device includes a first subassembly (B) with a detection/transmission element positioned facing a sensor/transmitter's surface via which a signal passes, and a second subassembly (C) that includes a motor configured to rotatably drive the first subassembly (B) about a line of transmission/reception of the sensor/transmitter. According to the invention, the protection assembly includes at least one heating element controlled by a control unit that heats an accessory attached to the motor vehicle's body in the detection/transmission element's vicinity, the heating element being outside the protection device and in the vicinity of the first subassembly (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Frederic Bretagnol, Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 11912200
    Abstract: An exterior rearview device for an automotive vehicle includes a cover body with a cover body opening where the cover covers a front part of at least one reflective means, display or camera accommodated in the cover body. The exterior rearview device also contains a light module having a base body, a lens attachable to the base body and a selected functional device selected from at least two different functional devices each of which is adapted to achieve a specific light function. The base body is attachable to the cover body such that, in an attached state, the lens is arranged in the cover body opening, and the selected functional device is attachable to the base body such that, in the attached state, light from the light module passes through the lens to fulfil the specific light function of the selected functional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Joel James Gough, Gary Sinelli, John Scharfenkamp
  • Patent number: 11899466
    Abstract: The technology relates to autonomous vehicles for transporting cargo and/or people between locations. Distributed sensor arrangements may not be suitable for vehicles such as large trucks, busses or construction vehicles. Side view mirror assemblies are provided that include a sensor suite of different types of sensors, including LIDAR, radar, cameras, etc. Each side assembly is rigidly secured to the vehicle by a mounting element. The sensors within the assembly may be aligned or arranged relative to a common axis or physical point of the housing. This enables self-referenced calibration of all sensors in the housing. Vehicle-level calibration can also be performed between the sensors on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Each side view mirror assembly may include a conduit that provides one or more of power, data and cooling to the sensors in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: William Grossman, Benjamin Pitzer
  • Patent number: 11843845
    Abstract: A protective cover for a camera includes a housing configured for attachment to one of the camera and a support structure which supports the camera, a lens attached to the housing and configured for alignment with an imaging axis of the camera, a light source attached to the housing and configured for providing light to a field of view of the camera, and an electrical connector carried by the housing and configured for receiving power and/or signal commands and for conveying the power and/or signal commands to the light source. The lens may be a meniscus-shaped macro lens, and a lightguide may be attached to or incorporated into at least one of the housing and the light source. The protective cover may be used to protect a camera mounted in a wheel well or anywhere along an outer surface of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tzvi Philipp, Timothy Busch
  • Patent number: 11738687
    Abstract: An assembly includes a head assembly for an external rear view device to be attached to a motor vehicle, a lower casing element, an upper casing element, an articulation assembly, a bezel assembly for carrying at least one rear view element, and a hinge connection between the bezel assembly and a first sub assembly provided by at least the lower casing, the articulation assembly and attachment means with the articulation assembly being mounted on the attachment means or the attachment means being mounted on the articulation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Callum Scott-Collins, Graham Rehill, Thorsten Staiger, Zoltan Huszar, Levente Àcs
  • Patent number: 11713873
    Abstract: A lighted mirror assembly containing a mirror front surface including a reflective section as well as a transmissive section that is able to transmit light from a light source through the surface of the mirror glass. The light source also projects light from one or more and preferably all side surfaces of the mirror assembly. The light source is mounted in a waterproof manner within a metal channel having a cover that transmits light therethrough, such as an aluminum channel having a silicone cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: PROJECT LIGHT, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Avny
  • Patent number: 11693156
    Abstract: There is provided a novel, improved optical body, the micro concave-convex structure of which can be protected without the use of a protective film, a film adhesive body, and a method for manufacturing an optical body, the optical body including: an optical film, on one surface of which is formed a first micro concave-convex structure in which an average cycle of concavities and convexities is less than or equal to a visible light wavelength; and a master film that covers the first micro concave-convex structure. The master film is provided with a second micro concave-convex structure formed on a surface that faces the first micro concave-convex structure, the second micro concave-convex structure is made of a cured curing resin, and has a reverse shape of the first micro concave-convex structure, and the optical film and the master film are separable from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DEXERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunichi Kajiya
  • Patent number: 11618384
    Abstract: An assembly includes a head assembly for an external rear view device to be attached to a motor vehicle, a lower casing element, an upper casing element, an articulation assembly, a bezel assembly for carrying at least one rear view element, and a hinge connection between the bezel assembly and a first sub assembly provided by at least the lower casing, the articulation assembly and attachment means with the articulation assembly being mounted on the attachment means or the attachment means being mounted on the articulation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Callum Scott-Collins, Graham Rehill
  • Patent number: 11541812
    Abstract: A retention assembly for a windshield bracket includes a fastening feature that includes a shaft defining a plurality of radial fins along a length of the shaft. A cover portion is operably coupled to the shaft of the fastening feature and includes an attachment feature. A coupling member includes a first clip that is operably coupled to the attachment feature of the cover portion and a second clip that is configured to receive a wire of said windshield bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fabrizio Dublan Sanchez, Layla Kimberly Martinez Rivero, Ligia Olivares Espinosa, Mauro Rodriguez Rodriguez, Diego Sebastián García Hernández
  • Patent number: 11525590
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a server and a bezel. The server includes multiple external ports and a mounting bracket. Multiple cables are connected to the external ports. The external ports are located within an air inlet surface of the server. The mounting bracket extends from the air inlet surface. The bezel includes a main frame and a filter. When the main frame is connected with the mounting bracket, the main frame covers the external ports and the cables. The cables extend through the cable router of the mounting bracket to exit an area between the main frame and the air inlet surface. The filter snap fits within the main frame, and provides air filtration to an airflow prior to the airflow being pulled into the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Julian Yu-Hao Chen, Chin-An Huang, Peter Clark, Amrita Sidhu Maguire
  • Patent number: 11323624
    Abstract: An image sensing assembly includes an enclosure that defines a first viewport aperture in a front wall of the enclosure. The image sensing assembly includes a first image sensor attached within the enclosure, the first image sensor aligned with the first viewport aperture in the front wall of the enclosure to capture image data representative of a scene viewed through the first viewport aperture. The image sensing assembly includes a bracket attached to the enclosure at a first portion of the bracket and attached to a first mounting plate at a second portion of the bracket. The image sensing assembly includes a vibration dampening mount located between the bracket and the first mounting plate to at least partially isolate the enclosure from vibration of the first mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Lineage Logistics, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Frank Eckman, Maxwell Micali, Richard Frederick Warlich, Antonio Rocha, Ricky Paul Chin
  • Patent number: 11304497
    Abstract: A magnifying cosmetic mirror may provide a three-point reflection path that may be utilized to apply cosmetics around the eye of a user. The cosmetic mirror may be constructed to have a base mirror and side mirrors extending at angles from opposite sides of the base mirror. The side mirrors may be constructed to provide a reflective view of the eye when placed above the base mirror. The base mirror may also be constructed to provide a reflective view of the eye, and each mirror may be substantially flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: MYJF ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Janelle Friedman, Maro Radenovic
  • Patent number: 11132903
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The blind zone indication module attaches at the rear side of the mirror reflective element via an aperture of the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes a housing that houses a circuit element and at least one light emitting diode therein. The rear side of the mirror back plate includes structure at the indicator receiving portion that at least partially receives the housing. The circuit element includes electrically conductive terminals that are in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit element and that are disposed at a connector portion of the housing that is configured to connect to a wire harness of an exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
  • Patent number: 11021107
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a casing and an electrochromic reflective element, with a video display screen disposed in the casing behind the electrochromic reflective element. With the interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior cabin portion of the vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display video images that are viewable through a transflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A rearward-viewing video camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and control circuitry is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly. Image data captured by the rearward-viewing video camera is provided via a coaxial cable to the control circuitry, which is operable to control the video display screen to display video images that are derived, at least in part, from the captured image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10992253
    Abstract: Compactable power generation arrays are provided. The compactable power generation arrays may include a structural substrate body having an array of solar concentrators configured to receive and re-direct solar radiation onto a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells. In many other embodiments the PV cells may be disposed upon a back surface of each of the solar concentrators such that an adjacent solar concentrator is configured to re-direct solar radiation onto the PV cell disposed on the back surface of the adjacent solar concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harry A. Atwater, Sergio Pellegrino, Seyed Ali Hajimiri, Emily C. Warmann, Dennis Callahan, Jeffrey P. Bosco
  • Patent number: 10845648
    Abstract: The switching mirror panel of the present invention includes, in the following order: a reflective polarizing plate; a liquid crystal panel including a pair of substrates facing each other and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates; and an absorptive polarizing plate, at least one of the substrates including divided pixel regions, the pixel regions each including, in the following order from the liquid crystal layer side, a pixel electrode, a transparent insulating film, and transparent conductive lines superimposed on the pixel electrode, the pixel electrode being electrically connected to at least one of the transparent conductive lines through an aperture formed in the transparent insulating film, the switching mirror panel being configured to switch between a transparent mode and a mirror mode by applying voltage to the pixel electrode to control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hakoi, Akira Sakai, Kiyoshi Minoura
  • Patent number: 10814704
    Abstract: An operation input determination device includes an operation input detector, a movement detector, and a sensor output correction unit. The operation input detector detects an operation input to an operation input unit, which is arranged on a vehicle surface, based on a sensor output of a capacitance sensor that changes when a detection subject moves toward and away from the operation input unit. The movement detector detects movement of a vehicle. The sensor output correction unit executes calibration on the capacitance sensor when movement of the vehicle is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seika Matsui, Junya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10751599
    Abstract: A putting aid device for training a golfer in the skill of putting. The putting aid device is formed from transparent flexible plastic having a base with first and second side edges. Length indicia is placed on the first side edge having a first color along a length L1, a second color extending from each end of the first color a length L2, a third color extending from each end of second color a length L3, and a fourth color extending from each end of the third color a length L4. Instructional markings limit the amount of backswing and indicate proposed feet positioning. The device allows instruction for golfers that use a putting arc swing or a straight line putting swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Richard A. Whitfield
  • Patent number: 10705332
    Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing configured for attachment to the vehicle; a prismatic element positioned in the housing; a partially reflective, partially transmissive coating provided on a rear surface of the prismatic element; a display mounted behind the prismatic element within the housing; and an actuator device for moving the prismatic element between three distinct viewing positions including a first viewing position, a second viewing position wherein the prismatic element is tilted higher than in the first viewing position, and a third viewing position wherein the prismatic element is tilted higher than in the second viewing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Mark A. VanVuuren, Ethan J. Lee
  • Patent number: 10670214
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp comprises a first light source group for forward illumination comprising at least one light emitting element, a second light source group for road surface drawing comprising at least one light emitting element provided separately from the at least one light emitting element, a single projection lens through which lights emitted from the first and second light source groups are to pass, and a light shade arranged between the first and second light source groups and the projection lens so that the light from the first light source group and the light from the second light source group do not intersect with each other before entering the projection lens. The projection lens has a first region through which the light from the first light source group is to pass and a second region through which the light from the second light source group is to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Misako Nakazawa, Takeshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 10666841
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a visualization device may include an image sensor, a lens for focusing light onto the image sensor, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a lateral wall surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a coating on the lateral wall surface. The coating may include at least one of an electrically-insulating layer and a light-blocking layer, and may be deposited on the lateral wall surface using, for example, physical vapor deposition (PVD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Adam Freeseman, Danielle Frankson, Benn Horrisberger, Kenneth Gunter, Mark D. Wood, Paul Daniel Aquilino, James P. Rohl, James A. Klos
  • Patent number: 10645263
    Abstract: A heating device for a camera module comprises: a resistance heating film formed on a lens through which external light is introduced for generating heat by electric current; a power applying member for supplying the electric current to the resistance heating film; and a connecting member for electrically connecting the resistance heating film and the power applying member in close contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 10614719
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The blind zone indication module attaches at the rear side of the mirror reflective element via an aperture of the mirror back plate. The blind zone indication module includes a housing that houses the circuit element and the at least one light emitting diode therein. The rear side of the mirror back plate includes structure at the indicator receiving portion configured to at least partially receive the housing. The circuit element includes electrically conductive terminals that are in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit element and that are received at a connector portion of the housing that is configured to connect to a wire harness of an exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mark E. Kramer
  • Patent number: 10541747
    Abstract: An integrating sphere-equipped optical measurement device and optical connector polarity and type identification and loss measurement are provided. The optical measurement device receives one or more optical signals that respectively emanate from one or more optical fibers of a plurality of optical fibers of an optical fiber cable. The optical measurement device determines one or more respective positions where the one or more optical signals impinged on a sensor. The optical measurement device determines based on the one or more positions, one or more receiving positions of the one or more optical signals, respectively. The optical measurement device determines a polarity of the optical fiber cable based on both the one or more receiving positions and one or more or transmitting positions of the one or more optical signals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Seymour Goldstein, Piotr Anatolij Levin
  • Patent number: 10518703
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a sensor, an interface and a processor. The sensor may be configured to generate a video signal based on a targeted view of a driver. The interface may be configured to receive status information about one or more components of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to generate a control signal in response to a determined field of view of the driver. The control signal may be used to adjust one or more mirrors of the vehicle. The field of view may be determined based on (i) the video signal and (ii) the status information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ambarella, Inc.
    Inventors: Shimon Pertsel, Alexander Fink
  • Patent number: 10505086
    Abstract: A light source device in the present invention includes a substrate, a light-emitting chip, a transparent sealant, and a top cover. The substrate has a supporting surface. The light-emitting chip is disposed on the supporting surface. The transparent sealant covers the light-emitting chip and is located on the supporting surface. The transparent sealant has a light-emitting surface located outside a side surface of the light-emitting chip. The top cover covers a side of the transparent sealant opposite to the substrate, and clamps the transparent sealant together with the substrate, and the light-emitting surface is located between the substrate and the top cover. A reflectance of the top cover is greater than a transmittance of the top cover, and the transmittance of the top cover is greater than 0.1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: I-Hsun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10473293
    Abstract: A reflective sheet with a dot-cut pattern for preventing both bright line and bright spot, and a method of manufacturing the same, is provided. The reflective sheet and method of manufacturing the same may be capable of reducing a manufacturing cost and also improving a manufacturing efficiency. The reflective sheet may include a bottom part including a hole for exposing a light source, the bottom part provided on a bottom surface of a cover bottom; a lateral part extending from the bottom part, the lateral part provided at a lateral surface of the cover bottom; a half-cut pattern formed in the boundary between the bottom part and the lateral part; and a plurality of dot-cut patterns formed at the lateral part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang Heo, Yong Yun Kim
  • Patent number: 10466168
    Abstract: Provided is a resin determination method including: placing an object on a placement surface with a diffusion reflectance of equal to or greater than 80% in an effective wavelength region of infrared light and with arithmetic mean roughness of equal to or greater than 0.25 ?m and equal to or less than 25 ?m; irradiating the object with infrared light; receiving reflected light from the object that has been irradiated with the infrared light; and determining a resin type based on a reflection spectrum or an absorption spectrum obtained by the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Hamada, Noriyuki Suzuki, Naoya Miyaji, Naoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10374700
    Abstract: An integrating sphere-equipped optical measurement device and optical connector polarity and type identification and loss measurement are provided. The optical measurement device receives one or more optical signals that respectively emanate from one or more optical fibers of a plurality of optical fibers of an optical fiber cable. The optical measurement device determines one or more respective positions where the one or more optical signals impinged on a sensor. The optical measurement device determines based on the one or more positions, one or more receiving positions of the one or more optical signals, respectively. The optical measurement device determines a polarity of the optical fiber cable based on both the one or more receiving positions and one or more or transmitting positions of the one or more optical signals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Seymour Goldstein, Piotr Anatolij Levin
  • Patent number: 10302529
    Abstract: An integrating sphere-equipped optical measurement device and optical connector polarity and type identification and loss measurement are provided. The optical measurement device includes at least two photodetectors that are optically responsive over different ranges of wavelengths. The optical measurement device receives one or more optical signals emanate from optical fibers of an optical fiber cable. The optical measurement device determines an optical intensity or loss of the one or more optical signals based on a measurement made by a corresponding photodetector whose responsivity range includes a wavelength of the one or more optical signals. The optical measurement device determines one or more respective positions where the one or more optical signals impinged on a sensor. The optical measurement device determines a polarity of the optical fiber cable based on both the one or more positions and one or more or transmitting positions of the one or more optical signals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Seymour Goldstein, Piotr Anatolij Levin
  • Patent number: 10295810
    Abstract: A heliostat contained within a mechanical enclosure is described that optimizes the heliostat for domestic applications by emphasizing features of durability, protection from outside weather, low cost of manufacture, self-powering, light-weight, and aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Solenica, Inc.
    Inventor: Diva Tommei
  • Patent number: 10274163
    Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit comprising: a reflecting plate having a light source seated thereon; a first metal pattern formed on one surface of the reflecting plate so as to make contact with the light source; and a second metal pattern formed on the other surface of the reflecting plate and electrically connected to the first metal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mangeun Kim, Sangcheon Kim, Taegu Kang, Seongman Jeon, Hyunho Lee, Kyoungwoo Jo, Yongjin Kim
  • Patent number: 10191349
    Abstract: A reflective display apparatus includes an image display panel including a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit, a half mirror, and an electrochromic panel arranged in a layered manner. When the image display panel stops operating and power supply to the electrochromic panel is stopped, the half mirror reflects light coming from the rear of a vehicle and the reflected light is directed rearward. The reflected light enables a driver to check a situation behind the vehicle under such conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Yasumoto
  • Patent number: 10144354
    Abstract: A pivotable interior mirror for a vehicle includes a mirror surface, for example in the form of a first surface of a wedge mirror, a sensor device suitable for a light propagation-time measurement, for sensing at least one gesture of a driver of the vehicle and/or light incident on the first surface of the wedge mirror, and a pivoting device for pivoting the mirror surface from a normal position into at least one dimming position, in which blinding of the driver by light reflected at the mirror surface is reduced, wherein the pivoting device can be activated in dependence on at least one output signal of the sensor device. Further, a vehicle may include such an interior mirror and a method for using such an interior mirror is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: SMR Patent S.à.r.l.
    Inventor: Romeo Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 9902322
    Abstract: An imaging system, method, and computer readable medium filling in blind spot regions in images of peripheral areas of a vehicle. Intrinsic or extrinsic blind spot data is used together with vehicle movement data including vehicle speed and steering angle information to determine one or more portions of a series of images of the peripheral areas that include or will include one or more blind spot obstructions in the images. Portions of the images predicted to be obstructed at a future time, portions of overlapping images obtained concurrently from plural sources, or both, are obtained and used as an image patch. A blind spot region restoration unit operates to stitch together a restored image without the blind spot obstruction by merging one or more image patches into portions of the images that include the one or more blind spot obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Andreas U. Kuehnle, Cathy L. Boon, Zheng Li, Hans M. Molin
  • Patent number: 9809169
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an outside mirror and inside rearview mirror comprising receiving pre-stored information, identifying the driver physical dimensions and preset at least one vehicle setting to the correctly engineered position for a the identified driver physical dimensions to avoid dangerous conditions from wrongly set device where the device is a rear view mirror and the dangerous condition is not seeing vehicles in adjacent lane when trying to change lanes and adapting the position of the rear view mirror as new information become available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Mouhamad A. Naboulsi
  • Patent number: 9753218
    Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a substrate (1) of semiconductor material, a dielectric layer (2) above the substrate, a waveguide (3) arranged in the dielectric layer, and a mirror region (4) arranged on a surface of a mirror support (5) integrated on the substrate. A mirror is thus formed facing the waveguide. The surface of the mirror support and hence the mirror are inclined with respect to the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Jochen Kraft, Joerg Siegert, Ewald Stueckler
  • Patent number: 9598015
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a sensor, an interface and a processor. The sensor may be configured to generate a video signal based on a targeted view of a driver. The interface may be configured to receive status information about one or more components of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to generate a control signal in response to a determined field of view of the driver. The control signal may be used to adjust one or more mirrors of the vehicle. The field of view may be determined based on (i) the video signal and (ii) the status information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ambarella, Inc.
    Inventors: Shimon Pertsel, Alexander Fink
  • Patent number: 9333916
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a plastic bezel and a mirror reflective element. The bezel includes a perimeter bezel portion and a mirror mounting element unitarily formed with the perimeter bezel portion. The mirror mounting element is configured to pivotally attach to a mounting structure of a mounting assembly for mounting the interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The reflective element is disposed at the bezel and has a front surface and a rear surface, with the front surface generally facing towards and being viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The mirror mounting element is disposed rearward of the rear surface of the reflective element when the reflective element is disposed at the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Donald S. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 9110537
    Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus includes a plurality of operations sections, a detection section, and a cancellation section. The operation sections are configured to receive an operation by a user while driving of a vehicle and respectively include distortion detection elements that respectively transmit detection signals in accordance with loads generated due to the operation. The detection section detects the operation to the operation sections based on the detection signals. The cancellation section determines whether loads are generated in the operation sections in a same period based on the detection signals transmitted from the distortion detection elements and cancels the detection signals transmitted from the distortion detection elements in the same period when the loads are generated in the same period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norio Sanma, Shinji Hatanaka, Toru Nada, Kiyotaka Taguchi, Makoto Manabe, Akira Yoshizawa, Makoto Obayashi
  • Publication number: 20150146280
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the field of graphical elements and is directed to an optical effect layer (OEL), a device and a method for producing same. The disclosure provides an optical effect that is easy to detect as such and exhibits a viewing-angle dependent apparent motion of image features over an extended length if the viewing angle with respect to the OEL changes. An OEL includes a binder material being at least partially transparent and a plurality of particles dispersed within the layer. Each particle has a non-isotropic reflectivity and may be magnetic or magnetizable. The orientation of the particles forms an orientation pattern extending over a length within an extended surface of the OEL, such that the local average of an angle between (i) a straight line along an observed longest dimension within the corresponding cross-section shape, and (ii) said first direction x varies according to a function (?) of a position (P) along said first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Pierre Degott, Mathieu Schmid, Claude Alain Despland, Cédric Amerasinghe
  • Patent number: 9040829
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for performing the method is disclosed the apparatus comprises a laser (17), at least one ink jet print head (14), means for holding a transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer, means (22) for adjusting the relative positions of the laser and at least one ink jet print head to the transparent conducting layer (2) and a controller to control the laser and ink jet print head whereby in a first step to inkjet print one or more coarse metal borders (15) onto the deposited TCM layer and in a second step by means of a single laser ablation process, ablating tracks in both the metal border and underlying TCM layer to form a plurality of discrete electrical busbars (12) and optionally also to form electrodes in the remainder of the TCM layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: M-SOLV LIMITED
    Inventor: David Charles Milne
  • Patent number: 9033528
    Abstract: A device (1) for concentrating solar radiation in an absorber (2), an anchoring frame (8) and an inflatable concentrator pad (3), which has a light-transmissive entry window (4) for coupling in the solar radiation and a reflector film (5) subdividing the concentrator pad (3) into at least two cavities (6, 7), wherein the reflector film (5) is designed to concentrate the solar radiation in the absorber (2) which is arranged in the cavity (6) of the concentrator pad (3), and with an anchoring frame (8), arranged outside of the concentrator pad (3), for anchoring the concentrator pad (3), wherein the absorber (2) is attached to the anchoring frame (8) by means of an absorber mount (15) and the concentrator pad (3) has at least one attachment opening (26) for the absorber mount (15) to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Heliovis AG
    Inventors: Elmar Stoeger, Gerald Munzenrieder
  • Patent number: 9035754
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror reflective element that is fixedly attached at a mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes an indicator structure that has a passageway that extends from the back plate at an angle relative to the portion of the back plate. At least one baffle is disposed within the passageway and is angled at the angle relative to the portion of the back plate. An indicator is mounted at an end portion of the passageway, and light emitted by the indicator passes through the passageway and through the mirror reflective element via an opening in the back plate. When the indicator is activated, light passing through the passageway and emanating from the mirror reflective element is at least partially shielded from direct view by the driver of the vehicle by the at least one baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20150124343
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to durable solar mirror films, methods of making durable solar mirror films, and constructions including durable solar mirror films. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a solar mirror film comprising: a weatherable layer having a first major surface and a second major surface; regions of reflective material adjacent to the first major surface of the weatherable layer; and regions of the first major surface of the weatherable layer substantially lacking reflective material. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a weatherable layer having a first major surface and a second major surface; wherein the first major surface includes a bulk region and an edge region; and a reflective material adjacent to the bulk region of the first major surface of the weatherable layer and substantially absent from the edge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Henderson, Susannah C. Clear, Attila Molnar, Katherine A. Brown, Dylan T. Cosgrove, Douglas A. Huntley, Fay T. Salmon
  • Patent number: 9019091
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes a rearward facing camera, an interior rearview mirror assembly and a video display screen disposed behind a mirror reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle, and the video display screen is operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle through the mirror reflective element when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle and when the video display screen is operated to display information. When the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver, the video display screen displays images captured by the rearward facing camera to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle, and the video display screen is operable to display other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. McCarthy, Eugenie V. Uhlmann, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9016875
    Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and process for fabricating an optical reflector constructed from biocompatible and bioresorbable silk fibroin proteins. For example, the silk retroreflectors may be built based on millimeter size microprism arrays to rotate the image plane of imaged cortical layers, thus enhancing the amount of photons that are detectable in the reflected direction when inserted in a sample to be analyzed, and ultimately increasing in contrast ratio in multiphoton microscopy. Such device can be used as a label-free, biocompatible, bioresorbable, implantable device for various applications ranging from medical imaging/diagnostics, drug/therapeutic delivery, to food chain safety and environmental monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tufts University/Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Omenetto, David L. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20150109693
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to durable solar mirror films, methods of making durable solar mirror films, and constructions including durable solar mirror films. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a solar mirror film comprising: a multilayer optical film layer including having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion of less than about 30 ppm per percent relative humidity; and a reflective layer having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark B. O'Neill, Andrew J. Henderson, Timothy J. Hebrink, Rajesh K. Katare, Naiyong Jing, Diane North, Eric M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9012008
    Abstract: Diffraction suppressed mirrors having an invisible edge are disclosed for incident light at both targeted wavelengths and broadband incident light. The mirrors have a first having at least one discontiguous portion having a plurality of nanostructured apertures. The discontiguous mirror portion impedance matches a relatively high impedance portion of the mirror to a relatively low impedance portion of the mirror, thereby reducing the diffraction edge effect otherwise present in a conventional mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John G. Hagopian, Patrick A. Roman, Sharham Shiri, Edward J. Wollack