Adaptive forward lighting system for vehicle

An adaptive forward lighting system for a vehicle, said adaptive forward lighting system comprising:

• an imaging sensor, said imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of photosensor elements, said imaging sensor having a field of view forward of the direction of travel of the controlled vehicle;
• wherein said imaging sensor views through a portion of the vehicle windshield that is swept by a windshield wiper of the controlled vehicle;
• a control, said control processing image data from said imaging sensor;
• wherein said control processes said image data to determine, at least in part, at least one of (i) the presence of an object of interest in the forward field of view of said imaging sensor, (ii) the location of an object of interest in the forward field of view of said imaging sensor, and (iii) a characteristic of an object of interest in the forward field of view of said imaging sensor;
• wherein a beam pattern of a vehicle headlamp of the controlled vehicle is adjusted responsive, at least in part, to said processing of said image data;
• wherein said control receives vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus;
• wherein vehicle data received via said vehicle communication bus comprises at least one (i) vehicle speed data, (ii) vehicle trajectory data, (iii) vehicle pitch data, (iv) vehicle tilt data, (v) vehicle yaw data and (vi) vehicle GPS data;
• and
• wherein said control, responsive to said processing of said image data, is operable to provide, at least in part, at least one of (a) traffic lane detection, (b) lane departure warning, (c) traffic sign recognition, (d) traffic light status detection, (e) fog detection, (f) rain sensing, (g) adaptive cruise control, (h) pre-crash sensing, (i) pedestrian detection and (j) a supplement to the use of other sensors of the controlled vehicle.

An adaptive forward lighting system for a vehicle, said adaptive forward lighting system comprising:

• an imaging sensor, said imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of photosensor elements, said imaging sensor having a field of view forward of the direction of travel of the controlled vehicle;
• wherein said imaging sensor views through a portion of the vehicle windshield that is swept by a windshield wiper of the controlled vehicle;
• a control, said control processing image data from said imaging sensor;
• wherein said control processes said image data to determine, at least in part, at least one of (i) the presence of an object of interest in the forward field of view of said imaging sensor, (ii) the location of an object of interest in the forward field of view of said imaging sensor, and (iii) a characteristic of an object of interest in the forward field of view of said imaging sensor;
• wherein a beam pattern of a vehicle headlamp of the controlled vehicle is adjusted responsive, at least in part, to said processing of said image data;
• wherein said control receives vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus;
• wherein said control, responsive to said processing of said image data, is operable to provide, at least in part, at least one of (a) traffic lane detection, (b) lane departure warning, (c) traffic sign recognition, (d) traffic light status detection, (e) fog detection, (f) rain sensing, (g) adaptive cruise control, (h) pre-crash sensing, (i) pedestrian detection and (j) a supplement to the use of other sensors of the controlled vehicle;
• and
• wherein at least one of (a) said control adjusts a beam pattern of a vehicle headlamp of the controlled vehicle responsive to said vehicle data, and (b) adjustment of a beam pattern of a vehicle headlamp of the controlled vehicle is determined responsive to a detection of an object of interest.