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).

  • Publication number: 20190020804
    Abstract: An imaging system of a vehicle includes a tail lamp assembly that illuminates a field of illumination rearward of the vehicle. A light source control may operate at least one light source of the tail lamp assembly in a repeating cycle that includes (i) a first illumination period wherein light emitted by the tail lamp assembly has a first brightness level and (ii) a second illumination period wherein light emitted by the tail lamp assembly has a second brightness level that is lower than the first brightness level. A camera is operable to capture image data representative of a region that is at least in part encompassed by the field of illumination. A camera control may operate the camera to capture image data during at least part of the first illumination period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Yuesheng Lu, Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20190012550
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Joern Ihlenburg, Nazar F. Bally, Duane W. Gebauer
  • Publication number: 20190014290
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Nikolaus Dellantoni, Bernhard Schinkowitsch, André Schoenekaes, Axel Nix, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180339703
    Abstract: A vehicle logistic system provides remote operation of self-propelled vehicles in the absence of a human driver. The logistic system operates with a vehicle which includes an accelerator pedal operatively connected to a longitudinal motion controller, a brake pedal operatively connected to the longitudinal motion controller, a steering wheel operatively connected to a lateral motion controller, and an automated vehicle processing module operatively connected to the longitudinal motion controller and to the lateral motion controller. The vehicle is configured to operate in different operating modes. The operating modes include a regular mode and a remote-controlled mode. The automated vehicle processing module is configured to control the longitudinal motion and lateral motion of the vehicle based on vehicle motion instructions received wirelessly from a server while the vehicle is operating in the remote control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Sucxess LLC
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20180309591
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Sucxess LLC
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10089537
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward facing camera module having a forward facing camera having forward field of view, and includes a rearward facing camera having a rearward field of view. The forward facing camera module includes an image processor, a decoder and an encoder. Image data captured by the rearward facing camera is fed to the decoder and an output of the decoder is fed to the image processor. The image processor is operable to process image data captured by the forward facing camera to at least detect objects in the forward field of view and is operable to process the decoder output to at least detect objects the rearward field of view. An image processor output is fed to the encoder and an encoder output is fed to a display that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Joern Ihlenburg, Nazar F. Bally, Duane W. Gebauer
  • Patent number: 10091465
    Abstract: A vehicular scalable integrated control system includes a plurality of cameras having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. Image data captured by the cameras is processed by an image processor of a vehicular scalable integrated control unit. A display screen for displaying video images derived, at least in part, from captured image data. The system is operable to fuse captured image data with data captured by a radar device, an ultrasonic sensor and/or an infrared sensor. The system is part of an overall active safety sensing system, which includes fusion of outputs from a plurality of sensing devices to achieve environmental awareness at and surrounding the vehicle. The overall active safety sensing system is operable to at least one of (i) at least partially control the vehicle as the vehicle is driven along a road and (ii) provide alert warnings to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Dellantoni, Bernhard Schinkowitsch, André Schoenekaes, Axel Nix, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10075650
    Abstract: An imaging system of a vehicle includes a tail lamp assembly that illuminates a field of illumination rearward of the vehicle. A light source control operates at least one light source of the tail lamp assembly in a repeating cycle that includes (i) a first illumination period wherein light emitted by the tail lamp assembly has a first brightness level and (ii) a second illumination period wherein light emitted by the tail lamp assembly has a second brightness level that is lower than the first brightness level. A camera is operable to capture image data representative of a region that is at least in part encompassed by the field of illumination. A camera control may operate the camera to capture image data during at least part of the first illumination period and to not capture image data during at least part of the second illumination period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Yuesheng Lu, Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10027505
    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: February 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sucxess LLC
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20180197024
    Abstract: A driver active safety control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of image capture sensors, a central control module and at least one radar sensor. The control module at least includes an image processor that processes image data captured by at least a forward viewing image capture sensor for automatic braking of the vehicle. The central control module receives vehicle data relating to operation of the vehicle, the vehicle data relating to at least one of (i) vehicle speed, (ii) vehicle steering, (iii) vehicle yaw rate, (iv) vehicle type and (v) vehicle acceleration. The central control module at least in part controls the vehicle responsive, at least in part, to processing of (i) vehicle data, (ii) image data, (iii) radar data and (iv) data from at least one of (a) the Car2Car communication system and (b) the Car2X communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20180186214
    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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20180186289
    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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Yuesheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20180174368
    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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Axel NIX
  • Publication number: 20180086267
    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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20180068496
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 9908473
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a side-mounted camera mounted at a side portion of vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The side-mounted camera includes a video output configured for transmitting to a control a stream of video captured by an image sensor of the side-mounted camera. The stream of video is transmitted to the control via a serial data bus linking the side-mounted 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 side-mounted camera via the serial data bus linking the side-mounted camera to the control. The control receives messages from the at least one electronic device of the vehicle via the serial data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Axel Nix, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9911050
    Abstract: A driver active safety control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of image capture sensors, a video display screen, a central driver active safety control module and at least one non-imaging sensor. The control module at least includes an image processor, a vision core and a fusion core. The image processor processes image data captured by and received from at least a forward viewing image capture sensor for at least one of (i) automatic headlamp control, (ii) lane departure warning and (iii) traffic sign recognition. The vision core is operable to manipulate image data captured by and received at least from rearward and sideward viewing image capture sensors to form video images for displaying on the video display screen. The fusion core is operable to process inputs received to enhance control by the control module of a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 9908385
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one camera disposed at the equipped vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle. A control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the at least one camera. The control, responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data by the image processor, is operable to at least one of (i) control an HVAC system of the equipped vehicle responsive to a type of vehicle detected exterior of the equipped vehicle, (ii) control an HVAC system of the equipped vehicle responsive to a vehicle detected exterior of the equipped vehicle being within a threshold distance of the equipped vehicle and (iii) control an HVAC system of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of a construction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 9871671
    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: April 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Sucxess LLC
    Inventor: Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 9852554
    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: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Axel Nix