Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a vehicle having first and second spatially separated image capture sensors. The first image capture device has a first field of view having a first field of view portion at least partially overlapping a field of view portion of a second field of view of the second image capture device. A control receives a first image input from the first image capture sensor and a second image input from the second image capture sensor and generates a composite image synthesized from the first image input and the second image input. A display system displays the composite image.

Abstract: A headlamp control system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor, which has a field of view forward of the vehicle, and a control that processes images captured by the imagine array sensor. The control is operable to detect light sources in the field of view and to determine an activity level in the field of view in response to a quantity of light sources detected. The control is operable to control a headlamp of the vehicle in response to identification of at least one of a headlamp of another vehicle and a taillight of another vehicle and in response to the activity level. The control may be operable to process the captured images to detect lane markers or precipitation in the field of view and may control a steering system of the vehicle or a wiper motor of the vehicle in response to such image processing.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle equipped with at least two image capture devices. The image capture devices capture an image external of the vehicle and have overlapping fields of view. Outputs of the at least two image capture devices are fed to an image processor. The image processor produces a synthesized image from the outputs of the at least two image capture devices. The vision system may be a night-vision system.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle is provided that comprises a vehicle equipped with an image capture device. The image capture device captures an image external of the vehicle. A display screen viewable by an occupant of the vehicle is also provided and a control electronically generates indicia that are displayed on the screen. The image external the vehicle and the indicia are simultaneously displayed on the screen so as to be simultaneously viewable by the occupant of the vehicle. Preferably, the indicia generated on the screen are related to a function of the vehicle that is not associated with the image external the vehicle displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from output of the image capture device. The display system is preferably contiguous with the forward field of view of the vehicle driver at a focal length that is forward of the vehicle passenger compartment. A plurality of image capture devices may be provided and the display system displays a unitary image synthesized from outputs of the image capture devices which approximates a rearward-facing view from a single location, such as forward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A headlamp control system for a motor vehicle includes an imaging array sensor operable to sense light in a field of view forward of the motor vehicle and a control that is responsive to the imaging array sensor. The control is operable to identify at least one object of interest in the field of view by a spectral signature and/or a geometric organization of the object. The control is operable to control a headlamp of the motor vehicle in response to identifying the object as being at least one of a headlamp of another vehicle, a taillight of another vehicle, a traffic sign, a lane marker and a traffic light. The control may be operable to identify a headlamp and/or taillight of another vehicle in response to light sensed by the imaging array sensor during different exposure periods of the imaging array sensor.

Abstract: A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from output of the image capture device. The display system is preferably contiguous with the forward field of view of the vehicle driver at a focal length that is forward of the vehicle passenger compartment. A plurality of image capture devices may be provided and the display system displays a unitary image synthesized from outputs of the image capture devices which approximates a rearward-facing view from a single location, such as forward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle is provided that comprises a vehicle equipped with an image capture device. The image capture device captures an image external of the vehicle. A display screen viewable by an occupant of the vehicle is also provided and a control electronically generates indicia that are displayed on the screen. The image external the vehicle and the indicia are simultaneously displayed on the screen so as to be simultaneously viewable by the occupant of the vehicle. Preferably, the indicia generated on the screen are related to a function of the vehicle that is not associated with the image external the vehicle displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A vehicular rain sensor which senses precipitation at a vehicle window. The rain sensor comprises an imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor is directed at the vehicle window from inside the vehicle and comprises a camera device capable of imaging precipitation at a surface of the window. The camera is operable to image the precipitation at least in response to ambient light present at the window. The control responds to an output of the imaging array sensor in order to indicate precipitation at the surface of the window. The control determines the presence of precipitation via spatial filtering of the image received by the camera device.

Abstract: A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes an image capture device mounted at the rear of the vehicle and having a field of view directed rearwardly of the vehicle. A display system is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The display system displays a rearward image output of the image capture device. A graphic overlay is superimposed on the rearward image when the gear actuator of the vehicle selects a reverse gear. The graphic overlay may include indicia of the anticipated path of travel of the vehicle. The graphic overlay may be disabled when the gear actuator of the vehicle is not in reverse gear.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device which may be directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from an output of the image capture device. The display system enhances the displayed image by visually informing the driver of what is occurring in the area surrounding the vehicle. For example, hazards, such as objects too close to the vehicle for safe lane-change maneuver, can be highlighted such as by flashing the image of the hazard or displaying the hazard in a particular color.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from output of the image captive device. The display system is preferably contiguous with the forward field of view of the vehicle driver at a focal length that is forward of the vehicle passenger compartment. A plurality of image capture devices my be provided and the display system displays a unitary image synthesized from outputs of the image captive devices which approximates a rearward-facing view from a single location, such as forward of the vehicle.