Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a driver-side exterior mirror assembly having a driver-side camera for capturing driver-side image data and a passenger-side exterior mirror assembly having a passenger-side camera for capturing passenger-side image data. A video display disposed at the vehicle displays video images derived from image data captured by the driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The video display includes a driver-side display portion and a passenger-side display portion. The driver-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera and does not display video images derived from any passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera. The passenger-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera and does not display video images derived from any driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera that views forward through the vehicle windshield and a control including an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, (i) at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected, (ii) other vehicles exterior the vehicle are detected, and (iii) road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived at least in part from captured image data and at least in part relevant to a current geographic location of the vehicle is wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle. Based at least in part on image data processed by the image processor, speed of the vehicle is controlled.

Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a black-out layer disposed at an upper central region of a windshield as installed in a vehicle, an attachment member configured for attachment at the upper central region of the windshield where the black-out layer is disposed, and an accessory module including a camera. The accessory module is configured to detachably mount at the attachment member at the windshield such that the lens of the camera is spaced from the windshield, and such that the camera views forward of the vehicle through an aperture in the black-out layer via a tapered structure that is widest at the windshield and that tapers from the windshield towards where the lens of the camera is located. The tapered structure is at an acute angle relative to the vehicle windshield. The camera captures image data for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a driver-side exterior mirror assembly having a driver-side camera for capturing driver-side image data and a passenger-side exterior mirror assembly having a passenger-side camera for capturing passenger-side image data. A video display disposed at the vehicle displays video images derived from image data captured by the driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The video display includes a driver-side display portion and a passenger-side display portion. The driver-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera and does not display video images derived from any passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera. The passenger-side display portion of the video display displays video images derived from passenger-side image data captured by the passenger-side camera and does not display video images derived from any driver-side image data captured by the driver-side camera.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the forward viewing camera, at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the forward viewing camera, other vehicles exterior the equipped vehicle are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the forward viewing camera, road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived from image data captured by the forward viewing camera may be wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A park-aid system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing color video camera and at least three other color video cameras, with a first one of the three other color video cameras having a field of view at the driver-side of the vehicle and a second one of the three other color video cameras having a field of view at the passenger-side of the vehicle. A video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a parking maneuver of the vehicle, images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by at least the forward-viewing camera are displayed by the video display screen to assist the driver in operating the vehicle. At least one indication may be provided to the driver of the vehicle during the parking maneuver.

Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras viewing exterior the equipped vehicle and at least one non-visual sensor sensing exterior of the equipped vehicle. Captured image data and sensor data are provided to a central data processor. At the central data processor, image data is fused with sensor data and processed in order to detect vehicles that are present external the equipped vehicle. The central data processor includes a digital signal processor operable to process data at a data processioning speed of at least 30 MIPS. Via processing at the central data processor of image data and sensor data, a potential hazard present exterior the equipped vehicle is determined to exist. The potential hazard arises from presence of rear-approaching traffic in at least one of (i) a side lane to the equipped vehicle and (ii) a rear lane to the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the forward viewing camera, at least one road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the forward viewing camera, other vehicles exterior the equipped vehicle are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the forward viewing camera, road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Data derived from image data captured by the forward viewing camera may be wirelessly communicated from the vehicle to a remote data receiver located remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield and an accessory module configured to detachably mount to the attachment member. The accessory module and attachment member are configured so that when the accessory module mounts to the attachment member, an electrical element of the accessory module is biased toward and against the inner surface of the windshield. The electrical element includes a camera and, with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the camera has a forward field of view through the windshield. The camera may be associated with at least one of (i) a headlamp control system, (ii) a lane departure warning system, (iii) an adaptive cruise control system, (iv) a sign recognition system, (v) a night vision system, (vi) a pedestrian detection system and (vii) a pre-crash avoidance system.

Abstract: A cabin monitoring system for a vehicle includes a video display screen disposed in a cabin of the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera assembly is disposed at a ceiling of the cabin of the vehicle and includes a camera having an imager and a lens, with the camera having a field of view that encompasses a rear seat area of the vehicle. An illumination device is operable to illuminate the rear seat area encompassed by the field of view of the camera. The illumination device, when operated, illuminates the rear seat area and the camera captures image data representative of the illuminated rear seat area. The image data captured by the camera is provided to the video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes at least one non-visual sensor and a forward-viewing camera disposed that is part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle that includes at least two side cameras and a rear backup camera. A video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle. During a driving or parking maneuver of the vehicle, images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by at least some of the cameras are displayed by the video display screen, and at least one indication is provided to the driver of the vehicle during the driving maneuver. A unitary image is synthesized from image data captured by the multi-camera vision system and approximates a view as would be seen by a virtual camera at a single location exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a plurality of video cameras having respective fields of view external of the vehicle. Captured image data is provided to and processed at a central data processor in order to detect objects that are within the field of view of at least some of the video cameras. The vehicle is equipped with a sensor system having at least one non-visual sensor that senses sensor data in a region external of the vehicle. The sensed sensor data is provided to the central data processor. A potential hazard present exterior the vehicle is determined to exist via processing at the central data processor of at least one of received image data and received sensor data.

Abstract: A cabin monitoring system for a vehicle includes a video display screen disposed in a cabin of the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera assembly is disposed at a ceiling of the cabin of the vehicle and includes a camera having an imager and a lens, with the camera having a field of view that encompasses a rear seat area of the vehicle. An illumination device is operable to illuminate the rear seat area encompassed by the field of view of the camera. The illumination device, when operated, illuminates the rear seat area and the camera captures image data representative of the illuminated rear seat area. The image data captured by the camera is provided to the video display screen for displaying video images for viewing by the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera that has a field of view through the windshield of the vehicle and is operable to capture image data. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, other vehicles exterior the equipped vehicle are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, road curvature of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a school bus stopping signal of a school bus present within the field of view of the forward viewing camera may be detected.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera that has a field of view through the windshield of the vehicle and is operable to capture image data. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the forward viewing camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a road characteristic of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, other vehicles exterior the equipped vehicle are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, road curvature of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a school bus stopping signal of a school bus present within the field of view of the forward viewing camera may be detected.

Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment element bonded to an in-cabin windshield surface at a first windshield location and an attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface at a second windshield location. An interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror support that has a mirror mount configured to mount the mirror assembly to the attachment element. A module is configured to be received by and be supported by the attachment member attached at the windshield. With the module received by and supported by the attachment member at the windshield, a camera of the module views through the windshield and is part of a driver assistance system of the vehicle. With the module received by and supported by the attachment member at the windshield, the mirror mount can be mounted to and demounted from the attachment element without demounting the module from the attachment member.

Abstract: 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.