CA2402406A1

CA2402406A1 - System for controlling exterior vehicle lights

Info

Publication number: CA2402406A1
Application number: CA002402406A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Joseph S. Stam; Jon H. Bechtel; Spencer D. Reese; John K. Roberts; William L. Tonar; G. Bruce Poe; Douglas J. Newhouse
Original assignee: Gentex Corporation; Joseph S. Stam; Jon H. Bechtel; Spencer D. Reese; John K. Roberts; William L. Tonar; G. Bruce Poe; Douglas J. Newhouse
Current assignee: Gentex Corp
Priority date: 2000-03-20
Filing date: 2001-03-20
Publication date: 2001-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-20
Also published as: MXPA02009052A; EP1282916A2; KR100693312B1; EP1282916A4; AU4761101A; ATE533665T1; KR20060028735A; JP2004500279A; US20080129206A1; US20060018511A1; WO2001070538A3; KR100666454B1; US6947576B2; KR20060107466A; US20030123705A1; US7825600B2; US20030123706A1; WO2001070538A2; EP2420408A1; AU2001247611B2

Abstract

The subject-matter of the present application refers to a method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of: receiving pixel levels from the image sensor; analyzing the image input from the image sensor to determine the number of AC light source objects in the image; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the steps of analyzing, and inhibiting operation of the high beams when the number of AC light source objects exceeds a threshold.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

A control system to control exterior lights of a controlled vehicle comprising:
an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle; and a control circuit for processing the image of the scene obtained from said imaging system and for controlling the exterior lights to change their beam pattern in response to objects detected in the processed scene, said control circuit disables automatic control of the exterior lights in response to activation of the vehicle windshield wipers.
2. The control system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit is coupled to receive a signal from said windshield wipers when they are activated.
3. The control system of claim l, wherein said control circuit determines that the windshield wipers are activated upon detecting a wiper within the scene imaged by said imaging system.
4. The control system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit determines that the windshield wipers are activated upon receiving a wiper activation signal from a rain sensor provided in the vehicle.
5. The control system of claim l, wherein said imaging system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
6. The control system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit changes the beam pattern of the exterior lights by turning on or off at least one of the exterior lights.
7. The control system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit changes the beam pattern of the exterior lights by continuously varying the brightness of at least one of the exterior lights.
8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps operable in at least high and low beam states, and wherein said control circuit prevents the headlamps from operation in a high beam state when the vehicle windshield wipers are activated.
9. The control system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit is responsive to the speed of the windshield wipers to disable automatic control of the exterior lights when the windshield wipers are operating above a threshold speed.
10. The control system of claim 1, wherein the exterior lights include foul weather lights and said control circuit activates the foul weather lights when the vehicle windshield wipers are activated.
11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the foul weather lights include fog lights and said control circuit activates the fog lights when the vehicle windshield wipers are activated.
12. A control system to control exterior lights of a controlled vehicle comprising:
an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle; and a control circuit for processing the image of the scene obtained from said imaging system and for controlling the exterior lights to change their beam pattern in response to objects detected in the processed scene, said control circuit disables automatic control of the exterior lights when fog is detected on the windshield.
13. The control system of claim 12, wherein fog is detected to be on the windshield when the vehicle windshield defroster is operating at a speed above a threshold.
14. The control system of claim 12, wherein said imaging system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
15. The control system of claim 12, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
16. The control system of claim 12, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps operable in at least high and low beam states, and wherein said control circuit prevents the headlamps from operation in a high beam state when the vehicle windshield defroster is operating at full speed.
17. The control system of claim 12, wherein said control circuit changes the beam pattern of the exterior lights by turning on or off at least one of the exterior lights.
18. The control system of claim 12, wherein said control circuit changes the beam pattern of the exterior lights by continuously varying the brightness of at least one of the exterior lights.
19. The control system of claim 12, wherein the exterior lights include foul weather lights and said control circuit activates the foul weather lights when the vehicle windshield defroster is operating at full speed.
20. The control system of claim 19, wherein the foul weather lights include fog lights and said control circuit activates the fog lights when the vehicle windshield defroster is operating at full speed.
21. A method of detecting snowfall or fog outside a vehicle comprising the steps of:
sensing light levels forward of the vehicle and light levels above the vehicle;
comparing the relative brightness of the light levels forward and above the vehicle;
and determining that it is snowing or foggy when a ratio of the relative brightness forward of the vehicle to that above the vehicle reaches a threshold.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the relative brightness of the light levels forward and above the vehicle are compared as the brightness of the vehicle's headlamps is increased.
23. A control system to control exterior lights of a controlled vehicle comprising:
a light sensing system configured to sense light levels forward of the controlled vehicle; and a control circuit for light levels obtained from said sensing system and for controlling the exterior lights to change their beam pattern in response to the obtained light levels, said control circuit disables automatic control of the exterior lights when snow is detected.
24. The control system of claim 23, wherein said sensing system senses light levels forward of the vehicle and above the vehicle.
25. The control system of claim 24, wherein said sensing system includes a single pixel sensor for sensing the light level above the vehicle.
26. The control system of claim 25, wherein said sensing system includes a second sensor for sensing the light level forward of the vehicle.
27. The control system of claim 26, wherein said single pixel sensor is positioned at about a 45° angle relative to said second sensor.
28. The control system of claim 24, wherein said sensing system includes a second sensor for sensing the light level forward of the vehicle.
29. The control system of claim 24, wherein said control circuit compares the relative brightness of the light forward of the vehicle with that of the light above the vehicle as the brightness of the vehicle's headlamps increases, and determines that it is snowing when the ratio of relative brightness forward of the vehicle to that above the vehicle reaches a threshold.
30. The control system of claim 23, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps operable in at least high and low beam states, said control circuit disables the headlamps from operation in a high beam state when the vehicle windshield defroster is operating at full speed.
31. The control system of claim 23, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps operable in at least high and low beam states, said control circuit disables the headlamps from operation in a high beam state when the vehicle windshield wipers are activated.
32. The control system of claim 25, wherein said single pixel sensor senses the ambient light outside of the vehicle, and said control circuit varies the brightness of daytime running lamps in response to the ambient light level sensed by said single pixel sensor.
33. The control system of claim 23, wherein the exterior lights include daytime running lights, said imaging system comprising an ambient light sensor for sensing the ambient light outside of the vehicle, and said control circuit varies the brightness of daytime running lamps in response to the ambient light level sensed by said ambient light sensor.
34. The control system of claim 23, wherein said imaging system includes an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels, and an optical system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle onto said image array sensor, said optical system including a forwardmost surface, said optical system includes a hydrophilic coating on said forwardmost surface.
35. The control system of claim 23, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps operable in at least high and low beam states, said control circuit disables the operation of the headlamps in the high beam state when it is snowing.
36. A method of controlling vehicle headlamps comprising the steps of:
detecting whether it is snowing; and disabling the headlamps from operation in a high beam state when it is snowing.
37. A control system to control the brightness of the tail lights of a vehicle comprising:
an ambient light sensor for sensing the ambient light outside of the vehicle;
and a control circuit for varying the brightness of the tail lights in response to the ambient light level sensed by said ambient light sensor.
38. The control system of claim 37, wherein said ambient light sensor is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
39. The control system of claim 37, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
40. A headlamp control system for controlling the headlamps of a controlled vehicle, said headlamp control system comprising:

an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle;

a control circuit coupled to said imaging system for identifying and determining the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system and for controlling the headlamps to vary a beam pattern of the headlamps as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images; and a user input mechanism coupled to said control circuit for allowing a user to adjust a sensitivity at which said control circuit will control the headlamps in response to light sources within the images.
41. The headlamp control system of claim 40, wherein said imaging system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
42. The headlamp control system of claim 40, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
43. The headlamp control system of claim 40, wherein said imaging system includes a plurality of sensors that integrate the light levels sensed during a predetermined integration time period, said control circuit adjusts the integration time period of said sensors in response to user adjustment of the sensitivity.
44. The headlamp control system of claim 40, wherein said control circuit adjusts the brightness of the headlamps when the brightness of light sources in the obtained images exceeds a threshold, said control circuit varies said threshold in response to user adjustment of the sensitivity.
45. The headlamp control system of claim 40, wherein said control circuit continuously varies the brightness of the headlamps as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images, said control circuit changes a rate at which the brightness of the headlamps is varied in response to user adjustment of the sensitivity.
46. The headlamp control system of claim 40, wherein said imaging system includes an array of pixel sensors, said control circuit being more sensitive to light sources detected within a predetermined area of the image obtained by said pixel sensor array, said control circuit varies the boundaries of said predetermined area in response to user adjustment of the sensitivity.
47. A headlamp control system for controlling the headlamps of a controlled vehicle, said headlamp control system comprising:
an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle and to detect an ambient light level outside the vehicle; and a control circuit coupled to said imaging system for determining an ambient light level outside the vehicle for identifying and determining the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system, and for controlling the headlamps to vary a beam pattern of the headlamps as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images when the ambient light level is above a threshold level.
48. The headlamp control system of claim 47, wherein said imaging system includes:
an image array sensor;
an optical system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle onto said image array sensor; and an ambient light sensor for sensing the ambient light level outside the vehicle.
49. The headlamp control system of claim 48, wherein said ambient light sensor is aimed generally upward towards the sky above the vehicle.
50. The headlamp control system of claim 47, wherein said imaging system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
51. The headlamp control system of claim 47, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
52. A control system to control the headlamps of a vehicle comprising:
an ambient light sensor for sensing the ambient light outside of the vehicle;
and a control circuit for varying the beam pattern of daytime running lamps in response to the ambient light level sensed by said ambient light sensor.
53. The control system of claim 52, wherein said control circuit increases the brightness of the daytime running lights in response to increasing ambient brightness.
54. The control system of claim 52, wherein said ambient light sensor is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
55. The control system of claim 52, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
56. A control system to control exterior lights of a vehicle comprising:
an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels;
an optical system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle onto said image array sensor, said optical system including a forwardmost surface; and a control circuit for processing the image of the scene obtained from said image array sensor and for controlling the exterior lights in response to objects detected in the processed scene, wherein said optical system includes a hydrophilic coating on said forwardmost surface.
57. The control system of claim 56, wherein said optical system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
58. The control system of claim 52, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
59. The control system of claim 52, wherein said optical system further includes a photocatalytic coating proximate said hydrophilic coating.
60. A vehicle control system to control the brightness of continuously variable headlamps that have a brightness that varies continuously between a high beam state and a low beam state, said control system comprising:
an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle;
a control circuit for identifying and determining the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system and for controlling the perceived brightness of the headlamps as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images; and an indicator coupled to said control circuit and positioned inside the vehicle for indicating to the driver the relative brightness of the headlamps.
61. The vehicle control system of claim 60, wherein said indicator has a brightness that varies in proportion to the brightness of the headlamps.
62. The vehicle control system of claim 60, wherein the brightness of said indicator doubles when the headlamps are in a high beam state as a result of manual activation of the high beams.
63. The vehicle control system of claim 60, wherein said indicator changes color as a function of the brightness of the headlamps.
64. The vehicle control system of claim 60, wherein said indicator includes a scale that indicates a relative brightness of the headlamps.
65. The vehicle control system of claim 64, wherein said indicator scale is a multi-segmented display in which the number of segments that are illuminated correspond to the relative brightness of the headlamps.
66. The vehicle control system of claim 60, wherein said imaging system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
67. The vehicle control system of claim 60, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
68. The vehicle control system of claim 60 and further including a second indicator for indicating when said control circuit is automatically controlling the brightness of the vehicle headlamps as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images.
69. An imaging system for a vehicle comprising:
an image sensor having an array of pixels and at least one other component;
and an optical baffle disposed between said image sensor and a scene to be imaged for preventing light from the scene from reaching said at least one other component.
70. The imaging system of claim 69, wherein said image sensor is a CMOS
sensor.
71. The imaging system of claim 69, wherein said image sensor is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
72. A control system for controlling exterior lights of a controlled vehicle, said control system comprising:
an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle;
a switching mechanism for manual input of a driver's selection of a feature affecting the control of the exterior lights; and a control circuit coupled to said switching mechanism and said imaging system for identifying and determining the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system and for controlling the exterior lights to vary the beam pattern of the exterior lights as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images and as a function of the status of said switching mechanism.
73. The control system of claim 72, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps and said switching mechanism includes a switch that allows a driver to select manual or automatic control of the vehicle headlamps.
74. The control system of claim 72, wherein, in response to selection of automatic control using said switch, said control circuit enters an automatic control mode in which the headlamps are automatically controlled in response to the detection of light sources within the images.
75. The control system of claim 74, wherein, in response to selection of manual control using said switch, said control circuit enters a manual control mode in which the headlamps are manually controlled by the driver.
76. The control system of claim 72, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps, said switching mechanism includes a switch for manually activating high beams of the vehicle headlamps, and wherein said control circuit responds to activation of said switch by turning on the high beams.
77. The control system of claim 76, wherein said switch is a toggle switch and said control circuit maintains the high beams in an on state when said switch is toggled until such time that it is again toggled at which point said control circuit automatically controls the brightness of the high beams.
78. The control system of claim 76, wherein said switch is a flash-to-pass switch, wherein said control circuit responds to manual activation of said switch by activating high beam headlamps for so long a time as the flash-to-pass switch is held in its activation position.
79. The control system of claim 72, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps, said switching mechanism includes a toggle switch for manually activating and deactivating high beams of the vehicle headlamps, and wherein said control circuit responds to toggling of said switch by changing the on/off state of the high beams from the current status of the high beams.
80. The control system of claim 79, wherein, upon switching the on/off state of the high beams in response to toggling of said switch, said control circuit maintains the high beams in the changed state for a predetermined time period at which point said control circuit enables automatic changing of the brightness of the high beams in response to the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system.
81. The control system of claim 72, wherein the exterior lights include headlamps, said switch is a flash-to-pass switch, and wherein said control circuit responds to manual activation of said switch by turning on the high beam headlamps for so long a time as the flash-to-pass switch is held in its activation position.
82. The control system of claim 81, wherein, when said flash-to-pass switch is released from its activation position, said control circuit turns off the high beam headlamps regardless of whether the high beams were on or off before such activation and thereafter enables automatic changing of the brightness of the high beams in response to the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system.
83. The control system of claim 72, wherein said imaging system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
84. The control system of claim 72, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
85. A headlamp control system for a vehicle comprising:
a control circuit coupled to the vehicle headlamps for fading the headlamps of the vehicle to an off state in response to the turning off of the vehicle ignition.
86. The headlamp control system of claim 85, wherein said control circuit begins to fade the vehicle headlamps upon detecting the exit of the driver.
87. The headlamp control system of claim 85, wherein said control circuit begins to fade the vehicle headlamps upon detecting the exit of the last occupant to leave the vehicle.
88. The headlamp control system of claim 85 and further comprising an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle, wherein said control circuit is coupled to said imaging system for identifying and determining the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system and for controlling the beam pattern of the headlamps as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images.
89. The headlamp control system of claim 85, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
90. A control system to control exterior lights of a vehicle comprising:
an image array sensor including a plurality of pixels;
an optical system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle onto said image array sensor, said optical system including a forwardmost surface; and a control circuit for processing the image of the scene obtained from said image array sensor and for controlling the exterior lights in response to objects detected in the processed scene, wherein said optical system includes a photocatalytic coating on said forwardmost surface.
91. The control system of claim 90, wherein said optical system is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
92. The control system of claim 90, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
93. A control system to control the headlamps of a vehicle comprising:
a manually actuated switch mechanism for receiving input from a driver to temporarily increase the brightness of the vehicle headlamps in a flash-to-pass state;
an ambient light sensor for sensing the ambient light outside of the vehicle;
and a control circuit coupled to said ambient light sensor and said manually actuated switch mechanism for varying the beam pattern of the headlamps during a flash-to-pass state in response to the ambient light level sensed by said ambient light sensor.
94. The control system of claim 93, wherein said ambient light sensor is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
95. The control system of claim 93, wherein said control circuit is disposed in a rearview mirror assembly.
96. A control system to control the headlamps of a vehicle, the vehicle having a microwave receiver for receiving signals from satellites, said control system comprising:
a control circuit for receiving signals from the microwave receiver indicative of the location of the vehicle, said control circuit controls the headlamps to limit the perceived brightness of the headlamps from exceeding a predetermined level less than their capacity when the vehicle is traveling on a residential street.
97. The control system of claim 96 and further comprising an imaging system configured to image the scene forward of the controlled vehicle, wherein said control circuit identifies and determines the brightness of light sources in images obtained from said imaging system and for controlling the headlamps to vary the perceived brightness of the headlamps as a function of the brightness of light sources within the images.
98. An imaging device assembly for a vehicle having a windshield, said assembly comprising:
a mounting structure configured for mounting to a vehicle in a fixed position relative to the windshield;
an imaging device; and a support structure, said imaging device carried by said support structure, said support structure being attached to said mounting structure to allow positional adjustment of said support structure and said imaging device relative to the windshield.
99. The imaging device assembly of claim 98 and further including a housing secured to said mounting structure, said support structure and said imaging device being disposed in said housing.
100. The imaging device assembly of claim 99, wherein both said housing and said support structure being attached to said mounting structure such that positional adjustment of said support structure may be performed without changing the position of said housing relative to said mounting structure.
101. The imaging device assembly of claim 98, wherein said mounting structure is a rearview mirror assembly mounting structure.
102. The imaging device assembly of claim 101, wherein said rearview mirror assembly mounting structure is configured for securing a rearview mirror assembly to a vehicle windshield.
103. A sky sensor assembly for sensing light in the sky above a vehicle, said assembly comprising:
a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle;
a light sensor disposed within said housing;
a light pipe extending from said light sensor to an aperture formed in said housing that is directed upward towards the portion of the sky from which light is to be sensed.
104. The sky sensor assembly of claim 103, wherein said housing is a component of a rearview mirror assembly.
105. The sky sensor assembly of claim 104, wherein said housing is an accessory housing mounted to a mounting structure for a rearview mirror assembly.
106. The sky sensor assembly of claim 103 and further including a circuit board that is disposed vertically within said housing, wherein said light sensor is mounted to said circuit board.
107. The sky sensor assembly of claim 106, wherein an image sensor is mounted to said circuit board for sensing images forward of the vehicle.
108. A control system for controlling exterior lights of a controlled vehicle, said control system comprising:
an image sensor to detect light sources in a scene forward of the controlled vehicle;
and a control circuit coupled to said image sensor, said control circuit being operable to distinguish vehicle light sources from non-vehicle light sources, to distinguish between headlamps and tail lights based upon the color of the light, to detect movement of detected 103~

vehicles, and to generate a control signal to cause the exterior vehicle lights to provide a selected illumination pattern, whereby the control signal is derived as a function of both the movement of any detected vehicles and the color of the light emanating from such vehicles.
109. The control system of claim 108, wherein the control signal is further derived as a function of any one or combination of the following parameters detected with respect to a detected light source: an AC component; brightness; relative position; and relative size.
110. The control system of claim 108, wherein the control signal is further derived as a function of any one or combination of the following parameters: turn rate of the controlled vehicle; speed of the controlled vehicle; and ambient brightness.
111. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;
identifying at least one group of pixels that is associated with a light source;
analyzing the associated pixels to determine if at least one condition exists;
and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis.
112. The method of claim 111, wherein the step of identifying a group of pixels associated with a single light source identifies a plurality of pixels meeting a pixel criteria.
113. The method of claim 112, wherein the step of identifying a group of pixels identifies a contiguous group of pixels meeting a pixel criteria.
114. The method of claim 111, wherein the step of analyzing identifies the centroid of at least one group of pixels.
115. The method of claim 111, wherein the step of analyzing determines the size of at least one group of pixels.
116. The method of claim 115, wherein the condition is whether the light source size is greater than a threshold size.
117. The method of claim 116, wherein a further condition is the average level of the pixel levels, and wherein the headlamps are not controlled responsive to a group of pixels that is greater than the threshold size if the average pixel level in that group of pixels is less than an average pixel level threshold.
118. The method of claim 111, wherein the step of analyzing includes determining the total pixel level for at least one group of pixels.
119. The method of claim 118, where the total pixel level is the sum of the gray scale values for all of the pixels in a group of pixels.
120. The method of claim 118, where the condition is that the total pixel level exceeds a threshold total pixel level.
121. The method of claim 120, further including a threshold total pixel level for the headlamps and a threshold total pixel level for tail lights.
122. The method of claim 111, wherein the step of analyzing includes determining the average pixel level for at least one group of pixels.
123. The method of claim 120, wherein the condition is a threshold average pixel level, and the controller ignores certain light sources where the average pixel level for the group of pixels is below the average pixel level.
124. The method of claim 112, wherein the step of identifying a plurality of pixels meeting a pixel criteria identifies individual pixels having levels above a pixel threshold level.
125. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;
analyzing an image input with red filtering to identify objects of interest;
analyzing an image input without red filtering in those areas where objects were identified in the step of analyzing with red filtering; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the steps of analyzing.
126. The method of claim 125, further including the step of comparing pixels levels in the image generated with red filtering to pixel levels in the image generated without red filtering for each of the objects of interest.
127. The method of claim 125, wherein the step of analyzing an image input with red filtering includes identifying groups of contiguous pixels meeting a threshold criteria to identify objects.
128. The method of claim 127, wherein the step of analyzing an image input without red filtering includes searching for groups of contiguous pixels in areas corresponding to objects identified in the step of analyzing an image input without red filtering.
129. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;
determining a vehicle speed criteria;
analyzing an image input from the image sensor according to the speed criteria;
and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the steps of analyzing.
130. The method of claim 129, wherein the speed criteria is whether the vehicle brakes are actuated.
131. The method of claim 129, wherein the speed criteria is whether the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds.
106~~
132. The method of claim 129, wherein the step of analyzing includes changing the size of the scene viewed by the image sensor as a function of the vehicle speed.
133. The method of claim 132, wherein the speed above which the scene is enlarged is higher than the speed below which the scene is decreased.
134. The method of claim 129, wherein the step of analyzing includes preventing the high beams from coming on if the vehicle speed is below a threshold level.
135. The method of claim 129, wherein the step of selectively generating a control signal comprises fading the high beams off as the vehicle decelerates to a stop.
136. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;
receiving an ambient light level from an ambient light sensor;
analyzing an image input from the image sensor according to the ambient light level to selectively generate a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis, wherein daytime running lights are enabled when the ambient light level is above a first threshold, low beam headlamps are enabled when the ambient light level is below the first threshold, and the low beam headlamps and high beam headlamps are enabled when the ambient light level is below a second threshold, and wherein the high beam headlamps are controlled automatically responsive to the pixel levels from the image sensor.
137. The method of claim 136, further including controlling one or more fog lights responsive to the ambient light sensor and the image sensor.
138. The method of claim 137, wherein the step of controlling includes evaluating the pixels of the image sensor to determine if they meet a fog criteria if the ambient light level measured by the ambient light sensor is within a predetermined range.
107 I39. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;

determining the number of objects in the image;

analyzing the image input from the image sensor to determine the number of objects in the image; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the steps of analyzing, wherein high beam headlamp operation is at least partially inhibited if the number of objects determined exceeds an object threshold.
140. The method as defined in claim 139, wherein the step of analyzing the image to detect objects monitors the frequency of occurrence of objects within a predetermined period.
141. The method as defined in claim 140, wherein the predetermined period is a predetermined number of frames.
142. The method as defined in claim 140, wherein the step of selectively generating includes inhibiting operation of the high beams when the number of objects exceeds a predetermined number.
143. The method as defined in claim 139, wherein the step of selectively generating includes inhibiting operation of the high beams when the number AC light source objects exceeds a threshold.
144. The method as defined in claim 139, wherein turning ON the high beam headlamps is inhibited if the number of objects determined exceeds an object threshold.
145. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;

analyzing the image input from the image sensor to determine the number of objects in the image; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the steps of analyzing, wherein the vehicle headlamps are not adjusted responsive to detection of an object unless it appears in a threshold number of frames.
146. The method of claim 145, wherein the threshold number of frames is proportional to the brightness of the objects detected.
147. The method of claim 145, wherein the brighter the object detected, the smaller will be the threshold number of frames.
148. The method of claim 145, wherein the brightness of the headlamps are gradually altered after an object is detected for the threshold number of frames.
149. The method of claim 148, wherein after an object is detected for the threshold number of frames, the high beams may be adjusted responsive to each successive frame in which the object appears.
150. The method of claim 145, wherein the headlamp brightness is increased after the image clears for the threshold number of frames.
151. The method of claim 145, wherein the headlamp brightness is dimmed after an object is detected in the image for the threshold number of frames.
152. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;

analyzing the image input from the image sensor using a spatial look-up table, the spatial look-up table having different thresholds for different pixels based on their pixel location; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the steps of analyzing, wherein the vehicle headlamps are controlled responsive to those pixels from the image sensor exceeding its respective threshold.
153. The method of claim 152, further including the step of shifting the pixels associated with the values stored in the spatial look-up table as the vehicle changes direction.
I54. The method of claim I53, wherein the step of shifting the pixels includes shifting the pixels responsive to operation of the vehicle steering system.
155. The method of claim 153, wherein the step of shifting the pixels includes shifting the pixels responsive to a global positioning system input.
156. The method of claim 153, wherein the step of shifting the pixels includes shifting the pixels responsive to a compass input.
157. The method of claim 151, wherein the spatial look-up table has values which render the image sensor more sensitive to one side of the car than the other side of the car.
158. The method of claim 157, wherein the image sensor is more sensitive to the side of the car on which the driver sits.
159. The method of claim 151, wherein thresholds are dynamic such that if one pixel has a light level that is above its respective threshold, and the look-up table has a higher threshold for the adjacent pixel, the adjacent pixel will be compared to the lower of threshold said one pixel.
160. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;

identifying pixels associated with a light source;

analyzing the pixels; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis, wherein the system is more sensitive when high beams are ON than when the high beams are OFF.
161. The method of claim 160, wherein the sensitivity is adjusted by increasing the integration period for the image sensor when the high beams are ON.
162. The method of claim 160 wherein the sensitivity is adjusted by using different spatial look-up tables when the high beams are OFF and ON, wherein the spatial look-up table stores respective thresholds.
163. The method of claim 160, wherein the field of view of the image sensor is broader when the high beams axe OFF than when the high beams axe ON.
164. The method of claim 160, wherein the off axis sensitivity is increased when the high beams are ON.
165. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;

identifying pixels that are associated with an object;

analyzing the associated pixels and storing information associated with at least one detected object; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis.
166. The method of claim 165, wherein the stored information includes the brightness of at least one object detected.
167. The method of claim 166, wherein the stored information includes the location of at least one object detected.
168. The method of claim 165, wherein the stored information includes the locations and brightness of the brightest object detected.
169. The method of claim 168, wherein if the present frame is determined to be clear of light sources, and the previous frame is determined to a bright light source, and the high beams are OFF, the high beams are controlled to produce a fast return to bright.
170. The method of claim 169, wherein the control of the high beams to produce a fast return includes an expedited fade to bright.
171. The method of claim 169, wherein the control of the high beams to produce a fast return comprises turning the high beams ON without delay.
172. The method of claim 165, wherein if the present frame is determined to be clear of light sources, and the previous frame is determined to have contained vehicle tail lights, and the high beams are OFF, the high beams are controlled to produce a tail light delayed return to bright.
173. The method of claim 172, wherein the tail light delayed return to bright is longer than a return to bright following detection of headlamps from an oncoming vehicle.
174. The method of claim 172, wherein the tail light delayed return to bright is variable.
175. The method of claim 172, wherein the tail light return to bright is dependent on the detection of glare light.
176. The method of claim 175, wherein the high beams are turned on when glare is detected.
177. The method of claim 176, wherein if glare is not detected in a maximum threshold time after detecting the cleared image, the brights are turned ON even if glare has not been detected.
178. A method of automatically calibrating the aim of an image sensor in a controlled vehicle, comprising the steps of:

detecting a distant light of an oncoming vehicle;

detecting a straight road condition; and generating a new average value from the location of the distant oncoming light averaged with a stored average if the straight road condition is detected, and storing the new average value as the stored average signal.
179. The method of claim 178, wherein the step of detecting a distant light comprises detecting a faint light near the center of the image sensor.
180. The method of claim 178, wherein the step of detecting a straight road detects the lateral movement of the controlled vehicle over a period of time.
181. The method of claim 180, wherein the period of time is from the time that the distant light is detected until a time period after the distant vehicle and the controlled vehicle have passed.
182. The method of claim 178, further including the step of detecting elevation change of the controlled vehicle.
183. The method of claim 180, wherein lateral movement is detected by determining the lateral movement of the distant headlamp.
184. The method of claim 180, wherein lateral movement is detected using a global positioning system.
185. The method of claim I80, wherein lateral movement is detected from a compass.
186. The method of claim 180, wherein lateral movement is detected from operation of the steering system.
187. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;

analyzing the pixel levels associated with a scene, wherein the analysis is altered when the vehicle turns; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis.
188. The method of claim 187, wherein the image analyzed is shifted when the vehicle turns.
189. The method of claim 187, wherein the image analyzed is shifted when the vehicle turn signal is actuated.
190. The method of claim 187, wherein the analysis of the image is altered when the vehicle heading as detected from a compass is altered.
191. The method of claim 189, wherein the analysis is altered after actuation of the vehicle brakes following actuation of the vehicle's turn signal.
I92. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving pixel levels from the image sensor, wherein the pixel levels are stored while the vehicle headlamps are off;

analyzing the pixels to detect objects; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis.
193. The method of claim 192, wherein the vehicle includes semiconductor radiation emitter light source, wherein the light is flashed off for a very short interval.
194. The method of claim 193, wherein the off interval is less than 60 Ms.
195. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged through a variable filter and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor when the variable filter is filtering light of at least a first wavelength;

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor through the variable filter when the variable filter is not filtering light of at least the first wavelength;
analyzing the associated pixels to identify objects; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis.
196. A method of automatically controlling vehicle headlamps in a system comprising an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged through a windshield, a windshield wiper for clearing the windshield, and a controller to generate headlamp control signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving signals indicative of the location of the windshield wiper;

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor when the windshield wiper is not in front of the image sensor;

analyzing the associated pixels to identify objects; and selectively generating a headlamp control signal in accordance with the results of the analysis.
197. The method of claim 196, further including the step of monitoring the window using an image sensor focused on the window to detect the presence of the windshield wiper in the field of view of the image sensor for detecting objects.
198. The method of claim 196, further including the step of monitoring the windshield wipers to detect their position.
199. A vehicle system, comprising:

an image sensor for detecting lights;

an ambient light sensor;

a glare sensor;

an electrochromic element for controlling the reflectivity of a mirror;
headlamps; and a controller coupled to the image sensor, the ambient light detector, the glare sensor, the electrochromic element, and the headlamps, wherein the controller is operable to control the headlamps responsive to the image sensor and the ambient light sensor, and the controller being further operable to control the transmittance of the electrochromic element responsive to the ambient light sensor and the glare sensor.
200. The vehicle system of claim 199, wherein at least one of said controller, glare sensor, ambient light sensor, and image sensor are supported by a rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle.
201. A method of operating an image sensor generating a plurality of pixel levels from a scene being imaged, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving pixel levels from the image sensor;

identifying a bad pixel if a pixel continuously detects light when adjacent pixels do not detect light; and selectively compensating for the identified pixels.
202. The method of claim 201, wherein the step of identifying a pixel that continuously detects light comprises determining that the pixel detects light over a predetermined number of frames.
203. The method of claim 202, wherein the step of identifying includes detecting when a pixel detects light above a pixel threshold over a predetermined number of frames and adjacent frames do not detect light above a pixel threshold over the predetermined number of frames.
204. The method of claim 201, wherein the step of selectively compensating comprises generating an average of the adjacent pixels and substituting the generated average for the pixel level measurement of the bad pixel.
205. A vehicle system, comprising:

an image sensor focused at a distance for detecting lights;

an image sensor focused near the window;

windshield wipers;

headlamps; and a controller coupled to the image sensor, the ambient light detector, the image sensor focused near the window, the windshield wipers, and the headlamps, wherein the controller is operable to control the headlamps responsive to the image sensor, control the windshield wipers to operate when rain is on the window, and the controller being further operable to control the image sensor to image a scene when the windshield wipers are not in front of the image sensor focused at a distance.
206. A method of making an optical sensor assembly package including an image sensor die comprising the steps of:

covering the die with an epoxy;

positioning an adhesive on the epoxy;

positioning a lens structure on the adhesive; and curing the adhesive to form the integral package.
207. The method of claim 206, further including the step of molding the lens structure to include a lens.
208. The method of claim 207, further including the step of molding the lens structure to include a first lens having a filter for removing light of at least a first wave length.
209. The method of claim 208, further including the step of molding the lens structure to include a second lens passing at least light of the first wave length.
210. The method of claim 206, wherein the step of covering includes covering the die with a glob-top epoxy.
211. The method of claim 206, further including the step of applying at least one filter to the surface of the image sensor die.
212. The method of claim 211, wherein the step of applying at least one filter includes applying two or more filters to respective areas on the surface of the sensor.
213. The method of claim 206, further including the step of mounting an electronically controlled filter.