Patents by Inventor Marc Wimmershoff

Marc Wimmershoff 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: 20160267725
    Abstract: A process for determining a stationary state of a vehicle includes providing a camera and a control having an image processor. Vehicle data is provided to the control by an accelerometer of the vehicle and by at least one of (i) a transmission sensor of the vehicle and (ii) a speed sensor of the vehicle. A determination that the vehicle is stationary is made when at least one of (i) the control determines a jerk value that is approximately zero for a selected duration of time and the control receives vehicle data indicating that the speed of the vehicle was approximately zero for the selected duration of time and (ii) the control determines a jerk value that is approximately zero for a selected duration of time and the control receives vehicle data indicating that the transmission of the vehicle was in ‘Park’ for the selected duration of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Nathaniel Johnson, Marc Wimmershoff
  • Patent number: 9346468
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process captured image data to determine lane delimiters present in the field of view of the camera. The control connects to and receives vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus. The vehicle data includes a yaw rate sensed by a yaw rate sensor of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor and to vehicle data received via the vehicle communication bus, the control determines a corrected yaw rate at least one of (i) when the vehicle is stationary and (ii) when the vehicle is moving straight. The control provides the corrected yaw rate to a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Nathaniel Johnson, Marc Wimmershoff
  • Publication number: 20150266422
    Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and operable to capture image data. A vehicle-based GPS system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor to determine lane markings and responsive at least in part to the GPS system and responsive at least in part to map data mapping the road along which the vehicle is traveling, the control is operable to determine an enhanced estimation of the path of travel of the vehicle. The enhanced estimation may be based on reliability levels or weighting factors of the determined lane markings and the map data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Marc Wimmershoff
  • Publication number: 20150025747
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process captured image data to determine lane delimiters present in the field of view of the camera. The control connects to and receives vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus. The vehicle data includes a yaw rate sensed by a yaw rate sensor of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor and to vehicle data received via the vehicle communication bus, the control determines a corrected yaw rate at least one of (i) when the vehicle is stationary and (ii) when the vehicle is moving straight. The control provides the corrected yaw rate to a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Nathaniel Johnson, Marc Wimmershoff
  • Patent number: 8849495
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at or proximate to an in-cabin portion of a windshield of the vehicle. The camera has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process captured image data to determine lane delimiters present in the field of view of the camera. The control connects to a vehicle communication bus of the vehicle and receives vehicle data via the vehicle communication bus. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor and to vehicle data received via the vehicle communication bus, the control determines a yaw rate. The control provides the determined yaw rate to a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrik, Jr., Nathaniel Johnson, Marc Wimmershoff
  • Publication number: 20140222286
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at or proximate to an in-cabin portion of a windshield of the vehicle. The camera has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process captured image data to determine lane delimiters present in the field of view of the camera. The control connects to a vehicle communication bus of the vehicle and receives vehicle data via the vehicle communication bus. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor and to vehicle data received via the vehicle communication bus, the control determines a yaw rate. The control provides the determined yaw rate to a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Nathaniel Johnson, Marc Wimmershoff
  • Patent number: 8694224
    Abstract: A control system or method for a vehicle references a camera and sensors to determine when an offset of a yaw rate sensor may be updated. The sensors may include a longitudinal accelerometer, a transmission sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be stationary by referencing at least a derivative of an acceleration from the longitudinal accelerometer. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be moving straight by referencing at least image data captured by the camera. Lane delimiters may be detected in the captured image data and evaluated to determine a level of confidence in the straight movement. When the offset of the yaw rate sensor is to be updated, a ratio of new offset to old offset may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Nathaniel Johnson, Marc Wimmershoff
  • Publication number: 20130231825
    Abstract: A control system or method for a vehicle references a camera and sensors to determine when an offset of a yaw rate sensor may be updated. The sensors may include a longitudinal accelerometer, a transmission sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be stationary by referencing at least a derivative of an acceleration from the longitudinal accelerometer. The offset of the yaw rate sensor may be updated when the vehicle is determined to be moving straight by referencing at least image data captured by the camera. Lane delimiters may be detected in the captured image data and evaluated to determine a level of confidence in the straight movement. When the offset of the yaw rate sensor is to be updated, a ratio of new offset to old offset may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Nathaniel Johnson, Marc Wimmershoff