Abstract: An automatic exterior light control includes an image array sensor and a controller. The image array sensor includes an array of pixel sensors, and is configured and mounted such that a field of view of the image array sensor substantially passes through an associated windshield area that is wiped by a windshield wiper. The controller is connected to the image array sensor and configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image array sensor that is substantially free of windshield surface contamination.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, preferably formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through an area of the windshield. The at least one control output preferably controls at least one of (i) a beam state of a headlight; (ii) a beam aim of a headlight; (iii) a beam pattern of a headlight and (iv) a beam intensity of a headlight.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements and a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle that preferably includes a windshield area that is swept by the windshield wipers. The image sensing system senses the presence of an object within the field of view of the imaging sensor the system controls, or supplements the control of, a collision avoidance system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system comprises a photosensor array comprising a plurality of photosensor elements arranged in a predefined arrangement. The photosensor array has a field of view forward of the vehicle that is generally in line with the vehicle's primary direction of forward travel. The photosensor array captures an image of at least one item of interest exterior the vehicle within its forward field of view. A control is responsive to an output of the photosensor array. Preferably, the control analyzes particular groupings of photosensor elements of the photosensor array while ignoring other particular groupings of photosensor elements of the photosensor array so as to determine at least one of presence, size, shape, contour and motion of the at least one item of interest exterior the vehicle.

Abstract: A headlamp control system for a motor vehicle includes an imaging array sensor operable to sense light in a field of view forward of the motor vehicle and a control that is responsive to the imaging array sensor. The control is operable to identify at least one object of interest in the field of view by a spectral signature and/or a geometric organization of the object. The control is operable to control a headlamp of the motor vehicle in response to identifying the object as being at least one of a headlamp of another vehicle, a taillight of another vehicle, a traffic sign, a lane marker and a traffic light. The control may be operable to identify a headlamp and/or taillight of another vehicle in response to light sensed by the imaging array sensor during different exposure periods of the imaging array sensor.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, and a logic and control circuit having an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the cabin of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle, preferably through a windshield area that is swept by the windshield wipers. The imaging sensor is generally centrally located along the vehicle axis and is relatively high in the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements. The system includes a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output for controlling at least one accessory of the vehicle. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the cabin of the vehicle and preferably has a field of view exterior of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, preferably formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a logic and control circuit, preferably with at least a portion of the logic and control circuit commonly formed on a semiconductor with the array of light sensing elements. The logic and control circuit comprises an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the cabin of the vehicle and has a field of view. At least one illumination source illuminates a region of interest within the field of view of the imaging sensor and the illumination source principally radiates in a spectral region that is outside the visible light spectrum and that comprises wavelengths within the responsive range of the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a vehicle having first and second spatially separated image capture sensors. The first image capture device has a first field of view having a first field of view portion at least partially overlapping a field of view portion of a second field of view of the second image capture device. A control receives a first image input from the first image capture sensor and a second image input from the second image capture sensor and generates a composite image synthesized from the first image input and the second image input. A display system displays the composite image.

Abstract: A headlamp control system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor, which has a field of view forward of the vehicle, and a control that processes images captured by the imagine array sensor. The control is operable to detect light sources in the field of view and to determine an activity level in the field of view in response to a quantity of light sources detected. The control is operable to control a headlamp of the vehicle in response to identification of at least one of a headlamp of another vehicle and a taillight of another vehicle and in response to the activity level. The control may be operable to process the captured images to detect lane markers or precipitation in the field of view and may control a steering system of the vehicle or a wiper motor of the vehicle in response to such image processing.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a interior rearview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a reflective element included within the housing. The mirror system further includes a video device (which includes an imaging sensor) and a control. The imaging sensor is positioned at the interior rearview mirror assembly and has a field of view forward and through the windshield. The imaging sensor is operable to at least sense precipitation at an interior and/or exterior surface of the windshield. The control receives a signal from the imaging sensor and is operable to control at least one of a headlamp of the vehicle, a windshield wiper of the vehicle, a defogging system of the vehicle and a movable window of the vehicle in response to the signal.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, electronic circuitry, an imaging sensor, a rain sensor control and a headlamp control. The electronic circuitry is operable to control an electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly. The imaging sensor is positioned with a field of view through a window of the vehicle. The rain sensor control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a windshield wiper of the vehicle and/or a defogging system of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The headlamp control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a headlamp of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The rain sensor control and the headlamp control at least one of (a) access a common component of the electronic circuitry, and (b) share a common component of the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A wide-angle image capture system for providing a wide-angle field of view of an area immediately exteriorly of a vehicle. The system includes a convex aspheric, asymmetric reflective surface which reflects an image toward an image capture device, via a substantially flat mirrored surface, both of which are compactly packaged within a panel of the vehicle. The shape of the convex reflector provides a reflected image that has a minimal amount of distortion in critical areas of the image immediately adjacent to the vehicle, so that additional processing of the image prior to it being displayed to a vehicle operator is minimized.

Abstract: A vehicular precipitation sensor which detects precipitation on a vehicle window includes an imaging array sensor directed at the vehicle window from inside the vehicle, and a control operable to detect precipitation at a surface of the vehicle window in response to an output of the imaging array sensor. The imaging array sensor includes a plurality of pixels which sense a light value of incident radiation. The control controls an accessory of the vehicle in response to the precipitation detected reaching a threshold level of precipitation. The threshold level of detected precipitation is preferably adjustable in response to a level of ambient light present at the window. The rain sensor may include an illumination device which is preferably operable in a pulse mode, whereby the control is operable to reduce noise of the output of the imaging array sensor as a function of the pulse mode.

Abstract: A wide-angle image capture system for providing a wide-angle field of view of an area immediately exteriorly of a vehicle. The system includes a convex aspheric, asymmetric reflective surface which reflects an image toward an image capture device, via a substantially flat mirrored surface, both of which are compactly packaged within a panel of the vehicle. The shape of the convex reflector provides a reflected image that has a minimal amount of distortion in critical areas of the image immediately adjacent to the vehicle, so that additional processing of the image prior to it being displayed to a vehicle operator is minimized.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle equipped with at least two image capture devices. The image capture devices capture an image external of the vehicle and have overlapping fields of view. Outputs of the at least two image capture devices are fed to an image processor. The image processor produces a synthesized image from the outputs of the at least two image capture devices. The vision system may be a night-vision system.

Abstract: A vehicular imaging system for capturing an image includes an imaging sensor and an electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is operable to attenuate light in response to a voltage applied to said electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is positioned along an optic path between the imaging sensor and a scene being captured by the imaging sensor. The imaging system includes a control for applying the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter in response to an ambient light intensity.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle is provided that comprises a vehicle equipped with an image capture device. The image capture device captures an image external of the vehicle. A display screen viewable by an occupant of the vehicle is also provided and a control electronically generates indicia that are displayed on the screen. The image external the vehicle and the indicia are simultaneously displayed on the screen so as to be simultaneously viewable by the occupant of the vehicle. Preferably, the indicia generated on the screen are related to a function of the vehicle that is not associated with the image external the vehicle displayed on the screen.