Abstract: A camera module for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing, a circuit element and a lens. The housing has a base portion and a lens portion. The circuit element includes CMOS imaging sensor and associated circuitry. The CMOS imaging sensor has a dynamic range of greater than approximately 100 dB. The dynamic range of the imaging sensor may follow, at least in part, a non-linear response curve. The base portion and the lens portion are welded or sealed together to substantially limit water intrusion into the camera module and the camera module may include shielding to limit or reduce electronic noise. The camera module is configured for mounting at a rear portion of the vehicle so that the imaging sensor has a rearward field of view.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an attachment element adhered to the in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield at a windshield first location and an attachment member adhered to the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield at a windshield second location. The attachment element is configured for mounting thereto an interior rearview mirror assembly. An accessory module is configured to attach to and be supported by the attachment member adhered to the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The accessory module includes a forward facing camera that has a field of view through the vehicle windshield. The forward facing camera may be a component of a collision avoidance system of the vehicle. A light absorbing layer may be disposed at the vehicle windshield to at least partially mask the presence of the attachment element and/or the accessory module from view through the vehicle windshield from outside the vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera configured to be disposed at a windshield of a vehicle so as to have a forward field of view through the windshield of the vehicle. The forward facing camera is operable to capture image data for an adaptive speed control system of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process captured image data. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, lane markers of the road along which the vehicle is traveling are detected. Responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data, road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. The speed of the vehicle may be automatically reduced the responsive to determination of a driving condition or situation.

Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear-mounted video camera, a front-mounted video camera, and first and second side-mounted video cameras at respective sides of the vehicle. Captured image data is processed at a central data processor to generate video images for display on a video screen. The captured image data is processed at the central data processor in order to detect objects that are within the combined field of view of the video cameras. At least one non-visual sensor captures sensor data in a region external of the vehicle and the captured sensor data is provided to the central data processor. An alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle is generated when, via processing at the central data processor of at least one of received image data and received sensor data, a potential hazard is determined to exist.

Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield and configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is configured for mounting to the mounting element via snap attachment. The accessory module accommodates a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield. The camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the vehicle. The accessory module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting with circuitry disposed in the accessory module. The electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least a power source of the vehicle and a communication bus of the vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a forward facing and a control having an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. At least in part responsive to processing by the image processor, an alert to a driver of the equipped vehicle is generated based upon at least one of (i) detection of an inappropriate lane change maneuver of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a detection of a potential impact with another vehicle. The image processor processes image data captured by the forward facing camera to detect a traffic control device present within the field of view of the forward facing camera, and the system may generate an alert to the driver when it is determined that the vehicle is not appropriately responding to the detected traffic control device.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes a mirror mounting button attached at an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield and a mounting element attached at the in-cabin surface of the windshield separate from the mounting button. An interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror head and a mirror support, which includes a mirror mount configured to mount the mirror assembly to the mirror mounting button. A module is configured to be received at and supported by the mounting element attached at the windshield. The module accommodates a forward facing camera that views through the windshield. The forward facing camera may be part of a driver assistance system of the vehicle. With the module received by and supported by the mounting element, the mirror mount can be mounted to the mirror mounting button and can be demounted from the mirror mounting button without demounting the module from the mounting element.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a mirror mounting button attached at a first location at an in-cabin surface of a windshield and an attachment member attached at a second location at the in-cabin surface of the windshield. A light absorbing layer is disposed at the windshield and at least partially masks the presence of the attachment member from view by a viewer who is viewing through the windshield from outside the vehicle. An accessory module is releasably attached to the attachment member and accommodates a forward facing camera. With the accessory module releasably attached to the attachment member at the windshield, the forward facing camera views through the windshield. The forward facing camera includes a component of a camera-based driver assistance system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera having a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield and operable to capture image data for a plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle. The plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle includes a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and at least two other driver assistance systems. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of captured image data, a lane of a road along which the vehicle is traveling may determined, an oncoming vehicle approaching the vehicle may be detected, lane markers of the road lane along which the equipped vehicle is traveling may be detected, road curvature information may be extracted, and/or a surface property of the road being travelled by the equipped vehicle may be detected.

Abstract: A camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera at a rear portion of the vehicle. A display device includes a video screen operable to display video images captured by the camera for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. Video images captured by the camera are displayed by the display device when the vehicle transmission is shifted into reverse gear. An overlay is displayed with captured video images to assist the driver during the rear backup maneuver. A control includes an image processor that image processes captured video images in order to detect objects that are within the rearward field of view of the camera. The vehicle is further equipped with a sensor system selected from the group consisting of (i) a radar sensor system and (ii) an ultrasonic sensor system, and the sensor system monitors a region external to the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-camera vision system for a vehicle includes first, second and third image capture devices having respective first, second and third fields of view exterior of the vehicle. The first field of view overlaps with the third field of view defining a first overlap zone, and the second field of view overlaps with the third field of view defining a second overlap zone. Responsive to processing of captured image data, a synthesized image is generated without duplication of objects present in the first and second overlap zones and the synthesized image approximates a view as would be seen by a virtual camera at a single location exterior of the vehicle. The synthesized image is displayed by a single display screen that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle and the synthesized image assists the driver in executing a maneuver of the vehicle with a trailer attached thereto.

Abstract: A camera module for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing, a circuit element and a lens. The housing has a base portion and a lens portion. The circuit element includes CMOS imaging sensor and associated circuitry. The CMOS imaging sensor has a dynamic range of greater than approximately 100 dB. The dynamic range of the imaging sensor may follow, at least in part, a non-linear response curve. The base portion and the lens portion are welded or sealed together to substantially limit water intrusion into the camera module and the camera module may include shielding to limit or reduce electronic noise. The camera module is configured for mounting at a rear portion of the vehicle so that the imaging sensor has a rearward field of view.

Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes at least one non-visual sensor and a color video rear backup camera having a field of view rearward of the vehicle, with the field of view of the camera encompassing a ground area to the rear of the vehicle. An image processor processes image data captured by the camera. A video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a reversing or parking maneuver of the vehicle, images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the camera are displayed by the video display screen to assist the driver in operating the vehicle. At least one indication is provided to a driver of the vehicle, at least in part, responsive to detection by the non-visual sensor of at least one object external of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a forward facing camera having a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield and operable to capture image data for a plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle. The plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle includes a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and at least two other driver assistance systems. Responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of captured image data, a lane of a road along which the vehicle is traveling may determined, an oncoming vehicle approaching the vehicle may be detected, lane markers of the road lane along which the equipped vehicle is traveling may be detected, road curvature information may be extracted, and/or a surface property of the road being travelled by the equipped vehicle may be detected.

Abstract: A camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera at a rear portion of the vehicle. A display device includes a video screen operable to display video images captured by the camera for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. Video images captured by the camera are displayed by the display device when the vehicle transmission is shifted into reverse gear. An overlay is displayed with captured video images to assist the driver during the rear backup maneuver. A control includes an image processor that image processes captured video images in order to detect objects that are within the rearward field of view of the camera. The vehicle is further equipped with a sensor system selected from the group consisting of (i) a radar sensor system and (ii) an ultrasonic sensor system, and the sensor system monitors a region external to the vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed at the vehicle and viewing exterior the vehicle. A control includes an image processor and is operable to process captured image data for at least a first application and a second application and to adjust the image sensor to at least two settings and to process captured image data via at least two processing techniques. The control is operable to synchronize the at least two settings of the image sensor and the at least two processing techniques to extract respective information from the captured image data for the first and second applications. The control adjusts a setting of the image sensor to capture image data suitable for the first application or the second application. The image processor processes captured image data via a processing technique suitable for the first application or the second application.

Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a camera and a control having an image processor, which processes image data captured by the camera. At least one non-visual sensor is operable to detect objects external of the vehicle and to provide non-visual sensor data to the control. During at least one of (i) a reversing maneuver and (ii) a parking maneuver, images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the camera are displayed by a video display screen that is viewable by the driver to assist the driver in operating the vehicle. The control provides an indication to the vehicle driver, with the indication including at least one of (i) a visual indication displayed by the video display screen and (ii) an audible indication. The indication is provided, at least in part, responsive to detection by the non-visual sensor of an object external of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward facing camera at a windshield of a vehicle with a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield. The camera is operable to capture image data for a plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle. Responsive to processing by an image processor of captured image data, a lane of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined and an oncoming vehicle approaching the vehicle is detected, and the vision system determines whether a detected oncoming vehicle is in a lane to the right of the determined lane along which the vehicle is traveling or is in a lane to the left of the determined lane along which the vehicle is traveling. The at least three driver assistance systems of the vehicle includes a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and at least another driver assistance system.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed in a housing and a control. The imager includes a CMOS photosensor array of photosensor elements and a lens. With the housing disposed in a vehicle, the imager views forwardly to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield at a region of the windshield that is swept by a windshield wiper of the vehicle. The CMOS photosensor array is operable to capture image data. The control includes an image processor disposed in the housing. The driver assistance system identifies objects viewed by the imager via processing by the image processor of captured image data. At least in part responsive to processing of captured image data by the image processor, streetlights present exterior of the vehicle and viewed by imager are discriminated from other objects present exterior the vehicle and viewed by imager.

Abstract: A camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera operable to capture video images rearward of the vehicle during a rear backup maneuver of the vehicle. A display device is operable to display video images captured by the rear backup video camera when the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear and the display continues during short term forward movement of the vehicle. An overlay is displayed with the video images to assist the driver during the rear backup maneuver. The display device is operable to display video images with a display intensity greater than 200 candelas/sq. meter. A control includes an image processor that image processes video images to detect objects that are within the rearward field of view of the rear backup video camera. The image processing by the image processor of captured video images includes use of an edge detection algorithm.