Gentex Corporation

David J Cammenga

William L Tonar

John S Anderson

George A Neuman

David L Poll

Bradley L Busscher

Joel A Stray

Jeffrey A Forgette

Henry A Luten

Adam R Heintzelman

Danny L Minikey, Jr

Kurtis L Geerlings

Gary Jay Dozeman

Kenton J Ypma

Mark R Roth

Donald L Bareman

Robert R Turnbull

Frederick T Bauer

Harlan J Byker

Xiaoxu Niu

Kevin L Ash

John W Carter

Niels Alfred Olesen

Mark D Bugno

David A Theiste

John K Roberts

Jon Harold Bechtel

Joseph S Stam

Ethan J Lee

Mario F Saenger Nayver

Juan C Lara

Alan R Watson

Richard T Fish, Jr

G Bruce Poe

Darin D Tuttle

Sue F Franz

Jeremy A Fogg

Bradley A Bosma

Lansen M Perron

Peter N Rizk

Scott W Vander Zwaag

Philip B Hall

Christopher M Derry

Autumn W Trombka

Kevin B Kar

Nelson F Brummel

Thomas F Guarr

Michael F Lisowski

Luke A Bomers

Randall S Braun

Tammy G Morgan

Danny L Suman

Brian J Steenwyk

Michael L McLarty

Mark A Snyder

Bradley R Hamlin

Andrew D Weller

Jason D Hallack

Joshua D Lintz

Matthew W Remijn

David M Bostrom

Thomas J Scott

Christian M Kemperman

Garret C Denolf

Brian G Brackenbury

Edmund Fehn

John W Arnold

Robert C Knapp

Leroy J Kloeppner

Eric S Lundy

David A Blaker

John B Ostreko

David I Driscoll

Barry K Nelson

Neil J Boehm

Yuping Lin

Andrew J LeVesque

Joel C Nemes

Blake R Adams

Luke W Koops

Kristopher R Green

Drew D Brennan

Gregory M Ejsmont

Michael T Stephenson

Carl N Wassink

Sebastien C Jaeger

Autumn N Lagowski

Mark W Newton

Michael J VanAst

Timothy L Pawlowski

Timothy J Thomas

Nathan T Overmyer

Jian Gao

David A Bender

David E Christian

Ryan B Balili

Dennis D Festerling, Jr

Happy T Holden

Alex K Cammenga

Brian D Jewell

An improved device switchable between reflective and display states comprising an optical element and a display element. The optical element comprising a liquid crystal medium disposed between first and second substrates. The optical element may further comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, an absorptive polarizer, and a reflective polarizer. The first electrode and the absorptive polarizer may be disposed in a first direction relative the liquid crystal medium. Similarly, the second electrode and the reflective polarizer may be disposed in a second direction relative the liquid crystal medium. The second direction is opposite the first direction. In some embodiments, one or more of the absorptive and reflective polarizers may be further disposed between the first and second substrates. The display may be disposed in the first direction relative the optical element. Additionally, the device may further comprise a housing. In some embodiments, the housing may not have a bezel.

Switchable mirror and display

A movable window apparatus is disclosed. The movable window apparatus may comprise a window panel, a first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact. The window panel is operable between an opened position and a closed position. The first electrical contact is coupled to the window panel. The second electrical contact is coupled to the vehicle. Further, the first electrical contact is operable to engage the second electrical contact when the window panel is in a first position and disengage the second electrical contact when the window panel is out of the first position. Engagement of the second electrical contact by the first electrical contact forms a conductive connection. This conductive connection has the advantage of being engageable and dis-engageable. Accordingly, the movable window apparatus enables a conductive connection with a window panel without inhibiting the movement of the window panel between two or more positions.

Electrical connection method to movable window

A system for reducing haze in a display comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a masking layer disposed on the first surface of the first substrate; an optically clear adhesive; at least one of a display element and an imager; a first linear polarizer disposed between the display element and the optically clear adhesive; and a second linear polarizer. The masking layer comprises at least one opening in optical communication with at least one of the display element and the imager. The second linear polarizer may have a transmission angle generally aligned to the transmission angle of the first linear polarizer.

Haze matching in a masked display assembly

A heads-up display may comprise a viewing screen having a reflective surface; a housing defining an opening; a display element disposed within the housing and comprising an integral linear polarizer configured to polarize light in a first direction; and a first linear polarizer disposed between the display element and the viewing screen covering the opening defined by the housing configured to polarize light in the first direction. The display element may be capable of causing images to be displayed on the viewing screen.

High reflectance heads-up display with display element concealment

A vehicular rearview assembly, includes a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. The front substrate being substantially transparent. The front substrate defines a shaped edge along a periphery of the first surface. A first polarizer is coupled with the second surface. An electro-optic element is coupled to the first polarizer having a first substrate defining a first element surface and a second element surface. A second substrate is spaced away from the first substrate and defines a third element surface and a fourth element surface. An electro-optic material is positioned between the first and second substrates. A second polarizer is coupled to the fourth element surface. A display is configured to emit light having a first polarization into the second polarizer. A reflective layer is positioned between the front substrate and the display is configured to reflect both the first polarization of light and a second polarization of light.

Vehicular rearview assemblies having polarized displays using electro-optic element

A vehicular rearview assembly includes an electro-optic element. A first substrate defines a first element surface and a second element surface. A first polarizer is coupled to the second element surface. A second substrate is spaced away from the first substrate and defines a third element surface and a fourth element surface. An electro-optic material is positioned between the first and second substrates. A second polarizer is coupled to the second substrate. A display is configured to emit light having a first polarization toward the second polarizer.

Switchable polarized displays

A window control system includes a plurality of electro-optic devices configured to control a transmittance of light through each of the plurality of zones, and at least one sensor configured to identify an intensity of light transmitted through the at least one window. A controller k in communication with the electro-optic devices and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to independently control the transmittance of the light through each of the zones based on at least one of a direction of the light and an intensity of the light detected in a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

System and method for multi-zone dimming window system

An electro-optic apparatus configured to adjust in transmittance in response to a control input comprises a first web substrate and a second web substrate. Each of the web substrates form a plurality of perimeter edges. A first edge is in connection with a first electrical terminal connecting in connection with a first electrode. A second edge opposing the first edge is in connection with a second electrical terminal in connection with a second electrode. A third edge and an opposing fourth edge comprise a barrier seal in a first configuration in connection with an exterior surface of each of the first web substrate and the second web substrate. The barrier seal encapsulates the electro-optic medium between an interior surface of each of the first web substrate and the second web substrate.

Electro-optic apparatus and seal system

An overmold is disclosed, wherein the overmold may be incorporated into a window assembly. The overmold comprises a base portion and a receiving portion. The receiving portion may comprise a notch or a channel operable to receive a window. The window may be such that when coupled with the overmold, the sides of the overmold and the window are substantially co-planar. Accordingly, window may comprise a first and a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is coupled to a first side of the first substrate. Further, the first substrate may extend beyond the second substrate. Therefore, the overmold, when in abutting contact with the window, may extend onto the first side of the first substrate up to the second substrate.

Window overmold

A concealing device for an imager of a vehicle includes a photochromic lens cover with an external surface that is co-extensive with an adjacent portion of the vehicle and disposed proximate a lens of the imager. The photochromic lens cover is operable between a first condition wherein the photochromic lens cover is exposed to ultraviolet light and darkens to a transmissivity of less than 15% and a second condition wherein the photochromic lens cover includes a transmissivity of greater than 50%.

Camera concealment using photochromics

A heads up display system of a vehicle includes a combiner screen having a first substantially transparent substrate defining a first surface and a second surface, a second substantially transparent substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is positioned within the cavity and a transflective layer having a multilayer polymeric film positioned on one of the first and second surfaces, and a projector for projecting light having a first polarization toward the first surface of the first substrate.

Heads up display system

An imager module for a vehicle includes an imager having an imager lens. The imager is configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle. A cover is disposed proximate the imager lens and configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover. The cover is operable between a first condition, wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition, wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.

Switchable imager lens cover

A vehicle monitoring system is configured to monitor a scanning region depicting a subject and includes a monitoring apparatus configured to capture scanning data in the scanning region depicting the subject. A feedback apparatus is configured to communicate alignment information from a portion of the vehicle to the subject. The alignment information indicates an alignment of the subject in the scanning region. A concealment apparatus is configured to conceal the scanning apparatus and selectively transmit the alignment information from the feedback apparatus. The system further includes a controller configured to activate the feedback apparatus revealing the alignment information identifying the alignment of the subject within the scanning region of the monitoring apparatus. The controller is further configured to control the scanning apparatus to capture the scanning data of the subject and monitor the subject in the scanning data.

Advanced features for vehicle monitoring system

A switchable device is provided. The switchable device includes an electro-optic element switchable between a darkened state and a transmissive state in addition to a sensor having a field of view at least partially defined by a perimeter portion of the electro-optic element. The darkened state is configured to mask the sensor and visibly match the perimeter portion.

EC element architecture for concealment and coating designed to hide cameras and components behind a substrate

A laser ablation process can be configured to reduce the appearance of or eliminate a potentially objectionable diffraction effect that can occur when a workpiece or product that has been subjected to the ablation process interacts with light. The diffraction effect can be reduced by introducing irregularity into the arrangement of overlapping laser spots during the process. Other process parameters may be modified to reduce the diffraction effect, such as laser scan speed, laser pulse frequency, the position of the focal plane of the laser, the configuration of raster lines, or the energy profile of the laser beam, for example. The process modifications and configurations are particularly useful with products including an ablated surface that is intended to reflect light or to allow light to pass therethrough as part of its function.

Laser ablation with reduced visual effects

Growing community of inventors

Zeeland, MI, United States of America

David J Cammenga