Patents Examined by Nathnael Aynalem
  • Patent number: 11541900
    Abstract: The surrounding vehicle display system comprises an object detection device detecting an object in surroundings of a vehicle, an electronic control unit, and a display device. The electronic control unit is configured to generate an object mark based on an output of the object detection device and identify the object mark. The display device displays the surrounding vehicle as a vehicle icon when the object mark is identified as a surrounding vehicle by the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a position of the vehicle icon with respect to the vehicle on the display device and offset a center position of the vehicle icon from a center position of the object mark identified as the surrounding vehicle based on a predetermined size of the vehicle icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironori Ito, Ko Igarashi, Hiroki Iida
  • Patent number: 11511669
    Abstract: A system for trailer coupler localization for guidance during a hitching maneuver for a vehicle includes a trailer device including a trailer coupler and a graphic providing structure affixed to the trailer coupler. The structure includes at least one predefined graphic image. The system further includes a rear facing camera device attached to the vehicle and providing a captured image of the predefined graphic image. The system further includes a computerized controller, including programming to receive and analyze the captured image of the predefined graphic image to determine a relative position of the graphic providing structure to the camera device. The controller further includes programming to utilize the analysis to determine a relative position of the trailer coupler to a trailer hitch ball of the vehicle and to provide an output to control the hitching maneuver based upon the relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zachary T. Kroeze, Yun Qian Miao, Shi M. Yu, Patrick Andruszkiewicz, Ralph D. Schlottke
  • Patent number: 11513199
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a system for determining a distance, comprising: a light source for projecting a pattern of discrete spots of laser light towards the object in a sequence of pulses; a detector comprising picture elements, for detecting light representing the pattern as reflected by the object in synchronization with the sequence of pulses; and processing means to calculate the distance to the object as a function of exposure values generated by said picture elements. The picture elements generate exposure values by accumulating a first amount of electrical charge representing a first amount of light reflected during a first time window and a second electrical charge representating a second amount of light reflected during a second time window. The system projects and detects for at least two consecutive sequences of pulses, each being operated with a different duration of said first time window and said second time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: XENOMATIX NV
    Inventors: Dirk Van Dyck, Johan Van Den Bossche
  • Patent number: 11475676
    Abstract: A periphery monitoring device according to an embodiment includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire captured image data from an image-capturing unit that captures a region including a road surface in a traveling direction of a vehicle and a region above the road surface; a storage unit configured to store the captured image data; and an image processing unit configured to display, in a case of displaying a peripheral image in the traveling direction of the vehicle on a display unit, a first region including a road surface on a under-floor portion of the vehicle or a road surface on a vicinity of the under-floor portion by using a corresponding image in past captured image data stored in the storage unit, and display a second region including the region above the road surface by using a corresponding image in current captured image data acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Watanabe, Tetsuya Maruoka
  • Patent number: 11473921
    Abstract: A method for supporting a user of a first vehicle to follow a second vehicle includes obtaining a picture, by a camera, of at least a part of a surrounding of the first vehicle, detecting vehicles in the obtained picture, displaying a representation of the detected vehicles on a user interface to the user, obtaining input from the user from the user interface of which of the detected vehicles that is the second vehicle and that the user would like to follow, obtaining, via the camera, at least one identification data of the second vehicle, tracking the position of the second vehicle, and transmitting the position of the second vehicle to a navigation system of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventors: Magnus Nilsson, Måns Pihlsgård
  • Patent number: 11458893
    Abstract: A monitoring device for a vehicle that, in a case in which it is determined, based on information captured by a towing information capture device, that the vehicle is not towing another vehicle, provides support for monitoring an area to a rear of the vehicle using images captured by a first capture device, and in a case in which it is determined, based on the information captured by the towing information capture device, that the vehicle is towing another vehicle, provides support for monitoring the area to the rear of the vehicle using images captured by a second capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yamato Yorifuji
  • Patent number: 11457184
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller. The controller is configured to execute: acquiring a presence or an absence of a predetermined input from the outside to parked vehicles parked in a predetermined parking area in which a plurality of vehicles are parked, identifying a vehicle target vehicle for which the predetermined input is made among the parked vehicles, and issuing a command for activating a first vehicle sensor configured to detect a peripheral information of a first vehicle and provided to the first vehicle based on the predetermined input to target vehicle, the first vehicle being a vehicle parked around target vehicle in the predetermined parking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota Nakabayashi, Naoki Yamada, Daigo Fujii, Atsushi Ikegaya
  • Patent number: 11453338
    Abstract: Systems and methods for logging images using integrated cameras, lights, and sensors of a vehicle are provided. The system may include a handheld actuator, e.g., a key fob, having a button for initiating the taking of a photo or the start or stop of the recording of a video by the integrated cameras of the vehicle. Moreover, the actuator may select lighting settings such that the integrated lights of the vehicle may illuminate the vicinity of the vehicle to create a flash effect for a photo, or illuminate the vicinity of the vehicle for a video. The image data captured by the cameras may be at least temporarily stored, and transmitted to, e.g., a mobile device within a predetermined range of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan O'Gorman, Ankur Sharma
  • Patent number: 11420561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lateral image processing method, and the method includes recognizing areas in which amounts of image change are different from each other in an image captured by a camera; determining whether a car is in a driving state; and converting an image in one area in which an amount of image change is different according to the driving state of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Heon Jeon
  • Patent number: 11417116
    Abstract: A trailering assist system includes a control and a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and having a field of view at least rearward of the vehicle. The control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The control, responsive to image processing of captured image data, transforms captured image data of the trailer hitch from a pivoting orientation of the portion of the trailer that pivots about the trailer hitch to a vertical orientation of the portion of the trailer that moves laterally across the transformed image data. The control transforms pivotal movement of the portion of the trailer about the trailer hitch to lateral movement of the trailer hitch in the transformed image data. The control determines a trailer angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle based on the lateral position of the trailer hitch in the transformed image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Harold E. Joseph, Joshua Teichroeb, Alexander Velichko, Jyothi P. Gali
  • Patent number: 11418689
    Abstract: Display devices and electronic apparatuses with 3D camera modules are provided. An exemplary device comprises a display and a 3D camera module, wherein the 3D camera module comprises a depth camera module disposed at a backlight side of the display; the depth camera module comprises an edge-emitting laser and an imaging module; the edge-emitting laser is configured for emitting laser light, for the emitted laser light to penetrate the display to reach an object; and the imaging module is configured for receiving laser light reflected by the object that penetrates the display, and obtaining a depth image of the object based on the reflected laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Shenzhen Guangjian Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Zhu, Fanglu Lyu, Bo Wang
  • Patent number: 11410432
    Abstract: A method of displaying a message associated with a likelihood of an animal appearing within a proximity of vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting, using a sensor of a vehicle, an animal warning sign in an area external to the vehicle at a particular time. The method further includes accessing in real time, using a computing device, a database including data associated with the animal depicted on the animal warning sign, determining in real time, using the computing device of the vehicle, a likelihood of the animal appearing within a proximity of the vehicle based on the accessed data, and displaying in real time, on a user interface associated with the computing device of the vehicle, a message based on the likelihood of the animal appearing within the proximity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Derek A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11412202
    Abstract: A digital loupe system is provided which can include a number of features. In one embodiment, the digital loupe system can include a stereo camera pair and a distance sensor. The system can further include a processor configured to perform a transformation to image signals from the stereo camera pair based on a distance measurement from the distance sensor and from camera calibration information. In some examples, the system can use the depth information and the calibration information to correct for parallax between the cameras to provide a multi-channel image. Ergonomic head mounting systems are also provided. In some implementations, the head mounting systems can be configurable to support the weight of a digital loupe system, including placing one or two oculars in a line of sight with an eye of a user, while improving overall ergonomics, including peripheral vision, comfort, stability, and adjustability. Methods of use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Photonic Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Hegyi
  • Patent number: 11401666
    Abstract: A raised pavement markers removal vehicle system and method for the removal of raised pavement markers from a roadway. As the vehicle is driven along a roadway, a grinder unit alongside the forward portion of the vehicle grinds away the raised pavement markers to be removed. A sensing unit senses the relative lateral positions of the grinder unit and the upcoming raised pavement markers to be removed. A controller receives position information from the sensing unit and sends appropriate commands to an alignment adjuster to match the lateral position of the grinder unit to the lateral position of the upcoming pavement markers to be removed. After removal by grinding, the debris from the removed raised pavement markers is swept from the roadway into a sweeper-hopper unit for transport to a suitable unloading place. A warning board mounted at the rear of the sweeper-hopper unit provides a visual warning to other users of the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Fred Russell
  • Patent number: 11405640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of decoding a plurality of coding units from a bitstream of video data. The method determines a coding unit structure of the plurality of coding units from a first data block of the bitstream. The coding unit structure describes a division of a coding unit into the plurality of coding units. The method decodes, according to the determined coding unit structure, bypass encoded data for the plurality of coding units from a second data block of the bitstream. The method decodes, according to the determined coding unit structure, residual data for the plurality of coding units from a third data block of the bitstream. The method then forms the plurality of coding units from the bitstream using the residual data and the bypass encoded data. A method of encoding is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Christopher James Rosewarne
  • Patent number: 11405641
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of decoding a plurality of coding units from a bitstream of video data. The method determines a coding unit structure of the plurality of coding units from a first data block of the bitstream. The coding unit structure describes a division of a coding unit into the plurality of coding units. The method decodes, according to the determined coding unit structure, bypass encoded data for the plurality of coding units from a second data block of the bitstream. The method decodes, according to the determined coding unit structure, residual data for the plurality of coding units from a third data block of the bitstream. The method then forms the plurality of coding units from the bitstream using the residual data and the bypass encoded data. A method of encoding is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Christopher James Rosewarne
  • Patent number: 11399200
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of decoding a plurality of coding units from a bitstream of video data. The method determines a coding unit structure of the plurality of coding units from a first data block of the bitstream. The coding unit structure describes a division of a coding unit into the plurality of coding units. The method decodes, according to the determined coding unit structure, bypass encoded data for the plurality of coding units from a second data block of the bitstream. The method decodes, according to the determined coding unit structure, residual data for the plurality of coding units from a third data block of the bitstream. The method then forms the plurality of coding units from the bitstream using the residual data and the bypass encoded data. A method of encoding is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Christopher James Rosewarne
  • Patent number: 11390218
    Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring device includes a plurality of sensors including a rear camera, a rear right-side camera, and a rear left-side camera, a display unit that is provided inside a vehicle cabin, memory, and a processor that is coupled to the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Satomi, Tomoaki Iida, Tomohito Higuma, Yuki Takahashi, Jumpei Inagaki, Atsutoshi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11367291
    Abstract: A traffic signal display estimation system recognizes, based on the position information of a vehicle and a traffic signal information, a traffic signal included in a camera image, identifies a traffic signal display for each recognized traffic signal, and calculates, for each traffic signal, a first evaluation value indicating the certainty of the identified traffic signal display. The system integrates, based on a traffic-signal-to-traffic-signal relational information, a forward traffic signal that is ahead of the travelling direction and that the vehicle should follow and a traffic signal correlated with the forward traffic signal in terms of the traffic signal display, among a plurality of recognized traffic signals. When there is an inconsistency in traffic signal displays identified between a plurality of integrated traffic signals, the system determines a first estimated traffic signal display of the forward traffic signal, based on the first evaluation value for each traffic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Hayashi, Taichi Kawanai, Kentaro Ichikawa, Taisuke Sugaiwa
  • Patent number: 11358526
    Abstract: An automatic panning system and method adapted for a vehicle with an attached trailer. The automatic panning system comprises an image capturing means adapted to capture image data with a view of the trailer and the automatic panning system is adapted to analyze the image data to identify at least one elongated element of the trailer, project a vector in the image data based on said elongated element, establish at least one reference vector, and identify an interception point of the reference vector and said projected vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS AB
    Inventors: Andreas Ziethén, Erik Sundkvist