Method for enhancing vehicle camera image quality

A method of image enhancement for a vehicle vision system, said method comprising:

• (a) disposing a camera at a front portion of a vehicle with an exterior field of view at least forward of the vehicle;
• (b) providing a processor operable to process image data;
• (c) capturing multiple frames of image data with the camera;
• (d) executing a brightness transfer function on at least one frame of image data;
• (e) tracking, as the vehicle moves, image flow caused by the vehicle's movement;
• (f) detecting, at least via processing of image data by the processor, presence of an object in the field of view of the camera;
• (g) tracking the detected object over successive frames of image data to determine if the detected object is an object of interest in the field of view of the camera;
• (h) generating an output responsive to detection of the object present in the field of view of the camera;
• (i) providing the generated output to a driver assistance system of the vehicle, wherein the driver assistance system of the vehicle comprises a system selected from the group consisting of (i) a lane change assist system of the vehicle, (ii) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (iii) a blind spot detection system of the vehicle, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system of the vehicle, (v) a collision avoidance system of the vehicle, (vi) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle and (vii) a vehicle headlamp control system of the vehicle;
• (j) determining a low visibility driving condition via processing of image data by the processor;
• (k) responsive to determination of the low visibility driving condition, increasing contrast of features in captured image data by brightening brighter areas of image data and dampening darker areas of image data;
• and
• (l) distinguishing, at least via processing of image data by the processor, moving objects from non-moving objects, and wherein distinguishing moving objects comprises distinguishing moving objects responsive at least in part to at least one of (i) speed of the vehicle and (ii) steering of the vehicle.

A method of image enhancement for a vehicle vision system, said method comprising:

• (a) disposing a plurality of cameras at the vehicle so as to have respective exterior fields of view, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a rear camera at a rear portion of a vehicle with an exterior field of view at least rearward of the vehicle;
• (b) providing a processor operable to process image data;
• (c) capturing multiple frames of image data with the rear camera;
• (d) executing tone mapping of multiple frames of image data to enhance contrast;
• (e) detecting presence of an object in the field of view of the rear camera;
• (f) generating an output responsive to detection of the object present in the field of view of the rear camera;
• (g) providing a display for displaying images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear camera at the rear portion of the vehicle and derived, at least in part, from image data captured by other cameras of the plurality of cameras;
• (h) determining a low visibility driving condition via processing by the processor of image data captured by at least one of the plurality of cameras;
• (i) responsive to determination of the low visibility driving condition, increasing contrast of features in captured image data by brightening brighter areas of image data and dampening darker areas of image data;
• and
• (j) distinguishing, at least via processing of image data by the processor, moving objects from non-moving objects, and wherein distinguishing moving objects comprises distinguishing moving objects responsive at least in part to at least one of (i) speed of the vehicle and (ii) steering of the vehicle.