Vehicle vision system with windshield mounted camera

• US 10,328,868 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2018
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Salomonsson, Ove J., Van Dan Elzen, Christopher L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Eileen M
• Application Number:
  US16/117,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20190031117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 299 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/00 Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8086 for vehicle path indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/20 Filters polarising elements G02B5/30
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/749 by influencing the pick-up tube voltages

Abstract

A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view exterior of the vehicle and being operable to capture image data. An angular filter is disposed at least partially in the field of view of the camera. The angular filter limits reflection of light through an angular range that corresponds to stray light that would otherwise impinge the lens of the camera. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing at the image processor of image data captured by the camera, the control controls a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises (i) a CMOS imaging array sensor and (ii) a lens;

wherein said camera is operable to capture image data;

an angular filter disposed at least partially in the field of view of said camera

wherein said angular filter limits reflection of light through an angular range that corresponds to stray light that would otherwise impinge said lens of said camera;

a control comprising an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing at said image processor of image data captured by said camera, said control controls a driver assistance system of the vehicle; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises a driver assistance system selected from the group consisting of (i) a headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (iv) an object detection system of the vehicle, (v) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle and (vi) a distance determining system of the vehicle that is operable to determine a distance to a leading vehicle.

2. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said angular filter is disposed at a transparent substrate.

3. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said angular filter comprises an anti-reflective coating.

4. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a headlamp control system of the vehicle.

5. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a lane change assistance system of the vehicle.

6. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a lane departure warning system of the vehicle.

7. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises an object detection system of the vehicle.

8. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle.

9. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a distance determining system of the vehicle that is operable to determine a distance to a leading vehicle.

10. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said camera is disposed at a windshield of the vehicle and views forward of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle.

11. The vision system of claim 10, wherein said angular filter is disposed at an in-cabin surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein said angular filter is spaced from the windshield of the vehicle.

12. The vision system of claim 10, wherein said angular filter comprises an anti-reflective coating on an in-cabin surface of the windshield of the vehicle.

13. The vision system of claim 10, wherein said angular filter is disposed at least partially below said lens.

14. The vision system of claim 10, wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board that is mounted at the windshield of the vehicle behind said camera.

15. The vision system of claim 14, wherein said circuitry comprises said image processor.

16. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at an in-cabin surface of a windshield of a vehicle, wherein said camera views forward of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises (i) a CMOS imaging array sensor and (ii) a lens;

wherein said camera is operable to capture image data;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board that is mounted at the windshield of the vehicle behind said camera;

an angular filter disposed at least partially in the field of view of said camera

wherein said angular filter limits reflection of light through an angular range that corresponds to stray light that would otherwise impinge said lens of said camera;

a control comprising an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera;

wherein said circuitry comprises said image processor;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing at said image processor of image data captured by said camera, said control controls a driver assistance system of the vehicle; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises a driver assistance system selected from the group consisting of (i) a headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (iv) an object detection system of the vehicle and (v) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle.

17. The vision system of claim 16, wherein said angular filter is disposed at least partially below said lens.

18. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at an in-cabin surface of a windshield of a vehicle, wherein said camera views forward of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises (i) a CMOS imaging array sensor and (ii) a lens;

wherein said camera is operable to capture image data;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board;

an angular filter disposed at least partially in the field of view of said camera

wherein said angular filter limits reflection of light through an angular range that corresponds to stray light that would otherwise impinge said lens of said camera;

a control comprising an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera;

wherein said circuitry comprises said image processor;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing at said image processor of image data captured by said camera, said control controls a driver assistance system of the vehicle; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises a driver assistance system selected from the group consisting of (i) a headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (iii) an object detection system of the vehicle, (iv) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle and (v) a distance determining system of the vehicle that is operable to determine a distance to a leading vehicle.

19. The vision system of claim 18, wherein said angular filter is spaced from the windshield of the vehicle.