# US 10,771,708 B2 · Exterior viewing camera module for vehicle vision system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,771,708 B2 - Document ID: US10771708B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/665,062 - Filed: 2019-10-28 - Published: 2020-02-20 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-02 - Assignees: Magna Electronics Inc. - Applicants: Magna Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Jianguo Wang; Garret Achenbach; Ove Salomonsson; Tom H. Toma; Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr.; Brian J. Winden; Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771708B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/70: Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - H04N 7/18: Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast - H04N 7/183: {for receiving images from a single remote source} - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - B60R 2011/0026: {Windows, e.g. windscreen} - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses a lens barrel, a lens holder, a main circuit board, and an imager disposed on an imager circuit board that is electrically connected with the main circuit board. The main circuit board includes a main PCB and the imager circuit board includes an imager PCB. Circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the imager. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening. The lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A camera module for a vehicle, said camera module comprising: a housing that houses (i) a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable, (ii) an imager disposed on said imager circuit board, (iii) a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens and (iv) a lens holder; wherein the imager disposed on said imager circuit board comprises a CMOS photosensor array having at least one million photosensor elements arranged in rows and columns; wherein said housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, and wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are joined together; wherein said main circuit board comprises a printed circuit board (main PCB) having a first planar side and an opposing second planar side separated from the first planar side by a thickness dimension of the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein said imager circuit board comprises a printed circuit board (imager PCB) having a first planar side and an opposing second planar side separated from the first planar side by a thickness dimension of the imager PCB of said imager circuit board; wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises (i) first circuitry disposed at the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board and (ii) second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises an image processor; wherein said image processor is operable for processing image data captured by the imager; wherein, with the imager operated to capture image data, image data captured by the imager is provided via said flexible ribbon cable to circuitry disposed at the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein said housing, with said upper cover and said lower cover joined together, comprises a front portion and a rear portion; wherein said front portion is in front of said rear portion; wherein said main circuit board is accommodated within said front and rear portions; wherein the imager is accommodated within said rear portion and is not accommodated within said front portion of said housing; wherein said housing of said camera module has breadth and length, and wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board extends across the breadth of said housing and along the length of said housing; wherein said rear portion of said housing has height; wherein said front portion of said housing has height; wherein the maximum height dimension of said rear portion of said housing is greater than the maximum height dimension of said front portion of said housing; wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises an opening, and wherein the imager views to exterior of said housing via said opening; wherein the lens barrel extends through said opening to protrude outside said housing; wherein the lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board; and wherein the first circuitry disposed at the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises an electrical socket connector configured for electrical connection to a plug connector of a vehicular wire harness. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens holder is attached at an inner surface of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera module of claim 2, wherein said flexible ribbon cable provides LVDS signals to the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The camera module of claim 3, wherein said image processor comprises an image processor chip, and wherein a heat sink is in contact with said image processor chip to dissipate heat generated by said image processor chip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein said housing is configured for detachable mounting at a mounting bracket disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said camera module. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein the imager, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield as installed in the equipped vehicle, has the principal axis of its forward view directed within 2 degrees of horizontal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein the windshield as installed in the equipped vehicle is sloped relative to horizontal at an acute angle in a range of 24 degrees to 28 degrees, and wherein the imager, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield, has the principal axis of its forward view directed at an angle within 2 degrees of horizontal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, the imager is within 4 mm distance to a portion of the windshield that the imager views through. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, image data captured by the imager provided via said flexible ribbon cable to circuitry of the main PCB of said main circuit board is processed by said image processor for at least three driving assist systems of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the at least three driving assist systems of the equipped vehicle comprise (i) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, a stray light shield is present that reduces incidence of stray light at the imager. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The camera module of claim 10, wherein said stray light shield is formed of a polymeric material in an injection molding operation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The camera module of claim 11, wherein said stray light shield is separate from said housing of said camera module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The camera module of claim 12, wherein said stray light shield is configured to attach at said housing of said camera module. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The camera module of claim 10, wherein said stray light shield comprises a base portion and side walls that extend upward from said base portion so as to establish a pocket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The camera module of claim 14, wherein at least said base portion of said stray light shield comprises light traps configured to at least partially trap extraneous light emanating from exterior the equipped vehicle and passing through the windshield of the equipped vehicle so as to be incident at said base portion, said light traps reducing incidence of extraneous light at the imager. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The camera module of claim 15, wherein said light traps comprise a plurality of shaped light absorbing elements that are spaced apart and shaped to trap light, and wherein said shaped light absorbing elements comprise a plurality of generally vertical ribs each having a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface, and wherein said first surface of a given rib is closer to the windshield than said second surface of the given rib, and wherein said first surface is configured to be at an angle of less than or equal to five degrees relative to vertical and said second surface is configured to be at an angle of less than or equal to ten degrees relative to vertical when said camera module is mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said first and second surfaces are different so that each of said ribs narrows towards its upper end, and wherein a ratio of a distance between adjacent ribs to the height dimension of the adjacent ribs is greater than one, and wherein, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle of the equipped vehicle, (i) said first surface is at an angle of zero degrees relative to vertical and (ii) said second surface is at an angle of five degrees relative to vertical. ### Claim 17 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein structure of said housing is configured to cooperate with corresponding structure of the mounting bracket so that, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, said camera module is mounted at the windshield with the imager viewing through the windshield in a forward direction of travel of the equipped vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The camera module of claim 17, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the windshield of the equipped vehicle, the mounting bracket at least partially establishes angle of view of the imager relative to the windshield. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The camera module of claim 17, wherein one side of the mounting bracket comprises structure configured to cooperate with corresponding other structure of said housing of said camera module, and wherein the structure of the mounting bracket and the other structure of said housing of said camera module cooperate to detachably mount said camera module at the in-cabin side of the windshield. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The camera module of claim 19, wherein an opposing other side of the mounting bracket is configured for adhesive attachment at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The camera module of claim 17, wherein the windshield as installed in the equipped vehicle is sloped relative to horizontal at an acute windshield angle, and wherein the mounting bracket is configured and constructed so that, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield that is sloped relative to horizontal at the acute windshield angle, the imager has the principal axis of its forward view directed at an angle closer to horizontal than the acute windshield angle of the windshield to horizontal. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The camera module of claim 17, wherein said housing attaches at the mounting bracket via a mechanical clip-and-notch structure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, a stray light shield is present that reduces incidence of stray light at the imager, and wherein said stray light shield is separate from the mounting bracket. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The camera module of claim 23, wherein said stray light shield is configured to attach at the mounting bracket. ### Claim 25 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, a stray light shield is present that reduces incidence of stray light at the imager, and wherein the mounting bracket is formed of a polymeric material in an injection molding operation, and wherein said stray light shield is integrally formed with the mounting bracket by injection molding of polymeric material in the injection molding operation and constitutes an integral part of the mounting bracket. ### Claim 26 (depends on 5) The camera module of claim 5, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, a stray light shield is present that reduces incidence of stray light at the imager, and wherein said stray light shield is formed of a polymeric material in an injection molding operation, and wherein said stray light shield comprises a base portion and tapering side walls that extend upward from said base portion so as to establish a tapered pocket. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens holder is mechanically attached at an inner surface of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing, and wherein said imager circuit board is disposed at said rear portion of said housing and is tilted at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is tilted upward at an acute angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees relative to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens holder comprises a first opening therethrough, and wherein the lens holder comprises a second opening therethrough, and wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises a first threaded hole that corresponds with the first opening of the lens holder, and wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises a second threaded hole that corresponds with the second opening of the lens holder, and wherein the lens holder is mechanically attached at an inner surface of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing by (i) a first screw fastener that passes through the first opening of the lens holder and that screws into the first threaded hole of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing and (ii) a second screw fastener that passes through the second opening of the lens holder and that screws into the second threaded hole of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises a hole surrounded by material of the main PCB that extends from the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board to the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises a cut-out that extends from the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board to the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are joined together by a plurality of screw fasteners. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens holder is mechanically attached by a plurality of screw fasteners at an inner surface of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the breadth of said housing has a maximum dimension of 100 mm or less, and wherein the length of said housing has a maximum dimension of 100 mm or less, and wherein the height of said rear portion of said housing has a maximum dimension of 35 mm or less. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens holder is fixed to said imager circuit board. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens holder is fixed to said imager circuit board by at least one screw fastener that extends through a hole in said imager circuit board and mates with a threaded hole in the lens holder. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is adhesively bonded to the lens holder. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is screwed into the lens holder. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB comprises at least one memory component. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The camera module of claim 39, wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB comprises at least one power supply component. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The camera module of claim 40, wherein said image processor comprises an image processor chip disposed at the main PCB, and wherein (i) the at least one memory component disposed at the main PCB, (ii) the at least one power supply component disposed at the main PCB, (iii) said image processor chip disposed at the main PCB and (iv) the electrical socket connector configured for electrical connection to the plug connector of the vehicular wire harness are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB. ### Claim 42 A camera module for a vehicle, said camera module comprising: a housing that houses (i) a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable, (ii) an imager disposed on said imager circuit board, (iii) a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens and (iv) a lens holder; wherein the imager disposed on said imager circuit board comprises a photosensor array having at least one million photosensor elements arranged in rows and columns; wherein said housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, and wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are joined together; wherein said main circuit board comprises a multilayered printed circuit board (main PCB) having a first planar side and an opposing second planar side separated from the first planar side by a thickness dimension of the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein said imager circuit board comprises a printed circuit board (imager PCB) having a first planar side and an opposing second planar side separated from the first planar side by a thickness dimension of the imager PCB of said imager circuit board; wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises (i) first circuitry disposed at the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board and (ii) second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises an image processor chip; wherein said image processor chip is operable for processing image data captured by the imager; wherein, with the imager operated to capture image data, image data captured by the imager is provided via said flexible ribbon cable to circuitry disposed at the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein said housing, with said upper cover and said lower cover joined together, comprises a front portion and a rear portion; wherein said front portion is in front of said rear portion; wherein said main circuit board is accommodated within said front and rear portions; wherein the imager is accommodated within said rear portion and is not accommodated within said front portion of said housing; wherein said housing of said camera module has breadth and length, and wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board extends across the breadth of said housing and along the length of said housing; wherein said rear portion of said housing has height; wherein said front portion of said housing has height; wherein the maximum height dimension of said rear portion of said housing is greater than the maximum height dimension of said front portion of said housing; wherein the lens holder comprises a first opening therethrough; wherein the lens holder comprises a second opening therethrough; wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises a first threaded hole that corresponds with the first opening of the lens holder, and wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises a second threaded hole that corresponds with the second opening of the lens holder; wherein the lens holder is mechanically attached at an inner surface of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing by (i) a first screw fastener that passes through the first opening of the lens holder and that screws into the first threaded hole of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing and (ii) a second screw fastener that passes through the second opening of the lens holder and that screws into the second threaded hole of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing; wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises an opening, and wherein the imager views to exterior of said housing via said opening; wherein the lens barrel extends through said opening to protrude outside said housing; wherein the lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board; and wherein the first circuitry disposed at the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises an electrical socket connector configured for electrical connection to a plug connector of a vehicular wire harness. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein said imager circuit board is disposed at said rear portion of said housing and is tilted at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The camera module of claim 43, wherein the lens barrel is tilted upward at an acute angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees relative to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 45 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein a first electrical connector is disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board, and wherein a second electrical connector of said flexible ribbon cable electrically connects with said first electrical disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 46 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein said flexible ribbon cable provides LVDS signals to the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The camera module of claim 46, wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises a hole surrounded by material of the main PCB that extends from the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board to the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board, and wherein said flexible ribbon cable extending from said imager circuit board passes through the hole of the main PCB. ### Claim 48 (depends on 46) The camera module of claim 46, wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises a cut-out that extends from the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board to the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board, and wherein said flexible ribbon cable extending from said imager circuit board traverses the cut-out of the main PCB for connecting said flexible ribbon cable with an electrical connector disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB. ### Claim 49 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein a heat sink is in contact with said image processor chip to dissipate heat generated by said image processor chip. ### Claim 50 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein the lens holder is fixed to said imager circuit board. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The camera module of claim 50, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are joined together by a plurality of screw fasteners. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The camera module of claim 51, wherein with said camera module mounted in a vehicle equipped with said camera module, image data captured by the imager provided via said flexible ribbon cable to circuitry of the main PCB of said main circuit board is processed by said image processor chip for at least three driving assist systems of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the at least three driving assist systems of the equipped vehicle comprise (i) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle. ### Claim 53 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein the lens holder is fixed to said imager circuit board by at least one screw fastener that extends through a hole in said imager circuit board and mates with a threaded hole in the lens holder. ### Claim 54 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein said housing is configured for detachable mounting at a mounting bracket disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said camera module. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The camera module of claim 54, wherein structure of said housing is configured to cooperate with corresponding structure of the mounting bracket so that, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, said camera module is mounted at the windshield with the imager viewing through the windshield in a forward direction of travel of the equipped vehicle. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The camera module of claim 55, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the windshield of the equipped vehicle, the mounting bracket at least partially establishes angle of view of the imager relative to the windshield. ### Claim 57 (depends on 55) The camera module of claim 55, wherein the windshield as installed in the equipped vehicle is sloped relative to horizontal at an acute windshield angle, and wherein the mounting bracket is configured and constructed so that, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield that is sloped relative to horizontal at the acute windshield angle, the imager has the principal axis of its forward view directed at an angle closer to horizontal than the acute windshield angle of the windshield to horizontal. ### Claim 58 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein, with said camera module mounted at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said camera module, a stray light shield is present that reduces incidence of stray light at the imager. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The camera module of claim 58, wherein said stray light shield comprises a base portion and side walls that extend upward from said base portion so as to establish a pocket. ### Claim 60 (depends on 58) The camera module of claim 58, wherein said stray light shield is formed of a polymeric material in an injection molding operation. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The camera module of claim 60, wherein said stray light shield is separate from said housing of said camera module. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) The camera module of claim 61, wherein said stray light shield is configured to attach at said housing of said camera module. ### Claim 63 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein the breadth of said housing has a maximum dimension of 100 mm or less, and wherein the length of said housing has a maximum dimension of 100 mm or less, and wherein the height of said rear portion of said housing has a maximum dimension of 35 mm or less. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The camera module of claim 63, wherein said imager circuit board is disposed at said rear portion of said housing and is tilted at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 65 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein, with said camera module mounted at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said camera module, the imager is within 4 mm distance to a portion of the windshield that the imager views through. ### Claim 66 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein the lens barrel is adhesively bonded to the lens holder. ### Claim 67 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein the lens barrel is screwed into the lens holder. ### Claim 68 (depends on 42) The camera module of claim 42, wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB comprises at least one memory component. ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) The camera module of claim 68, wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB comprises at least one power supply component. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) The camera module of claim 69, wherein (i) the at least one memory component disposed at the main PCB, (ii) the at least one power supply component disposed at the main PCB, (iii) said image processor chip disposed at the main PCB and (iv) the electrical socket connector configured for electrical connection to the plug connector of the vehicular wire harness are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB. ### Claim 71 A camera module for a vehicle, said camera module comprising: a housing that houses (i) a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable, (ii) an imager disposed on said imager circuit board, (iii) a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens and (iv) a lens holder; wherein the imager disposed on said imager circuit board comprises a photosensor array having at least one million photosensor elements arranged in rows and columns; wherein said housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, and wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are joined together; wherein said main circuit board comprises a multilayered printed circuit board (main PCB) having a first planar side and an opposing second planar side separated from the first planar side by a thickness dimension of the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein said imager circuit board comprises a printed circuit board (imager PCB) having a first planar side and an opposing second planar side separated from the first planar side by a thickness dimension of the imager PCB of said imager circuit board; wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises an image processor; wherein said image processor is operable for processing image data captured by the imager; wherein, with the imager operated to capture image data, image data captured by the imager is provided via said flexible ribbon cable to circuitry disposed at the main PCB of said main circuit board; wherein said housing, with said upper cover and said lower cover joined together, comprises a front portion and a rear portion; wherein said front portion is in front of said rear portion; wherein said main circuit board is accommodated within said front and rear portions; wherein the imager is accommodated within said rear portion and is not accommodated within said front portion of said housing; wherein the lens holder is attached at an inner surface of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing; wherein said housing of said camera module has breadth and length, and wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board extends across the breadth of said housing and along the length of said housing; wherein said rear portion of said housing has height; wherein said front portion of said housing has height; wherein the maximum height dimension of said rear portion of said housing is greater than the maximum height dimension of said front portion of said housing; wherein the breadth of said housing has a maximum dimension of 100 mm or less; wherein the length of said housing has a maximum dimension of 100 mm or less; wherein the height of said rear portion of said housing has a maximum dimension of 35 mm or less; wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises an opening, and wherein the imager views to exterior of said housing via said opening; wherein the lens barrel extends through said opening to protrude outside said housing; and wherein circuitry of the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises an electrical socket connector configured for electrical connection to a plug connector of a vehicular wire harness. ### Claim 72 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein said image processor comprises an image processor chip, and wherein a heat sink is in contact with said image processor chip to dissipate heat generated by said image processor chip. ### Claim 73 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are joined together by a plurality of screw fasteners. ### Claim 74 (depends on 73) The camera module of claim 73, wherein the lens barrel is tilted upward at an acute angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees relative to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 75 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein said image processor comprises an image processor chip. ### Claim 76 (depends on 75) The camera module of claim 75, wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises a hole surrounded by material of the main PCB that extends from the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board to the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 77 (depends on 75) The camera module of claim 75, wherein the main PCB of said main circuit board comprises a cut-out that extends from the first planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board to the second planar side of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 78 (depends on 75) The camera module of claim 75, wherein said flexible ribbon cable provides LVDS signals to circuitry of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 79 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein the lens holder is fixed to said imager circuit board. ### Claim 80 (depends on 79) The camera module of claim 79, wherein the lens holder is fixed to said imager circuit board by at least one screw fastener that extends through a hole in said imager circuit board and mates with a threaded hole in the lens holder. ### Claim 81 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein with said camera module mounted in a vehicle equipped with said camera module, image data captured by the imager provided via said flexible ribbon cable to circuitry of the main PCB of said main circuit board is processed by said image processor for at least three driving assist systems of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the at least three driving assist systems of the equipped vehicle comprise (i) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle. ### Claim 82 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein said housing is configured for detachable mounting at a mounting bracket disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said camera module. ### Claim 83 (depends on 82) The camera module of claim 82, wherein structure of said housing is configured to cooperate with corresponding structure of the mounting bracket so that, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, said camera module is mounted at the windshield with the imager viewing through the windshield in a forward direction of travel of the equipped vehicle. ### Claim 84 (depends on 83) The camera module of claim 83, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the windshield of the equipped vehicle, the mounting bracket at least partially establishes angle of view of the imager relative to the windshield. ### Claim 85 (depends on 83) The camera module of claim 83, wherein the windshield as installed in the equipped vehicle is sloped relative to horizontal at an acute windshield angle, and wherein the mounting bracket is configured and constructed so that, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield that is sloped relative to horizontal at the acute windshield angle, the imager has the principal axis of its forward view directed at an angle closer to horizontal than the acute windshield angle of the windshield to horizontal. ### Claim 86 (depends on 82) The camera module of claim 82, wherein the imager, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield as installed in the equipped vehicle, has the principal axis of its forward view directed within 2 degrees of horizontal. ### Claim 87 (depends on 82) The camera module of claim 82, wherein the windshield as installed in the equipped vehicle is sloped relative to horizontal at an acute angle in a range of 24 degrees to 28 degrees, and wherein the imager, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield, has the principal axis of its forward view directed at an angle within 2 degrees of horizontal. ### Claim 88 (depends on 82) The camera module of claim 82, wherein, with said camera module mounted at the in-cabin side of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, a stray light shield is present that reduces incidence of stray light at the imager, and wherein said stray light shield is formed of a polymeric material in an injection molding operation, and wherein said stray light shield comprises a base portion and tapering side walls that extend upward from said base portion so as to establish a tapered pocket. ### Claim 89 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein, with said camera module mounted at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said camera module, a stray light shield is present that reduces incidence of stray light at the imager. ### Claim 90 (depends on 89) The camera module of claim 89, wherein said stray light shield comprises a base portion and side walls that extend upward from said base portion so as to establish a pocket. ### Claim 91 (depends on 89) The camera module of claim 89, wherein said stray light shield is formed of a polymeric material in an injection molding operation. ### Claim 92 (depends on 91) The camera module of claim 91, wherein said stray light shield is separate from said housing of said camera module. ### Claim 93 (depends on 92) The camera module of claim 92, wherein said stray light shield is configured to attach at said housing of said camera module. ### Claim 94 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein said imager circuit board is disposed at said rear portion of said housing and is tilted at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 95 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein, with said camera module mounted at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said camera module, the imager is within 4 mm distance to a portion of the windshield that the imager views through. ### Claim 96 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein the lens holder comprises a first opening therethrough, and wherein the lens holder comprises a second opening therethrough, and wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises a first threaded hole that corresponds with the first opening of the lens holder, and wherein the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing comprises a second threaded hole that corresponds with the second opening of the lens holder, and wherein the lens holder is mechanically attached at the inner surface of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing by (i) a first screw fastener that passes through the first opening of the lens holder and that screws into the first threaded hole of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing and (ii) a second screw fastener that passes through the second opening of the lens holder and that screws into the second threaded hole of the upper cover at said rear portion of said housing. ### Claim 97 (depends on 96) The camera module of claim 96, wherein the lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB of said main circuit board. ### Claim 98 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein the lens barrel is adhesively bonded to the lens holder. ### Claim 99 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein the lens barrel is screwed into the lens holder. ### Claim 100 (depends on 71) The camera module of claim 71, wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB comprises at least one memory component. ### Claim 101 (depends on 100) The camera module of claim 100, wherein circuitry disposed at the main PCB comprises at least one power supply component. ### Claim 102 (depends on 101) The camera module of claim 101, wherein said image processor comprises an image processor chip disposed at the main PCB, and wherein (i) the at least one memory component disposed at the main PCB, (ii) the at least one power supply component disposed at the main PCB, (iii) said image processor chip disposed at the main PCB and (iv) the electrical socket connector configured for electrical connection to the plug connector of the vehicular wire harness are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB.