Gentex Corporation

Getex Corporation

Xiaoxu Niu

Adam R Heintzelman

David J Cammenga

Kurtis L Geerlings

Joshua D Lintz

Robert R Turnbull

William L Tonar

Andrew D Weller

Mario F Saenger Nayver

George A Neuman

David M Bostrom

Christopher B Case

Carl N Wassink

Bradley R Hamlin

Leroy J Kloeppner

Jason D Hallack

Darin D Tuttle

David A Blaker

Joel C Nemes

Matthew W Remijn

Juan C Lara

Jian Gao

Ryan B Balili

David E Christian

Winston D Carr

Michael J Burns

A rearview apparatus for a vehicle includes a first measurement device configured to detect a vehicle orientation. The first measurement device is in connection with a portion of the vehicle that maintains a fixed relationship relative to a body of the vehicle. A second measurement device is configured to detect an apparatus orientation of the rearview apparatus, which is adjustable relative to the body of the vehicle. A controller is in communication with the first measurement device and the second measurement device. The controller is configured to identify an orientation difference between the vehicle orientation and the apparatus orientation.

Vehicle rearview display system with orientation sensing

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

An imaging system may comprise a first lens and a second lens; at least one light valve; and an image sensor in optical communication with the light valve. The first lens may be in optical communication with the light valve; and the second lens may be in optical communication with the light valve. The light valve may be configured to have a first polarization state and a second polarization state. The first polarization state may allow light to pass through the light valve and the second polarization state may reflect light that strikes the light valve.

Switchable view imaging system

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

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 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

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 user monitoring apparatus for identifying a user of a vehicle includes a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information comprising a facial feature of the user in a field of view. A panel comprises a display portion. The apparatus further includes a feedback apparatus disposed behind the panel and configured to communicate alignment information visually indicating an alignment of the facial feature within the field of view of the scanning apparatus. The feedback apparatus includes at least one emitter configured to emit an alignment emission through an optical element thereby illuminating the alignment information on the display portion.

Authentication concealment and alignment systems

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 system and rearview assembly is disclosed. The system includes a rearview assembly, an imager, and a controller. The rearview assembly comprises a backlight. Further, the rearview assembly is operable to provide a driver with a view of a scene rearward of a vehicle. Additionally, the rearview assembly is operable to emit light to illuminate the driver with at least one of infra-red and near infra-red light from the backlight. The imager is operable to image the driver in the at least one of infra-red and near infra-red light. The controller is communicatively connected to the imager and operable to analyze images of the driver to perform at least one of a biometric and a driver awareness analysis.

Near infra-red emitting rearview assembly

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

An electro-optic system where an electrical potential is changed and/or regulated to achieve a desired potential applied to an electro-optic medium. The electro-optic system comprises an electro-optic medium disposed in a chamber defined in part by two electrodes. A power source is connected to the two electrodes and thereby operable to apply an electrical potential to the electrochromic medium across the two electrodes. A voltmeter is operable to measure an electrical potential between two points within the chamber. Additionally, a controller is connected to the voltmeter and the power source and is operable to regulate the electrical potential applied by the power source based, at least in part, on the electrical potential measured between the two points within the chamber by the voltmeter.

Potential drop compensated electro-optic device

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

An imaging apparatus comprises a first light source configured to project a first illumination onto a vehicle occupant and a second light source configured to project a second illumination onto the vehicle occupant. The system further comprises an imager comprising a pixel array. A lens apparatus comprises a first lens comprising a first field of view and a second lens comprising a second field of view. At least one shutter is selectively controlled to transmit the first illumination from the first lens to the pixel array. The at least one shutter is further controlled to selectively transmit the second illumination from the second lens to the pixel array. The imager is configured to process the first illumination in the first field of view and the second illumination in the second field of view.

Imaging system for iris authentication and driver monitoring

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.

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Xiaoxu Niu