VEHICLE ACCESSORY SYSTEM

• US 20130194425A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, DeWard, Joshua L., Whitehead, Peter J., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,508,593 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• 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 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 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1246 with clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1276 with radio receivers, loud-speakers or buzzers
• 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: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/108 using 'non-standard' camera systems, e.g. camera sensor used for additional purposes i.a. rain sensor, camera sensor split in multiple image areas
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at a vehicle windshield, a module mounted at a side of the mounting element that opposes the side that attaches at the windshield, and a camera disposed in the module. The module includes attaching structure that cooperates with attaching structure of the mounting element in order to detachably mount the module at the mounting element. The camera, with the module mounted at the mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, may view forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure. The camera captures image data for a driver assistance system of the vehicle. Electrical circuitry is disposed in the module and, with the module mounted at the mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, the electrical circuitry communicates over a vehicle communication bus with at least one system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An accessory system for a vehicle, said vehicular accessory system comprising:

a mounting element attached at a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with the accessory system;

wherein said mounting element comprises an attachment portion at a first side of said mounting element for attachment of said mounting element at the vehicle windshield;

wherein, at least when said mounting element is attached at the vehicle windshield, a module is mounted at a second side of said mounting element that opposes said first side;

wherein said module includes attaching structure that cooperates with attaching structure of said mounting element in order to detachably mount said module at said mounting element;

wherein said module has a windshield-facing side that faces towards the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module has a cabin-facing side that faces away from the vehicle windshield towards the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein a camera is disposed in said module;

said camera comprising a CMOS imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure;

wherein said camera captures image data for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein electrical circuitry is disposed in said module and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said electrical circuitry communicates over a vehicle communication bus with at least one system of the equipped vehicle.

2. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) said attachment portion of said mounting element is generally flat and (ii) said mounting element comprises a metallic mounting element.

3. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attaching structure of said module snap attaches to said mounting element to mount said module at said mounting element.

4. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said module accommodates a rain sensor.

5. The vehicular accessory system of claim 4, wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said rain sensor optically couples with the vehicle windshield.

6. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said lens is spaced from the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield.

7. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein at least a part of said lens protrudes from said module into said wedge-shaped structure.

8. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said wedge-shaped structure is angled relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side of said module.

9. The vehicular accessory system of claim 8, wherein, with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, said angling relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side sets the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera generally at or below horizontal.

10. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein, with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is generally at or below horizontal.

11. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, including a detachable cover that is detachable to access said camera with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield.

12. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said wedge-shaped structure is widest at the vehicle windshield and tapers from the vehicle windshield towards where said camera is located.

13. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said module comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first portion extending generally upward when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said first portion having an attachment member, said second portion extending generally horizontally and rearwardly from said first portion with respect to the vehicle windshield, said second portion comprising electronic circuitry, and wherein an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror casing and a reflective element is mountable to said attachment member, said second portion extending from said first portion generally above the mirror casing and being at least one of viewable and user accessible above the mirror casing when an interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to said attachment member, and wherein said second portion is movably attached to said first portion and is movable relative to said first portion, and wherein said second portion is pivotable relative to said first portion about a generally vertical pivot axis to adjust the angle of said second portion.

14. The vehicular accessory system of claim 13, wherein said second portion comprises at least one of a display element and a user input device associated with at least one of (i) a compass system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a microphone system of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a garage door opener system of the equipped vehicle.

15. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a LIN bus.

16. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a CAN bus.

17. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a MOST bus.

18. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry is disposed on a printed circuit board and wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a microprocessor, memory and a power supply.

19. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle.

20. The vehicular accessory system of claim 19, wherein said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a status indication.

21. The vehicular accessory system of claim 20, wherein said status indication comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control status, (ii) a rain sensor status, (iii) a compass status, (iv) an ambient light level status, (v) an exterior condition status, (vi) an autolamp status and (vii) a sunload status.

22. The vehicular accessory system of claim 19, wherein said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a high beam activation for a headlight of the equipped vehicle.

23. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle.

24. The vehicular accessory system of claim 23, wherein said input received over said vehicle communication bus comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control enabled status, (ii) an intelligent headlamp control disabled status, (iii) a gear transmission status, (iv) a headlamp status, (v) a vehicle speed, (vi) a steering wheel angle and (vii) a turn signal status.

25. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said module comprises a connector for connecting to said vehicle communication bus.

26. The vehicular accessory system of claim 25, wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector.

27. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a microprocessor.

28. The vehicular accessory system of claim 27, wherein said electrical circuitry comprises memory.

29. The vehicular accessory system of claim 28, wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a power supply.

30. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attachment portion of said mounting element is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield of the equipped vehicle.

31. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said windshield-facing side of said module comprise a recess and wherein said recess forms, at least in part, said wedge-shaped structure via which said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield.

32. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said module comprises an attachment element configured for attachment of an interior rearview mirror assembly thereto.

33. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein structure of said module angles the field of view of said camera with respect to the vehicle windshield to at least partially compensate for the windshield angle of the vehicle windshield in the equipped vehicle.

34. The vehicular accessory system of claim 33, wherein a principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is directed generally at or below horizontal when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield.

35. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attachment portion of said mounting element is configured for adhesive attachment at the vehicle windshield.

36. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a night vision system of the equipped vehicle, (v) a pedestrian detection system of the equipped vehicle, (vi) a vehicle detection system of the equipped vehicle and (vii) a crash avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

37. The vehicular accessory system of claim 36, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

38. The vehicular accessory system of claim 1, wherein said camera captures image data for at least two of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a pedestrian detection system of the equipped vehicle and (iv) a vehicle detection system of the equipped vehicle.

39. The vehicular accessory system of claim 38, wherein said camera captures image data for a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

40. An accessory system for a vehicle, said vehicular accessory system comprising:

a mounting element attached at a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with the accessory system;

wherein said mounting element comprises an attachment portion at a first side of said mounting element for attachment of said mounting element at the vehicle windshield;

wherein, at least when said mounting element is attached at the vehicle windshield, a module is mounted at a second side of said mounting element that opposes said first side;

wherein said module includes attaching structure that cooperates with attaching structure of said mounting element in order to detachably mount said module at said mounting element;

wherein said module has a windshield-facing side that faces towards the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module has a cabin-facing side that faces away from the vehicle windshield towards the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein a camera is disposed in said module;

said camera comprising a CMOS imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure;

wherein said camera captures image data for driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein electrical circuitry is disposed in said module and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said electrical circuitry communicates over a vehicle communication bus with at least one system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said lens is spaced from the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein, with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is generally at or below horizontal; and

wherein at least one of (a) said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle and (b) said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle.

41. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein at least two of (i) said attachment portion of said mounting element is generally flat, (ii) said mounting element comprises a metallic mounting element, (iii) wherein said attachment portion of said mounting element is configured for adhesive attachment at the vehicle windshield and (iv) said attaching structure of said module snap attaches to said mounting element to mount said module at said mounting element.

42. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said module accommodates a rain sensor and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said rain sensor optically couples with the vehicle windshield.

43. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said wedge-shaped structure is angled relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side of said module and wherein, with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, said angling relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side sets the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera generally at or below horizontal.

44. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, including a detachable cover that is detachable to access said camera with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield.

45. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a LIN bus.

46. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a CAN bus.

47. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle and wherein said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a status indication.

48. The vehicular accessory system of claim 47, wherein said status indication comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control status, (ii) a rain sensor status, (iii) a compass status, (iv) an ambient light level status, (v) an exterior condition status, (vi) an autolamp status and (vii) a sunload status.

49. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle and wherein said input received over said vehicle communication bus comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control enabled status, (ii) an intelligent headlamp control disabled status, (iii) a gear transmission status, (iv) a headlamp status, (v) a vehicle speed, (vi) a steering wheel angle and (vii) a turn signal status.

50. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said module comprises a connector for connecting to said vehicle communication bus and wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector.

51. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said wedge-shaped structure is widest at the vehicle windshield and tapers from the vehicle windshield towards where said camera is located.

52. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said attachment portion of said mounting element is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield of the equipped vehicle.

53. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said windshield-facing side of said module comprise a recess and wherein said recess forms, at least in part, said wedge-shaped structure via which said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield.

54. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein structure of said module angles the field of view of said camera with respect to the vehicle windshield to at least partially compensate for the windshield angle of the vehicle windshield in the equipped vehicle.

55. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a night vision system of the equipped vehicle, (v) a pedestrian detection system of the equipped vehicle, (vi) a vehicle detection system of the equipped vehicle and (vii) a crash avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

56. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said camera captures image data for at least two of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a pedestrian detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a vehicle detection system of the equipped vehicle and (v) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

57. The vehicular accessory system of claim 40, wherein said electrical circuitry is disposed on a printed circuit board and wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a microprocessor, memory and a power supply.

58. An accessory system for a vehicle, said vehicular accessory system comprising:

a mounting element attached at a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with the accessory system;

wherein said mounting element comprises an attachment portion at a first side of said mounting element for attachment of said mounting element at the vehicle windshield;

wherein, at least when said mounting element is attached at the vehicle windshield, a module is mounted at a second side of said mounting element that opposes said first side;

wherein said module includes attaching structure that cooperates with attaching structure of said mounting element in order to detachably mount said module at said mounting element;

wherein said module has a windshield-facing side that faces towards the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module has a cabin-facing side that faces away from the vehicle windshield towards the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein a camera is disposed in said module;

said camera comprising a CMOS imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera captures image data for at least two of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a pedestrian detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a vehicle detection system of the equipped vehicle and (v) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein electrical circuitry is disposed in said module and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said electrical circuitry communicates over a vehicle communication bus with at least one system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said lens is spaced from the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein, with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is generally at or below horizontal;

wherein said electrical circuitry is disposed on a printed circuit board and wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a microprocessor, memory and a power supply; and

wherein at least one of (a) said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle and (b) said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle.

59. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein at least two of (i) said attachment portion of said mounting element is generally flat, (ii) said mounting element comprises a metallic mounting element, (iii) said attachment portion of said mounting element is configured for adhesive attachment at the vehicle windshield and (iv) said attaching structure of said module snap attaches to said mounting element to mount said module at said mounting element.

60. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said module accommodates a rain sensor and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said rain sensor optically couples with the vehicle windshield.

61. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure.

62. The vehicular accessory system of claim 61, wherein said wedge-shaped structure is widest at the vehicle windshield and tapers from the vehicle windshield towards where said camera is located.

63. The vehicular accessory system of claim 61, wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said wedge-shaped structure is angled relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side of said module and wherein, with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, said angling relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side sets the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera generally at or below horizontal.

64. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, including a detachable cover that is detachable to access said camera with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield.

65. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a LIN bus.

66. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a CAN bus.

67. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle and wherein said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a status indication.

68. The vehicular accessory system of claim 67, wherein said status indication comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control status, (ii) a rain sensor status, (iii) a compass status, (iv) an ambient light level status, (v) an exterior condition status, (vi) an autolamp status and (vii) a sunload status.

69. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle and wherein said input received over said vehicle communication bus comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control enabled status, (ii) an intelligent headlamp control disabled status, (iii) a gear transmission status, (iv) a headlamp status, (v) a vehicle speed, (vi) a steering wheel angle and (vii) a turn signal status.

70. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said module comprises a connector for connecting to said vehicle communication bus and wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector.

71. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said windshield-facing side of said module comprise a recess and wherein said recess forms, at least in part, a wedge-shaped structure via which said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield.

72. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein structure of said module angles the field of view of said camera with respect to the vehicle windshield to at least partially compensate for the windshield angle of the vehicle windshield in the equipped vehicle.

73. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle and said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle.

74. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said mounting element is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield.

75. The vehicular accessory system of claim 58, wherein said module comprises an attachment element configured for attachment of an interior rearview mirror assembly thereto.

76. An accessory system for a vehicle, said vehicular accessory system comprising:

a mounting element attached at a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with the accessory system;

wherein said mounting element comprises an attachment portion at a first side of said mounting element for attachment of said mounting element at the vehicle windshield;

wherein, at least when said mounting element is attached at the vehicle windshield, a module is mounted at a second side of said mounting element that opposes said first side;

wherein said module includes attaching structure that cooperates with attaching structure of said mounting element in order to detachably mount said module at said mounting element;

wherein said module has a windshield-facing side that faces towards the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module has a cabin-facing side that faces away from the vehicle windshield towards the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein a camera is disposed in said module;

said camera comprising a CMOS imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera captures image data for at least two of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a pedestrian detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a vehicle detection system of the equipped vehicle and (v) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein electrical circuitry is disposed in said module and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said electrical circuitry communicates over a vehicle communication bus with at least one system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said lens is spaced from the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein said electrical circuitry is disposed on a printed circuit board and wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a microprocessor, memory and a power supply;

wherein said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle and said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein at least two of (i) said attachment portion of said mounting element is generally flat, (ii) said mounting element comprises a metallic mounting element, (iii) said attachment portion of said mounting element is configured for adhesive attachment at the vehicle windshield and (iv) said attaching structure of said module snap attaches to said mounting element to mount said module at said mounting element; and

wherein at least one of (a) said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a status indication, (b) said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a status indication, (c) said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control status, (ii) a rain sensor status, (iii) a compass status, (iv) an ambient light level status, (v) an exterior condition status, (vi) an autolamp status and (vii) a sunload status, and (c) said input received over said vehicle communication bus comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control enabled status, (ii) an intelligent headlamp control disabled status, (iii) a gear transmission status, (iv) a headlamp status, (v) a vehicle speed, (vi) a steering wheel angle and (vii) a turn signal status

77. The vehicular accessory system of claim 76, wherein said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure.

78. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, wherein said wedge-shaped structure is widest at the vehicle windshield and tapers from the vehicle windshield towards where said camera is located.

79. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said wedge-shaped structure is angled relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side of said module and wherein, with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, said angling relative to the general plane of the windshield-facing side sets the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera generally at or below horizontal.

80. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, including a detachable cover that is detachable to access said camera with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield.

81. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a LIN bus.

82. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, wherein said vehicle communication bus comprises a CAN bus.

83. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, wherein at least one of (a) said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a status indication, and (b) said output communicated over said vehicle communication bus comprises a status indication and wherein said status indication comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control status, (ii) a rain sensor status, (iii) a compass status, (iv) an ambient light level status, (v) an exterior condition status, (vi) an autolamp status and (vii) a sunload status.

84. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, wherein said input received over said vehicle communication bus comprises at least one of (i) an intelligent headlamp control enabled status, (ii) an intelligent headlamp control disabled status, (iii) a gear transmission status, (iv) a headlamp status, (v) a vehicle speed, (vi) a steering wheel angle and (vii) a turn signal status.

85. The vehicular accessory system of claim 77, wherein at least one of (a) said module comprises a connector for connecting to said vehicle communication bus and wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector, (b) said windshield-facing side of said module comprise a recess and wherein said recess forms, at least in part, said wedge-shaped structure via which said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield, (c) structure of said module angles the field of view of said camera with respect to the vehicle windshield to at least partially compensate for the windshield angle of the vehicle windshield in the equipped vehicle, (d) with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is generally at or below horizontal and (e) said module comprises an attachment element configured for attachment of an interior rearview mirror assembly thereto.

86. An accessory system for a vehicle, said vehicular accessory system comprising:

a mounting element attached at a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with the accessory system;

wherein said mounting element comprises an attachment portion at a first side of said mounting element for attachment of said mounting element at the vehicle windshield;

wherein, at least when said mounting element is attached at the vehicle windshield, a module is mounted at a second side of said mounting element that opposes said first side;

wherein said module includes attaching structure that cooperates with attaching structure of said mounting element in order to detachably mount said module at said mounting element;

wherein said module has a windshield-facing side that faces towards the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module has a cabin-facing side that faces away from the vehicle windshield towards the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein a camera is disposed in said module;

said camera comprising a CMOS imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera captures image data for at least two of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a pedestrian detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a vehicle detection system of the equipped vehicle and (v) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein electrical circuitry is disposed in said module and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said electrical circuitry communicates over a vehicle communication bus with at least one system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said lens is spaced from the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield;

wherein said electrical circuitry is disposed on a printed circuit board and wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a microprocessor, memory and a power supply; and

wherein said electrical circuitry communicates over said vehicle communication bus to provide an output to at least one system of the equipped vehicle and said electrical circuitry receives an input over said vehicle communication bus from at least one system of the equipped vehicle.

87. The vehicular accessory system of claim 86, wherein at least two of (i) said attachment portion of said mounting element is generally flat, (ii) said mounting element comprises a metallic mounting element, (iii) said attachment portion of said mounting element is configured for adhesive attachment at the vehicle windshield and (iv) said attaching structure of said module snap attaches to said mounting element to mount said module at said mounting element.

88. The vehicular accessory system of claim 86, wherein said module accommodates a rain sensor and wherein, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, said rain sensor optically couples with the vehicle windshield.

89. The vehicular accessory system of claim 86, wherein at least one of (a) said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure, (b) said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure and wherein said wedge-shaped structure is widest at the vehicle windshield and tapers from the vehicle windshield towards where said camera is located, (c) said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield via a generally wedge-shaped structure and (d) the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is generally at or below horizontal.

90. The vehicular accessory system of claim 86, wherein at least one of (a) said vehicle communication bus comprises a LIN bus, (b) said vehicle communication bus comprises a CAN bus, (c) said module comprises a connector for connecting to said vehicle communication bus and wherein said connector comprises a multi-pin connector, (d) said windshield-facing side of said module comprise a recess and wherein said recess forms, at least in part, a wedge-shaped structure via which said camera, with said module mounted at said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield, views forwardly through the vehicle windshield, (e) structure of said module angles the field of view of said camera with respect to the vehicle windshield to at least partially compensate for the windshield angle of the vehicle windshield in the equipped vehicle, (f) with said mounting element attached at the vehicle windshield and with said module mounted at said mounting element, the principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is generally at or below horizontal and (g) said module comprises an attachment element configured for attachment of an interior rearview mirror assembly thereto.