Gentex Corporation

Douglas C Papay

Steven L Geerlings

Todd R Witkowski

Thomas S Wright

Marc A Smeyers

Jonathan E Dorst

Carl L Shearer

Robert R Turnbull

Danny L Minikey, Jr

John B Ostreko

Drew D Brennan

Brian S Lorence

Horia-Eduard Pilat

Benjamin P Appold

The present disclosure is directed to a vehicle toll module, which may comprise a first antenna, a radio frequency power detector, an attenuator, and/or a controller. The first antenna may receive a first signal from a toll collection system remotely located relative the vehicle and generate a first output based thereon. The radio frequency power detector may be configured to adjust the first output to generate a second output. The attenuator may be configured to receive the second output and generate a third output based thereon. The controller may be connected to the attenuator and configured to: receive the third output, extract data from the second output, and generate a third output based on a unique identifier associated with the toll module, in response to the extracted data. Additionally, the third output may be received by an antenna which may either transmit a second signal or backscatters the first signal.

Toll module

A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a movable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle. The movable panel includes an electro-optic apparatus configured to adjust in transmittance. A wireless connection interface includes a vehicle-side coupling module and a panel-side coupling module. The vehicle-side coupling module is in connection with a support frame of the vehicle forming an opening that receives the movable panel. The vehicle-side coupling module is aligned with an interface surface of the movable panel. The wireless connection interface communicates power or electrical signals from a transmission unit of the vehicle-side coupling module to a reception module of the panel-side coupling module.

Method of wirelessly powering and controlling a dimmable device

A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a removable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle that includes an electro-optic apparatus. The electro-optic apparatus is configured to adjust a transmittance of the window. A wireless connection interface is in connection with an interface surface of the removable panel, wherein the wireless connection interface communicates power and/or electrical signals from the vehicle to the electro-optic apparatus.

A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured, based on training information, to control the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, coupled to the communications device, and coupled to the output device. The control circuit is configured to receive notification information from the mobile communications device via the communications device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output using the output device based on the notification information.

Trainable transceiver and mobile communications device systems and methods

A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, and coupled to the communications device. The control circuit is configured to transmit diagnostic information related to the trainable transceiver to a mobile communications device via the communications device.

Trainable transceiver and mobile communications device diagnostic systems and methods

A communication apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a window comprising a metallic coating and forming an interior surface enclosing a portion of an interior compartment of the vehicle. The apparatus further comprises a wireless communication circuit comprising an antenna configured to communicate via a radio frequency. The antenna comprises an electrical conductor and a plurality of elongated openings formed in the metallic coating. The electrical conductor extends in a first direction and is in conductive connection with the communication circuit. The electrical conductor is disposed proximate to the interior surface of the window. The elongated openings extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The elongated openings in combination with the electrical conductor provide for an improved transmission of the radio frequency.

Vehicle communication module with improved transmission

A communication system for a vehicle that includes a transceiver having a transmit antenna disposed adjacent to an exterior component of the vehicle, the transceiver being configured to transmit at least one signal to a receiver external to the vehicle. The communication system also includes a controller having a processor and a memory storage device, the memory storage device being configured to store the at least one signal and to output the at least one signal to the transceiver. The communication system also includes a remote receive antenna disposed within an interior of the vehicle and communicatively coupled to the memory storage device, wherein the remote receive antenna is configured to receive the at least one signal from a training transmitter and to output the at least one signal to the memory storage device.

Remote receive antenna for vehicle communication system

A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use the camera to identify the remote device by comparing information received via the camera to information stored in memory, and the control circuit is configured to automatically transmit an activation signal formatted to control the remote device in response to identifying the remote device.

Trainable transceiver and camera systems and methods

A system for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, communications electronics, and a processing circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the communications electronics. The processing circuit is configured to cause the trainable transceiver to control a remote device in response to a signal received from a cloud computing system, wherein the signal is received from the cloud computing system using the communications electronics.

Trainable transceiver and cloud computing system architecture systems and methods

A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use data received from the camera to determine if the vehicle is well positioned within a garage, and the control circuit is configured to provide an indication that the vehicle is well positioned using the output device in response to determining that the vehicle is well positioned within a garage.

A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a device, the system including a trainable transceiver, communications electronics, and a processing circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the communications electronics. The processing circuit is configured to train the trainable transceiver to control a device using information received from a cloud computing system remote from the device and vehicle via the communications electronics.

A trainable transceiver for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, and coupled to the communications device. The control circuit is configured to transmit diagnostic information related to the trainable transceiver to a mobile communications device via the communications device.

Growing community of inventors

Zeeland, MI, United States of America

Douglas C Papay