Navigation Patents (Class 348/113)
  • Patent number: 8908923
    Abstract: A parse module calibrates an interior space by parsing objects and words out of an image of the scene and comparing each parsed object with a plurality of stored objects. The parse module further selects a parsed object that is differentiated from the stored objects as the first object and stores the first object with a location description. A search module can detect the same objects from the scene and use them to determine the location of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Billingham, Helen Bowyer, Kevin Brown, Edward Jellard, Graham White
  • Patent number: 8908035
    Abstract: A method of producing a total image of the surrounding environment of a motor vehicle uses an image sensor device connected with the motor vehicle, which supplies image data in a first acquisition range of the vehicle environment. At least a first image part of the total image is based on image data of the image sensor device from the first acquisition range. In addition to the image sensor device, a distance sensor device connected with the motor vehicle is used which supplies distance data in a second acquisition range of the vehicle environment, the second acquisition range covering an additional range of the vehicle environment which is not covered by the first acquisition range. At least a second image part of the total image, which is at least partially situated outside the first image part, is based on the distance data of the distance sensor device from the additional range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Artur Russ, Renaud Debon, Sascha Bembenek
  • Publication number: 20140354798
    Abstract: An approach is provided in which a rear view system provides a rear view video feed to a vehicle operator. The rear view system determines that an eye focus point of a vehicle operator is positioned in a camera angle change region for a predetermined amount of time and performs adjustments based upon the vehicle operator's eye focus point accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Federico A. Galarraga
  • Patent number: 8891816
    Abstract: A parse module calibrates an interior space by parsing objects and words out of an image of the scene and comparing each parsed object with a plurality of stored objects. The parse module further selects a parsed object that is differentiated from the stored objects as the first object and stores the first object with a location description. A search module can detect the same objects from the scene and use them to determine the location of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Billingham, Helen Bowyer, Kevin Brown, Edward Jellard, Graham White
  • Publication number: 20140333757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a camera assembly, in which a first camera and a second camera capture images (36, 42). Respective fields of view of the two cameras overlap at least in a partial region (24). At least in an image (36) captured by the first camera, at least one contamination region (38) including a plurality of pixels is detected within the partial region (24). Thereupon, data values specifying the respective transparency of the pixels in the at least one contamination region (38) are varied with respect to respective reference values of the transparency, wherein these reference values increase in the partial region (24) towards an edge (28) of the respective image upon superimposition of the images. Furthermore, the invention relates to a camera assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: CONNAUGHT ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Burke, Patrick Eoghan Denny
  • Publication number: 20140320636
    Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. The camera includes a circuit board and an imager disposed at the circuit board. An image processor is disposed at the circuit board, which has circuitry disposed thereat. The image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. Signals to and from the image processor are provided on at least one shared line connected between an electrical connector of the camera and a vehicle control of the vehicle. The at least one shared line includes at least one combined camera control and camera programming line. Signals carried on the combined camera control and camera programming line (i) control operation of the camera and (ii) program the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nazar F. Bally, Richard D. Shriner, Patrick Miller
  • Publication number: 20140313318
    Abstract: A feature extracting unit obtains sensor data from a plurality of sensors to calculate each feature. When an event determining unit determines the occurrence of an event based on each feature, a display data constructor generates remote-controller display data for displaying the event, and controls a remote-controller display device to display the remote-controller display data. When a user decision is input from a user input IF based on this display, a control unit controls the sensors to be turned ON or OFF. When an infrared sensor detects an abnormality, a microwave sensor whose power consumption is small after the infrared sensor is turned ON. When the microwave sensor detects an abnormality, a video camera and a microphone are turned ON, and the microwave sensor is turned OFF. A communication unit wirelessly transmits an image signal captured by the video camera and an audio signal processed by the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Naoki KOBAYASHI, Yasuhiro FUJIMORI, Yasuaki TAKAHASHI, Koji OHTA, Naoki TAKEDA
  • Patent number: 8860801
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic device including a geomagnetism detection part acquiring magnetic direction data corresponding to geomagnetism every predetermined period of time, a change amount calculation part calculating a change amount of the magnetic direction data, a storage part storing the magnetic direction data, an angular velocity integration part calculating angle data obtained by integration of angular velocity obtained by an angular velocity detection part, and a direction output part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuhiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8842176
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle exterior lights including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Publication number: 20140267686
    Abstract: A system and method for augmenting a GNSS/INS system by using a vision system is provided. The GNSS system generates GNSS location information and the INS system generates inertial location information. The vision system further generates vision system location information based on pitch, roll, heading and velocity of the vessel. A Kalman filter de-weights the inertial location information in response to the vessel entering a low dynamic environment, while the weighting of the vision system location information is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NovAtel Inc.
    Inventor: Kristian Morin
  • Publication number: 20140267689
    Abstract: An imaging system and method of a trailer backup assist system is provided and includes a camera having an image sensor. The camera is mounted on the rear of a vehicle and images a target provided on a trailer. A controller is included for adjusting an image capture setting of the camera based on a status input from a vehicle lighting system, image data from the camera, and locational input from a positioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20140267688
    Abstract: A vehicle and trailer display system is disclosed. The display system includes a plurality of imaging devices disposed on the vehicle, each having a field of view. The display system further includes a screen disposed in the vehicle operable to display images from the imaging devices. A controller is in communication with the imaging devices and the screen and is operable to receive a hitch angle corresponding to the angle between the vehicle and the trailer. Based on the hitch angle, the controller is operable to select a field of view of an imaging device to display on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, Roger Arnold Trombley, John Shutko, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Publication number: 20140267690
    Abstract: The inventive technique calculates lever arm values associated with a GNSS/INS system photogrammetrically. A calibrated camera on a device captures a plurality of images of the GNSS/INS system with the inclusion of a target, having known attributes and a plurality of control points. Thereafter, an application, executing on the device determines the lever arm values from the images of the GNSS/INS system utilizing the known attributes and the control points of the target. The INS may utilize the calculated lever arm values to combine information received from a GNSS receiver, of the GNSS/INS system, with information provided by sensors of the INS to compute updated positions, velocities, and/or orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: NOVATEL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20140267687
    Abstract: Vehicular image projection systems and methods of using the same. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises one or more input devices coupled to a vehicle and configured to obtain one or more images outside of or adjacent to a vehicle, and one or more display mechanisms positioned at least partially within the vehicle and configured to display or project the one or more images obtained from the one or more input devices. In an additional embodiment, the one or more input devices and/or the one or more display mechanisms are further configured to obtain and/or display the one or more images using a personal focus relating to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ziaollah Loghmani
  • Patent number: 8824745
    Abstract: A map information display apparatus for displaying map information on the basis of information on image-capturing times and image-capturing positions that are respectively associated with a plurality of captured images includes a captured image extraction unit configured to extract images captured within a predetermined time period that includes the image-capturing time of a predetermined captured image from among the plurality of captured images; a map area selection unit configured to select an area of a map so as to include the image-capturing positions of the captured images extracted by the captured image extraction unit by using as a reference the image-capturing position of the predetermined captured image; and a map information display unit configured to display map information in such a manner that the area of the map, which is selected by the map area selection unit, is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masanao Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 8817090
    Abstract: A method to display a projected parametric curve upon a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display includes monitoring a desired parametric curve comprising a plurality of control points and a plurality of graphic segments based upon the control points, determining a luminance indicator for each of the segments, and utilizing the luminance indicator to command uniform luminance among the plurality of graphic segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, Thomas A. Seder, Dehua Cui
  • Patent number: 8817140
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining image signals having color values and a camera set-up, which has: a camera having camera optics, an image sensor for recording an environment and for outputting first image signals, and a color mask applied in front of the image sensor, and an evaluation device, which picks up the first image signals emitted by the image sensor, the image sensor having a plurality of sensor pixels and the color mask having a plurality of filter pixels which are each situated in front of the sensor pixels and include first colored filter pixels and transparent filter pixels; and some of the sensor pixels picking up the light via the colored filter pixels and outputting the first color values, and additional sensor pixels picking up the light via the transparent filter pixels and outputting the intensity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Simon
  • Patent number: 8818138
    Abstract: A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Enrico Di Bernardo, Luis F. Goncalves
  • Patent number: 8810734
    Abstract: A portable digital television (DTV) comprises a processor, a channel and volume changing button arrangement, and a navigational button arrangement. Either or both button arrangements can be used in at least a bi-modal operation. In a first mode of operation, the button arrangements provide their normal functions, and in the second mode of operation, the button arrangements provide an interactive application interface to the user. Preferably, one of the two button arrangements is selected for the bi-modal operation. The selected button arrangement is associated with at least an optical element for lighting the button arrangement. The controller operates the optical element such that the selected button arrangement has one color in one mode of operation and has a different color in the other mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Eric Andrew Dorsey
  • Publication number: 20140218506
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating a horizontal camera to target distance is provided. A camera on board a vehicle is configured to image a target on a trailer that is aligned with the vehicle. A controller is in communication with the camera and is supplied a user-obtained measurement. The controller is configured to calculate a first horizontal distance and a second horizontal distance, and to sum the first and second horizontal distances to calculate a horizontal camera to target distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Erick Michael Lavoie, Bradley G. Hockrein, Don Jacob Mattern
  • Publication number: 20140204201
    Abstract: An external projection system for an automobile includes a mounting framework coupled to an exterior portion of an automobile. The projection system includes first and second projectors mounted to the mounting framework and each configured to project an image forwardly away from the automobile. A driver input member is mounted in the passenger area of the automobile and is electrically connected to the projectors, the input member configured to control movement and operation of the projectors. The system includes a processor in data communication with the input member and the projectors, the system including programming by which the processor selectively controls the projectors. The projectors may project indicia such as directional arrows so as to simulate driving toward and overtaking a distant arrow. The system may also include a video player for projecting movies in front of the automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Devin L. Norman
  • Publication number: 20140184785
    Abstract: A method of determining “true” standstill in a vehicle. The method includes detecting an object outside of the vehicle via a camera, saving first data on the detected object in a memory, detecting the same object after a delay, saving, after the delay, second data on the detected object in a memory, analyzing, by a controller, the first and second data, and determining “true” standstill has occurred based on the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Sperrle
  • Patent number: 8767066
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information provision device is presented. The information provision device may include an image searching unit configured to detect, from an image, a retro-reflective article and an article identification associated with the retro-reflective article. The device may also include a projecting unit configured to control projecting of an image pattern to the retro-reflective article. The device may further include a controller coupled with the image searching unit and the projecting control unit, wherein upon a determination that the retro-reflective article is relevant to a route, the controller is configured to generate the image pattern to be projected to the retro-reflective article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Kazutake Uehira, Masahiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140160274
    Abstract: An omnidirectional camera comprises a camera mounting frame 6 of cylindrical hollow body, a plurality of horizontal camera units 7 each of which is provided on a horizontal plane orthogonal to a center line of the camera mounting frame 6 and adapted to acquire an image in a horizontal direction, a vertical camera unit 8 provided so as to coincide with the center line of the camera mounting frame 6 and adapted to acquire an image in a zenith direction, and a ring-like GPS antenna 19 provided so as to surround the vertical camera unit 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishida, Jun Sasagawa, Tomohiro Abe, Hirokazu Yamada, Tetsuya Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8744194
    Abstract: In a boundary line recognition apparatus, a boundary line candidate extracting part extracts boundary line candidates from image data obtained by an on-vehicle camera based on known image processing such as pattern matching and Hough transform. One or more kinds of boundary line feature calculating parts calculate one or more likelihoods of each boundary line candidate. The likelihood indicates a degree of probability to be the boundary line. A boundary line feature combining means multiplies the likelihoods of each boundary line candidate and outputs a combined likelihood. A boundary line candidate selecting part selects the boundary line candidate having a maximum likelihood as the boundary line. The boundary line feature calculating part further calculates the likelihood of the boundary line candidate using a dispersion of brightness and an internal edge amount, and changes the likelihood based on an additional likelihood obtained by a driving lane surface feature extracting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Kawasaki, Hiroki Nakano, Kenta Hoki, Tetsuya Takafuji
  • Patent number: 8736676
    Abstract: An image-based sensor system for a mobile unit makes use of light emitters and imagers to acquire illumination patterns of emitted light impinging on the floor and/or walls surrounding the unit. The illumination pattern is used to estimate location and/or orientation of the unit. These estimates are used for one or more functions of stabilization, calibration, localization, and mapping of or with respect to the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Cyphy Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel A. Johnson, Helen Greiner, Andrew Shein
  • Publication number: 20140125794
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting objects in an environment of a vehicle. The method and system includes calculating an index value indicating a level of received near infrared light based on a difference between gradient values of color pixels and clear pixels in an original image and generating a color image by allocating corrected color gradient values allocated to each clear pixel and color pixel in the original image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: TADAHIKO KANOU, MASAHIKO ADACHI
  • Patent number: 8717157
    Abstract: To provide a display device for vehicle in which, when particular vehicle information, for example vehicle information with great urgency and high priority is displayed, a passenger can easily recognize the information and his attention can be attracted to the information. A display device for vehicle 1 includes an image display device 10 and control means 20 for displaying vehicle information as an image in the image display device 10, wherein, in transition from a first display form in which each of a first display image GR1 and a second display image GR2 is displayed to a second display form in which each of the first display image GR1, the second display image GR2, and a third display image GR3 is displayed, the control means 20 displays the third display image GR3 between the first and second display images after the first and second display images GR1 and GR2 are moved in a direction in which they are separated from each other or while they are moved in that direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Midori Watanabe, Masaki Katoh, Hikaru Hiraiwa, Ikuyo Sasajima, Yasuyuki Kojima, Takumi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140118532
    Abstract: In a process for operating a vehicle having an outside mirror on which a camera is arranged and which is swivelable by a swiveling device between a first end position and a second end position, first picture data and second picture data of a first picture and of a second picture captured by the camera are provided. As a function of the first and second picture data, it is determined whether an object is imaged in both pictures. If an object is imaged in both pictures, as a function of the first and second picture data, a distance from the object relative to a reference point with respect to the camera is determined. As a function of the determined distance, the swiveling device is triggered such that it contributes to the fact that the distance is greater than or equal to a predefined minimum distance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guenter BAUER, Thomas REICHER
  • Patent number: 8687063
    Abstract: A method for predicting lane line is provided in the present invention, in which the method is capable of predicting and reconstructing the unidentified lane line according to a predetermined geometry relationship based on the recognized lane line data previously while one side of lane line is unable to be identified. In one embodiment, a lane predicting relationship formula is formed by describing the geometry relationship between the two identified lines defined the lane. When the one side of line of the lane is unable to be identified, a new predicted line can be reconstructed for representing the unidentified line of lane according to the lane predicting relationship curve. In another embodiment, a lane departure warning system utilizing the foregoing method is provided for monitoring vehicle moving status and alerting the driver so as to enhance the vehicle safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Hsieh, Yung-Sheng Liao, Che-Chung Lin, Chi-Wei Lin, Dau-Chen Huang
  • Publication number: 20140084789
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera having a lens and a CMOS photosensor array having a plurality of photosensor elements. The camera is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular vision system. The camera one of (i) views exterior of the equipped vehicle through the windshield of the equipped vehicle and forward of the equipped vehicle and (ii) views from the windshield of the equipped vehicle into the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the photosensor array. The image processor processes captured image data to detect an object viewed by the camera. The photosensor array is operable at a plurality of exposure periods and at least one exposure period of the plurality of exposure periods is dynamically variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 8681219
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and a method for the automatic adjustment of rear-view devices of a vehicle travelling a lane or road, based on shooting scenes representing an environment surrounding the vehicle in the travel direction and on the identification of at least one from among a collection of predetermined shapes and indicia along the road indicating a road intersection between the lane or road traveled by the vehicle and an incident lane or road, whereby the movement of at least one rear-view device is actuated for representing to the driver a rear and side scene with respect to the vehicle comprising the incident lane or road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Marenco, Denis Bollea
  • Patent number: 8675061
    Abstract: A biocular display system is provided for use with a transmissive micro-LCD display and a biocular lens, where the biocular system includes a relay lens that can transfer a digital image from the transmissive micro-LCD display to a micro-resolution screen surface where a micro-diffusion surface is applied to a single planar transparent substrate that has a smooth surface on a side opposite the micro-diffusion surface, and the micro-diffusion surface has at least some surface features that can diffuse the light passing therethrough at greater than a 60-degree diffusion angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Richard D. Balentine
  • Patent number: 8675060
    Abstract: Machine vision based obstacle avoidance system is provided. The system utilizes a CCD camera to capture an image. A normalized image and dynamic masking is used in object detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Science
    Inventors: Debasish Ghose, Varun Raj Kompella
  • Patent number: 8665080
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving assistance apparatus for assisting a driving operation by outputting a reverse sound at the time of a reversing maneuver of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an information acquisition unit for acquiring driving assistance information including a vehicle condition and a vehicle surrounding condition, a reverse sound management unit for managing reverse sounds belonging in a musical scale including the reverse sound as the tonic note thereof as musical scale reverse sounds, an output reverse sound determination unit for determining a sequence of musical scale in the form of temporal sequence corresponding to the driving assistance information, and a reverse sound output control unit configured to select from the reverse sounds managed by the reverse sound management unit and output to a speaker reverse sounds suitable for the sequence of the musical scale determined by the reverse sound determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Nagamine, Kazuya Watanabe, Koichiro Honda
  • Publication number: 20140043465
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle. A processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. An angular filter is disposed at or near the windshield forward of the camera. The angular filter includes a substantially transparent film that limits reflection of light through an angular range that generally corresponds to the stray light that reflects off of the vehicle dashboard and would otherwise impinge a lens aperture of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ove J. Salomonsson, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 8643724
    Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes first, second and third image capture devices disposed at respective vehicle portions. The first image capture device field of view overlaps with the third image capture device field of view defining a first overlap zone, and the second image capture device field of view overlaps with the third image capture device field of view defining a second overlap zone. Responsive to processing by an image processor of received image data, a synthesized image is generated without duplication of objects present in the first overlap zone and in the second overlap zone. The synthesized image approximates a view as would be seen by a virtual camera at a single location exterior of the vehicle, and is displayed by a single display screen of a reconfigurable display device that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when normally operating the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 8643715
    Abstract: Vehicle-mounted video cameras, if and when wirelessly connected via a hybrid transceiver of satellite and terrestrial links and either through a randomly-formed vehicle-to-vehicle network, or via mobile web links, may enable motorists behind the wheel to remotely see either on a navigator screen, or on a screen of mobile equipment, inclusive of handsets and tablet PCs, any real-time video images of traffic and/or street scenes, far beyond physical limits of human eyesight. In pursuing the said peer-to-peer advantages, the real-time street views targeted in any directions can be picked at the discretion of motorists, by transmitting the location-based inquiry to the targeted on-vehicle cameras, by tapping on an in-vehicle touchscreen or a mobile device screen and also by activating voice commands, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Kyu Hwang Cho
  • Publication number: 20140022378
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. With the imaging device disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle, the imaging device has a field of view at least one of rearward of the vehicle and sideward of the vehicle. A control utilizes edge detection in processing image data captured by the imaging device. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the control, the control determines that an object is present in the field of view of the imaging device. The control is operable to determine that the imaging device is misaligned. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the imaging array sensor, is operable to at least partially compensate for the determined misalignment of the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Patent number: 8629903
    Abstract: A method to represent graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle includes monitoring informational inputs describing the operational environment for the vehicle, processing the informational inputs to synthesize an operational environment model, monitoring data related to an occupant eye location, converting the model into the graphical images registering the critical information according the model upon the transparent windscreen head up display based upon the monitored data related to the occupant eye location, and displaying the graphical images upon the transparent windscreen head up display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba, Dehua Cui
  • Patent number: 8624970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying route information for individuals located within a predetermined area, route information units being provided at a plurality of orientation points. The inventive method comprises the following steps: -an individual is identified and at least one destination is defined to which the individual is to be guided; -the individual is detected at least at one route information unit; -information on the route the individual has to take to the desired destination is displayed, the individual being identified in a contactless manner. The invention further relates to a device for displaying route information for individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Krobath
  • Publication number: 20130329038
    Abstract: A system for detecting and tracking a curvilinear object in a three-dimensional space includes an image acquisition system including a video camera arranged to acquire a video image of the curvilinear object and output a corresponding video signal, the video image comprising a plurality n of image frames each at a respective time ti, where i=1, 2, . . . , n; and a data processing system adapted to communicate with the image acquisition system to receive the video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gregory Donald Hager, Nicolas Padoy
  • Patent number: 8587656
    Abstract: A face camera mount structure in a vehicle has a camera for imaging a driver's face being disposed on a reverse side of a dial at a portion that does not interfere with a speedometer design portion on the dial. A camera facing portion of the dial that faces a lens of the camera is covered with a print of a near-infrared light passing ink that selectively passes a near-infrared light. The high transparency factor of the near-infrared light through the ink makes it possible for the camera to image a sufficiently bright near-infrared light image without being recognized by a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Koumura
  • Patent number: 8576285
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that combines image data captured by multiple cameras and displays the resulting image of surroundings of the vehicle to monitor monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Toshiaki Gomi, Jun Kawai, Katsutoshi Yano, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8576286
    Abstract: A system and method for video navigation is disclosed. The system and method may include one or more video cameras configured to capture views external to the vehicle, a control mechanism for adjusting the sight-line of the one or more video cameras, and a display panel positioned within the vehicle for displaying the views captured within the sight-line of the one or more video cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Childs
  • Patent number: 8548720
    Abstract: A system and method for aircraft taxi gate selection based on passenger connecting flight information. In one embodiment, a communication link is established between an aircraft computing system and a ground station system via a communication network provided by the ground station system. Further, aircraft taxi gate selection information and the passenger connecting flight information are substantially simultaneously displayed on a display device to a pilot upon establishing the communication link. Furthermore, the pilot is allowed to select an aircraft taxi gate based on the displayed aircraft taxi gate selection information and passenger connecting flight information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Arbus Engineering Centre India
    Inventor: Vijay Shukla
  • Patent number: 8531514
    Abstract: A terminal has a visual axis by using which a user points to a target object. An information generating server acquires an internal image or an external image of the target object pointed by a user, and generates a display image which is displayed on the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Motoaki Shimizu, Hitoshi Imaoka, Keiichi Chono, Fumihiro Adachi, Satoshi Nakazawa, Shin Ishiguro, Masayuki Yuguchi
  • Patent number: 8494218
    Abstract: A light information receiving method, a method and a unit for the recognition of light-emitting objects are provided. The light information receiving method includes the following steps. A light-emitting object array is captured to obtain a plurality of images, wherein the light-emitting object array includes at least one light-emitting object. A temporal filtering process is performed to the images to recognize a light-emitting object. A light-emitting status of the light-emitting object array is recognized according to the light-emitting object location. A decoding process is performed according to the light-emitting status to output an item of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Yuan Chen, Kung-Ming Lan, Hung-I Pai, Jen-Hui Chuang, Chii-Yah Yuan
  • Patent number: RE44549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for displaying a driving location of a moving object which controls a Red, Green, Blue (RGB) ratio by corresponding to a property of a road where the moving object travels, differently renders a moving object symbol according to the controlled RGB ratio, and thereby may identify a driving status of the moving object more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Deuk Yeong Seong
  • Patent number: RE44604
    Abstract: A system for and a method of synchronous acquisition of pulsed source light performs monitoring of aircraft flight operation. Diode sources of illumination (18, 108, 208) are pulsed (16, 106, 206) at one-half the video frame rate of an imaging camera (36, 136, 236). Alternate frames view the world-scene with lights of interest pulsed on, and then off, respectively. Video differencing (34, 134, 234) eliminates the background scene, as well as all lights not of interest. Suitable threshholding over a resulting array of camera pixel-differences acquires the desired lights and represents them as point symbology on a display (40, 140, 240). In an enhanced vision landing system embodiment, the desired lights (symbols) overlay or are fused on a thermal image of the scene; alternatively, the symbols overlay a visible scene (TV) image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Max-Viz, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Richard Kerr, Gregory A. Zuro, Michael E. Fossey