Patents by Inventor Tom H. Toma
Tom H. Toma 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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Publication number: 20230421907Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board having an imager disposed thereat. The vehicular camera module includes a housing having an upper cover and a lower cover that are joined together. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an image processor. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via a flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board. The imager is disposed within a rear portion of the housing and is not accommodated within a front portion of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11758274Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board includes an image processor. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. Electrical components disposed at a first side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, electrical components disposed at a second side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, and the electrical connector are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20220124235Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board includes an image processor. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. Electrical components disposed at a first side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, electrical components disposed at a second side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, and the electrical connector are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11212453Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable, an imager disposed on the imager circuit board, a housing, and a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens. Image data captured by the imager is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is disposed within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The lens barrel, as disposed at the camera module, is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an electrical socket connector for electrical connection to a plug connector of a vehicular wire harness.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONCS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 10875403Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera module configured to be disposed at and behind a vehicle windshield, with the camera module including a first camera and a second camera. The first camera includes a first imager and a first lens having a wide angle field of view greater than 100 degrees. The first camera is operable to capture image data for processing by an image processor. The second camera includes a second imager and a second lens having a narrow angle field of view less than 40 degrees. The second camera is operable to capture image data for displaying color images at a display screen. Image data captured by the first camera is processed to detect objects, and image data captured by the first camera is not video procesed for display of video images. The vision system switches between daytime mode and nighttime mode responsive to ambient light.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen, Yuesheng Lu, Ove Salomonsson, William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Tom H. Toma, Umer Shahid
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Publication number: 20200404138Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable, an imager disposed on the imager circuit board, a housing, and a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens. Image data captured by the imager is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is disposed within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The lens barrel, as disposed at the camera module, is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an electrical socket connector for electrical connection to a plug connector of a vehicular wire harness.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 10771708Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses a lens barrel, a lens holder, a main circuit board, and an imager disposed on an imager circuit board that is electrically connected with the main circuit board. The main circuit board includes a main PCB and the imager circuit board includes an imager PCB. Circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the imager. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening. The lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 10647266Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior and forward of the vehicle. The camera includes an imager and a lens. The imager captures image data. The camera includes an imager interface disposed on a circuit board that is compatible with one or both of 8-bit MIPI-CSI2 and 12-bit parallel. The imager interface is connected to an image processor that processes image data captured by the imager.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Tom H. Toma
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Publication number: 20200059585Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses a lens barrel, a lens holder, a main circuit board, and an imager disposed on an imager circuit board that is electrically connected with the main circuit board. The main circuit board includes a main PCB and the imager circuit board includes an imager PCB. Circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the imager. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening. The lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 10462375Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly includes an imager on an imager circuit board, a lens barrel, a lens holder and a flexible ribbon cable extending from the imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views to exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20190253595Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly includes an imager on an imager circuit board, a lens barrel, a lens holder and a flexible ribbon cable extending from the imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views to exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 10277825Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly is attached at an upper cover of the housing, with a flexible ribbon cable extending from an imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry, including an image processor, disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. A mounting bracket mounts the camera module at the windshield of the vehicle, with the imager viewing through a portion of the windshield in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20190007591Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly is attached at an upper cover of the housing, with a flexible ribbon cable extending from an imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry, including an image processor, disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. A mounting bracket mounts the camera module at the windshield of the vehicle, with the imager viewing through a portion of the windshield in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 10033934Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera, a flexible ribbon cable and a main PCB. The main PCB has a first planar side and an opposing second planar side. First circuitry is disposed at the first planar side and second circuitry is disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB. The main PCB at its second planar side includes a second electrical connector, which is configured for mating with a first electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. Image data provided via the flexible ribbon cable at least to the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB is processed by a digital image processor for at least one driving assist system of the vehicle. At least a portion of a lens barrel of the camera extends through an aperture of a housing portion of the camera module.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2018Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20180152609Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera, a flexible ribbon cable and a main PCB. The main PCB has a first planar side and an opposing second planar side. First circuitry is disposed at the first planar side and second circuitry is disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB. The main PCB at its second planar side includes a second electrical connector, which is configured for mating with a first electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. Image data provided via the flexible ribbon cable at least to the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB is processed by a digital image processor for at least one driving assist system of the vehicle. At least a portion of a lens barrel of the camera extends through an aperture of a housing portion of the camera module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 9871971Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a bracket, a stray light shield and a camera module. The bracket is configured to attach at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield. The light shield includes a base portion and side walls that extend upward from the base portion so as to establish a pocket. The camera module includes a camera having an image sensor array and a lens, and the camera module is configured to mount at the bracket. The stray light shield, when the camera module is mounted at the bracket attached at the windshield, shields the image sensor array from light emanating from within the cabin of the vehicle. At least the base portion of the stray light shield comprises light traps structurally established thereat and configured to reduce incidence of extraneous light at the image sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: MAGMA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20170334367Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior and forward of the vehicle. The camera includes an imager and a lens. The imager captures image data. The camera includes an imager interface disposed on a circuit board that is compatible with one or both of 8-bit MIPI-CSI2 and 12-bit parallel. The imager interface is connected to an image processor that processes image data captured by the imager.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventor: Tom H. Toma
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Publication number: 20170113613Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera module configured to be disposed at and behind a vehicle windshield, with the camera module including a first camera and a second camera. The first camera includes a first imager and a first lens having a wide angle field of view greater than 100 degrees. The first camera is operable to capture image data for processing by an image processor. The second camera includes a second imager and a second lens having a narrow angle field of view less than 40 degrees. The second camera is operable to capture image data for displaying color images at a display screen. During nighttime driving conditions, video images derived from image data captured by the second camera are displayed by the display screen and image data captured by the first camera is processed by an image processor for object detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen, Yuesheng Lu, Ove Salomonsson, William J. Chundrlik, JR., Tom H. Toma, Umer Shahid
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Publication number: 20150015713Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a bracket, a stray light shield and a camera module. The bracket is configured to attach at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield. The light shield includes a base portion and side walls that extend upward from the base portion so as to establish a pocket. The camera module includes a camera having an image sensor array and a lens, and the camera module is configured to mount at the bracket. The stray light shield, when the camera module is mounted at the bracket attached at the windshield, shields the image sensor array from light emanating from within the cabin of the vehicle. At least the base portion of the stray light shield comprises light traps structurally established thereat and configured to reduce incidence of extraneous light at the image sensor array.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: MAGMA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen