A method, a device, a system, a computer program product, and a computer system drives a vehicle with vision assistance. The device includes an imager vertically extendable from a surface of a vehicle from a retracted position to an extended position. The imager is configured to capture images from a predetermined height above the vehicle while the imager is in the extended position. The images capture a field of view including a predetermined distance from the vehicle. The device includes a mount coupled to the imager and having an extendable length to position the imager in the retracted position and the extended position. The device includes a processor configured to process the images to determine a recommendation for driving the vehicle based on driving conditions present at the predetermined distance based on the images.

A method for detecting an arrangement of cameras of a multi-camera system of a mobile carrier platform with respect to one another. The method includes reading in first and second image signals, the first image signals representing an image of a marker pattern and a first camera parameter from a first camera and the second image signals representing an image of a marker pattern and a second camera parameter from a second camera, the first and second cameras being oriented in different viewing directions, the viewing areas of the first and second camera at least partially overlapping. The method further includes extracting a first arrangement parameter of the first camera using the read-in first image signal and/or extracting a second arrangement parameter of the second camera using the read-in second image signal, and also calculating a differential arrangement parameter of the second camera in relation to the first camera.

A method for automatic generation of calibration parameters for a surround view (SV) camera system is provided that includes capturing a video stream from each camera comprised in the SV camera system, wherein each video stream captures two calibration charts in a field of view of the camera generating the video stream; displaying the video streams in a calibration screen on a display device coupled to the SV camera system, wherein a bounding box is overlaid on each calibration chart, detecting feature points of the calibration charts, displaying the video streams in the calibration screen with the bounding box overlaid on each calibration chart and detected features points overlaid on respective calibration charts, computing calibration parameters based on the feature points and platform dependent parameters comprising data regarding size and placement of the calibration charts, and storing the calibration parameters in the SV camera system.

Systems and methods for receiving a video feed from a trailer control module disposed in a vehicle trailer are described. One method includes aggregating a trailer front view, a trailer rear view, a trailer left view, and a trailer right view into an aggregated birds-eye view at a first control module disposed on the trailer, and sending the aggregated view to a vehicle towing the trailer via a single auxiliary video channel integrated into a trailer hitch wiring harness. The method further includes receiving the feed of the birds-eye view at the second control module disposed in the vehicle via the single auxiliary camera input channel, and displaying the trailer birds-eye view video feed at an output display disposed in a cabin of the towing vehicle. The birds-eye view may be output on a split screen in conjunction with a rear-view of the trailer, obtained from a vehicle camera system.

A vehicle's panoramic view system includes a non-centered real camera that captures an image of surroundings, a virtual camera, an image processing unit, and a display unit that displays a geometric form overlaid over the captured image. The image processing unit projects the captured image onto a first plane perpendicular to the real camera to correct perspective distortions resulting from the camera's non-centered position, and projects the geometric form onto a second plane perpendicular to the virtual camera to represent the geometric form without distortion on the display unit. The image processing unit finds an affine transformation between the first and second planes by delta transformation between the real and virtual cameras, and applies the affine transformation to the first plane containing the projected distortion-corrected captured image, to align a modified representation of the image with the undistorted geometric form in the second plane.

A visual scene around a vehicle is displayed to an occupant of the vehicle on a display panel as a virtual three-dimensional image from an adjustable point of view outside the vehicle. A simulated image is assembled corresponding to a selected vantage point on an imaginary parabolic surface outside the vehicle from exterior image data and a virtual vehicle image superimposed on a part of the image data. Objects are detected at respective locations around the vehicle subject to potential impact. An obstruction ratio is quantified for a detected object having corresponding image data in the simulated image obscured by the vehicle image. When the detected object has an obstruction ratio above an obstruction threshold, a corresponding bounding zone of the vehicle image is rendered at least partially transparent in the simulated image to unobscure the corresponding image data.

A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.

Systems and method for a driver assistance system including a surround view system are provided. In an example method for automatically selecting a virtual camera position in the surround view system, the method includes selecting one of the one or more vehicle surrounding the host vehicle as a threat vehicle based on at least one of a geographic position, and a velocity of the vehicle relative to one or more of a position, a heading, and a speed of the host vehicle. Based on the selected threat vehicle, the method includes selecting a virtual camera position such that the threat vehicle and a portion of the host vehicle are in view of a virtual camera, and displaying an image from the virtual camera position to a driver of the host vehicle.

A vehicular vision system includes at least a sideward-viewing side camera at a side of a vehicle, a rearward-viewing rear backup camera, and a ground illumination light module disposed at the side of the vehicle and including at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rear portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part viewed by the sideward-viewing side camera and the rearward-viewing rear backup camera. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.

Vehicle safety is enhanced by providing a video system incorporating multiple cameras providing separate video feeds that are stitched together by a controller to provide a composite video viewable by the operator that changes in real time along with changes to the speed and direction of the vehicle.