John M Vanderploeg

US Patent:

8228590, Jul 24, 2012

Filed:

Aug 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/852790

Inventors:

Kelvin L. Baumann - Holland MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US
David A. Theiste - Byron Center MI, US
Thomas F. Guarr - Holland MI, US
Henry W. Luten - Holland MI, US
George A. Neuman - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/153

US Classification:

359267, 359265

Abstract:

An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (h) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (h′) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (Δh) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees.

US Patent:

8411245, Apr 2, 2013

Filed:

Sep 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/570585

Inventors:

Ethan J. Lee - Byron Center MI, US
Daniel B. Lee - Wyoming MI, US
Michael G. Hendricks - Wyoming MI, US
Mark R. Roth - Coloma MI, US
Craig R. Myers - Holland MI, US
G. Bruce Poe - Hamilton MI, US
David A. Blaker - Holland MI, US
Carsten Schaudel - Erlenbach, DE
Mark A. VanVuuren - Dorr MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/13
G02F 1/133

US Classification:

349195, 349 73

Abstract:

A multi-display vehicular rearview mirror system () and method includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element () and a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) () positioned behind EC element (). A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) () are used for providing backlighting for each respective LCD of the plurality of LCDs such that the LCDs utilize a plurality of imaging devices () for forming substantially a single image across the plurality of LCDs ().

US Patent:

8508832, Aug 13, 2013

Filed:

Apr 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/454459

Inventors:

Kelvin L. Baumann - Holland MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US
David A. Theiste - Byron Center MI, US
Thomas F. Guarr - Holland MI, US
Henry A. Luten - Holland MI, US
George A. Neuman - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/153

US Classification:

359267

Abstract:

An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element a rear element, and an electro-optic medium, the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (h) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (h′) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (Δh) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees.

US Patent:

20110141381, Jun 16, 2011

Filed:

Dec 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/964521

Inventors:

Ethan J. Lee - Byron Center MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US
William L. Tonar - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

GENTEX CORPORATION - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/13357
B60R 1/12
G02B 27/01
G02F 1/13363

US Classification:

349 11, 349 62

Abstract:

A vehicular rearview assembly comprising a light source illuminating the mirror system within the housing of the assembly. The light source is a layered structure including generally co-extensive optical elements such as a light-guiding element that accepts light from light emitters and distributes this light along an area that is not transverse with respect to a display of the assembly. Light distributed and outcoupled through the light-guiding element illuminates the whole display, while radiation from other emitters may traverse the light-guiding element in order to highlight respectively corresponding segments of the display. The display may be configured in a spatially-segmented fashion to increase brightness of displayed indicia.

US Patent:

20130321496, Dec 5, 2013

Filed:

May 29, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/482488

Inventors:

Andrew D. Weller - Holland MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US
Ethan J. Lee - Byron Center MI, US

International Classification:

G09G 3/36
G02F 1/1335
G09G 5/10
F21V 8/00

US Classification:

345694, 362602, 349 65, 345102

Abstract:

An edge-lit backlight assembly is provided for backlighting a display. The backlight assembly may include: a light guide having a first segment and a second segment disposed within a common plane; a first light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the first segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode propagates through the first segment; and a second light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the second segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the second light emitting diode propagates through the second segment. The first segment of the light guide is at least partially optically isolated from the second segment such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode is at least partially blocked from propagating through the second segment.

US Patent:

20200164725, May 28, 2020

Filed:

Nov 25, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/693923

Inventors:

- Zeeland MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US
Andrew D. Weller - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

B60J 3/06
G02F 1/157
G02F 1/1335
G02F 1/163
B60R 11/02

Abstract:

A display system for a vehicle comprises a display device disposed inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The passenger compartment is configured to receive light from a first polarization filter disposed on a light-transmissive panel of the vehicle. The first polarization filter is oriented in a first orientation and the display device is configured to display video data from a display screen. The display device comprises an electro-optic element comprising a plurality of substrates and a second polarization filter disposed on at least one of the plurality of substrates. The second polarization filter is oriented in a second orientation parallel to the first orientation.

US Patent:

20180276466, Sep 27, 2018

Filed:

Mar 12, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/918600

Inventors:

- Zeeland MI, US
Ethan J. Lee - Byron Center MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
H04N 5/33
H04N 9/04
H04N 5/225
G09G 3/34
B60R 1/04

Abstract:

A vehicle display device is disclosed. The device comprises an image sensor comprising an imager configured to capture image data and a display. The display comprises a plurality of display elements forming a display surface. The display surface forms a display perimeter. The display elements surround the image sensor on the display surface such that the image sensor is disposed within the display perimeter.

US Patent:

20170315349, Nov 2, 2017

Filed:

Apr 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/496340

Inventors:

- Zeeland MI, US
John A. VanderPloeg - Zeeland MI, US

International Classification:

G02B 27/01
H04N 5/225
G02B 5/04
B60R 1/04
G02B 27/01
H04N 5/225
B60R 1/12
G02B 27/01
B60R 1/12

Abstract:

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a display panel retained in a housing and configured to display image data on a display surface in a display direction. The apparatus further comprises a focal distance correction feature disposed in front of the display surface in the display direction. The focal distance correction feature is configured to project the image data at a projected distance behind the display surface relative to the display direction such that the image data appears to originate from behind the display surface.