Patents by Inventor Michael J. Higgins

Michael J. Higgins 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: 20170072880
    Abstract: A vehicle vision system for a vehicle includes an image sensor having a field of view and capturing image data of a scene exterior of the vehicle. A monitor monitors electrical power consumption of the vehicle. At least one lighting system draws electrical power from the vehicle when operated. An image processor processes image data captured by the image sensor. The electrical power drawn by the at least one lighting system is varied at least in part responsive to processing of captured image data by the image processor in order to adjust fuel consumption by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9509957
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an image sensor and image processor. The image sensor is disposed at the vehicle and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle for capturing image data of a scene forward of the vehicle. The field of view encompasses at least a portion of a road surface ahead of and in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The image processor processes captured image data. Responsive to image processing of captured image data by the image processor, the vehicle vision system determines the presence of an animal on the road surface within the field of view. At least in part responsive to determination of the animal on the road surface within the field of view, the vehicle vision system at least one of (a) generates an alert and (b) controls the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Yuesheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20160306041
    Abstract: An object detection system for a vehicle includes a camera vision module and a Lidar module. The camera vision module includes an imaging device viewing to the exterior of the vehicle and operable to capture image data representative of a scene exterior and forward of the vehicle. The Lidar module includes a Lidar device that, with the Lidar module mounted at a front exterior portion of the vehicle, scans a region forward of the vehicle that overlaps with the field of view of the imaging device. Based at least in part on processing of captured image data by an image processor using vision processing algorithms and based at least in part on distance data provided by the Lidar device, 3-dimensional information relative to the vehicle of an object present exterior of the vehicle is algorithmically constructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Patent number: 9383445
    Abstract: An object detection system for a host vehicle includes an imaging device operable to capture image data representative of a scene exterior the host vehicle. An image processor processes captured image data to detect an object. A ranging device tracks the detected object and determines distance to the detected object. The detected object is assigned a priority score that represents the potential danger of the detected object to the host vehicle. The priority score is at least in part established responsive to image processing by the image processor of captured image data and to distance determined by the ranging unit. The detected object is assigned its priority score based on one of (i) the detected object being a vehicle that is closing with the host vehicle and (ii) the detected object being a pedestrian who is present in the field of view of said imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Patent number: 9384458
    Abstract: An environmentally-controlled structure for a cold chain. The structure includes a sensor, an identification reader, an environment implementer, and a controller. The sensor senses a parameter indicative of an environmental condition in the environmentally-controlled structure. The identification reader is positioned relative to the environmentally-controlled structure and reads information about the goods from an identification device associated with the goods. The environment implementer modifies the environmental condition inside the environmentally-controlled structure. The controller receives the indication of the environmental condition inside the environmental control structure from the sensor, receives the information about the goods from the identification reader, and controls the environment implementer to maintain a desired environment inside the environmentally-controlled structure based on the information about the goods and the indication of the environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Surendra H, Dennis G. Gipson, Michael J. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20160110683
    Abstract: A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes accessing by one or more members of the supply chain a database via a network, transporting a commodity through the supply chain on a transport device using a transportation system, and monitoring characteristics of the supply chain associated with the commodity using a sensor and a controller associated with the sensor. The method also includes acquiring data that is representative of the characteristics of the supply chain from the sensor and that includes expected conditions associated with the commodity; and retrieving from the database over the network via an input device a predicted shelf life of the commodity that is based on the acquired data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Manish G. Gupta, Michael J. Higgins, John Roche, Dennis G. Gipson, Brian Hostetler
  • Publication number: 20160078305
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes first and second cameras and a rear backup camera. A control processes image data captured by the first camera and determines that the first camera is misaligned when the first camera is disposed at the left side of the vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the first camera, is operable to algorithmically at least partially compensate for misalignment of the first camera. At least in part responsive to processing of captured image data, a composite image is displayed that provides a view that approximates a view from a single virtual camera. Image data captured at least by the first camera is processed using an edge detection algorithm to detect edges of objects exterior of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, an object of interest exterior of the vehicle is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Publication number: 20160075283
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a camera that, when disposed at the vehicle, views through a windshield of the vehicle. The camera is disposed at a windshield electronics module attached at the windshield of the vehicle. The camera captures image data of a scene forward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes captured image data. The control, responsive to the image processor processing captured image data, detects an object of interest external to the vehicle. The control utilizes a blockage detection algorithm and, responsive to the image processor processing captured image data, is operable to detect at least a partial blocking condition at the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Patent number: 9218585
    Abstract: A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes providing a database and a network in communication with the database, which is accessible by at least one member of the supply chain via the network. The method also includes providing a container and supporting one or more commodities using the container, assigning at least one sensor to the commodities, sensing a condition of the commodities and generating a signal indicative of the commodity condition, identifying information related to the commodities, acquiring data related to identifying the commodity information, distributing the signal and the acquired data over the network, storing the signal and the acquired data in the database, monitoring the commodities via the network, and managing at least one of storage and transport of the commodities through the supply chain based on the signal and the acquired data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Manish G. Gupta, Michael J. Higgins, John Roche, Dennis G. Gipson, Brian Hostetler
  • Patent number: 9193303
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device disposed at least partially within an exterior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle. With the exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at a side of the vehicle, the imaging device has a field of view forward of the mirror assembly, rearward of the mirror assembly and sideward of the mirror assembly. A control processes image data captured by the imaging device and is operable to determine that the imaging device is misaligned when the imaging device is disposed at least partially within the exterior rearview mirror assembly at the side of the equipped vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the imaging device, is operable to at least partially compensate for misalignment of the imaging device by at least one of (i) adjusting processing of captured image data and (ii) adjusting the captured image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Publication number: 20150332102
    Abstract: An object detection system for a host vehicle includes an imaging device operable to capture image data representative of a scene exterior the host vehicle. An image processor processes captured image data to detect an object. A ranging device tracks the detected object and determines distance to the detected object. The detected object is assigned a priority score that represents the potential danger of the detected object to the host vehicle. The priority score is at least in part established responsive to image processing by the image processor of captured image data and to distance determined by the ranging unit. The detected object is assigned its priority score based on one of (i) the detected object being a vehicle that is closing with the host vehicle and (ii) the detected object being a pedestrian who is present in the field of view of said imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Patent number: 9187028
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a camera and a control. The camera is disposed at the vehicle and views forward of the vehicle and is operable to capture image data. The control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The control, responsive at least in part to image data processing by the image processor, is operable to determine when the equipped vehicle is at least one of (i) approaching a construction zone, (ii) entering a construction zone and (iii) driving along a construction zone. The image data processing by the image processor may include at least one of (a) traffic sign recognition, (b) character recognition, (c) object detection, (d) object recognition, (e) spectral discrimination, (f) spatial recognition and (g) lane marker detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Publication number: 20150224933
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device disposed at least partially within an exterior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle. With the exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at a side of the vehicle, the imaging device has a field of view forward of the mirror assembly, rearward of the mirror assembly and sideward of the mirror assembly. A control processes image data captured by the imaging device and is operable to determine that the imaging device is misaligned when the imaging device is disposed at least partially within the exterior rearview mirror assembly at the side of the equipped vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the imaging device, is operable to at least partially compensate for misalignment of the imaging device by at least one of (i) adjusting processing of captured image data and (ii) adjusting the captured image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Publication number: 20150224917
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes an imaging device having a single imaging sensor capturing image data within a field of view. A control within the vehicle includes an image processor and receives image data captured by the single imaging sensor and receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, the control detects converging road features along the road the vehicle is travelling and determines a point of intersection where the converging road features would converge. Responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, the control automatically corrects for misalignment of the imaging device mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Antony V. Jeyaraj, Manoj R. Phirke
  • Patent number: 9018577
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system comprises a single imaging sensor having a plurality of photosensor elements. The imaging sensor captures image data of a scene exterior of the vehicle within its field of view. Image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to a control. The control also receives via a communication bus at least one of vehicle pitch information, vehicle yaw information and vehicle steering information. The control detects two substantially straight and converging road features along the road the vehicle is travelling and determines a point of intersection where they would converge using, at least in part, the received vehicle information and the control automatically corrects for misalignment of the imaging sensor mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Antony V. Jeyaraj, Manoj R. Phirke
  • Patent number: 9014904
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. With the imaging device disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle, the imaging device has a field of view at least one of rearward of the vehicle and sideward of the vehicle. A control utilizes edge detection in processing image data captured by the imaging device. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the control, the control determines that an object is present in the field of view of the imaging device. The control is operable to determine that the imaging device is misaligned. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the imaging array sensor, is operable to at least partially compensate for the determined misalignment of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Publication number: 20150092059
    Abstract: An imaging system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having a two-dimensional array of photosensing pixels that includes at least one sub-array having a first photosensing pixel, a second photosensing pixel, a third photosensing pixel and a fourth photosensing pixel. Spectral filtering is disposed at the photosensing pixels whereby the first photosensing pixel primarily senses red visible light, the second photosensing primarily senses blue visible light, the third photosensing primarily senses green visible light and the fourth photosensing primarily senses infrared radiation. The imaging sensor is disposed at a vehicle and has a field of view external of the vehicle. An image processor is operable for processing image data captured by the imaging sensor. The image data includes outputs of the first, second, third and fourth photosensing pixels. The processing of image data by the image processor may include de-mosaicing that reduces infrared color wash-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, William R. Livengood, James D. Harris
  • Publication number: 20140362594
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at and viewing forwardly through a windshield of the equipped vehicle and operable to capture image data. A control operable to process captured image data utilizing algorithmic decision-making, which uses an edge detection algorithm. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect a pedestrian present in the field of view of the camera. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to pedestrian detection, the control is operable to generate an alert to a driver of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to detection of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, a light beam of a headlight of the equipped vehicle is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Yuesheng Lu, William C. Ince
  • Patent number: 8908040
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having four photosensing pixels of a sub-array, with one of (a) a red-light transmitting spectral filter disposed at a first photosensing pixel whereby the first pixel of each sub-array primarily senses red visible light and with an IR transmitting spectral filter disposed at the fourth photosensing pixel whereby the fourth pixel of each sub-array primarily senses infrared radiation, and (b) a red-light transmitting spectral filter disposed at a first photosensing pixel whereby the first pixel of each sub-array primarily senses red visible light and with an IR transmitting spectral filter disposed at a third photosensing pixel whereby the third pixel of each sub-array primarily senses infrared radiation. An image processor processes the output of each sub-array to determine at least one of an infrared component of the imaged scene and a visible light component of the imaged scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, William R. Livengood, James D. Harris
  • Patent number: 8849508
    Abstract: A driver assistance system includes a stereo vision system that includes at least one camera and at least one sensor disposed on or in a vehicle; a roadside marker detection unit configured to receive stereo image data from the stereo vision system, and to detect roadside markers from the stereo image data; and a road path estimation unit configured to estimate a road path in a direction of travel of the vehicle, based on the roadside markers detected by the roadside marker detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Faroog Ibrahim, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman