Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blind spot indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes providing a housing, a rear cover and a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed at the housing and the rear cover is attached to a rear end of the housing to encase the circuit board, whereby electrical terminals extending from the circuit board are disposed between a first connector portion of the housing and a second connector portion of the rear cover, thereby forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board at least to electrical power when the blind spot indicator module is used by an exterior rearview mirror assembly that is attached to a vehicle. The circuitry includes a light emitting diode that emits light when electrically powered, and a diffuser element diffuses light emitted by the light emitting diode.

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 vision system for a vehicle includes a first imager located at a front portion of the vehicle, a second imager located at the rear of the vehicle, a third imager located in a first exterior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and a fourth imager located in a second exterior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear, (a) video images derived from image data captured by the second imager are displayed on a video display screen and (b) responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by a common image processor, the driver of the vehicle is alerted to the presence of an object exterior the equipped vehicle. When the vehicle travels forward, the common image processor processes first image data captured by the first imager for at least a lane departure warning system 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 rear seat occupant monitoring system for a vehicle includes a video display screen disposed in the vehicle cabin so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed a dome light or an overhead console. The dome light or overhead console includes first and second illumination sources that, when operated, illuminate a rear seat area within the field of view of the camera. The first illumination source principally emits visible light when electrically powered, and the second illumination source principally emits non-visible light when electrically powered. The camera captures image data representative of the rear seat area when the rear seat area is illuminated by at least one of the first and second illumination sources. 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: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. A receiving portion is configured for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module at least partially thereat. The module includes a user input and a housing that houses (i) circuitry, (ii) a transmitter and (iii) a battery. The module is operable to wirelessly transmit responsive to actuation of the user input. With the module at the receiving portion of the mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by the vehicle driver. The module is configured to cooperate with the receiving portion to releasably secure the module at the interior rearview mirror assembly, with the module being releasable from the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for use on a vehicle includes a housing portion, an attachment portion, and a mirror backing plate element with a main mirror element at a first portion of the mirror backing plate element and an auxiliary curved mirror element at a second portion of the mirror backing plate element. The auxiliary field of view of the auxiliary curved mirror element views into a blind spot that is outside a primary field of view of the main mirror element when viewed by a driver of the vehicle. A principal axis of the primary field of view may be directed more towards the side of the vehicle than is a principal axis of the auxiliary field of view, and the principal axis of the auxiliary field of view may be directed more downwards than the principal axis of the primary field of view.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes first, second, third and fourth cameras having respective forward, rearward, sideward and sideward fields of view. A video processor is operable to process second image data captured by the second or rearward viewing camera. A video display screen displays video images derived, at least in part, from captured second image data. The video processor includes an image processor operable for machine vision analysis of first image data captured by the first or forward viewing camera. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images derived, at least in part, from captured second image data. During forward travel of the vehicle and responsive to the image processor processing captured first image data to detect a road sign ahead of the vehicle, an image or iconistic representation of the detected road sign is displayed by the video display screen.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with planar front and rear surfaces. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about a circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate. The plane of the front surface of the glass substrate is generally flush with an outermost part of the plastic molding, which provides a curved rounded transition from the front surface of the mirror reflective element to a side surface of the plastic molding. The plastic molding includes at least a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The plastic molding includes structure for attaching a rear mirror casing cap portion thereat. With the rear mirror casing cap portion attached at the structure, the rear mirror casing cap portion at least partially encases a rear portion of the plastic molding.

Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes a control and an accessory disposed at and behind a windshield of the vehicle. The accessory includes a forward facing camera viewing forward and through the windshield of the vehicle. The control includes digital circuitry and a microprocessor. The control controls at least the forward facing camera. The control includes a bus interface that connects with a vehicle network of the vehicle. The control sends data via the vehicle network of the vehicle and receives data via the vehicle network of the vehicle. The vehicle network includes a controlled area network. The control may connect with the vehicle network via at least one of (i) a cable connection and (ii) a fiber-optic connection.

Abstract: A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle and includes a mirror case and a reflective element. A video display device disposed at the mirror case. The video display device is operable to display video images that are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an on-screen display controller operable to receive a video signal from a camera and, responsive to receipt of the video signal, the on-screen display controller is operable to generate a video feed to the video display device. The video feed generated by the on-screen display controller may include a graphic overlay.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle equipped with a blind spot detection system includes a base configured to fixedly attach at a side of the vehicle and a mirror casing movably attached at the base. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a backing plate having a backing plate perimeter. A mirror reflective element is fixed at the backing plate and movable therewith via operation of an actuator. The mirror reflective element includes a reflector-coated glass substrate having a substrate perimeter. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the backing plate outboard of the substrate perimeter of the glass substrate and between the substrate perimeter and the backing plate perimeter. The blind spot indicator is in communication with the blind spot detection system of the vehicle and indicates to the operator of the vehicle when an object is detected to be present in the blind spot of the vehicle.

Abstract: A head up display system for a vehicle includes an image projection device disposed in the vehicle and having a biaxial microelectromechanical scanner and at least one light source operable to emit light. Light emitted by the at least one light source is projected by the biaxial microelectromechanical scanner towards a windshield of the vehicle so as to form an image that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle viewing the windshield when driving the vehicle. The image projection device is disposed at one of (i) an accessory module disposed in the vehicle, (ii) an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in the vehicle, and (iii) a dashboard of the vehicle.

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 display system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having a field of view rearward of the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen disposed in the interior cabin of the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. When the vehicle is at a traffic stop and the engine is turned off under “stop and go” operation, the video display screen displays video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera within two seconds of shifting of a vehicle transmission of the vehicle into reverse gear. After the engine of the vehicle restarts under “stop and go” operation, the video display screen displays video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera within two seconds of shifting of the vehicle transmission of the vehicle into reverse gear.

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 video display system for a vehicle includes a video display device disposed in the vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A camera is disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view and operable to capture image data. The field of view of the camera encompasses a blind spot of the vehicle. A control includes a data processor. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the data processor of data captured by at least one sensor of the vehicle, detects an object present exterior of the vehicle that is in the field of view of the camera. Responsive to detection of the object present exterior of the vehicle, the control controls the video display device to episodically and automatically display video images of the object that are derived from image data captured by the camera.

Abstract: A vehicular accessory system includes an attachment element adhered at an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle and an accessory assembly attached to the attachment element. The accessory assembly includes circuitry disposed in the housing, the circuitry including a video camera. The video camera, when the accessory assembly is attached to the attachment element, has a field of view into the interior of the vehicle that encompasses the head of a potential driver of the vehicle. The video camera captures an image of the face of the potential driver and, responsive to image processing by image recognition software of the vehicular accessory system, the vehicular accessory system determines that the potential driver is an authorized driver who is authorized to operate the vehicle and, responsive to this determination, enables the ignition system to allow the motor of the vehicle be started.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate disposed at a rear side of a glass substrate of the reflective element. The back plate includes a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at a first side by a plastic injection molding operation. The mirror actuator attaching portion includes structure for attaching the back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the back plate. When the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing the mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle, light emitted by an indicator passes exits the heater pad and the reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a 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.