Timothy James 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:

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).

US Patent:

62628046, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

May 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/570718

Inventors:

Timothy R. Friend - Grandville MI
Douglas V. Baker - Middleville MI
Steven H. Peterson - Wyoming MI

Assignee:

X-Rite, Incorporated - Grandville MI

International Classification:

G01J 350

US Classification:

356402

Abstract:

The specification discloses a handheld color measurement instrument including a housing adapted to be held by a human hand. A plurality of support rollers support the housing for movement in a linear direction. A color measurement engine is contained within the housing and includes an aperture opening through the bottom of the housing. The housing includes a pair or pairs of elements defining a line parallel to the linear direction and aligned with the aperture to facilitate alignment of the instrument for scanning. The color measurement engine within the housing includes photodetectors on only one side of the aperture, enabling the aperture to be positioned adjacent the nose of the housing. The support rollers are proximate the perimeter of the housing, and an encoder wheel is inward of the support rollers and proximate the aperture. The instrument is capable of reading barcodes, for example for configuring the instrument, and of reading color samples.