Patents Assigned to Magna Electronics Inc.
  • Patent number: 11926268
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicular camera module includes an imager circuit board and a lens holder. An imager is disposed at the imager circuit board. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion that accommodates a lens. The lens holder includes a plurality of pins extending from an attaching portion and extending in a direction away from the lens holding portion of the lens holder. With the attaching portion of the lens holder at the imager circuit board, individual pins of the plurality of pins are received at least partially through respective apertures of the imager circuit board to locate the lens holder at the imager circuit board. With the pins received at least partially through the apertures of the imager circuit board, and with the lens aligned with the imager at the imager circuit board, the pins are fixedly attached at the imager circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Devota, Garret F. Achenbach, David F. Olson, Matthew C. Sesti, John R. Garcia
  • Patent number: 11930257
    Abstract: A vehicular camera assembly includes a camera housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion that joins the front housing portion. A first printed circuit board (PCB) is disposed at the front housing portion, with an imager disposed at a front side of the first PCB and a first electrical connector disposed at a rear side of the first PCB. A second PCB has a second electrical connector disposed at a front side of the second PCB. Board-to-board electrical connection of circuitry of the second printed circuit board to circuitry of the first printed circuit board is made via electrical connection of the first and second electrical connectors. The connector portion of the rear housing portion includes a multi-pin connector comprising a plurality of solid terminal pins. A connector portion of the rear housing portion is configured for connecting to a vehicle wiring connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Sauer, Marc Sigle
  • Patent number: 11927954
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward-viewing camera, a forward-sensing sensor and an in-cabin-sensing sensor. With the system controlling driving of the vehicle, the system determines a triggering event that triggers handing over driving of the vehicle to a driver of the vehicle before the vehicle encounters an event point associated with the triggering event. The vehicular control system (i) determines a total action time available before the vehicle encounters the event point, (ii) estimates a driver takeover time for the driver to take over control of the vehicle and (iii) estimates a handling time for the driver to control the vehicle to avoid encountering the event point. Responsive to the vehicular control system determining that the estimated driver takeover time is less than the difference between the determined total action time and the estimated handling time, control of the vehicle is handed over to the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Latotzki, Frank Goseberg
  • Patent number: 11930264
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular driver monitoring system, an electronic control unit (ECU) with an image processor for processing image data captured by the camera. The camera includes an imaging array sensor and a lens and the camera is adjustable by at least one of (i) adjusting a position of the imaging array sensor relative to the lens and (ii) adjusting a position of the lens relative to the imaging array sensor. The system, responsive to processing at the ECU of image data captured by the camera, monitors a body portion of a driver of the vehicle and adjusts the camera to adjust the position of where the monitored body portion of the driver is imaged at the imaging array sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 11919449
    Abstract: A vehicular camera calibration system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The camera calibration system uses structure-from-motion during processing at the ECU of multiple frames of image data captured with the vehicle driven in a normal manner with turns involved. The camera calibration system uses a kinematic model of motion of the vehicle that is derived at least in part from vehicle data provided to the ECU. The camera calibration system, responsive to processing of multiple frames of captured image data, and based at least in part on (i) an intrinsic parameter of the camera and (ii) the kinematic model of motion of the vehicle, determines misalignment of the camera without use of a fiducial marker in a field of view of the camera and without use of reference points on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Galina Okouneva
  • Patent number: 11912199
    Abstract: 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. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle toward a trailer that is spaced from the vehicle at a distance from the vehicle, the camera views at least a portion of a front profile of the trailer. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The vehicular trailer hitching assist system, via image processing at the ECU of image data captured by the camera during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle toward the trailer, determines a plurality of landmarks corresponding to the front profile of the trailer. Based at least in part on the determined plurality of landmarks, the vehicular trailer hitching assist system determines location of a trailer coupler of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Akbar Assa, Shweta Suresh Daga, Brijendra Kumar Bharti, Guruprasad Mani Iyer Shankaranarayanan, Jyothi P. Gali, Anoop S. Mann, Alexander Velichko
  • Patent number: 11908166
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes a camera disposed behind a windshield of a vehicle and viewing through a portion of the windshield. Image data captured by the camera is provided to a control. The control receives, via a communication bus of the vehicle, at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) vehicle pitch information relating to pitch of the vehicle, (ii) vehicle yaw information relating to yaw of the vehicle and (iii) vehicle steering information relating to steering of the vehicle. The system automatically corrects for misalignment of the camera. Image data captured by the camera is processed at the control for a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and for at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) an automatic headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a collision avoidance system of the vehicle and (iii) an adaptive front lighting system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Antony V. Jeyaraj, Manoj R. Phirke
  • Patent number: 11910123
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a first camera and a second camera. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and a video display operable to display video images derived from frames of first image data captured by the first camera and frames of second image data captured by the second camera. Responsive to a view selection input selecting a view for the video display, the system (i) determines a first subset of pixels based on tracing rays from pixels of the video display the pixels of the first camera, and (ii) determines a second subset of pixels based on tracing rays from pixels of the video display to pixels of the second camera. The system buffers the first and second subset of pixels and generates display frames of image data using the buffered pixels. The system displays video images derived from the display frames of image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sebastian Fluegel
  • Patent number: 11904778
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and having a field of view exterior and at least rearward of the vehicle. At least a portion of a trailer hitched to the vehicle is within the field of view of the camera. A control includes electronic circuitry and associated software, with the electronic circuitry including a processor operable to process image data captured by the camera, with the image data captured by the camera being representative of at least the trailer hitched to the vehicle. The control, responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, determines at least one deficiency in a hitch connection between the vehicle and the trailer. Responsive to determination of the at least one deficiency, the control alerts a driver of the vehicle of the determined deficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Harold E. Joseph, Jyothi P. Gali
  • Patent number: 11897398
    Abstract: A vehicular camera includes a lens holder, a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board. The first and second printed circuit boards are stacked and overlap one another. Circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board is electrically connected with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board via board-to-board electrical connection. The circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board includes an imaging sensor at a first side of the first printed circuit board. Thermally conductive material is disposed between the second printed circuit board and a second side of the first printed circuit board. The thermally conductive material is in thermally-conductive contact with the first and second printed circuit boards. The vehicular camera includes a rear housing, which includes an electrical connector portion. The electrical connector portion of the rear housing may include an electrical plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Sesti, Robert A. Devota
  • Patent number: 11889051
    Abstract: A method for testing a vehicular camera for a vehicular vision system includes providing a vehicular camera suitable for use on a vehicle, with the vehicular camera having a field of view. A collimator assembly is provided that includes an optic and a target fixedly disposed within the collimator assembly. The collimator assembly is positioned in the field of view of the vehicular camera such that the camera images light that reflects off the target and passes through the optic. The target has a stepped surface. Image data is captured with the vehicular camera, with the captured image data being representative of the stepped surface of the target. The captured image data is processed, via an image processor, and a defocus of the vehicular camera is estimated based on processing by the processor of the captured image data of the stepped surface of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Sesti, Donald W. Mersino, Robert A. Devota
  • Patent number: 11884261
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer sway management system includes at least one rearward-sensing radar sensor disposed at a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU). Radar data captured by the at least one rearward-sensing radar sensor is provided to the ECU. With a trailer hitched to the vehicle, the trailer sway management system, via processing at the ECU of the provided captured radar data, determines oblique angles of the trailer relative to the vehicle. As the vehicle tows the trailer, and responsive to monitoring of determined oblique angles of the trailer relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the trailer sway management system determines sway of the trailer relative to the vehicle. Responsive to the determined sway of the trailer relative to the vehicle, the trailer sway management system at least in part controls operation of the vehicle to manage sway of the trailer relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Helmut A. Wodrich, Walter G. Woodington
  • Patent number: 11872884
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a driver status information acquisition system and an in-vehicle control system of the vehicle. The driver status information acquisition system receives data from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle and determines the driver status responsive to processing of the received data. While the driver is not driving the vehicle and the in-vehicle control system is autonomously driving the vehicle, and responsive to determination that the driver of the vehicle should take over driving the vehicle from the in-vehicle control system, the in-vehicle control system alerts the driver to indicate that the driver should take over driving the vehicle. Responsive to the status of the driver while the driver is not driving the vehicle being indicative of the driver not being able to take over driving the vehicle, the in-vehicle control system continues driving the vehicle and initiates an emergency action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hasib Hassan, Sylvie Wacquant, Heinz B. Seifert
  • Patent number: 11874593
    Abstract: A vehicular camera assembly includes a lens barrel accommodating at least an outer lens element and an inner lens element. An imager printed circuit board (imager PCB) includes an imager disposed at a side. The lens barrel is disposed at the housing such that the imager is aligned with the inner lens element and the outer lens element, with the inner lens element disposed closer to the imager than the outer lens element. A vacuum exists in a space between the outer lens element and the inner lens element to thermally insulate an outer surface of the outer lens element from an inner surface of the inner lens element. Light passing through the outer lens element, the vacuum, and the inner lens element is imaged by the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyao Liu, Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne, Jeffrey A. White, Kevin T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11875575
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and having an exterior field of view that includes at least a portion of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. A control, responsive to processing of frames of image data captured by the camera and during a calibration maneuver by the vehicle, determines a trailer template of trailer hitched to the vehicle. The control, during a turning portion of the calibration maneuver, determines a trailer collision angle based on the determined trailer template. The control, after completion of the calibration maneuver, determines a current trailer angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle as the vehicle is driven along a road. The control alerts an operator of the vehicle if the current trailer angle is within a threshold amount of the determined trailer collision angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jyothi P. Gali, Harold E. Joseph, Prasanna Ananthakrishnan, Alexander Velichko
  • Patent number: 11872939
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer angle detection system includes a rear camera, a left-side camera, a right-side camera and a control having an image processor. With a trailer hitched at a vehicle, and while the vehicle is driven in a forward direction and towing the trailer, image data is captured by at least one of the cameras. The vehicular trailer angle detection system determines an expected location of the portion of the trailer based on provided vehicle-trailer parameters as the vehicle is driven forward and towing the trailer. The vehicular trailer angle detection system determines an actual location of the portion of the trailer via processing of captured image data as the vehicle is driven forward and towing the trailer. Responsive to an offset between the determined actual location of the portion of the trailer and the determined expected location, the vehicular trailer angle detection system accommodates the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Steven V. Byrne, Paul A. VanOphem, James D. Harris
  • Patent number: 11877054
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed at a vehicle and a camera having a CMOS imaging sensor operable to capture image data. Image data captured by the imaging sensor of the camera is conveyed from the camera to the ECU via a single core coaxial cable. The camera is in bidirectional communication with the ECU over the single core coaxial cable. The single core coaxial cable commonly carries (i) image data captured by the imaging sensor for processing at a data processor of the ECU and (ii) power from a DC power supply of the ECU to the camera. Image data captured by the imaging sensor is serialized at a data serializer of the camera and is conveyed to the ECU via the single core coaxial cable and is deserialized at the ECU by a data deserializer of the ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Jens Steigerwald, Michael Dominik Schöppner
  • Patent number: 11867802
    Abstract: A vehicular sensing system includes at least one MIMO radar sensor disposed at the vehicle and sensing exterior and forward of the vehicle. The at least one MIMO radar sensor includes multiple transmitting antennas and multiple receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas transmit radar signals and the receiving antennas receive radar signals. Radar data captured by the at least one MIMO radar sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU includes a processor and, responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of provided captured radar data and vehicle motion information, determines different types of surfaces sensed by the at least one MIMO radar sensor. Responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of provided captured radar data, the vehicular sensing system provides an output for at least one driving assist system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio Duque Biarge, Holger Hess, Jorge J. Jácome Muñoz, Kalin Kabakchiev, Roaldje Nadjiasngar
  • Patent number: 11866983
    Abstract: A vehicular door control system responsive to object detection includes a radar unit disposed at a vehicle that has a field of sensing adjacent to and exterior a door of the vehicle and that transmits radar signals and receives reflected radar signals representative of an object. A scanning actuator coupled to the radar unit moves the radar unit relative to the door to create a variation between the transmitted radar signals and the reflected radar signals. An electronic control unit (ECU) operates the radar unit to transmit the radar signals. While the radar unit is transmitting the radar signals and receiving the reflected radar signals, the ECU operates the scanning actuator to move the radar unit relative to the door. The ECU processes the received reflected radar signals to determine presence of the object and operates an electrically powered actuator coupled to the door to open and close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Schatz, Ming Wang, Adam Bott
  • Patent number: 11866063
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for monitoring the interior of an autonomous vehicle for information being provided by a rider of the autonomous vehicle to the autonomous vehicle; and processing the information provided by the rider of the autonomous vehicle to the autonomous vehicle to generate a response based, at least in part, upon the information provided by the rider of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ramiro Almeida, Pierre Beaudreau, Alexandra Klotz, Dana Kirsanov, Disha Sule, Louise Katzovitz