Patents by Inventor Eric J. Walstra
Eric J. Walstra 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: 8924078Abstract: An image acquisition and processing system includes an image sensor and one or more processors that are configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image sensor. The dynamic aim of the image sensor is configured as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of an image. To accomplish the task, the system utilizes a series of adaptive thresholds used in parallel comparators to determine whether or not a pixel in a given image scene falls on the edge of a given lane line on a road. The location of the lane lines are then used to determine the scene vanishing point, which ideally will be co-located at the optical scene center. If they are not in agreement, the pixel data set being processed can be adjusted to accommodate for any disagreement.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Oliver M. Jeromin, Steven M. Currie, Gregory S. Bush, Eric J. Walstra, Joseph S. Stam, Timothy S. Cornell
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Publication number: 20120072080Abstract: An image acquisition and processing system includes an image sensor and one or more processors that are configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image sensor. The dynamic aim of the image sensor is configured as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of an image. To accomplish the task, the system utilizes a series of adaptive thresholds used in parallel comparators to determine whether or not a pixel in a given image scene falls on the edge of a given lane line on a road. The location of the lane lines are then used to determine the scene vanishing point, which ideally will be co-located at the optical scene center. If they are not in agreement, the pixel data set being processed can be adjusted to accommodate for any disagreement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: OLIVER JEROMIN, STEVEN CURRIE, GREGORY S. BUSH, ERIC J. WALSTRA, JOSEPH S. STAM, TIMOTHY S. CORNELL
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Patent number: 8065053Abstract: An improved image acquisition and processing system includes an image sensor and one or more processors that are configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image sensor. The dynamic aim of the image sensor is configured as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of an image. The processors are further configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of the extracted feature.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
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Patent number: 8045760Abstract: The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Eric J. Walstra, Keith H. Berends, Brock R. Rycenga, Kevin J. Longworth, David A. Meekhof
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Publication number: 20110125374Abstract: An improved image acquisition and processing system includes an image sensor and one or more processors that are configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image sensor. The dynamic aim of the image sensor is configured as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of an image. The processors are further configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of the extracted feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
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Patent number: 7881839Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes at least one image sensor, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the at least one image sensor, wherein an aim of the at least one image sensor is a function of the at least one image. The processor is further configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of at least one image.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
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Patent number: 7772966Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
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Patent number: 7683326Abstract: A vehicular vision system is disclosed comprising a high dynamic range. The systems and methods are advantages for rear vision, collision avoidance, obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, rain sensing, exterior light control, and lane departure warning, as well as other applications where a given scene may comprise objects having widely varying brightness values.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, Jeremy B. Banks, Eric J. Walstra
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Patent number: 7565006Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatus, algorithms and methods for acquiring and processing images of a scene. Details of various aspects of the associated images are identified and may be utilized to generate various vehicular equipment control signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory A. Mart, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, John K. Roberts, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, Eric J. Walstra, Brock R. Rycenga
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Patent number: 7327226Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
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Patent number: 6980092Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
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Publication number: 20040201483Abstract: The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Eric J. Walstra
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Publication number: 20040143380Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatus, algorithms and methods for acquiring and processing images of a scene. Details of various aspects of the associated images are identified and may be utilized to generate various vehicular equipment control signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory A. Mart, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, John K. Roberts, Mark W. Pierce, Jon H. Bechtel, Eric J. Walstra, Brock R. Rycenga
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Patent number: 6750823Abstract: An inventive rearview mirror assembly is disclosed in which a microwave antenna is mounted so as to receive transmissions from one or more satellites through the front windshield of the vehicle. The microwave antenna may be tuned to receive satellite transmissions from a position identification system constellation of satellites, such as GPS or GLONASS. Additionally, the microwave antenna may be tuned to alternatively or additionally receive transmissions from at least one communication satellite, such as a CD radio satellite. In addition to the inventive rearview mirror assembly, an inventive electrical control system is disclosed that may be used as a navigation system, an electrochromic rearview mirror control system, a head lamp control system, a tire pressure monitoring and display system, a temperature sensing and display system, a vehicle compass system, a vehicle data recorder system, and/or a vehicle odometer verification system.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra
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Publication number: 20040008410Abstract: A vehicular vision system is disclosed comprising a high dynamic range. The systems and methods are advantages for rear vision, collision avoidance, obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, rain sensing, exterior light control, and lane departure warning, as well as other applications where a given scene may comprise objects having widely varying brightness values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, Jeremy B. Banks, Eric J. Walstra
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Publication number: 20020158805Abstract: An inventive rearview mirror assembly is disclosed in which a microwave antenna is mounted so as to receive transmissions from one or more satellites through the front windshield of the vehicle. The microwave antenna may be tuned to receive satellite transmissions from a position identification system constellation of satellites, such as GPS or GLONASS. Additionally, the microwave antenna may be tuned to alternatively or additionally receive transmissions from at least one communication satellite, such as a CD radio satellite. In addition to the inventive rearview mirror assembly, an inventive electrical control system is disclosed that may be used as a navigation system, an electrochromic rearview mirror control system, a head lamp control system, a tire pressure monitoring and display system, a temperature sensing and display system, a vehicle compass system, a vehicle data recorder system, and/or a vehicle odometer verification system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra
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Patent number: 6465963Abstract: An inventive rearview mirror assembly is disclosed in which a microwave antenna is mounted so as to receive transmissions from one or more satellites through the front windshield of the vehicle. The microwave antenna may be tuned to receive satellite transmissions from a position identification system constellation of satellites, such as GPS or GLONASS. Additionally, the microwave antenna may be tuned to alternatively or additionally receive transmissions from at least one communication satellite, such as a CD radio satellite. In addition to the inventive rearview mirror assembly, an inventive electrical control system is disclosed that may be used as a navigation system, an electrochromic rearview mirror control system, a head lamp control system, a tire pressure monitoring and display system, a temperature sensing and display system, a vehicle compass system, a vehicle data recorder system, and/or a vehicle odometer verification system.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra
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Patent number: 6396446Abstract: A microwave antenna for mounting in a vehicle where the antenna includes a dielectric substrate, a conductive resonant patch mounted on one side of the dielectric substrate for receiving signals from a satellite, and a conductive ground plane mounted to an opposite side of the dielectric substrate. The ground plane has an area sufficiently large to shield the resonant patch from any satellite signals that are reflected from a conductive component of the vehicle. The resonant component need not be a patch antenna, but may have another structure such as a helical antenna. The antenna is preferably mounted in a rearview mirror assembly, and the ground plane is configured to shield the resonant component from satellite signals reflected from the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Eric J. Walstra, Robert R. Turnbull
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Publication number: 20020032510Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
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Patent number: 6297781Abstract: An inventive rearview mirror assembly is disclosed in which a microwave antenna is mounted so as to receive transmissions from one or more satellites through the front windshield of the vehicle. The microwave antenna may be tuned to receive satellite transmissions from a position identification system constellation of satellites, such as GPS or GLONASS. Additionally, the microwave antenna may be tuned to alternatively or additionally receive transmissions from at least one communication satellite, such as a CD radio satellite. In addition to the inventive rearview mirror assembly, an inventive electrical control system is disclosed that may be used as a navigation system, an electrochromic rearview mirror control system, a head lamp control system, a tire pressure monitoring and display system, a temperature sensing and display system, a vehicle compass system, a vehicle data recorder system, and/or a vehicle odometer verification system.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra