Mark S Larson

US Patent:

6426492, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Jan 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/493522

Inventors:

Brent J. Bos - Tucson AZ
Mark L. Larson - Grand Haven MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01L 2700

US Classification:

2502081, 2502082

Abstract:

An electro-optic aperture includes an electrochromic medium at least partially disposed thereon. The electrochromic medium is operable to adjust the transmissivity of light through the aperture in response to an electrical signal applied to the aperture. The aperture preferably is operable to significantly attenuate all wavelengths of energy in an area where the electrochromic medium is energized, thereby allowing the energy to pass through an area of the aperture which either does not include the film or is not being energized. Preferably, the electro-optic aperture is implemented with a silicon imaging array sensor, and functions to improve focusing of images when there is sufficient light available in the scene, while allowing a greater amount of light therethrough when lighting conditions darken. Preferably, the electro-optic aperture is operable to significantly attenuate energy during daytime or other higher intensity lighting conditions, and may be selectively deactivated or otherwise adjusted at nighttime or in other darkened lighting conditions, such that a greater amount of energy may be received by the sensor in order to improve illumination of the image being captured by the sensor.

US Patent:

6667471, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Jul 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/206558

Inventors:

Brent J. Bos - Tucson AZ
Mark L. Larson - Grand Haven MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01L 2700

US Classification:

2502081, 2502082

Abstract:

A vehicular imaging system for capturing an image includes an imaging sensor and an electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is operable to attenuate light in response to a voltage applied to said electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is positioned along an optic path between the imaging sensor and a scene being captured by the imaging sensor. The imaging system includes a control for applying the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter in response to an ambient light intensity.

US Patent:

6717610, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Nov 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/199907

Inventors:

Brent J. Bos - Tucson AZ
Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI
Mark L. Larson - Grand Haven MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

348148, 340436, 340901, 348 30, 348335

Abstract:

A wide-angle image capture system for providing a wide-angle field of view of an area immediately exteriorly of a vehicle. The system includes a convex aspheric, asymmetric reflective surface which reflects an image toward an image capture device, via a substantially flat mirrored surface, both of which are compactly packaged within a panel of the vehicle. The shape of the convex reflector provides a reflected image that has a minimal amount of distortion in critical areas of the image immediately adjacent to the vehicle, so that additional processing of the image prior to it being displayed to a vehicle operator is minimized.

US Patent:

6806452, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Nov 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/011517

Inventors:

Brent J. Bos - Tucson AZ
Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI
Mark L. Larson - Grand Haven MI
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01L 2700

US Classification:

2502081, 250573, 250574, 3562373, 340435

Abstract:

An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a reflective element included within the housing. The mirror system further includes a video device (which includes an imaging sensor) and a control. The imaging sensor is positioned at the interior rearview mirror assembly and has a field of view forward and through the windshield. The imaging sensor is operable to at least sense precipitation at an interior and/or exterior surface of the windshield. The control receives a signal from the imaging sensor and is operable to control at least one of a headlamp of the vehicle, a windshield wiper of the vehicle, a defogging system of the vehicle and a movable window of the vehicle in response to the signal.

US Patent:

20040179099, Sep 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/793500

Inventors:

Brent Bos - Tucson AZ, US
Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI, US
Mark Larson - Grand Haven MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation, a corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

H04N007/18

US Classification:

348/148000, 348/143000

Abstract:

A wide-angle image capture system for providing a wide-angle field of view of an area immediately exteriorly of a vehicle. The system includes a convex aspheric, asymmetric reflective surface which reflects an image toward an image capture device, via a substantially flat mirrored surface, both of which are compactly packaged within a panel of the vehicle. The shape of the convex reflector provides a reflected image that has a minimal amount of distortion in critical areas of the image immediately adjacent to the vehicle, so that additional processing of the image prior to it being displayed to a vehicle operator is minimized.

US Patent:

20040200948, Oct 14, 2004

Filed:

Apr 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/823323

Inventors:

Brent Bos - Tucson AZ, US
Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI, US
Mark Larson - Grand Haven MI, US
Niall Lynam - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation, a corporation of the State of Michigan - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01L027/00
H02P001/04

US Classification:

250/208100, 250/227250

Abstract:

An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, electronic circuitry, an imaging sensor, a rain sensor control and a headlamp control. The electronic circuitry is operable to control an electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly. The imaging sensor is positioned with a field of view through a window of the vehicle. The rain sensor control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a windshield wiper of the vehicle and/or a defogging system of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The headlamp control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a headlamp of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The rain sensor control and the headlamp control at least one of (a) access a common component of the electronic circuitry, and (b) share a common component of the electronic circuitry.

US Patent:

63134543, Nov 6, 2001

Filed:

Jul 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/346352

Inventors:

Brent J. Bos - Tucson AZ
Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI
Mark L. Larson - Grand Haven MI
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60S 108

US Classification:

2502081

Abstract:

A vehicular rain sensor system for detecting precipitation on an exterior surface of a window including a illumination sensor that is decoupled from the window. The illumination sensor is preferably an imaging array sensor which communicates a signal to a control which further determines whether rain is present on the window. The control preferably includes an edge detection function for detecting edges of precipitation droplets on the window and activating the windshield wipers of the vehicle when the number of edges detected exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A smoothing algorithm or filter is provided to account for surface irregularities on the window, thereby substantially precluding such irregularities from being erroneously detected as rain droplets by the edge detection function. The rain sensor system may further include a polarizing filter and an illumination source, such that the rain sensor system may not only prevent false signals of rain when only fog is present on an interior surface of the window, but also allows the rain sensor system to actually detect fog particles on an interior surface of the window, thereby allowing the control to further be connected to a ventilation blower within the vehicle for the purpose of activating the blower to eliminate the fog.