公开(公告)号：US07110570B1

公开(公告)日：2006-09-19

申请号：US09621772

申请日：2000-07-21

Applicant: John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Gregory A. Shreve

Inventor： John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Gregory A. Shreve

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: B60R21/01542 ,  B60R21/01534 ,  B60R21/01538 ,  B60R21/01552 ,  B60R25/25 ,  G06K9/00221 ,  G06K9/2018 ,  G08B13/19608 ,  G08B13/19645 ,  G08B13/19647 ,  G08B21/06

Abstract: An imaging system (50) for providing vehicle security and convenience features that employs face recognition software to identify and track a person. The system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal along a predetermined field-of-view, and an infrared sensor (34), such as a CMOS sensor used as a video signal array, that receives reflected infrared illumination from objects in the field-of-view. A processor (52) including the face recognition software, is employed to detect human faces to identify and track the person. Once a face is detected, it can be compared to a data base to identify the person. Various applications for the imaging system (50) to provide driver convenience and security include determining driver identification as the driver approaches the vehicle, determining if a potential thief is in the vehicle by face recognition, providing driver seat adjustment, rear and side mirror adjustment and steering wheel adjustment, providing vehicle speed control, automatically starting the vehicle, etc.

Abstract translation: 一种用于提供车辆安全性和便利特征的成像系统（50），其使用面部识别软件来识别和跟踪人。 系统（50）采用沿着预定视场发射红外信号的红外发射器（30），以及用作视频信号阵列的红外传感器（34），其被用作接收反射的红外照明 从视野中的对象。 使用包括人脸识别软件的处理器（52）来检测人脸以识别和跟踪人物。 一旦检测到脸部，就可以将其与数据库进行比较，以识别人物。 用于成像系统（50）提供驾驶员便利性和安全性的各种应用包括当驾驶员接近车辆时确定驾驶员识别，通过面部识别来确定潜在的小偷是否在车辆中，提供驾驶员座椅调整，后侧和后视镜调节，以及 方向盘调节，提供车速控制，自动启动车辆等

公开(公告)号：US06904347B1

公开(公告)日：2005-06-07

申请号：US09607090

申请日：2000-06-29

Applicant: John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Gregory A. Shreve ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge

Inventor： John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Gregory A. Shreve ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge

IPC: B60R21/01 ,  B60R21/015 ,  B60R21/16 ,  B60R22/00 ,  G06F7/00 ,  G06F17/00 ,  G06F19/00

CPC classification number: B60R21/01538 ,  B60R21/01534 ,  B60R21/01552

Abstract: A vehicle occupant airbag deployment system (50) that detects, identifies and tracks a person (16) in the passenger seat (18) of a vehicle (12), and provides a signal for no fire, soft fire or hard fire of the airbag (20) depending on the location of the person (16) in a crash event. The airbag deployment system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal towards the passenger seat (18) of the vehicle (12) and an infrared detector (34) that receive reflected radiation from objects in the seat (18). Processing circuitry (52), including face recognition software, is employed to detect human face features to provide the necessary detection and tracking of the person (16). In this manner, the system (50) prevents the airbag (20) from firing if the seat (18) is not occupied by a person (16), prevents the airbag (20) from firing if a person (16) is detected, but is too close to the airbag (20), and provides a soft fire if a person (16) is detected, but is within a soft fire range of the airbag (20).

Abstract translation: 一种车辆乘员安全气囊展开系统（50），其检测，识别和跟踪车辆（12）的乘客座椅（18）中的人（16），并且提供安全气囊的火灾，软火或硬火的信号 （20）取决于人（16）在碰撞事件中的位置。 安全气囊展开系统（50）使用向车辆（12）的乘客座椅（18）发射红外信号的红外发射器（30）和接收来自座椅（18）中的物体的反射辐射的红外探测器（34） 。 使用包括人脸识别软件的处理电路（52）来检测人脸特征以提供人的必要的检测和跟踪（16）。 以这种方式，如果座椅（18）没有被人（16）占用，则系统（50）防止气囊（20）发射，如果检测到人（16），则防止气囊（20）点火， 但是太靠近安全气囊（20），并且如果检测到人（16）但处于气囊（20）的软火区域内，则提供软火。

公开(公告)号：US06420704B1

公开(公告)日：2002-07-16

申请号：US09732429

申请日：2000-12-07

Applicant: John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Barry Dunbridge

Inventor： John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Barry Dunbridge

IPC: G01J302

CPC classification number: H04N5/23296 ,  G01J5/02 ,  H04N5/2354 ,  H04N5/33

Abstract: A system for providing recognition of an approaching object located in a distant no-light environment includes an illumination source for transmitting light to the distant object and an imaging device for detecting the light radiation reflected from the distant object to generate an image of the distant object corresponding thereto. The system also includes an independent digital signal processor for calculating a desired optical magnification of a lens of the imaging device as a function of a distance between the imaging device and the distant object and generates a voltage corresponding thereto. The digital signal processor applies the voltage to the digital zoom circuitry of the imaging device to adjust the magnification of the lens so that the image of the distant object is held in a fixed dimension.

Abstract translation: 用于提供对位于遥远的无光环境中的接近物体的识别的系统包括用于将光传输到远距离物体的照明源和用于检测从远距离物体反射的光辐射的成像装置以产生远距离物体的图像 对应于此。 该系统还包括独立的数字信号处理器，用于根据成像装置和远距离物体之间的距离来计算成像装置的透镜的期望光学倍率，并产生与其对应的电压。 数字信号处理器将电压施加到成像装置的数字变焦电路，以调整透镜的放大倍率，使得远距离物体的图像保持固定的尺寸。

公开(公告)号：US06724920B1

公开(公告)日：2004-04-20

申请号：US09621160

申请日：2000-07-21

Applicant: John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Gregory A. Shreve

Inventor： John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Gregory A. Shreve

IPC: G06K900

CPC classification number: G08B21/06 ,  B60R21/01534 ,  B60R21/01538 ,  B60R21/01542 ,  B60R21/01552 ,  B60S1/0862 ,  G06K9/00221 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06K9/2018 ,  G08B13/19608 ,  G08B13/19645 ,  G08B13/19647

Abstract: An imaging system (50) for providing vehicle safety features that employs face recognition software to identify and track a person. The system (50) employs infrared emitters (30) that emit an infrared signal along a predetermined field-of-view, and an infrared sensor (34), such as a CMOS sensor used as a video signal array, that receives reflected infrared illumination from objects in the field-of-view. A processor (52) including the face recognition software, is employed to detect human faces to identify and track the person. Once a face is detected, it can be compared to a data base to identify the person. Various applications for the imaging system (50) for providing vehicle safety features include identifying the driver or passenger for personalizing the vehicle's airbags, providing pre-crash collision avoidance, providing blind spot detection, providing vehicle crash recording, and providing a warning signal if the driver appears drowsy.

Abstract translation: 一种用于提供使用人脸识别软件识别和跟踪人的车辆安全特征的成像系统（50）。 系统（50）采用沿着预定视场发射红外信号的红外发射器（30），以及用作视频信号阵列的红外传感器（34），其被用作接收反射的红外照明 从视野中的对象。 使用包括人脸识别软件的处理器（52）来检测人脸以识别和跟踪人物。 一旦检测到脸部，就可以将其与数据库进行比较，以识别人物。 用于提供车辆安全特征的成像系统（50）的各种应用包括识别驾驶员或乘客个性化车辆的安全气囊，提供碰撞预防碰撞，提供盲点检测，提供车辆碰撞记录，以及如果 司机似昏昏欲睡

公开(公告)号：US06810135B1

公开(公告)日：2004-10-26

申请号：US09607008

申请日：2000-06-29

Applicant: John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Gregory A. Shreve

Inventor： John J. Berenz ,  George W. McIver ,  Joseph W. Niesen ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Gregory A. Shreve

IPC: G06K900

CPC classification number: B60R21/01538 ,  B60R21/01534 ,  B60R21/01552 ,  G06K9/00248 ,  G06K9/00255 ,  G06K9/00832

Abstract: A human presence detection system (50) that employs a frame differencing technique for subtracting out background interference from images generated by the system. The system (50) includes an infrared source (28) that generates a beam of infrared radiation, and an infrared detector (72) that receives infrared radiation reflected from objects in the path of the beam. Face recognition software is employed to determine the presence of a person (16) from the reflected radiation. The infrared source (28) is pulsed on and off and the detector (72) is synchronously shuttered to the pulses so that image frames are generated at different times, where one frame includes reflected radiation and background radiation and another frame includes only background radiation. The frames are subtracted to separate out the background radiation. In one embodiment, the detector (72) includes a pixel array of photodiodes (90) and first and second capacitor storage sites (94, 98) for storing the image frames on a single CMOS chip (70). The storage sites (94, 98) are subtracted in a summation device (102) that is also on the CMOS chip (70). In an alternate embodiment, the frames are stored and subtracted at an off-chip site.

Abstract translation: 一种人类存在检测系统（50），其采用帧差分技术，用于从由系统生成的图像中减去背景干扰。 系统（50）包括产生红外辐射束的红外源（28）和接收从光束路径中的物体反射的红外辐射的红外检测器（72）。 人脸识别软件用于确定人体（16）从反射辐射的存在。 红外源（28）被脉冲打开和关闭，并且检测器（72）被同步地切换到脉冲，使得在不同时间产生图像帧，其中一个帧包括反射的辐射和背景辐射，另一个帧仅包括背景辐射。 减去帧以分离背景辐射。 在一个实施例中，检测器（72）包括用于将图像帧存储在单个CMOS芯片（70）上的光电二极管（90）的像素阵列和第一和第二电容器存储位置（94,98）。 存储位置（94,98）在也在CMOS芯片（70）上的求和装置（102）中减去。 在替代实施例中，帧在芯片外的位置被存储和减去。

公开(公告)号：US06278361B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-21

申请号：US09454443

申请日：1999-12-03

Applicant: Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Carol A. Eberhard ,  George W. McIver ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Thomas A. Zimmerman

Inventor： Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Carol A. Eberhard ,  George W. McIver ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  Thomas A. Zimmerman

IPC: B60Q100

CPC classification number: B60C23/061 ,  B60C23/0408 ,  B60C23/0494

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring tread wear, shock absorber performance, balance condition of a vehicle tire, and/or rotation speed of a vehicle wheel, use a sensor to provide acceleration signals. To monitor tread wear, acceleration signals from the sensor determine at least one resonance frequency of at least one of the radial and lateral acceleration of the tire and compares it to at least one stored resonance frequency To monitor shock absorber performance, the amplitude of the Fourier component of the radial acceleration is compared to a stored amplitude value. To monitor a balance condition of a vehicle tire, the sensor provides acceleration signals measured over a specified time duration to determine an amplitude of the Fourier component of the radial acceleration that is compared to a stored amplitude specification balance condition of the tire.

Abstract translation: 用于监测胎面磨损，减震器性能，车辆轮胎的平衡状况和/或车轮的转速的系统和方法使用传感器来提供加速度信号。 为了监测胎面磨损，来自传感器的加速度信号确定轮胎的径向和横向加速度中的至少一个的至少一个共振频率，并将其与至少一个存储的共振频率进行比较。为了监测减震器性能，傅立叶 将径向加速度的分量与存储的振幅值进行比较。 为了监视车辆轮胎的平衡状态，传感器提供在特定持续时间内测量的加速度信号，以确定与存储的轮胎的幅度规格平衡条件相比较的径向加速度的傅立叶分量的振幅。

公开(公告)号：US06741169B2

公开(公告)日：2004-05-25

申请号：US09900323

申请日：2001-07-06

Applicant: Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  George W. McIver ,  David L. Juzswik ,  Timothy DeZorzi ,  Albert M. Straub

Inventor： Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  George W. McIver ,  David L. Juzswik ,  Timothy DeZorzi ,  Albert M. Straub

IPC: B60Q100

CPC classification number: B60C23/0408 ,  B60C23/0488 ,  B60C23/0494 ,  B60C23/061 ,  B60C23/066 ,  G01M17/02

Abstract: A tire monitoring method and apparatus is provided to predict tire tread separation for a tire on a wheel of a vehicle. This may involve monitoring a parameter of a tire of a vehicle over time and comparing information regarding the monitored parameter (over time) with a reference threshold value of the parameter (over time). The method may also include providing information to a driver based on the comparison. The parameter may be acceleration (axial, radial or longitudinal) along an axis of the tire. The parameter may also be tire imbalance, temperature inside the tire, speed of the tire, load and/or pressure, for example. Information regarding the comparison may be transmitted to a driver if the monitored parameter exceeds the reference threshold value for a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract translation: 提供轮胎监视方法和装置来预测轮胎在车辆的车轮上的轮胎胎面分离。 这可能涉及随着时间的过去监视车辆的轮胎的参数，并将与被监视的参数（随时间）相关的信息与参数的参考阈值（随时间）进行比较。 该方法还可以包括基于该比较来向驾驶员提供信息。 该参数可以是沿着轮胎的轴线的加速度（轴向，径向或纵向）。 该参数也可以是例如轮胎不平衡，轮胎内部温度，轮胎速度，负载和/或压力。 如果所监视的参数超过参考阈值达预定时间量，则关于比较的信息可以被发送到驾驶员。

公开(公告)号：US07443288B2

公开(公告)日：2008-10-28

申请号：US10854351

申请日：2004-05-26

Applicant: Barry Dunbridge ,  Kenneth L. Brown ,  George W. McIver ,  Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Kelley D. Chilcott

Inventor： Barry Dunbridge ,  Kenneth L. Brown ,  George W. McIver ,  Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Kelley D. Chilcott

IPC: B60C23/00

CPC classification number: G01M17/04 ,  G01M17/02 ,  Y10T152/10009

Abstract: A tire and suspension monitoring and warning system consisting of a set of multi-function sensors that monitor and warn of a failure mode. The system monitors and warns for tire imbalance, tire tread wear, and shock absorbers for a tire attached to a vehicle. The monitoring and warning system includes one axial, radial, and lateral acceleration measurement of the wheel to provide acceleration signal sample power. For tire imbalance, signal sample power in the second harmonic of the tire rotational frequency is compared to that of the first harmonic. For tire tread wear, average signal sample power within a second frequency range is compared to a previously stored baseline value. For shock absorber performance, a sum of all frequency components in a second predetermined frequency range is compared to a baseline value.

Abstract translation: 一种轮胎和悬架监控和警告系统，由一组监控和警告故障模式的多功能传感器组成。 系统监测和警告轮胎不平衡，轮胎胎面磨损以及连接到车辆的轮胎的减震器。 监测和报警系统包括轮子的一个轴向，径向和横向加速度测量，以提供加速度信号采样功率。 对于轮胎不平衡，轮胎转速的二次谐波中的信号采样功率与第一谐波的信号采样功率进行比较。 对于轮胎胎面磨损，将第二频率范围内的平均信号采样功率与先前存储的基准值进行比较。 对于减震器性能，将第二预定频率范围中的所有频率分量的总和与基线值进行比较。

公开(公告)号：US06759952B2

公开(公告)日：2004-07-06

申请号：US09900324

申请日：2001-07-06

Applicant: Barry Dunbridge ,  Kenneth L. Brown ,  George W. McIver ,  Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Kelley D. Chilcott

Inventor： Barry Dunbridge ,  Kenneth L. Brown ,  George W. McIver ,  Kiran R. Magiawala ,  Kelley D. Chilcott

IPC: B60C2300

CPC classification number: G01M17/04 ,  G01M17/02 ,  Y10T152/10009

Abstract: A tire and suspension monitoring and warning system consisting of a set of multi-function sensors that monitor and warn of a failure mode. The system monitors and warns for tire imbalance, tire tread wear, and shock absorbers for a tire attached to a vehicle. The monitoring and warning system includes one axial, radial, and lateral acceleration measurement of the wheel to provide acceleration signal sample power. For tire imbalance, signal sample power in the second harmonic of the tire rotational frequency is compared to that of the first harmonic. For tire tread wear, average signal sample power within a second frequency range is compared to a previously stored baseline value. For shock absorber performance, a sum of all frequency components in a second predetermined frequency range is compared to a baseline value.

Abstract translation: 一种轮胎和悬架监控和警告系统，由一组监控和警告故障模式的多功能传感器组成。 系统监测和警告轮胎不平衡，轮胎胎面磨损以及连接到车辆的轮胎的减震器。 监测和报警系统包括轮子的一个轴向，径向和横向加速度测量，以提供加速度信号采样功率。 对于轮胎不平衡，将轮胎转速的二次谐波中的信号采样功率与一次谐波的信号采样功率进行比较。 对于轮胎胎面磨损，将第二频率范围内的平均信号采样功率与先前存储的基准值进行比较。 对于减震器性能，将第二预定频率范围中的所有频率分量的总和与基线值进行比较。

公开(公告)号：US07123747B2

公开(公告)日：2006-10-17

申请号：US10156592

申请日：2002-05-28

Applicant: Jon K. Wallace ,  Farid Khairallah ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  John J. Berenz

Inventor： Jon K. Wallace ,  Farid Khairallah ,  Barry Dunbridge ,  John J. Berenz

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06T5/001 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06K9/6282 ,  G06T2207/30268

Abstract: A method for helping to control a vehicle occupant protection device (22) includes taking an image of the vehicle interior with a digital imager (50) having an array of pixels (53). A contiguous portion of the image less than the entire image is selected. At least one image enhancement technique is applied to the selected image portion. The enhanced image portion is combined with the other portions of the image to make an enhanced image. The enhanced image is analyzed to detect at least one of features and characteristics of the enhanced image. Alternatively, a selected non-contiguous group of the pixels (53) of the imager (50) are read out, as representative of the entire image, to estimate the illumination levels across the entire array of pixels. In one aspect, the imager shutter (56) speed may be controlled to enhance the image.

Abstract translation: 用于帮助控制车辆乘员保护装置（22）的方法包括利用具有像素阵列（53）的数字成像器（50）拍摄车辆内部的图像。 选择小于整个图像的图像的连续部分。 至少一个图像增强技术被应用于所选择的图像部分。 增强图像部分与图像的其他部分组合以形成增强图像。 分析增强图像以检测增强图像的特征和特征中的至少一个。 或者，作为整个图像的代表，读出成像器（50）的像素（53）的选定的非连续组，以估计整个像素阵列上的照明水平。 在一个方面，可以控制成像器快门（56）的速度以增强图像。