Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicle vision system includes a housing with a lens holder at a first housing portion and a connector portion at a second housing portion. The connector portion is configured for connecting to vehicle wiring when the camera assembly is installed at a vehicle. A circuit element is disposed within the housing and a plurality of electrical connector elements is disposed at the connector portion of the second housing portion. Each of the electrical connector elements includes a first end portion configured for electrically connecting to circuitry of the circuit element and a second end portion configured for electrically connecting to the vehicle wiring. The first end portions of the electrical connector elements include flexible elements that, during mating of the first housing portion to the second housing portion, flex as the first end portions engage the circuitry and make electrical connection with the circuitry.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera, a distance sensor and a controller having at least one processor, where image data captured by the camera and sensor data captured by the distance sensor are processed at the controller. The controller, responsive to processing of captured image data and of captured sensor data, detects an object. The controller determines the distance to the detected object based at least in part on difference between the positions of the detected object in captured image data and in captured sensor data. The controller, responsive to processing of captured image data and of captured sensor data, and responsive to the determined distance to the detected object, determines that the detected object represents a collision risk. The controller informs a driver of the vehicle of the collision risk and/or controls the vehicle to mitigate the collision risk.

Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system includes a forward-viewing camera, a rearward-viewing camera, a rearward-sensing radar sensor and an electronic control unit. The vehicular collision avoidance system detects vehicles present forward and/or rearward of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) data processing of image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera and (ii) data processing of sensor data captured by the rearward-sensing radar sensor, the vehicular collision avoidance system determines potential of collision with the equipped vehicle by a detected other vehicle and/or determines that impact with the equipped vehicle by a detected other vehicle is imminent.

Abstract: A method of making a sensing unit for a sensing system of a vehicle includes providing a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a transducer having a piezo element. The transducer is placed in the first housing portion at the closed transducer end of the first housing portion. A dampening ring is disposed in the first housing portion between the closed transducer end and the first open receiving end of the first housing portion. A compression ring is provided and disposed at least partially into the first open receiving end of the first housing portion with wires electrically connecting the piezo element to the pins of the compression ring in the first housing portion. A PCB is disposed in the second housing portion and electrically connected to terminals of a connector portion of the second housing portion. The first housing portion is attached to the second housing portion.

Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera module configured to be disposed at and behind a vehicle windshield, with the camera module including a first camera and a second camera. The first camera includes a first imager and a first lens having a wide angle field of view greater than 100 degrees. The first camera is operable to capture image data for processing by an image processor. The second camera includes a second imager and a second lens having a narrow angle field of view less than 40 degrees. The second camera is operable to capture image data for displaying color images at a display screen. Image data captured by the first camera is processed to detect objects, and image data captured by the first camera is not video procesed for display of video images. The vision system switches between daytime mode and nighttime mode responsive to ambient light.

Abstract: A vehicular alert system includes a door locking control disposed at a vehicle and operable to lock a plurality of doors of the vehicle responsive to a door lock signal received from a remote transmitter carried by a user. The remote transmitter is operable to transmit a triggering signal to the door locking control. Responsive to the transmitted triggering signal, the door locking control locks the doors of the vehicle. Responsive to the transmitted triggering signal, the vehicular alert system determines whether at least one door of the vehicle is not fully closed. Responsive to determination that at least one door of the vehicle is not fully closed, the vehicular alert system generates an alert to alert the user that at least one door of the vehicle is not fully closed.

Abstract: A sensing system for a vehicle includes at least one radar sensor disposed at the vehicle and having a field of sensing exterior of the vehicle. The radar sensor includes multiple transmitting antennas and multiple receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas transmit signals and the receiving antennas receive the signals reflected off objects. Multiple scans of radar data sensed by the radar sensor are received at a control, and a vehicle motion estimation is received at the control. The control, responsive to received scans of sensed radar data, detects the presence of objects within the field of sensing of the radar sensor. The control, responsive to the received scans of sensed radar data and the received vehicle motion estimation, synthesizes a virtual aperture and matches objects detected in the scans and determines a separation between detected objects by tracking the detected objects over two or more scans.

Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera and mounting the vehicular camera at a vehicle includes providing a vehicular camera having a camera-locking structure configured for engagement with a vehicle panel-locking structure at a vehicle panel of the vehicle at which the vehicular camera is to be mounted. The vehicular camera is mounted at the vehicle panel by inserting a portion of the vehicular camera through an aperture of the vehicle panel and inserting the camera-locking structure through corresponding portions of the aperture of the vehicle panel, and rotating the camera-locking structure to a locked position, whereby the camera-locking structure is engaged with the vehicle panel-locking structure. With the camera-locking structure engaged with the vehicle panel-locking structure, locking surfaces of the camera-locking structure engage respective locking surfaces of the vehicle panel-locking structure to limit axial movement of the vehicular camera relative to the vehicle panel.

Abstract: A forward sensing system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor and a forward facing image sensor disposed within a windshield electronics module that is removably installed within the vehicle cabin at an upper region of the vehicle windshield and that is removable therefrom as a self-contained unit for service or replacement. A control is responsive to an output of the radar sensor and responsive to an output of the image sensor. Responsive to the image sensor viewing an object present in the path of forward travel of the vehicle and/or responsive to the radar sensor sensing the object present in the path of forward travel of the vehicle, the control enhances interrogation of an area in front of the vehicle at which the object is present to determine if the object is an object of interest causing a potentially hazardous condition.

Abstract: A vehicular trailering system includes a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle, and a control having an image processor that processes image data captured by the plurality of cameras. With a trailer hitched to the vehicle, the system determines trailer angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle responsive at least in part to processing of image data captured by at least some of the cameras during forward motion of the vehicle. With the cameras disposed at the vehicle and with the trailer hitched to the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing of image data captured by at least some of the cameras during forward motion of the vehicle, an object exterior of the vehicle is detected. Responsive to detection of the detected object, the system plans a path of forward travel of the vehicle towing the trailer that avoids contact with the detected object.

Abstract: A method of testing a vehicular camera includes providing a camera that has a field of view, providing a display screen that displays video images, providing an LED matrix having a plurality of LEDs that emit patterns of light of different colors, and providing a partially light reflecting and partially light transmitting mirror in the field of view of the camera and between the camera and the display screen or between the camera and the LED matrix. A simulator control generates video control signals and LED control signals. Displayed video images either pass through the mirror or reflect off the mirror to be imaged by the camera. The emitted patterns of light either reflect off the mirror or pass through the mirror to be imaged by the camera. A processor may process captured image data to determine whether or not the camera is functioning properly.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing cameras for a vehicular vision system includes providing camera control signals to the cameras from the ECU via respective links from the ECU to the cameras. At least two of the cameras are in communication with a hub via respective links, and the ECU is in communication with the hub via a hub link. The camera control signals are provided to one camera via a link between the ECU and the camera, and are provided to at least two other cameras via the hub link and respective links between the hub and the other cameras. The camera control signals regulate timing of the respective camera via starting the camera synchronous to the ECU reference timing. Image data is captured by each camera and provided to the ECU via the respective link or links.

Abstract: A vehicular control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors disposed at the vehicle and having respective fields of sensing exterior of the vehicle. A control includes a processor that is operable to process sensor data captured by the sensors. The control, responsive at least in part to processing of sensor data captured by the sensors, determines a rearward approaching vehicle rearward of the equipped vehicle and traveling at a speed greater than the equipped vehicle. The control determines a speed of the equipped vehicle and the control determines a speed of the determined rearward approaching vehicle. At least in part responsive to determination of the rearward approaching vehicle, the control controls the equipped vehicle to accelerate the equipped vehicle to at least the determined speed of the determined rearward approaching vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera, a non-vision sensor and a control having at least one data processor. The camera is disposed at a vehicle and has a field of view at least forward of the vehicle. The non-vision sensor is disposed at the vehicle and has a field of sensing at least forward of the vehicle. The control, responsive at least in part to processing at the control of captured image data captured sensor data, determines a fault of the camera or of the non-vision sensor. Responsive to determination of the fault of the camera or of the non-vision sensor, the control wirelessly communicates an alert to a remote processor that is located remote from the vehicle and that is not part of the vehicle. Responsive to receipt of the communicated alert, the remote processor at least in part assumes control of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensing system for a vehicle includes at least one radar sensor disposed at the vehicle and having a field of sensing exterior of the vehicle. The radar sensor includes an antenna array having multiple transmitting antennas and multiple receiving antennas. Sensed radar data provides a data set of received sensed radar data that is representative of an object in the field of sensing of the at least one radar sensor, and the data set of received sensed radar data is compared to stored data sets representative of a plurality of vehicle types. Responsive to the data set of received sensed radar data being determined to correspond to a particular stored data set, the sensing system classifies the detected object as a particular vehicle type.

Abstract: A method for determining alignment of cameras at a vehicle includes mounting first and second cameras at a vehicle and providing an image processor at the vehicle. While the vehicle is moving along the road, first image data captured via the first camera is processed to determine movement of a road feature and second image data captured by the second camera is processed to determine movement of the road feature when the road feature is present in the second image data. The determined movement of the road feature in first image data is compared to the determined movement of the road feature in second image data, and an offset of the second camera relative to the first camera is determined, with the offset caused by a rotational or translational change in position of the first or second camera relative to the other.

Abstract: A camera simulation system or method or process for simulating performance of a camera for a vehicle includes providing a camera having a lens and imager and providing a learning algorithm. Image data is captured from a raw image input of the camera and the captured image data and raw image input are output from the camera. The output image data and the raw image input are provided to the learning algorithm. The learning algorithm is trained to simulate performance of the lens and/or the imager using the output captured image data and the raw image data input. The performance of the lens and/or the imager is simulated responsive to the learning algorithm receiving raw images.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera, a circuit board, at least one electrical connector and an image processor. With the camera module mounted at a vehicle windshield, the camera has a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The camera includes an imager and a lens, with the lens accommodated in a lens barrel. The camera captures image data when operated. The camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at the circuit board via a flexible electrical connection. Circuitry of the circuit board, via the flexible electrical connection, (i) provides electrical power to the camera, (ii) controls the camera and (iii) receives image data from the camera. With the camera module mounted at the windshield, the circuit board is tilted at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lens barrel of the camera.

Abstract: A method for determining a trailer angle for a trailering assist system of a vehicle includes providing a rearward facing camera at a rearward portion of a vehicle and a control that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing by the processor of captured image data, a location of a portion of the trailer relative to the vehicle and a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle are determined. During a reversing maneuver, a rearward trajectory of the trailer is determined and a graphic overlay may be generated to overlay displayed images to indicate the determined rearward trajectory. During forward travel, a degree of swing of the trailer may be determined and a threshold level of swing may be adjusted based at least in part on a speed of the vehicle and trailer and/or a load of the trailer.

Abstract: A communication system for vehicles includes a first communication device disposed at a trailer and a second communication device disposed at a vehicle. The communication device wirelessly transmits a communication to the second communication device, and the second communication device receives the transmitted communication from the first communication device. Responsive to processing of the transmitted communication received by the second communication device, the communication system determines an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle. The first and second communication devices may include first and second dedicated short range communication devices. One of the devices may include spaced apart antennae, whereby the system may determine the angle of the trailer via triangulation based on an antenna of one of the communication devices and the spaced apart antennae of the other of the communication devices.