Patents by Inventor William J. Chundrlik

William J. Chundrlik 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: 20230419689
    Abstract: A vehicular lane keeping system includes a forward-viewing camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is operable to (i) process map data relating to a current geographic location of the vehicle and (ii) process vehicle information relating to current operation of the vehicle in a traffic lane of a road. Responsive to (i) processing of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera and (ii) processing of the map data and (iii) processing of the vehicle information, the vehicular lane keeping system determines a path of travel for the vehicle that keeps the vehicle in the traffic lane during situations where lane markings are not readily determinable. The vehicular lane keeping system determines the path of travel even when no lane markings are present on the road. The vehicular lane keeping system maintains the vehicle along the determined path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Dominik Raudszus, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20230373501
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assist system includes a forward viewing camera, a forward sensing non-vision sensor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed at a vehicle equipped with the vehicular driving assist system. Captured image data is transferred from the camera to the ECU and processed at the ECU and captured sensor data is transferred from the non-vision sensor to the ECU and processed at the ECU. An object forward of the equipped vehicle is detected via processing at the ECU of transferred image data and via processing at the ECU of transferred sensor data. The ECU determines a difference between detection of the object via processing at the ECU of transferred image data and detection of the object via processing at the ECU of transferred sensor data. The ECU disables at least part of a driving assist function based on the determined difference being greater than a threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Dominik Raudszus
  • Patent number: 11794553
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward-viewing camera that views through a windshield forward of a vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera while the equipped vehicle is traveling along a road, another vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle is detected, and the vehicular vision system may determine lateral acceleration of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular vision system may generate an output based at least in part on the determined lateral acceleration of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to determination that the equipped vehicle is approaching a school zone, pedestrian detection via image processing of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11756316
    Abstract: A vehicular lane keeping system includes a forward-viewing camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is operable to (i) process map data relating to a current geographic location of the vehicle and (ii) process vehicle information relating to current operation of the vehicle in a traffic lane of a road. Responsive to (i) processing of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera and (ii) processing of the map data and (iii) processing of the vehicle information, the vehicular lane keeping system determines a path of travel for the vehicle that keeps the vehicle in the traffic lane during situations where lane markings are not readily determinable. The vehicular lane keeping system determines the path of travel even when no lane markings are present on the road. The vehicular lane keeping system maintains the vehicle along the determined path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Dominik Raudszus, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11745659
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the system determines a camera-derived path of travel of the vehicle along a road. Responsive at least in part to a geographic location of the vehicle, the system determines a geographic-derived path of travel of the vehicle along the road. Control of the vehicle along the road is based on diminished reliance on the determined geographic-derived path of travel when a geographic location reliability level of the determined geographic-derived path of travel is below a threshold geographic location reliability level. Control of the vehicle along the road is based on diminished reliance on the determined camera-derived path of travel of the vehicle when a camera reliability level of the determined camera-derived path of travel is below a threshold camera reliability level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Marc Wimmershoff
  • Patent number: 11702088
    Abstract: A driver assistance system of a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera, a forward sensing non-vision sensor, and an ECU having at least one data processor. The ECU, responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera and to processing of sensor data captured by the non-vision sensor, provides a driving assistance function for the vehicle. The ECU detects presence of objects forward of the vehicle via processing of captured image data and captured sensor data. The ECU determines an error in object detection by determining difference between object detection based on processing of captured image data and object detection based on processing of captured sensor data. The ECU disables at least part of the driving assist function at least in part responsive to the determined error in object detection being greater than a threshold error level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Dominik Raudszus
  • Publication number: 20230205205
    Abstract: A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes an interior-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing a driver sitting at a driver seat of the vehicle and viewing at least one other seat of the vehicle. The interior-viewing camera is operable to capture image data. The vehicular cabin monitoring system, via processing of image data captured by the interior-viewing camera, detects an occupant present in the vehicle. The vehicular cabin monitoring system, via processing of image data captured by the interior-viewing camera, monitors the driver sitting at the driver seat of the vehicle. Control of the vehicle is adjusted based at least in part on the monitoring of the driver and the detected occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Anuj S. Potnis, Krishna Koravadi, William J. Chundrlik, JR.
  • Patent number: 11586204
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assist system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). When the equipped vehicle is driving in the autonomous mode, driving of the vehicle is controlled by the ECU without human intervention. When the vehicle is being driven in a non-autonomous mode, a particular driver at least partially drives the vehicle. The vehicular driving assist system learns a driving style of the particular driver and, when the vehicle is being driven in the non-autonomous mode by the particular driver, the system restricts learning of the driving style of the particular driver responsive to determination by the system that the particular driver is (i) driving the vehicle erratically and/or (ii) performing an illegal driving maneuver. When the vehicle is driving in the autonomous mode, and responsive to the particular driver being present in the vehicle, the vehicle drives in accordance with the learned driving style of the particular driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Anuj S. Potnis, Krishna Koravadi, William J. Chundrlik, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220215675
    Abstract: A vehicular lane keeping system includes a forward-viewing camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is operable to (i) process map data relating to a current geographic location of the vehicle and (ii) process vehicle information relating to current operation of the vehicle in a traffic lane of a road. Responsive to (i) processing of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera and (ii) processing of the map data and (iii) processing of the vehicle information, the vehicular lane keeping system determines a path of travel for the vehicle that keeps the vehicle in the traffic lane during situations where lane markings are not readily determinable. The vehicular lane keeping system determines the path of travel even when no lane markings are present on the road. The vehicular lane keeping system maintains the vehicle along the determined path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Dominik Raudszus, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20220194171
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward-viewing camera that views through a windshield forward of a vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera while the equipped vehicle is traveling along a road, another vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle is detected, and the vehicular vision system may determine lateral acceleration of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular vision system may generate an output based at least in part on the determined lateral acceleration of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to determination that the equipped vehicle is approaching a school zone, pedestrian detection via image processing of image data captured by the forward-viewing camera may be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20220161721
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, the system determines a camera-derived path of travel of the vehicle along a road. Responsive at least in part to a geographic location of the vehicle, the system determines a geographic-derived path of travel of the vehicle along the road. Control of the vehicle along the road is based on diminished reliance on the determined geographic-derived path of travel when a geographic location reliability level of the determined geographic-derived path of travel is below a threshold geographic location reliability level. Control of the vehicle along the road is based on diminished reliance on the determined camera-derived path of travel of the vehicle when a camera reliability level of the determined camera-derived path of travel is below a threshold camera reliability level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Marc Wimmershoff
  • Patent number: 11288890
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assistance system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and a control having an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera to determine lane markings demarcating a traffic lane in which the vehicle is traveling. The control, responsive to a map input to the control, estimates a path of travel for the vehicle to maintain the vehicle in the traffic lane in which the vehicle is traveling in situations where the lane markings demarcating the traffic lane in which the vehicle is traveling are not readily determinable. The system updates the estimated path of travel ahead of the vehicle even when no lane markings are determined present on the road ahead of the vehicle. The control adjusts processing of captured image data responsive at least in part to a driving situation that the vehicle is in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Dominik Raudszus, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11267313
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a front camera configured to be disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle. The camera, when disposed at the vehicle windshield, views through the windshield forward of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the front camera when disposed at the vehicle windshield, and while the equipped vehicle is traveling along a road, another vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, the vehicular vision system determines erratic driving of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle and generates an output responsive to the determination of the erratic driving of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11247608
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle as it travels along a road includes processing at an ECU provided image data captured by a forward viewing camera and processing at the ECU a provided output indicative of a determined geographical location of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of the provided output, a geographically-derived path of travel of the vehicle is generated. Responsive to determination of a traffic lane in which the vehicle is traveling along the road, a camera-derived path of travel of the vehicle is generated. The vehicle is controlled based on (i) the geographically-derived path of travel of the vehicle and/or (ii) the camera-derived path of travel of the vehicle. The vehicle is controlled based on diminished weight of the geographically-derived path or diminished weight of the camera-derived path when a respective reliability level is below a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Marc Wimmershoff
  • Publication number: 20210405636
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assist system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). When the equipped vehicle is driving in the autonomous mode, driving of the vehicle is controlled by the ECU without human intervention. When the vehicle is being driven in a non-autonomous mode, a particular driver at least partially drives the vehicle. The vehicular driving assist system learns a driving style of the particular driver and, when the vehicle is being driven in the non-autonomous mode by the particular driver, the system restricts learning of the driving style of the particular driver responsive to determination by the system that the particular driver is (i) driving the vehicle erratically and/or (ii) performing an illegal driving maneuver. When the vehicle is driving in the autonomous mode, and responsive to the particular driver being present in the vehicle, the vehicle drives in accordance with the learned driving style of the particular driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Anuj S. Potnis, Krishna Koravadi, William J. Chundrlik, JR.
  • Patent number: 11119480
    Abstract: A driving assistance system for a vehicle includes a control operable to control the vehicle in an autonomous or semi-autonomous mode. When operating in the autonomous mode, driving of the vehicle is controlled by the control without human intervention and, when operating in the semi-autonomous mode, an occupant of the vehicle at least partially drives the vehicle. The control learns a driving style of a particular occupant when the vehicle is being driven by that particular occupant and when the control is operating in the semi-autonomous mode. The control, when operating in the autonomous mode, controls the vehicle in accordance with the learned driving style of the particular occupant of the vehicle. Responsive to a determination of a characteristic of an occupant in the vehicle, the control, when operating in the autonomous, may adjust control of the vehicle irrespective of the learned driving style of the particular occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Anuj S. Potnis, Krishna Koravadi, William J. Chundrlik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11027654
    Abstract: A communication system for vehicles includes a camera disposed at a first vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the first vehicle. The camera captures image data. A first communication device disposed at the first vehicle wirelessly transmits image data captured by the camera. A second communication device disposed at a second vehicle receives the transmitted captured image data from the first communication device. At least one of (i) an image processor disposed at the second vehicle processes the received transmitted captured image data for a driver assistance system of the second vehicle and (ii) a display of the second vehicle displays images derived from the received transmitted captured image data for viewing by a driver of the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Krishna Koravadi
  • Publication number: 20210008961
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a front camera configured to be disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle. The camera, when disposed at the vehicle windshield, views through the windshield forward of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the front camera when disposed at the vehicle windshield, and while the equipped vehicle is traveling along a road, another vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, the vehicular vision system determines erratic driving of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle and generates an output responsive to the determination of the erratic driving of the detected other vehicle on the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Axel Nix, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20200406909
    Abstract: A driver assistance system of a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera, a forward sensing non-vision sensor, and an ECU having at least one data processor. The ECU, responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera and to processing of sensor data captured by the non-vision sensor, provides a driving assistance function for the vehicle. The ECU detects presence of objects forward of the vehicle via processing of captured image data and captured sensor data. The ECU determines an error in object detection by determining difference between object detection based on processing of captured image data and object detection based on processing of captured sensor data. The ECU disables at least part of the driving assist function at least in part responsive to the determined error in object detection being greater than a threshold error level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: William J. Chundrlik, JR., Dominik Raudszus
  • Patent number: 10875403
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen, Yuesheng Lu, Ove Salomonsson, William J. Chundrlik, Jr., Tom H. Toma, Umer Shahid