Vehicle vision system with high dynamic range

• US 7,683,326 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2003
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DS Smith Limited (DS Smith PLC), HL Klemove Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Banks, Jeremy B., Walstra, Eric J., Bush, Gregory S., Stam, Joseph S., Berends, Keith H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eley; Jessica L
• Application Number:
  US10/615,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20040008410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,450 Days
• Field of Search: 250/332, 250/341.1, 250/339.11, 180/169
• US Class Current: 250/339.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/11 Anti-reflection coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14621 Colour filter arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14625 Optical elements or arrangements associated with the device
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14654 Blooming suppression

Abstract

A vehicular vision system is disclosed comprising a high dynamic range. The systems and methods are advantages for rear vision, collision avoidance, obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, rain sensing, exterior light control, and lane departure warning, as well as other applications where a given scene may comprise objects having widely varying brightness values.

Claims

1. A vehicular vision system, comprising:

an image sensor and a light source, said light source is configured to emit light rays in the non-visible spectrum to illuminate objects within a scene external to a controlled vehicle beyond an exterior surface of a windshield, wherein said light source is configured to operate in synchronous relationship with acquisition of images from said image sensor, the vision system comprising a means for distinguishing reflections from self-luminous objects.

2. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 configured for use in an apparatus selected from the group comprising:

rear vision, collision avoidance, obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, rain sensing, exterior light control, and lane departure warning.

3. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 wherein said light source is a broadband emitter having a visible light ray blocking filter.

4. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 wherein said light source is a narrow band emitter.

5. A vehicular vision system as in claim 4 wherein said light source comprising at least one light emitting diode.

6. A vehicular vision system as in claim 5 wherein said light source emits light rays in the range from approximately 780 nm to approximately 1100 nm.

7. A vehicular vision system as in claim 5 wherein said light source is pulsed with momentary energy levels that exceed a one hundred percent duty cycle level.

8. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 wherein said image sensor further comprising a narrow band pass spectral filter.

9. A vehicular vision system as in claim 8 wherein said spectral filter is placed between said scene and said image sensor.

10. A vehicular vision system as in claim 8 wherein said band pass spectral filter is selected from the group comprising:

a movable shutter, a visible light absorbing LCD, an electrochromic filter and a suspended particle device.

11. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 wherein said light source is a near infrared laser.

12. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 further comprising an AC ballast.

13. A vehicular vision system as in claim 12 wherein said AC ballast is configured to synchronously strike an arc with high intensity when an image is acquired from said image sensor.

14. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 configured for use in an apparatus selected from the group comprising:

rear vision, collision avoidance, obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, rain sensing, exterior light control, and lane departure warning.

15. A vehicular vision system as in claim 1 further comprising a spectral filter located between said image sensor and the scene, wherein said spectral filter is configured to substantially block light rays other than the predominant spectral band of light rays emitted by said light source.