公开(公告)号：US06356376B1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-12

申请号：US09311955

申请日：1999-05-14

申请人： William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam

发明人： William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam

IPC分类号： G02F1153

CPC分类号： B60Q1/2665 ,  B60R1/088 ,  B60R1/1207 ,  B60R2001/1215 ,  B60R2001/1223 ,  G02B5/02 ,  G02B27/01 ,  G02B2027/0112 ,  G02B2027/0114 ,  G02B2027/012 ,  G02F1/1506 ,  G02F1/1533 ,  G02F1/155 ,  G02F1/157 ,  G02F2001/1502 ,  G02F2001/1512 ,  G02F2201/34 ,  G02F2203/02 ,  H01L51/529

摘要： An electrochromic mirror is disclosed for use in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, at least one solution-phase electrochromic material contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlying the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a coating of electrically conductive material that is at least partially transmissive and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive. The electrically conductive coating may include a single transparent layer or a plurality of partially reflective and transmissive layers, or an electrically conductive dichroic coating. The light source may be an information display, such as a compass/temperature display as used in an inside rearview mirror, or may be a signal light as used in an outside rearview mirror.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于车辆后视镜组件中的电致变色镜，其具有位于电致变色镜后面的光源，用于选择性地将光投射通过反射镜。 电致变色镜包括前后分隔的元件，每个元件具有前表面和后表面，并且以间隔开的关系密封地结合在一起，以限定室，设置在前元件的后表面上的透明导电材料层，至少一个 包含在室内的溶液相电致变色材料，以及覆盖与电致变色材料接触的后部元件的前表面的第二电极。 第二电极包括反射材料层和导电材料涂层，其至少部分透射并且设置在后部元件的基本上所有的前表面上。 第二电极还包括至少部分透射的在光源前面的区域。 导电涂层可以包括单个透明层或多个部分反射和透射层或导电二向色涂层。 光源可以是诸如在内侧后视镜中使用的罗盘/温度显示器的信息显示器，或者可以是在外部后视镜中使用的信号灯。

公开(公告)号：US06262831B1

公开(公告)日：2001-07-17

申请号：US09426794

申请日：1999-10-22

申请人： Frederick T. Bauer ,  Robert R. Turnbull ,  William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam

发明人： Frederick T. Bauer ,  Robert R. Turnbull ,  William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam

IPC分类号： G02B115

CPC分类号： B60R1/088

摘要： A rearview mirror assembly is disclosed including a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a mirror disposed in the housing, at least one electrically powered device disposed in the housing, and a power supply for receiving power from a vehicle power source having a voltage in excess of about 24 V and for supplying power at a voltage of about 5 V or less to the electrically powered device. The electrically powered device and the power supply exhibit an electromagnetic interference level of less than about 41 dB&mgr;V/m for emissions in the frequency range from about 0.4 MHz to about 20 MHz. The mirror is preferably an electrochromic mirror, and the electrically powered device may be a control circuit for the electrochromic mirror.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种后视镜组件，其包括适于安装到车辆的壳体，设置在壳体中的反射镜，设置在壳体中的至少一个电动设备，以及用于从具有电压的车辆电源接收电力的电源 超过约24V，并且用于向电动设备供电约5V或更低的电压。 对于在约0.4MHz至约20MHz的频率范围内的发射，电力设备和电源对于小于约41dBmuV / m的电磁干扰电平。 反射镜优选为电致变色镜，电动装置可以是用于电致变色镜的控制电路。

公开(公告)号：US20120123638A1

公开(公告)日：2012-05-17

申请号：US13353813

申请日：2012-01-19

申请人： Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam

发明人： Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam

IPC分类号： B60Q1/08

CPC分类号： B60Q1/1423 ,  B60Q2300/054 ,  B60Q2300/312 ,  B60Q2300/324 ,  B60Q2300/3321 ,  B60Q2300/41 ,  B60Q2300/42 ,  B60Q2300/45 ,  B60R1/00 ,  B60R2300/105 ,  G01S11/12 ,  G06K9/00791 ,  G06K9/00825 ,  H04N3/1562 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/3454

摘要： A system for automatically controlling vehicle equipment includes 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 vehicle equipment, for example 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.

公开(公告)号：US07700906B2

公开(公告)日：2010-04-20

申请号：US12017194

申请日：2008-01-21

申请人： Joseph S. Stam ,  Jon H. Bechtel

发明人： Joseph S. Stam ,  Jon H. Bechtel

IPC分类号： G01J3/50 ,  H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H01L27/14625 ,  G02B3/0006 ,  G02B27/1013 ,  G02B27/1066 ,  G02B27/123 ,  G02B27/126 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H04N5/3415 ,  H04N9/045

摘要： The present invention relates to various optical elements, related manufacturing methods and systems incorporating the optical elements. In at least one embodiment an optical element is provided that improves a vision system's capability to accurately measure a spectral characteristic of a distant light source.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及各种光学元件，包括光学元件的相关制造方法和系统。 在至少一个实施例中，提供了一种光学元件，其提高了视觉系统准确地测量远处光源的光谱特性的能力。

公开(公告)号：US07696903B2

公开(公告)日：2010-04-13

申请号：US11609669

申请日：2006-12-12

申请人： Joseph S. Stam ,  Frederick T. Bauer ,  Robert Steel

发明人： Joseph S. Stam ,  Frederick T. Bauer ,  Robert Steel

IPC分类号： G08G1/095

CPC分类号： G08G1/04 ,  B60Q9/00 ,  G01P1/08 ,  G08G1/052 ,  G08G1/095 ,  G08G1/096783

摘要： A traffic system for alerting a driver of a vehicle to a traffic sign includes a sensor and a control unit. The sensor may be an image sensor and the control unit may comprise a graphic processing unit (GPU) to detect the optical flow of objects in the captured images so as to distinguish moving vehicles from non-moving objects. The speed of vehicles may be detected such that the system may (1) activate lights to warn a driver if he is traveling too fast or (2) display the speed to either the driver or a police officer. The system may also be implemented and used as a geographic border monitoring system.

摘要翻译： 用于向交通标志警报车辆驾驶员的交通系统包括传感器和控制单元。 传感器可以是图像传感器，并且控制单元可以包括图形处理单元（GPU），以检测捕获的图像中的物体的光流，以区分移动的车辆与不移动物体。 可以检测车辆的速度，使得系统可以（1）激活灯以警告驾驶员他是否行驶太快或（2）向司机或警务人员显示速度。 该系统还可以被实现并用作地理边界监控系统。

公开(公告)号：US07663798B2

公开(公告)日：2010-02-16

申请号：US12189853

申请日：2008-08-12

申请人： William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam ,  David J. Cammenga

发明人： William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam ,  David J. Cammenga

IPC分类号： G02F1/15

CPC分类号： B60Q1/2665 ,  B60R1/088 ,  B60R1/1207 ,  B60R2001/1215 ,  B60R2001/1223 ,  G02B27/01 ,  G02B2027/0114 ,  G02F1/1506 ,  G02F1/1533 ,  G02F1/155 ,  G02F1/157 ,  G02F2001/1502 ,  G02F2001/1536 ,  G02F2201/34 ,  G02F2203/02 ,  H01L51/529

摘要： The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror and/or a light sensor positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively receiving light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source and/or light sensor that is at least partially transmissive.

摘要翻译： 本发明的电致变色镜可以用在车辆后视镜组件中，其具有位于电致变色镜后面的光源，用于选择性地将光投射通过反射镜和/或定位在电致变色镜后面的光传感器，用于选择性地接收通过反射镜的光。 电致变色镜包括前后分隔的元件，每个元件具有前表面和后表面并以间隔的关系密封地结合在一起以限定腔室，设置在前元件的后表面上的透明导电材料层，电致变色材料 包含在腔室内，第二电极覆盖与电致变色材料接触的后部元件的前表面。 第二电极包括反射材料层和部分透射涂层并且布置在后部元件的基本上所有前表面上。 第二电极还包括至少部分透射的在光源前面的区域和/或光传感器。

公开(公告)号：US20090040588A1

公开(公告)日：2009-02-12

申请号：US12189853

申请日：2008-08-12

申请人： William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam ,  David J. Cammenga

发明人： William L. Tonar ,  Jeffrey A. Forgette ,  John S. Anderson ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  John W. Carter ,  Joseph S. Stam ,  David J. Cammenga

IPC分类号： G02F1/15

CPC分类号： B60Q1/2665 ,  B60R1/088 ,  B60R1/1207 ,  B60R2001/1215 ,  B60R2001/1223 ,  G02B27/01 ,  G02B2027/0114 ,  G02F1/1506 ,  G02F1/1533 ,  G02F1/155 ,  G02F1/157 ,  G02F2001/1502 ,  G02F2001/1536 ,  G02F2201/34 ,  G02F2203/02 ,  H01L51/529

摘要： The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror and/or a light sensor positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively receiving light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source and/or light sensor that is at least partially transmissive.

摘要翻译： 本发明的电致变色镜可以用在车辆后视镜组件中，其具有位于电致变色镜后面的光源，用于选择性地将光投射通过反射镜和/或定位在电致变色镜后面的光传感器，用于选择性地接收通过反射镜的光。 电致变色镜包括前后分隔的元件，每个元件具有前表面和后表面并以间隔的关系密封地结合在一起以限定腔室，设置在前元件的后表面上的透明导电材料层，电致变色材料 包含在腔室内，第二电极覆盖与电致变色材料接触的后部元件的前表面。 第二电极包括反射材料层和部分透射涂层并且布置在后部元件的基本上所有前表面上。 第二电极还包括至少部分透射的在光源前面的区域和/或光传感器。

公开(公告)号：US07432967B2

公开(公告)日：2008-10-07

申请号：US10274637

申请日：2002-10-21

申请人： Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam

发明人： Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： G06K9/00825 ,  B60Q1/1423 ,  B60Q2300/054 ,  B60Q2300/312 ,  B60Q2300/324 ,  B60Q2300/3321 ,  B60Q2300/41 ,  B60Q2300/42 ,  B60Q2300/45 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/335

摘要： A control system is disclosed for controlling an image array sensor and controlling communication between the image array sensor and a microcontroller by way of a serial communication interface. The control system is able to efficiently control various aspects of the image array sensor such as windowing, mode of operation, sensitivity as well as other parameters in order to reduce the data throughput. An important aspect of the invention relates to the fact that the control circuit can be rather easily and efficiently configured in CMOS with relatively few output pins which enables the control circuit to be rather easily and efficiently integrated with CMOS based image array sensors and even the microcontroller to reduce the part count and thus, the overall cost of the system.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于控制图像阵列传感器并且通过串行通信接口控制图像阵列传感器和微控制器之间的通信的控制系统。 控制系统能够有效地控制图像阵列传感器的各个方面，如窗口，操作模式，灵敏度以及其他参数，以减少数据吞吐量。 本发明的一个重要方面涉及这样一个事实：控制电路可以相当容易且有效地配置在具有相对较少的输出引脚的CMOS中，这使得控制电路能够相对容易且有效地与基于CMOS的图像阵列传感器甚至微控制器 减少部件数量，从而减少系统的总体成本。

公开(公告)号：US07417221B2

公开(公告)日：2008-08-26

申请号：US11467336

申请日：2006-08-25

申请人： Steven B. Creswick ,  Stephen L. Otey ,  Spencer D. Reese ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam

发明人： Steven B. Creswick ,  Stephen L. Otey ,  Spencer D. Reese ,  Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam

IPC分类号： H01L27/14

CPC分类号： B60R1/00 ,  B60R2001/1253 ,  B60R2300/8053

摘要： An image sensor may be constructed as an imager die onto which is adhered an optical spacer. The imager die and optical spacer may be supported by a dam-and-fill construction which allows light to pass through the optical spacer and onto the imager die. The image sensor may generate control signals for use in a variety of automatic vehicle equipment controls and may be incorporated into an automotive vehicle such as by inclusion into a rearview mirror assembly.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器可以被构造成在其上粘附有光学间隔物的成像模具。 成像器模具和光学间隔件可以通过阻挡和填充结构来支撑，其允许光穿过光学间隔件并且到达成像器模具。 图像传感器可以产生用于各种自动车辆设备控制中的控制信号，并且可以并入到机动车辆中，例如通过包括在后视镜组件中。

公开(公告)号：US07408136B2

公开(公告)日：2008-08-05

申请号：US11143150

申请日：2005-06-02

申请人： Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam ,  John K. Roberts

发明人： Jon H. Bechtel ,  Joseph S. Stam ,  John K. Roberts

IPC分类号： H01L27/00 ,  B60Q1/02

CPC分类号： B60Q1/1423 ,  B60Q1/143 ,  B60Q2300/052 ,  B60Q2300/21 ,  B60Q2300/312 ,  B60Q2300/314 ,  B60Q2300/41 ,  B60Q2300/42 ,  G01J1/0214 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/0407 ,  G01J1/0411 ,  G01J1/0488 ,  G01J1/0492 ,  G01J1/32 ,  G01J1/4228 ,  G01J2001/0276 ,  H01L27/14618 ,  H01L27/14625 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H04N9/045 ,  H01L2924/00

摘要： An imaging system for use in a vehicle headlamp control system includes an opening, an image sensor, a red lens blocking red complement light between the opening and the image sensor, and a red complement lens blocking red light between the opening and the image sensor. Each lens focuses light onto a different subwindow of the image sensor. The imaging system allows processing and control logic to detect the presence of headlamps on oncoming vehicles and tail lights on vehicles approached from the rear for the purpose of controlling headlamps. A light sampling lens may be used to redirect light rays from an arc spanning above the vehicle to in front of the vehicle into substantially horizontal rays. The light sampling lens is imaged by the image sensor to produce an indication of light intensity at various elevations. The processing and control logic uses the light intensity to determine whether headlamps should be turned on or off. A shutter may be used to protect elements of the imaging system from excessive light exposure.

摘要翻译： 一种用于车辆前照灯控制系统的成像系统，包括开口，图像传感器，阻挡红色补充光的红色透镜，位于开口和图像传感器之间，红色补丁透镜阻挡开口和图像传感器之间的红光。 每个镜头将光线聚焦到图像传感器的不同子窗口上。 成像系统允许处理和控制逻辑来检测来自后方车辆的车辆前照灯和从后方驶来的尾灯上是否存在用于控制前照灯的目的。 光采样透镜可以用于将来自车辆上方的弧光的光线重新定向到车辆前方的基本上水平的射线。 光采样透镜由图像传感器成像，以产生各种高度的光强度的指示。 处理和控制逻辑使用光强度来确定是否应该打开或关闭头灯。 可以使用快门来保护成像系统的元件免受过度的曝光。