DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20130016209A1
• Filed: 09/17/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Taylor, David W., McCarthy, Kevin C., Lynam, Niall R., Schofield, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 8,543,330 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/118
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems
• 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 5/006 indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• 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 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 : specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 : Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/365 : Guidance using head up displays or projectors, e.g. virtual vehicles or arrows projected on the windscreen or on the road itself
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/862 : Combination of radar systems with sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/865 : Combination of radar systems with lidar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 : Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30252 : Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/80 : Geometric correction
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 : Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 : Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 : Mixing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having an exterior field of view relative to the vehicle, and a video display operable to display image data captured by the camera and viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The driver assist system is operable to detect objects present in the exterior field of view of the camera. The driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of displayed image data of at least about 200 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver. The driver assist system is operable to provide a visual alert and an audible alert responsive to detection of an object exterior of the vehicle. The visual alert includes electronically generated indicia that overlay displayed image data and that at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object and (ii) highlight a detected object.

Claims

1. A driver assist system for a vehicle, said driver assist system comprising:

a rearward facing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assist system and having a rearward field of view relative to the equipped vehicle;

a video display viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when normally operating the equipped vehicle, wherein said video display is operable to display image data captured by said rearward facing camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to detect objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 200 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide an audible alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said visual alert comprises electronically generated indicia that overlay said image data displayed by said video display, and wherein said electronically generated indicia at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle and (ii) highlight a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle.

2. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said electronically generated indicia indicate distance to a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle.

3. The driver assist system of claim 2, wherein said electronically generated indicia comprise at least one of (i) a graphic display, (ii) an alphanumeric display and (iii) a distance grid.

4. The driver assist system of claim 2, wherein said electronically generated indicia are indicative of an intended path of rearward travel of the equipped vehicle.

5. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said electronically generated indicia highlight a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle.

6. The driver assist system of claim 5, wherein said electronically generated indicia highlight a detected object that the equipped vehicle is in jeopardy of colliding with during the reversing maneuver.

7. The driver assist system of claim 5, wherein said electronically generated indicia highlight a detected object by flashing a portion of said video display to draw the driver'"'"'s attention to a detected object displayed by said video display.

8. The driver assist system of claim 5, wherein said highlighting is accompanied by said audible alert, said audible alert comprising an audible output of a speaker of the equipped vehicle that audibly alerts the driver that the equipped vehicle is reversing closer and closer to an object present in the reversing path of the equipped vehicle.

9. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein, responsive to detection of an object, the driver'"'"'s attention is drawn to an object displayed on said video display.

10. The driver assist system of claim 9, wherein said electronically generated indicia highlights the detected object to draw the driver'"'"'s attention to the displayed object.

11. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said audible alert audibly alerts the driver of the equipped vehicle that the equipped vehicle is reversing closer and closer to an object present in the reversing path of the equipped vehicle.

12. The driver assist system of claim 11, wherein said audible alert comprises an audible output of a speaker of the equipped vehicle.

13. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said rearward facing camera is mounted at the rear of the equipped vehicle and wherein, during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, image data captured by said rearward facing camera is displayed by said video display as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the equipped vehicle.

14. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein detection of objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera comprises non-visual object detection.

15. The driver assist system of claim 14, wherein said non-visual object detection comprises ultrasonic object detection.

16. The driver assist system of claim 14, wherein, responsive to detection of an object by said non-visual object detection, said audible alert audibly alerts the driver of the equipped vehicle that the equipped vehicle is reversing closer and closer to an object present in the reversing path of the equipped vehicle.

17. The driver assist system of claim 16, wherein said audible alert comprises an audible output of a speaker of the equipped vehicle.

18. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said video display is operable to display at least one of (i) an instruction, (ii) an icon, (iii) a character and (iv) a symbol.

19. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said video display comprises a TFT liquid crystal display screen backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes.

20. The driver assist system of claim 19, wherein at least some of said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes are operable to each individually pass at least about 100 milliamps forward current.

21. The driver assist system of claim 19, wherein said at least some of said plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes are operable to each individually pass up to about 100 milliamps forward current.

22. The driver assist system of claim 1, comprising a human machine interface, said human machine interface comprising at least one user input.

23. The driver assist system of claim 22, wherein said at least one user input comprises at least one of a vocal input and a non-vocal input.

24. The driver assist system of claim 22, wherein said at least one user input comprises at least one of a keypad input and a touch sensitive input.

25. The driver assist system of claim 22, wherein said at least one user input comprises a touch sensitive input.

26. The driver assist system of claim 22, wherein at least one of (i) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a telematics system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigational system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigation function of said driver assist system, (iv) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a biometric system of the equipped vehicle and (v) said driver assist system controls operation of said video display responsive, at least in part, to said at least one user input.

27. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said video display is disposed at one of (i) a windshield electronics module of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an instrument panel of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a console of the equipped vehicle and (iv) an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

28. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said video display is disposed at an interior rearview minor assembly of the equipped vehicle and wherein a touch sensitive input is disposed at said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said driver assist system controls operation of said video display responsive, at least in part, to said touch sensitive input.

29. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 300 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

30. The driver assist system of claim 1, wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 400 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

31. The driver assist system of claim 1, comprising a control operable to control at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle in accordance with a characteristic of an occupant of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said at least one accessory comprises a seat adjustment system operable to adjust a seat of the equipped vehicle in accordance with a biometric characteristic of an occupant of the equipped vehicle.

32. The driver assist system of claim 31, wherein said seat adjustment system is operable to adjust a seat of the equipped vehicle in response to biometric data, said biometric data pertaining to the occupant of the seat of the equipped vehicle.

33. The driver assist system of claim 32, wherein the occupant of the equipped vehicle is the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein said at least one accessory comprises a mirror adjustment system that is operable to at least one of (a) adjust a setting of an interior rearview minor assembly of the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to said biometric data and (b) adjust a setting of an exterior rearview minor assembly of the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to said biometric data.

34. The driver assist system of claim 1, comprising a control operable to communicate with an external service provider via a wireless communication link between the equipped vehicle and the external service provider.

35. The driver assist system of claim 34, wherein said control receives an input from the driver of the equipped vehicle, and responsive thereto, establishes said wireless communication link between the equipped vehicle and the external service provider, and wherein said control controls at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle responsive to a geographic location of the equipped vehicle as determined by a global positioning system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein data from the external service provider is downloaded to said control via said wireless communication link, and wherein said control comprises memory for storing downloaded data at least after said wireless communication link established between said control and the external service provider is disconnected.

36. The driver assist system of claim 35, wherein said downloaded data comprises downloaded driving instruction data useful for instructing the driver of the equipped vehicle how to drive from an initial location to a destination location, and wherein driving instructions derived at least in part from said downloaded driving instruction data are displayed by said video display for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said driving instructions are displayed by said video display in a step-by-step manner, with at least some driving instruction steps being displayed by said video display after said wireless communication link between said control and the external service provider is disconnected.

37. The driver assist system of claim 36, wherein said driving instructions comprise at least two driving instructions with each of said at least two driving instructions being coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location, and wherein each driving instruction is displayed by said video display only when the then current actual geographic position of the equipped vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location coded or associated with or linked to said each driving instruction.

38. The driver assist system of claim 37, wherein said control provides an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle when the actual geographic position of the equipped vehicle is not where it should be.

39. A driver assist system for a vehicle, said driver assist system comprising:

a rearward facing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assist system and having a rearward field of view relative to the equipped vehicle;

a forward facing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assist system and having a forward field of view relative to the equipped vehicle;

a video display viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when normally operating the equipped vehicle, wherein said video display is operable to display at least one of (i) image data captured by said rearward facing camera and (ii) image data captured by said forward facing camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to at least one of (i) detect objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera and (ii) detect objects present said forward field of view of said forward facing camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 200 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object exterior of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide an audible alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object exterior of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said visual alert comprises electronically generated indicia that overlay said image data displayed by said video display, and wherein said electronically generated indicia at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object exterior of the equipped vehicle and (ii) highlight a detected object exterior of the equipped vehicle.

40. The driver assist system of claim 39, wherein, during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, image data captured by said rearward facing camera is displayed by said video display as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the equipped vehicle.

41. The driver assist system of claim 40, wherein said driver assist system is operable to detect objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

42. The driver assist system of claim 41, wherein said electronically generated indicia at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle and (ii) highlight a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

43. The driver assist system of claim 40, wherein said driver assist system is operable to (i) provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, and (ii) provide an audible alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

44. The driver assist system of claim 39, wherein said forward field of view of said forward facing camera encompasses the ground immediately in front of the equipped vehicle.

45. The driver assist system of claim 44, wherein said forward field of view of said forward facing camera encompasses an area forward of the equipped vehicle that is at least about as wide as a front fender of the equipped vehicle.

46. The driver assist system of claim 39, wherein said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera encompasses the ground immediately rearward of the equipped vehicle.

47. The driver assist system of claim 46, wherein said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera encompasses an area rearward of the equipped vehicle that is at least about as wide as a rear fender of the equipped vehicle.

48. The driver assist system of claim 39, wherein, responsive to detection of an object, the driver'"'"'s attention is drawn to an object displayed on said video display.

49. The driver assist system of claim 48, wherein said electronically generated indicia highlights the detected object to draw the driver'"'"'s attention to the displayed object.

50. The driver assist system of claim 39, wherein said audible alert audibly alerts the driver of the equipped vehicle that the equipped vehicle is moving closer and closer to an object present in the path of the equipped vehicle.

51. The driver assist system of claim 50, wherein said audible alert comprises an audible output of a speaker of the equipped vehicle.

52. The driver assist system of claim 39, wherein detection of objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera comprises non-visual object detection.

53. The driver assist system of claim 52, wherein, responsive to detection of an object by said non-visual object detection, said audible alert audibly alerts the driver of the equipped vehicle that the equipped vehicle is reversing closer and closer to an object present in the reversing path of the equipped vehicle.

54. The driver assist system of claim 53, wherein said audible alert comprises an audible output of a speaker of the equipped vehicle.

55. The driver assist system of claim 39, comprising a human machine interface, said human machine interface comprising at least one user input, and wherein said at least one user input comprises at least one of a vocal input and a non-vocal input.

56. The driver assist system of claim 55, wherein said at least one user input comprises a non-vocal input and wherein said non-vocal input comprises at least one of a keypad input and a touch sensitive input.

57. The driver assist system of claim 56, wherein said at least one user input comprises a touch sensitive input.

58. The driver assist system of claim 55, wherein at least one of (i) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a telematics system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigational system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigation function of said driver assist system, (iv) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a biometric system of the equipped vehicle and (v) said driver assist system controls operation of said video display responsive, at least in part, to said at least one user input.

59. A driver assist system for a vehicle, said driver assist system comprising:

a rearward facing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assist system and having a rearward field of view relative to the equipped vehicle;

a forward facing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assist system and having a forward field of view relative to the equipped vehicle;

a video display viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when normally operating the equipped vehicle, wherein said video display is operable to display at least one of (i) image data captured by said rearward facing camera and (ii) image data captured by said forward facing camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to at least one of (i) detect objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera and (ii) detect objects present said forward field of view of said forward facing camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 200 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object exterior of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide an audible alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object exterior of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said visual alert comprises electronically generated indicia that overlay said image data displayed by said video display, and wherein said electronically generated indicia at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object exterior of the equipped vehicle and (ii) highlight a detected object exterior of the equipped vehicle; and

at least one user input, wherein at least one of (i) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a telematics system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigational system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigation function of said driver assist system, (iv) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a biometric system of the equipped vehicle and (v) said driver assist system controls operation of said video display responsive, at least in part, to said at least one user input.

60. The driver assist system of claim 59, wherein, during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, image data captured by said rearward facing camera is displayed by said video display as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the equipped vehicle.

61. The driver assist system of claim 60, wherein said driver assist system is operable to detect objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

62. The driver assist system of claim 61, wherein said electronically generated indicia at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle and (ii) highlight a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

63. The driver assist system of claim 61, wherein said driver assist system is operable to (i) provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, and (ii) provide an audible alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

64. The driver assist system of claim 59, wherein said forward field of view of said forward facing camera encompasses the ground immediately in front of the equipped vehicle.

65. The driver assist system of claim 64, wherein said forward field of view of said forward facing camera encompasses an area forward of the equipped vehicle that is at least about as wide as a front fender of the equipped vehicle.

66. The driver assist system of claim 59, wherein said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera encompasses the ground immediately rearward of the equipped vehicle.

67. The driver assist system of claim 66, wherein said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera encompasses an area rearward of the equipped vehicle that is at least about as wide as a rear fender of the equipped vehicle.

68. The driver assist system of claim 59, wherein, responsive to detection of an object, the driver'"'"'s attention is drawn to an object displayed on said video display.

69. The driver assist system of claim 68, wherein said electronically generated indicia highlights the detected object to draw the driver'"'"'s attention to the displayed object.

70. The driver assist system of claim 59, wherein said audible alert audibly alerts the driver of the equipped vehicle that the equipped vehicle is moving closer and closer to an object present in the path of the equipped vehicle.

71. The driver assist system of claim 70, wherein said audible alert comprises an audible output of a speaker of the equipped vehicle.

72. The driver assist system of claim 59, wherein detection of objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera comprises non-visual object detection.

73. The driver assist system of claim 72, wherein, responsive to detection of an object by said non-visual object detection, said audible alert audibly alerts the driver of the equipped vehicle that the equipped vehicle is reversing closer and closer to an object present in the reversing path of the equipped vehicle.

74. The driver assist system of claim 73, wherein said audible alert comprises an audible output of a speaker of the equipped vehicle.

75. The driver assist system of claim 59, wherein said at least one user input comprises a touch sensitive input.

76. A driver assist system for a vehicle, said driver assist system comprising:

a camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assist system and having an exterior field of view relative to the equipped vehicle;

a video display viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when normally operating the equipped vehicle, wherein said video display is operable to display image data captured by said camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to detect objects present in said exterior field of view of said camera;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 200 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object exterior of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide an audible alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object exterior of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said visual alert comprises electronically generated indicia that overlay said image data displayed by said video display, and wherein said electronically generated indicia at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object exterior of the equipped vehicle and (ii) highlight a detected object exterior of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, responsive to detection of an object, the driver'"'"'s attention is drawn to an object displayed on said video display.

77. The driver assist system of claim 76, wherein said camera comprises a rearward facing camera having a rearward field of view and wherein, during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, image data captured by said rearward facing camera is displayed by said video display as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the equipped vehicle.

78. The driver assist system of claim 77, wherein said driver assist system is operable to detect objects present in said rearward field of view of said rearward facing camera during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

79. The driver assist system of claim 78, wherein said electronically generated indicia at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle and (ii) highlight a detected object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

80. The driver assist system of claim 78, wherein said driver assist system is operable to (i) provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, and (ii) provide an audible alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object rearward of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

81. The driver assist system of claim 76, wherein said camera comprises a forward facing camera having a forward field of view and wherein said forward field of view of said forward facing camera encompasses the ground immediately in front of the equipped vehicle.

82. The driver assist system of claim 81, wherein said forward field of view of said forward facing camera encompasses an area forward of the equipped vehicle that is at least about as wide as a front fender of the equipped vehicle.

83. The driver assist system of claim 76, wherein said electronically generated indicia highlights the detected object to draw the driver'"'"'s attention to the displayed object.

84. The driver assist system of claim 76, wherein said audible alert audibly alerts the driver of the equipped vehicle that the equipped vehicle is moving closer and closer to an object present in the path of the equipped vehicle.

85. The driver assist system of claim 76, wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 300 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

86. The driver assist system of claim 76, wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 400 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

87. The driver assist system of claim 76, comprising at least one user input, wherein at least one of (i) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a telematics system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigational system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a navigation function of said driver assist system, (iv) said at least one user input comprises at least one input for a biometric system of the equipped vehicle and (v) said driver assist system controls operation of said video display responsive, at least in part, to said at least one user input.

88. The driver assist system of claim 76, comprising a human machine interface, said human machine interface comprising at least one user input, wherein said at least one user input comprises at least one of (i) a vocal input, (ii) a non-vocal input, (iii) a keypad input and (iv) a touch sensitive input.

89. The driver assist system of claim 88, wherein said at least one user input comprises a touch sensitive input and wherein said driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of said displayed image data of at least about 400 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.