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: 20140125799
    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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Brent J. Bos, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8710969
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield and an accessory module. The windshield has a mounting element attached at an inner surface of the windshield, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory module accommodates a camera having a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at the accessory module separate from the lens. The CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8705161
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reflective element for a vehicle rearview mirror assembly includes providing front and rear glass substrates and establishing an uncured trace material at least at the rear glass substrate and establishing an uncured seal material along a perimeter region of at least one of the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate. The front and rear glass substrates are joined with the uncured seal material disposed therebetween. The uncured seal material and the uncured trace material are cured via a common curing process. The curing of the uncured trace material forms an electrically conductive trace at the rear glass substrate and the curing of the uncured seal material forms a perimeter seal of the reflective element. The electrically conductive trace is in electrical continuity with the electrically conductive mirror reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, David C. Wight, Mark E. Kramer
  • Patent number: 8692659
    Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes an attachment element attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle. The attachment element has a mirror mounting button. At least one attachment member is attached at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield local to the attachment element. An interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror head and a mirror support. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing. The mirror support includes a mirror mount that is configured to mount the interior rearview mirror assembly to the mirror mounting button of the attachment element. A structure is configured for mounting to the attachment member and is configured to receive and be supported by the attachment member. The structure is configured to accommodate a forward facing camera having a field of view through the vehicle windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20140084789
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera having a lens and a CMOS photosensor array having a plurality of photosensor elements. The camera is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular vision system. The camera one of (i) views exterior of the equipped vehicle through the windshield of the equipped vehicle and forward of the equipped vehicle and (ii) views from the windshield of the equipped vehicle into the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the photosensor array. The image processor processes captured image data to detect an object viewed by the camera. The photosensor array is operable at a plurality of exposure periods and at least one exposure period of the plurality of exposure periods is dynamically variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 8676491
    Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a camera and a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The video display screen is operable to display images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the camera. A visual cue is displayed by the video display screen in conjunction with display of the captured image data. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, image data captured by the camera is displayed by the video display screen as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle. When a reversing maneuver of the vehicle is not being executed, the display screen may be operable to display information associated with at least one of (i) a navigational system, (ii) a telematics system and (iii) a vehicle information system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Kevin C. McCarthy, Niall R. Lynam, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8674285
    Abstract: A vehicle interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and ambient and glare light sensors. A control circuit is operable to establish a reflectance level of the reflective element. At least one of (a) the mirror system includes a charge accumulation device selectively connected with the ambient or glare light sensor and the control circuit establishes the ambient and glare light levels as a function of time for an output of the charge accumulation device to reach a reference level when connected to the respective light sensor, (b) a common element is used to measure outputs of the light sensors sequentially to correspond errors due to component variations, and (c) the mirror system includes temperature compensation of the glare and/or ambient light sensor and the temperature compensation is responsive to a reference light sensor that is substantially not exposed to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20140071285
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera and a processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing of captured image data, the driver assistance system is operable to determine a lane along which the vehicle is traveling and to detect oncoming vehicles approaching the vehicle in another lane that is to the right or left of the determined lane along which the vehicle is traveling. The driver assistance system is operable to control, at least in part, a light beam emanating from a headlamp of the vehicle and adjusts the light beam emanating from the headlamp to limit directing beam light towards the eyes of a driver of the detected oncoming vehicle. Responsive to processing of captured image data, the driver assistance system is operable to provide lane departure warning to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20140058653
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a display screen disposed within an interior cabin of the vehicle and a camera disposed at the vehicle and having a rearward field of view. The display screen displays video information captured by the camera for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver. When the vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, the information display screen is operable to display information wirelessly communicated to the vehicle from a remote communication system. The information from the remote communication system may include traffic information or traffic related information, such as traffic flow, congestion, stalled vehicle or accident information, alternate routes for the vehicle, and/or traffic information derived from sensors or signs positioned along the road that the vehicle is traveling or on other roads near or associated with that road. The remote communication system may include a highway/road management monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 8643724
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes first, second and third image capture devices disposed at respective vehicle portions. The first image capture device field of view overlaps with the third image capture device field of view defining a first overlap zone, and the second image capture device field of view overlaps with the third image capture device field of view defining a second overlap zone. Responsive to processing by an image processor of received image data, a synthesized image is generated without duplication of objects present in the first overlap zone and in the second overlap zone. The synthesized image approximates a view as would be seen by a virtual camera at a single location exterior of the vehicle, and is displayed by a single display screen of a reconfigurable display device that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when normally operating the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8636393
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The control processes image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine the presence of an object of interest in the scene monitored by the imaging sensor. The control adjusts a vehicle accessory and/or headlamp of the vehicle at least in part responsive to determination of the presence of the object of interest in the monitored scene. The control receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle, with the vehicle data including at least one of (i) vehicle speed data and (ii) vehicle trajectory data. At least in part responsive to receiving vehicle data, the control inhibits adjustment of the vehicle accessory from a first state to a second state. The control is operable to process captured image data to determine the presence of lane markers in the monitored scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8637801
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager and a control having an image processor. The imager is disposed at or proximate to an in-cabin portion of a windshield of a vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. The driver assistance system identifies objects in the forward field of view of the imager via processing of captured image data by the image processor. At least in part responsive to processing of captured image data by the image processor, a determination is made that the vehicle is being operated in an urban environment. Responsive to the determination that the vehicle is being operated in an urban environment, operation of a driver assistance function of the vehicle is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Publication number: 20140015977
    Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a camera and a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The video display screen is operable to display images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the camera. A visual cue is displayed by the video display screen in conjunction with display of the captured image data. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, image data captured by the camera is displayed by the video display screen as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle. When a reversing maneuver of the vehicle is not being executed, the display screen may be operable to display information associated with at least one of (i) a navigational system, (ii) a telematics system and (iii) a vehicle information system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Kevin C. McCarthy, Niall R. Lynam, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8629768
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one imaging sensor having a forward field of view with respect to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The imaging sensor captures image data representative of objects present in the forward field of view. A control is responsive to the imaging sensor and processes image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine an object present in the forward field of view. The control processes image data to determine a distance between the vehicle and the object determined present in the forward field of view. The control may determine the distance between the vehicle and the determined object at least in part in response to at least one of (i) size of the determined object, (ii) position of the determined object, (iii) light intensity of the determined object, and (iv) rate of approach of the determined object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Brent J. Bos, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20140009672
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield and an accessory module. The windshield has a mounting element attached at an inner surface of the windshield, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory module accommodates a camera having a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at the accessory module separate from the lens. The CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20130321615
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a forward facing and a control having an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. At least in part responsive to processing by the image processor, an alert to a driver of the equipped vehicle is generated based upon at least one of (i) detection of an inappropriate lane change maneuver of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a detection of a potential impact with another vehicle. The image processor processes image data captured by the forward facing camera to detect a traffic control device present within the field of view of the forward facing camera, and the system may generate an alert to the driver when it is determined that the vehicle is not appropriately responding to the detected traffic control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8599001
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a control and an imager having a lens and a CMOS photosensor array. The imager is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle and views exterior of the vehicle through a windshield of the vehicle and forward of the vehicle. The control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the photosensor array. The image processor processes captured image data to detect an object viewed by said imager. The photosensor array may be operable at a plurality of exposure periods that include a first exposure period and a second exposure period, with the time period of exposure of the first exposure period being longer than the time period of exposure of the second exposure period. The imager may be disposed in a module attached at the windshield of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20130314538
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, an accessory module configured to mount to the attachment member and an accessory disposed at least partially in the accessory module. The accessory includes a camera having a lens. The accessory module is detachably mounted to the attachment member. With the camera disposed in the accessory module and with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield. With the camera disposed in the accessory module and with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the lens of the camera is spaced from the interior surface of the vehicle windshield. A resilient element is provided to cushion the accessory module when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8593521
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a forward field of view exterior of the vehicle. The imaging device is operable to capture multiple frames of image data, and the multiple frames of image data include repeating frame sets. A particular frame set of the repeating frame sets has at least two frames. An image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. A control, responsive to processing of captured image data, controls, at least in part, an intelligent headlamp control feature of the vehicle and a lane departure warning feature of the vehicle. One frame of a particular frame set is processed by the image processor for the intelligent headlamp control feature and no other frame of the particular frame set is processed by the image processor for the intelligent headlamp control feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20130300871
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed in a housing and a control. The imager includes a CMOS photosensor array of photosensor elements and a lens. With the housing disposed in a vehicle, the imager views forwardly to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield at a region of the windshield that is swept by a windshield wiper of the vehicle. The CMOS photosensor array is operable to capture image data. The control includes an image processor disposed in the housing. The driver assistance system identifies objects viewed by the imager via processing by the image processor of captured image data. At least in part responsive to processing of captured image data by the image processor, streetlights present exterior of the vehicle and viewed by imager are discriminated from other objects present exterior the vehicle and viewed by imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas