Patents by Inventor Nicolae PAHONTU

Nicolae PAHONTU 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: 10864911
    Abstract: A method and device for determining an anomalous driving pattern of a neighboring vehicle using a vehicle camera and/or other sensor is described. Image data is received and if suitable lane markings are detected, a reference trajectory is derived from the detected lane markers. Otherwise, a reference trajectory is derived from a motion of the present vehicle. A trajectory of the neighboring vehicle is determined, characteristic parameters of the detected trajectory are derived, and the characteristic parameters are compared with predetermined trajectory data. Based on the comparison it is determined if the trajectory of the neighboring vehicle is an anomalous trajectory and in one case an alert signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Razvan-Calin Jurca, Nicolae Pahontu
  • Patent number: 10217006
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting objects in the dark using a vehicle camera and a vehicle lighting system. The method comprising: a) taking a first image with the vehicle lighting switched off; b) taking a second image with the vehicle lighting switched on; c) generating a differential image of the second and first images; and d) detecting reflective objects using the differential image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Nicolae Pahontu
  • Publication number: 20180257647
    Abstract: A method and device for determining an anomalous driving pattern of a neighboring vehicle using a vehicle camera and/or other sensor is described. Image data is received and if suitable lane markings are detected, a reference trajectory is derived from the detected lane markers. Otherwise, a reference trajectory is derived from a motion of the present vehicle. A trajectory of the neighboring vehicle is determined, characteristic parameters of the detected trajectory are derived, and the characteristic parameters are compared with predetermined trajectory data. Based on the comparison it is determined if the trajectory of the neighboring vehicle is an anomalous trajectory and in one case an alert signal is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Razvan-Calin Jurca, Nicolae Pahontu, Steen Kristensen, Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 9864916
    Abstract: In a method for triggering a driver assistance function of a subject vehicle, image data of surroundings in front of the vehicle is generated by a camera and supplied to an analyzing unit. A driver assistance function is triggered upon detection of a brake light of an other vehicle in the image data. A geometric region of the detected other vehicle is determined as exhibiting the highest pixel brightness values and the color red. The geometric region is detected as a raised brake light of the other vehicle if the geometric region is positioned essentially in the middle of the horizontal structure of the other vehicle, or at least a predetermined height above the roadway, or at least a predetermined distance below a rear window of the other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Botusescu, Radu Ciucur, Nicolae Pahontu, Sabin Catana, Valentin Vintila
  • Publication number: 20170061221
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting objects in the dark using a vehicle camera and a vehicle lighting system. The method comprising: a) taking a first image with the vehicle lighting switched off; b) taking a second image with the vehicle lighting switched on; c) generating a differential image of the second and first images; and d) detecting reflective objects using the differential image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Nicolae Pahontu
  • Publication number: 20160110620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for triggering a driver assistance function of a vehicle, in which image data of that part of the surroundings of the vehicle which is in front of the vehicle is generated by means of a camera and supplied to an analyzing unit for the purpose of analysis and the driver assistance function is triggered upon detection of a stop light (1) of a further vehicle (10) detected as an object, said stop light (1) being contained in the image data. According to the invention, at least one geometric region of a detected object (10) is determined in the image data, the pixels of said region essentially exhibiting the highest brightness values in the image data and the spectral color red, and the geometric region is detected as a raised stop light (1) of the further vehicle (10) if the geometric region is detected to be positioned essentially in the middle of the horizontal structure of the detected object (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Adrian BOTUSESCU, Radu CIUCUR, Nicolae PAHONTU, Sabin CATANA, Valentin VINTILA