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 interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. The transflective reflective element has an electrochromic active region, and a plurality of user input elements is disposed outside of the electrochromic active region and below the electrochromic active region. Each of the individual user input elements is a touch or proximity sensor. A plurality of display elements is disposed behind the transflective reflective element at the electrochromic active region, and each display element is selectively activated by activation of a respective user input element. Each of the individual display elements and its associated respective one of the individual user input elements are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of a respective user input element and activation of its associated display element is established.

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: An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. The transflective reflective element has an electrochromic active region, and a plurality of user input elements is disposed outside of the electrochromic active region and below the electrochromic active region. Each of the individual user input elements is a touch or proximity sensor. A plurality of display elements is disposed behind the transflective reflective element at the electrochromic active region, and each display element is selectively activated by activation of a respective user input element. Each of the individual display elements and its associated respective one of the individual user input elements are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of a respective user input element and activation of its associated display element is established.

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 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.

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.

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. The rearward field of view of the rear backup video camera encompasses a vehicle hitch of the vehicle, which is configured to connect to a trailer tongue of a trailer to connect the trailer to the vehicle. A display device includes a video screen operable to display video images captured by the rear backup video camera for viewing by a driver of the vehicle, such as when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver. The control continues to display video images captured by the rear backup video camera during a short term forward movement of the vehicle after the shifting of the transmission of the equipped vehicle into reverse gear.

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. The rearward field of view of the rear backup video camera encompasses a vehicle hitch of the vehicle, which is configured to connect to a trailer tongue of a trailer to connect the trailer to the vehicle. A display device includes a video screen operable to display video images captured by the rear backup video camera for viewing by a driver of the vehicle, such as when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver. The control continues to display video images captured by the rear backup video camera during a short term forward movement of the vehicle after the shifting of the transmission of the equipped vehicle into reverse gear.

Abstract: A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device. A control activates display of captured video images by the display device when a transmission of the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear and deactivates display of the video images upon shifting of the vehicle transmission out of reverse gear once a threshold deactivation condition is met. The threshold deactivation condition is at least one of (a) forward travel of the vehicle exceeding a threshold speed of forward movement after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear, (b) forward travel of the vehicle exceeding a threshold distance of forward movement after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear and (c) a threshold period of time elapsing after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear, the threshold period of time constituting a linger time.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior prismatic mirror reflective element having a wedge-shaped glass substrate having a circumferential edge along the periphery of said glass substrate. The circumferential edge spans a thickness of the glass substrate between its front and rear surfaces. The prismatic mirror reflective element has a mirror reflector established at the rear surface of the glass substrate. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate. The outermost part of the plastic molding curves and the plane of the front surface of the glass substrate is generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate, with no portion of the rear glass substrate extending beyond any portion of the front glass substrate. The reflective element includes a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of a second surface of the front glass substrate. The perimeter band generally conceals the presence of a perimeter seal from view by the driver of the vehicle. A plastic molding may be circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the front glass substrate without overlapping onto the first surface of the front glass substrate. The outermost part of the plastic molding may lack a sharp edge. The plane of the first surface of the front glass substrate may be generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an interior mirror reflective element and a plurality of icons viewable through a glass substrate of the mirror reflective element by a person viewing the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The icons are arranged behind and along a lower portion of the mirror reflective element, and adjacent ones of the plurality of icons are spaced from and local to one another. A portion of the mirror reflector of the reflective element is viewable between and at least partially around the icons when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle and viewed by a driver of the vehicle. A plurality of user inputs are associated with respective ones of the icons and are disposed generally local to the respective ones of the icons in a cognitively associated manner.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a prismatic reflective element with an attachment plate attached thereto, and a display-on-demand display disposed behind the prismatic reflective element and operable to display information for viewing through a transflective mirror reflector of the prismatic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and an actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to a first mounting member and the actuator pivotally mounting to a second mounting member of the attachment plate. An electronic circuitry element is attached to the attachment plate and an accessory pod is attached to the mounting assembly and includes circuitry therein. The circuitry of the accessory pod is electrically connected to the electronic circuitry element.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. The transflective reflective element has an electrochromic active region, and a plurality of user input elements is disposed outside of the electrochromic active region and below the electrochromic active region. Each of the individual user input elements is a touch or proximity sensor. A plurality of display elements is disposed behind the transflective reflective element at the electrochromic active region, and each display element is selectively activated by activation of a respective user input element. Each of the individual display elements and its associated respective one of the individual user input elements are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of a respective user input element and activation of its associated display element is established.

Abstract: A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera and a display device. A control activates display of captured video images by the display device when a transmission of the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear and deactivates display of the video images upon shifting of the vehicle transmission out of reverse gear once a threshold deactivation condition is met. The threshold deactivation condition is at least one of (a) forward travel of the vehicle exceeding a threshold speed of forward movement after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear, (b) forward travel of the vehicle exceeding a threshold distance of forward movement after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear and (c) a threshold period of time elapsing after the vehicle transmission has been shifted out of reverse gear, the threshold period of time constituting a linger time.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing having a human machine interface thereat. The mirror assembly includes a display device disposed behind the transflective mirror reflector of the interior rearview mirror assembly and visible through the transflective mirror reflector to the driver when displaying information. The display device may include a video screen. The user actuatable input may be actuatable by a user to operate at least one element of circuitry disposed in the mirror casing. The human machine interface may be at least partially at a bezel portion of the casing, or may be at least partially at a rear casing portion of the mirror casing.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an interior mirror reflective element and a plurality of icons viewable through a glass substrate of the mirror reflective element by a person viewing the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The icons are arranged behind and along a lower portion of the mirror reflective element, and adjacent ones of the plurality of icons are spaced from and local to one another. A portion of the mirror reflector of the reflective element is viewable between and at least partially around the icons when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle and viewed by a driver of the vehicle. A plurality of user inputs are associated with respective ones of the icons and are disposed generally local to the respective ones of the icons in a cognitively associated manner.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with first and second surfaces and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. The mirror reflective element includes a mirror reflector established at a surface of the mirror reflective element other than the first surface of the glass substrate. The mirror assembly includes a plastic molding circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the first surface of the glass substrate. The plastic molding includes a portion that (a) abuts the circumferential edge of the glass substrate and (b) has an outer curved surface that extends from generally adjacent to the first surface of the glass substrate and that lacks a sharp edge. The plane of the first surface of the glass substrate may be generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a prismatic reflective element with an attachment plate attached thereto, and a display-on-demand display disposed behind the prismatic reflective element and operable to display information for viewing through a transflective mirror reflector of the prismatic reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and an actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to a first mounting member and the actuator pivotally mounting to a second mounting member of the attachment plate. An electronic circuitry element is attached to the attachment plate and an accessory pod is attached to the mounting assembly and includes circuitry therein. The circuitry of the accessory pod is electrically connected to the electronic circuitry element.