Patents by Inventor Shawn T. Hunt
Shawn T. Hunt 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).
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Patent number: 11820424Abstract: A method for backing up a trailer hitched to a vehicle includes mounting a rear backup camera at a vehicle and hitching a trailer at the hitch of the vehicle. Responsive to processing captured image data by a processor of the control, at least a portion of the trailer tongue of the trailer is detected using an edge detection algorithm. Responsive to processing at the control of image data captured by the rear backup camera during a backing up maneuver of the trailer hitched to the vehicle, trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle is determined. The control, based at least in part on trailer angle of the trailer, controls a steering system of the vehicle during the backing up maneuver of the trailer hitched to the vehicle to back up the trailer hitched to the vehicle along a rearward trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Publication number: 20210114657Abstract: A method for backing up a trailer hitched to a vehicle includes mounting a rear backup camera at a vehicle and hitching a trailer at the hitch of the vehicle. Responsive to processing captured image data by a processor of the control, at least a portion of the trailer tongue of the trailer is detected using an edge detection algorithm. Responsive to processing at the control of image data captured by the rear backup camera during a backing up maneuver of the trailer hitched to the vehicle, trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle is determined. The control, based at least in part on trailer angle of the trailer, controls a steering system of the vehicle during the backing up maneuver of the trailer hitched to the vehicle to back up the trailer hitched to the vehicle along a rearward trajectory.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Patent number: 10858042Abstract: A method for determining a trailer angle for a trailering assist system of a vehicle includes providing a rearward facing camera at a rearward portion of a vehicle and a control that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing by the processor of captured image data, a location of a portion of the trailer relative to the vehicle and a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle are determined. During a reversing maneuver, a rearward trajectory of the trailer is determined and a graphic overlay may be generated to overlay displayed images to indicate the determined rearward trajectory. During forward travel, a degree of swing of the trailer may be determined and a threshold level of swing may be adjusted based at least in part on a speed of the vehicle and trailer and/or a load of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Patent number: 10397451Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera and a processor operable to process captured image data. With the vehicle moving, the processor models outputs of photosensing elements of the camera as Gaussian distributions. With the vehicle moving, the processor determines an output of respective photosensing elements over multiple frames of captured image data, and determines whether the output of a photosensing element fits the Gaussian distribution for that element. Responsive to determination that the output of the element fits within the respective Gaussian distribution for that element, the system classifies that element as a blocked element. Responsive to determination that the output of the element does not fit within the respective Gaussian distribution for that element, the system classifies that element as a not blocked element. Responsive to determination that the ratio of blocked elements to not blocked elements is greater than a threshold ratio, a blockage condition is determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Shawn T. Hunt
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Publication number: 20180316828Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera and a processor operable to process captured image data. With the vehicle moving, the processor models outputs of photosensing elements of the camera as Gaussian distributions. With the vehicle moving, the processor determines an output of respective photosensing elements over multiple frames of captured image data, and determines whether the output of a photosensing element fits the Gaussian distribution for that element. Responsive to determination that the output of the element fits within the respective Gaussian distribution for that element, the system classifies that element as a blocked element. Responsive to determination that the output of the element does not fit within the respective Gaussian distribution for that element, the system classifies that element as a not blocked element. Responsive to determination that the ratio of blocked elements to not blocked elements is greater than a threshold ratio, a blockage condition is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Shawn T. Hunt
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Publication number: 20180251154Abstract: A method for determining a trailer angle for a trailering assist system of a vehicle includes providing a rearward facing camera at a rearward portion of a vehicle and a control that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing by the processor of captured image data, a location of a portion of the trailer relative to the vehicle and a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle are determined. During a reversing maneuver, a rearward trajectory of the trailer is determined and a graphic overlay may be generated to overlay displayed images to indicate the determined rearward trajectory. During forward travel, a degree of swing of the trailer may be determined and a threshold level of swing may be adjusted based at least in part on a speed of the vehicle and trailer and/or a load of the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Patent number: 10021278Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having an imaging array having multiple columns of photosensing elements and multiple rows of photosensing elements, with the columns of photosensing elements being generally vertically orientated and the rows of photosensing elements being generally horizontally orientated relative to ground. The multiple rows of photosensing elements comprising top rows, middle rows and bottom rows. When the vehicle is moving, top row brightness values at top rows, middle row brightness values at middle rows, and bottom row brightness values at bottom rows are determined by processing of captured image data by a processor. Contrast of middle row brightness values compared to bottom row brightness values or top row brightness values is determined and, based on determined contrast of middle row brightness values compared to bottom row brightness values or top row brightness values, an at least partial blockage of the camera is detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Shawn T. Hunt
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Patent number: 9950738Abstract: A trailering assist system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the trailering assist system. The rearward facing camera is operable to capture image data representative of the scene rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured image data and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Publication number: 20160234405Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having an imaging array having multiple columns of photosensing elements and multiple rows of photosensing elements, with the columns of photosensing elements being generally vertically orientated and the rows of photosensing elements being generally horizontally orientated relative to ground. The multiple rows of photosensing elements comprising top rows, middle rows and bottom rows. When the vehicle is moving, top row brightness values at top rows, middle row brightness values at middle rows, and bottom row brightness values at bottom rows are determined by processing of captured image data by a processor. Contrast of middle row brightness values compared to bottom row brightness values or top row brightness values is determined and, based on determined contrast of middle row brightness values compared to bottom row brightness values or top row brightness values, an at least partial blockage of the camera is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Shawn T. Hunt
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Patent number: 9319637Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera and a processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. When the vehicle is moving, the processor at least one of (a) reads a selected set of imager register values and compare a contrast of auto exposure control zones, and wherein, responsive to a determination that a range of contrast levels is less than a threshold level, the processor determines that there are contaminants at the lens or cover of the camera, and (b) monitors outputs of photosensing elements of the camera and, when the outputs fit a Gaussian distribution, the processor classifies the photosensing elements as blocked elements and, responsive to a determination that a number of the blocked photosensing elements is greater than a threshold level, the processor determines that there are contaminants at the lens or cover of the camera.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Shawn T. Hunt
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Publication number: 20150321697Abstract: A trailering assist system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the trailering assist system. The rearward facing camera is operable to capture image data representative of the scene rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured image data and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Patent number: 9085261Abstract: A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the rear vision system. The rearward facing camera is operable to captures images rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured images and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Publication number: 20140200759Abstract: A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the rear vision system. The rearward facing camera is operable to captures images rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured images and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Travis G. Johnson, Shawn T. Hunt
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Publication number: 20130300869Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera and a processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. When the vehicle is moving, the processor at least one of (a) reads a selected set of imager register values and compare a contrast of auto exposure control zones, and wherein, responsive to a determination that a range of contrast levels is less than a threshold level, the processor determines that there are contaminants at the lens or cover of the camera, and (b) monitors outputs of photosensing elements of the camera and, when the outputs fit a Gaussian distribution, the processor classifies the photosensing elements as blocked elements and, responsive to a determination that a number of the blocked photosensing elements is greater than a threshold level, the processor determines that there are contaminants at the lens or cover of the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Shawn T. Hunt