Patent ID: 7459664
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: B60Q,B60R,B60S,G01J,G06K

Abstract:
1. 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 formed on a semiconductor substrate; said imaging sensor disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle, said imaging sensor being supported by a mounting structure fixedly attached to an interior surface of the vehicle windshield so as to physically fixedly position said imaging sensor within the interior cabin of the vehicle and close to and rearward of the windshield; said imaging sensor having a fixed field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle, the field of view encompassing the road traveled by the vehicle; a logic and control circuit; said logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from said imaging sensor; said image processing comprising at least one of (i) spatial differentiation, and (ii) pattern recognition; and wherein said image sensing system detects objects external of the vehicle associated with the road traveled by the vehicle and present in the field of view of said imaging sensor, said image sensing system detecting objects by processing said image data to identify objects based on at least one of (i) spatial differentiation, and (ii) pattern recognition, said image sensing system generating at least one control output responsive to said detection of objects.