Gentex Corporation

Other

Mark D Bugno

William L Tonar

David J Cammenga

Jon Harold Bechtel

John S Anderson

Robert R Turnbull

Harold C Ockerse

Danny L Minikey, Jr

Alan R Watson

Jeffrey A Forgette

Philip B Hall

George A Neuman

Mark R Roth

Joel A Stray

Bradley L Busscher

Timothy A Bonardi

Frederick T Bauer

Kevin L Ash

Andrew D Weller

David L Poll

Kenton J Ypma

Nigel T Lock

Spencer D Reese

David I Driscoll

Andrew J LeVesque

Danny L Suman

John C Peterson

Donald L Tapley

Alex K Cammenga

An autodimming window assembly for a vehicle such as an aircraft includes a UI devoid of movable elements and integrated with a dust cover of the window assembly. A dust cover optionally includes a lightguide configured to deliver light from a light source associated with the assembly and indicia representing an operational characteristic of the UI and articulated to the dust cover.

Switchable variable transmittance window assembly

A compass system configured to compensate for electromagnetic interference in a vehicle is provided that includes an electronic device that is sensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI), wherein the electronic device is positioned in a vehicle such that the electronic device receives EMI from another accessory in the vehicle, and wherein the electronic device is configured to compensate for the EMI, such that the EMI field caused by the accessory can be detected and added to existing calibration point while the accessory is powered on.

Magnetic field compensation system and method thereof

A vehicular rearview assembly that has a rounded outer perimeter edge to satisfy safety standards and contains an EC element having a complex peripheral ring, a front surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure, in cooperation with electronic circuitry of the assembly, pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. A complex peripheral ring may include multiple bands the structures of which is adapted to provide for specified optical characteristics of light, reflected off of the ring. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.

Automotive rearview mirror with capacitive switches

A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a housing. A carrier is operably connected with the housing and supports a display. A circuit board is disposed in the housing. A sensing system is disposed proximate the display and is connected with the circuit board. A switching assembly is operably connected with the circuit board. Actuation of the switching assembly when the sensing system has been activated enables a function of the rearview assembly.

Rearview assembly for a vehicle

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.

Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough.

Electrochromic rearview mirror assembly incorporating a display/signal light

An electronic compass system includes a magnetic sensor circuit having at least two sensing elements for sensing perpendicular components of the Earth's magnetic field vector. A processing circuit is coupled to the sensor circuit to filter, process, and compute a heading. The processing circuit may determine whether too much noise is present in the output signals received from said magnetic sensor circuit as a function of the relative strength of the Earth's magnetic field vector. The magnetic sensor circuit may include three magnetic field sensing elements contained in a common integrated package having a plurality of leads extending therefrom for mounting to a circuit board. The sensing elements need not be perpendicular to each other or parallel or perpendicular with the circuit board. The electronic compass system is particularly well suited for implementation in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly.

Electronic compass system

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough; and a control circuit coupled to the sensors and the display. The control circuit determines whether daytime or nighttime conditions are present as a function of the ambient light level sensed by the ambient sensor. During daytime conditions, the control circuit responds to light levels sensed by the glare sensor to control a contrast ratio of light originating from the display and light reflecting from the partially transmissive, partially reflective area of the reflector.

An electronic compass system includes a magnetic sensor circuit having at least two sensing elements for sensing perpendicular components of the Earth's magnetic field vector. A processing circuit is coupled to the sensor circuit to filter, process, and compute a heading. The processing circuit further selects an approximating geometric pattern, such as a sphere, ellipsoid, ellipse, or circle, determines an error metric of the data points relative to the approximating pattern, adjusts the pattern to minimize the error, thereby obtaining a best fit pattern. The best fit pattern is then used to calculate the heading for each successive sensor reading provided that the noise level is not noisy and until a new best fit pattern is identified. The electronic compass system is particularly well suited for implementation in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Stevensville, MI, United States of America

Mark D Bugno