Patents by Inventor Axel Nix

Axel Nix 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: 10696229
    Abstract: A vehicular event recording system suitable includes a camera and an event recorder having memory. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera for detecting objects. Based at least in part on processing by the image processor of captured image data, a potential lane leaving event or potential collision event is determined. The event recorder receives vehicle data via a vehicle data bus of the vehicle. Captured image data and received vehicle data during first and second time periods are stored in buffer memory of the event recorder and overwritten in respective subsequent time periods. Following determination of an event, captured image data and received vehicle data stored in buffer memory is transferred to data storage of the event recorder and captured image data and received vehicle data during a post-event time period is stored in data storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10640044
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a plurality of cameras mounted at the vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. The cameras include a serial data interface for transmitting captured image data to a control via a serial data bus linking the respective camera to the control. The control sends instructions to the cameras via the respective serial data bus linking the camera to the control. The control activates at least one of the cameras responsive to (i) a gear position of the vehicle, (ii) (ii) a driving condition, (iii) a steering angle of the vehicle, (iv) situational analysis information and/or (v) other vehicular sensing systems. Video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the activated camera are displayed at a video display screen of the vehicle for viewing by a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Yuesheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20200125867
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and a plurality of cameras including side-viewing cameras and a front or forward-viewing camera and/or a rearward-viewing camera. The cameras connect with the ECU via respective coaxial cables. Image data captured by the cameras is converted at a respective LVDS serializer to a respective image signal and is carried to the ECU via the respective coaxial cable by LVDS. The image signals are de-serialized at the respective LVDS de-serializer of the ECU. The image processor of the ECU may process a de-serialized image signal to detect a vehicle present in the field of view of the front camera, whereby, responsive to determination that the equipped vehicle and the detected vehicle may collide, the system may, at least in part, control a braking system of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Joern Ihlenburg, Nazar F. Bally, Duane W. Gebauer
  • Patent number: 10609335
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera and an image processor. The camera has a forward field of view exterior of the vehicle. The image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. At least one device is operable to detect objects that are present forward of the vehicle and outside of the forward field of view of the camera. The device may include at least one of (i) a sensor, (ii) an element of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system and (iii) an element of a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication system. Responsive to detection of the object being indicative of the object about to enter the field of view of the camera, the image processor anticipates the object entering the field of view of the camera and, upon entering of the field of view of the camera by the object, the image processor detects the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen, Carl W. Shonk
  • Patent number: 10586393
    Abstract: A technique for generating one or more maneuver points includes determining a first location at which a maneuver is initiated by a vehicle and determining a difference between the first location and a stored location that corresponds to the maneuver. The technique further includes, in response to determining that the difference exceeds a threshold value, transmitting the first location to an update application. The update application modifies the stored location based on the first location to generate an updated location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20200014886
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a plurality of cameras, a plurality of sensors and a central electronic control unit. Image data captured by at least one of the cameras and sensor data sensed by at least one of the sensors is provided to and processed at the central electronic control unit. Data relevant to a current geographical location of the vehicle is provided to and processed at the central electronic control unit. The central electronic control unit is operable to at least partially control the vehicle. The central electronic control unit may include a threat recognizer and a risk assessor. Responsive at least in part to threat recognition/evaluation by the threat recognizer and risk assessment by the risk assessor, the central electronic control unit may control at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) braking of the equipped vehicle and (ii) steering of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Nikolaus Dellantoni, Bernhard Schinkowitsch, André Schoenekaes, Axel Nix, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10515279
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a front camera, a rear camera and an electronic control unit (ECU). The cameras connect with the ECU via respective coaxial cables. Image data captured by the cameras is converted at a respective LVDS serializer to a respective image signal and is carried to the ECU via the respective coaxial cable by LVDS. The image signals are de-serialized at the respective LVDS de-serializer of the ECU. The image processor of the ECU may process a de-serialized image signal to detect a vehicle present in the field of view of the front camera, whereby, responsive to determination that the equipped vehicle and the detected vehicle may collide, the system, at least in part, controls a braking system of the equipped vehicle. The image processor may process a de-serialized image signal to detect objects present in the rearward field of view of the rear camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Joern Ihlenburg, Nazar F. Bally, Duane W. Gebauer
  • Publication number: 20190329627
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera configured to be disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular vision system. The camera, when disposed at the vehicle windshield, has a field of view at least forward of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the front camera when disposed at the vehicle windshield, lane markers ahead of the vehicle on a road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the front camera when disposed at the vehicle windshield, a pothole in front of the equipped vehicle in the road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 10454707
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for retrofitting a vehicle are presented. The method relates to a vehicle with a factory-installed first apparatus which communicates with a factory-installed second apparatus through a vehicle data bus using a first message. The method includes electrically disconnecting the vehicle data bus between the first apparatus and the second apparatus and electrically connecting a retrofit apparatus to the vehicle data bus. The method further includes transmitting a second message from the retrofit apparatus to the first apparatus which is indistinguishable from the first message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Sucxess LLC
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20190299860
    Abstract: A vehicular event recording system suitable includes a camera and an event recorder having memory. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera for detecting objects. Based at least in part on processing by the image processor of captured image data, a potential lane leaving event or potential collision event is determined. The event recorder receives vehicle data via a vehicle data bus of the vehicle. Captured image data and received vehicle data during first and second time periods are stored in buffer memory of the event recorder and overwritten in respective subsequent time periods. Following determination of an event, captured image data and received vehicle data stored in buffer memory is transferred to data storage of the event recorder and captured image data and received vehicle data during a post-event time period is stored in data storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10427655
    Abstract: A driver assistance system is presented, including an event detector which comprises a set of rules defining a surprising event based on signals reflecting a vehicle operator input signals from an object detection sensor. An event data file generator is configured to generate an event data file according to rules comprised in the event detector, the event data file comprising a video signal received from a camera, a signal from at least one dynamic vehicle sensor, and target object information received from the object detection sensor. The event data file generator is further configured to initiate data file generation responsive to a surprising event being detected by the event generator, and wherein the contents of the data file are specified by the rules comprised in the event detector. In this way, surprising events may be collected and analyzed off-board in order to generate updates for the driver assistance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20190291643
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a plurality of cameras mounted at the vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. The cameras include a serial data interface for transmitting captured image data to a control via a serial data bus linking the respective camera to the control. The control sends instructions to the cameras via the respective serial data bus linking the camera to the control. The control activates at least one of the cameras responsive to (i) a gear position of the vehicle, (ii) (ii) a driving condition, (iii) a steering angle of the vehicle, (iv) situational analysis information and/or (v) other vehicular sensing systems. Video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the activated camera are displayed at a video display screen of the vehicle for viewing by a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 10425619
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a plurality of cameras, a radar device and a central electronic control unit. The vehicular control system is operable to fuse image data captured by at least one of the cameras with radar data sensed by the radar device. The central electronic control unit is operable to at least partially control the vehicle. Threat recognition/evaluation by a threat recognizer/evaluator of the central electronic control unit and risk assessment by a risk assessor of the central electronic control unit is responsive, at least in part, to (i) image data captured by at least one of the cameras, (ii) radar data sensed by the radar device and (iii) map data associated with a current geographical location of the vehicle. The central electronic control unit, responsive at least in part to threat recognition/evaluation and risk assessment, controls braking of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Dellantoni, Bernhard Schinkowitsch, André Schoenekaes, Axel Nix, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10343486
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said vision system, the camera having a field of view at least forward of the equipped vehicle. A control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the camera. The control, via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, determines position of the sun relative to a driver's forward view through the windshield. Responsive to determining, via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, that the position of the sun is likely to hinder the driver's forward view through the windshield, the control controls a sun visor of the equipped vehicle to limit sunlight from reaching the driver's eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20190204203
    Abstract: A fluid circulation monitoring system includes a distributed processing system having a first processor located on-premises near a space filled with a circulating fluid and a second processor located off-premises. The first processor and the second processor are in communication with one another. A sensor is operatively connected to the first processor and senses at least one parameter associated with a flow rate of fluid through the circulation system. The distributed processing system is configured to process the at least one parameter and derive a volumetric fluid flow rate through a fluid pump which propels the fluid through the circulation system. Pattern recognition is applied to the at least one parameter to detect maintenance events and predict the need for maintenance events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10332322
    Abstract: Systems and method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication are provided. In one example, a vehicle system may include one or more sub-systems, an in-vehicle computing system, and an inter-vehicle communication system. The in-vehicle computing system may be configured to generate and/or update trust scores for the one or more sub-systems based on a functional safety classification of the one or more sub-systems. The trust scores may be transmitted to one or more other vehicles near the vehicle via the inter-vehicle communication system. The in-vehicle computing system may also receive trust scores from the one or more other vehicles. Based on the received trust scores, the in-vehicle computing system may adjust longitudinal and/or lateral control of the vehicle via one or more actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10315572
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a plurality of cameras mounted at the vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. The cameras include a video output for transmitting a stream of video to a control via a serial data bus linking the respective camera to the control. The control includes a serial data interface for communication with at least one electronic device of the vehicle. The control sends instructions to the cameras via the respective serial data bus linking the camera to the control. The control activates one of the cameras and deactivates at least one other of the cameras responsive to (i) a user input and/or (ii) a driving condition. Video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the activated camera are displayed at a video display screen of the vehicle for viewing by a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 10308181
    Abstract: A vehicular event recording system suitable includes a camera and an event recorder having memory. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera for detecting objects. Based at least in part on processing by the image processor of captured image data, a potential lane leaving event or potential collision event or automatic braking event is determined. The event recorder receives vehicle data via a vehicle data bus of the vehicle. Captured image data and received vehicle data during a pre-event time period immediately preceding the determined event beginning is stored in memory of the event recorder. Captured image data and received vehicle data during a first post-event time period immediately following the determined event beginning is stored in memory of the event recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20190164430
    Abstract: Systems and method for a driver assistance system including a surround view system are provided. In an example method for automatically selecting a virtual camera position in the surround view system, the method includes selecting one of the one or more vehicle surrounding the host vehicle as a threat vehicle based on at least one of a geographic position, and a velocity of the vehicle relative to one or more of a position, a heading, and a speed of the host vehicle. Based on the selected threat vehicle, the method includes selecting a virtual camera position such that the threat vehicle and a portion of the host vehicle are in view of a virtual camera, and displaying an image from the virtual camera position to a driver of the host vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10221853
    Abstract: A fluid circulation monitoring system includes a distributed processing system having a first processor located on-premises near a space filled with a circulating fluid and a second processor located off-premises. The first processor and the second processor are in communication with one another. A sensor is operatively connected to the first processor and senses at least one parameter associated with a flow rate of fluid through the circulation system. The distributed processing system is configured to process the at least one parameter and derive a volumetric fluid flow rate through a fluid pump which propels the fluid through the circulation system. Pattern recognition is applied to the at least one parameter to detect maintenance events and predict the need for maintenance events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Axel Nix