An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a field of view exteriorly and forward of the vehicle in its direction of travel, and an image processor operable to process the captured images in accordance with an algorithm. The algorithm comprises a sign recognition routine and a character recognition routine. The image processor processes the image data captured by the imaging device to detect signs in the field of view of the imaging device and applies the sign recognition routine to determine a sign type of the detected sign. The image processor is operable to apply the character recognition routine to the image data to determine information on the detected sign. The image processor applies the character recognition routine to the captured images in response to an output of the sign recognition routine being indicative of the detected sign being a sign type of interest.

Imaging system for vehicle

An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.

Interferometric modulation of radiation

An interference modulator (Imod) incorporates anti-reflection coatings and/or micro-fabricated supplemental lighting sources. An efficient drive scheme is provided for matrix addressed arrays of IMods or other micromechanical devices. An improved color scheme provides greater flexibility. Electronic hardware can be field reconfigured to accommodate different display formats and/or application functions. An IMod's electromechanical behavior can be decoupled from its optical behavior. An improved actuation means is provided, some one of which may be hidden from view. An IMod or IMod array is fabricated and used in conjunction with a MEMS switch or switch array. An IMod can be used for optical switching and modulation. Some IMods incorporate 2-D and 3-D photonic structures. A variety of applications for the modulation of light are discussed. A MEMS manufacturing and packaging approach is provided based on a continuous web fed process. IMods can be used as test structures for the evaluation of residual stress in deposited materials.

Photonic mems and structures

A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced-apart elements, each of which includes a light-reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light-reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the elements in relation to one another and means for moving particular ones of the elements relative to others so that the moved elements transit between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the light reflected therefrom. In operation the light-reflective surfaces of the elements remain parallel to each other in both the first and second configurations. The perpendicular spacing between the reflective surfaces of the respective elements is equal to m/4 × the wavelength of the incident beam of light, wherein m equals an even whole number or zero when the elements are in the first configuration and m equals an odd whole number when the elements are in the second configuration.

Method and apparatus for modulating a light beam

A forward-facing vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-facing camera disposed in a windshield electronics module attached at a windshield of the vehicle and viewing through the windshield. A control includes a processor that, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects taillights of leading vehicles during nighttime conditions and, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects lane markers on a road being traveled by the vehicle. The control, responsive to lane marker detection and a determination that the vehicle is drifting out of a traffic lane, may control a steering system of the vehicle to mitigate such drifting, with the steering system manually controllable by a driver of the vehicle irrespective of control by the control. The processor, based at least in part on detection of lane markers via processing of captured image data, determines curvature of the road being traveled by the vehicle.

Vision system for vehicle

An image simulation system 20 for testing sensor systems 26 and for training image sensor personnel wherein synthetic image data is generated by a scene generator 21 and projected by an image projector 23. The image projector 23 uses a digital micromirror device array 27 to modulate the incident energy and create an image. Four modulation schemes are discussed including digital pulse-width modulation, phase contrast modulation, full complex modulation, and analog modulation. The digital pulse width modulation technique will typically require synchronizing the image sensor and the image projector. Phase contrast modulation, full complex modulation, and analog modulation do not require synchronizing the image projector 23 and the sensor system 26. Phase contrast modulation and full complex modulation have the capability to produce phase information within the image. The image simulation system 20 can produce high contrast images and is more flexible than prior art system.

Digital micro-mirror based image simulation system

A method for multiple phase light modulation, said method comprising providing a pixel (20) having at least two modulating elements (22),(24). The method further comprising addressing said at least two modulating elements (22), (24) whereby light incident on said addressed element undergoes discrete phase changes between addressable states. The method further comprises resolving light from said at least two modulating elements (22), (24), into a response having at least three unique phases. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Methods of forming multiple phase light modulators

A method and system for calibration of optical systems is disclosed. The system consists of a reference source (12), a spatial light modulator (26) for transmitting the reference source signal through non-imaging optics (30) and into the input of an optical system (36). The output of the optical system is then compared to the input signal and a correction is derived. The correction is stored and used real-time to adjust the output of the system to more accurately reflect the actual input signal.

Spatial light modulator based optical calibration system

A spatial light modulator (70) comprised of an array of micromirrors (72) each having support post (74) The support post (74) defines support post edges (76) in the upper surface of the mirrors (72) These support post edges (76) are all oriented at 45 degree angles with respect to an incident beam of light from a light source (80) to minimize diffraction of light from the edges (76) into the darkfield optics when the mirrors are oriented in the off-state The present invention achieves an increased contrast ratio of about 20% over conventional designs

Spatial light modulator having improved contrast ratio

A projection display system for reflective light valves includes a light source for generating a light beam having RGB light components, wherein the red light component is p-polarized and the green and blue light components are s-polarized; a reflector structure having plural polarizing beam splitter and dichroic filters therein, wherein each PBS and DF reflects a preselected light component and transmits a different preselected light component, and a LCD panel for generating a light-component-specific image associated with each light component; and a projection lens for projecting an image combined from the light-component-specific images from the LCDs; wherein a light-component-specific image passes through one and only one PBS and through one and only one DF between the LCD and the projection lens.

James M. Florence

Papers

Digital micro-mirror based image simulation system

Methods of forming multiple phase light modulators

Spatial light modulator based optical calibration system

Spatial light modulator having improved contrast ratio

Projection display system for reflective light valves