Patents by Inventor Martin Solar

Martin Solar 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: 20240059221
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle and viewing toward at least a front driver seat region of the vehicle. Attentiveness of the driver of the vehicle is at least in part determined via processing of captured image data. Captured image data is processed at an electronic control unit (ECU) for a video-calling application. A microphone is disposed within the interior cabin of the vehicle and captures audio speech data from within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The video-calling application, based at least in part on processing at the ECU of captured image data and on audio speech data captured by the microphone, enables video-calling wireless communication between an occupant of the vehicle and a party exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventor: Martin Solar
  • Publication number: 20240025344
    Abstract: A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly configured for attaching at an interior portion of an equipped vehicle and having a having a mirror head accommodating a driver monitoring camera and first and second near infrared light emitters. When the equipped vehicle is a left hand drive vehicle, a beam of light emitted by the first near infrared light emitters is directed toward a driver-side front seating location of the left hand drive vehicle when the first near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light for a driver monitoring function. When the equipped vehicle is a right hand drive vehicle, a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element is directed toward a driver-side front seating location of the right hand drive vehicle when the second near infrared light emitter emits near infrared light for the driver monitoring function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
  • Publication number: 20240001838
    Abstract: A vehicular multi-sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a forward-viewing camera and a forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor. The forward-viewing camera views (i) a traffic lane of a multi-lane road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle and (ii) another traffic lane of the multi-lane road, and the field of sensing of the forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor at least encompasses the other traffic lane of the multi-lane road. Image data captured by the forward-viewing camera is transferred to and is processed at an electronic control unit (ECU). 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor is transferred to and processed at the ECU. Responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the forward-sensing 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor, a traffic participant present forward of the equipped vehicle is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11833972
    Abstract: A vehicular windshield electronics module includes a housing configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle. The housing includes a front portion extending along a windshield of the vehicle and a rear portion extending along a roof of the vehicle. The housing accommodates a camera at the front portion of the housing. The camera generates heat within the housing. Electronic circuitry at the rear portion of the housing generates heat within the housing. An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head mounted at the housing and at least one electronic component generates heat within the mirror head. An electrically operable fan generates cooling air within the housing. Ducts are formed through the housing so that air flow may pass into and out from the housing. To dissipate heat, the air flow from the fan passes along the camera, along the electronic circuitry and along the mirror head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher H. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20230365062
    Abstract: A vehicular windshield electronics module includes a housing configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle. The housing includes a front portion extending along a windshield of the vehicle and a rear portion extending along a roof of the vehicle. The housing accommodates a camera at the front portion of the housing. The camera generates heat within the housing. Electronic circuitry at the rear portion of the housing generates heat within the housing. An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head mounted at the housing and at least one electronic component generates heat within the mirror head. An electrically operable fan generates cooling air within the housing. Ducts are formed through the housing so that air flow may pass into and out from the housing. To dissipate heat, the air flow from the fan passes along the camera, along the electronic circuitry and along the mirror head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher H. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20230339404
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera and first and second near-infrared light emitting elements accommodated by a mirror head. The light emitting elements are oriented at the mirror head so that (i) a beam of light emitted by the first light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a left hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the LHD vehicle, and (ii) a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a right hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the RHD vehicle. The system enables and/or operates the first or second light emitting element for a driver monitoring function responsive to indication that the mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 11787342
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing at least a head region of a driver of the vehicle. Image data captured by the camera is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) and is processed at the ECU for determining attentiveness of the driver. The vehicular driver monitoring system, responsive to selection by the driver of a video-conference function, initiates a video conference telecommunication whereby video image data derived from the provided captured image data is wirelessly communicated to an external receiver that is located remote from the vehicle for viewing by another person communicating with the driver of the vehicle via the external receiver. Communication data generated at the external receiver is wirelessly communicated to the vehicular driver monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 11780372
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera and first and second near-infrared light emitting elements accommodated by a mirror head. The light emitting elements are oriented at the mirror head so that (i) a beam of light emitted by the first light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a left hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the LHD vehicle, and (ii) a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a right hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the RHD vehicle. The system enables and/or operates the first or second light emitting element for a driver monitoring function responsive to indication that the mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC., MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 11760255
    Abstract: A vehicular multi-sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a camera and a 3D point-cloud LIDAR. The forward-viewing camera views (i) a traffic lane of a multi-lane road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle and (ii) another traffic lane of the multi-lane road, and the field of sensing of said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor at least encompasses the other traffic lane of the multi-lane road. Image data captured by the forward-viewing camera is provided to and is processed at an electronic control unit (ECU). 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor is provided to and processed at the ECU. Responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor, the ECU detects a traffic participant or pedestrian or other vehicle present exterior of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20230182639
    Abstract: A vehicular multi-sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a camera and a 3D point-cloud LIDAR. The forward-viewing camera views (i) a traffic lane of a multi-lane road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle and (ii) another traffic lane of the multi-lane road, and the field of sensing of said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor at least encompasses the other traffic lane of the multi-lane road. Image data captured by the forward-viewing camera is provided to and is processed at an electronic control unit (ECU). 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor is provided to and processed at the ECU. Responsive at least in part to processing at the ECU of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by said 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor, the ECU detects a traffic participant or pedestrian or other vehicle present exterior of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11667231
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle, a light source disposed at the vehicle and operable to emit light, and a control. Light emitted by the light source, when operated, illuminates a field of illumination exterior of the vehicle, with the field of view of the camera encompassing at least a portion of the field of illumination. The control, responsive to data processing by a processor of the control of image data captured by the camera, determines a change in the field of illumination provided by the light source. Responsive to the determined change in the field of illumination, the control at least one selected from the group of (i) adjusts the light source to accommodate the determined change, (ii) adjusts the camera to accommodate the determined change and (iii) generates an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Stefan Graf, Julian Baker, Matthäus Artmann
  • Publication number: 20230131471
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a driver monitoring camera and first and second near-infrared light emitting elements accommodated by a mirror head. The light emitting elements are oriented at the mirror head so that (i) a beam of light emitted by the first light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a left hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the LHD vehicle, and (ii) a beam of light emitted by the second light emitting element would be directed toward a driver's region of a right hand drive vehicle if the mirror assembly were installed in the RHD vehicle. The system enables and/or operates the first or second light emitting element for a driver monitoring function responsive to indication that the mirror assembly is installed or will be installed in a LHD vehicle or a RHD vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 11613308
    Abstract: A vehicular lighting system includes a light projecting device disposed at each headlight of a vehicle. The light projecting device is part of the respective headlight. The light projecting device, when operated, projects an animated sequence of visual images or a sequence of visual light patterns on a wall in front of the vehicle. The projected animated sequence of visual images or projected sequence of visual light patterns is viewable at the wall by a driver of the vehicle. The light projecting device may include a matrix of light emitting diodes. The visual images or visual light pattern projected by the light projecting device, when operated, may change as distance between the vehicle and the wall decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 11572013
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a camera and a 3D point-cloud LIDAR. As the vehicle travels along a road, and responsive at least in part to processing at an electronic control unit of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the 3D point-cloud LIDAR, the vehicular control system (a) determines presence of a pedestrian or cross traffic vehicle present exterior of the vehicle that (i) is not on the road that is being travelled along by the vehicle and is approaching the road to cross the road ahead of the vehicle and (ii) is at least in the field of sensing of the 3D point-cloud LIDAR and (b) at least in part controls at least one vehicle function of the vehicle responsive at least in part to the determined presence of the pedestrian or cross traffic vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11560143
    Abstract: A vehicular communication system includes a wireless communication sensor at a vehicle equipped with the vehicular communication system for receiving wireless communication data from remote wireless communication devices. A global positioning system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes electronic circuitry and associated software that includes a processor for processing wireless communication data received by the wireless communication sensor and position information determined by the global positioning system. The ECU, responsive at least in part to determination that position information determined by the global positioning system is compromised, determines, via processing the received wireless communication data, distances to a plurality of the remote wireless communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Martin Solar
  • Publication number: 20220314871
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a plurality of sensors that include at least a camera and a 3D point-cloud LIDAR. As the vehicle travels along a road, and responsive at least in part to processing at an electronic control unit of 3D point-cloud LIDAR data captured by the 3D point-cloud LIDAR, the vehicular control system (a) determines presence of a pedestrian or cross traffic vehicle present exterior of the vehicle that (i) is not on the road that is being travelled along by the vehicle and is approaching the road to cross the road ahead of the vehicle and (ii) is at least in the field of sensing of the 3D point-cloud LIDAR and (b) at least in part controls at least one vehicle function of the vehicle responsive at least in part to the determined presence of the pedestrian or cross traffic vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20220219610
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing at least a head region of a driver of the vehicle. Image data captured by the camera is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) and is processed at the ECU for determining attentiveness of the driver. The vehicular driver monitoring system, responsive to selection by the driver of a video-conference function, initiates a video conference telecommunication whereby video image data derived from the provided captured image data is wirelessly communicated to an external receiver that is located remote from the vehicle for viewing by another person communicating with the driver of the vehicle via the external receiver. Communication data generated at the external receiver is wirelessly communicated to the vehicular driver monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 11364839
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a control and a plurality of sensors that include at least a camera and a 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor. The control is operable to process captured image data to determine presence of another vehicle and to process captured 3D point-cloud LIDAR data to determine presence of the other vehicle. The control, responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data and captured 3D point-cloud LIDAR data, determines presence of the other vehicle when the other vehicle is (i) in the field of view of the camera and/or (ii) in the field of sensing of the 3D point-cloud LIDAR sensor, and responsive to determination of the other vehicle, the control at least in part controls at least one vehicle function of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20220105941
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing exterior of the vehicle. The system, responsive to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera, determines presence of a leading vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and travelling in the same lane as the equipped vehicle. The system, via processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, determines an indication at the leading vehicle indicative of a safeness of a passing maneuver by the equipped vehicle. The indication is representative of a determination by the leading vehicle that the safeness of the passing maneuver exceeds a threshold safeness level. The system, based on the determined indication, at least in part controls operation of the equipped vehicle to overtake and pass the determined leading vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Akilesh Sivakumar
  • Patent number: 11290622
    Abstract: A camera module for a vehicular vision system includes a metallic housing having a metallic upper housing portion and a metallic lower housing portion. A camera is accommodated in the housing and includes an imager circuit board having an imager thereat. The camera includes a lens barrel that protrudes through an aperture of the upper housing portion. A primary circuit board is accommodated in the housing and has an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. A cooling fan is attached at the lower housing portion and directs airflow between heat dissipating fins of an outer side of the housing, with the heat dissipating fins being in thermal conductive connection via a thermal element with the image processor. The camera module is configured to be disposed at a vehicle windshield so as to have a field of view through the windshield and forward of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Martin Solar