Patents by Inventor Joshua G. Windeler

Joshua G. Windeler 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).

  • Publication number: 20220363194
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes an A-pillar display device disposed at an interior A-pillar region of a vehicle, a blind spot camera, and a driver monitoring camera. The blind spot camera at least partially views an A-pillar blind spot region forward and sideward of the vehicle. An ECU receives image data captured by the blind spot camera. The A-pillar display device displays A-pillar blind spot video images derived from video image signals provided from the ECU. The ECU receives and processes image data captured by the driver monitoring camera to determine a gaze direction of the driver. Responsive to the determined gaze direction being toward the A-pillar blind spot region, the ECU provides video image signals derived from image data captured by the blind spot camera to the A-pillar display device. The A-pillar display device displays A-pillar blind spot video images derived from the received video image signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Joshua G. Windeler
  • Patent number: 11465560
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rear backup vehicle camera, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer, a display device disposed in the vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed in the vehicle. With the trailer not hitched to the vehicle and during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the ECU generates video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the rear backup vehicle camera and the display device displays the video images. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle, image data captured by the trailer camera is provided to the vehicle via data communication over powerline using a DC powerline, and the display device displays the video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the trailer camera for viewing by the driver of the vehicle during the driving maneuver of the vehicle with the trailer hitched thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Publication number: 20220080889
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rear backup vehicle camera, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer, a display device disposed in the vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed in the vehicle. With the trailer not hitched to the vehicle and during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the ECU generates video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the rear backup vehicle camera and the display device displays the video images. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle, image data captured by the trailer camera is provided to the vehicle via data communication over powerline using a DC powerline, and the display device displays the video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the trailer camera for viewing by the driver of the vehicle during the driving maneuver of the vehicle with the trailer hitched thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Patent number: 11180083
    Abstract: A vehicular multi-camera vision system includes a plurality of exterior viewing vehicle cameras disposed at a vehicle, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer and viewing rearward, an ECU and a display device in the vehicle. With the trailer not hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle, image data captured by the vehicle cameras is provided to the ECU and the display device displays video images generated by the ECU and derived from image data captured by the vehicle cameras. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle towing the trailer, image data captured by the trailer camera and the vehicle cameras is provided to the ECU and the display device displays video images generated by the ECU and derived from image data captured by the trailer camera and side viewing vehicle cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Patent number: 11072284
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a vehicle camera docking station disposed at a vehicle, a trailer camera docking station disposed at a rear of a trailer, and a camera operable to capture image data and to communicate captured image data to a data receiving device at the vehicle. When the trailer is not hitched to the vehicle, the camera is disposed at the vehicle camera docking station so as to have a field of view rearward of the vehicle. When the trailer is hitched to the vehicle, the camera is removed from the vehicle camera docking station and disposed at the trailer camera docking station so as to have a field of view rearward of the trailer. The camera captures image data and communicates captured image data to the data receiving device, which receives the communicated image data. A display device displays video images derived from the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joshua G. Windeler, Krishna Koravadi
  • Publication number: 20210178971
    Abstract: A vehicular multi-camera vision system includes a plurality of exterior viewing vehicle cameras disposed at a vehicle, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer and viewing rearward, an ECU and a display device in the vehicle. With the trailer not hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle, image data captured by the vehicle cameras is provided to the ECU and the display device displays video images generated by the ECU and derived from image data captured by the vehicle cameras. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle towing the trailer, image data captured by the trailer camera and the vehicle cameras is provided to the ECU and the display device displays video images generated by the ECU and derived from image data captured by the trailer camera and side viewing vehicle cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Patent number: 10933810
    Abstract: A vehicular surround vision system includes a plurality of vehicular cameras disposed at a vehicle and having respective exterior fields of view, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer and having a rearward field of view, an ECU and a display device in the vehicle. With the trailer not hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle, the display device displays surround view video images derived from image data captured by at least the rearward viewing and sideward viewing vehicular cameras and provided to the ECU. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, the display device displays surround view video images derived from image data captured by the trailer camera and provided to the ECU and image data captured by at least some of the vehicular cameras and provided to the ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Publication number: 20200262346
    Abstract: A vehicular surround vision system includes a plurality of vehicular cameras disposed at a vehicle and having respective exterior fields of view, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer and having a rearward field of view, an ECU and a display device in the vehicle. With the trailer not hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle, the display device displays surround view video images derived from image data captured by at least the rearward viewing and sideward viewing vehicular cameras and provided to the ECU. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and during a driving maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, the display device displays surround view video images derived from image data captured by the trailer camera and provided to the ECU and image data captured by at least some of the vehicular cameras and provided to the ECU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Patent number: 10640042
    Abstract: A vehicular surround vision system includes a plurality of vehicle cameras disposed at a vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior the vehicle, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer and having a field of view rearward of the trailer, and a display device in the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) receives image data captured by the plurality of vehicle cameras. The display device displays surround view images responsive to the ECU. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle, the ECU receives image data captured by the trailer camera and the display device displays surround view images responsive to the ECU, with the displayed surround view images derived from image data captured by the trailer camera and at least some of the vehicle cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Publication number: 20190299862
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a vehicle camera docking station disposed at a vehicle, a trailer camera docking station disposed at a rear of a trailer, and a camera operable to capture image data and to communicate captured image data to a data receiving device at the vehicle. When the trailer is not hitched to the vehicle, the camera is disposed at the vehicle camera docking station so as to have a field of view rearward of the vehicle. When the trailer is hitched to the vehicle, the camera is removed from the vehicle camera docking station and disposed at the trailer camera docking station so as to have a field of view rearward of the trailer. The camera captures image data and communicates captured image data to the data receiving device, which receives the communicated image data. A display device displays video images derived from the received image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua G. Windeler, Krishna Koravadi
  • Publication number: 20190299859
    Abstract: A vehicular surround vision system includes a plurality of vehicle cameras disposed at a vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior the vehicle, a trailer camera disposed at a rear of a trailer and having a field of view rearward of the trailer, and a display device in the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) receives image data captured by the plurality of vehicle cameras. The display device displays surround view images responsive to the ECU. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle, the ECU receives image data captured by the trailer camera and the display device displays surround view images responsive to the ECU, with the displayed surround view images derived from image data captured by the trailer camera and at least some of the vehicle cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Krishna Koravadi, Vivek Vaid, Joshua G. Windeler, Heinz A. Mattern
  • Patent number: 9834140
    Abstract: A method of providing visual reverse steering guidance indicators on a display in a vehicle includes having an electronic control unit display on a display in the vehicle an image of an area behind the vehicle that includes a target, display a projected path track of a projected path that the vehicle will travel based on a current alignment of a steering system of the vehicle, display a visual indicator of whether the projected path matches a target path that the vehicle must travel in reverse to align the vehicle with the target, when the projected path does not match the target path, displaying a visual indicator of a direction that a steering wheel of the vehicle must be turned to align the projected path with the target path, and updating the visual guidance indicators in real time as the vehicle is driven in reverse toward the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Joshua G Windeler
  • Patent number: 9457632
    Abstract: A method and system of avoiding a collision between an object attached to a rear of a vehicle and an object behind the vehicle during reverse maneuvering of the vehicle includes determining with an electronic control unit of the vehicle an adjusted top height of a first object attached to a rear of the vehicle. The electronic control unit then determines whether the adjusted top height is lower than a clearance height of a second object behind the vehicle and unattached to the vehicle. Upon determining that the adjusted top height of the first object is not lower than the clearance height of the second object, the electronic control unit determines that the first object would collide with the second object if the vehicle is reverse maneuvered too close to the second object and upon determining that the collision would occur alerting a user of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Joshua G Windeler, Ross S Maunders
  • Publication number: 20160023601
    Abstract: A method of providing visual reverse steering guidance indicators on a display in a vehicle includes having an electronic control unit display on a display in the vehicle an image of an area behind the vehicle that includes a target, display a projected path track of a projected path that the vehicle will travel based on a current alignment of a steering system of the vehicle, display a visual indicator of whether the projected path matches a target path that the vehicle must travel in reverse to align the vehicle with the target, when the projected path does not match the target path, displaying a visual indicator of a direction that a steering wheel of the vehicle must be turned to align the projected path with the target path, and updating the visual guidance indicators in real time as the vehicle is driven in reverse toward the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Joshua G. Windeler
  • Patent number: 8972178
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reporting occupied and unoccupied parking spaces are disclosed. The techniques include determining that a mobile computing device has entered a parking area and determining whether the mobile computing device has entered a pedestrian mode. The pedestrian mode is indicative of a user of the mobile computing device parking a vehicle and exiting the vehicle. When the mobile computing device has entered the pedestrian mode, the technique includes determining a first location of the mobile computing device at a first time corresponding to the mobile computing device entering the pedestrian mode, and providing an occupied notification to a remote computing device, the occupied notification including the first location and indicating that a parking spot corresponding to the first location is occupied. Techniques are further disclosed for reporting unoccupied parking spaces to the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Joshua G Windeler, Patrick Minjeur, Jonathan M Rener, Ross S Maunders
  • Publication number: 20140156183
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reporting occupied and unoccupied parking spaces are disclosed. The techniques include determining that a mobile computing device has entered a parking area and determining whether the mobile computing device has entered a pedestrian mode. The pedestrian mode is indicative of a user of the mobile computing device parking a vehicle and exiting the vehicle. When the mobile computing device has entered the pedestrian mode, the technique includes determining a first location of the mobile computing device at a first time corresponding to the mobile computing device entering the pedestrian mode, and providing an occupied notification to a remote computing device, the occupied notification including the first location and indicating that a parking spot corresponding to the first location is occupied. Techniques are further disclosed for reporting unoccupied parking spaces to the mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Joshua G. Windeler, Patrick Minjeur, Jonathan M. Rener, Ross S. Maunders
  • Patent number: 8593011
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a switch that is movable between first and second positions in a linear direction and moveable between third and fourth positions in a rotational direction. The system also comprises a control module that responds to the switch when the switch is in both the second position and the fourth position. The control module does not respond to the switch being moved from the third position to the fourth position unless the switch is also moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Joshua G. Windeler
  • Publication number: 20110278139
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a switch that is movable between first and second positions in a linear direction and moveable between third and fourth positions in a rotational direction. The system also comprises a control module that responds to the switch when the switch is in both the second position and the fourth position. The control module does not respond to the switch being moved from the third position to the fourth position unless the switch is also moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Joshua G. Windeler