Patents by Inventor Horst D. Diessner

Horst D. Diessner 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: 11014561
    Abstract: A trailer hitching assist system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and having a field of view rearward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The image processor, via image processing of image data captured by the camera, detects a trailer and trailer hitch rearward of the vehicle and determines a first path of travel for the vehicle to follow so as to maneuver the vehicle so as to have its tow ball aligned with the trailer hitch. The control maneuvers the vehicle along the determined first path of travel. Responsive to detection of an object entering the first path of travel, the control determines a second path of travel and maneuvers the vehicle along the second path of travel to avoid the detected object entering the determined path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nikhil Gupta, Horst D. Diessner, Richard Bozich, Jyothi P. Gali, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Hilda Faraji, Miad Moarref, Xai Phan, Galina Okouneva, Brijendra Kumar Bharti
  • Patent number: 10936884
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. The vision system determines conditions where processing of captured image data degrades in performance due to environmental conditions. The vision system, responsive to a determined condition, determines a safe state for image processing of captured image data for that determined condition. A failsafe algorithm, responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera and responsive to the determined condition, and in accordance with the determined safe state for that determined condition, determines true negatives and avoids false positives and false negatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Richard C. Bozich, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Anant Kumar Lall, Nikhil Gupta
  • Patent number: 10930004
    Abstract: A method of detecting a trailer angle of a trailer being towed by a vehicle includes capturing frames of image data via a camera of the vehicle while the vehicle is towing a trailer, and, via processing by an image processor of frames of captured image data while the vehicle is towing the trailer, determining presence of the trailer being towed by the vehicle, and determining feature vectors of the trailer being towed by the vehicle. The feature vectors of the trailer are determined by determining features that have similar angular changes between a current frame of captured image data and a previous frame of captured image data. The angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle is determined responsive to tracking of determined feature vectors of the trailer present in the field of view of the camera over multiple frames of captured image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru
  • Publication number: 20200282974
    Abstract: A vehicular parking system includes a plurality of exterior viewing cameras, at least one receiver and a control. The control, when the vehicle is located at an entrance of a parking structure, controls the vehicle to autonomously drive the vehicle from the entrance of the parking structure toward a parking location in the parking structure. The parking structure includes a positioning system having a plurality of short range communication devices at known locations at the parking structure. Responsive to communication signals generated by the devices, the control determines the location of the vehicle relative to the known locations and drives the vehicle from the entrance of the parking structure toward the parking location in the parking structure. With the vehicle positioned at the parking location, and responsive at least to image processing by the image processor of captured image data, the control parks the vehicle in the parking location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
  • Publication number: 20200262344
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes forward viewing camera and a rear camera each having a respective field of view exterior of the vehicle. Each of the cameras has an LVDS chip and connects with a control via a respective mono coaxial cable. Each mono coaxial cable carries via LVDS image data captured by the respective camera. Image data captured by the forward viewing camera and carried to the control by the respective mono coaxial cable is processed at the control for object detection. The control generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle, the video display device having a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The video display screen displays video images of an area rearward of the vehicle derived from image data captured by the rear camera and carried to the control by the respective mono coaxial cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
  • Patent number: 10706291
    Abstract: A trailer angle detection system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of the vehicle. The camera includes a two dimensional imager array having multiple rows and columns of photosensing elements. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera. With the vehicle towing a trailer, and via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, the trailer angle detection system detects a portion of the trailer that is being towed by the vehicle. The trailer angle detection system determines, via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle responsive to determination of which columns of photosensing elements sense the detected portion of the trailer in the field of view of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva
  • Publication number: 20200175707
    Abstract: A method of detecting a trailer angle of a trailer being towed by a vehicle includes capturing frames of image data via a camera of the vehicle while the vehicle is towing a trailer, and, via processing by an image processor of frames of captured image data while the vehicle is towing the trailer, determining presence of the trailer being towed by the vehicle, and determining feature vectors of the trailer being towed by the vehicle. The feature vectors of the trailer are determined by determining features that have similar angular changes between a current frame of captured image data and a previous frame of captured image data. The angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle is determined responsive to tracking of determined feature vectors of the trailer present in the field of view of the camera over multiple frames of captured image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru
  • Patent number: 10640040
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes front, rear, driver-side camera and passenger-side cameras each having a respective field of view exterior of the vehicle. Each of the cameras connects with a central video/image processor via a respective mono coaxial cable. Image data captured by the imaging sensor of each camera is carried as captured to the central video/image processor via said the respective mono coaxial cable as a Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS). The central video/image processor generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle, with the video display device having a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The video display screen is operable to display a birds-eye view of an area around the vehicle. The birds-eye view of the area around the vehicle is derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the imaging sensors of the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
  • Patent number: 10552976
    Abstract: A trailer angle detection system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a rearward viewing camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle, and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing of captured image data when the vehicle is towing a trailer, the trailer angle detection system determines the presence of the trailer at the rear of the vehicle and attached at the vehicle and determines feature vectors of the detected trailer over multiple frames of captured image data. Responsive to movement of the trailer relative to the vehicle, the trailer angle detection system tracks feature vectors for different positions of the detected trailer. The trailer angle detection system determines an angle of the trailer responsive to detection of tracking of feature vectors the trailer in the field of view of the camera over multiple frames of captured image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru
  • Patent number: 10493917
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer backup assist system is operable to steer a vehicle, with a trailer connected at the rear of the vehicle, during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle and trailer. The system electronically overlays a plurality of zones over displayed video images, with each individual zone of the overlayed plurality of zones being indicative of a respective individual region rearward of the vehicle and trailer. Responsive to a selected zone of travel for the trailer, the control controls steering of the vehicle to steer the vehicle to guide the trailer towards the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel during reversing of the vehicle and trailer. The driver of the vehicle manually adjusts steering of the vehicle to more accurately steer the vehicle towards a target location within the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Horst D. Diessner, Christian Weber
  • Publication number: 20190143895
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer backup assist system is operable to steer a vehicle, with a trailer connected at the rear of the vehicle, during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle and trailer. The system electronically overlays a plurality of zones over displayed video images, with each individual zone of the overlayed plurality of zones being indicative of a respective individual region rearward of the vehicle and trailer. Responsive to a selected zone of travel for the trailer, the control controls steering of the vehicle to steer the vehicle to guide the trailer towards the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel during reversing of the vehicle and trailer. The driver of the vehicle manually adjusts steering of the vehicle to more accurately steer the vehicle towards a target location within the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Horst D. Diessner, Christian Weber
  • Publication number: 20190039518
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rearward viewing camera and a control, which includes a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the control, via processing of captured image data, detects points of interest of detected objects. Responsive to detection of the points of interest of the detected objects, the control determines if the detected objects have height dimensions and determines that objects having a height dimension greater than a threshold height are objects of interest. During the reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the control determines distances to the determined objects of interest and determines which object of interest is closest to the vehicle. During the reversing maneuver of the vehicle, responsive to the determination of the closest object of interest rearward of the vehicle, the control determines whether the determined closest object of interest is a potential hazard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
  • Publication number: 20190001889
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes front, rear, driver-side camera and passenger-side cameras each having a respective field of view exterior of the vehicle. Each of the cameras connects with a central video/image processor via a respective mono coaxial cable. Image data captured by the imaging sensor of each camera is carried as captured to the central video/image processor via said the respective mono coaxial cable as a Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS). The central video/image processor generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle, with the video display device having a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The video display screen is operable to display a birds-eye view of an area around the vehicle. The birds-eye view of the area around the vehicle is derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the imaging sensors of the cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
  • Patent number: 10160382
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior and rearward of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. With a trailer connected at the rear of the vehicle, the image processor is operable to determine an angle of the trailer relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A user input is operable by a user to select a general direction or zone of travel of the trailer during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle. Responsive to the determined trailer angle and the selected zone of travel, the trailer backup assist system is operable to control the steering of the vehicle to drive the vehicle and trailer rearward such that the trailer travels generally towards a region encompassed by the selected direction or zone of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Horst D. Diessner, Christian Weber
  • Publication number: 20180276839
    Abstract: A trailer angle detection system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a rearward viewing camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle, and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing of captured image data when the vehicle is towing a trailer, the trailer angle detection system determines the presence of the trailer at the rear of the vehicle and attached at the vehicle and determines feature vectors of the detected trailer over multiple frames of captured image data. Responsive to movement of the trailer relative to the vehicle, the trailer angle detection system tracks feature vectors for different positions of the detected trailer. The trailer angle detection system determines an angle of the trailer responsive to detection of tracking of feature vectors the trailer in the field of view of the camera over multiple frames of captured image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva, Akinyele O. Ikuseru
  • Patent number: 10071687
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes multiple cameras disposed at a vehicle each having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A display device is operable to display, for viewing by a driver of the vehicle, at least one of (a) video images captured by at least some of the cameras and (b) a composite image formed from image data captured by at least some of the cameras. The image data captured by at least some of the cameras is sent to a central video/image processor and the sent image data is substantially unmodified and is as captured by the respective ones of the camera or cameras. At least one of the cameras may have a tunable lens. The camera may provide almost raw image data to the display device and a graphic engine may run as a routine at the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Andreas Koppe, Achim Gieseke, Hossam Mahmoud, Horst D. Diessner
  • Publication number: 20180253608
    Abstract: A trailer angle detection system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of the vehicle. The camera includes a two dimensional imager array having multiple rows and columns of photosensing elements. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera. With the vehicle towing a trailer, and via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, the trailer angle detection system detects a portion of the trailer that is being towed by the vehicle. The trailer angle detection system determines, via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle responsive to determination of which columns of photosensing elements sense the detected portion of the trailer in the field of view of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Jyothi P. Gali, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Galina Okouneva
  • Publication number: 20180215382
    Abstract: A trailer hitching assist system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and having a field of view rearward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The image processor, via image processing of image data captured by the camera, detects a trailer and trailer hitch rearward of the vehicle and determines a first path of travel for the vehicle to follow so as to maneuver the vehicle so as to have its tow ball aligned with the trailer hitch. The control maneuvers the vehicle along the determined first path of travel. Responsive to detection of an object entering the first path of travel, the control determines a second path of travel and maneuvers the vehicle along the second path of travel to avoid the detected object entering the determined path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Nikhil Gupta, Horst D. Diessner, Richard Bozich, Jyothi P. Gali, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Hilda Faraji, Miad Moarref, Xai Phan, Galina Okouneva, Brijendra Kumar Bharti
  • Publication number: 20180215313
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes first and second cameras configured to be disposed at respective locations at the vehicle so as to have respective first and second fields of view exterior of the vehicle. The locations are vertically and horizontally spaced apart by respective vertical and horizontal separation distances. With the first and second cameras disposed at the respective locations, the first field of view at least partially overlaps the second field of view. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the cameras. The control, with the first and second cameras disposed at the respective locations, and responsive to processing of captured image data and based on the separation distances, is operable to determine presence of an object in the first and second fields of view and to determine the location of the object in three dimensional space relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Horst D. Diessner
  • Publication number: 20180211118
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. The vision system determines conditions where processing of captured image data degrades in performance due to environmental conditions. The vision system, responsive to a determined condition, determines a safe state for image processing of captured image data for that determined condition. A failsafe algorithm, responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera and responsive to the determined condition, and in accordance with the determined safe state for that determined condition, determines true negatives and avoids false positives and false negatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Horst D. Diessner, Richard C. Bozich, Aleksandar Stefanovic, Anant Kumar Lall, Nikhil Gupta