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: 20190283673
    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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10406980
    Abstract: A vehicular lane change system includes a forward-viewing camera that has a field of view through the vehicle windshield that encompasses a road being traveled along by the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of image data captured by the camera, a control determines the lane traveled by the vehicle. The control is operable to detect a lane change maneuver of the vehicle to a lane immediately adjacent to the lane traveled by the vehicle. Detection of the lane change maneuver is based at least in part on vehicle steering data and/or image processing of captured image data. Responsive to the control detecting the lane change maneuver of the vehicle when the driver of the vehicle has neglected to turn on an appropriate turn signal indicator of the vehicle, the control automatically turns on the turn signal indicator at the appropriate side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20190273896
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10308180
    Abstract: A rear backup system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device including a video display screen operable to display video images viewable by a driver of the vehicle. When a transmission of the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear to commence a backup event, video backup images derived from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed at the video display screen of the display device. Display of the video backup images continues after shifting of the transmission out of reverse gear. Display of the video backup images at the video display screen ceases once a threshold condition is met. The threshold condition may include a threshold period of time elapsing after the transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear. The rear backup video camera continues to capture image data at least until the threshold condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10300866
    Abstract: A method for assembling a camera for a vehicle includes providing a camera housing portion, disposing an imaging sensor at a base portion of the camera housing portion, and disposing a lens system at a first portion of the camera housing portion. A first circuit board is provided that includes circuitry associated with the imaging sensor, which is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first circuit board. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are joined together to encase the first and second circuit boards. The connector portion includes a multi-pin connector having terminals that include (i) a first terminal portion for electrically connecting with a connector of the vehicle and (ii) a second terminal portion that electrically connects with circuitry disposed at the first circuit board when the camera housing portion and the connector portion are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10306190
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined and another vehicle present on the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and forward of the equipped vehicle is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the vehicular control system determines that the detected other vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane to the left of the determined traffic lane along which the equipped vehicle is traveling. A speed control system controls speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to (a) processing of captured image data and (b) map data relevant to a current geographic location of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190158790
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined and another vehicle present on the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and forward of the equipped vehicle is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the vehicular control system determines that the detected other vehicle is travelling in a traffic lane to the left of the determined traffic lane along which the equipped vehicle is traveling. A speed control system controls speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to (a) processing of captured image data and (b) map data relevant to a current geographic location of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190092238
    Abstract: A rear backup system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device including a video display screen operable to display video images viewable by a driver of the vehicle. When a transmission of the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear to commence a backup event, video backup images derived from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed at the video display screen of the display device. Display of the video backup images continues after shifting of the transmission out of reverse gear. Display of the video backup images at the video display screen ceases once a threshold condition is met. The threshold condition may include a threshold period of time elapsing after the transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear. The rear backup video camera continues to capture image data at least until the threshold condition is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20190039516
    Abstract: A vehicular lane change system includes a forward-viewing camera that has a field of view through the vehicle windshield that encompasses a road being traveled along by the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of image data captured by the camera, a control determines the lane traveled by the vehicle. The control is operable to detect a lane change maneuver of the vehicle to a lane immediately adjacent to the lane traveled by the vehicle. Detection of the lane change maneuver is based at least in part on vehicle steering data and/or image processing of captured image data. Responsive to the control detecting the lane change maneuver of the vehicle when the driver of the vehicle has neglected to turn on an appropriate turn signal indicator of the vehicle, the control automatically turns on the turn signal indicator at the appropriate side of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20190023175
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10187615
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera that views through the windshield of the vehicle and captures image data. Responsive at least in part to processing, via a processor of a control, of captured image data, other vehicles exterior the vehicle are detected and road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data that is at least in part relevant to a current geographic location of the vehicle is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver. The data is derived, at least in part, from processing of captured image data. The data is processed at the remote data receiver to determine information relevant to the vehicle. The remote data receiver receives data from another vehicle and, responsive at least in part to processing of data received from the other vehicle, location and/or movement of the other vehicle may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10179545
    Abstract: A park-aid system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing color video camera and at least three other color video cameras, with a first one of the three other color video cameras having a field of view at the driver-side of the vehicle and a second one of the three other color video cameras having a field of view at the passenger-side of the vehicle. A video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a parking maneuver of the vehicle, images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by at least the forward-viewing camera are displayed by the video display screen to assist the driver in operating the vehicle. At least one indication may be provided to the driver of the vehicle during the parking maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Kevin C. McCarthy, Niall R. Lynam, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20190009721
    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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Frank O'Brien, Robert L. Bingle, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10144353
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras viewing exterior the equipped vehicle and at least one non-visual sensor sensing exterior of the equipped vehicle. Captured image data and sensor data are provided to a central data processor. At the central data processor, image data is fused with sensor data and processed in order to detect vehicles that are present external the equipped vehicle. The central data processor includes a digital signal processor operable to process data at a data processioning speed of at least 30 MIPS. Via processing at the central data processor of image data and sensor data, a potential hazard present exterior the equipped vehicle is determined to exist. The potential hazard arises from presence of rear-approaching traffic in at least one of (i) a side lane to the equipped vehicle and (ii) a rear lane to the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180339411
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cable routing approaches that allow cables to pass through a traditional chain joint without reducing the strength capacity or impairing the range of motion of the joint. The routing approaches permit the cables to be housed inside the structure of the robotic arm and pass through the chain joint in a manner that does not limit the width of the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Cole, Paul Damon Linnebur, Dan Alan Preston, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20180309963
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera that views forward through the vehicle windshield and a control including a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, (i) at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected, (ii) other vehicles exterior the vehicle are detected, and (iii) road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived at least in part from captured image data and that is at least in part relevant to a current geographic location of the vehicle is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle for processing to determine information relevant to the vehicle. Speed of the vehicle is controlled based at least in part on image data processed by the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10110860
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera that views forward through the vehicle windshield and a control including a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, (i) at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected, (ii) other vehicles exterior the vehicle are detected, and (iii) road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived at least in part from captured image data and that is at least in part relevant to a current geographic location of the vehicle is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle for processing to determine information relevant to the vehicle. Speed of the vehicle is controlled based at least in part on image data processed by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10099610
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a vision system, a sensing system and a control. The vision system includes a camera and the sensing system includes a radar sensor. Image data captured by the camera is provided to the control and is processed by an image processor of the control. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, lane markers on the road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle are detected and the control determines a lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle. Radar data generated by the radar sensor is provided to the control, which receives vehicle data relating to the equipped vehicle via a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of generated radar data and captured image data, the control detects another vehicle present on the road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10071676
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. Image data captured by the camera is processed by an image processor of a control to determine location of objects present within a scene external the vehicle within the field of view of the camera. The image processor processes captured image data to detect lane markers on a road being driven by the vehicle and located within the field of view of the camera. The control receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle. The vehicle data includes at least (i) data indicative of speed of the vehicle and (ii) data indicative of trajectory of the vehicle. Responsive to processing by the image processor of captured image data, the control may control, at least in part, a pedestrian detection system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10059265
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a driver-side exterior mirror assembly having a driver-side camera for capturing driver-side image data and a passenger-side exterior mirror assembly having a passenger-side camera for capturing passenger-side image data. A video display disposed at the vehicle displays video images derived from image data captured by the driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The video display includes a driver-side display portion and a passenger-side display portion. The driver-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera and does not display video images derived from any passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera. The passenger-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera and does not display video images derived from any driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Frank O'Brien, Robert L. Bingle, Niall R. Lynam