Patents by Inventor Kenneth Schofield

Kenneth Schofield 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).

  • Patent number: 11969888
    Abstract: Cable routing approaches are described that allow cables to pass through a traditional chain joint without reducing the strength capacity or impairing the range of motion of the joint. The cable routing approaches permit the cables to be housed inside the structure of the robotic arm and pass through the chain joint in a manner that does not limit the width of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Veolia Nuclear Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Cole, Paul Damon Linnebur, Dan Alan Preston, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 11951900
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle. While the vehicle is traveling along a road, multiple frames of captured image data are processed at a data processor to determine movement of an object of interest present in a field of view of the CMOS image sensor. The vehicular forward viewing image capture system is provided with vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the vehicle, image data captured by the CMOS image sensor and vehicle data provided via the vehicle communication bus are processed. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the vehicle, captured image data is processed to determine a road condition of the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 11847836
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, speed of the vehicle is controlled by an adaptive cruise control system of the vehicle. Upon approach of the vehicle to a curve in the road along which the vehicle is traveling, speed of the vehicle is reduced by the adaptive cruise control system to a reduced speed for traveling around the curve in the road. Speed of the vehicle is increased by the adaptive cruise control system when the vehicle is traveling along a straighter section of road after the curve in the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11813987
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a control disposed in the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen operable to display video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. Responsive to the driver initiating a hitching maneuver event by engaging reverse gear of the vehicle, rear backup video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera are displayed at the video display screen. An overlay overlays the displayed rear backup video images and aids in guiding connection of a trailer hitch of the equipped vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer. Continued display of rear backup video images that are overlaid by the overlay is ceased upon elapse of a threshold period of time or upon exceeding a threshold speed or upon exceeding a threshold distance traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11730645
    Abstract: An upgrade system upgrades a motorized mobile chair to a smart motorized mobile chair. The motorized mobile chair has a processing system comprising at least two processors. The upgrade system comprises a plurality of object detection sensors and at least one processing unit connected between at least a first one of the at least two processors of the processing system and at least a second one of the at least two processors of the processing system. The processing unit receives sensor data from at least one of the plurality of object detection sensors, receives at least one control signal transmitted from the first processor, the control signal comprising data, modifies or does not modify the data of the control signal based on at least the sensor data, and transmits the modified or not modified control signal, the transmitted control signal to be received by the second processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Patroness, LLC
    Inventors: Jered H. Dean, Dan A. Preston, Kenneth Schofield, Kevin J. Lannen, Karl A. Grueschow
  • Publication number: 20230249611
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle. While the vehicle is traveling along a road, multiple frames of captured image data are processed at a data processor to determine movement of an object of interest present in a field of view of the CMOS image sensor. The vehicular forward viewing image capture system is provided with vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the vehicle, image data captured by the CMOS image sensor and vehicle data provided via the vehicle communication bus are processed. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the vehicle, captured image data is processed to determine a road condition of the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20230202388
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a control disposed in the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen operable to display video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. Responsive to the driver initiating a hitching maneuver event by engaging reverse gear of the vehicle, rear backup video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera are displayed at the video display screen. An overlay overlays the displayed rear backup video images and aids in guiding connection of a trailer hitch of the equipped vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer. Continued display of rear backup video images that are overlaid by the overlay is ceased upon elapse of a threshold period of time or upon exceeding a threshold speed or upon exceeding a threshold distance traveled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11623559
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby a CMOS image sensor views through the windshield forward of the vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, captured image data is processed to determine movement of an object of interest viewed by the image sensor. Multiple frames of captured image data are processed in determining movement of the object of interest. The accessory module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting to a vehicle wiring system of the vehicle. Image data captured by the image sensor may be processed for an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular forward viewing image capture system may compensate for misalignment of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20230072196
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, speed of the vehicle is controlled by an adaptive cruise control system of the vehicle. Upon approach of the vehicle to a curve in the road along which the vehicle is traveling, speed of the vehicle is reduced by the adaptive cruise control system to a reduced speed for traveling around the curve in the road. Speed of the vehicle is increased by the adaptive cruise control system when the vehicle is traveling along a straighter section of road after the curve in the road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11577646
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a control disposed in the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen operable to display video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. During a hitching maneuver event undertaken by the driver to hitch a trailer hitch of the vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer, and while the driver of the vehicle is maneuvering the vehicle to hitch the vehicle to the trailer, the control outputs video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera for display by the video display screen. At least one overlay overlays the displayed video images to guide the driver during the hitching maneuver. The at least one overlay aids in guiding connection of the trailer hitch of the vehicle to the trailer tongue of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11503253
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Upon approach of the vehicle to a curve in the road, speed of the vehicle is reduced to a reduced speed for traveling around the curve in the road at least in part responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of (a) processing of image data captured by the forward viewing camera and (b) data relevant to a current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20220355726
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby a CMOS image sensor views through the windshield forward of the vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, captured image data is processed to determine movement of an object of interest viewed by the image sensor. Multiple frames of captured image data are processed in determining movement of the object of interest. The accessory module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting to a vehicle wiring system of the vehicle. Image data captured by the image sensor may be processed for an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular forward viewing image capture system may compensate for misalignment of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 11396257
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby a CMOS image sensor views through the windshield forward of the equipped vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, captured image data is processed to determine (i) presence of an object of interest viewed by the image sensor and (ii) location and/or movement of the object of interest viewed by the image sensor. Multiple frames of captured image data are processed in determining location and/or movement of the object of interest. Image data captured by the image sensor is processed for an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular forward viewing image capture system automatically compensates for misalignment of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20220041097
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby a CMOS image sensor views through the windshield forward of the equipped vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, captured image data is processed to determine (i) presence of an object of interest viewed by the image sensor and (ii) location and/or movement of the object of interest viewed by the image sensor. Multiple frames of captured image data are processed in determining location and/or movement of the object of interest. Image data captured by the image sensor is processed for an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular forward viewing image capture system automatically compensates for misalignment of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20220032844
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a control disposed in the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen operable to display video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. During a hitching maneuver event undertaken by the driver to hitch a trailer hitch of the vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer, and while the driver of the vehicle is maneuvering the vehicle to hitch the vehicle to the trailer, the control outputs video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera for display by the video display screen. At least one overlay overlays the displayed video images to guide the driver during the hitching maneuver. The at least one overlay aids in guiding connection of the trailer hitch of the vehicle to the trailer tongue of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11155210
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assist system includes a rearward viewing camera, a driver-side camera, a passenger-side camera and at least one radar sensor. Image data captured by the cameras is provided to a control and radar data captured by the radar sensor is provided to the control. The control processes the provided captured data to determine a potential hazard presented by rear-approaching traffic. The control outputs video image data for display by a display device of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video display screen that displays video images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle during operation of the equipped vehicle. The control processes provided captured image data and provided captured radar data to alert the driver to the determined potential hazard presented by the rear-approaching traffic in the side traffic lane adjacent to the traffic lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11148583
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby the imaging sensor views through the windshield forward of the equipped vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, a control processes captured image data to determine (i) presence of an object of interest viewed by the imaging sensor and (ii) location and/or movement of the object of interest viewed by the imaging sensor. The control, responsive to the processing of captured image data and responsive to vehicle data received via a vehicle communication bus, at least in part provides at least one selected from the group consisting of (a) traffic sign recognition, (b) traffic light status detection, (c) adaptive cruise control and (d) pedestrian detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 11114211
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, processes, and apparatuses for treating radioactive waste, through systems designed to bind and dry radioactive media. In some of its various embodiments, the system includes at least one helical screw designed to receive and mix liquid wastes with ion exchange media, as well as convey the resulting slurry through one or more of a binding, dewatering, and drying/off-gassing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Veolia Nuclear Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Mertz, Ja-Kael Luey, Wes Bratton, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10913401
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a camera having a CMOS image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and circuitry of a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with circuitry of the first printed circuit board. Board-to-board electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards is via a multi-wire ribbon connection. A housing houses the first and second printed circuit boards. The housing is configured for mounting at a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the image sensor, an object in the field of view of the camera is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20210023995
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assist system includes a rearward viewing camera, a driver-side camera, a passenger-side camera and at least one radar sensor. Image data captured by the cameras is provided to a control and radar data captured by the radar sensor is provided to the control. The control processes the provided captured data to determine a potential hazard presented by rear-approaching traffic. The control outputs video image data for display by a display device of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video display screen that displays video images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle during operation of the equipped vehicle. The control processes provided captured image data and provided captured radar data to alert the driver to the determined potential hazard presented by the rear-approaching traffic in the side traffic lane adjacent to the traffic lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam