Patents by Inventor Clarence P. McElroy

Clarence P. McElroy 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: 10805550
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Yuesheng Lu, Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20200269794
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes an underbody camera disposed at an underside of a body of a vehicle such that a ground surface under the body of the vehicle and being traveled on by the vehicle is at least partially viewed by the underbody camera. A control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the underbody camera. The underbody camera views at least forward or at least rearward, and the control, via processing of image data captured by the underbody camera, determines presence of an object forward or rearward of the underbody camera and having height greater than a threshold height. The control, responsive to determination of presence of the object under the body of the vehicle that has height greater than the threshold height, generates an output to inform a driver of the vehicle of presence of the determined object under the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Theodore J. Church, Clarence P. McElroy, Timothy M. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20200172022
    Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera and mounting the vehicular camera at a vehicle includes providing a vehicular camera having a camera-locking structure configured for engagement with a vehicle panel-locking structure at a vehicle panel of the vehicle at which the vehicular camera is to be mounted. The vehicular camera is mounted at the vehicle panel by inserting a portion of the vehicular camera through an aperture of the vehicle panel and inserting the camera-locking structure through corresponding portions of the aperture of the vehicle panel, and rotating the camera-locking structure to a locked position, whereby the camera-locking structure is engaged with the vehicle panel-locking structure. With the camera-locking structure engaged with the vehicle panel-locking structure, locking surfaces of the camera-locking structure engage respective locking surfaces of the vehicle panel-locking structure to limit axial movement of the vehicular camera relative to the vehicle panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10647282
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one underbody camera disposed at an underside of a vehicle and having a field of view encompassing a ground surface under the vehicle and being traveled on by the vehicle. The underbody camera captures image data as the vehicle is moving. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the underbody camera. The control, responsive to processing of image data captured by the underbody camera, detects an object under the vehicle that is greater than a threshold height. The control, responsive to detection of the object, generates an output to inform a driver of the vehicle of the detected object under the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Church, Clarence P. McElroy, Timothy M. Phillips
  • Patent number: 10556555
    Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera includes providing a front camera housing portion and a rear camera housing portion. The front camera housing portion accommodates a lens, an imager and a circuit board, with the circuit board having at least one front housing electrical connector. The rear camera housing portion includes at least one rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear camera housing portion are positioned so that the front housing electrical connector aligns with the rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear camera housing portions are joined together to define a camera housing interior. When the front and rear camera housing portions are joined together, the front housing electrical connector mechanically and electrically connects within the camera interior with the rear housing electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20190135216
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one underbody camera disposed at an underside of a vehicle and having a field of view encompassing a ground surface under the vehicle and being traveled on by the vehicle. The underbody camera captures image data as the vehicle is moving. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the underbody camera. The control, responsive to processing of image data captured by the underbody camera, detects an object under the vehicle that is greater than a threshold height. The control, responsive to detection of the object, generates an output to inform a driver of the vehicle of the detected object under the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Theodore J. Church, Clarence P. McElroy, Timothy M. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20190118860
    Abstract: A trailer maneuvering guidance system for a vehicle includes vehicle-based cameras disposed at a vehicle and a trailer camera disposed at a rear portion of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. A control includes a processor that processes image data captured by the cameras. A display screen is disposed in the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The display screen displays images derived from captured image data, with the displayed images including bird's-eye view images of a region at least partially surrounding the vehicle and trailer including an area rearward of the trailer. Responsive to a user input selecting a target path in the displayed images, the control, via processing of captured image data, generates instructions for the driver of the vehicle to follow to maneuver the vehicle and trailer along the selected target path and toward a target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jyothi P. Gali, Clarence P. McElroy, Timothy M. Phillips, Theodore J. Church
  • Publication number: 20190092250
    Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera includes providing a front camera housing portion and a rear camera housing portion. The front camera housing portion accommodates a lens, an imager and a circuit board, with the circuit board having at least one front housing electrical connector. The rear camera housing portion includes at least one rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear camera housing portion are positioned so that the front housing electrical connector aligns with the rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear camera housing portions are joined together to define a camera housing interior. When the front and rear camera housing portions are joined together, the front housing electrical connector mechanically and electrically connects within the camera interior with the rear housing electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20190064831
    Abstract: A trailer assist system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors disposed at a vehicle, a trailer sensor disposed at a rear portion of a trailer and having a field of sensing at least rearward of the trailer, and a control having a processor operable to process data captured by the sensors. A display screen displays an area rearward of the trailer. Responsive to a user input selecting a target area present in the displayed image, the control, via processing of data captured by the sensors, is operable to determine a path of travel for the vehicle and trailer to follow to maneuver the vehicle and trailer toward a target location represented by the selected displayed target area. The control, responsive to determination of the path of travel, controls at least steering of the vehicle to maneuver the vehicle and trailer along the determined path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jyothi P. Gali, Richard C. Bozich, Nikhil Gupta, Daniel W. Hodgman, Timothy M. Phillips, Clarence P. McElroy
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10137843
    Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera includes providing a front housing member and a rear housing member. The front housing member includes a lens member, an imaging element and a circuit board mounted thereat, with the circuit board having at least first and second front housing electrical connectors. The rear housing member includes at least first and second rear housing electrical connectors. The front and rear housing members are positioned so that the first front housing electrical connector aligns with the first rear housing electrical connector and the second front housing electrical connector aligns with the second rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear housing members are joined together to define a camera interior. When the front and rear housing members are joined together, the front housing electrical connectors mechanically contact and electrically connect within the camera interior with the rear housing electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20160264066
    Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera includes providing a front housing member and a rear housing member. The front housing member includes a lens member, an imaging element and a circuit board mounted thereat, with the circuit board having at least first and second front housing electrical connectors. The rear housing member includes at least first and second rear housing electrical connectors. The front and rear housing members are positioned so that the first front housing electrical connector aligns with the first rear housing electrical connector and the second front housing electrical connector aligns with the second rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear housing members are joined together to define a camera interior. When the front and rear housing members are joined together, the front housing electrical connectors mechanically contact and electrically connect within the camera interior with the rear housing electrical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 9346415
    Abstract: A camera for mounting on a vehicle includes a front housing member, a rear housing member, a lens member mounted to the front housing member and an imaging element positioned to receive images from the lens member. A circuit board is mounted to the front housing member and is configured to send to another component signals relating to images received by the imaging element. The circuit board has at least one front electrical connector thereon. The rear housing member has at least one rear electrical connector extending therefrom, with the rear electrical connector electrically connected to the front electrical connector. The rear housing member has a rear alignment structure that aligns the rear electrical connector with respect to the front electrical connector. The rear housing member and the front housing member are unaligned and the rear housing member mates with the front housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20160031370
    Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes first and second cameras configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have respective fields of view. The first camera generates a first video output of images. The second camera generates a second video output of images. The first and second cameras operate asynchronously. A display is configured to be disposed in the vehicle for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The display is operable to display video images captured by the first and second cameras. A control is operable to select one of the first and second video outputs for display of respective video images at the display. The control is operable to apply a dark display signal during a synchronizing period when the control switches from use of the first video output to use of the second video output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Clarence P. McElroy
  • Publication number: 20150172527
    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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Yuesheng Lu, Axel Nix
  • Publication number: 20150035986
    Abstract: A camera for mounting on a vehicle includes a front housing member, a rear housing member, a lens member mounted to the front housing member and an imaging element positioned to receive images from the lens member. A circuit board is mounted to the front housing member and is configured to send to another component signals relating to images received by the imaging element. The circuit board has at least one front electrical connector thereon. The rear housing member has at least one rear electrical connector extending therefrom, with the rear electrical connector electrically connected to the front electrical connector. The rear housing member has a rear alignment structure that aligns the rear electrical connector with respect to the front electrical connector. The rear housing member and the front housing member are unaligned and the rear housing member mates with the front housing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Clarence P. McElroy, Matthew C. Sesti, Richard Rieden, Steven V. Byrne