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).

  • Patent number: 9609289
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, lane markers of a road along which the vehicle is traveling are detected, other vehicles are detected, and road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. The vehicle includes a global positioning system and a vehicle communication system operable for wireless communication with an external control located remote from the vehicle. The current geographic location of the vehicle and data derived from captured image data are wirelessly communicated to the external control. The received current geographic location and data are processed at the external control and information that is derived, at least in part, from such processing is wirelessly communicated from the external control to the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20170060810
    Abstract: A vehicle system and method are disclosed for the acquisition and transformation of data from vehicle mounted sensors oriented to monitor the environment proximate the vehicle for relevant objects. Data transformations are accomplished using polar to Cartesian debiased corrections, recursive filters, and measurement-to-track update techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Alan Preston, Joseph David Preston, Rick Scott Blum, Thomas August Manos, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20170028916
    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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20160375821
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20160381326
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, lane markers of a road along which the vehicle is traveling are detected, other vehicles are detected, and road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. The vehicle includes a global positioning system and a vehicle communication system operable for wireless communication with an external control located remote from the vehicle. The current geographic location of the vehicle and data derived from captured image data are wirelessly communicated to the external control. The received current geographic location and data are processed at the external control and information that is derived, at least in part, from such processing is wirelessly communicated from the external control to the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20160375830
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a plurality of video cameras having respective fields of view external of the vehicle. Captured image data is provided to and processed at a central data processor in order to detect objects that are within the field of view of at least some of the video cameras. The vehicle is equipped with a sensor system having at least one non-visual sensor that senses sensor data in a region external of the vehicle. The sensed sensor data is provided to the central data processor. A potential hazard present exterior the vehicle is determined to exist via processing at the central data processor of at least one of received image data and received sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20160314865
    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: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Kurion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua MERTZ, Ja-Kael LUEY, Wes BRATTON, Kenneth SCHOFIELD
  • Patent number: 9463744
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera and a control comprising an image processor that processes image data captured by the forward facing camera. The control receives vehicle data relating to the vehicle, including vehicle speed and vehicle steering angle, via a vehicle bus of the vehicle. Via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the forward facing camera, the control is operable to detect a road marking on the road being traveled by the vehicle and to the left of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor, the control determines a driving condition of the vehicle, such as the type of lane markers present ahead of the vehicle, a traffic condition at or ahead of the vehicle, and/or a hazardous condition at or ahead of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 9446715
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an attachment element adhered to the in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield at a windshield first location and an attachment member adhered to the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield at a windshield second location. The attachment element is configured for mounting thereto an interior rearview mirror assembly. An accessory module is configured to attach to and be supported by the attachment member adhered to the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The accessory module includes a forward facing camera that has a field of view through the vehicle windshield. The forward facing camera may be a component of a collision avoidance system of the vehicle. A light absorbing layer may be disposed at the vehicle windshield to at least partially mask the presence of the attachment element and/or the accessory module from view through the vehicle windshield from outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9440586
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear-mounted video camera, a front-mounted video camera, and first and second side-mounted video cameras at respective sides of the vehicle. Captured image data is processed at a central data processor to generate video images for display on a video screen. The captured image data is processed at the central data processor in order to detect objects that are within the combined field of view of the video cameras. At least one non-visual sensor captures sensor data in a region external of the vehicle and the captured sensor data is provided to the central data processor. An alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle is generated when, via processing at the central data processor of at least one of received image data and received sensor data, a potential hazard is determined to exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9440535
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The camera has a two-dimensional array of photosensing elements that includes photosensing elements arranged in a matrix array of rows and columns. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera to detect objects of interest located within the field of view of the camera. The image processor processes captured image data to detect lane markers on the road being driven by the vehicle and located within the field of view of the camera. The vision system, responsive to processing of captured image data, automatically recognizes whether the vehicle is being driven on a road of a left hand drive road system or on a road of a right hand drive road system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 9436880
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having a forward field of view in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The imaging sensor includes an array of photosensing elements that has groupings of photosensing elements, each grouping having at least three neighboring photosensing elements. At least one photosensing element of each grouping is a red light sensitive photosensing element and at least one other photosensing element of each grouping is a white light sensitive photosensing element. A control may process image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine a taillight of a leading vehicle present in the forward field of view and traveling ahead of and in the same direction as that of the equipped vehicle. The control may process captured image data to determine rate of approach of the equipped vehicle relative to the leading vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Brent J. Bos, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 9428192
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera configured to be disposed at a windshield of a vehicle so as to have a forward field of view through the windshield of the vehicle. The forward facing camera is operable to capture image data for an adaptive speed control system of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process captured image data. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, lane markers of the road along which the vehicle is traveling are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. The speed of the vehicle may be automatically reduced the responsive to determination of a driving condition or situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20160245949
    Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for providing an integrated software development environment for the design, verification, and validation of advanced automotive safety systems. The system allows automotive software to be developed on a host computer using a collection of computer programs running simultaneously as processes and synchronized by a central process. The software disclosed uses separate synchronized processes, permitting signals from disparate sources to be generated by a simulation running on the host computer or from actual sensors and data bus signals coming from and going to actual vehicle hardware which is connected to their bus counterparts in the host computer on a real-time basis. The methods provide a data model that first extends the capabilities of the physical data model and then translates, gates, optimizes, fuses, filters, and manages the physical representation of the logical model into a state estimation of the situation around the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Eagle Harbor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Alan PRESTON, Joseph David PRESTON, Kenneth SCHOFIELD, Thomas August MANOS
  • Publication number: 20160229342
    Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes at least one non-visual sensor and a forward-viewing camera disposed that is part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle that includes at least two side cameras and a rear backup camera. A video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle. During a driving or parking maneuver of the vehicle, images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by at least some of the cameras are displayed by the video display screen, and at least one indication is provided to the driver of the vehicle during the driving maneuver. A unitary image is synthesized from image data captured by the multi-camera vision system and approximates a view as would be seen by a virtual camera at a single location exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Kevin C. McCarthy, Niall R. Lynam, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20160200264
    Abstract: A camera module suitable for use for a vision system of a vehicle includes a camera housing portion having a generally cylindrical portion extending outwardly from a base portion. An imaging sensor is disposed at the base portion and a lens system is received at the cylindrical portion of the camera housing portion. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are configured to join together to encase the imaging sensor and circuitry. The connector portion may include a multi-pin connector extending in a direction away from the camera housing portion when the camera housing portion and the connector portion are joined together. The multi-pin connector may include a plurality of terminals, each of which has a first end having a pin configured to electrically connect with a connector of a vehicle and an opposing second end configured for electrical connection with the circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20160167667
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9358924
    Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for providing integrated software development environment for the design, verification and validation of advanced automotive safety systems. The system allows automotive software to be developed on a host computer using a collection of computer programs running simultaneously as processes and synchronized by a central process. The software disclosed uses separate synchronized processes, permitting signals from disparate sources to be generated by a simulation running on the host computer or from actual sensors and data bus signals coming from and going to actual vehicle hardware which is connected to their bus counterparts in the host computer on a real-time basis. The methods provide a data model that first extends the capabilities of the physical data model and then translates, gates, optimizes, fuses, filters and manages the physical representation of the logical model into a state estimation of the situation around the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Alan Preston, Joseph David Preston, Kenneth Schofield, Thomas August Manos
  • Publication number: 20160129840
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera and a control comprising an image processor that processes image data captured by the forward facing camera. The control receives vehicle data relating to the vehicle, including vehicle speed and vehicle steering angle, via a vehicle bus of the vehicle. Via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the forward facing camera, the control is operable to detect a road marking on the road being traveled by the vehicle and to the left of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor, the control determines a driving condition of the vehicle, such as the type of lane markers present ahead of the vehicle, a traffic condition at or ahead of the vehicle, and/or a hazardous condition at or ahead of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 9315151
    Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes at least one non-visual sensor and a color video rear backup camera having a field of view rearward of the vehicle, with the field of view of the camera encompassing a ground area to the rear of the vehicle. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera. A video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a reversing or parking maneuver of the vehicle, images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the camera are displayed by the video display screen to assist the driver in operating the vehicle. At least one indication is provided to a driver of the vehicle, at least in part, responsive to detection by the non-visual sensor of at least one object external of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Kevin C. McCarthy, Niall R. Lynam, Kenneth Schofield