Vehicle Imaging System

Abstract

A vehicle vision system includes an image sensor having a forward field of view and capturing image data of a road surface forward of the vehicle. An image processor processes the image data and the vehicle vision system determines at least an estimate of a traction condition of at least a portion of the imaged road surface. The vision system may detect objects forward of the vehicle and may distinguish between live and dead animals in the field of view of the image sensor, and may at least one of (a) generate an alert and (b) control the vehicle to assist in avoiding a collision. The system may detect situations in which the vehicle lighting system can be turned off or operated under reduced power consumption in order to enhance fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

1 . A vehicle vision system for a vehicle, said vehicle vision system comprising:
 an image sensor having a forward field of view for capturing image data of a road surface forward of the vehicle; and   an image processor processing said image data, said vehicle vision system determining at least an estimate of a traction condition of at least a portion of the imaged road surface.   
   
   
       2 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 1 , wherein said vehicle vision system estimates a targeted separation gap between the host vehicle and a leading vehicle. 
   
   
       3 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 2 , wherein said targeted separation gap is adjusted based on a current driving condition. 
   
   
       4 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 2 , wherein said vehicle vision system adjusts said targeted separation gap based on the driving capabilities of the driver of the host vehicle. 
   
   
       5 . A vehicle vision system for a vehicle, said vehicle vision system comprising:
 an image sensor having a field of view and capturing image data of a scene exterior of the vehicle;   a monitor monitoring power consumption of the vehicle;   at least one lighting system that draws electrical power from the vehicle when operated;   an image processor processing said image data; and   wherein the electrical power drawn by said at least one lighting system is varied at least in part responsive to processing of said image data by said image processor in order to adjust fuel consumption by the vehicle.   
   
   
       6 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 5 , wherein the electrical power drawn by said at least one lighting system is reduced at least in part responsive to processing of said image data by said image processor in order to reduce fuel consumption by the vehicle. 
   
   
       7 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 5 , wherein said vehicle vision system reduces the light generated by said vehicle lighting system during driving conditions when less vehicle lighting is desired while directing light at areas where it is determined that light is desired. 
   
   
       8 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 5 , wherein said image sensor has a forward field of view and captures image data of a scene forward of the vehicle and in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. 
   
   
       9 . A vehicle vision system for a vehicle, said vehicle vision system comprising:
 an image sensor and image processor, said image sensor having a field of view exterior of the vehicle for capturing image data of a scene forward of the vehicle, said image processor processing said image data;   wherein said vehicle vision system distinguishes the presence of a live animal from a dead animal imaged within said field of view; and   wherein said system at least one of (a) generates an alert and (b) controls the vehicle to assist in avoiding a collision.   
   
   
       10 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 9 , wherein said system is adaptable to the driver's assumption of risk when operating to avoid a collision with the animal or to continue on the vehicle's path of travel. 
   
   
       11 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 9 , wherein said system is adaptable to react differently depending on the type of animal that is detected and identified. 
   
   
       12 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 9 , wherein said system is adaptable to react differently depending on whether the detected animal is distinguished as a live animal or a dead animal. 
   
   
       13 . The vehicle vision system of  claim 9 , comprising:
 at least two image sensors having at least one of (a) a forward field of view and capturing image data of a scene forward of the vehicle, (b) a rearward field of view and capturing image data of a scene rearward of the vehicle and (c) a sideward field of view and capturing image data of a scene to the side of the vehicle; and   a display displaying the captured images as a merged image with image stitching of the component images to minimize artifacts of image stitching.