Abstract: The invention relates to a method of lighting a road with a vehicle headlight, in which the projected light is modulated in response to the presence of any persons on the road. The method comprises the following operations: detecting in the road scene at least one person, pinpointing the location of the person in the road scene, creating on an imager a mask having dimensions and position corresponding to the person, and lighting the road through the imager, to create a projected shadow around the person. The invention also provides a headlight for performing this method and having a first light source towards the imager, and an electronic system for generating light-occulting masks on the imager.

Abstract: A method for determining the distance of visibility for a driver of a vehicle in the presence of an element disrupting the visibility of the driver, the method comprising the following steps: determining the luminosity of the pixels of a region of an image taken in the field of vision of the driver, resulting in a luminosity curve, determining a first tangent to the curve of luminosity, determining a second tangent to the curve of luminosity, determining a sweep-line according to the first tangent and second tangent, the sweep-line being representative of the distance of visibility.

Abstract: A method for detecting raindrops on a windscreen, which uses a camera, which is fitted inside the vehicle opposite the windscreen and which is focused at infinite. The method comprises steps of acquiring images by a camera through the windscreen, camera preferably focused at infinite, retrieving the contours of the spots present on the acquired images, and realizing the histogram of the widths of contours of the spots.

Abstract: A method that utilizes at least a first camera and a second camera, which have optical axes that are parallel to a first axis of an orthogonal reference frame, the first and the second camera being positioned so as to have a first offset along a second axis and a second offset along a third axis of the orthogonal reference frame. The first offset is used to carry out a first stereoscopic calculation, and the second offset is used to carry out a second stereoscopic calculation, the distance sought finally being established by taking into consideration these two stereoscopic calculations.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an orientation of a camera installed on a vehicle, comprising the following operations: installing the vehicle at a location provided with markings on the ground, detecting these markings, estimating a vanishing point based on these markings, and matching the vanishing point with a positioning point by angular displacement of the camera.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for detecting, at night, the presence of an element such as fog interfering with the visibility of a road scene situated in front of a vehicle, comprising the following operations: acquiring an image of the road scene, extracting, from the image of the road scene, at least one light halo produced by a lighting device of the vehicle, approximating a form of this light halo by an elliptic curve, comparing the form of this light halo with the elliptic curve obtained in order to deduce therefrom the presence or absence of an element interfering with visibility.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor, integrated in a lighting or signaling device of this vehicle. A field of vision of this at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of lighting a road with a vehicle headlight, in which the projected light is modulated in response to the presence of any persons on the road. The method comprises the following operations: detecting in the road scene at least one person, pinpointing the location of the person in the road scene, creating on an imager a mask having dimensions and position corresponding to the person, and lighting the road through the imager, to create a projected shadow around the person. The invention also provides a headlight for performing this method and having a first light source towards the imager, and an electronic system for generating light-occulting masks on the imager.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for in-situ control of the orientation of a vehicle headlamp equipped with a light source fixed on a mobile reflector, and including a camera mounted in the vehicle, an image processing unit connected to the camera, and a specific light point emission device. It also relates to a process for in-situ control of the orientation of a vehicle headlamp, wherein it includes the following operations: recording of successive images of a scene extending in front of the vehicle, processing of at least one image of the scene and production of a processed image, determination, from this processed image, of a horizon line of the scene, determination of a specific point in the scene located at a pre-defined distance D from the horizon line, adjustment of the headlamp until this specific point is located in the light beam emitted by the headlamp.

Abstract: A method and system according to the invention comprises the means for or steps of: acquiring, by means of a digital image taking apparatus, a digital image with aberration of a scene, the digital image incorporating at least a first image zone and a second image zone, the first and second image zones having respectively at least a first resolution and at least a second resolution, the first and second resolutions being different; calculating a deployed digital image, by deployment of at least one zone of the digital image with aberration; applying an object detection algorithm in the deployed digital image; and supplying information on each object detected in the deployed digital image.

Abstract: The present invention relates in particular to a method for the early detection of the arrival of a motor vehicle in a dark sector. In general terms, the invention proposes to use a camera for early detection of the arrival of the vehicle in a dark area, for example a tunnel. For this purpose, in the invention, provision is made in particular for using an image processing application for determining on a set of images supplied by the camera, whether the vehicle is ready to enter a dark area and, if it turns out that the vehicle will enter a dark area, to cause a switching on of the lights. Particular embodiments of the method according to the invention also make it possible to dispense with storing a plurality of templates corresponding to the various shapes of tunnel entrances, by providing judicious and reliable recognition criteria.

Abstract: A vehicle has an eye level display for displaying information to the driver by means of images projected on to the windshield and reflected off it. The eye level display system includes means for correcting the image projected, in order substantially to eliminate multiple images. The projected image is corrected essentially by producing a corrected image, in the form of a digital matrix, before it is projected on the windshield by the projector. In one embodiment, the corrective processing step comprises inverting the matrix characteristic of the multiplication caused by the windshield. In another embodiment, it consists in producing a corrected image adaptively by minimising an error function below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the in situ orientation of the headlamps of a vehicle, from a camera that is mounted in the headlamp, as a function of the attitude of the vehicle. A camera is secured to a reflector of the headlamp so as to film the road extending in front of the vehicle. An image processing unit processes at least two successive images in order to detennine a measured horizon line of the road scene in front of the vehicle. A setpoint horizon line has been determined beforehand during initial adjustment of the headlamp. The real horizon line is then brought closer to the setpoint horizon line by modifying the orientation of the headlamp, until the distance between the measured line and the setpoint line tends towards zero.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a dual-function lamp device for a motor vehicle, comprising in particular a light source emitting light signals towards an output surface of the lamp in order to produce a light beam, and a filtering means which can move between a passive position and an active position in which it allows passage of only some of the light signals corresponding to non-visible wavelengths, the filtering means being used in association with an intermediate lens for modifying the dispersion of the light beam. The driver thus has a direct illumination and an indirect illumination for obtaining, from a single lamp, two different fields of vision.

Abstract: The invention concerns a signaling device for automobiles, comprising at least one light source and at least one support piece for an optically active zone or zones intended to be illuminated by said light source. The source is a source of light at a first wavelength or first range of wavelengths, and the active zones are zones converting at least part of this light at a first wavelength or range of wavelengths into light at the second wavelength or range of wavelengths in the visible range.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for detecting driving conditions on a road, mounted on a motor vehicle and comprising: at least one headlight having a first light source for emitting a visible light beam, and at least one light source which is capable of being modulated, in particular at high frequency, and which emits an infra red light beam towards the scene along the road in front of the vehicle, at least one video camera for taking images of that scene, at least one light sensor for receiving the infra red light beam reflected by the scene, and optical means for directing at least part of the reflected infra red beam towards the sensor.

Abstract: The fixed light for bends for a motor vehicle comprises at least two light sources, means sensitive to the path of the vehicle for supplying a signal dependent on the nature of the road followed by the vehicle, and means for controlling successive switching on the sources according to the signal delivered and providing an effect of light sweeping towards the inside of the bend. Each light source consists of one or more modules with light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of lighting a road with a vehicle headlight, in which the projected light is modulated in response to the presence of any persons on the road.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for in-situ control of the orientation of a vehicle headlamp equipped with a light source fixed on a mobile reflector, and including a camera mounted in the vehicle, an image processing unit connected to the camera, and a specific light point emission device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling the in situ orientation of a vehicle headlamp equipped with a light source that is fixed to a mobile reflector and with a camera that is fixed to the mobile reflector and connected to an image processing unit.