Donnelly Corporation

Other

Magna Electronics Inc.

Brent J Bos

Kenneth Schofield

Niall R Lynam

Mark L Larson

Roger L Veldman

Robert L Bingle

Kevin C McCarthy

Roger L Koops

David W Taylor

Eric John Hoekstra

Eugenie V Uhlmann

Gimtong Teowee

Stephen J Forbes

A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having a forward field of view in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The imaging sensor includes an array of photosensing elements that has groupings of photosensing elements, each grouping having at least three neighboring photosensing elements. At least one photosensing element of each grouping is a red light sensitive photosensing element and at least one other photosensing element of each grouping is a white light sensitive photosensing element. A control may process image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine a taillight of a leading vehicle present in the forward field of view and traveling ahead of and in the same direction as that of the equipped vehicle. The control may process captured image data to determine rate of approach of the equipped vehicle relative to the leading vehicle.

Vehicle vision system

A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one imaging sensor having a forward field of view with respect to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The imaging sensor captures image data representative of objects present in the forward field of view. A control is responsive to the imaging sensor and processes image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine an object present in the forward field of view. The control processes image data to determine a distance between the vehicle and the object determined present in the forward field of view. The control may determine the distance between the vehicle and the determined object at least in part in response to at least one of (i) size of the determined object, (ii) position of the determined object, (iii) light intensity of the determined object, and (iv) rate of approach of the determined object.

A vision system for a vehicle includes a first imaging sensor having a first forward field of view and a second imaging sensor spaced from the first imaging sensor and having a second forward field of view, which at least partially overlaps with the first forward field of view. A control processes image data captured by at least one of the first and second imaging sensors to determine an object present in the first and/or second forward fields of view. The control is operable to modulate a headlamp of the vehicle responsive to the processing of image data captured by the at least one of the first and second imaging sensors. The control may process image data captured by both of the imaging sensors to determine a distance between the equipped vehicle and an object present in the overlap of the first and second forward fields of view.

A vehicular vision system includes at least one imaging sensor for sensing images of objects in a forward field of view of the imaging sensor. The imaging system includes a control responsive to an output of the imaging sensor. The control modulates at least one headlamp of the vehicle in response to the output of the imaging sensor. The control may process an output of the imaging sensor to identify a headlamp or taillight of another vehicle in the forward field of view of the at least one imaging sensor and to determine a distance between the controlled vehicle and the identified headlamp or taillight of another vehicle. The control may modulate the at least one headlamp of the vehicle in response to the image processing.

A vehicle imaging system includes an imaging array sensor having a field of view directed outwardly from the vehicle and toward an external scene, first and second optic elements, and a control responsive to an output of the imaging array sensor. The imaging array sensor has at least first and second portions, with the first optic element positioned along a first optic path between the first portion of the imaging array sensor and the external scene, and the second optic element positioned along a second optic path between the second portion of the imaging array sensor and the external scene. The control processes the output and distinguishes the first image and the second image in order to identify objects of interest in the external scene. The control generates a control output in response to the processing.

Vehicle imaging system

A safety sensing and/or release system for a closed compartment of a vehicle is operable to detect an occupant within the vehicle compartment. The system may be operable to sense ambient conditions in the vehicle compartment, and may generate a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. The system may actuate indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person or animal detected in the compartment. Optionally, the system may open the vehicle compartment in response to a detection of an occupant and the sensed conditions. The safety system includes a false trigger protection means that limits or reduces false detections of a person or animal within the compartment.

Safety system for a compartment of a vehicle

A wide angle imaging system for providing a wide angle field of view of an area exteriorly of a vehicle includes an image capture device having a field of view directed exteriorly of the vehicle, an outer wide angle lens, a focusing lens and a display. The image capture device may comprise an array of pixels and may have a coarse distribution of pixels and a fine distribution of pixels. The display may be operable to display a substantially undistorted image to the driver or occupant of the vehicle in response to a signal output of the image capture device.

Wide angle imaging system

Illumination of a portion of a vehicle interior is provided by an interior rearview mirror assembly incorporating a solid-state light source comprising a light emitting diode (LED) which emits light generally downwardly from the assembly. In one form of the invention, the mirror case of the rearview mirror assembly includes at least one of an opening, a light conduit, and a fiberoptic element through which the LED emits light. In another form, the LED preferably has a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA. The LED preferably has a dominant wavelength of at least about 530 nm. The light emitted by the LED may be selected from green, orange, yellow, amber, reddish-orange, red and blue. The vehicle interior portion may include at least one of a shift lever console and a floor console.

Interior mirror assembly for a vehicle incorporating a solid-state light source

A vehicular imaging system suitable for use in a vehicle includes at least one imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor has a field of view directed outwardly from the vehicle and is operable to sense at least one object or light source of interest external to the vehicle. The control is responsive to an output of the imaging array sensor to determine a distance between the imaging array sensor and the object or light source of interest external to the vehicle sensed by the imaging array sensor. The control is operable to control at least one accessory of the vehicle in response to a closest one of the objects or light sources of interest external to the vehicle sensed by the imaging array sensor. The control may be operable to control a headlamp of the vehicle in response to the determined distance.

Vehicle imaging system with accessory control

An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a reflective element included within the housing. The mirror system further includes a video device (which includes an imaging sensor) and a control. The imaging sensor is positioned at the interior rearview mirror assembly and has a field of view forward and through the windshield. The imaging sensor is operable to at least sense precipitation at an interior and/or exterior surface of the windshield. The control receives a signal from the imaging sensor and is operable to control at least one of a headlamp of the vehicle, a windshield wiper of the vehicle, a defogging system of the vehicle and a movable window of the vehicle in response to the signal.

Interior rearview mirror system including a forward facing video device

A safety sensing and/or release system for opening a closed compartment of a vehicle comprises a sensing element for sensing the presence of an occupant within the closed compartment of the vehicle, a control responsive to the sensing element, and a release system. The control is operable to provide an output signal in response to a detection of an occupant by the sensing element. The control may be selectably locked to limit providing an unintentional output signal. The release system is operable to open the closed compartment in response to the output signal of the control. The control may be selectably locked in response to an input signal indicative of at least one of the vehicle ignition being on and the vehicle moving, in order to prevent the compartment from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is moving.

Safety system for a closed compartment of a vehicle

A vehicular precipitation sensor which detects precipitation on a vehicle window includes an imaging array sensor directed at the vehicle window from inside the vehicle, and a control operable to detect precipitation at a surface of the vehicle window in response to an output of the imaging array sensor. The imaging array sensor includes a plurality of pixels which sense a light value of incident radiation. The control controls an accessory of the vehicle in response to the precipitation detected reaching a threshold level of precipitation. The threshold level of detected precipitation is preferably adjustable in response to a level of ambient light present at the window. The rain sensor may include an illumination device which is preferably operable in a pulse mode, whereby the control is operable to reduce noise of the output of the imaging array sensor as a function of the pulse mode.

Precipitation sensor

An optical or lens system for use with an imaging system of a vehicle includes a plurality of optical elements. The optical elements include less than five optical elements and, preferably, include four optical elements. Each of the optical elements is formed of a plastic material. At least two of the optical elements include a diffractive element. Preferably, a diffractive element is formed on an outer surface of two of the optical elements. The optical system provides and focuses a field of view of a targeted area of at least approximately 100 degrees to an imaging plane. The imaging plane is at an imaging sensor or camera or other imaging device operable to receive the image from the optical system. The optical system further includes an aperture stop between two of the optical elements.

Plastic lens system for vehicle imaging system

A wide-angle image capture system for providing a wide-angle field of view of an area immediately exteriorly of a vehicle. The system includes a convex aspheric, asymmetric reflective surface which reflects an image toward an image capture device, via a substantially flat mirrored surface, both of which are compactly packaged within a panel of the vehicle. The shape of the convex reflector provides a reflected image that has a minimal amount of distortion in critical areas of the image immediately adjacent to the vehicle, so that additional processing of the image prior to it being displayed to a vehicle operator is minimized.

Wide angle image capture system for vehicle

A vehicular imaging system for capturing an image includes an imaging sensor and an electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is operable to attenuate light in response to a voltage applied to said electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is positioned along an optic path between the imaging sensor and a scene being captured by the imaging sensor. The imaging system includes a control for applying the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter in response to an ambient light intensity.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Brent J Bos