Patents by Inventor Peter J. Whitehead

Peter J. Whitehead 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: 11072286
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. Individual user input elements of a plurality of user input elements are arranged in a row below the transflective reflective element. At least one of the individual user input elements is a user input element for an imaging system of the vehicle. Each individual display element of a plurality of display elements is associated with a respective user input element of the plurality of user input elements. Each individual display element of the plurality of display elements is selectively activated by activation of its respective user input element. Each individual display element and its respective user input element are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of the respective user input element and activation of the associated individual display element is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • 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: 20200285331
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. Individual user input elements of a plurality of user input elements are arranged in a row below the transflective reflective element. At least one of the individual user input elements is a user input element for an imaging system of the vehicle. Each individual display element of a plurality of display elements is associated with a respective user input element of the plurality of user input elements. Each individual display element of the plurality of display elements is selectively activated by activation of its respective user input element. Each individual display element and its respective user input element are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of the respective user input element and activation of the associated individual display element is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Publication number: 20200215994
    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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10664115
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle having a field of view at least forward, rearward and/or exterior of the equipped vehicle. An image projection device is disposed in the vehicle and includes a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source, when operated, is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form video images that are viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The video images viewed by the driver viewing the windshield include video images derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: 10596982
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a camera having an image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with 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 windshield of a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of 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: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10543786
    Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a black-out layer disposed at an upper central region of a windshield as installed in a vehicle, an attachment member configured for attachment at the upper central region of the windshield where the black-out layer is disposed, and an accessory module including a camera. The accessory module is configured to detachably mount at the attachment member at the windshield such that the lens of the camera is spaced from the windshield, and such that the camera views forward of the vehicle through an aperture in the black-out layer via a tapered structure that is widest at the windshield and that tapers from the windshield towards where the lens of the camera is located. The tapered structure is at an acute angle relative to the vehicle windshield. The camera captures image data for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190291658
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a camera having an image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with 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 windshield of a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10300866
    Abstract: A method for assembling a camera for a vehicle includes providing a camera housing portion, disposing an imaging sensor at a base portion of the camera housing portion, and disposing a lens system at a first portion of the camera housing portion. A first circuit board is provided that includes circuitry associated with the imaging sensor, which is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first circuit board. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are joined together to encase the first and second circuit boards. The connector portion includes a multi-pin connector having terminals that include (i) a first terminal portion for electrically connecting with a connector of the vehicle and (ii) a second terminal portion that electrically connects with circuitry disposed at the first circuit board when the camera housing portion and the connector portion are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20190095011
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle having a field of view at least forward, rearward and/or exterior of the equipped vehicle. An image projection device is disposed in the vehicle and includes a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source, when operated, is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form video images that are viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The video images viewed by the driver viewing the windshield include video images derived from image data captured by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: 10139978
    Abstract: A head up display system for a vehicle includes an image projection device disposed in the vehicle and having a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form an image that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The image projection device is disposed at one of (i) an accessory module disposed in the vehicle, (ii) an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in the vehicle, and (iii) a dashboard of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: 10131280
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element, and a video display device disposed in the mirror case and operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector and the video display device is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera disposed at the vehicle. The on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from the camera such that a video feed generated by the on-screen display controller includes the graphic overlay. The video display device comprises a metallic enclosure that is electrically grounded when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180222402
    Abstract: A method for assembling a camera for a vehicle includes providing a camera housing portion, disposing an imaging sensor at a base portion of the camera housing portion, and disposing a lens system at a first portion of the camera housing portion. A first circuit board is provided that includes circuitry associated with the imaging sensor, which is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first circuit board. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are joined together to encase the first and second circuit boards. The connector portion includes a multi-pin connector having terminals that include (i) a first terminal portion for electrically connecting with a connector of the vehicle and (ii) a second terminal portion that electrically connects with circuitry disposed at the first circuit board when the camera housing portion and the connector portion are joined together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20180118116
    Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a black-out layer disposed at an upper central region of a windshield as installed in a vehicle, an attachment member configured for attachment at the upper central region of the windshield where the black-out layer is disposed, and an accessory module including a camera. The accessory module is configured to detachably mount at the attachment member at the windshield such that the lens of the camera is spaced from the windshield, and such that the camera views forward of the vehicle through an aperture in the black-out layer via a tapered structure that is widest at the windshield and that tapers from the windshield towards where the lens of the camera is located. The tapered structure is at an acute angle relative to the vehicle windshield. The camera captures image data for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9937876
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicle includes a camera housing portion, an imaging sensor disposed at a base portion of the camera housing portion, and a lens system disposed at a first portion of the camera housing portion. A first circuit board includes circuitry associated with the imaging sensor, which is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first circuit board. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are configured to join together to encase the first and second circuit boards. The connector portion includes a multi-pin connector having terminals that include (i) a first terminal portion for electrically connecting with a connector of the vehicle and (ii) a second terminal portion for electrically connecting with circuitry disposed at the first circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20180029534
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element, and a video display device disposed in the mirror case and operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector and the video display device is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera disposed at the vehicle. The on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from the camera such that a video feed generated by the on-screen display controller includes the graphic overlay. The video display device comprises a metallic enclosure that is electrically grounded when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9862323
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield and an accessory module configured to detachably mount to the attachment member. The accessory module and attachment member are configured so that when the accessory module mounts to the attachment member, an electrical element of the accessory module is biased toward and against the inner surface of the windshield. The electrical element includes a camera and, with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the camera has a forward field of view through the windshield. The camera may be associated with at least one of (i) a headlamp control system, (ii) a lane departure warning system, (iii) an adaptive cruise control system, (iv) a sign recognition system, (v) a night vision system, (vi) a pedestrian detection system and (vii) a pre-crash avoidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9783114
    Abstract: A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle and includes a mirror case and a reflective element. A video display device disposed at the mirror case. The video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera and, responsive to receipt of the video signal, the on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to the video display device. The video feed generated by the on-screen display controller may include a graphic overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20170255300
    Abstract: A head up display system for a vehicle includes an image projection device disposed in the vehicle and having a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form an image that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The image projection device is disposed at one of (i) an accessory module disposed in the vehicle, (ii) an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in the vehicle, and (iii) a dashboard of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: D875810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: VELVAC INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gary Hohnl, Peter J. Whitehead, Tim Strandell, Bernard Krauska