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).

  • Patent number: 8924078
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Oliver M. Jeromin, Steven M. Currie, Gregory S. Bush, Eric J. Walstra, Joseph S. Stam, Timothy S. Cornell
  • Publication number: 20120072080
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: OLIVER JEROMIN, STEVEN CURRIE, GREGORY S. BUSH, ERIC J. WALSTRA, JOSEPH S. STAM, TIMOTHY S. CORNELL
  • Patent number: 8065053
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 8045760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Eric J. Walstra, Keith H. Berends, Brock R. Rycenga, Kevin J. Longworth, David A. Meekhof
  • Publication number: 20110125374
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 7881839
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 7772966
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
  • Patent number: 7683326
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, Jeremy B. Banks, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 7565006
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7327226
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
  • Patent number: 6980092
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
  • Publication number: 20040201483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various improvements relating to automatic vehicle equipment control systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Eric J. Walstra
  • Publication number: 20040143380
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 6750823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra
  • Publication number: 20040008410
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Keith H. Berends, Gregory S. Bush, Jeremy B. Banks, Eric J. Walstra
  • Publication number: 20020158805
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 6465963
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 6396446
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Walstra, Robert R. Turnbull
  • Publication number: 20020032510
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe, John K. Roberts, Wayne J. Rumsey
  • Patent number: 6297781
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Eric J. Walstra