Imaging system for vehicle
A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle equipped with the driver assistance system and in a direction of travel of the equipped vehicle. The imaging device is operable to capture image data and an image processor is operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. The equipped vehicle includes an adaptive speed control system for controlling the speed of the equipped vehicle, and the speed of the equipped vehicle is controlled by the adaptive speed control system at least in part responsive to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging device.
1. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:
an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system and in a direction of travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;
an image processor operable to process image data captured by said imaging device;
wherein the equipped vehicle comprises an adaptive speed control system for controlling the speed of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle is controlled by said adaptive speed control system at least in part responsive to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said imaging device of traffic signage;
wherein an information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor; and
wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling reaches a threshold amount, and wherein said threshold amount is dynamic and responsive to the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
2. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said adaptive speed control system controls the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to a cruise control speed setting of said adaptive speed control system of the equipped vehicle,
3. The driver assistance system of claim 2 , wherein said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
4. The driver assistance system of claim 2 , wherein said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of traffic signage indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
5. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to at least one of (a) the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (b) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign and (c) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
6. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of at least one of (a) a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle and (b) a sign indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
7. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign for a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
8. The driver assistance system of claim 7 , wherein said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle to be below or generally at the speed level indicated on said warning sign.
9. The driver assistance system of claim 8 , wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle increases to above the speed level indicated on said warning sign when the equipped vehicle is traveling along a straighter section of road after the curve in the road.
10. The driver assistance system of claim 9 , wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle increases to a cruise control speed setting.
11. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , comprising a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location of the equipped vehicle, and comprising speed sensing for determining a speed of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said information display is disposed at a location in the interior cabin of the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle, and wherein said driver assistance system determines a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling based at least in part on the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle as determined by said global positioning system.
12. The driver assistance system of claim 11 , wherein said driver assistance system determines a difference between the current speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which equipped vehicle is traveling.
13. The driver assistance system of claim 12 , wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle, and wherein the displayed information comprises the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
14. The driver assistance system of claim 13 , wherein the displayed information comprises the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and at least one of (a) the speed of the equipped vehicle and (b) a difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
15. The driver assistance system of claim 13 , wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert when the speed of the equipped vehicle exceeds a threshold amount.
16. The driver assistance system of claim 15 , wherein said alert comprises one of (a) a change in intensity of displayed information, (b) a flashing of displayed information, (c) a change in color of displayed information, (d) highlighting of displayed information, (e) an audible alert, (f) a tactile alert and (g) a haptic alert.
17. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said processing of captured image data by said image processor comprises at least one of (i) recognition of a speed limit sign and (ii) recognition of a speed limit sign and character recognition of characters on the recognized speed limit sign.
18. The driver assistance system of claim 17 , wherein an information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor.
19. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said threshold amount is selectable by a driver of the equipped vehicle.
20. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said information display displays a display of a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert when said driver assistance system determines a change in the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
21. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said driver assistance system detects a warning sign ahead of the equipped vehicle that indicates that the equipped vehicle is approaching at least one of (i) a curve in the road and (ii) a turn in the road.
22. The driver assistance system of claim 21 , wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of said warning sign.
23. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said driver assistance system determines a safe speed of travel of the equipped vehicle around a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle.
24. The driver assistance system of claim 1 , wherein said driver assistance system is operable to detect at least one of (a) a railroad crossing sign and wherein said driver assistance system determines when the railroad crossing sign is activated, and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a determination that said railroad crossing sign is activated, (b) a school bus stopping signal and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a detection of an activated school bus stopping signal, and (c) a pedestrian road crossing signal and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a detection of an activated pedestrian road crossing signal.
25. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:
an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system and in a direction of travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;
an image processor operable to process image data captured by said imaging device;
wherein the equipped vehicle comprises an adaptive speed control system for controlling the speed of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle is controlled by said adaptive speed control system at least in part responsive to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said imaging device;
wherein said adaptive speed control system controls the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to a cruise control speed setting of said adaptive speed control system of the equipped vehicle;
wherein said driver assistance system determines a speed of travel of the equipped vehicle around a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to image data processed by said image processor; and
wherein at least one of (a) an information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor, and (b) an information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling reaches a threshold amount and wherein said threshold amount is at least one of (i) selectable by a driver of the equipped vehicle and (ii) dynamic and responsive to the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
26. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , wherein at least one of (a) said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, and (b) said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of traffic signage.
27. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , wherein at least one of (a) said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to at least one of (i) the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (ii) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign and (iii) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, (b) said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of at least one of (i) a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a sign indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, and (c) said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign for a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
28. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , wherein said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign for a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle to be below or generally at the speed level indicated on said warning sign.
29. The driver assistance system of claim 28 , wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle increases to above the speed level indicated on said warning sign when the equipped vehicle is traveling along a straighter section of road after the curve in the road.
30. The driver assistance system of claim 28 , wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle increases to a cruise control speed setting.
31. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , comprising a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location of the equipped vehicle, and comprising speed sensing for determining a speed of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said information display is disposed at a location in the interior cabin of the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle, and wherein said driver assistance system determines a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling based at least in part on at least one of (a) image data and (b) the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle as determined by said global positioning system.
32. The driver assistance system of claim 31 , wherein said driver assistance system determines a difference between the current speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which equipped vehicle is traveling.
33. The driver assistance system of claim 32 , wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle, and wherein the displayed information comprises the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
34. The driver assistance system of claim 33 , wherein at least one of (a) the displayed information comprises the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and at least one of (i) the speed of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (b) said driver assistance system generates an alert when the speed of the equipped vehicle exceeds a threshold amount, and (c) said driver assistance system generates an alert when the speed of the equipped vehicle exceeds a threshold amount and wherein said alert comprises one of (i) a change in intensity of displayed information, (ii) a flashing of displayed information, (iii) a change in color of displayed information, (iv) highlighting of displayed information, (v) an audible alert, (vi) a tactile alert and (vii) a haptic alert.
35. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , wherein at least one of (a) said processing of captured image data by said image processor comprises at least one of (i) recognition of a speed limit sign and (ii) recognition of a speed limit sign and character recognition of characters on the recognized speed limit sign, and (h) an information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor.
36. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling reaches a threshold amount.
37. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , wherein at least one of (a) an information display displays a display of a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert when said driver assistance system determines a change in the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (b) said driver assistance system detects a warning sign ahead of the equipped vehicle that indicates that the equipped vehicle is approaching at least one of (i) a curve in the road and (ii) a turn in the road, (c) said driver assistance system detects a warning sign ahead of the equipped vehicle that indicates that the equipped vehicle is approaching at least one of (i) a curve in the road and (ii) a turn in the road, and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of said warning sign, and (d) said driver assistance system determines a safe speed of travel of the equipped vehicle around a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle.
38. The driver assistance system of claim 25 , wherein said driver assistance system is operable to detect at least one of (a) a railroad crossing sign and wherein said driver assistance system determines when the railroad crossing sign is activated, and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a determination that said railroad crossing sign is activated, (b) a school bus stopping signal and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a detection of an activated school bus stopping signal, and (c) a pedestrian road crossing signal and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a detection of an activated pedestrian road crossing signal.
39. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:
an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system and in a direction of travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;
an image processor operable to process image data captured by said imaging device;
wherein the equipped vehicle comprises an adaptive speed control system for controlling the speed of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle is controlled by said adaptive speed control system at least in part responsive to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said imaging device;
wherein said adaptive speed control system controls the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to a cruise control speed setting of said adaptive speed control system of the equipped vehicle;
a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location of the equipped vehicle;
speed sensing for determining a speed of the equipped vehicle;
an information display disposed at a location in the interior cabin of the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle;
wherein said driver assistance system determines a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling based at least in part on at least one of (a) image data and (b) the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle as determined by said global positioning system; and
wherein at least one of (a) said information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor, and (b) said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling reaches a threshold amount, and wherein said threshold amount is at least one of (i) selectable by a driver of the equipped vehicle and (ii) dynamic and responsive to the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
40. The driver assistance system of claim 39 , wherein at least one of (a) said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, and (b) said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of traffic signage.
41. The driver assistance system of claim 39 , wherein at least one of (a) said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to at least one of (i) the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (ii) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign and (iii) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, (b) said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of at least one of (i) a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a sign indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, and (c) said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign for a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
42. The driver assistance system of claim 41 , wherein said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign for a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said adaptive speed control system reduces the speed of the equipped vehicle to be below or generally at the speed level indicated on said warning sign.
43. The driver assistance system of claim 42 , wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle increases to above the speed level indicated on said warning sign when the equipped vehicle is traveling along a straighter section of road after the curve in the road.
44. The driver assistance system of claim 43 , wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle increases to a cruise control speed setting.
45. The driver assistance system of claim 39 , wherein said driver assistance system determines a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling based at least in part on image data and the current geographical location of the equipped vehicle as determined by said global positioning system.
46. The driver assistance system of claim 45 , wherein said driver assistance system determines a difference between the current speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which equipped vehicle is traveling.
47. The driver assistance system of claim 46 , wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle, and wherein the displayed information comprises the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
48. The driver assistance system of claim 47 , wherein at least one of (a) the displayed information comprises the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and at least one of (i) the speed of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (b) said driver assistance system generates an alert when the speed of the equipped vehicle exceeds a threshold amount, and (c) said driver assistance system generates an alert when the speed of the equipped vehicle exceeds a threshold amount and wherein said alert comprises one of (i) a change in intensity of displayed information, (ii) a flashing of displayed information, (iii) a change in color of displayed information, (iv) highlighting of displayed information, (v) an audible alert, (vi) a tactile alert and (vii) a haptic alert.
49. The driver assistance system of claim 39 , wherein at least one of (a) said processing of captured image data by said image processor comprises at least one of (i) recognition of a speed limit sign and (ii) recognition of a speed limit sign and character recognition of characters on the recognized speed limit sign, and (b) said information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor.
50. The driver assistance system of claim 39 , wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling reaches a threshold amount.
51. The driver assistance system of claim 39 , wherein at least one of (a) said information display displays a display of a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert when said driver assistance system determines a change in the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (b) said driver assistance system detects a warning sign ahead of the equipped vehicle that indicates that the equipped vehicle is approaching at least one of (i) a curve in the road and (ii) a turn in the road, (c) said driver assistance system detects a warning sign ahead of the equipped vehicle that indicates that the equipped vehicle is approaching at least one of (i) a curve in the road and (ii) a turn in the road, and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of said warning sign, and (d) said driver assistance system determines a safe speed of travel of the equipped vehicle around a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle.
52. The driver assistance system of claim 39 , wherein said driver assistance system is operable to detect at least one of (a) a railroad crossing sign and wherein said driver assistance system determines when the railroad crossing sign is activated, and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a determination that said railroad crossing sign is activated, (b) a school bus stopping signal and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a detection of an activated school bus stopping signal, and (c) a pedestrian road crossing signal and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to a detection of an activated pedestrian road crossing signal.
53. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:
an imaging device having a field of view forward of a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system and in a direction of travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said imaging device is operable to capture image data;
an image processor operable to process image data captured by said imaging device;
wherein the equipped vehicle comprises an adaptive speed control system for controlling the speed of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the speed of the equipped vehicle is controlled by said adaptive speed control system at least in part responsive to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said imaging device of traffic signage;
wherein said traffic signage is selected from the set consisting of (i) a speed limit sign, (ii) a warning sign, (iii) a warning sign for a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a railroad crossing sign, (v) a school bus stopping signal and (vi) a pedestrian road crossing signal; and
wherein an information display displays the speed of the equipped vehicle at or near a display of the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle and wherein the speed limit is determined via recognition of a speed limit sign based at least in part on image data processed by said image processor, and wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling reaches a threshold amount, and wherein said threshold amount is at least one of (a) selectable by a driver of the equipped vehicle and (h) dynamic and responsive to the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling.
54. The driver assistance system of claim 53 , wherein said adaptive speed control system adjusts the speed of the equipped vehicle at least in part responsive to at least one of (a) the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (b) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a warning sign and (c) image data processed by said image processor that is indicative of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle.
55. The driver assistance system of claim 53 , wherein said information display is disposed at a location in the interior cabin of the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle, and wherein said information display displays information for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle, and wherein the displayed information comprises the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, and wherein said driver assistance system generates an alert when the speed of the equipped vehicle exceeds a threshold amount, and wherein said alert comprises one of (a) a change in intensity of displayed information, (b) a flashing of displayed information, (c) a change in color of displayed information, (d) highlighting of displayed information, (e) an audible alert, (f) a tactile alert and (g) a haptic alert.