Patents by Inventor Sebastian Pliefke

Sebastian Pliefke 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: 11657537
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a vehicular vision system includes mounting a camera at a vehicle moving along a vehicle assembly line. Responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, ground features adjacent to the vehicle are determined and the determined ground features are tracked over two or more frames of captured image data using optical flow. A misalignment of the camera is determined via tracking the determined ground features as the vehicle moves along the straight path portion of the end of line test portion of the vehicle assembly line. Responsive to determination of misalignment of the camera at the vehicle, the vehicular vision system is calibrated using an assumption that the determined ground features lie in a plane parallel to a planar portion of a ground surface adjacent the straight path portion of the end of line test portion of the vehicle assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jagmal Singh, Sebastian Pliefke, Holger Hess
  • Patent number: 11555888
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a vehicular radar sensing system includes disposing two spaced apart calibrating radars at respective transmitting locations that are spaced from a vehicle calibration location at an end of line portion of a vehicle assembly line, and moving a vehicle along the vehicle assembly line, the vehicle including an electronic control unit (ECU) and a vehicular radar operable to sense exterior of the vehicle. Signals are transmitted via the first and second calibrating radars at the transmitting locations and, with the vehicle at the vehicle calibration location, the plurality of radar receivers of the vehicular radar receive the transmitted signals transmitted by the first and second calibrating radars, and the vehicular radar generates an output that is processed at the ECU. Responsive to processing at the ECU of the output of the vehicular radar, misalignment of the vehicular radar at the vehicle is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Jagmal Singh, Sergio D. Biarge
  • Patent number: 11410431
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a rear backup camera viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. With a trailer hitched to the vehicle, and based at least in part on image processing of captured image data during a backing-up maneuver, the image processor determines a distance between an axle of the trailer and the hitch of the vehicle and determines a trailer angle of the trailer hitched to the vehicle. During the backing-up maneuver of the trailer hitched to the vehicle, the vehicular control system determines a path of the trailer responsive to (i) a steering angle of the vehicle, (ii) the determined trailer angle of the trailer and (iii) the determined distance between the axle of the trailer and the hitch of the vehicle. The vehicular control system displays information to assist the driver in backing up the trailer hitched to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Paul Jarmola, Thomas Wierich, Steven V. Byrne, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 11333739
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a vehicular sensing system includes disposing the sensing system at a vehicle, with the sensing system including at least two radar sensors disposed at the vehicle so as to have respective fields of sensing exterior of the vehicle. At least one spherical radar reflector is disposed at a position exterior the vehicle where the fields of sensing of the at least two radar sensors overlap. A calibration mode of the sensing system is entered, and calibration radio waves are transmitted by at least one transmitter, and reflected calibration radio waves are received by receivers of the at least two radar sensors. The reflected calibration radio waves include the calibration radio waves reflected off the at least one spherical radar reflector. A controller calibrates the sensing system responsive to processing the received reflected calibration radio waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Helmut Arnold Hardow Wodrich, Holger Hess, Sebastian Pliefke, Walter Gordon Woodington
  • Publication number: 20220146626
    Abstract: A method includes disposing a spherical radar reflector at a location exterior a vehicle equipped with the vehicular sensing system. The vehicular sensing system includes at least two radar sensors disposed at the vehicle and a controller that processes received radio frequency (RF) signals received by the plurality of receivers of each radar sensor of the at least two radar sensors. Calibration RF signals are transmitted by at least one transmitting antenna of a plurality of transmitters of a first radar sensor and a second radar sensor the at least two radar sensors, and reflected first calibration RF signals are received by the plurality of receivers of the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor. Based on a distance between the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the spherical reflector, the vehicular sensing system determines an orientation of the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Helmut A. Wodrich, Holger Hess, Sebastian Pliefke, Walter G. Woodington
  • Publication number: 20210158061
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a rear backup camera viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. With a trailer hitched to the vehicle, and based at least in part on image processing of captured image data during a backing-up maneuver, the image processor determines a distance between an axle of the trailer and the hitch of the vehicle and determines a trailer angle of the trailer hitched to the vehicle. During the backing-up maneuver of the trailer hitched to the vehicle, the vehicular control system determines a path of the trailer responsive to (i) a steering angle of the vehicle, (ii) the determined trailer angle of the trailer and (iii) the determined distance between the axle of the trailer and the hitch of the vehicle. The vehicular control system displays information to assist the driver in backing up the trailer hitched to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Paul Jarmola, Thomas Wierich, Steven V. Byrne, Yuesheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20210125376
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a vehicular vision system includes mounting a camera at a vehicle moving along a vehicle assembly line. Responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, ground features adjacent to the vehicle are determined and the determined ground features are tracked over two or more frames of captured image data using optical flow. A misalignment of the camera is determined via tracking the determined ground features as the vehicle moves along the straight path portion of the end of line test portion of the vehicle assembly line. Responsive to determination of misalignment of the camera at the vehicle, the vehicular vision system is calibrated using an assumption that the determined ground features lie in a plane parallel to a planar portion of a ground surface adjacent the straight path portion of the end of line test portion of the vehicle assembly line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Jagmal Singh, Sebastian Pliefke, Holger Hess
  • Publication number: 20210124015
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a vehicular radar sensing system includes disposing two spaced apart calibrating radars at respective transmitting locations that are spaced from a vehicle calibration location at an end of line portion of a vehicle assembly line, and moving a vehicle along the vehicle assembly line, the vehicle including an electronic control unit (ECU) and a vehicular radar operable to sense exterior of the vehicle. Signals are transmitted via the first and second calibrating radars at the transmitting locations and, with the vehicle at the vehicle calibration location, the plurality of radar receivers of the vehicular radar receive the transmitted signals transmitted by the first and second calibrating radars, and the vehicular radar generates an output that is processed at the ECU. Responsive to processing at the ECU of the output of the vehicular radar, misalignment of the vehicular radar at the vehicle is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Jagmal Singh, Sergio D. Biarge
  • Patent number: 10909393
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera having an exterior field of view at least forward of the vehicle. During a forward maneuver of the vehicle towing a trailer, the vehicular control system detects an object present exterior of the vehicle which ought not be impacted during the forward maneuver of the vehicle towing the trailer based at least in part on image processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to detection of the object, the vehicular control system determines a forward driving path for the vehicle towing the trailer that avoids the detected object so that the trailer does not run over or contact the detected object. The vehicular control system determines the forward driving path at least in part responsive to (i) processing of captured image data and (ii) trailer data pertaining to physical characteristics of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Paul Jarmola, Thomas Wierich, Steven V. Byrne, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 10885669
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a vehicular camera includes mounting a camera at a vehicle moving along a vehicle assembly line. Responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, features at the ground adjacent to the vehicle are determined and the determined features are tracked over two or more frames of captured image data. Responsive to processing of frames of captured image data during movement of the vehicle along a straight path, a misalignment of the camera is determined. The misaligned camera is calibrated using an assumption that the determined ground features lie in a plane parallel to a planar portion of the ground surface adjacent the straight path portion of the vehicle assembly line. The determination of misalignment and the calibration of the camera are performed without use of a target pattern at the vehicle assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jagmal Singh, Sebastian Pliefke, Holger Hess
  • Patent number: 10884103
    Abstract: A calibration system for calibrating a radar sensing system for a vehicle includes at least one calibrating radar transmitter spaced from a location where the vehicle may be positioned. The vehicle includes a radar sensor disposed at the vehicle so as to sense exterior of the vehicle. The radar sensor includes a plurality of transmitters that transmit radio signals and a plurality of receivers that receive radio signals that are transmitted radio signals reflected from an object. A processor is operable to process an output of the receivers. With the vehicle positioned at the location, the at least one calibrating transmitter transmits signals that are received by the receivers of the radar sensor. Responsive to processing by the processor of the output of the receivers when receiving signals transmitted by the at least one calibrating transmitter, the calibration system determines if the radar sensor is misaligned at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Jagmal Singh, Sergio D. Biarge
  • Publication number: 20200271755
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a vehicular sensing system includes disposing the sensing system at a vehicle, with the sensing system including at least two radar sensors disposed at the vehicle so as to have respective fields of sensing exterior of the vehicle. At least one spherical radar reflector is disposed at a position exterior the vehicle where the fields of sensing of the at least two radar sensors overlap. A calibration mode of the sensing system is entered, and calibration radio waves are transmitted by at least one transmitter, and reflected calibration radio waves are received by receivers of the at least two radar sensors. The reflected calibration radio waves include the calibration radio waves reflected off the at least one spherical radar reflector. A controller calibrates the sensing system responsive to processing the received reflected calibration radio waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Helmut Arnold Hardow Wodrich, Holger Hess, Sebastian Pliefke, Walter Gordon Woodington
  • Publication number: 20200210727
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera having an exterior field of view at least forward of the vehicle. During a forward maneuver of the vehicle towing a trailer, the vehicular control system detects an object present exterior of the vehicle which ought not be impacted during the forward maneuver of the vehicle towing the trailer based at least in part on image processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to detection of the object, the vehicular control system determines a forward driving path for the vehicle towing the trailer that avoids the detected object so that the trailer does not run over or contact the detected object. The vehicular control system determines the forward driving path at least in part responsive to (i) processing of captured image data and (ii) trailer data pertaining to physical characteristics of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Paul Jarmola, Thomas Wierich, Steven V. Byrne, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 10586119
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera having an exterior field of view at least rearward of the vehicle and operable to capture image data. A trailer is attached to the vehicle and image data captured by the camera includes image data captured when the vehicle is maneuvered with the trailer at an angle relative to the vehicle. The vehicular control system determines a path of the trailer responsive at least to a steering angle of the vehicle. The vehicular control system detects an object present exterior of the vehicle during maneuvering of the vehicle and the trailer and based at least in part on image processing of captured image data. The vehicular control system plans a driving path for the vehicle that avoids the detected object so that the vehicle and the trailer do not run over or contact the detected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Paul Jarmola, Thomas Wierich, Steven V. Byrne, Yuesheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20200051281
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a vehicular camera includes mounting a camera at a vehicle moving along a vehicle assembly line. Responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, features at the ground adjacent to the vehicle are determined and the determined features are tracked over two or more frames of captured image data. Responsive to processing of frames of captured image data during movement of the vehicle along a straight path, a misalignment of the camera is determined. The misaligned camera is calibrated using an assumption that the determined ground features lie in a plane parallel to a planar portion of the ground surface adjacent the straight path portion of the vehicle assembly line. The determination of misalignment and the calibration of the camera are performed without use of a target pattern at the vehicle assembly line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Jagmal Singh, Sebastian Pliefke, Holger Hess
  • Patent number: 10493917
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer backup assist system is operable to steer a vehicle, with a trailer connected at the rear of the vehicle, during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle and trailer. The system electronically overlays a plurality of zones over displayed video images, with each individual zone of the overlayed plurality of zones being indicative of a respective individual region rearward of the vehicle and trailer. Responsive to a selected zone of travel for the trailer, the control controls steering of the vehicle to steer the vehicle to guide the trailer towards the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel during reversing of the vehicle and trailer. The driver of the vehicle manually adjusts steering of the vehicle to more accurately steer the vehicle towards a target location within the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Horst D. Diessner, Christian Weber
  • Patent number: 10453217
    Abstract: A vehicular camera calibration system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle and being operable to capture image data. Responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, the camera calibration system determines features at the ground adjacent to the vehicle and tracks the determined features over two or more frames of captured image data. Responsive to processing of frames of captured image data during movement of the vehicle along a straight path on a planar surface, the camera calibration system is operable to determine a misalignment of the camera. The camera calibration system calibrates the misaligned camera by using an assumption that the determined features lie in a plane parallel to the planar surface along which the vehicle is traveling. The camera calibration system calibrates the camera by reducing ambiguity in vectors normal to the planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jagmal Singh, Sebastian Pliefke, Holger Hess
  • Patent number: 10445900
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a camera of a vehicular vision system includes capturing a first frame of image data by the camera during a first ignition cycle of the vehicle, and, responsive to ending the first ignition cycle of the vehicle, saving to memory the first frame of captured image data. A second frame of image data is captured by the camera during a second ignition cycle of the vehicle following the first ignition cycle. The first frame of captured image data is compared by an image processor to the second frame of captured image data to determine a change in orientation of the camera. Responsive to determination of the change in orientation of the camera, processing by the image processor of frames of image data captured by the camera during the second ignition cycle is adjusted to accommodate the determined change in orientation of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jagmal Singh, Sebastian Pliefke
  • Patent number: 10380765
    Abstract: A camera calibration system for a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the cameras. The image processor is operable, via processing of image data captured by the cameras, to determine a change in orientation of at least one of the cameras. The image processor determines the change in orientation from a previous orientation during a previous ignition cycle of the vehicle and a current orientation at the onset of a current or subsequent ignition cycle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jagmal Singh, Sebastian Pliefke
  • Publication number: 20190143895
    Abstract: A vehicular trailer backup assist system is operable to steer a vehicle, with a trailer connected at the rear of the vehicle, during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle and trailer. The system electronically overlays a plurality of zones over displayed video images, with each individual zone of the overlayed plurality of zones being indicative of a respective individual region rearward of the vehicle and trailer. Responsive to a selected zone of travel for the trailer, the control controls steering of the vehicle to steer the vehicle to guide the trailer towards the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel during reversing of the vehicle and trailer. The driver of the vehicle manually adjusts steering of the vehicle to more accurately steer the vehicle towards a target location within the respective individual region that is encompassed by the selected zone of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Horst D. Diessner, Christian Weber