Imaging system for vehicle

#The present invention relates generally to an imaging system for a vehicle and, more particularly, to an imaging system that may display information to a driver of the vehicle and/or control an accessory in response to images captured by a camera or image capture device.

#It is known to provide an image capture device at a vehicle for capturing images of the scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle, such as forwardly or rearwardly or sidewardly of the vehicle. The captured images may be processed by a processing system and the system may control the headlamps of the vehicle or may provide an image display to the driver of the vehicle or may provide other information or signals, depending on the particular application of the imaging system.

#The present invention provides an imaging system for a vehicle that is operable to identify and read traffic control signage as the vehicle travels along a road. The system may provide an information display and/or alert to a driver of the vehicle in response to the images captured by a camera or imaging device of the vehicle. The imaging system of the present invention may also process captured images and control one or more accessories in response to such processing. For example, the imaging system of the present invention may control the headlamps or may adjust or control the direction of the headlamps in response to such image processing.

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a vehicle embodying an imaging system in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an imaging system in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an interior rearview mirror assembly having a display device in accordance with the present invention;

#Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a vehicle 10 includes an imaging system 12, which includes an imaging sensor or image capture device or camera 14, which captures images of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Imaging system 12 includes a control including an image processor 16, which receives data from imaging device 14. The image processor 16 processes the captured images or captured image data and may identify traffic control signage (such as stop signs, speed limit signs, exit signs and the like) and may identify the characters, numbers and/or information that is printed or formed or established on the faces of the signs and may generate an output signal in response to the identified characters/numbers/information. The imaging system 12 includes a display or display device 18, which may be positioned within the vehicle (such as at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle or at an accessory module (such as located at an upper portion of the windshield) of the vehicle or at an instrument panel of the vehicle or at an overhead console of the vehicle or the like) and which displays information in response to image processor 16 processing the captured images, as discussed below.

#The imaging device 14 may comprise an imaging array sensor, such as a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor or the like, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,796,094; 6,498,620; 5,877,897; 6,396,397; and 6,313,454, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/421,281, filed Apr. 23, 2003 by Schofield for AUTOMATIC HEADLAMP CONTROL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,606, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment, the imaging system 12 may include a lens element or optic between the imaging device 14 and the exterior scene. The optic may comprise an asymmetric optic, which focuses a generally central portion of the scene onto the imaging device, while providing classical distortion on the periphery of the scene or field of view.

#In the illustrated embodiment, the imaging device 14 is mounted at or in an accessory module or pod 20 and is arranged to have a field of view forward of the vehicle. The imaging device 14 thus may capture images of a forward scene as the vehicle is traveling forwardly along a road or street or highway or the like. Optionally, the imaging device may be positioned elsewhere, such as at or in the interior rearview mirror assembly 22, or at or in an accessory module or windshield electronics module or the like (as discussed below), without affecting the scope of the present invention.