Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100020170 | Vehicle Imaging System - A vehicle vision system includes an image sensor having a forward field of view and capturing image data of a road surface forward of the vehicle. An image processor processes the image data and the vehicle vision system determines at least an estimate of a traction condition of at least a portion of the imaged road surface. The vision system may detect objects forward of the vehicle and may distinguish between live and dead animals in the field of view of the image sensor, and may at least one of (a) generate an alert and (b) control the vehicle to assist in avoiding a collision. The system may detect situations in which the vehicle lighting system can be turned off or operated under reduced power consumption in order to enhance fuel efficiency of the vehicle. | 01-28-2010 |
20100194888 | REAR ILLUMINATION SYSTEM - In a first aspect, the invention is directed to an illumination system for rearward illumination for a first vehicle. The illumination system includes a tail lamp assembly, a sensor and a controller for controlling the operation of the tail lamp assembly. If the controller determines that there are any oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller operates the tail lamp assembly in one mode. If the controller determines that there are no oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller permits the operation of the tail lamp assembly in another mode. | 08-05-2010 |
20100265048 | Imaging System for Vehicle - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor ( | 10-21-2010 |
20100289885 | Combined RGB and IR Imaging Sensor - An imaging system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having a two-dimensional array of photosensing elements, an image processor for processing image data captured by the imaging sensor, and a display for displaying images responsive to the image processor. The array has a plurality of sub-arrays, with each of the sub-arrays having a first pixel sensing primarily a first color, a second pixel sensing primarily a second color, a third pixel sensing primarily a third color and a fourth pixel sensing primarily infrared radiation. The image processor processes the output of the fourth pixel to determine an infrared component of the imaged scene and subtracts the infrared component from the outputs of the first, second and third pixels to obtain a more accurate or true color response for the pixels and to limit or avoid infrared color wash-out. | 11-18-2010 |
20110068911 | System for Providing and Displaying Video Information Using A Plurality of Video Sources - In one aspect, a system for providing and displaying video information in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a display device having a video input, a first camera mountable at the rear of the vehicle, the first camera having a first video output, a second camera mountable at the passenger side of the vehicle, the second camera having a second video output, wherein the first video output and the second video output are connected in parallel to the video input of the display device, and a camera control device configured to keep no more than one camera activated at a time. | 03-24-2011 |
20110176003 | AUTOMATIC LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH ADAPTIVE FUNCTION - An automatic lighting system for a vehicle includes an imaging device, an illumination source and a control. The illumination source is directed generally forwardly with respect to a direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The imaging device captures image data and the control processes the captured image data to detect an object of interest generally forwardly and sidewardly of the vehicle. The control is operable to adjust the illumination source in response to detection of an object of interest. The imaging device may be synchronized with flashing of at least one lighting element of the illumination source to capture image data during a time period that the lighting element is being flashed. The control may adjust the illumination source to direct illumination toward an area encompassing a detected object of interest when the object of interest is detected. | 07-21-2011 |
20120008129 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM - An object detection system for a host vehicle includes an imaging device, a ranging device and a processor. The imaging device has a field of view exterior of the host vehicle and is operable to capture image data representative of an object exterior the host vehicle. The ranging device has a field of view that sweeps at least the field of view of the imaging device and that detects the object exterior the host vehicle. The processor processes image data from the imaging device and processes data from the ranging device in order to determine if the detected object is an object of interest. The determination that the detected object is an object of interest is made in accordance with a priority score. | 01-12-2012 |
20120019940 | VEHICULAR CAMERA AND LENS ASSEMBLY - Low cost constructions of vehicular cameras employ various means for aligning and mounting the camera lens with respect to the imager. Such means include adhesive mounting using a UV curable adhesive, wherein the lens may be focused prior to cure of the adhesive. Other means include directly attaching the lens to the imager by adhesive; integrating the lens barrel and camera lens holder; dropping the lens barrel onto the surface of the imager; focusing the lens utilizing PCB mounting and focusing Screws; and focusing the lens by the relative positioning of camera front and back housings. Costs can also be contained by utilizing matching the resolution of the lens in conformance to human contrast sensitivity function, and by replacing optical chromatic aberration with digital chromatic aberration. | 01-26-2012 |
20120182425 | VEHICULAR VISION SYSTEM - A vehicular vision system includes an imaging device and a control operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. The control is operable to process the captured image data to detect at least one of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle. The control is operable to process the captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle. An illumination source is operable to illuminate generally forwardly and/or generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle, and wherein illumination emanating from the illumination source is adjustable. | 07-19-2012 |
20120265416 | VEHICULAR CAMERA WITH ON-BOARD MICROCONTROLLER - In one aspect of the invention, a vehicular camera is provided, comprising a lens, a housing, an imager and a microcontroller that is capable of handling certain functions, such as applying overlays to images received by the imager, dewarping the image and/or providing different viewing modes. | 10-18-2012 |
20130169812 | VEHICULAR IMAGING SYSTEM - A vehicular imaging system comprises a single imaging sensor having a plurality of photosensor elements. The imaging sensor captures image data of a scene exterior of the vehicle within its field of view. Image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to a control. The control also receives via a communication bus at least one of vehicle pitch information, vehicle yaw information and vehicle steering information. The control detects two substantially straight and converging road features along the road the vehicle is travelling and determines a point of intersection where they would converge using, at least in part, the received vehicle information and the control automatically corrects for misalignment of the imaging sensor mounted at the vehicle. | 07-04-2013 |
20130215271 | INDICIA AND CAMERA ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicle indicia assembly includes a vehicle indicia element having an indicia surface with indicia established thereat and having an attaching surface opposite the indicia surface. The attaching surface of the vehicle indicia element is configured to be mounted at a vehicle with the indicia surface facing outwards away from the vehicle. The vehicle indicia element has a light transmitting portion. A vehicle camera is disposed at the attaching surface of the vehicle indicia element. The vehicle camera is positioned at the vehicle indicia element so that the vehicle camera views through the light transmitting portion and is operable to capture image data. When the vehicle indicia assembly is mounted at a vehicle, the vehicle camera is disposed at the vehicle and views through the light transmitting portion of the vehicle indicia element and is operable to capture image data representative of a scene exterior the vehicle. | 08-22-2013 |
20130222593 | VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH MULTI-PANED VIEW - A vehicle vision system includes a camera configured to be positioned on a vehicle and a processing system operatively coupled to the camera. The processing system is operable to process image data captured by the camera. The image data is representative of a scene viewed by the camera. The processing system may further generate an image having three image panes including a central image pane derived from a first subset of captured image data and two side image panes derived from second and third subsets of captured image data. Each of the side image panes are shaped as parallelograms and arranged with respect to the central image pane to appear folded with respect to the central image pane. The processing system can output the image to a display for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229523 | VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM - A vision system for a vehicle includes an image sensor and image processor. The image sensor is disposed at the vehicle and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle for capturing image data of a scene forward of the vehicle. The field of view encompasses at least a portion of a road surface ahead of and in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The image processor processes captured image data. Responsive to image processing of captured image data by the image processor, the vehicle vision system determines the presence of an animal on the road surface within the field of view. At least in part responsive to determination of the animal on the road surface within the field of view, the vehicle vision system at least one of (a) generates an alert and (b) controls the vehicle. | 09-05-2013 |
20130250103 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having four photosensing pixels of a sub-array, with one of (a) a red-light transmitting spectral filter disposed at a first photosensing pixel whereby the first pixel of each sub-array primarily senses red visible light and with an IR transmitting spectral filter disposed at the fourth photosensing pixel whereby the fourth pixel of each sub-array primarily senses infrared radiation, and (b) a red-light transmitting spectral filter disposed at a first photosensing pixel whereby the first pixel of each sub-array primarily senses red visible light and with an IR transmitting spectral filter disposed at a third photosensing pixel whereby the third pixel of each sub-array primarily senses infrared radiation. An image processor processes the output of each sub-array to determine at least one of an infrared component of the imaged scene and a visible light component of the imaged scene. | 09-26-2013 |
20130250114 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A MULTI-CAMERA IMAGE USING PIXEL REMAPPING - A camera or vision system for establishing a composite image for displaying in a vehicle includes a first camera and a second camera and a controller. Each camera has a respective field of view that overlaps partially with the respective field of view of the other camera. Each camera has a respective imager for generating a respective preliminary digital image. The cameras together have a combined field of view. The controller is programmed to generate a final composite digital image that corresponds to a selected digital representation of the combined field of view of the cameras by using a remapping table to remap selected pixels from each of the preliminary digital images into selected positions of the final composite digital image. A plurality of methods for establishing a composite image are also provided. | 09-26-2013 |
20130300869 | VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH LENS POLLUTION DETECTION - A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera and a processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. When the vehicle is moving, the processor at least one of (a) reads a selected set of imager register values and compare a contrast of auto exposure control zones, and wherein, responsive to a determination that a range of contrast levels is less than a threshold level, the processor determines that there are contaminants at the lens or cover of the camera, and (b) monitors outputs of photosensing elements of the camera and, when the outputs fit a Gaussian distribution, the processor classifies the photosensing elements as blocked elements and, responsive to a determination that a number of the blocked photosensing elements is greater than a threshold level, the processor determines that there are contaminants at the lens or cover of the camera. | 11-14-2013 |
20130321632 | VEHICULAR VISION SYSTEM - A vehicular vision system includes a camera including an image sensor, a control including a microcontroller, and a serial data interface. The camera has a field of view exterior of a vehicle. A video output is configured for transmitting a stream of video captured by the image sensor. The microcontroller is operatively connected to the image sensor. The serial data interface permits the microcontroller to communicate with at least one electronic device in the vehicle. A resistor having a selected impedance is connected in series with a switch. The resistor and the switch connect a video plus electrical conduit and a video minus electrical conduit. The switch is openable by the microcontroller to deactivate the video output into a high impedance state and is closable to activate the video output. The microcontroller is configured to comply with selected messages received through the serial data interface by opening the switch. | 12-05-2013 |
20140022657 | VEHICULAR CAMERA AND LENS ASSEMBLY - A vehicular camera includes a lens disposed at a lens holder and an imager disposed at a printed circuit board. The lens holder is one of (i) attached at the printed circuit board by a cured adhesive and (ii) attached at a holding element by a cured adhesive with the printed circuit board held by the holding element. The adhesive is initially curable in an initial radiation curing process and initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary thermal curing process. The adhesive is initially cured via the initial radiation curing process after the lens is brought into focus with the imager and is optically center-aligned therewith. When further cured via the secondary thermal curing process, the further-cured adhesive maintains focus and optical center-alignment of the lens with the imager for use of the camera in a vehicle. | 01-23-2014 |
20140036064 | IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a video display device. The imaging system generates an overlay that is electronically superimposed on the displayed images to assist a driver of the vehicle when executing a backup maneuver. The overlay has first, second and third overlay zones, with the overlay zones indicative of respective distance ranges from the rear of the vehicle to respective distances. As indicated to the driver viewing the video display screen when executing a backup maneuver, the first distance is closer to the rear of the vehicle than the second distance and the second distance is closer to the rear of the vehicle than the third distance. The first overlay zone may be a first color and the second overlay zone may be a second color and the third overlay zone may be a third color. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036084 | VEHICULAR CAMERA WITH VARIABLE FOCUS CAPABILITY - A vehicular camera has a lens assembly, a housing and an image sensor. The lens assembly has at least one adjustable lens and a lens adjustment structure. The lens assembly has an effective focal length and an optical axis associated therewith and an effective distance from the image sensor. A controller may be operatively connected to the lens adjustment structure for controlling the operation of the lens adjustment structure. The lens adjustment structure is controllable to adjust at least one of an effective focal length and an effective distance of the lens assembly to the image sensor, so as to control the distance at which an object in the field of view of the camera appears in focus on the image sensor. | 02-06-2014 |
20140085472 | TRAILER ANGLE DETECTION SYSTEM - A vision system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle. With a trailer attached to the vehicle and rearward of the vehicle, a processor is operable to process captured images and, responsive at least in part to the processing, is operable to determine a plurality of trailer and vehicle-trailer interface parameters. The system is operable to calculate a calculated trailer angle based at least in part on calculations involving the parameters and a steering angle of the vehicle. Responsive to processing of images captured by the camera, the system is operable to determine a determined trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Responsive to the determined trailer angle and the calculated trailer angle, the system is operable to determine a degree of offset between the calculated trailer angle and the detected trailer angle. | 03-27-2014 |
20140098229 | MULTI-CAMERA IMAGE STITCHING CALIBRATION SYSTEM - A vision system of a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras with exterior overlapping fields of view. The vision system is operable to calibrate at least one of the cameras and includes a plurality of targets disposed at locations near the vehicle and within the fields of views of the cameras. A display device is operable to display images captured by the cameras of the vision system. A plurality of user inputs may be provided and a user may selectively actuate the user inputs to manipulate images captured by the cameras to align portions of a target in overlapping regions of the captured images of adjacent cameras to calibrate the cameras. The vision system may calibrate cameras automatically, such as responsive to the targets moving into the fields of views of the cameras, whereby the vision system may calibrate the cameras as the vehicle is moved along an assembly line. | 04-10-2014 |
20140160276 | VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH TRAILER ANGLE DETECTION - A vehicular vision system includes at least one camera and an image processor. The camera is disposed at a vehicle and has an exterior field of view rearward of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. The image processor is operable to process captured image data. The vision system, responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, is operable to determine a trailer angle of a trailer that is towed by the vehicle. The vision system is operable to determine a path of the trailer responsive to a steering angle of the vehicle and the vision system is operable to display information for viewing by the driver to assist the driver in driving the vehicle with the trailer. | 06-12-2014 |
20140200759 | REAR VISION SYSTEM WITH TRAILER ANGLE DETECTION - A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the rear vision system. The rearward facing camera is operable to captures images rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured images and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle. | 07-17-2014 |
20140298642 | VEHICULAR CAMERA AND LENS ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A method of assembling a vehicular camera includes providing a lens assembly having a base portion, a lens barrel and a plurality of optical elements in the lens barrel, and providing a circuit element having a circuit board and an imaging array. An adhesive bead is dispensed at the base portion and/or circuit element. The circuit element is placed at the base portion with the adhesive bead therebetween and the optical elements are aligned with the imaging array via a six axis robotic device when the circuit element is at the base portion and in contact with the adhesive bead. The adhesive bead is cured to a first cure level via exposure of the adhesive bead to ultraviolet light. The assembly is moved to a second curing stage and the adhesive bead is cured to a second cure level via heating the adhesive bead. | 10-09-2014 |
20140327774 | VEHICULAR MULTI-CAMERA VISION SYSTEM - A vision system of a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras disposed at the vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. An image processing system is operable to process image data captured by the cameras. Responsive to processing of captured image data, the vision system is operable to generate a composite image derived from image data captured by at least two cameras of the plurality of cameras. One of the plurality of cameras functions as a master camera and the vision system, responsive to processing image data captured by the master camera, determines operating parameters for the master camera. The determined operating parameters for the master camera are used by the other cameras of the plurality of cameras. | 11-06-2014 |
20140362594 | DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at and viewing forwardly through a windshield of the equipped vehicle and operable to capture image data. A control operable to process captured image data utilizing algorithmic decision-making, which uses an edge detection algorithm. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect a pedestrian present in the field of view of the camera. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to pedestrian detection, the control is operable to generate an alert to a driver of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to detection of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, a light beam of a headlight of the equipped vehicle is adjusted. | 12-11-2014 |
20150022665 | VEHICLE CAMERA SYSTEM WITH IMAGE MANIPULATION - An image, such as a frame of video, is captured by a single camera positioned on a vehicle to capture a scene external to the vehicle. A first image manipulation is performed on a first region of the image to generate a first manipulated region. A second image manipulation is performed on a second region of the image to generate a second manipulated region. The second region is different from the first region. The second image manipulation is different from the first image manipulation. A manipulated image including the first manipulated region and the second manipulated region is generated by a processor and displayed on a display in the cabin of the vehicle. In this way, central, left, and right regions of the image can be manipulated differently to aid the driver of the vehicle. | 01-22-2015 |