Patents by Inventor Martha A. McMahon

Martha A. McMahon 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: 20160257308
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera disposed in a windshield electronics module attached at a windshield of the vehicle and viewing through the windshield. A control includes a processor that, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects lane markers on a road being traveled by the vehicle. The processor determines curvature of the road being traveled by the vehicle and detects another vehicle that is present exterior of the equipped vehicle and determines that the detected other vehicle is in the same traffic lane as the equipped vehicle or is in an adjacent traffic lane. The processor processes captured image data to determine distance from the equipped vehicle to the detected other vehicle that is present exterior of the equipped vehicle and within the exterior field of view of the forward-viewing camera. The processor processes captured image data for vehicle speed control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 9376060
    Abstract: A driver assist system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a plurality of vehicular cameras disposed at the vehicle and a plurality of non-video sensors disposed at the vehicle. The cameras capture image data and at least one non-video sensor captures sensor data. A video processor module receives image data captured by the cameras and receives sensor data captured by the at least one non-video sensor. The received image data is fused with received sensor data at the video processor module. The video processor module communicates with other vehicle systems via a vehicle bus of the vehicle. Received image data is processed at the video processor module to generate a synthesized image, which is displayed by a display screen. Responsive at least in part to fusing of image data and sensor data at the video processor module, a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Martha A. McMahon, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Publication number: 20160068104
    Abstract: A driver assist system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a plurality of vehicular cameras disposed at the vehicle and a plurality of non-video sensors disposed at the vehicle. The cameras capture image data and at least one non-video sensor captures sensor data. A video processor module receives image data captured by the cameras and receives sensor data captured by the at least one non-video sensor. The received image data is fused with received sensor data at the video processor module. The video processor module communicates with other vehicle systems via a vehicle bus of the vehicle. Received image data is processed at the video processor module to generate a synthesized image, which is displayed by a display screen. Responsive at least in part to fusing of image data and sensor data at the video processor module, a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Martha A. McMahon, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Publication number: 20160046288
    Abstract: A forward-facing vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-facing camera disposed in a windshield electronics module attached at a windshield of the vehicle and viewing through the windshield. A control includes a processor that, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects taillights of leading vehicles during nighttime conditions and, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects lane markers on a road being traveled by the vehicle. The control, responsive to lane marker detection and a determination that the vehicle is drifting out of a traffic lane, may control a steering system of the vehicle to mitigate such drifting, with the steering system manually controllable by a driver of the vehicle irrespective of control by the control. The processor, based at least in part on detection of lane markers via processing of captured image data, determines curvature of the road being traveled by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 9191574
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes at least three cameras disposed at the vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle and operable to capture image data. Image data received at a video processor module is processed by a video processor of the video processor module. The received image data is processed by the video processor to generate a synthesized image. The synthesized image is output from the video processor module for display by a single display screen of a display device that is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when normally operating the vehicle. The video processor may be operable for least one of (i) object tracking, (ii) object classification, (iii) diagnostics, (iv) camera selection, (v) camera control, (vi) on-screen display generation, (vii) data storage and (viii) data exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Martha A. McMahon, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 9171217
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a single forward facing camera and a control having a processor, with the camera and processor disposed in a unitary module installed in the vehicle. The processor, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects headlights of oncoming vehicles and the control, responsive to the detection, provides an output for a headlamp control system of the vehicle. The processor, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects lane marks on a road being traveled by the vehicle and, responsive to the detection, provides an output for a lane departure warning system of the vehicle. The processor may estimate distance from the vehicle to an object or vehicle present exteriorly of the vehicle. The module is supplied by an automotive supplier to the vehicle manufacturer with software operable by the processor for a plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20140204212
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a single forward facing camera and a control having a processor, with the camera and processor disposed in a unitary module installed in the vehicle. The processor, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects headlights of oncoming vehicles and the control, responsive to the detection, provides an output for a headlamp control system of the vehicle. The processor, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects lane marks on a road being traveled by the vehicle and, responsive to the detection, provides an output for a lane departure warning system of the vehicle. The processor may estimate distance from the vehicle to an object or vehicle present exteriorly of the vehicle. The module is supplied by an automotive supplier to the vehicle manufacturer with software operable by the processor for a plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 8665079
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor operable to capture an image data set representative of a scene occurring in the exterior field of view of the imaging sensor. A processor processes the captured image data set via an edge detection algorithm, which is applied to a reduced image data set of the captured image data set to detect edges of objects present exteriorly of the equipped vehicle and within a target zone within the exterior field of view of the imaging sensor. The reduced data set is processed more than other image data of the captured image data set in order to detect objects present exteriorly of the equipped vehicle and within the target zone. The target zone encompasses a geographic area of the exterior scene where an object of interest to the driver of the equipped vehicle is realistically expected to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Joel S. Gibson, Steven G. Chinn
  • Patent number: 8405725
    Abstract: A video processor module suitable for use in a vehicle includes a video processor and a plurality of imaging sensor interfaces having at least a first imaging sensor interface configured for communication with a first imaging sensor of the equipped vehicle and a second imaging sensor interface configured for communication with a second imaging sensor of the equipped vehicle, with the first and second imaging sensor interfaces receiving image data captured by the first and second imaging sensors of the equipped vehicle, respectively. The video processor may include an object detection section, a camera selection section, a camera control section and/or a memory section. The video processor module may include a vehicle interface section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Martha A. McMahon, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 8289142
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is responsive to the imaging sensor. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system, a monitoring system, a passive steering system and/or the like. The control may be operable to process a reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of a target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20100188508
    Abstract: A vehicle-based video processor module for a video system of a vehicle includes a video processor circuit, a plurality of electronic sensor interfaces that are operable to receive image output data from a plurality of imaging devices and at least one electronic vehicle interface that is operable to communicate with a vehicle communication bus. The video processor circuit is operable to process the image output data from the plurality of imaging devices in a single database in a standard format and enhances the image output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martha A. McMahon, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 7697027
    Abstract: A vehicle-based video system includes a video processor, a plurality of electronic sensor interfaces that are operable to receive image output data from a plurality of sensor devices and at least one electronic vehicle interface that is operable to communicate with a vehicle communication bus. The video processor generates display signals for displaying video information for viewing and use by a driver in the vehicle for normal operation of the vehicle by the driver. The video processor is operable to fuse data from at least one imaging device and at least one non-imaging device into a single database in a standard format. The video processor, in response to processing the fused data, provides at least one output signal for conveying information to a driver in the vehicle that is used by the driver in the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven by the driver in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Martha A. McMahon, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 7679498
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is responsive to the imaging sensor. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system, a monitoring system, a passive steering system and/or the like. The control may be operable to process a reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of a target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20100002081
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is responsive to the imaging sensor. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system, a monitoring system, a passive steering system and/or the like. The control may be operable to process a reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of a target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20090147083
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is responsive to the imaging sensor. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system, a monitoring system, a passive steering system and/or the like. The control may be operable to process a reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of a target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 7463138
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control receives the captured image, which comprises an image data set representative of the exterior scene. The control may apply an edge detection algorithm to a reduced image data set of the image data set. The reduced image data set is representative of a target zone of the captured image. The control may be operable to process the reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of the target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John A Pawlicki, Martha A McMahon, Steven G Chinn, Joel S Gibson
  • Patent number: 7265656
    Abstract: A vehicle imaging system includes an imaging sensor, an imaging sensor bracket and an image processor. A vehicle mounting portion of the bracket is configured to mount at a mounting element for a license plate of the vehicle, and a sensor mounting portion of the bracket is angled with respect to the vehicle mounting portion such that the sensor mounting portion extends generally rearwardly when the bracket is fastened at the license plate mounting element. The imaging sensor generates a signal indicative of an image representative of a scene occurring within the field of view. The image processor receives the signal and processes the signal and generates an output signal representative of the imaged scene. The system may include a display, which may display at least one iconistic representation of at least one detected relevant object in response to an output signal generated by the image processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Martha A McMahon, Robert L Bingle
  • Publication number: 20060206243
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control receives the captured image, which comprises an image data set representative of the exterior scene. The control may apply an edge detection algorithm to a reduced image data set of the image data set. The reduced image data set is representative of a target zone of the captured image. The control may be operable to process the reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of the target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Donnelly Corporation, a corporation of the State Michigan
    Inventors: John Pawlicki, Martha McMahon, Steven Chinn, Joel Gibson
  • Publication number: 20060145826
    Abstract: A vehicle imaging system includes an imaging sensor, an imaging sensor bracket and an image processor. A vehicle mounting portion of the bracket is configured to mount at a mounting element for a license plate of the vehicle, and a sensor mounting portion of the bracket is angled with respect to the vehicle mounting portion such that the sensor mounting portion extends generally rearwardly when the bracket is fastened at the license plate mounting element. The imaging sensor generates a signal indicative of an image representative of a scene occurring within the field of view. The image processor receives the signal and processes the signal and generates an output signal representative of the imaged scene. The system may include a display, which may display at least one iconistic representation of at least one detected relevant object in response to an output signal generated by the image processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Donnelly Corporation, a corporation of the State of Michigan
    Inventors: Martha McMahon, Robert Bingle
  • Patent number: 7038577
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control receives the captured image, which comprises an image data set representative of the exterior scene. The control may apply an edge detection algorithm to a reduced image data set of the image data set. The reduced image data set is representative of a target zone of the captured image. The control may be operable to process the reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of the target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Pawlicki, Martha A. McMahon, Steven G. Chinn, Joel S. Gibson