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).

  • Patent number: 12337843
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward-sensing sensor and a rearward-sensing sensor disposed at an equipped vehicle. The system, as the equipped vehicle travels along a traffic lane of a road, and responsive to processing of forward sensor data captured by the forward-sensing sensor, determines a condition ahead of the equipped vehicle. The system, via processing of rearward sensor data captured by the rearward-sensing sensor, determines an overtaking vehicle rearward of the equipped vehicle and overtaking the equipped vehicle to pass the equipped vehicle. Based at least in part on the determined condition and the determined overtaking vehicle, the system determines a safeness of a passing maneuver by the overtaking vehicle. Responsive to determination that it is not safe for the overtaking vehicle to pass the equipped vehicle, the system indicates to the overtaking vehicle that it is not safe for the overtaking vehicle to pass the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Akilesh Sivakumar
  • Patent number: 12214717
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Christopher L Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20250030934
    Abstract: A windshield electronics module disposed at a vehicle includes a camera module having a camera housing that accommodates a camera and circuitry. The camera housing includes lower heat dissipating fins and rear heat dissipating fins. A cooling fan assembly is mounted at a lower portion of the camera housing. The cooling fan assembly draws air from an interior cabin of the vehicle via an air intake of the vehicular windshield electronics module and directs the drawn air as airflow (i) in a radial direction with respect to an axis of rotation of the fan blades, and (ii) in an axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the fan blades. The cooling fan assembly directs the drawn air as airflow (i) in the radial direction along and between the lower heat dissipating fins, and (ii) in the axial direction along and between the rear heat dissipating fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventor: Martin Solar
  • Publication number: 20240409032
    Abstract: A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes a vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an interior portion of an equipped vehicle and having a mirror head accommodating an electrochromic mirror reflective element, a driver monitoring camera that is operable to capture image data, and a near infrared light emitter that, when electrically operated to emit near infrared light, illuminates at least the head of the driver. With the vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle, and as the equipped vehicle travels along a road, image data captured by the driver monitoring camera is processed at an electronic control unit to detect light emanating from at least one headlamp of at least one trailing vehicle traveling along the road behind the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
  • Publication number: 20240359691
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward-sensing sensor and a rearward-sensing sensor disposed at an equipped vehicle. The system, as the equipped vehicle travels along a traffic lane of a road, and responsive to processing of forward sensor data captured by the forward-sensing sensor, determines a condition ahead of the equipped vehicle. The system, via processing of rearward sensor data captured by the rearward-sensing sensor, determines an overtaking vehicle rearward of the equipped vehicle and overtaking the equipped vehicle to pass the equipped vehicle. Based at least in part on the determined condition and the determined overtaking vehicle, the system determines a safeness of a passing maneuver by the overtaking vehicle. Responsive to determination that it is not safe for the overtaking vehicle to pass the equipped vehicle, the system indicates to the overtaking vehicle that it is not safe for the overtaking vehicle to pass the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Akilesh Sivakumar
  • Patent number: 12120408
    Abstract: A windshield electronics module for a vehicular vision system includes a camera module configured to be mounted at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, and a cover element that encloses the camera module at the windshield when the camera module and cover element are mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield. The camera module includes a camera and circuitry including an image processor. A cooling fan assembly is attached at the camera housing and an air intake conduit is disposed between an air inlet of the cover element and an air inlet of the cooling fan assembly. The cooling fan assembly, when electrically powered, draws air from the interior cabin of the vehicle via the air intake conduit and directs the drawn air as airflow along and between heat dissipating fins of the camera housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 12065081
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, James A. Ruse, Yuesheng Lu, Martin Solar
  • Patent number: 12030501
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Solar, Akilesh Sivakumar
  • 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