Patents by Inventor Kenneth Schofield

Kenneth Schofield 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: 20210009029
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby the imaging sensor views through the windshield forward of the equipped vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, a control processes captured image data to determine (i) presence of an object of interest viewed by the imaging sensor and (ii) location and/or movement of the object of interest viewed by the imaging sensor. The control, responsive to the processing of captured image data and responsive to vehicle data received via a vehicle communication bus, at least in part provides at least one selected from the group consisting of (a) traffic sign recognition, (b) traffic light status detection, (c) adaptive cruise control and (d) pedestrian detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20200366870
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Upon approach of the vehicle to a curve in the road, speed of the vehicle is reduced to a reduced speed for traveling around the curve in the road at least in part responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of (a) processing of image data captured by the forward viewing camera and (b) data relevant to a current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200331389
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rear backup camera and a display device viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video screen operable to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera. Video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed by the video screen of the display device when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The video screen continues to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera for a threshold time period after the transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted out of reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10800331
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rear backup camera and a display device viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video screen operable to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera. Video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed by the video screen of the display device when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The video screen continues to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera for a threshold time period after the transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted out of reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10787116
    Abstract: An adaptive forward lighting system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera to determine presence of an object in the field of view of the camera. The control receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle, with the vehicle data including vehicle trajectory data. The image processor processes captured image data to determine presence of lane markers in the field of view of the camera. The control adjusts a light beam emitted by a headlamp of the vehicle at least in part responsive to determination of the presence of the object in the field of view of the camera. Adjustment of the light beam of the vehicle headlamp may depend, at least in part, on trajectory of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10773724
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module includes a camera, and electrical circuitry associated with the camera is disposed within the accessory module. The accessory module includes a portion that faces towards the windshield when the accessory module is mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield. The portion includes wall structure, and the lens of the camera protrudes through the wall structure to exterior of the accessory module. The accessory module and mounting element are configured so that, with the accessory module mounted to the mounting element, the lens is facing towards the windshield and the camera has a field of view appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10735695
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, another vehicle present on the road and forward of the vehicle may be detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the system may determine that the detected other vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane to the left or to the right of the traffic lane along which the vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200244929
    Abstract: A vehicular driver assistance system includes an imager disposed at a vehicle and viewing exterior the vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes captured image data for at least a first application and a second application and that is operable to adjust the imager to first and second settings and to process captured image data via first and second processing techniques. The control adjusts the imager to the first or second setting to capture image data for the first or second application, respectively, and the image processor processes image data captured by the imager at the first or second setting via the respective first or second processing technique for the respective first or second application. The first application includes vehicle detection or lane departure warning or object detection and the second application includes headlamp control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph Camilleri, Joel S. Gibson, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20200215994
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a camera having a CMOS image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and circuitry of a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with circuitry of the first printed circuit board. Board-to-board electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards is via a multi-wire ribbon connection. A housing houses the first and second printed circuit boards. The housing is configured for mounting at a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the image sensor, an object in the field of view of the camera is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10703274
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera, a forward viewing camera that views through the vehicle windshield, and a central data processor disposed in the vehicle. Captured image data provided to the central data processor is processed to detect objects that are within the field of view of the forward viewing camera and/or the field of view of the rear backup camera. Captured radar data is also provided to the central data processor and, via processing of captured image data and captured radar data, a potential hazard is determined to exist. A display device includes a video screen that displays video images captured by the rear backup camera for viewing by a driver of the vehicle during the rearward maneuver of the vehicle, and an overlay overlays the displayed video images captured by the rear backup camera during the rearward maneuver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200172013
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera, a forward viewing camera that views through the vehicle windshield, and a central data processor disposed in the vehicle. Captured image data provided to the central data processor is processed to detect objects that are within the field of view of the forward viewing camera and/or the field of view of the rear backup camera. Captured radar data is also provided to the central data processor and, via processing of captured image data and captured radar data, a potential hazard is determined to exist. A display device includes a video screen that displays video images captured by the rear backup camera for viewing by a driver of the vehicle during the rearward maneuver of the vehicle, and an overlay overlays the displayed video images captured by the rear backup camera during the rearward maneuver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10623704
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed at the vehicle and viewing exterior the vehicle. A control includes an image processor and is operable to process captured image data for at least a first application and a second application and to adjust the image sensor to at least two settings and to process captured image data via at least two processing techniques. The control is operable to synchronize the at least two settings of the image sensor and the at least two processing techniques to extract respective information from the captured image data for the first and second applications. The control adjusts a setting of the image sensor to capture image data suitable for the first application or the second application. The image processor processes captured image data via a processing technique suitable for the first application or the second application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Camilleri, Joel S. Gibson, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10596982
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a camera having an image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first printed circuit board. Board-to-board electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards is via a multi-wire ribbon connection. A housing houses the first and second printed circuit boards. The housing is configured for mounting at a windshield of a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the image sensor, an object in the field of view of the camera is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20200059630
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, another vehicle present on the road and forward of the vehicle may be detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the system may determine that the detected other vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane to the left or to the right of the traffic lane along which the vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10556542
    Abstract: A rear backup system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device operable to display video images viewable by a driver of the vehicle. When the vehicle transmission is shifted into reverse gear to commence a backup event, video backup images are displayed and an overlay is also displayed to guide the driver when hitching a trailer hitch of the vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer. When the trailer hitch of the vehicle is within the field of view of the rear backup video camera, the overlay guides the driver to connect the trailer hitch of the vehicle to the trailer tongue of the trailer. Display by the video screen of the video images continues during short term forward movement of the vehicle when maneuvering the vehicle to connect the trailer hitch of the vehicle to the trailer tongue of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10543786
    Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a black-out layer disposed at an upper central region of a windshield as installed in a vehicle, an attachment member configured for attachment at the upper central region of the windshield where the black-out layer is disposed, and an accessory module including a camera. The accessory module is configured to detachably mount at the attachment member at the windshield such that the lens of the camera is spaced from the windshield, and such that the camera views forward of the vehicle through an aperture in the black-out layer via a tapered structure that is widest at the windshield and that tapers from the windshield towards where the lens of the camera is located. The tapered structure is at an acute angle relative to the vehicle windshield. The camera captures image data for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190385756
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, processes, and apparatuses for treating radioactive waste, through systems designed to bind and dry radioactive media. In some of its various embodiments, the system includes at least one helical screw designed to receive and mix liquid wastes with ion exchange media, as well as convey the resulting slurry through one or more of a binding, dewatering, and drying/off-gassing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua MERTZ, Ja-Kael LUEY, Wes BRATTON, Kenneth SCHOFIELD
  • Patent number: 10462426
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, another vehicle present on the road and forward of the vehicle may be detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the system may determine that the detected other vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane to the left of the traffic lane along which the vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10438711
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, processes, and apparatuses for treating radioactive waste, through systems designed to bind and dry radioactive media. In some of its various embodiments, the system includes at least one helical screw designed to receive and mix liquid wastes with ion exchange media, as well as convey the resulting slurry through one or more of a binding, dewatering, and drying/off-gassing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Kurion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Mertz, Ja-Kael Luey, Wes Bratton, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10427604
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a driver-side exterior mirror assembly, a passenger-side mirror assembly and an interior mirror assembly. The fields of view of the mirror reflective elements of the exterior mirror assemblies are adjustable by the driver via a respective actuator. The exterior mirror assemblies include respective cameras that each have a respective rearward field of view that supplements the field of view of the mirror reflective element when viewed by the driver of the vehicle. A video display is disposed behind the mirror reflector of an interior mirror reflective element such that displayed video images are viewable through the mirror reflector of the interior mirror reflective element. The video display includes a driver-side display portion and a passenger-side display portion that each display images derived from image data captured by the respective camera while not displaying images derived from image data captured by the other camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Frank O'Brien, Robert L. Bingle, Niall R. Lynam