Patents by Inventor David P. O'Connell

David P. O'Connell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240112662
    Abstract: Various aspects include a wearable audio device having active noise reduction (ANR). In some cases, a method for processing audio signals includes receiving a noise reduction signal configured to modify an audio signal and generate a noise reduced audio signal, the noise reduction signal having a nominal loop gain; and generating an adjusted noise reduction signal in response to a detected adverse low frequency event, the adjusted noise reduction signal having a modulated loop gain configured to reduce artifacts in the noise reduced audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Ole Mattis Nielsen, David J. Warkentin, Lei Cheng, Brandon Lee Olmos, Michael P. O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20240046706
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior prismatic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior prismatic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through a prismatic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are disposed at the mirror assembly that are operable to emit near infrared light to illuminate at least the driver-side front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera behind the prismatic mirror reflective element is not readily apparent to an occupant of the vehicle. The camera at least (a) views the driver-side front seating area of the vehicle and (b) views a passenger-side front seating area of the vehicle. The driver of the equipped vehicle is monitored via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 11798319
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least the driver-side front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant of the vehicle. The camera at least (a) views the driver-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle and (b) views a passenger-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle. The driver of the equipped vehicle is monitored via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Publication number: 20230177885
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least the driver-side front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant of the vehicle. The camera at least (a) views the driver-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle and (b) views a passenger-side front seating area of the equipped vehicle. The driver of the equipped vehicle is monitored via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 11562599
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least a front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant sitting in the interior cabin of the vehicle. The interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The camera at least views a driver-side front seating area of the vehicle and, via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera, the driver seated at the driver-side front seating area is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 11427156
    Abstract: A method for generating an output for controlling a vehicular function of a vehicle includes providing (i) a vehicular sensing device having at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons, each icon representative of a respective vehicle function, and (ii) a plurality of sensors, each sensor having a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and the sensors sense movement of a person's hand or foot in a field of sensing of one of the sensors, and a controller generates an output to control the vehicular function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20220270409
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and a camera disposed at the interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly behind and viewing through an electrochromic mirror reflective element into the interior cabin of the vehicle. Supplemental sources of near infrared illumination are integrated into the mirror assembly that, when powered to emit near infrared light, illuminate at least a front seating area within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Presence of the camera is not readily apparent to an occupant sitting in the interior cabin of the vehicle. The interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The camera at least views a driver-side front seating area of the vehicle and, via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera, the driver seated at the driver-side front seating area is monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 11348374
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in a vehicle and including a mirror reflective element. A camera is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly and views a driver sitting at a driver seat of the equipped vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. A control includes a vision system-on-a-chip image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The control, via processing at the vision system-on-a-chip image processor of image data captured by the camera, determines driver movement. The vehicular driver monitoring system generates an output responsive at least in part to the determined driver movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Publication number: 20210383104
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in a vehicle and including a mirror reflective element. A camera is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly and views a driver sitting at a driver seat of the equipped vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. A control includes a vision system-on-a-chip image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The control, via processing at the vision system-on-a-chip image processor of image data captured by the camera, determines driver movement. The vehicular driver monitoring system generates an output responsive at least in part to the determined driver movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 11100315
    Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of captured image data, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera, and determines if the detected object constitutes a hazardous condition. Responsive to determination of the hazardous condition, the control controls the video display device to automatically display an alert to the driver of the vehicle, with the alert including display of video images of the object that are derived from captured image data or a graphic overlay on displayed video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Publication number: 20210129795
    Abstract: A method for generating an output for controlling a vehicular function of a vehicle includes providing (i) a vehicular sensing device having at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons, each icon representative of a respective vehicle function, and (ii) a plurality of sensors, each sensor having a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and the sensors sense movement of a person's hand or foot in a field of sensing of one of the sensors, and a controller generates an output to control the vehicular function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10889265
    Abstract: A vehicular sensing device for a vehicular function control system includes a plurality of sensors and at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons at a cover element, each icon of the plurality of icons representative of a respective vehicle function. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and each sensor of the plurality of sensors has a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. Responsive to sensing by one of the sensors of proximity or movement of a user in the field of sensing of that sensor, a controller generates an output to control the vehicle function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200216023
    Abstract: A vehicular sensing device for a vehicular function control system includes a plurality of sensors and at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons at a cover element, each icon of the plurality of icons representative of a respective vehicle function. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and each sensor of the plurality of sensors has a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. Responsive to sensing by one of the sensors of proximity or movement of a user in the field of sensing of that sensor, a controller generates an output to control the vehicle function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10589716
    Abstract: A vehicle function control system includes a sensing and projecting module disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle and having an illumination source operable to project a plurality of icons onto a ground area at or near the vehicle or an exterior surface of the vehicle, with each of the projected icons being representative of a respective vehicle function. The module includes a sensing device operable to sense the presence of a user at or near one of the projected icons and, responsive to the sensing of the presence of the user, the system determines which of the projected icons is being selected by the user. A control is responsive to an output of the sensing device and, responsive to determination of the user at or near a selected particular projected icon, the control controls a function of the vehicle associated with the selected particular projected icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200005029
    Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of captured image data, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera, and determines if the detected object constitutes a hazardous condition. Responsive to determination of the hazardous condition, the control controls the video display device to automatically display an alert to the driver of the vehicle, with the alert including display of video images of the object that are derived from captured image data or a graphic overlay on displayed video images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 10410049
    Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. The field of view of the camera encompasses a blind spot of the vehicle. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of data captured by at least one sensor of the vehicle, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera. Responsive to detection of the object present exterior of the vehicle, the control controls the video display device to episodically and automatically display video images of the object that are derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Publication number: 20180201190
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a mirror and display module and a camera. The module includes an exterior mirror assembly, a display screen and a central mounting portion. The central mounting portion is disposed between and rigidly connects the exterior mirror assembly and the display screen. With the module mounted at the vehicle door, the central mounting portion spans a width of the vehicle door such that (i) the exterior mirror assembly is at an exterior portion of the vehicle door, (ii) the display screen is at an interior portion of the vehicle door, and (iii) the central mounting portion is disposed between the interior portion and exterior portion of the vehicle door. With the module mounted at the vehicle door and with the camera disposed at the vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson, Keith D. Foote
  • Publication number: 20170228031
    Abstract: A video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. The field of view of the camera encompasses a blind spot of the vehicle. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of data captured by at least one sensor of the vehicle, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera. Responsive to detection of the object present exterior of the vehicle, the control controls the video display device to episodically and automatically display video images of the object that are derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Patent number: 9632590
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view that encompasses a front seat of the vehicle so as to capture images of an occupant of the vehicle. An image processor is provided with image data captured by the camera and the image processor image processes image data captured by the camera. The image processor, responsive at least in part to image processing of image data captured by the camera, recognizes movement representative of a hand gesture made by the occupant of the vehicle. The image processor is a system-on-a-chip image processor. The control may control a device of the vehicle responsive at least in part to the recognition of the hand gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Kramer, Niall R. Lynam, David P. O'Connell, Vernon R. Nise
  • Publication number: 20170106836
    Abstract: A vehicle function control system includes a sensing and projecting module disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle and having an illumination source operable to project a plurality of icons onto a ground area at or near the vehicle or an exterior surface of the vehicle, with each of the projected icons being representative of a respective vehicle function. The module includes a sensing device operable to sense the presence of a user at or near one of the projected icons and, responsive to the sensing of the presence of the user, the system determines which of the projected icons is being selected by the user. A control is responsive to an output of the sensing device and, responsive to determination of the user at or near a selected particular projected icon, the control controls a function of the vehicle associated with the selected particular projected icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson