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

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 accessory system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly (10) and a display screen (20) that is extendable and retractable relative to a casing The display screen is slidably mounted at the casing and slidable in a direction generally parallel to a length axis of the reflective element between a non-use position, where the video display screen is positioned substantially within the casing, and a use position, where the video display screen is substantially extended from a side of the casing for viewing The display screen may be automatically extended in response to an activating event The accessory system may include an accessory module (50), which may comprise multiple sub-modules that may be selected to provide the desired accessory content to the accessory module

Accessory system for vehicle

A multiple layer reflective polarizer (12) is described. This element is placed between an optical cavity (24) and an LCD module (16) to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity (24) where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.

Reflective polarizer display

An interior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing and a transflective reflective element. The transflective reflective element has an electrochromic active region, and a plurality of user input elements is disposed outside of the electrochromic active region and below the electrochromic active region. Each of the individual user input elements is a touch or proximity sensor. A plurality of display elements is disposed behind the transflective reflective element at the electrochromic active region, and each display element is selectively activated by activation of a respective user input element. Each of the individual display elements and its associated respective one of the individual user input elements are located local to one another such that a cognitive relationship between actuation by a user of a respective user input element and activation of its associated display element is established.

Interior rearview mirror system

An integrated retroreflective data communication display (2) for visual and electromagnetic communication is described. The display (2) may be configured as an integrated retroreflective electronic license plate, with printed visual information (4), similar to the information printed on traditional license plates, on retroreflective sheeting (6). An antenna network (8) is integrated within the license plate for electromagnetic communication and may be connected to external electronic modules. The display may also be configured as an integrated retroreflective electronic road sign (140), also providing visual and electromagnetic information in a unitary structure.

Integrated retroreflective electronic display

An internally illuminated sign employs retroreflective sheeting with optically transmissive bonds between cover layer and base layer, thereby making the sign suitable for applications where visibility of the sign is required if the internal illumination source fails. A light conduit may be employed to allow the source of internal illumination to be remote from the interior of the sign enclosure. Total internal reflection type sheeting also may be employed to diffuse the internal illumination.

Internally illuminated retroreflective sign

Sheeting (10) which carries images (I) that are viewable within limited angles of viewing from the front of the sheeting. The sheeting is prepared from retroreflective sheeting or from sheeting patterned after retroreflective sheeting, i.e., having a monolayer of microlenses like the monolayer of transparent microspheres 12 in retroreflective sheeting. A layer (18) of transparent material covers the back surface of the microlenses, and axial markings (20) are disposed at the back of the layer of transparent material. The markings are viewable from the front of the sheeting as an image.

Directionally imaged sheeting

A sheet containing an integrated-directional, half-tone image. Each sheet may contain one or more such images. Also a method for forming such images in microlens sheetings comprising directly a highly collimated light through an interposed half-tone mask.

Microlens sheet containing directional half-tone images and method for making the same

Retroreflective assembly comprising: a) a transparent globule having a first, uncoated part-spherical surface portion for reception of incident light; a second, substantially flat surface portion opposite the first surface portion; and a third, toroidal surface portion intermediate the first and second surface portions, the toroidal surface having a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the first part-spherical surface portion; b) a monolayer of externally reflecting transparent microspheres for focusing and retroreflecting light beams incident upon the first surface portion and which have passed through the globule, the monolayer being applied to at least a part of the toroidal surface portion; and c) a layer of diffuse reflecting pigment disposed behind the monolayer of microspheres. Optionally, a space coat is interposed between the monolayer and the diffuse reflecting pigment. In some embodiments, fluorescent pigment isused.

Thomas I. Bradshaw

Papers

Integrated retroreflective electronic display

Internally illuminated retroreflective sign

Directionally imaged sheeting

Microlens sheet containing directional half-tone images and method for making the same

Retroreflective assembly and process for making same