Patents by Inventor Niall R. Lynam

Niall R. Lynam 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: 10139978
    Abstract: A head up display system for a vehicle includes an image projection device disposed in the vehicle and having a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form an image that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The image projection device is disposed at one of (i) an accessory module disposed in the vehicle, (ii) an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in the vehicle, and (iii) a dashboard of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: 10131280
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element, and a video display device disposed in the mirror case and operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector and the video display device is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera disposed at the vehicle. The on-screen display controller is operable to overlay a graphic overlay onto a video signal received from the camera such that a video feed generated by the on-screen display controller includes the graphic overlay. The video display device comprises a metallic enclosure that is electrically grounded when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10124733
    Abstract: An electro-optic mirror reflective element for a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. A surface of the front substrate and a surface of the rear substrate oppose each other and are spaced apart by a perimeter seal, with an electro-optic medium disposed between the surfaces and bounded by the perimeter seal. A transparent electrically conductive coating is established at the surface of the front substrate, and a specularly reflective mirror reflector is established at the surface of the rear substrate. The specularly reflective mirror reflector includes a stack of thin film layers having (i) an environmentally stable electrically conductive metallic reflecting thin film layer, (ii) an environmentally vulnerable electrically conductive metallic reflecting thin film layer and (iii) a transparent electrically conductive thin film layer. The transparent electrically conductive thin film layer includes aluminum doped zinc oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180309963
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera that views forward through the vehicle windshield and a control including a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, (i) at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected, (ii) other vehicles exterior the vehicle are detected, and (iii) road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived at least in part from captured image data and that is at least in part relevant to a current geographic location of the vehicle is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle for processing to determine information relevant to the vehicle. Speed of the vehicle is controlled based at least in part on image data processed by the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10110860
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera that views forward through the vehicle windshield and a control including a processor that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, (i) at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected, (ii) other vehicles exterior the vehicle are detected, and (iii) road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived at least in part from captured image data and that is at least in part relevant to a current geographic location of the vehicle is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle for processing to determine information relevant to the vehicle. Speed of the vehicle is controlled based at least in part on image data processed by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10107905
    Abstract: A forward facing sensing system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor and an image sensor that sense and view forward of the vehicle. The radar sensor and the image sensor are housed in a self-contained unit disposed behind and attached at the vehicle windshield. A control includes an image processor operable to analyze image data captured by the image sensor in order to, at least in part, detect an object present exterior of the vehicle. The control, responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data and to sensing by the radar sensor, determines that a potentially hazardous condition may exist in the path of forward travel of the vehicle. The radar sensor and the image sensor collaborate in a way that enhances sensing capability of the sensing system for the object in the path of forward travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10086765
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blind spot indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes providing a housing, a rear cover and a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed at the housing and the rear cover is attached to a rear end of the housing to encase the circuit board, whereby electrical terminals extending from the circuit board are disposed between a first connector portion of the housing and a second connector portion of the rear cover, thereby forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board at least to electrical power when the blind spot indicator module is used by an exterior rearview mirror assembly that is attached to a vehicle. The circuitry includes a light emitting diode that emits light when electrically powered, and a diffuser element diffuses light emitted by the light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10091465
    Abstract: A vehicular scalable integrated control system includes a plurality of cameras having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. Image data captured by the cameras is processed by an image processor of a vehicular scalable integrated control unit. A display screen for displaying video images derived, at least in part, from captured image data. The system is operable to fuse captured image data with data captured by a radar device, an ultrasonic sensor and/or an infrared sensor. The system is part of an overall active safety sensing system, which includes fusion of outputs from a plurality of sensing devices to achieve environmental awareness at and surrounding the vehicle. The overall active safety sensing system is operable to at least one of (i) at least partially control the vehicle as the vehicle is driven along a road and (ii) provide alert warnings to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Dellantoni, Bernhard Schinkowitsch, André Schoenekaes, Axel Nix, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180257571
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an electrically operated actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element that, when the actuator is electrically operated, moves in tandem with the mirror head. The actuator, with the mounting arm attached at the exterior portion of the vehicle, and when the actuator is electrically operated, moves the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Eric S. Deuel, Justin E. Sobecki, Joseph R. Mambourg, Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10059265
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a driver-side exterior mirror assembly having a driver-side camera for capturing driver-side image data and a passenger-side exterior mirror assembly having a passenger-side camera for capturing passenger-side image data. A video display disposed at the vehicle displays video images derived from image data captured by the driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The video display includes a driver-side display portion and a passenger-side display portion. The driver-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera and does not display video images derived from any passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera. The passenger-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera and does not display video images derived from any driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Frank O'Brien, Robert L. Bingle, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10053012
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rearview video camera and a video processor operable to process captured video image data that includes at least a left zone image data set, a middle zone image data set and a right zone image data set. A single video display screen displays video images and includes a left display region at a left portion, a right display region at a right portion, and a middle display region between the left and right display regions. The display screen is operable to use each display region to display video images derived from the respective zone image data set. When the display screen is displaying video images at the right or left display region that are derived from the respective zone image data, the single video display screen does not display video images representative of the other zone image data at the other display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10053013
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera located behind and viewing through the vehicle windshield, a rear backup camera located at the rear of the vehicle, and a common image processor operable for processing captured image data. A video display screen is located within the interior cabin of the vehicle viewable by a driver of the vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear and while the driver is executing a reversing maneuver, video images derived from image data captured by at least the rear backup camera are displayed on the video display screen. When the vehicle is travelling forward, the common image processor processes image data captured by the forward-viewing camera for a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and for a headlamp control system of the vehicle and/or a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 10046714
    Abstract: An accessory mounting system includes a plurality of individual fixing elements configured to be adhesively attached at a surface of a vehicle windshield. With the fixing elements adhesively attached at the windshield, the fixing elements are spaced apart from one another. Each of the fixing elements includes a base portion that is configured to be directly adhesively attached at the windshield and an elongated portion that extends from the base portion in a direction away from the windshield when the base portion is attached at the windshield. A frame has a plurality of individual receiving portions. The elongated portions of the fixing elements are at least partially received in respective and corresponding ones of the receiving portions of the frame to attach the frame at the windshield when the fixing elements are attached at the surface of the windshield. The frame comprises structure for receiving an accessory thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Lawlor, Patrick J. Dowling, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10029616
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicle includes an electrically variable reflectance mirror reflective element that includes front and rear substrates with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate that conceals the perimeter seal from view by a driver of a vehicle. At least a portion of the mirror reflector extends from under the perimeter seal outward towards at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The mirror reflective element includes a more curved outboard region and a less curved inboard region. A laser-etched demarcation may demarcate the more curved outboard region of the mirror reflective element from the less curved inboard region of the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10027930
    Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes an imaging array and a spectral filter disposed at the imaging array. The imaging array includes a two dimensional array of photosensing pixels. The spectral filter includes a deflection color microsplitting configuration. The deflection microsplitting spectral filters are disposed in front of a pixel of a respective sub-array of a plurality of sub-arrays and not disposed in front of other pixels of the respective sub-array. The imaging array captures image data for use in a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180197024
    Abstract: A driver active safety control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of image capture sensors, a central control module and at least one radar sensor. The control module at least includes an image processor that processes image data captured by at least a forward viewing image capture sensor for automatic braking of the vehicle. The central control module receives vehicle data relating to operation of the vehicle, the vehicle data relating to at least one of (i) vehicle speed, (ii) vehicle steering, (iii) vehicle yaw rate, (iv) vehicle type and (v) vehicle acceleration. The central control module at least in part controls the vehicle responsive, at least in part, to processing of (i) vehicle data, (ii) image data, (iii) radar data and (iv) data from at least one of (a) the Car2Car communication system and (b) the Car2X communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10015452
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera that views forward through the vehicle windshield and a control including an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, (i) at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected, (ii) other vehicles exterior the vehicle are detected, and (iii) road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived at least in part from captured image data and at least in part relevant to a current geographic location of the vehicle is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle. Based at least in part on image data processed by the image processor, speed of the vehicle is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20180147993
    Abstract: A method of making a mirror reflective element suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes providing front and rear substrates, and disposing an electrically conductive layer and a metallic reflector at respective surfaces thereof. With the substrates joined and with an electrochromic medium disposed in an interpane cavity, light that reflects off of the mirror reflector and passes through the electrochromic medium and the front substrate is non-spectrally selective when no voltage is applied to the electrochromic medium. At least a portion of the mirror reflector extends under the perimeter seal and towards a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. A display is disposed to the rear of the rear substrate of the mirror reflective element at a light-transmitting window. The display is operable responsive to a blind spot detector of a vehicle equipped with an exterior rearview mirror assembly that incorporates the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Donald L. Bareman
  • Publication number: 20180134217
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an exterior structure mounted at an exterior portion of a body side of the equipped vehicle, with an imaging sensor disposed at the exterior structure and having a field of view exterior and sideward and rearward of the vehicle. A video display screen is disposed in an interior cabin of the equipped vehicle and operable to display video images. Responsive to detection of another vehicle at or near the side of the equipped vehicle, said video display screen displays a graphic overlay at the display screen. The graphic overlay includes a semitransparent overlay having a longitudinally extending line segment that extends along a displayed body side portion of the equipped vehicle and a plurality of laterally extending line segments that extend laterally outwardly from the longitudinally extending line segment at spaced apart intervals along the longitudinally extending line segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth C. PETERSON, Gregory A. HUIZEN, Niall R. LYNAM
  • Patent number: 9969334
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an outboard end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a frameless mirror reflective element fixedly attached at the mirror casing, with no part of the mirror casing disposed over the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of the driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element with the exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Eric S. Deuel, Justin E. Sobecki, Joseph R. Mambourg, Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam