Angular filter for vehicle mounted cameras

• US 9,380,219 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2012
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Salomonsson, Ove J., Van Dan Elzen, Christopher L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Eileen
• Application Number:
  US14/112,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20140043465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• 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 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/00 Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8086 for vehicle path indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/20 Filters polarising elements G02B5/30
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/749 by influencing the pick-up tube voltages

Abstract

A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle. A processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. An angular filter is disposed at or near the windshield forward of the camera. The angular filter includes a substantially transparent film that limits reflection of light through an angular range that generally corresponds to the stray light that reflects off of the vehicle dashboard and would otherwise impinge a lens aperture of the camera.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises a lens;

an angular filter disposed at or near the windshield forward of said camera, wherein said angular filter comprises a substantially transparent film that limits reflection of light through an angular range that generally corresponds to the stray light that reflects off of the vehicle and would otherwise impinge said lens of said camera;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board that is mounted generally at the windshield behind said camera;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to said circuitry via a flexible electrical connector; and

wherein said flexible electrical connector flexes to allow a viewing angle of said camera to be adjusted relative to a mounting angle of said circuit board.

2. The vision system of claim 1, comprising an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera.

3. The vision system of claim 2, wherein an output of said image processor comprises an input of a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

4. The vision system of claim 3, wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle headlamp control system, (ii) a rain sensing system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iv) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (v) an object detection system of the vehicle, (vi) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle and (vii) a distance determining system operable to determine a distance to a leading vehicle or object.

5. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said angular filter is disposed at an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield.

6. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said angular filter is disposed at a transparent substrate and spaced from the vehicle windshield.

7. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said angular filter comprises an anti-reflective coating on an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield.

8. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said angular filter is disposed at least partially below said lens.

9. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said angular filter is disposed at least partially in the field of view of said camera.

10. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises a lens;

an angular filter disposed at or near the windshield forward of said camera and at least partially below said camera, wherein said angular filter comprises a substantially transparent film that limits reflection of light through an angular range that generally corresponds to the stray light that reflects off of the vehicle and would otherwise impinge said lens of said camera;

wherein one of (i) said angular filter is disposed at an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield, (ii) said angular filter is disposed at a transparent substrate and spaced from the vehicle windshield and (iii) said angular filter comprises an anti-reflective coating on an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board that is mounted generally at the windshield; and

wherein said camera is electrically connected to said circuitry via a flexible electrical connector, and wherein said flexible electrical connector flexes to allow a viewing angle of said camera to be adjusted relative to a mounting angle of said circuit board.

11. The vision system of claim 10, comprising an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera.

12. The vision system of claim 11, wherein an output of said image processor comprises an input of a driver assistance system of the vehicle, and wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle headlamp control system, (ii) a rain sensing system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iv) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (v) an object detection system of the vehicle, (vi) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle and (vii) a distance determining system operable to determine a distance to a leading vehicle or object.

13. The vision system of claim 10, wherein said angular filter is disposed at least partially in the field of view of said camera.

14. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises a lens;

an angular filter disposed at or near the windshield forward of said camera and at least partially below said camera, wherein said angular filter comprises a substantially transparent film that limits reflection of light through an angular range that generally corresponds to the stray light that reflects off of the vehicle and would otherwise impinge said lens of said camera;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board that is mounted generally at the windshield; and

wherein said camera is electrically connected to said circuitry via a flexible electrical connector, and wherein said flexible electrical connector flexes to allow a viewing angle of said camera to be adjusted relative to a mounting angle of said circuit board.

15. The vision system of claim 14, comprising an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera, and wherein an output of said image processor comprises an input of a driver assistance system of the vehicle, and wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle headlamp control system, (ii) a rain sensing system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iv) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (v) an object detection system of the vehicle, (vi) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle and (vii) a distance determining system operable to determine a distance to a leading vehicle or object.

16. The vision system of claim 15, wherein one of (i) said angular filter is disposed at an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield, (ii) said angular filter is disposed at a transparent substrate and spaced from the vehicle windshield and (iii) said angular filter comprises an anti-reflective coating on an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield.

17. The vision system of claim 14, wherein said angular filter is disposed at an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield.

18. The vision system of claim 14, wherein said angular filter is disposed at a transparent substrate and spaced from the vehicle windshield.

19. The vision system of claim 14, wherein said angular filter comprises an anti-reflective coating on an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield.

20. The vision system of claim 14, wherein said angular filter is disposed at least partially in the field of view of said camera.