Gentex Corporation

G Bruce Poe

Robert R Turnbull

William L Tonar

Jon Harold Bechtel

Robert C Knapp

John K Roberts

Joseph S Stam

Alan R Watson

Spencer D Reese

John S Anderson

George A Neuman

Henry A Luten

Michael A Bryson

David J Cammenga

Jeffrey A Forgette

Gary Jay Dozeman

William R Spence

Lansen M Perron

Douglas J Newhouse

David L Plangger

Nelson F Brummel

Eric R Fossum

Frederick T Bauer

Robert H Nixon

Wayne J Rumsey

Eric Jon Walstra

David J Schmidt

Timothy E Steenwyk

David A Blaker

Mark R Roth

Ethan J Lee

John A VanderPloeg

Timothy A Bonardi

Michael G Hendricks

Mark A VanVuuren

Timothy R Friend

David A Meekhof

Gregory A Mart

Daniel B Lee

Craig R Myers

Carsten Schaudel

Henrt A Luten

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for ion milling, and more particularly relates to methods and apparatus for smoothing a surface using ion milling.

Drive circuit for controlling electro-optic mirror

An electro-optic rearview mirror system is provided. The electro-optic rearview mirror system includes an inside electro-optic rearview mirror element and an outside electro-optic rearview mirror element in series with the inside electro-optic rearview mirror element. A drive circuit is in electrical communication with the inside electro-optic rearview mirror element and the outside electro-optic rearview mirror element and includes a first power operational amplifier and a second power operational amplifier, both of which are configured as voltage followers. The drive circuit is configured to apply overvoltage to the inside electro-optic rearview mirror element if the outside electro-optic rearview mirror element is shorted.

Drive circuit for an electro-optic rearview mirror system

A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers () that are positioned in one or more housings. A preprocessing circuit () includes a inverted comb filter () for eliminating predetermined frequencies between harmonics of the human voice in a predetermined frequency range. A processing circuit () coupled to the preprocessing circuit () is used for outputting an electrical signal such that the transducers () used in combination with the processing circuit () very effectively cancels noise. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory such as a vehicular mirror.

Vehicle accessory microphone

Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.

Thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements

A multi-display vehicular rearview mirror system () and method includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element () and a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) () positioned behind EC element (). A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) () are used for providing backlighting for each respective LCD of the plurality of LCDs such that the LCDs utilize a plurality of imaging devices () for forming substantially a single image across the plurality of LCDs ().

Multi-display mirror system and method for expanded view around a vehicle

A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

A system and method of automatically controlling exterior vehicle lights includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain exterior lights on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.

System for controlling vehicle equipment

A rearview assembly for a vehicle including a mounting structure for mounting to a vehicle, a rearward viewing device, and housing with a position sensor, is provided. The position sensor includes first and second radiation emitters, a radiation reception element, and sensor processing circuitry coupled to one of the position sensors and the radiation reception element. The position sensor determines the position of an object in the vicinity of the rearward viewing device.

Optical user interface system for automotive modules

A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the 'brick' of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

Vehicle rearview mirror assembly incorporating a communication system

A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.

Vehicle automatic exterior light control

A microphone includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides. The microphone transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which with the circuit produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.

Vehicle headlamp control utilizing a light sensor having at least two light transducers

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Hamilton, MI, United States of America

G Bruce Poe