Gentex Corporation

Packard Bell Nec

Zenith Data Systems Corporation

Other

Nec Corporation

Vaporsens Inc

Timothy R. Friend

Jon H. Bechtel

Jeremy C. Andrus

Robert R. Turnbull

Robert R Turnbull

Robert C Knapp

Alan R Watson

G Bruce Poe

Jon Harold Bechtel

Frederick T Bauer

Joseph S Stam

John K Roberts

Michael A Bryson

Eric Jon Walstra

Eric R Fossum

David J Cammenga

Robert H Nixon

William L Tonar

John S Anderson

Xiaoxu Niu

Timothy A Bonardi

David J Schmidt

William R Spence

Upal Sengupta

Jeffrey A Forgette

Mark D Bugno

David L Plangger

Brian C Fritz

Rajesh A Shah

Bradley L Busscher

Wayne J Rumsey

Philip B Hall

Roy E Vawter

George A Neuman

Kevin L Ash

Spencer D Reese

Douglas C Papay

Timothy E Steenwyk

Danny L Minikey, Jr

David A Theiste

Kurtis L Geerlings

Leroy J Kloeppner

Darin D Tuttle

Mario F Saenger Nayver

John B Ostreko

David A Blaker

Peter A Ojeda

Jeremy C Andrus

David I Driscoll

Timothy R Friend

John P Wagner

Mark W Pierce

Drew D Brennan

Gregory J Nagel

Carl N Wassink

Christian M Kemperman

Fred T Bauer

El-Sayed Eid

Donald L Tapley

Brian S Lorence

Russell S Uithoven

Uma Ivaturi

Bradley R Hamlin

Thomas F Guarr

Andrew D Weller

John W Carter

Joel A Stray

Jason D Hallack

David M Falb

Adam R Heintzelman

Ethan J Lee

Harold C Ockerse

Carl L Shearer

William C Hallowell

Guy Raz

Robert A Kohtz

Daniel J Bostwick

Barry K Nelson

Andrew J LeVesque

David J DeLisle

Thomas D Klaver

Eric D Fuhs

Michael T Dillane

Rodman S Brahman

Benjamin R Bunes

Ted D Reeves

David A Meekhof

Wayne L Griffin

Ross A Riches

Brian J Barksdale

Bruce Wang

William R Cubbage

Peter T Kantola

David L Eaton

Kyle G Jones

Gregory A Mart

Norman D Stobert

Joseph P Brigham

Larry A Sparling

Kent H Frye

Happy T Holden

Gregg A Chandler

Eric J Watstra

Larry L Jeffery

A detection system for a vehicle includes an imaging device configured to capture an image of an interior surface of the vehicle. An illumination assembly includes an array of laser diodes each configured to project an illumination, each laser diode is configured as at least one of a single mode laser or a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser ('VCSEL'). An optical element is proximate to the array of laser diodes and includes a collimation element for guiding the illumination to form at least one light spot. A processor is in communication with the imaging device and the illumination assembly. The processor is configured to communicate a signal to operate the array of laser diodes and process the image of the interior surface to detect at least one of a change in a location or a speckle content of the at least one spot.

Detection system with a single mode laser for a vehicle

An electro-optic element including: (i) an electrochromic medium; (a) a first electro-optic conductive layer that is substantially transparent disposed to one side of the electrochromic medium; (b) a second electro-optic conductive layer disposed to another side of the electrochromic medium; (c) a capacitive touchscreen conductive layer disposed on an opposite side of the first electro-optic conductive layer as the electrochromic medium, the capacitive touchscreen conductive layer comprising a pattern and being substantially transparent; (d) a capacitive touchscreen insulating layer disposed between the capacitive touchscreen conductive layer and the first electro-optic conductive layer; and (e) electrical circuitry configured (i) to drive the capacitive touchscreen conductive layer and at least one of the first electro-optic conductive layer and the second electro-optic conductive layer together with substantially in-phase AC voltage and (ii) to provide an input DC voltage difference between the first electro-optic conductive layer and second electro-optic conductive layer is substantially constant.

Electro-optic element with integrated capacitive touch screen functionality

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

An electro-optic device includes a first electrode electrically connecting with power supply circuitry. A second electrode is spaced from the first electrode and electrically connecting with the power supply circuitry. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one third electrode is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and electrically connecting with one of the first electrode and the second electrode via switching circuitry. The switching circuitry is operable to control an electrical current through the first electrode, the electro-optic medium, and the second electrode.

Multi-segment electro-optic apparatus and control methods

A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing; a rearview element configured to display images of a scene to the rear of the vehicle, the rearview element disposed in the housing; a circuit board mounted in the housing behind the rearview element, the circuit board having a substantially planar surface and a peripheral edge; and a capacitive touch zone on a surface of the housing, the capacitive touch zone comprising a conductive component mounted to the circuit board, wherein the conductive component comprises a first portion mounted to the planar surface of the circuit board and a second portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of the circuit board at an angle to the planar surface.

Rearview assembly having capacitive touch zone

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 unitary electro-optic window assembly includes a window element. A first substantially transparent substrate defines a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge. A second substantially transparent substrate defines a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium at least partially fills the cavity and is configured to reduce light transmissivity of the window element. A controller is adjacent to the window element and is in electrical communication therewith. The controller is configured to change a voltage applied to the electro-optic medium to change the light transmissivity of the window element. An interface is in electrical communication with the controller. A transparent dust cover is positioned over the window element, the controller, and the interface.

Electro-optic window assembly

An electro-optic element is disclosed. The electro-optic element may comprise a voltage control device electrically connected to an electrode of the electro-optic medium. In some embodiments, the voltage control device may be a transistor. The voltage control device may be operable to receive a supply voltage and to output an activation voltage to an electro-optic medium of the electro-optic element. Additionally, the electro-optic element may further comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to receive at least one feedback signal. Based, at least in part, on the feedback signals, the control circuit may accordingly control the activation voltage output by the voltage control devices.

Voltage control apparatus for electro-optic element

A system for heating electro-optic media comprises an electro-optic device comprising: a first substrate having first and second surfaces; a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces; a chamber defined between the opposed third surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate; electro-optic medium in chamber; a first electrode associated with second surface of first substrate; and a second electrode associated with third surface of second substrate; and a circuit in communication with first and second electrodes, comprising: a first EMF source capable of producing a first voltage; a second EMF source capable of producing a second voltage different from the first voltage; a plurality of switches configured to control the application of first and second voltages to the first and second electrodes; and a controller configured to control the switches, the first EMF source, and the second EMF source.

Balanced heating of electro-optic device using active electrodes

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 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 trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.

Vehicle trainable transceiver having a programmable oscillator

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 detection system includes at least one sensor configured to measure a presence of airborne particles and at least one amplifier circuit in communication with the at least one sensor. The amplifier circuit is configured to monitor a charge generated by the at least one sensor over a time interval. The system further includes a controller configured to monitor the charge accumulated in the at least one amplifier circuit from the at least one sensor at the time interval. In response to the charge of the at least one amplifier circuit, the controller detects the presence of the airborne particles.

System and methods for chemical detection and amplification

A control apparatus for an electro-optic element comprises a first voltage converter in connection with a power supply. The first voltage converter is configured to receive a supply voltage from the power supply and output a first voltage. A first storage capacitor is in connection with the first voltage converter and configured to store first energy at the first voltage. A second storage capacitor is configured to store second energy at a second voltage, wherein the second energy is supplied by the power supply. A driving circuit in conductive connection with the second storage capacitor and configured to supply a driving voltage to the electro-optic element. In response to a failure of the power supply, the first storage capacitor is configured to supply the first energy to a controller and the second storage capacitor is configured to supply the second energy to the driving circuit.

Clearing circuit for liquid crystal apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Robert R Turnbull