Patent ID: 8749633

Claim:
An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising: an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, wherein said attachment member comprises a mirror mounting button; an accessory module configured to mount to said attachment member; an accessory disposed at least partially in said accessory module; said accessory comprising a camera, said camera having a lens; wherein said accessory module is detachably mounted to said attachment member; wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield; wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said lens of said camera is spaced from the interior surface of the vehicle windshield; wherein a resilient element is provided to cushion said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment member; wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a rain sensing system, (ii) a headlamp control system, (iii) a lane departure warning system, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system, (v) a sign recognition system, (vi) a night vision system, (vii) a pedestrian detection system and (viii) a pre-crash avoidance system; wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment; wherein said accessory module comprises a housing and wherein said housing comprises an opening and wherein said camera views through said opening; and wherein said resilient element reduces vibration of said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment element.