Patents by Inventor Horst D. Diessner
Horst D. Diessner 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).
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Patent number: 11978263Abstract: A method for determining a safe state for a vehicle includes disposing a camera at a vehicle and disposing an electronic control unit (ECU) at the vehicle. Frames of image data are captured by the camera and provided to the ECU. An image processor of the ECU processes frames of image data captured by the camera. A condition is determined via processing at the image processor of the ECU frames of image data captured by the camera. The condition includes a shadow present in the field of view of the camera within ten frames of image data captured by the camera or a damaged condition of the imager within two minutes of operation of the camera. The ECU determines a safe state for the vehicle responsive to determining the condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Richard C. Bozich, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Anant Kumar Lall, Nikhil Gupta
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Patent number: 11967098Abstract: A vehicular trailer angle detection system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle. The system determines, via processing of frames of image data captured by the camera, features of a trailer present rearward of the vehicle and hitched to the vehicle by determining features that have similar position changes between a current frame of image data captured by the camera and a previous frame of image data captured by the camera. Responsive to movement of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and via processing of captured frames of image data, the system tracks determined features over multiple captured frames of image data for different positions of the trailer relative to the vehicle. The system determines angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle based at least in part on tracking of determined features of the trailer over multiple captured frames of image data.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru
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Patent number: 11787338Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a vehicular camera disposed at a vehicle and operable to capture frames of image data. The vehicular vision system is operable to detect, via processing by an image processor of multiple frames of captured image data, when multiple objects are viewed by the vehicular camera. During a driving maneuver, and when multiple objects are detected, the vehicular vision system determines which detected object of the multiple detected objects is closest to the vehicle, and determines movement of at least the determined closest object relative to the vehicle. During the driving maneuver, and based at least in part on the determined relative movement of the determined closest object, the vehicular vision system determines whether the determined relative movement is indicative of the determined closest object being in or moving toward a position where collision may occur between the determined closest object and the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
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Publication number: 20230290155Abstract: A method for determining a safe state for a vehicle includes disposing a camera at a vehicle and disposing an electronic control unit (ECU) at the vehicle. Frames of image data are captured by the camera and provided to the ECU. An image processor of the ECU processes frames of image data captured by the camera. A condition is determined via processing at the image processor of the ECU frames of image data captured by the camera. The condition includes a shadow present in the field of view of the camera within ten frames of image data captured by the camera or a damaged condition of the imager within two minutes of operation of the camera. The ECU determines a safe state for the vehicle responsive to determining the condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Richard C. Bozich, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Anant Kumar Lall, Nikhil Gupta
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Publication number: 20230289991Abstract: A vehicular trailer angle detection system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle. The system determines, via processing of frames of image data captured by the camera, features of a trailer present rearward of the vehicle and hitched to the vehicle by determining features that have similar position changes between a current frame of image data captured by the camera and a previous frame of image data captured by the camera. Responsive to movement of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and via processing of captured frames of image data, the system tracks determined features over multiple captured frames of image data for different positions of the trailer relative to the vehicle. The system determines angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle based at least in part on tracking of determined features of the trailer over multiple captured frames of image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okuoneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru
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Publication number: 20230256905Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rearward-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. The rearward-viewing camera connects with a control via a cable. The cable carries control data from the control to the rearward-viewing camera and carries image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera from the rearward-viewing camera to the control. The control generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle. The video display device includes a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images of an area rearward the vehicle derived from image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera and carried to the control by the cable. Image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera is processed at an image processor to detect an object present rearward of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
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Patent number: 11657620Abstract: A method for determining a safe state for a vehicle includes disposing a camera at a vehicle and disposing an electronic control unit (ECU) at the vehicle. Image data is captured via the camera and provided to the ECU. An image processor of the ECU processes captured image data. A condition is determined via processing at the image processor of the ECU captured image data. The condition comprises a shadow present in the field of view of the camera within ten frames of captured image data or a damaged condition of the imager within two minutes of operation of the camera. The condition is indicative of a condition where processing of captured image data degrades in performance. The ECU determines a safe state for the vehicle responsive to determining the condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Richard C. Bozich, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Anant Kumar Lall, Nikhil Gupta
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Patent number: 11651510Abstract: A method for determining features of a trailer being towed by a vehicle includes initiating a calibration drive of the vehicle and capturing frames of image data via a vehicle camera, and, via processing by an image processor of frames of captured image data, determining features of the trailer being towed by the vehicle during the calibration drive. The features of the trailer are determined by determining features that have similar changes between a current frame of captured image data and a previous frame of captured image data captured during the calibration drive. The features are tracked over multiple frames of captured image data for different angular positions of the trailer relative to the vehicle to determine trailer length from the hitch ball of the vehicle to an axle of the trailer. The trailer angle is determined based on the determined trailer length.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru
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Patent number: 11648877Abstract: A method for detecting an object via a vehicular vision system includes disposing first and second cameras at respective locations at a vehicle so as to have respective first and second fields of view rearward of the vehicle. The locations are vertically and horizontally spaced apart by respective vertical and horizontal separation distances. With the first and second cameras disposed at the respective locations, the first field of view at least partially overlaps the second field of view. An electronic control unit (ECU) is provided that includes an image processor. Image data is captured by the cameras and provided to the ECU and processed at the ECU. The ECU, responsive to processing of captured image data and based on the separation distances, determines presence of an object in the overlapping region of the first and second fields of view and determines the location of the object relative to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
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Patent number: 11634073Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a front camera and a rear camera disposed at a vehicle and each viewing exterior of the vehicle. Each of the cameras connects with a control via a respective mono coaxial cable. The respective mono coaxial cables carry control data from the control to the respective cameras and carry image data captured by the respective cameras to the control. The control generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle. The video display device includes a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images of an area rearward the vehicle derived from image data captured by the rear camera and carried to the control by the respective mono coaxial cable.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
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Patent number: 11634136Abstract: A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The ECU, via image processing of image data captured by the camera, detects a trailer rearward of the vehicle and determines a first path of travel for the vehicle to follow to maneuver the vehicle toward the trailer and to align the tow ball of the vehicle with a trailer hitch of the trailer. The ECU generates an output to maneuver the vehicle along the determined first path of travel. Responsive to detection of an object entering the first path of travel, the ECU determines a second path of travel for the vehicle to follow that avoids the detected object entering the determined path of travel.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Nikhil Gupta, Horst D. Diessner, Richard Bozich, Jyothi P. Gali, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Hilda Faraji, Miad Moarref, Xai Phan, Galina Okouneva, Brijendra Kumar Bharti
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Patent number: 11400919Abstract: A vehicular parking system includes a plurality of exterior viewing cameras, at least one receiver and a control. The control, when the vehicle is located at an entrance of a parking structure, controls the vehicle to autonomously drive the vehicle from the entrance of the parking structure toward a parking location in the parking structure. The parking structure includes a positioning system having a plurality of short range communication devices at known locations at the parking structure. Responsive to communication signals generated by the devices, the control determines the location of the vehicle relative to the known locations and drives the vehicle from the entrance of the parking structure toward the parking location in the parking structure. With the vehicle positioned at the parking location, and responsive at least to image processing by the image processor of captured image data, the control parks the vehicle in the parking location.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
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Publication number: 20220234502Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a vehicular camera disposed at a vehicle and operable to capture frames of image data. The vehicular vision system is operable to detect, via processing by an image processor of multiple frames of captured image data, when multiple objects are viewed by the vehicular camera. During a driving maneuver, and when multiple objects are detected, the vehicular vision system determines which detected object of the multiple detected objects is closest to the vehicle, and determines movement of at least the determined closest object relative to the vehicle. During the driving maneuver, and based at least in part on the determined relative movement of the determined closest object, the vehicular vision system determines whether the determined relative movement is indicative of the determined closest object being in or moving toward a position where collision may occur between the determined closest object and the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
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Patent number: 11305691Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rearward viewing camera and a control, which includes a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the control, via processing of captured image data, detects points of interest of detected objects. Responsive to detection of the points of interest of the detected objects, the control determines if the detected objects have height dimensions and determines that objects having a height dimension greater than a threshold height are objects of interest. During the reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the control determines distances to the determined objects of interest and determines which object of interest is closest to the vehicle. During the reversing maneuver of the vehicle, responsive to the determination of the closest object of interest rearward of the vehicle, the control determines whether the determined closest object of interest is a potential hazard.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
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Publication number: 20220041103Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a front camera and a rear camera disposed at a vehicle and each viewing exterior of the vehicle. Each of the cameras connects with a control via a respective mono coaxial cable. The respective mono coaxial cables carry control data from the control to the respective cameras and carry image data captured by the respective cameras to the control. The control generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle. The video display device includes a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images of an area rearward the vehicle derived from image data captured by the rear camera and carried to the control by the respective mono coaxial cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
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Patent number: 11142123Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes forward viewing camera and a rear camera each having a respective field of view exterior of the vehicle. Each of the cameras has an LVDS chip and connects with a control via a respective mono coaxial cable. Each mono coaxial cable carries via LVDS image data captured by the respective camera. Image data captured by the forward viewing camera and carried to the control by the respective mono coaxial cable is processed at the control for object detection. The control generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle, the video display device having a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The video display screen displays video images of an area rearward of the vehicle derived from image data captured by the rear camera and carried to the control by the respective mono coaxial cable.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
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Publication number: 20210300245Abstract: A method for detecting an object via a vehicular vision system includes disposing first and second cameras at respective locations at a vehicle so as to have respective first and second fields of view rearward of the vehicle. The locations are vertically and horizontally spaced apart by respective vertical and horizontal separation distances. With the first and second cameras disposed at the respective locations, the first field of view at least partially overlaps the second field of view. An electronic control unit (ECU) is provided that includes an image processor. Image data is captured by the cameras and provided to the ECU and processed at the ECU. The ECU, responsive to processing of captured image data and based on the separation distances, determines presence of an object in the overlapping region of the first and second fields of view and determines the location of the object relative to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
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Publication number: 20210276557Abstract: A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The ECU, via image processing of image data captured by the camera, detects a trailer rearward of the vehicle and determines a first path of travel for the vehicle to follow to maneuver the vehicle toward the trailer and to align the tow ball of the vehicle with a trailer hitch of the trailer. The ECU generates an output to maneuver the vehicle along the determined first path of travel. Responsive to detection of an object entering the first path of travel, the ECU determines a second path of travel for the vehicle to follow that avoids the detected object entering the determined path of travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Nikhil Gupta, Horst D. Diessner, Richard Bozich, Jyothi P. Gali, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Hilda Faraji, Miad Moarref, Xai Phan, Galina Okouneva, Brijendra Kumar Bharti
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Publication number: 20210241008Abstract: A method for determining a safe state for a vehicle includes disposing a camera at a vehicle and disposing an electronic control unit (ECU) at the vehicle. Image data is captured via the camera and provided to the ECU. An image processor of the ECU processes captured image data. A condition is determined via processing at the image processor of the ECU captured image data. The condition comprises a shadow present in the field of view of the camera within ten frames of captured image data or a damaged condition of the imager within two minutes of operation of the camera. The condition is indicative of a condition where processing of captured image data degrades in performance. The ECU determines a safe state for the vehicle responsive to determining the condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Richard C. Bozich, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Anant Kumar Lall, Nikhil Gupta
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Publication number: 20210201523Abstract: A method for determining features of a trailer being towed by a vehicle includes initiating a calibration drive of the vehicle and capturing frames of image data via a vehicle camera, and, via processing by an image processor of frames of captured image data, determining features of the trailer being towed by the vehicle during the calibration drive. The features of the trailer are determined by determining features that have similar changes between a current frame of captured image data and a previous frame of captured image data captured during the calibration drive. The features are tracked over multiple frames of captured image data for different angular positions of the trailer relative to the vehicle to determine trailer length from the hitch ball of the vehicle to an axle of the trailer. The trailer angle is determined based on the determined trailer length.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru