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

A rearview vision system (12) for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device (16) directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system (20) displays an image synthesized from output of the image capture device. The display system is preferably contiguous with the forward field of view of the vehicle driver at a focal length that is forward of the vehicle passenger compartment. A plurality of image capture devices (14, 16) may be provided and the display system displays a unitary image synthesized from outputs of the image capture devices which approximates a rearward-facing view from a single location, such as forward of the vehicle.

Rearview vision system for vehicle including panoramic view

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 eyeglass interface system is provided which integrates interface systems within eyewear. The system includes a display assembly and one or more audio and/or video assemblies mounted to an eyeglass frame. The display assembly is mounted to one temple and provides an image which can be viewed by the user. The audio or video assembly is mounted to the other temple and is in communication with the display assembly. The audio or video assembly may comprise a camera assembly and/or an audio input or output assembly, such as a microphone and/or speakers. The camera assembly is placed on the temple to record the visual field observed by the user. A head-tracking assembly may be provided to track the position of the user's head. A number of applications can be provided with the present system, such as a telephone system, pager system, or surveillance system. The present eyeglass interface system is compact, offers the user hands-free operation, and provides an attractive appearance due to concealment of the assemblies within the eyeglass frame and lenses.

Eyeglass interface system

A vehicular vision system includes a camera having a lens and a CMOS photosensor array having a plurality of photosensor elements. The camera is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular vision system. The camera one of (i) views exterior of the equipped vehicle through the windshield of the equipped vehicle and forward of the equipped vehicle and (ii) views from the windshield of the equipped vehicle into the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the photosensor array. The image processor processes captured image data to detect an object viewed by the camera. The photosensor array is operable at a plurality of exposure periods and at least one exposure period of the plurality of exposure periods is dynamically variable.

Vehicular vision system

An optical display system (10) presents visual source information to an observer (18). The display system includes a vision unit (14) that has reflective surfaces (16) through which the observer can view an outside world scene and which reflect source information emanating from an information source (22) for display to the observer. In a preferred embodiment, the optical display system constitutes a head-up display system for an automobile and the observer is the driver of the automobile. The vision unit constitutes an automobile windshield with or without a reflection enhancement material and whose inner and outer surfaces reflect source information carried by light propagating from the information source, such as a liquid crystal display (32). A projection lens system (24) positioned between the inner surface of the windshield and the information source has optical light-directing properties for compensating for optical aberrations introduced by the nonplanar windshield surface. The projection lens system includes an aspheric element (262) that is unique to a specific aspheric windshield shape and remaining elements that are common to a great number of different windshield shapes. A positioning mechanism ( 130) allows the driver to adjust the vertical position of the source information (60) reflected by the windshield within a total display field of view for optimal viewing by a seated driver. The positioning mechanism also automatically changes the distance between the display image and the driver as a function of vehicle speed to promote safe vehicle operation.

Automobile head-up display system with reflective aspheric surface

A windshield display system for automobile includes a wavelength selective holographic combiner (12) laminated within the plies (36, 50) of an automobile windshield (10). A lamination process is provided to prevent degradation of the holographic combiner (12), which might otherwise occur with conventional windshield lamination processes. The holographic combiner (12) is processed in a manner that permits it to withstand the temperature and pressure extremes of the windshield lamination processes. Also provided is a display system (60) for producing an image of vehicle information in the motorist's field of view as the motorist observes the real world scene.

Windshield display system for an automobile

An optical display system (10) presents visual source information to an observer (18) The display system includes a vision unit (14) that has reflective surfaces (16) through which the observer can view an outside world scene and which reflect source information emanating from an information source (22) for display to the observer In a preferred embodiment, the optical display system constitutes a head-up display system for an automobile and the observer is the driver of the automobile. The vision unit constitutes an automobile windshield with or without a reflection enhancement material and whose inner and outer surfaces reflect source information carried by light propagating form the information source, such as a liquid crystal display (32). A projection lens system (24) positioned between the inner surface of the windshield and the information source has optical light-directing properties for compensating for optical aberrations introduced by the nonplanar windshield surface. The projection lens system includes an aspheric element (262) that is unique to a specific aspheric windshield shape and remaining elements that are common to a great number of different windshield shapes. A positioning mechanism ( 130) allows the driver to adjust the vertical position of the source information (60) reflected by the windshield within a total display field of view for optimal viewing by a seated driver. The positioning mechanism also automatically changes the distance between the display image and the driver as a function of vehicle speed to promote safe vehicle operation.

Automobile head-up display system with apparatus for positioning source information

A head up display (HUD) includes an image source, a first lens, a second lens, a focusing mirror, a polarizing beam splitter, a second beam splitter and a combiner. The first lens is disposed between the image source and polarizing beam splitter. The second lens is disposed between the polarizing beam splitter and the second beam splitter. The polarizing beam splitter is disposed between the first lens, the mirror, and the second lens. The optical system for the HUD forms an intermediate image between the second lens and the second beam splitter. The intermediate image is located at the focal point of the curved combiner, and therefore the curved combiner collimates the display light upon reflection. The HUD can be compact and have a wide field of view.

Method of and system for providing a head up display (HUD)

A Head Up Display can be utilized to find light from an energy source The Head Up Display includes a first waveguide having a first input coupler and a first output coupler The Head Up Display can also include a second waveguide having a second input coupler and a second output coupler The first waveguide has a first major surface and the second waveguide has a second major surface, which are disposed approximately parallel to each other The first waveguide and the second waveguide are positioned as a combiner and allowing viewing an outside feed and information from an image source The first input coupler diffracts light in the first field of view into the first waveguide and light in a second field of view reaches the second input coupler and is diffracted into the second waveguide

Robert B. Wood

Papers

Automobile head-up display system with reflective aspheric surface

Windshield display system for an automobile

Automobile head-up display system with apparatus for positioning source information

Method of and system for providing a head up display (HUD)

System for and method of extending vertical field of view in head up display utilizing a waveguide combiner