A vehicular vision system includes a camera module that includes a camera and a circuit board. With the camera module mounted at a vehicle windshield, the camera has a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The camera includes an imager and a lens, with the lens having a principal lens axis. The camera captures image data. The camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at the circuit board via a flexible electrical connector. Circuity of the circuit board (i) provides electrical power to the camera via the flexible electrical connector, (ii) controls the camera via the flexible electrical connector and (iii) receives image data from the camera via the flexible electrical connector. With the camera module mounted at the windshield, the circuit board is tilted at an angle relative to the principal lens axis of the lens of the camera.

A vehicular vision system includes a camera module configured for mounting at an in-cabin portion of a windshield of a vehicle and including a circuit board and a camera that views forward of the vehicle and through the windshield. The camera includes a CMOS imaging sensor array. A data processor is operable to process image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array is encoded by a data encoder chip. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array that is encoded at the data encoder chip is carried as a data stream from the camera module to the data processor via a cable. Communication via the cable between the camera and the data processor is bidirectional. The data processor is located in the vehicle remote from the camera module.

An image sensor may include an array of imaging pixels and row control circuitry. Each imaging pixel may include a photodiode, a floating diffusion region, a transfer transistor configured to transfer charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion region, a dual conversion gain transistor coupled to the floating diffusion region, and a storage capacitor coupled to the dual conversion gain transistor. The capacitor may have a plate that receives a modulated control signal and the row control circuitry may be configured to modulate the control signal. To reduce image artifacts, the modulated control signal may be modulated low during the integration time of the pixel and may be modulated high during the high conversion gain readout time of the pixel.

A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view exterior of the vehicle and being operable to capture image data. An angular filter is disposed at least partially in the field of view of the camera. The angular filter limits reflection of light through an angular range that corresponds to stray light that would otherwise impinge the lens of the camera. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing at the image processor of image data captured by the camera, the control controls a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

One embodiment of a system and method for imaging items may include storing at least one lookup table that includes position data of multiple image regions, where the position data provides relative positions of the image regions. An item may be moved to pass through the image regions. Image data of the item may be imaged as the item passes through a plurality of the image regions. The position data may be applied to the captured respective image data from each of the image regions through which the item passed to form a set of stitching image data that is substantially aligned with one another. The set of stitching image data may be stitched to form a composite image of the item.

A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view exterior of the vehicle and being operable to capture image data. An angular filter is disposed at least partially in the field of view of the camera. The angular filter limits reflection of light through an angular range that corresponds to stray light that would otherwise impinge the lens of the camera. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing at the image processor of image data captured by the camera, the control controls a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

This application is directed to controlling a camera that includes an electrochromic glass layer. The electrochromic glass layer is disposed in front of a sensor array of the camera and has optical transmission properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the electrochromic glass layer. In accordance with a determination to transition the camera mode to a Day mode, a camera controller generates a first voltage, which is then applied to the electrochromic glass layer to cause the lens assembly to enter a first transmission state. In response to the first voltage, the electrochromic glass layer removes a substantial portion of a predefined band of infrared wavelengths in ambient light incident on the camera, and simultaneously passes by the electrochromic glass layer a substantial portion of visible wavelengths in the ambient light, thereby exposing the sensor array to the substantial portion of the visible wavelengths of the ambient light.

This application is directed to a lens assembly configured to focus light on a sensor array of an optical device. The lens assembly comprises one or more optical lenses and an electrochromic layer positioned between the one or more optical lenses and the sensor array. The electrochromic layer has one or more optical properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the layer, including a first optical property related to optical transmissivity. The first optical property includes a first state, responsive to a first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially opaque to a predefined band of IR wavelengths. The first optical property also includes a second state, responsive to a second applied voltage distinct from the first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially transparent to the predefined band of IR wavelengths and visible wavelengths.

A vehicular vision system includes a camera module configured for mounting at an in-cabin portion of a windshield of a vehicle and including a circuit board and a camera that views forward of the vehicle and through the windshield. The camera includes a CMOS imaging sensor array. A flexible coupling is provided between the camera and the circuit board. A data processor is operable to process image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array. Image data captured by the CMOS imaging sensor array is encoded by a data encoder chip. Captured image data captured that is encoded at the data encoder chip is carried as a data stream from the camera module to the data processor via a cable. Communication via the cable between the camera and the data processor is bidirectional. The data processor is located in the vehicle remote from the camera module.

An imaging device includes a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of avalanche photodiodes, a setting unit configured to set the plurality of avalanche photodiodes to an active state or an inactive state separately, and a counter circuit that counts and outputs number of photons determined by the avalanche photodiode(s) set to the active state out of the plurality of avalanche photodiodes, wherein the imaging device is configured to change the number of avalanche photodiodes set to the active state out of the plurality of avalanche photodiodes in accordance with brightness of an object.