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).

  • Publication number: 20210023995
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assist system includes a rearward viewing camera, a driver-side camera, a passenger-side camera and at least one radar sensor. Image data captured by the cameras is provided to a control and radar data captured by the radar sensor is provided to the control. The control processes the provided captured data to determine a potential hazard presented by rear-approaching traffic. The control outputs video image data for display by a display device of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video display screen that displays video images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle during operation of the equipped vehicle. The control processes provided captured image data and provided captured radar data to alert the driver to the determined potential hazard presented by the rear-approaching traffic in the side traffic lane adjacent to the traffic lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20210024000
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at an exterior portion of a body side of the equipped vehicle and viewing sideward and rearward of the equipped vehicle. A video display screen is disposed in an interior cabin of the equipped vehicle and operable to display video images. When no other vehicle is detected in another traffic lane, the video display screen displays video images representative of a first portion of the exterior scene viewed by the camera. Responsive to determination that another vehicle is in the other traffic lane and approaching from rearward of the equipped vehicle, the video display screen displays video images representative of a second portion of the exterior scene that includes the determined other vehicle. Responsive to detection of the other vehicle, the video display screen displays a graphic overlay overlaying the displayed video images representative of the second portion of the exterior scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Gregory A. Huizen, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20210016708
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element assembly. The mirror reflective element assembly includes a main reflective element backing plate and a main reflective element. The main reflective element includes a glass substrate having a mirror reflector coated at a surface thereof. The mirror reflector-coated glass substrate of the main reflective element is attached at the main reflective element backing plate. The mirror reflective element assembly includes an auxiliary reflective element backing plate and an auxiliary wide angle reflective element. The auxiliary wide angle reflective element is positioned on the auxiliary reflective element backing plate. The auxiliary reflective element backing plate is attached to the main reflective element backing plate via an attachment mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Kevin P. Benthem, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10877147
    Abstract: A forward sensing system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor and a forward facing image sensor disposed within a windshield electronics module that is removably installed within the vehicle cabin at an upper region of the vehicle windshield and that is removable therefrom as a self-contained unit for service or replacement. A control is responsive to an output of the radar sensor and responsive to an output of the image sensor. Responsive to the image sensor viewing an object present in the path of forward travel of the vehicle and/or responsive to the radar sensor sensing the object present in the path of forward travel of the vehicle, the control enhances interrogation of an area in front of the vehicle at which the object is present to determine if the object is an object of interest causing a potentially hazardous condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10875455
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a video display screen and a video processor operable to process captured video image data captured by a rearward-viewing camera at the vehicle. The video display screen includes a left display region at a left portion, a right display region at a right portion, and a middle display region that spans between the left and right display regions. The video display screen is operable to use the left and right display regions to display video images derived from a respective portion of captured image data. When the video display screen is displaying video images at the right or left display region that are derived from the respective portion of captured image data, the video display screen does not display video images representative of the other portion of captured image data at the other display regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200398757
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having front and rear glass substrates with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The front glass substrate includes a specularly reflective perimeter layer at least partially around a perimeter border region of the rear side of the front glass substrate. At least one light source is disposed behind the perimeter layer. With the vehicular rearview mirror assembly mounted at the vehicle and when the at least one light source is electrically powered, the at least one light source emits light that passes through the perimeter border region of the second side of the front glass substrate and that is visible to a viewer viewing the first side of the front glass substrate of the electrochromic reflective element at the perimeter layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200366870
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Upon approach of the vehicle to a curve in the road, speed of the vehicle is reduced to a reduced speed for traveling around the curve in the road at least in part responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of (a) processing of image data captured by the forward viewing camera and (b) data relevant to a current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10839233
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 10829052
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a prismatic mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a planar front surface and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate, with an outermost part of the plastic molding providing a curved transition between the planar front surface of the prismatic mirror reflective element and another part of the plastic molding. The outermost part of the plastic molding includes an outer curved surface and lacks an exposed sharp edge. The plastic molding includes a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. A mounting structure is configured to mount the vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10829053
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle equipped with a blind spot monitoring system includes a mirror reflective element sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a heater pad disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. A light transmitting aperture of the heater pad is juxtaposed with a light transmitting aperture of the mirror reflector of the reflective element and with a light transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes first structure that is configured to attach at an actuator. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the light transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, and, when activated responsive to a blind spot monitoring system of the vehicle, emits light through the light transmitting apertures, forming an illuminated icon viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10814785
    Abstract: A vehicular rear backup vision system includes a rear backup digital color camera and a display device including a video display screen disposed in an interior cabin of the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. Upon initial ignition on of the vehicle that commences a new ignition cycle of the vehicle, the rear backup digital color camera is electrically powered. After engine startup of the vehicle, the vehicular rear backup vision system displays on the video display screen rear backup color video images solely derived from image data captured by the rear backup digital color camera no later than 2 seconds after the driver of the vehicle first shifts a vehicle transmission of the vehicle into reverse gear to commence a first backup event. The rear backup digital color camera remains electrically powered at least until the first backup event is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200331389
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rear backup camera and a display device viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video screen operable to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera. Video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed by the video screen of the display device when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The video screen continues to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera for a threshold time period after the transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted out of reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200331393
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a self-contained battery powered module releasably disposable at the mirror head of the mirror assembly. The self-contained battery powered module includes a toll transponder that communicates with an automated toll system. The mirror head has a receiving portion for receiving the self-contained battery powered module thereat. The receiving portion includes an opening established through a wall of the mirror casing. The self-contained battery powered module may be releasably retained at least partially in the receiving portion via a push-to-release mechanism. The self-contained battery powered module may be removable from the receiving portion via pushing at the self-contained battery powered module to release the self-contained battery powered module from the push-to-release mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Craig Kendall, Christopher R. Koetje, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10800331
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a rear backup camera and a display device viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video screen operable to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera. Video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed by the video screen of the display device when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The video screen continues to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera for a threshold time period after the transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted out of reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Lee Karner, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200320320
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an illumination source that, when powered, emits light that illuminates at least a portion of a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the interior of the vehicle and views the portion of the driver. A control includes an image processor that processes captured image data. The illumination source is controlled to modulate intensity of light emitted by the illumination source. The image data output is processed to distinguish a component of the image data output that arises from the illumination source illuminating the portion of the driver from a component of the image data output that arises from ambient light illuminating the portion of the driver. The control filters the image data output to reduce the distinguished component that arises from ambient light and, responsive to processing of the filtered image data output, monitors the portion of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200317128
    Abstract: A method for forming a reflective element for a vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes providing a roll of an ultrathin glass sheet, the ultrathin glass sheet having a thickness dimension of less than or equal to 0.8 mm and greater than or equal to 0.3 mm. An elongated sheet of transparent plastic material if formed. The elongated sheet has a planar first side and a planar second side opposite the planar first side and separated from the planar first side by a thickness of the elongated sheet. The ultrathin glass sheet is unrolled from the roll of the ultrathin glass sheet and the unrolled ultrathin glass sheet is applied to the first side of the elongated sheet. A reflective layer is applied to the second side of the elongated sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10793068
    Abstract: A camera monitoring system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with a video display screen disposed behind the interior mirror reflective element. The video display screen is operable to display video images derived at least in part from image data captured by at least one video camera of a plurality of video cameras of the equipped vehicle. Image data captured by at least a driver-side viewing video camera and a passenger-side viewing video camera is provided to an image processor and is processed by the image processor to detect vehicles present exterior of the equipped vehicle. Responsive at least in part to detection of another vehicle, video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the driver-side viewing video camera, a rear viewing video camera and/or the passenger-side viewing video camera are displayed by the video display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Kevin P. Benthem, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200292696
    Abstract: A forward sensing system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor and a forward facing image sensor disposed within a windshield electronics module that is removably installed within the vehicle cabin at an upper region of the vehicle windshield and that is removable therefrom as a self-contained unit for service or replacement. A control is responsive to an output of the radar sensor and responsive to an output of the image sensor. Responsive to the image sensor viewing an object present in the path of forward travel of the vehicle and/or responsive to the radar sensor sensing the object present in the path of forward travel of the vehicle, the control enhances interrogation of an area in front of the vehicle at which the object is present to determine if the object is an object of interest causing a potentially hazardous condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10773724
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module includes a camera, and electrical circuitry associated with the camera is disposed within the accessory module. The accessory module includes a portion that faces towards the windshield when the accessory module is mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield. The portion includes wall structure, and the lens of the camera protrudes through the wall structure to exterior of the accessory module. The accessory module and mounting element are configured so that, with the accessory module mounted to the mounting element, the lens is facing towards the windshield and the camera has a field of view appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joshua L. DeWard, Steven L. Brown, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20200285331
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. Individual user input elements of a plurality of user input elements are arranged in a row below the transflective reflective element. At least one of the individual user input elements is a user input element for an imaging system of the vehicle. Each individual display element of a plurality of display elements is associated with a respective user input element of the plurality of user input elements. Each individual display element of the plurality of display elements is selectively activated by activation of its respective user input element. Each individual display element and its respective user input element are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of the respective user input element and activation of the associated individual display element is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: John O. Lindahl, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam, John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook