Multifunctional rearward viewing camera system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12140849-B2
Application number	US-202218148456-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 30, 2022
Priority date	May 2, 2016
Publication date	Nov 12, 2024
Grant date	Nov 12, 2024

Abstract

A vehicular vision system includes a rear-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. Each frame of image data captured by the imaging array of the rear-viewing camera includes a plurality of grids, with each grid of the plurality of grids having a respective set of photosensing elements associated with respective rows and columns of photosensing elements. A electro-optic rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic mirror reflective element that is controlled responsive to an ambient light condition and a glare light condition. The ambient light condition is determined by processing at least one first grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera. The glare light condition is determined by processing at least one second grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicular vision system, the vehicular vision system comprising:
a rear-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with the vehicular vision system, the rear-viewing camera viewing at least rearward of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the rear-viewing camera comprises a CMOS imaging array having at least one million photosensing elements arranged in rows and columns;
wherein the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera is operable to capture frames of image data;
wherein each frame of image data captured by the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera comprises a plurality of grids, with each grid of the plurality of grids comprising a respective set of photosensing elements associated with respective rows and columns of photosensing elements;
a processor operable to process frames of image data captured by the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera;
an electro-optic rearview mirror assembly, the electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising an electro-optic mirror reflective element that is controlled responsive to an ambient light condition at the equipped vehicle and a glare light condition rearward of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the ambient light condition is determined by processing at least one first grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera;
wherein the glare light condition is determined by processing at least one second grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera; and
wherein the at least one first grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera is different than the at least one second grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera.

2. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera are processed for a driving assistance system of the equipped vehicle.

3. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the CMOS imaging array has at least three million photosensing elements arranged in rows and columns.

4. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the CMOS imaging array has at least eight million photosensing elements arranged in rows and columns.

5. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein each grid of the at least one first grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera comprises at least a 5×5 grid of photosensing elements.

6. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein each grid of the at least one second grid of the plurality of grids of the frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera comprises at least a 5×5 grid of photosensing elements.

7. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein individual grids of the plurality of grids of the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera are individually processed to determine luminance values for the respective grids.

8. The vehicular vision system of claim 7 , wherein the individual grids of the plurality of grids of the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera are dynamically adjusted based at least in part on determined luminance values for the individual grids.

9. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein individual grids of the plurality of grids of the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera are dynamically adjusted based at least in part on detection of light sources.

10. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first grid of the plurality of grids of the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera is representative an outer region of the frame of captured image data.

11. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the processor processes the at least one second grid of the plurality of grids of the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera to detect a glare light source present rearward of the equipped vehicle.

12. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein distance to the detected glare light source is determined via processing at the processor of the at least one second grid of the plurality of grids of the CMOS imaging array of the rear-viewing camera.

13. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the rear-viewing camera comprises a rear backup camera.

14. The vehicular vision system of claim 13 , wherein the processor processes at least lower grids of captured frames of image data for a rear backup assist function, and wherein the lower grids encompass a region immediately rearward of the equipped vehicle.

15. The vehicular vision system of claim 14 , wherein the rear backup assist function provides at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) object detection and (ii) video display at a display device viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle of video images derived from captured frames of image data.

16. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein video images based on processing of frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera are displayed at a display device viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle.

17. The vehicular vision system of claim 16 , wherein the display device is disposed at an interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly.

18. The vehicular vision system of claim 17 , wherein the electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprises the interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly.

19. The vehicular vision system of claim 17 , wherein the display device is disposed behind the electro-optic mirror reflective element of the interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly and is viewable, when activated, through the electro-optic mirror reflective element.

20. The vehicular vision system of claim 19 , wherein the display device comprises a full mirror display, and wherein the interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly is operable in a display mode to display video images at a reflective area of the electro-optic mirror reflective element.

21. The vehicular vision system of claim 20 , wherein, responsive to processing by the processor of frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera, the processor generates an output for displaying video images derived from the captured frames of image data.

22. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly.

23. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprises a driver-side exterior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly.

24. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprises a passenger-side exterior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly.

25. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein, responsive to processing by the processor of frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera, the processor generates respective outputs for mirror dimming control for electro-optic reflective elements of a driver-side exterior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly and a passenger-side exterior electro-optic rearview mirror assembly.

26. The vehicular vision system of claim 1 , wherein, responsive to processing by the processor of frames of image data captured by the rear-viewing camera, the processor generates respective outputs for mirror dimming control for electro-optic re

Assignees

• Magna Mirrors Of America Inc

Inventors

• Lynam Niall R
• Habibi Hamid
• Blank Rodney K
• Koetje Christopher R
• Larson Mark L
• Foley Iv Patrick M
• Gallas Michael L

Classifications

• G02F1/153

  Constructional details · CPC title

• G02F1/161

  Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells · CPC title

• G02F1/155

  Electrodes · CPC title

• B60R1/088 Primary

  using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors · CPC title

• B60R1/04

  mounted inside vehicle {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)} · CPC title