A surround view monitoring system and a method for providing the same, including a plurality of registration cameras, each mounted on a vehicle and photographing different areas around the vehicle; a depth camera that acquires distance information with respect to an obstacle existing around the vehicle; an image synthesis unit that generates a synthesis image by synthesizing images photographed by the plurality of registration cameras, and displays the distance information with respect to the obstacle acquired by the depth camera on an obstacle existing in the synthesis image; and an image control unit that displays the synthesized synthesis image on a display device are disclosed.

A system for capturing image data for gestures from a passenger or a driver in a vehicle with a dynamic illumination level comprises a low-lux sensor equipped to capture image data in an environment with an illumination level below an illumination threshold, a high-lux sensor equipped to capture image data in the environment with the illumination level above the illumination threshold, and an object recognition module for activating the sensors. The object recognition module determines the illumination level of the environment and activates the low-lux sensor if the illumination level is below the illumination threshold. If the illumination level is above the threshold, the object recognition module activates the high-lux sensor.

A warning system and a method for warning a driver of a vehicle of an object in a proximity of the vehicle. The system includes a device for detecting the object, a device for processing an image of the object based on the detection so that a representation indicative of the object is achieved, and a display for displaying the representation indicative of the object in the vehicle.

An electronic camera system is operable in a first operating state, in which a video signal delivered by the image sensor is based on the detection of visible light only, and a second operating state, in which a video signal delivered by the image sensor is at least in part based on the detection of infrared light. The camera system includes an electronic image sensor that is sensitive to visible light and infrared light, a lens system that is transparent to visible light and infrared light and serves for projecting an image onto the image sensor and a filter assembly arranged in front of the image sensor.

A night vision apparatus having a camera assembly with a camera housing that has a charge-coupled device image sensor, an infrared illuminator assembly, and a first base assembly. Further having a switch assembly and a display assembly. The camera housing has a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a lens, and an adaptor. The lens has a focal length of approximately 25 mm or 50 mm. The infrared illuminator assembly has a housing, an infrared illuminator lens, an infrared illuminator, and a supporting structure. The infrared illuminator is an approximately 2.5 watt illuminator that produces an approximately 10° main beam pattern. The infrared illuminator assembly is attached to the camera housing. The first base assembly has a suction cup secures the camera assembly onto a surface. The switch assembly is electrically connected to a battery assembly. The display receives and shows images captured by the camera assembly.

An optical imaging system includes a first lens, as second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, and a fifth lens. The first lens includes a positive refractive power and a convex image-side surface. The second lens includes a positive refractive power, and the third lens includes a negative refractive power. The fourth lens includes a positive refractive power, and the fifth lens includes a positive refractive power. The first to fifth lenses are sequentially disposed from an object side toward an imaging plane.

A method provides driver information in a motor vehicle, in which method a recording device of the motor vehicle captures an image flow containing images of at least one part of the environment of the motor vehicle. A display unit in the interior of the motor vehicle reproduces at least one image section of the image flow. A display control unit of the motor vehicle automatically modifies the environmental section shown to the driver by reproducing the image section using the display unit. During the reproduction of the image section, in addition to the representation of the environmental section, at least first optical information relating to the position of the environmental section relative to the motor vehicle is output to the driver.

An infrared thermal camera can be installed in a vehicle, such as a car, to provide different capabilities including night vision, passenger temperature monitoring, liveness detection, and avoidance of collisions with animals. The camera may be located inside the vehicle facing outwards through the front windshield. The camera may be used in multiple modes. In a first mode, the camera may be used to provide night vision or other thermal imaging of a scene outside the vehicle using a first field of view. In a second mode, the camera may be used to provide thermal imaging of a scene at least partially inside the vehicle using a second field of view, which may be useful, for example, for scanning the skin temperatures of occupants.

A vehicular accessory system includes an attachment element adhered at an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle and an accessory assembly attached to the attachment element. The accessory assembly includes circuitry disposed in the housing, the circuitry including a video camera. The video camera, when the accessory assembly is attached to the attachment element, has a field of view into the interior of the vehicle that encompasses the head of a potential driver of the vehicle. The video camera captures an image of the face of the potential driver and, responsive to image processing by image recognition software of the vehicular accessory system, the vehicular accessory system determines that the potential driver is an authorized driver who is authorized to operate the vehicle and, responsive to this determination, enables the ignition system to allow the motor of the vehicle be started.

In a method, an area surrounding a first motor vehicle is scanned optically on the part of the first motor vehicle; a message is determined on the basis of the scanned information; the message is transmitted from the first motor vehicle to a second motor vehicle, a distance between the first and the second motor vehicle not exceeding a predetermined maximum value; a graphic representation of the area surrounding the first motor vehicle is determined on the basis of the message; and the representation is output on board the second motor vehicle.