Timothy Ray Friend

US Patent:

6493084, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Oct 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/411484

Inventors:

Timothy R. Friend - Grandville MI
Douglas V. Baker - Middleville MI

Assignee:

X-Rite, Incorporated - Grandville MI

International Classification:

G01J 350

US Classification:

356402, 356326, 356319

Abstract:

A color measurement instrument wherein the communication protocol used by the instrument is determined by the cable attached to the instrument. The instrument includes a handheld unit having a control system capable of communicating in at least two different protocols through a common connector. This control system connector includes a set of pin-outs corresponding to each of the available protocols. The instrument also includes a cable having a connector mated with the control system connector. The pin-out of the cable connector corresponds to only one of the sets of pin-outs of the control system connector, so that the cable provides a communication pathway corresponding to only one of the available protocols.

US Patent:

6653831, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Nov 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/989559

Inventors:

Timothy R. Friend - Grandville MI
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G01R 3304

US Classification:

324244, 324253

Abstract:

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a magnetometer includes at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field component, a biasing circuit, and a processor. The sensor generates an output signal having a signal characteristic that varies in response to the sensed magnetic field component and in response to an applied bias. The biasing circuit dynamically biases the sensor in response to a bias setting signal. The processor is coupled to receive the output signal from the sensor and coupled to the biasing circuit. The processor is operable to generate the bias setting signal and thereby control the biasing circuit to dynamically bias the sensor such that the signal characteristic of the output signal is maintained in a target range. The processor determines the magnetic field component sensed by the sensor as a function of the bias setting applied to the sensor.

US Patent:

7053608, May 30, 2006

Filed:

Oct 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/685635

Inventors:

Timothy R. Friend - Grandville MI, US
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G01R 33/04

US Classification:

324244, 324253, 33361

Abstract:

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a magnetometer includes at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field component, a biasing circuit, and a processor. The sensor generates an output signal having a signal characteristic that varies in response to the sensed magnetic field component and in response to an applied bias. The biasing circuit dynamically biases the sensor in response to a bias setting signal. The processor is coupled to receive the output signal from the sensor and coupled to the biasing circuit. The processor is operable to generate the bias setting signal and thereby control the biasing circuit to dynamically bias the sensor such that the signal characteristic of the output signal is maintained in a target range. The processor determines the magnetic field component sensed by the sensor as a function of the bias setting applied to the sensor.

US Patent:

7405650, Jul 29, 2008

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/017128

Inventors:

Jeremy C. Andrus - Zeeland MI, US
Timothy R. Friend - Grandville MI, US
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI, US
Robert R. Turnbull - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

B60R 25/10

US Classification:

34042616, 340462

Abstract:

The present invention relates to various improvements to digital communications and various applications of the improved digital communications.

US Patent:

7920601, Apr 5, 2011

Filed:

Sep 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/854715

Inventors:

Jeremy C. Andrus - Zeeland MI, US
Timothy R. Friend - Grandville MI, US
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI, US
Robert R. Turnbull - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

H04J 3/06

US Classification:

370518, 370519, 370520, 37039562, 375220, 375222, 375226

Abstract:

A communications system for controlling equipment associated with a vehicle, includes a micro-controller () and a digital serial communication link () using a multiplexed timing signal and first data signal. A camera or image sensor () located in the vehicular component communicates with the micro-controller () via the digital serial communication link.

US Patent:

20050073786, Apr 7, 2005

Filed:

Sep 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/939985

Inventors:

Robert Turnbull - Holland MI, US
G. Poe - Hamilton MI, US
Timothy Friend - Grandville MI, US
Gregory Mart - Zeeland MI, US
David Meekhof - Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

H02H003/08

US Classification:

361093100

Abstract:

In at least one embodiment a fault sense circuit includes a current sense device, a voltage sense device, a power sense device, a sub-combination thereof or a combination thereof. The current sense device is positioned to sense a drive current provided to a load by a drive circuit. The voltage sense device is coupled across the current sense device and receives a threshold signal at a first input and provides an output signal on an output whose value is dependent upon whether a sense signal at a second input is above or below the threshold signal. A level of the threshold signal changes in response to a voltage level of a power supply that supplies the drive current to the drive circuit.

US Patent:

50627147, Nov 5, 1991

Filed:

Feb 12, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/478475

Inventors:

Steven H. Peterson - Wyoming MI
Timothy R. Friend - Jenison MI

Assignee:

X-Rite, Incorporated - Grandville MI

International Classification:

G01J 351

US Classification:

356406

Abstract:

A densitometer apparatus (210) is disclosed and is adapted to provide color density measurements of object samples. The densitometer apparatus (210) comprises a source light (578) for projecting light toward an object sample comprising a control strip (588, 620). A reflection optics assembly (576) is adapted to measure light density reflected from the object sample, when the object sample is in the form of a paper control strip. A transmission optics assembly (618) is adapted to measure transmission density of light rays projected through the object sample, when the object sample is in the form of a film control strip. A motor assembly (426) automatically moves the object sample (588,620) through the apparatus (210) adjacent the source light (578). Pattern definition data is prestored in memory of the apparatus (210). When control strips (588, 620) to be analyzed are "read" through the apparatus (210), a pattern recognition process is employed to compare strip color patches with the prestored data, so as to determine whether the control strip "matches" the pattern definition.

US Patent:

51181835, Jun 2, 1992

Filed:

Feb 13, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/480331

Inventors:

Mark A. Cargill - Belding MI
Bernard J. Berg - Kentwood MI
Steven H. Peterson - Wyoming MI
Timothy R. Friend - Jenison MI
Thomas J. Boes - Grandville MI

Assignee:

X-Rite, Incorporated - Grandville MI

International Classification:

G01N 2100
G01N 2125
G01J 351

US Classification:

356 73

Abstract:

A densitometer apparatus (410) is disclosed and is adapted to provide color density measurements of object samples. The densitometer apparatus (410) comprises a source light (580) for projecting light toward an object sample comprising a control strip (588, 620). A reflection optics assembly (576) is adapted to measure light density reflected from the object sample when the object sample is in the form of a paper control strip. A transmission optics assembly (618) is adapted to measure transmission density of light rays projected through the object sample when the object sample is in the form of a film control strip. A motor assembly (426) operating with a drive wheel assembly (434) and idler wheel assembly (440) automatically moves the object sample (588, 620) through the apparatus (410) adjacent the source light (580). A pair of guides (468, 470) are selectively adjustable by the operator to control movement of the object sample (588, 620) through the apparatus (410). In response to input from a key switch assembly (492) activatable by the operator, the apparatus (410) is adapted to perform various color density measurement and calibration functions, and display appropriate information to the operator through the use of a visual display (490).