Vehicular vision system

• US 8,814,401 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2012
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Higgins-Luthman, Michael J., Lu, Yuesheng, Ince, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John A
• Application Number:
  US13/427,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20120182425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 362/465, 362/466, 362/100, 362/103, 362/104, 362/117, 392/100, 392/103, 392/104, 392/117
• US Class Current: 362/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/23 Driver's line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/45 Special conditions, e.g. pedestrians, road signs or potential dangers

Abstract

A vehicular vision system includes an imaging device and a control operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. The control is operable to process the captured image data to detect at least one of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle. The control is operable to process the captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle. An illumination source is operable to illuminate generally forwardly and/or generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle, and wherein illumination emanating from the illumination source is adjustable.

Claims

1. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

an imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect objects present at least one of (i) generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle as the equipped vehicle travels along the road and (ii) generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle as the equipped vehicle travels along the road;

wherein said objects comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

an illumination source operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle, wherein said illumination source comprises an array of light emitting diodes and wherein illumination emanating from said illumination source is adjustable via selectively activating at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes; and

wherein said selective activation of at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes is responsive, at least in part, to a detection of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle.

2. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle.

3. The vehicular vision system of claim 2, wherein said control processes said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle at least in part by determining at least one of (a) a size of the object, (b) a shape of the object, (c) a distance to the object and (d) a direction toward the object.

4. The vehicular vision system of claim 2, wherein said control is operable to determine that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest is a pedestrian.

5. The vehicular vision system of claim 2, wherein an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest comprises a sign and wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to determine or recognize characters on the sign.

6. The vehicular vision system of claim 2, wherein, responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest.

7. The vehicular vision system of claim 6, wherein said object of interest comprises an oncoming vehicle.

8. The vehicular vision system of claim 6, wherein said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said illumination source in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

9. The vehicular vision system of claim 2, wherein at least one of (a) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle, (b) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises a pedestrian, (c) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming vehicle, and (d) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said illumination source in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

10. The vehicular vision system of claim 2, wherein, responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to generate an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle.

11. The vehicular vision system of claim 10, wherein said alert comprises at least one of (a) a visual display, (b) a warning light, (c) an audible signal and (d) a haptic alert.

12. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein said selective activation adjusts a light beam emanating from said illumination source.

13. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes of said illumination source is at least one of (a) actuated to at least briefly illuminate an object that is determined to be an object of interest and (b) adjusted to at least briefly illuminate an object that is determined to be an object of interest.

14. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein at least some of said light emitting diodes comprise at least one of infrared light emitting diodes and near infrared radiating light emitting diodes, and wherein said imaging device is sensitive to at least one of infrared radiation and near infrared radiation.

15. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in one direction while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in a different direction.

16. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in a first beam of light while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in a second beam of light.

17. The vehicular vision system of claim 16, wherein said first beam of light is generally in one direction and said second beam of light is generally in another direction.

18. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein said illumination source comprises at least one of (a) a baffle and (b) a light guiding element.

19. The vehicular vision system of claim 18, wherein said illumination source comprises a baffle and wherein illumination emanating from said illumination source is adjustable via said baffle.

20. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein said illumination source is located at a forward portion of the equipped vehicle.

21. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein said illumination source comprises a headlight of the equipped vehicle.

22. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, wherein said vehicular vision system is selectively enabled and disabled in response to an output of at least one of (a) a human-machine interface, (b) an intelligent headlight system that detects vehicles in front of the equipped vehicle, (c) a Global Positioning System, (d) a roadside information system, (e) the internet, (f) an intelligent transportation system, (g) a communication system, (h) a telematics system and (i) a navigation system.

23. The vehicular vision system of claim 1, comprising a gaze detection device operable to determine a gaze direction of the driver or a driving instructor of the equipped vehicle, wherein said gaze detection device comprises a second imaging device for capturing image data, said second imaging device having a field of view generally toward the head of the driver or driving instructor of the equipped vehicle, wherein an image processing device is operable to process said image data captured by said second imaging device to determine the gaze direction of the driver or driving instructor of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said illumination source in response to an output of said gaze detection device, and wherein said control is operable to illuminate an area generally forwardly and sidewardly of the equipped vehicle where the driver or driving instructor of the equipped vehicle is looking.

24. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

an imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control processes said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle at least in part by determining at least one of (a) a size of the object, (b) a shape of the object, (c) a distance to the object and (d) a direction toward the object;

wherein said object of interest comprises one of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

a headlight operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle, wherein said headlight comprises an array of light emitting diodes and wherein illumination emanating from said headlight is adjustable via selectively activating at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes; and

wherein said selective activation of at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes is responsive, at least in part, to a detection of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle.

25. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein said control is operable to determine that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest is a pedestrian.

26. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest comprises a sign and wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to determine or recognize characters on the sign.

27. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein at least one of (a) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest, (b) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle, (c) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises a pedestrian, (d) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming vehicle, (e) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, (f) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and (g) wherein said selective activation adjusts a light beam emanating from said headlight.

28. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein, responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to generate an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said alert comprises at least one of (a) a visual display, (b) a warning light, (c) an audible signal and (d) a haptic alert.

29. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein at least some of said light emitting diodes comprise at least one of infrared light emitting diodes and near infrared radiating light emitting diodes, and wherein said imaging device is sensitive to at least one of infrared radiation and near infrared radiation.

30. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in one direction while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in a different direction.

31. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in a first beam of light while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in a second beam of light.

32. The vehicular vision system of claim 31, wherein said first beam of light is generally in one direction and said second beam of light is generally in another direction.

33. The vehicular vision system of claim 24, wherein said headlight comprises at least one of (a) a baffle and (b) a light guiding element.

34. The vehicular vision system of claim 33, wherein said headlight comprises a baffle and wherein illumination emanating from said headlight is adjustable via said baffle.

35. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

an imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect at least one of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

a headlight operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle, wherein said headlight comprises an array of light emitting diodes and wherein illumination emanating from said headlight is adjustable via selectively activating at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes;

wherein said selective activation of at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes is responsive, at least in part, to a detection of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein at least one of (a) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest, (b) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle, (c) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises a pedestrian, (d) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming vehicle, (e) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, (f) said selective activation adjusts a light beam emanating from said headlight, and (g) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

36. The vehicular vision system of claim 35, wherein said control processes said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle at least in part by determining at least one of (a) a size of the object, (b) a shape of the object, (c) a distance to the object and (d) a direction toward the object.

37. The vehicular vision system of claim 35, wherein at least one of (a) said control is operable to determine that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest is a pedestrian, and (b) an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest comprises a sign and wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to determine or recognize characters on the sign.

38. The vehicular vision system of claim 35, wherein, responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to generate an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said alert comprises at least one of (a) a visual display, (b) a warning light, (e) an audible signal and (d) a haptic alert.

39. The vehicular vision system of claim 35, wherein at least one of (a) activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in one direction while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in a different direction, (b) activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in a first beam of light while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in a second beam of light, and (c) activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in a first beam of light while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in a second beam of light and said first beam of light is generally in one direction and said second beam of light is generally in another direction.

40. The vehicular vision system of claim 39, wherein said headlight comprises at least one of (a) a baffle and (b) a light guiding element.

41. The vehicular vision system of claim 40, wherein said headlight comprises a baffle and wherein illumination emanating from said headlight is adjustable via said baffle.

42. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

an imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect at least one of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

an illumination source operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle, wherein said illumination source comprises an array of light emitting diodes and wherein illumination emanating from said illumination source is adjustable via selectively activating at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes;

wherein said selective activation of at least some individual light emitting diodes of said array of light emitting diodes is responsive, at least in part, to a detection of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle.

43. The vehicular vision system of claim 42, wherein at least one of (a) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises a pedestrian, (b) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming vehicle, (c) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said illumination source in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, (d) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said illumination source in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and (e) wherein said selective activation adjusts a light beam emanating from said illumination source.

44. The vehicular vision system of claim 42, wherein said control processes said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle at least in part by determining at least one of (a) a size of the object, (b) a shape of the object, (c) a distance to the object and (d) a direction toward the object.

45. The vehicular vision system of claim 42, wherein at least one of (a) said control is operable to determine that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest is a pedestrian, and (b) an object present in the field of view of said imaging device that is determined to be an object of interest comprises a sign and wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to determine or recognize characters on the sign.

46. The vehicular vision system of claim 42, wherein, responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to generate an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said alert comprises at least one of (a) a visual display, (b) a warning light, (c) an audible signal and (d) a haptic alert.

47. The vehicular vision system of claim 42, wherein at least one of (a) activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in one direction while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in illumination generally in a different direction, (b) activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in a first beam of light while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in a second beam of light, and (c) activation of some of said light emitting diodes results in a first beam of light while activation of others of said light emitting diodes results in a second beam of light and said first beam of light is generally in one direction and said second beam of light is generally in another direction.

48. The vehicular vision system of claim 42, wherein said illumination source comprises at least one of (a) a baffle and (b) a light guiding element.

49. The vehicular vision system of claim 48, wherein said illumination source comprises a baffle and wherein illumination emanating from said illumination source is adjustable via said baffle.

50. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

an imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect objects present at least one of (i) generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle as the equipped vehicle travels along the road and (ii) generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle as the equipped vehicle travels along the road;

wherein said objects comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

a headlight operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said headlight comprises a baffle and wherein illumination emanating from said headlight is adjustable via said baffle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises an oncoming vehicle.

51. The vehicular vision system of claim 50, wherein at least one of (a) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises a pedestrian, (b) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and (c) responsive to a determination that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

52. The vehicular vision system of claim 51, wherein said control processes said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle at least in part by determining at least one of (a) a size of the object, (b) a shape of the object, (c) a distance to the object and (d) a direction toward the object.

53. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

an imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

a headlight operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said headlight comprises a baffle and wherein a forward lighting light beam emanating from said headlight is adjustable via said baffle; and

wherein, responsive to a detection by said control of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, said control controls said baffle to adjust said forward lighting light beam in order to reduce light emanating from said headlight glaring a driver of the detected other vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle.

54. The vehicular vision system of claim 53, wherein said control processes said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) responsive to a determination by said control that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and wherein the object of interest comprises a pedestrian, (b) responsive to a determination by said control that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination of an area encompassing the object of interest and said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and (c) responsive to a determination by said control that an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest, said control is operable to adjust illumination emanating from said headlight in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

55. The vehicular vision system of claim 53, wherein said control processes said captured image data to determine if an object present in the field of view of said imaging device is an object of interest to a driver of the equipped vehicle at least in part by determining at least one of (a) a size of the object, (b) a shape of the object, (c) a distance to the object and (d) a direction toward the object.

56. The vehicular vision system of claim 53, wherein said vehicular vision system is selectively enabled and disabled in response to an output of at least one of (a) a human-machine interface, (b) a Global Positioning System, (c) a roadside information system, (d) the internet, (e) an intelligent transportation system, (f) a communication system, (g) a telematics system and (h) a navigation system.

57. The vehicular vision system of claim 53, wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle utilizing algorithmic decision-making.

58. The vehicular vision system of claim 57, wherein said algorithmic decision-making comprises use of an edge detection algorithm.

59. The vehicular vision system of claim 57, wherein said algorithmic decision-making involves at least one of (a) a size of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, (b) a shape of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, (c) a distance to an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and (d) a direction toward an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle.

60. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

a CMOS imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle utilizing algorithmic decision-making;

a headlight operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said headlight comprises a baffle and wherein a forward lighting light beam emanating from said headlight is adjustable via said baffle; and

wherein, responsive to a detection by said control of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, said control controls said baffle to adjust said forward lighting light beam in order to reduce light emanating from said headlight glaring a driver of the detected other vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle.

61. The vehicular vision system of claim 60, wherein said algorithmic decision-making comprises use of an edge detection algorithm.

62. The vehicular vision system of claim 60, wherein said algorithmic decision-making involves at least one of (a) a size of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, (b) a shape of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, (c) a distance to an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and (d) a direction toward an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle.

63. The vehicular vision system of claim 60, wherein said CMOS imaging device is part of an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

64. The vehicular vision system of claim 63, wherein processing by said control of said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle is performed, at least in part, by circuitry that is part of said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle.

65. A vehicular vision system suitable for use in a vehicle, said vehicular vision system comprising:

an imaging device having a field of view at least generally forwardly with respect to a forward direction of travel of a vehicle equipped with said vehicular vision system;

wherein said imaging device is operable to, capture image data;

a control operable to process said captured image data;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to process said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle utilizing algorithmic decision-making;

wherein said imaging device is part of an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle and wherein processing by said control of said captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle is performed, at least in part, by circuitry that is part of said interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle;

a headlight operable to illuminate at least one of generally forwardly of the equipped vehicle and generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said headlight comprises a baffle and wherein a forward lighting light beam emanating from said headlight is adjustable via said baffle; and

wherein, responsive to a detection by said control of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, said control controls said baffle to adjust said forward lighting light beam in order to reduce light emanating from said headlight glaring a driver of the detected other vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle.

66. The vehicular vision system of claim 65, wherein said algorithmic decision-making comprises use of an edge detection algorithm.

67. The vehicular vision system of claim 65, wherein said algorithmic decision-making involves at least one of (a) a size of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, (b) a shape of an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle, (c) a distance to an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and (d) a direction toward an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle.

68. The vehicular vision system of claim 65, wherein said vehicular vision system is selectively enabled and disabled in response to an output of at least one of (a) a human-machine interface, (b) a Global Positioning System, (c) a roadside information system, (d) the internet, (e) an intelligent transportation system, (f) a communication system, (g) a telematics system and (h) a navigation system.