Donnelly Corporation

Magna Electronics Inc.

Perceptron, Inc.

Joseph Camilleri

Kenneth Schofield

Peter John Whitehead

Robert L Bingle

Joel S Gibson

Mark R Warren

David L Kelly

A vehicular camera module includes a camera having a CMOS image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and circuitry of a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with circuitry of the first printed circuit board. Board-to-board electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards is via a multi-wire ribbon connection. A housing houses the first and second printed circuit boards. The housing is configured for mounting at a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the image sensor, an object in the field of view of the camera is detected.

Vehicular camera module

A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed at the vehicle and viewing exterior the vehicle. A control includes an image processor and is operable to process captured image data for at least a first application and a second application and to adjust the image sensor to at least two settings and to process captured image data via at least two processing techniques. The control is operable to synchronize the at least two settings of the image sensor and the at least two processing techniques to extract respective information from the captured image data for the first and second applications. The control adjusts a setting of the image sensor to capture image data suitable for the first application or the second application. The image processor processes captured image data via a processing technique suitable for the first application or the second application.

Driver assistance system for vehicle

A vehicular camera module includes a camera having an image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first printed circuit board. Board-to-board electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards is via a multi-wire ribbon connection. A housing houses the first and second printed circuit boards. The housing is configured for mounting at a windshield of a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the image sensor, an object in the field of view of the camera is detected.

A method for assembling a camera for a vehicle includes providing a camera housing portion, disposing an imaging sensor at a base portion of the camera housing portion, and disposing a lens system at a first portion of the camera housing portion. A first circuit board is provided that includes circuitry associated with the imaging sensor, which is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first circuit board. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are joined together to encase the first and second circuit boards. The connector portion includes a multi-pin connector having terminals that include (i) a first terminal portion for electrically connecting with a connector of the vehicle and (ii) a second terminal portion that electrically connects with circuitry disposed at the first circuit board when the camera housing portion and the connector portion are joined together.

Method for assembling camera for vehicle vision system

A camera assembly for a vehicle includes a camera housing portion, an imaging sensor disposed at a base portion of the camera housing portion, and a lens system disposed at a first portion of the camera housing portion. A first circuit board includes circuitry associated with the imaging sensor, which is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first circuit board. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are configured to join together to encase the first and second circuit boards. The connector portion includes a multi-pin connector having terminals that include (i) a first terminal portion for electrically connecting with a connector of the vehicle and (ii) a second terminal portion for electrically connecting with circuitry disposed at the first circuit board.

Camera assembly for vehicle

A camera module suitable for use for a vision system of a vehicle includes a camera housing portion having a generally cylindrical portion extending outwardly from a base portion. An imaging sensor is disposed at the base portion and a lens system is received at the cylindrical portion of the camera housing portion. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are configured to join together to encase the imaging sensor and circuitry. The connector portion may include a multi-pin connector extending in a direction away from the camera housing portion when the camera housing portion and the connector portion are joined together. The multi-pin connector may include a plurality of terminals, each of which has a first end having a pin configured to electrically connect with a connector of a vehicle and an opposing second end configured for electrical connection with the circuitry.

Camera module for vehicle

A camera module for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing, a circuit element and a lens. The housing has a base portion and a lens portion. The circuit element includes CMOS imaging sensor and associated circuitry. The CMOS imaging sensor has a dynamic range of greater than approximately 100 dB. The dynamic range of the imaging sensor may follow, at least in part, a non-linear response curve. The base portion and the lens portion are welded or sealed together to substantially limit water intrusion into the camera module and the camera module may include shielding to limit or reduce electronic noise. The camera module is configured for mounting at a rear portion of the vehicle so that the imaging sensor has a rearward field of view.

A camera module for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing having a base portion and a lens portion and a circuit element. The circuit element includes an imaging sensor and associated circuitry. The circuit element may include an electrical connector having a plurality of terminals. A lens may be disposed at least partially in the lens portion of the housing and the circuit element may be disposed at least partially in the base portion of the housing. The base portion and the lens portion may be welded or sealed together to substantially limit water intrusion into the camera module. The imaging sensor may have a dynamic range of greater than approximately 100 dB, and the dynamic range of the imaging sensor may follow, at least in part, a linear response curve up to approximately 62 dB and a non-linear response curve above approximately 62 dB.

A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed in the vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. The imager has a field of view exterior the vehicle and is operable to capture image data. The imager includes (i) a lens, (ii) a spectral filter and (iii) a CMOS photosensor array of photosensor elements. The system includes a control that may be operable to process captured image data for at least a first application and a second application, with the first application including lane departure warning and the second application selected from the group consisting of (i) headlamp control, (ii) vehicle detection and (iii) rain sensing. The control may be operable to adjust a parameter or setting of the imager.

A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging device, a camera controller, a display device and a display controller. The camera controller and the display controller share a common processor. The vision system is operable to adjust a displayed image responsive to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system. The vision system, responsive to object detection by a sensor, is operable to (a) provide enhanced imaging of the detected object, (b) provide enhanced processing of at least a portion of captured image that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which an object is detected, (c) adjust the display device to enhance displayed images of a detected object, and/or (d) adjust the display device to enhance display of at least a portion of a captured image that corresponds to the region of the exterior scene at which the object is detected by the sensor.

Vision system for vehicle

A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having an imaging sensor with a field of view exterior the vehicle, a camera controller, a display device and a display controller. The display device is operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The imaging device communicates an image signal to the display device via a link. The display controller may affect the image signal, such as in response to a user input, and the camera controller may adjust a function of the imaging device in response to a detection of the affected image signal. The vision system may adjust an image displayed by the display device in response to a signal from an auxiliary sensing system of the vehicle, such as a distance sensing system of the vehicle that is operable to determine a distance to an object exterior the vehicle.

An imaging system for a vehicle includes a camera module positionable at the vehicle and a control. The camera module includes a plastic housing that houses an image sensor, which is operable to capture images of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is operable to process images captured by the image sensor. The portions of the housing may be laser welded or sonic welded together to substantially seal the image sensor and associated components within the plastic housing. The housing may include a ventilation portion that is at least partially permeable to water vapor to allow water vapor to pass therethrough while substantially precluding passage of water droplets and/or other contaminants. The housing may be movable at the vehicle between a stored position and an operational position, where the image sensor may be directed toward the exterior scene.

Imaging system for vehicle

A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having an imaging sensor, a camera microcontroller, a display device having a display element, a display microcontroller, and at least one user input selectively actuatable by a user. The imaging device communicates an image signal to the display device via a communication link. The display microcontroller affects the image signal in response to the at least one user input. The camera microcontroller monitors the image signal on the communication link and adjusts a function of the imaging device in response to a detection of the affected image signal. The vision system may adjust a display or sensor of the system in conjunction with a distance detecting system.

A system and method for controlling the operating parameters of a laser diode ( ) is provided. The laser control system ( ) automatically optimizes the laser diode ( ) operating characteristics while maintaining a safe peak power for pulse duration and pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The controlled level of output power is based on the laser diode gain determined during calibration of each laser diode projector as well as using the application of predetermined laser safety formulas. The laser control system ( ) includes a laser diode ( ) that is powered by a laser drive current. The laser diode ( ) has a laser output having a peak power level. A detector ( ) is coupled to the laser diode ( ) for sensing the laser output. A laser driver ( ) including a primary control loop ( ) is operable, in response to the sensed laser output and a reference ( ), to control the laser drive current such that the output power corresponds to the reference ( ). A controller ( ) is coupled to the laser driver ( ). The controller ( ) includes a laser settings module ( ) for generating the reference ( ) in response to a laser output setting ( ) such that the laser output characteristic level is approximately a predetermined output level. The output characteristic of the laser diode ( ) is maintained within the predetermined standard. Another aspect of the invention provides an independent safety monitoring function ( ) based on the laser settings.

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Brighton, MI, United States of America

Joseph Camilleri