Patents by Inventor Mark L. Larson

Mark L. Larson 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: 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: 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: 20140022390
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a video display device operable to display video information that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle through said mirror reflective element and at a display region of said mirror reflective element. The video display device may be operable to display a directional heading at a compass display portion of the display region, and means may be provided to adjust the directional heading display to limit image sticking of the displayed directional heading. The mirror assembly may have a touch zone having at least one touch pad established at a perimeter border band of the reflective element, and may have another touch sensor to detect a touch of a user away from the touch zone to determine when a detected touch at the touch zone is an unintentional touch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Blank, John T. Uken, Mark L. Larson, Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Timothy G. Perkins
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20130297148
    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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Publication number: 20130250046
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes first, second and third image capture devices having respective first, second and third fields of view exterior of the vehicle. The first field of view overlaps with the third field of view defining a first overlap zone, and the second field of view overlaps with the third field of view defining a second overlap zone. Responsive to processing of captured image data, a synthesized image is generated without duplication of objects present in the first and second overlap zones and the synthesized image approximates a view as would be seen by a virtual camera at a single location exterior of the vehicle. The synthesized image is displayed by a single display screen that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle and the synthesized image assists the driver in executing a maneuver of the vehicle with a trailer attached thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8492698
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a bracket attached at a windshield of a vehicle and a housing mounted to the bracket and an imager disposed in the housing. The imager may include (i) a two-dimensional CMOS photosensor array of photosensor elements and/or (ii) a lens. With the housing mounted to the bracket attached at the vehicle windshield, the imager views to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield at a region of the windshield that may be swept by a windshield wiper of the vehicle. The photosensor array is operable to capture image data. A control includes an image processor disposed in the housing. The image processor includes a digital signal processor. The driver assistance system identifies objects viewed by the imager via processing by the image processor of captured image data. A spectral filter may be disposed between the photosensor array and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8481910
    Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed at or proximate to an in-cabin portion of a vehicle windshield and having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. The photosensor array of the imager is operable to capture image data. The image sensing system identifies objects in the forward field of view of the imager via processing of captured image data by an image processor. The photosensor array may be operable to capture frames of image data and the image sensing system may include an exposure control which determines an accumulation period of time that the photosensor array senses light when capturing a frame of image data. Identification of objects may be based at least in part on at least one of (i) shape, (ii) luminance, (iii) geometry, (iv) spatial location, (v) motion and (vi) spectral characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8462204
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes at least a first image capture sensor and a second image capture sensor disposed at a vehicle and spatially separated and having respective fields of view with respect to the direction of travel of the equipped vehicle. A control receives a first image input from the first image capture sensor and a second image input from the second image capture sensor and generates a composite image synthesized from at least the first image input and the second image input. A display system displays the composite image on a single video screen located in a cabin of the equipped vehicle and viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle. The single video screen of the display system may have a display luminance that is variable responsive to a sensing of an ambient light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8355521
    Abstract: A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an accessory, a reflective element and a bezel. The mirror assembly may define portions of a pocket that at least partially receives and secures the accessory therebetween when the reflective element is at least partially received in the bezel. The mirror assembly may include a microphone and an acoustic cover positioned at least partially over one or more inlet ports of the microphone. The acoustic cover may include an outer air flow limiting layer that substantially limits air flow therethrough and a diffusing material that may space and support the outer layer from the inlet ports to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates the outer layer. An acoustic barrier may be positioned between a pair of inlet ports of the microphone to enhance the directivity of the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Larson, Andrew D. Weller, Joshua L. Barr, Eric P. Bigoness, Timothy R. Lambrix, Carol L. DeBoer, Joseph P. McCaw
  • Patent number: 8324552
    Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having an array of light sensing photosensor elements. The imaging sensor views through the windshield of the equipped vehicle at a region of the windshield that is swept by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle. The imaging sensor is operable to capture image data and is operable to capture frames of image data at a plurality of exposure periods. The image sensing system identifies objects in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor via processing of the captured image data by an image processor. The objects identified by the image sensing system may include at least one of (i) headlights of approaching vehicles, (ii) taillights of leading vehicles, (iii) lane markers on a road being traveled by the equipped vehicle, (iv) traffic signs, (v) traffic lights, (vi) stop signs and/or (vii) caution signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8314689
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a CMOS photosensor array including a plurality of photosensor elements. The photosensor array is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle at a windshield area that is swept by the windshield wipers. The photosensor array has a field of view forward of the vehicle that is generally in line with the vehicle's primary direction of forward travel. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the photosensor array. The control may analyze image data captured by photosensor elements where an object exterior of the equipped vehicle is determined to be present more than the control analyzes image data captured by other photosensor elements where the determined object is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20120283908
    Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having an array of light sensing photosensor elements. The imaging sensor views through the windshield of the equipped vehicle at a region of the windshield that is swept by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle. The imaging sensor is operable to capture image data and is operable to capture frames of image data at a plurality of exposure periods. The image sensing system identifies objects in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor via processing of the captured image data by an image processor. The objects identified by the image sensing system may include at least one of (i) headlights of approaching vehicles, (ii) taillights of leading vehicles, (iii) lane markers on a road being traveled by the equipped vehicle, (iv) traffic signs, (v) traffic lights, (vi) stop signs and/or (vii) caution signs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8222588
    Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor has a two-dimensional array of light sensing pixels, and has a forward field of view through the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the image sensing system to the exterior of the equipped vehicle. The imaging sensor is operable to capture image data and the control includes an image processor. The image sensing system determines an object of interest present in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor via processing of the captured image data by the image processor. The image processing includes spatial filtering. The spatial filtering may, at least in part, identify atmospheric conditions. The spatial filtering may include analysis of a spectral signature representative of at least one detected light source present in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Publication number: 20120154591
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging and display system includes a rear backup camera at a rear portion of a vehicle, a video processor for processing image data captured by the rear camera, and a video display screen responsive to the video processor to display video images. During a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, the video display screen displays video images captured by the rear camera. During forward travel of the equipped vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display images representative of a portion of the field of view of the rear camera to display images representative of an area sideward of the equipped vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) actuation of a turn signal indicator of the vehicle, (b) detection of a vehicle in a side lane adjacent to the equipped vehicle and (c) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8203440
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a photosensor array having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. A portion of the photosensor array captures image data representative of an item of interest exterior the vehicle and within the forward field of view. A control is responsive to an output of the photosensor array and includes an image processor for processing the image data. At least responsive to the control analyzing the image data, the image sensing system senses the presence of an object within the field of view of the photosensor array, and the image sensing system, responsive at least in part to sensing the presence of the object, at least one of (i) controls a vehicle system using forward field of view information and (ii) supplements control of a vehicle system using forward field of view information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 8179236
    Abstract: A vehicular video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a transflective reflective element. The mirror system includes a video display device at a casing of the mirror assembly rearward of the transflective reflective element, with the video display device having a video screen and a plurality of individual white light emitting light sources operable for backlighting the video screen. The intensity of light emitted by the white light emitting light sources is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor. The video screen may be operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle. Light emanating from the white light emitting light emitting diodes may pass through a brightness enhancement film and a light diffuser to be incident at a transflective reflector of a second substrate of the mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Publication number: 20120113260
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a photosensor array having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. A portion of the photosensor array captures image data representative of an item of interest exterior the vehicle and within the forward field of view. A control is responsive to an output of the photosensor array and includes an image processor for processing the image data. At least responsive to the control analyzing the image data, the image sensing system senses the presence of an object within the field of view of the photosensor array, and the image sensing system, responsive at least in part to sensing the presence of the object, at least one of (i) controls a vehicle system using forward field of view information and (ii) supplements control of a vehicle system using forward field of view information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 8098142
    Abstract: A monitoring device for vehicles includes a housing, at least one electrochromic mirror glass arranged in the housing so as to have a front side facing an observer, and at least one camera. The at least one electrochromic mirror glass comprises a reflective layer that is reflective in the visible spectral range of light. The at least one camera is arranged behind the reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from the front side. The at least one camera takes images through the reflective layer. The electrochromic mirror glass has an electrochromic layer and the reflective layer is arranged behind the electrochromic layer in the viewing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L Larson