EXTERIOR MIRROR VISION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20130002876A1
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pastrick, Todd W., van de Ven, Michiel P., Whitehead, Peter J., Mousseau, Rick, Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,534,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/48 for parking purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/006 Side-view mirrors, e.g. V-shaped mirrors located at the front or rear part of the vehicle combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08; side-view periscopes B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle includes driver-side and passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assemblies including respective driver-side and passenger-side light modules and driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The light modules are sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious, and the light modules provide at least one of (a) a driver-side floodlight and a passenger-side floodlight and (b) a driver-side indicator and a passenger-side indicator. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle, and the multi-camera vision system has a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The displayed images displayed by the display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of the driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera.

Claims

1. An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle, said exterior mirror vision system comprising:

a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior mirror vision system, said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a driver-side reflective element housed by said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a driver-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a driver-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said driver-side mounting portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera;

wherein said driver-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said driver-side light module comprises at least one of (a) a driver-side floodlight and (b) a driver-side indicator;

a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a passenger-side reflective element housed by said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a passenger-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a passenger-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said passenger-side mounting portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera;

wherein said passenger-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said passenger-side light module comprises at least one of (a) a passenger-side floodlight and (b) a passenger-side indicator;

wherein said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera comprise part of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said multi-camera vision system comprises a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera, and wherein said driver-side camera has a driver-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle and said passenger-side camera has a passenger-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle.

2. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side light module is operable to provide a driver-side indicator function and wherein said passenger-side light module is operable to provide a passenger-side indicator function.

3. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 2, wherein said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to a signal from a remote transmitting device when the equipped vehicle is parked, and wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, a light source of said driver-side light module and a light source of said passenger-side light module flash to provide said driver-side indicator function and said passenger-side indicator function.

4. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 3, wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, said light sources of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module flash for a time interval following receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device.

5. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 3, wherein said driver-side indicator function of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side indicator function of said passenger-side light module are locked out when the vehicle is operating.

6. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side light module comprises a driver-side indicator and wherein said passenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side indicator.

7. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 6, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises a driver-side turn signal indicator and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises a passenger-side turn signal indicator.

8. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 7, wherein said driver-side turn signal indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly so as to be angled relative to the driver side of the equipped vehicle to, when activated, emit light away from the driver side of the equipped vehicle when said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said passenger-side turn signal indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly so as to be angled relative to the passenger side of the equipped vehicle to, when activated, emit light away from the passenger side of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle.

9. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 6, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

10. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 9, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises light piping and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises light piping.

11. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 9, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly so as to be angled relative to the driver side of the equipped vehicle to, when activated, emit light away from the driver side of the equipped vehicle when said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly so as to be angled relative to the passenger side of the equipped vehicle to, when activated, emit light away from the passenger side of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle.

12. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side light module comprises a driver-side floodlight and wherein said passenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side floodlight.

13. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 12, wherein said driver-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates a driver-side zone on the ground adjacent the driver side of the equipped vehicle at a cabin entrance at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates a passenger-side zone on the ground adjacent the passenger side of the equipped vehicle at a cabin entrance at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle.

14. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 13, wherein said illuminated driver-side zone is substantially unchanged when said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion is moved relative to said driver-side mounting portion of said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said illuminated passenger-side zone is substantially unchanged when said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion is moved relative to said passenger-side mounting portion of said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.

15. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 14, wherein (a) said driver-side light module is disposed at said driver-side mounting portion of said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said driver-side light module is fixed relative to the driver side of the equipped vehicle regardless of the position of said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion relative to said driver-side mounting portion of said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, and (b) said passenger-side light module is disposed at said passenger-side mounting portion of said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said passenger-side light module is fixed relative to the passenger side of the equipped vehicle regardless of the position of said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion relative to said passenger-side mounting portion of said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.

16. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 14, wherein (a) said driver-side light module is disposed at said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion of said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said driver-side floodlight, when activated, is adjusted so that illumination of said driver-side zone is substantially unchanged, and (b) said passenger-side light module is disposed at said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion of said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said passenger-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, is adjusted so that illumination of said passenger-side zone is substantially unchanged.

17. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 13, wherein, (a) when said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said driver-side floodlight, when activated, moves so that illumination of said driver-side zone is changed, and (b) when said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, moves so that illumination of said passenger-side zone is changed.

18. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 13, wherein said driver-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said driver-side zone with at least about one lux ground illumination intensity, and wherein said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said passenger-side zone with at least about one lux ground illumination intensity.

19. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 13, wherein said driver-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said driver-side zone with at least about five lux ground illumination intensity, and wherein said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said passenger-side zone with at least about five lux ground illumination intensity.

20. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

21. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion and wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion.

22. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 21, wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream, and wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream.

23. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 21, wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion such that a lens of said driver-side light module is substantially flush with an outer surface of said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion, and wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion such that a lens of said passenger-side light module is substantially flush with an outer surface of said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion.

24. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side reflective element of said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises a driver-side non-electro-optic reflective element.

25. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side reflective element of said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises a driver-side electrochromic reflective element.

26. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side camera is part of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side camera is part of said passenger-side light module.

27. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 1, wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by each of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera.

28. An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle, said exterior mirror vision system comprising:

a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior mirror vision system, said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a driver-side reflective element housed by said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a driver-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a driver-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said driver-side mounting portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera;

wherein said driver-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said driver-side light module comprises a driver-side floodlight;

wherein said driver-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates a driver-side zone on the ground adjacent the driver side of the equipped vehicle at a cabin entrance at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein, when said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said driver-side floodlight, when activated, moves so that illumination of said driver-side zone is changed;

wherein said driver-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said driver-side zone with at least about one lux ground illumination intensity;

a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a passenger-side reflective element housed by said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a passenger-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a passenger-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said passenger-side mounting portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera;

wherein said passenger-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said passenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side floodlight;

wherein said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates a passenger-side zone on the ground adjacent the passenger side of the equipped vehicle at a cabin entrance at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein, when said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, moves so that illumination of said passenger-side zone is changed;

wherein said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said passenger-side zone with at least about one lux ground illumination intensity;

wherein said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera comprise part of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said multi-camera vision system comprises a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera, and wherein said driver-side camera has a driver-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle and said passenger-side camera has a passenger-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle.

29. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 28, wherein said driver-side light module is operable to provide a driver-side indicator function and wherein said passenger-side light module is operable to provide a passenger-side indicator function.

30. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 29, wherein said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to a signal from a remote transmitting device when the equipped vehicle is parked, and wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, a light source of said driver-side light module and a light source of said passenger-side light module flash to provide said driver-side indicator function and said passenger-side indicator function.

31. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 30, wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, said light sources of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module flash for a time interval following receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device.

32. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 30, wherein said driver-side indicator function of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side indicator function of said passenger-side light module are locked out when the vehicle is operating.

33. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 28, wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion and wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion.

34. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 33, wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream, and wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream.

35. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 28, wherein said driver-side camera is part of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side camera is part of said passenger-side light module.

36. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 28, wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by each of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera.

37. An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle, said exterior mirror vision system comprising:

a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior mirror vision system, said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a driver-side reflective element housed by said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a driver-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a driver-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said driver-side mounting portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera;

wherein said driver-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said driver-side light module comprises a driver-side turn signal indicator;

a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a passenger-side reflective element housed by said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a passenger-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a passenger-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said passenger-side mounting portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera;

wherein said passenger-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said passenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side turn signal indicator;

wherein said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera comprise part of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said multi-camera vision system comprises a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera, and wherein said driver-side camera has a driver-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle and said passenger-side camera has a passenger-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver-side light module is operable to provide a driver-side indicator function and wherein said passenger-side light module is operable to provide a passenger-side indicator function; and

wherein said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to a signal from a remote transmitting device when the equipped vehicle is parked, and wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, a light source of said driver-side light module and a light source of said passenger-side light module flash to provide said driver-side indicator function and said passenger-side indicator function.

38. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 37, wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, said light sources of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module flash for a time interval following receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device.

39. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 37, wherein said driver-side indicator function of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side indicator function of said passenger-side light module are locked out when the vehicle is operating.

40. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 37, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises a driver-side turn signal indicator and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises a passenger-side turn signal indicator.

41. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 37, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly so as to be angled relative to the driver side of the equipped vehicle to, when activated, emit light away from the driver side of the equipped vehicle when said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly so as to be angled relative to the passenger side of the equipped vehicle to, when activated, emit light away from the passenger side of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle.

42. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 37, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

43. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 42, wherein said driver-side indicator comprises light piping, and wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises light piping.

44. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 37, wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion and wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion.

45. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 44, wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream, and wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream.

46. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 37, wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by each of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera.

47. An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle, said exterior mirror vision system comprising:

a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior mirror vision system, said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a driver-side reflective element housed by said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a driver-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a driver-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said driver-side mounting portion;

wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera;

wherein said driver-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said driver-side light module comprises a driver-side floodlight;

wherein said driver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream;

wherein said driver-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates a driver-side zone on the ground adjacent the driver side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein, when said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said driver-side floodlight, when activated, moves so that illumination of said driver-side zone is changed;

wherein said driver-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said driver-side zone with at least about one lux ground illumination intensity;

a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a passenger-side reflective element housed by said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a passenger-side breakaway exterior rearview mirror assembly and (ii) a passenger-side powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein, when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to said passenger-side mounting portion;

wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera;

wherein said passenger-side light module is sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious;

wherein said passenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side floodlight;

wherein said passenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream;

wherein said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates a passenger-side zone on the ground adjacent the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein, when said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion, illumination provided by said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, moves so that illumination of said passenger-side zone is changed;

wherein said passenger-side floodlight, when activated, illuminates at least a portion of said passenger-side zone with at least about one lux ground illumination intensity;

wherein said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera comprise part of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said multi-camera vision system comprises a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera, and wherein said driver-side camera has a driver-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle and said passenger-side camera has a passenger-side field of view at least in part rearward of the equipped vehicle.

48. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 47, wherein said driver-side light module is operable to provide a driver-side indicator function and wherein said passenger-side light module is operable to provide a passenger-side indicator function.

49. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 48, wherein said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to a signal from a remote transmitting device when the equipped vehicle is parked, and wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, a light source of said driver-side light module and a light source of said passenger-side light module flash to provide said driver-side indicator function and said passenger-side indicator function.

50. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 49, wherein, when said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module are activated responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device, said light sources of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side light module flash for a time interval following receipt of the signal from the remote transmitting device.

51. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 50, wherein said driver-side indicator function of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side indicator function of said passenger-side light module are locked out when the vehicle is operating.

52. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 47, wherein said driver-side floodlight comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein said passenger-side floodlight comprises at least one light emitting diode.

53. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 47, wherein said driver-side camera is part of said driver-side light module and said passenger-side camera is part of said passenger-side light module.

54. The exterior mirror vision system of claim 47, wherein the displayed images displayed by said display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by each of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera.