Mark E Kramer

US Patent:

6340849, Jan 22, 2002

Filed:

Dec 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/737911

Inventors:

Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI
Roger L. Veldman - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

H02P 154

US Classification:

307 101, 318466, 701 49

Abstract:

A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.

US Patent:

6472773, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Jan 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/052181

Inventors:

Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI
Roger L. Veldman - Holland MI

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

H02P 154

US Classification:

307 101, 318466, 701 49

Abstract:

A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.

US Patent:

6867510, Mar 15, 2005

Filed:

Oct 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/274745

Inventors:

Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI, US
Roger L. Veldman - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60L001/00

US Classification:

307 101, 307 91, 340654, 359877

Abstract:

A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.

US Patent:

7370983, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Nov 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/284543

Inventors:

Darryl P. DeWind - Holland MI, US
Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI, US
Andrew D. Weller - Holland MI, US
Peter J. Whitehead - Grand Rapids MI, US
Rodney K. Blank - Zeeland MI, US
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - HOlland MI

International Classification:

G02B 5/08
G02B 7/18
G02B 7/182

US Classification:

359844, 359881

Abstract:

An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a display screen that is extendable and retractable relative to a casing. The display screen is movably mounted at the casing and movable or slidable in a direction generally parallel to a length axis of the reflective element between a non-use position, where the video display screen is positioned substantially within the casing, and a use position, where the video display screen is substantially extended from a side of the casing for viewing. The display screen may be automatically extended in response to an activating event.

US Patent:

7446924, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Oct 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/956749

Inventors:

Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI, US
David C. Wight - Goodrich MI, US
Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/153

US Classification:

359267, 359839, 250215 AL

Abstract:

A reflective element assembly for a mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element substrate and a conductive trace or layer disposed at a rear surface of the reflective element substrate. A non-conductive layer is applied at the conductive layer and covers at least a portion of the conductive layer and leaves at least some portions of the conductive layer exposed. At least one circuitry component is applied to at least one of the portions of the conductive layer. The circuitry component may include a carbon ink resistor printed onto the conductive trace.

US Patent:

7898719, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Oct 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/580499

Inventors:

Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI, US
David C. Wight - Goodrich MI, US
Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/153

US Classification:

359267, 359604

Abstract:

A rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate having an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. The reflective element includes (a) a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed at a second surface of a front glass substrate and (b) a mirror reflector disposed at a third surface of a rear glass substrate. A conductive trace is established on a fourth surface of the rear glass substrate. An electrical connector establishes electrical conductivity between the conductive trace and one of (i) the transparent electrically conductive coating disposed at the second surface of the front glass substrate and (ii) the mirror reflector disposed at the third surface of the rear glass substrate. The electrical connector connects to the conductive trace via a solderless connection.

US Patent:

7937667, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/861904

Inventors:

Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI, US
Niall R. Lynam - Holland MI, US
David P. O'Connell - Ada MI, US
Vernon R. Nise - Caledonia MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

G06F 13/00
G06F 15/00

US Classification:

715781, 715744

Abstract:

A user-interactive display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a portable hand-held device, and a display device. The portable hand-held device is operable to communicate a first signal to a vehicle-based receiver. A user input is actuatable so that a user can select an item from a listing of choices displayed by the display device, whereby the user-interactive display system (a) displays at the display device data associated with the selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices, and/or (b) audibly plays at an audio device of the vehicle data associated with the selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices.

US Patent:

8179586, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Feb 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/033951

Inventors:

Kenneth Schofield - Holland MI, US
David C. Wight - Goodrich MI, US
Mark E. Kramer - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Donnelly Corporation - Holland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/153

US Classification:

359267, 359604

Abstract:

A rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. The reflective element includes a resin material disposed at least at a portion of a fourth surface of the rear substrate. While the resin material is in its uncured state at the rear substrate, an electrical connector is engaged with the uncured resin material. The electrical connector is electrically conductively connected with the resin material and is substantially affixed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate via curing of the resin material while the electrical connector is engaged with the resin material. The electrical connector may establish electrical conductivity between the cured resin material and one of (i) a transparent electrically conductive coating at the second surface of the front substrate and (ii) a mirror reflector at the third surface of the rear substrate.