Image sensing system for controlling an accessory or headlight of a vehicle

An image sensing system for a vehicle, said image sensing system comprising:

• an imaging sensor;
• said imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photo sensor elements;
• a logic and control circuit;
• said logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from said imaging sensor;
• said logic and control circuit generating at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through an area of the windshield;
• wherein said at least one light of the vehicle comprises a headlight of the vehicle;
• wherein said at least one control output controls at least one of (i) a beam state of said headlight, (ii) a beam aim of said headlight, (iii) a beam pattern of said headlight, and (iv) a beam intensity of said headlight;
• wherein said image sensing system determines a lighting configuration for the vehicle appropriate to improve the forward field of view of a driver of the vehicle;
• and
• wherein said image sensing system controls a headlighting system of the vehicle in accordance with said determination of said lighting configuration for the vehicle.

An image sensing system for a vehicle, said image sensing system comprising:

• an imaging sensor;
• said imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements;
• a logic and control circuit;
• said logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from said imaging sensor;
• said logic and control circuit generating at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through an area of the windshield;
• wherein said at least one light of the vehicle comprises a headlight of the vehicle;
• wherein said at least one control output controls at least one of (i) a beam state of said headlight, (ii) a beam aim of said headlight, (iii) a beam pattern of said headlight, and (iv) a beam intensity of said headlight;
• wherein said image sensing system determines a lighting configuration for the vehicle appropriate to improve the forward field of view of a driver of the vehicle;
• and
• wherein said image sensing system controls a headlighting system of the vehicle in accordance with said determination of said lighting configuration for the vehicle;
• wherein said array of light sensing photo sensor elements comprises at least a first array portion and a second array portion;
• wherein a first spectral filter is provided for passing visible light that is within a first spectral region, and wherein light from external the vehicle that passes via said first spectral filter onto said first array portion of said array does not pass via said first filter onto said second array portion;
• and
• wherein said processing of image data by said image processor comprises comparing the output of at least one light sensing element of said first array portion sensing light passing via said first spectral filter to the output of at least one light sensing element of said second array portion sensing light not passing via said first spectral filter.

An image sensing system for a vehicle, said image sensing system comprising:

• an imaging sensor;
• said imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements;
• a logic and control circuit;
• said logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from said imaging sensor;
• said logic and control circuit generating at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through an area of the windshield;
• wherein said windshield area comprises a windshield area that is swept by the windshield wipers;
• wherein said at least one light of the vehicle comprises a headlight of the vehicle;
• wherein said image sensing system determines a lighting configuration for the vehicle appropriate to improve the forward field of view of a driver of the vehicle;
• and
• wherein said image sensing system controls a headlighting system of the vehicle in accordance with said determination of said lighting configuration for the vehicle.

An image sensing system for a vehicle, said image sensing system comprising:

• an imaging sensor;
• said imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements;
• a logic and control circuit;
• said logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from said imaging sensor;
• said logic and control circuit generating at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle;
• said imaging sensor having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through an area of the windshield;
• wherein said windshield area comprises a windshield area that is swept by the windshield wipers;
• and
• said processing of images by said image sensing system comprising comparing a frame to a successor frame to detect an object of interest, said image processing system providing a control signal for controlling the state of a accessory of the controlled vehicle.