Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, and a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the cabin of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle, preferably through a windshield area that is swept by the windshield wipers. The imaging sensor is generally centrally located along the vehicle axis and is relatively high in the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, preferably formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a logic and control circuit, preferably with at least a portion of the logic and control circuit commonly formed on a semiconductor with the array of light sensing elements. The logic and control circuit comprises an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the cabin of the vehicle and has a field of view. At least one illumination source illuminates a region of interest within the field of view of the imaging sensor and the illumination source principally radiates in a spectral region that is outside the visible light spectrum and that comprises wavelengths within the responsive range of the imaging sensor.

Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a signal light or security light that provides illumination at a side of the vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes a housing with a reflective element, and may include a positioning device for adjusting the position of the reflective element in the housing. The signal light includes a light source and may be adapted to project light from a non-folding portion or support member of the mirror housing.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements. The system includes a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output for controlling at least one accessory of the vehicle. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the cabin of the vehicle and preferably has a field of view exterior of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a rearview mirror housing assembly having a polymeric rearview mirror housing and a reflective mirror element, a polymeric rearview mirror support, a polymeric rearview mirror mount, and first and second polymeric ball pivot members received in respective sockets allowing pivotal adjustment of the rearview mirror housing assembly. At least one electrical conductor connects an electrical accessory in the mirror housing assembly to the vehicle electrical system. The rearview mirror support includes a cable-way such that the presence of the electrical conductor as it passes through the ball pivot members and the cable-way is concealed from view while being protected therein even while the ball pivot members are pivoted for adjustment. The various polymeric elements of the assembly are preferably molded in the same color such as black, or alternately in at least two different colors.

Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes a housing, a mounting member configured to mount to a vehicle windshield, an electrical actuator, which is supported by the mounting member with the weight of the electrical actuator being transferred to the windshield by way of the mounting member, and a reflective element. The reflective element is mounted to the electrical actuator and has a rearward field of view when mounted to the electrical actuator, which provides adjustment of the rearward field of view of the reflective element.

Abstract: A safety system for a compartment of a vehicle includes an occupant sensor for sensing an occupant within the compartment of the vehicle, a vehicle-based control, and a wireless transmitter of the vehicle. The control is responsive to the occupant sensor. The control controls transmission by the wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter may transmit to a receiver located external of the vehicle upon detection by the occupant sensor of the presence of an occupant within the compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes a reflective element having a heater and a breakaway joint assembly having stationary member and a pivoting member that comprises a bracket supporting an electrically-operable actuator for positioning the reflective element about at least one axis. The exterior mirror assembly comprises a ground illumination or a signal light. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes carrying vehicle control signals and electrical power.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when the interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle. The interior mirror assembly includes at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element to that driver's desired setting and the interior mirror assembly comprises a mirror support having a mounting portion for attaching the interior mirror assembly to the portion of the interior of the vehicle. The mirror support includes at least one pivot element and the reflective element is disposed in a mirror housing.

Abstract: An improved console system is provided that is suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle, the interior cabin having a roof and a windshield having an upper portion. The improved console system comprises a console assembly that includes a headliner portion disposed at the roof of the interior cabin of the vehicle and that further includes a windshield portion disposed at the upper portion of the windshield that extends downwardly from the headliner portion. The downwardly extending windshield portion includes an image capturing device having a field of view through the windshield in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle that preferably captures images at least one chosen from (a) a forward park-aid system, (b) a collision avoidance system, and (c) an automatic headlamp control system.

Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control receives the captured image, which comprises an image data set representative of the exterior scene. The control may apply an edge detection algorithm to a reduced image data set of the image data set. The reduced image data set is representative of a target zone of the captured image. The control may be operable to process the reduced image data set more than other image data, which are representative of areas of the captured image outside of the target zone, to detect objects present within the target zone. The imaging system may be associated with a side object detection system, a lane change assist system, a lane departure warning system and/or the like.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle comprises a housing that is adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle. The housing houses at least two accessories, at least one of which is selected from the group consisting of a forwardly-viewing camera and a forwardly-viewing rain sensor. Another of the at least two accessories is selected from the group consisting of: a) a vehicle altitude sensor, b) a vehicle incline sensor, c) a headlamp sensor, d) a daylight sensor, e) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) transmitter, f) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, g) an antenna, h) a camera, i) a microphone, j) a compass sensor, k) a rain sensor and l) a photosensor.

Abstract: An interior mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror support assembly adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly further comprises an imaging sensor. An electrochromic reflective mirror element is disposed in a housing with its the rearward field of view pivotally adjustable about the mirror support assembly via a pivot element when the interior rearview mirror assembly is attached by the mirror support assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle. Electronic circuitry that includes a compass sensor is disposed within the housing to the rear of the reflective mirror element and the electronic circuitry includes a microprocessor that at least partially controls automatic dimming of the reflectivity of the reflective mirror element in response to glare conditions detected by at least one photo sensor.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly attached at an inner portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly preferably includes at least one microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output signal indicative of these audio signals, the at least one microphone providing sound capture for at least one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communication system. The system includes a control that receives the output signal from the at least one microphone and distinguishes the presence of vocal signals from non-vocal signals. The system preferably comprises a learning mode whereby a vocal characteristic of a particular driver or occupant of the vehicle is learnt so that the ratio of vocal signals emanating from that particular driver or occupant to non-vocal noise signals received by the system is enhanced.

Abstract: A vehicle imaging system includes an imaging sensor, an imaging sensor bracket and an image processor. A vehicle mounting portion of the bracket is configured to mount at a mounting element for a license plate of the vehicle, and a sensor mounting portion of the bracket is angled with respect to the vehicle mounting portion such that the sensor mounting portion extends generally rearwardly when the bracket is fastened at the license plate mounting element. The imaging sensor generates a signal indicative of an image representative of a scene occurring within the field of view. The image processor receives the signal and processes the signal and generates an output signal representative of the imaged scene. The system may include a display, which may display at least one iconistic representation of at least one detected relevant object in response to an output signal generated by the image processor.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a compass sensor having first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. A physical mount mounts the compass sensor at the rear of the reflective element whereby the compass sensor adjusts in tandem with adjustment of the reflective element by the driver of the vehicle. The physical mount is configured to at least partially offset the angle of the reflective element selected by the driver. A control receives a first signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the first magnetoresponsive sensing element and receives a second signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control determines a directional heading of the vehicle based on the first and second signals, and automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field of the vehicle and generates a signal indicative of the directional heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head, a mounting base, a support arm and a cover element. The mirror head includes a reflective element and at least one electronic component which is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle via wiring. The support arm has an elongated shaft portion, a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The mirror head is pivotable about the first end via a first ball and socket joint, and the second end is pivotable about the mounting base via a second ball and socket joint. The wiring is disposed between an outer surface of the shaft portion and the cover element. The cover element attaches to the shaft portion such that the wiring is routed at least partially along the outer surface and is at least partially hidden from view by the cover element.

Abstract: A method for molding a door handle portion of a door handle assembly for a vehicle includes providing a handle mold for a door handle portion and positioning an antenna within a mold cavity of the handle mold. The method includes providing handle material within the mold cavity and at least partially around the antenna to form the door handle portion and removing the door handle portion and antenna from the handle mold. The handle portion includes an antenna positioned within the handle portion. Optionally, and prior to providing handle material within the mold cavity, the method may comprise providing core material within a mold cavity of a core mold to form a core portion, and positioning the core portion and the antenna within the mold cavity of the handle mold.

Abstract: A mirror system for a vehicle comprising an exterior rearview mirror assembly, which includes a fixed portion which is configured to mount to a side of the vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element and a reflective element actuator. The reflective element has a generally rearward field of view when the mirror system is mounted to the vehicle. The reflective element actuator provides selective adjustment of an orientation of the reflective element to adjust the rearward field of view to a desired orientation, and the movable portion is movably mounted to the fixed portion. The movable portion actuator selectively moves the movable portion between a viewing position wherein the movable portion extends outwardly from the vehicle at an angle with respect to the side of the vehicle and another viewing position wherein said movable portion extends outwardly from the vehicle at another angle with respect to the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mirror system for a vehicle comprising an exterior rearview mirror assembly, which includes a fixed portion which is configured to mount to a side of the vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element and a reflective element actuator. The reflective element has a generally rearward field of view when the mirror system is mounted to the vehicle. The reflective element actuator provides selective adjustment of an orientation of the reflective element to adjust the rearward field of view to a desired orientation, and the movable portion is movably mounted to the fixed portion. The movable portion actuator selectively moves the movable portion between a viewing position wherein the movable portion extends outwardly from the vehicle at an angle with respect to the side of the vehicle and another viewing position wherein said movable portion extends outwardly from the vehicle at another angle with respect to the side of the vehicle.