Patents by Inventor Sylvie Wacquant

Sylvie Wacquant 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: 20240149669
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes at least one camera disposed in a vehicle and viewing a driver of the vehicle who is sitting in a driver seat of the vehicle. The vehicular control system is operable to drive the vehicle along a road in accordance with SAE Level 3. The vehicular control system determines, at least in part via processing of image data captured by the at least one camera, ability of the driver to take over driving the vehicle from the vehicular control system. While the vehicular control system is driving the vehicle in accordance with SAE Level 3, and responsive at least in part to determination by the vehicular control system that the driver is not able to take over driving the vehicle from the vehicular control system, the vehicular control system continues driving the vehicle in accordance with SAE Level 3 and initiates an emergency action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Hasib Hassan, Sylvie Wacquant, Heinz B. Seifert
  • Publication number: 20240119741
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior-viewing camera viewing at least a head region of a driver of a vehicle, and a plurality of exterior-viewing cameras disposed at and viewing exterior of the vehicle. Based at least in part on processing at an electronic control unit (ECU) of image data captured by the interior-viewing camera, the vehicular driver monitoring system monitors the driver of the vehicle. Based at least in part on processing at the ECU of image data captured by at least one exterior-viewing camera of the plurality of exterior-viewing cameras, the vehicular driver monitoring system estimates a current driving workload of the driver of the vehicle. Based at least in part on monitoring of the driver and the estimated current driving workload, the system classifies the driver as being at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) overloaded, (ii) attentive, (iii) distracted and (iv) drowsy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Sylvie Wacquant
  • Publication number: 20240112337
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera that views the driver of a vehicle. The vehicular driver monitoring system accesses a driver profile associated with the driver that includes status of a health parameter of the driver. The vehicular driver monitoring system, responsive at least in part to processing at an electronic control unit (ECU) of image data captured by the camera, determines a current status of the health parameter of the driver. The driver profile associated with the driver includes at least one previously determined status of the health parameter of the driver. The vehicular driver monitoring system determines a health rating of the driver based on a comparison of (i) the determined current status of the health parameter of the driver and (ii) the at least one previously determined status of the health parameter of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventor: Sylvie Wacquant
  • Patent number: 11872884
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a driver status information acquisition system and an in-vehicle control system of the vehicle. The driver status information acquisition system receives data from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle and determines the driver status responsive to processing of the received data. While the driver is not driving the vehicle and the in-vehicle control system is autonomously driving the vehicle, and responsive to determination that the driver of the vehicle should take over driving the vehicle from the in-vehicle control system, the in-vehicle control system alerts the driver to indicate that the driver should take over driving the vehicle. Responsive to the status of the driver while the driver is not driving the vehicle being indicative of the driver not being able to take over driving the vehicle, the in-vehicle control system continues driving the vehicle and initiates an emergency action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hasib Hassan, Sylvie Wacquant, Heinz B. Seifert
  • Patent number: 11854276
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior camera viewing at least a head region of a driver of a vehicle. Driver information pertaining to the driver of the vehicle is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU). Based at least in part on (i) processing at the ECU of image data captured by the interior camera and/or (ii) the received driver information, the vehicular driver monitoring system estimates a distraction workload of the driver and a driving workload of the driver. At least in part responsive to processing at the ECU of the estimated distraction workload and the estimated driving workload, the vehicular driver monitoring system determines an amount of driver attention. The amount of driver attention is determined at least in part by weighting the driving workload and the distraction workload based at least in part on driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvie Wacquant
  • Publication number: 20230087319
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes an interior camera viewing at least a head region of a driver of a vehicle. Driver information pertaining to the driver of the vehicle is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU). Based at least in part on (i) processing at the ECU of image data captured by the interior camera and/or (ii) the received driver information, the vehicular driver monitoring system estimates a distraction workload of the driver and a driving workload of the driver. At least in part responsive to processing at the ECU of the estimated distraction workload and the estimated driving workload, the vehicular driver monitoring system determines an amount of driver attention. The amount of driver attention is determined at least in part by weighting the driving workload and the distraction workload based at least in part on driving conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventor: Sylvie Wacquant
  • Patent number: 11488399
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a driver of a vehicle includes receiving, at a control, driver information based on the driver of the vehicle. A distraction workload of the driver is determined by the control based on the driver information and a driving workload of the driver is estimated by the control based on the driver information. An amount of driver attention is determined by the control based on the determined distraction workload and the determined driving workload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sylvie Wacquant
  • Publication number: 20200331346
    Abstract: A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a driver status information acquisition system and an in-vehicle control system of the vehicle. The driver status information acquisition system receives data from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle and determines the driver status responsive to processing of the received data. While the driver is not driving the vehicle and the in-vehicle control system is autonomously driving the vehicle, and responsive to determination that the driver of the vehicle should take over driving the vehicle from the in-vehicle control system, the in-vehicle control system alerts the driver to indicate that the driver should take over driving the vehicle. Responsive to the status of the driver while the driver is not driving the vehicle being indicative of the driver not being able to take over driving the vehicle, the in-vehicle control system continues driving the vehicle and initiates an emergency action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Hasib Hassan, Sylvie Wacquant, Heinz B. Seifert
  • Patent number: 10703204
    Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes a vehicle data acquisition system operable to determine vehicle status information after a vehicle is involved in a collision including information pertaining to (i) the collision of the vehicle, (ii) an overturning of the vehicle, (iii) water intrusion into the vehicle and (iv) airbag deployment. A driver status information acquisition system is operable to determine health parameters of the driver of the vehicle. A communication system of the vehicle is operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote assistance system. Responsive to the vehicle status information determined by the vehicle data acquisition system and the driver health parameters determined by the driver information acquisition system, the communication system wirelessly communicates information to the remote assistance system and, responsive to the communication received by the remote assistance system, the remote assistance system determines an appropriate response to the vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hasib Hassan, Sylvie Wacquant, Heinz B. Seifert
  • Publication number: 20200202151
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a driver of a vehicle includes receiving, at a control, driver information based on the driver of the vehicle. A distraction workload of the driver is determined by the control based on the driver information and a driving workload of the driver is estimated by the control based on the driver information. An amount of driver attention is determined by the control based on the determined distraction workload and the determined driving workload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventor: Sylvie Wacquant
  • Publication number: 20200154220
    Abstract: A vehicular sound processing system includes a plurality of exterior microphones that detect sounds emanating from outside the vehicle. A plurality of cameras are disposed at the vehicle and have respective exterior fields of view. A plurality of speakers are disposed in the cabin of the vehicle and generate sound responsive to a sound processor. The sound processor processes microphone output signals to identify a sound of interest outside of the vehicle. Responsive to identification by the sound processor of the sound of interest, the sound processor controls at least one speaker of the plurality of speakers to generate sound representative of the sound of interest. Direction from the vehicle towards the source of the sound of interest is determined, at least in part, by processing at the electronic control unit of image data captured by at least one camera of the plurality of cameras disposed at the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
  • Patent number: 10536791
    Abstract: A vehicular sound processing system includes a plurality of interior microphones that detect interior sound emanating from within the interior cabin of the vehicle, and a plurality of exterior microphones that detect exterior sound emanating from exterior the vehicle. The interior microphones also detect exterior sound. A sound processor processes exterior microphone signals to determine exterior sound detected by the exterior microphones. The sound processor processes interior microphone signals to distinguish voices of occupants present within the interior cabin from non-vocal sound emanating from within the interior cabin and from exterior sound emanating from exterior the vehicle. The sound processor processes the exterior microphone signals to determine a sound of interest emanating from exterior of the vehicle. Responsive to determination of the sound of interest, the sound of interest is played by loudspeakers so that a driver of the vehicle can hear the sound of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
  • Publication number: 20190246225
    Abstract: A vehicular sound processing system includes a plurality of interior microphones that detect interior sound emanating from within the interior cabin of the vehicle, and a plurality of exterior microphones that detect exterior sound emanating from exterior the vehicle. The interior microphones also detect exterior sound. A sound processor processes exterior microphone signals to determine exterior sound detected by the exterior microphones. The sound processor processes interior microphone signals to distinguish voices of occupants present within the interior cabin from non-vocal sound emanating from within the interior cabin and from exterior sound emanating from exterior the vehicle. The sound processor processes the exterior microphone signals to determine a sound of interest emanating from exterior of the vehicle. Responsive to determination of the sound of interest, the sound of interest is played by loudspeakers so that a driver of the vehicle can hear the sound of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
  • Patent number: 10264375
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle includes a plurality of microphones to detect sounds emanating from outside of the vehicle. A sound processor is operable to process microphone output signals of the microphones to identify a source of at least some sounds detected by the microphones. The sound processor processes microphone output signals to identify a sound of interest outside of the vehicle, which includes at least one of (i) a siren of an emergency vehicle and (ii) a horn of another vehicle. Responsive to identification by the sound processor of the sound of interest, a plurality of speakers disposed in the cabin of the vehicle generate sound representative of the identified sound of interest. While the speakers are generating sound representative of the identified sound of interest, sounds generated by the speakers based on audio signals from other sound systems in the vehicle are diminished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
  • Publication number: 20180077506
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle includes a plurality of microphones to detect sounds emanating from outside of the vehicle. A sound processor is operable to process microphone output signals of the microphones to identify a source of at least some sounds detected by the microphones. The sound processor processes microphone output signals to identify a sound of interest outside of the vehicle, which includes at least one of (i) a siren of an emergency vehicle and (ii) a horn of another vehicle. Responsive to identification by the sound processor of the sound of interest, a plurality of speakers disposed in the cabin of the vehicle generate sound representative of the identified sound of interest. While the speakers are generating sound representative of the identified sound of interest, sounds generated by the speakers based on audio signals from other sound systems in the vehicle are diminished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
  • Patent number: 9800983
    Abstract: A sound system of a vehicle includes a plurality of microphones disposed in a cabin of the vehicle, a plurality of speakers disposed in the cabin of the vehicle, and a sound processor operable to process microphone output signals of the microphones to determine a voice signal of a speaking occupant in the vehicle at or near one of the microphones. The sound processor generates a processor output signal that is provided to at least some of the speakers. Responsive to the processor output signal, the at least some of the speakers generate sound representative of the voice signal of the speaking occupant to direct the sound towards other occupants in the vehicle, while one or more speakers at or near the seat occupied by the speaking occupant do not generate sound representative of the voice signal of the speaking occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
  • Publication number: 20170274906
    Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes a vehicle data acquisition system operable to determine vehicle status information after a vehicle is involved in a collision including information pertaining to (i) the collision of the vehicle, (ii) an overturning of the vehicle, (iii) water intrusion into the vehicle and (iv) airbag deployment. A driver status information acquisition system is operable to determine health parameters of the driver of the vehicle. A communication system of the vehicle is operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote assistance system. Responsive to the vehicle status information determined by the vehicle data acquisition system and the driver health parameters determined by the driver information acquisition system, the communication system wirelessly communicates information to the remote assistance system and, responsive to the communication received by the remote assistance system, the remote assistance system determines an appropriate response to the vehicle collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Hasib Hassan, Sylvie Wacquant, Heinz B. Seifert
  • Publication number: 20160029111
    Abstract: A sound system of a vehicle includes a plurality of microphones disposed in a cabin of the vehicle, a plurality of speakers disposed in the cabin of the vehicle, and a sound processor operable to process microphone output signals of the microphones to determine a voice signal of a speaking occupant in the vehicle at or near one of the microphones. The sound processor generates a processor output signal that is provided to at least some of the speakers. Responsive to the processor output signal, the at least some of the speakers generate sound representative of the voice signal of the speaking occupant to direct the sound towards other occupants in the vehicle, while one or more speakers at or near the seat occupied by the speaking occupant do not generate sound representative of the voice signal of the speaking occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Michael Biemer
  • Publication number: 20150296135
    Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a pair of cameras and a control. The cameras are disposed in a vehicle and have a field of view encompassing a region where a head of a driver of the vehicle is located. The control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the cameras. The control, responsive to processing of captured image data by the image processor, is operable to determine a driver's head and eyes and gaze direction. The control, responsive to processing by the image processor of image data captured by both cameras of the pair of cameras, is operable to determine a three dimensional eye position and a three dimensional gaze vector for at least one of the driver's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Sylvie Wacquant, Martin Rachor