Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen 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).
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Patent number: 11975660Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module configured for mounting at an in-cabin portion of a windshield of a vehicle and including a circuit board and a camera that views forward of the vehicle and through the windshield. The camera includes a CMOS imaging sensor array. A data processor is operable to process image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array is encoded by a data encoder chip. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array that is encoded at the data encoder chip is carried as a data stream from the camera module to the data processor via a cable. Communication via the cable between the camera and the data processor is bidirectional. The data processor is located in the vehicle remote from the camera module.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20240054900Abstract: A vehicular automatic braking system includes a forward-viewing camera, a rearward-viewing camera and a radar sensor disposed at an equipped vehicle. When the equipped vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane of a road and a leading vehicle is present forwardly of the equipped vehicle and travelling in the same traffic lane, braking of the equipped vehicle is automatically controllable to mitigate collision by the equipped vehicle with the leading vehicle. Responsive to determination by the vehicular automatic braking system that a following vehicle is following the equipped vehicle and when the determined following vehicle is within a threshold distance from the equipped vehicle and is approaching the equipped vehicle above a threshold rate of approach, automatic braking of the equipped vehicle to mitigate collision by the equipped vehicle with the leading vehicle is adjusted to mitigate collision at the rear of the equipped vehicle by the determined following vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20240001838Abstract: A vehicular multi-sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a forward-viewing camera and a forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor. The forward-viewing camera views (i) a traffic lane of a multi-lane road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle and (ii) another traffic lane of the multi-lane road, and the field of sensing of the forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor at least encompasses the other traffic lane of the multi-lane road. Image data captured by the forward-viewing camera is transferred to and is processed at an electronic control unit (ECU). 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor is transferred to and processed at the ECU. Responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor, a traffic participant present forward of the equipped vehicle is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230419689Abstract: A vehicular lane keeping system includes a forward-viewing camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is operable to (i) process map data relating to a current geographic location of the vehicle and (ii) process vehicle information relating to current operation of the vehicle in a traffic lane of a road. Responsive to (i) processing of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera and (ii) processing of the map data and (iii) processing of the vehicle information, the vehicular lane keeping system determines a path of travel for the vehicle that keeps the vehicle in the traffic lane during situations where lane markings are not readily determinable. The vehicular lane keeping system determines the path of travel even when no lane markings are present on the road. The vehicular lane keeping system maintains the vehicle along the determined path of travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Dominik Raudszus, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230421907Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board having an imager disposed thereat. The vehicular camera module includes a housing having an upper cover and a lower cover that are joined together. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an image processor. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via a flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board. The imager is disposed within a rear portion of the housing and is not accommodated within a front portion of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11798419Abstract: A vehicular collision mitigation method includes disposing at a vehicle a plurality of cameras, at least two non-camera sensors, and a control that processes data captured by the cameras and non-camera sensors. When the equipped vehicle is traveling forward, and via processing at the control of provided data captured by the forward viewing camera and the at least two non-camera sensors, it is determined if the vehicle is approaching a pedestrian or other vehicle forward of the vehicle. Responsive to such determination, braking by an automatic emergency braking system is controlled to mitigate collision with the pedestrian or other vehicle. Responsive to determination that a following vehicle is following the vehicle within a threshold distance from the vehicle and is approaching the vehicle above a threshold rate of approach, braking by the automatic emergency braking system is adjusted to mitigate collision at the rear of the vehicle by the following vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11794553Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward-viewing camera that views through a windshield forward of a vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera while the equipped vehicle is traveling along a road, another vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle is detected, and the vehicular vision system may determine lateral acceleration of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular vision system may generate an output based at least in part on the determined lateral acceleration of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to determination that the equipped vehicle is approaching a school zone, pedestrian detection via image processing of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera may be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230331152Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230331153Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230303010Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module configured for mounting at an in-cabin portion of a windshield of a vehicle and including a circuit board and a camera that views forward of the vehicle and through the windshield. The camera includes a CMOS imaging sensor array. A data processor is operable to process image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array is encoded by a data encoder chip. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array that is encoded at the data encoder chip is carried as a data stream from the camera module to the data processor via a cable. Communication via the cable between the camera and the data processor is bidirectional. The data processor is located in the vehicle remote from the camera module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11760255Abstract: A vehicular multi-sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a camera and a 3D point-cloud LIDAR. The forward-viewing camera views (i) a traffic lane of a multi-lane road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle and (ii) another traffic lane of the multi-lane road, and the field of sensing of said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor at least encompasses the other traffic lane of the multi-lane road. Image data captured by the forward-viewing camera is provided to and is processed at an electronic control unit (ECU). 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor is provided to and processed at the ECU. Responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor, the ECU detects a traffic participant or pedestrian or other vehicle present exterior of the equipped vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11756316Abstract: A vehicular lane keeping system includes a forward-viewing camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is operable to (i) process map data relating to a current geographic location of the vehicle and (ii) process vehicle information relating to current operation of the vehicle in a traffic lane of a road. Responsive to (i) processing of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera and (ii) processing of the map data and (iii) processing of the vehicle information, the vehicular lane keeping system determines a path of travel for the vehicle that keeps the vehicle in the traffic lane during situations where lane markings are not readily determinable. The vehicular lane keeping system determines the path of travel even when no lane markings are present on the road. The vehicular lane keeping system maintains the vehicle along the determined path of travel.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Dominik Raudszus, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11758274Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board includes an image processor. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. Electrical components disposed at a first side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, electrical components disposed at a second side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, and the electrical connector are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11753007Abstract: A vehicular lane centering system is enabled responsive to speed of the vehicle exceeding a threshold speed and includes a camera and a processor. Based on processing of captured image data, the system determines position of a left lane delimiter and a right lane delimiter on the road. The system establishes a left safe zone delimiter based on the determined position of the left lane delimiter and a right safe zone delimiter based on the determined position of the right lane delimiter. With the system enabled, the system takes corrective action responsive to the vehicular lane centering system determining that the vehicle is at risk of unintentionally crossing the left safe zone delimiter or the right safe zone delimiter. When the system does not determine position of the left lane delimiter or the right lane delimiter for a first period of time, corrective action taken by the system is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen, Ka Chai Cheok, Micho Radovnikovich
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Publication number: 20230254451Abstract: A vehicular monitoring system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing interior of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. Image data captured by the camera is provided to a data processor and is processed at the data processor. A wireless communication link links the vehicle with a remote communication device located remote from the vehicle. The remote communication device, responsive to communication received from the vehicle via the wireless communication link, displays video images derived from image data captured by the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen, Carl W. Shonk
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Patent number: 11718228Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230182639Abstract: A vehicular multi-sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a camera and a 3D point-cloud LIDAR. The forward-viewing camera views (i) a traffic lane of a multi-lane road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle and (ii) another traffic lane of the multi-lane road, and the field of sensing of said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor at least encompasses the other traffic lane of the multi-lane road. Image data captured by the forward-viewing camera is provided to and is processed at an electronic control unit (ECU). 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor is provided to and processed at the ECU. Responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor, the ECU detects a traffic participant or pedestrian or other vehicle present exterior of the equipped vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11667252Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module configured for mounting at an in-cabin portion of a windshield of a vehicle and including a circuit board and a camera that views forward of the vehicle and through the windshield. The camera includes an imaging sensor array. A data processor is operable to process image data captured by the imaging sensor array for at least one system of the vehicle. The imaging sensor array is electrically connected to circuitry of the circuit board via a flexible electrical connection. The imaging sensor array may be controlled via the flexible electrical connection. Image data captured by the imaging sensor array is carried via the flexible electrical connection. With the camera module mounted at the in-cabin portion of the windshield, the circuit board is tilted at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of a lens barrel of the camera.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11627286Abstract: A vehicular sensing system includes a data processor disposed at a vehicle, a camera disposed at an in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield, and a range sensor disposed at the vehicle and having a field of sensing that overlaps a portion of the field of view of the camera. During a driving maneuver of the vehicle, the system detects another vehicle that is located within the radar sensors field of sensing and outside of the camera's field of view and determines movement of the range sensor-detected other vehicle relative to the vehicle. When the range sensor-detected other vehicle enters the field of view of the camera, the system, at least in part via processing at the data processor of image data captured by the camera, determines that the range sensor-detected other vehicle is an object of interest. A system output is provided for use by a driving assist system.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen, Carl W. Shonk
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Publication number: 20230060013Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera having an imaging array. With the camera attached at an in-cabin side of a vehicle windshield, the imaging array of the camera views through the windshield and forward of the equipped vehicle. Image data captured by the imaging array is provided to and processed at an ECU for at least one driving assist system of the vehicle. The captured image data is saved in volatile memory. Responsive to occurrence of an emergency event, image data captured by the imaging array of the camera that is saved in volatile memory for a first period of time prior to the occurrence of the emergency event is moved to non-volatile memory and image data captured by the imaging array of the camera for a second period of time after the occurrence of the emergency event is saved in non-volatile memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventor: Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen