MXPA01002676A

MXPA01002676A - Systems and components for enhancing rear vision from a vehicle

Info

Publication number: MXPA01002676A
Application number: MXPA/A/2001/002676A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Joseph S Stam; John K Roberts; Frederick T Bauer; Lois Bauer
Original assignee: Gentex Corporation
Priority date: 1998-09-15
Filing date: 2001-03-14
Publication date: 2001-12-04

Abstract

A vehicle system is disclosed that includes a vehicle lamp assembly including a plurality of LEDs that emit white light so as to function as an illuminator light. The lamp assembly also may include a plurality of LEDs that emit colored light, such as red or red-orange, so as to function as a signal light (186). Alternatively or additionally, the lamp assembly may include a camera (26a) of a vehicle imaging system. The lamp assembly may serve as a center high mounted stop light (184) or as a tail light (188). The system also includes a controller (30) that rapidly pulses the LEDs on and off at a rate that is imperceivable by the human eye. The pulsing intervals of the LEDs may be related to the readout intervals of the camera sensor array. In this manner, the LEDs may be pulsed on during camera readout so as to increase their intensity while the camera is capturing an image, or may be pulsed off during camera readout to prevent feedback glare from interfering with image capture by a highly sensitive image sensor array on the camera (26a).

Description

SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS TO IMPROVE THE POST VISION OF A VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to systems and devices for improving the posterior vision of a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to the external lighting system of the vehicle, the visual signaling system and / or the electronic rear vision system. Recently the private mirror has become a very popular option for vehicles due to its aesthetic appearance, to the reduction of solar charge, and due to the belief that the private mirror provides some deterrence to an automobile hijacker, who consequently , can not see who is the driver, who else can be in the vehicle, or if there could be a dog in the vehicle. The use of private mirrors, however, introduces many security issues. Currently, the private mirror is allowed in all windows of the vehicle, with the exception of Ref: 128117 front windshield and the side windows of the driver and the front passenger. The typical private mirror only has 15 to 20 percent transmittance or transmitting capacity. When a private mirror is used on the rear window of a vehicle, the vision of the driver through the rear window deteriorates significantly, particularly at night. Because the support lights in a vehicle do not provide sufficient illumination in the rear of the vehicle to oppose the effects of the private mirror, the use of the private mirror significantly increases the risk of the driver moving towards back or hit something or someone accidentally. Therefore, there is a need for practical systems and / or devices that improve the driver's rear view from inside a vehicle having private mirrors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to solve the above problems by providing a vehicle lamp assembly, which in turn, provides additional lighting to the back of a vehicle. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp assembly that is relatively inexpensive and does not require frequent replacement of the light source. To achieve these and other aspects and advantages, a vehicle lamp assembly that is constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a support structure, which is mounted to the rear of a vehicle, a lens that is mounted to the structure of support, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are mounted to the support structure behind the lens. The LEDs are activated, selectively in response to an activation signal, so that a white light, substantially, is emitted from the lens in the rearward direction of the vehicle. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp assembly that provides supplementary illumination, as also it emits a colored light that can serve as a light signal, such as a braking signal or a directional light signal. To achieve this and other aspects and advantages, a vehicle signal lamp assembly according to the present invention comprises a support structure that is mounted to a vehicle, a lens that is mounted to the support structure, a first assembly of LEDs that are mounted to the support structure behind the lens, and a second set of LEDs that are mounted to the support structure behind the lens. The first set of LEDs is activated in response to the first activation signal, so that the colored light is emitted from the lens. The second set of LEDs is activated, selectively, in response to a second activation signal, so that substantial white light is emitted from the lens. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide an electronic imaging system to allow the capture of images on the back of the vehicle with a camera and to display them to the driver in a device display. Another aspect of the present invention is to install the camera of the imaging system to the rear of the vehicle in a position in which it is relatively covered and pleasant, aesthetically, and which is very practical and economical from the point of the position of manufacture. To achieve these and other aspects and advantages, an electronic imaging system according to the present invention comprises a support structure that is mounted to the rear of a vehicle, a lens that is mounted to the support structure, a plurality of LEDs that are mounted to the support structure behind the lens, and a camera that is mounted to the support structure behind the lens to capture images on the back of the vehicle, which visualizes the vehicle operator. The LEDs are activated, selectively, in response to an activation signal, so that radiation is emitted from the lens in a rearward direction of the vehicle. Still another aspect of the present invention is to integrate a camera of an image system of vehicle with an existing vehicle component, thereby allowing such cameras to be installed more easily in a vehicle. To achieve this and other aspects and advantages, a modular rear vehicle window assembly integrated according to the present invention comprises a rear window and a camera. The camera can be mounted to an interior surface of the rear window to capture an image on the back of the vehicle through the rear window or the camera can be mounted to a window frame structure on which the rear window is mounted . Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle imaging system that has an improved ability to capture images at the rear of the vehicle whether it is driven forward, downward or reversed on the road. To achieve this aspect and other aspects and advantages, a vehicle imaging system according to the present invention comprises a camera for capturing an image, a radiation source for emitting radiation to which the camera is sensitive within the field of view of the camera, and a controller connected to the camera and radiation source to read the image captured by the camera at periodic intervals and to periodically activate the radiation source during intervals in the which the controller is reading the camera image. The radiation source can emit infrared radiation as the vehicle is driving forward or down a road, and / or can emit visible light when the vehicle is in reverse or in reverse. Another aspect of the present invention is to reduce the adverse effects of a light signal or lighting that could have in a camera that is installed close to the lights. To achieve this and other aspects and advantages, an electronic image and lighting system according to the present invention comprises a light source that is mounted to the vehicle, a camera that is mounted to the vehicle, which captures images that it visualizes to the operator of the vehicle, and a controller connected to the camera and the light source to read the captured image by means of the camera in periodic intervals and to periodically activate the light source during those intervals when the controller is not reading the images captured by the camera. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will also be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specifications, claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 is a block-shaped electrical circuit diagram illustrating the system constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a block-shaped electrical circuit diagram illustrating a vehicle vision subsystem that can be used in the system of the present invention; Figure 3 is a timeline that illustrates the relationship between reading images from a series of sensors and / or the on / off state of a nearby light source; Figure 4 is a side perspective view of a vehicle in which the present invention is implemented; Figure 5 is a partial side perspective view of the vehicle shown in Figure 4 taken in partial cross-section; Figure 6 is an oblique perspective view of a vehicle in which the present invention is implemented; Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle in which a first embodiment of the present invention is implemented; Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a light / camera assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a light / camera assembly shown in Figure 8 as it is applied to a vehicle window; Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle in which a second embodiment of the present invention is implemented; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a mounting stop or braking light installed in the upper central part (CHMSL) constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the CHMSL assembly shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a light / camera assembly constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the light / camera assembly shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the front interior part of a vehicle in which the present invention is implemented according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the front interior part of a vehicle in which the present invention is implemented according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the front interior part of a vehicle in which the present invention is implemented according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 18 is a perspective view of the front interior part of a vehicle in which the present invention is implemented according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the front interior part of a vehicle in which the present invention is implemented according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 20 is a perspective view of a rear view mirror in the interior part constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 21 is an oblique perspective view of a CHMSL light source constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 22 is a side perspective view of a CHMSL light source shown in Figure 21; Figure 23 is a perspective view of an anti-glare visor constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 24 is a perspective view of a light source that is used in the anti-glare visor assembly shown in Figure 23 constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 25 is a perspective view of an anti-glare visor constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the anti-glare visor shown in Figure 25 taken along the line XXV-XXV; and Figure 27 is an enlarged view of the cross section shown in Figure 26.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes Figure 1 shows a system diagram illustrating the various components that make up the system 10 of the present invention. As illustrated, the system 10 includes an electronic image subsystem 12. The image subsystem 12 includes at least one camera 26a, 26b, and / or 26c; at least one display device 32a, 32b, and / or 32c; and an image processing unit 30. The image subsystem 12 may also include an ambient light sensor 34, a direct brightness sensor 36, a manual intensity adjustment mechanism 116, and / or an infrared (IR) emitter 140. The system 10 further includes a first light 180 and, optionally, a second light 182 housed therein. same assembly 200 as the camera 26a. The IR 140 emitter can also be housed in the same integral assembly 200. As described in more detail below, a first light 180 can be a light signal such as a braking light, and a second light 182 can also be a signal luminous or a lighting light such as a charging light for a truck or a backlighting light. Yes, for example, light 180 is the braking light for a CHMSL, assembly 200 may take the form of a CHMSL assembly having an integrated camera 26a and a CHMSL braking light. Alternatively, assembly 200 could take the form of a tail light assembly in which the light source 180 is a functioning / braking indicator light. The various physical modalities of the integral assembly 200 are described below following the detailed description of the image subsystem 12. As will also be described in more detail below, the system 12 preferably includes a switching interface circuit 150. which includes switches 151 and 152 for controlling the application of the activation signals for each of the lights 180 and 182, which are mounted in a common assembly 200 with a camera 26a. The switches 151 and 152 are controlled by the image processing unit 30 in the manner described below to reduce the retroaction brightness that comes from the light emitted by the lights 180 and 182 during the operation of the camera 26a. The activation signals that are applied to the lights 180 and 182 may be those signals applied from a conventional vehicle lighting system 160. The conventional vehicle lighting system typically includes some form of vehicle light system control 162 that receives input signals from, for example, a brake pedal 164, a direction change signal actuator 166, a speed changer 168, a headlight switch 170, and / or a lighting switch 172. The vehicle light system control 162 uses these input signals to provide power or activation signals to the various light signals (which are generally identified as block 184) including braking lights, light signals of change of direction, and support lights, as well as to the different interior and exterior lighting lights of the vehicle (which are generally identified as block 186), such as the headlamps and operating indicator lights, the interior dome and the map lamp, and the outdoor lighting lamps (ie, charging and mixing lamps). In its simplest form, the vehicle light system control 162 can only include a plurality of switches to turn the lights on and off.

Image Subsystem With reference to Figure 2, the preferred image subsystem 12 is shown. As shown, a camera system 26 accepts image rays 50 that come from scene 24. The image rays 50 pass through a optional variable input attenuation filter 52 that emerges as attenuated image rays 54. Rays 50 or 54 are focused by the lens system 56 to become focused rays 58. A series of image sensors 60 is placed in the focal plane of the lens system 56. The series of image sensors is comprised of individual image point sensors, which are ideally placed in rows and columns. An image sensor interface and a control unit 62 provide control signals 64 to a series of image sensors 60 and receive electrical signals 66 corresponding to scene 24 from the series of image sensors 60. The sensor interface of FIG. image and control 62 can operate on signals 66, preferably, by including the digitization of the signals before transmitting the output signals of the camera system 68. If an optional lens attenuation filter 52 is used, the amount of attenuation is controlled by the lens attenuation control 70 through the lens attenuation filter signal 72. In a preferred embodiment , the camera system 26 is designed to handle a large dynamic range. A significant improvement over the above systems is the ability of the camera system 26 to capture and transmit details in scene 24 that has previously been obscured due to low illumination levels or due to the brightness that comes from the lights, such as headlights. A limitation of the dynamic range of the output of the camera system is due to the image point sensors in the series of image sensors. The preferred embodiment utilizes complementary cells (APS) complementary to photo-gate active point (CMOS) sensor of metal-oxide / metal-on-silicon semiconductor. The photo-door in each cell is used to integrate the developed charge that comes from the incident light. A storage site is capable of keep the load integrated. The storage site can be readjusted to a reference level that indicates the noise of the image point sensor. A divider or deflector circuit that can be selected, outputs a signal proportional to the integrated load or the reference value at the storage site. By subtracting the reference noise signal from the integrated load signal, a significant noise effect can be eliminated, increasing the sensitivity of the image point sensor. Another limitation of the dynamic range of the camera system has been the restriction in the length of time to integrate the charge produced by the incident light. Current systems limit the integration time to a time slightly less than a frame time. Because of this it is necessary to display the scene 24 so close to the real time, a high frame frequency of preferably not less than 30 frames per second is required. Traditionally, this has resulted in integration times no larger than 33 msec.

An optical sensor combining a series of image sensors 60 and an image sensor interface and a control 62 with a wide dynamic range implements a dual integration architecture by using storage in each image point cell to maintain the integrated load of the image. a previous frame period as it integrates the load for the current frame period. By adding the signals representing the integrated load during the current and the previous frame periods, a signal is produced that has an effective integration time of twice the frame period. A second method uses an interlacing architecture to read a subset of image point sensors during each frame period. Those point sensors of images that are not read in the given frame period continue to integrate the induced charge of light. By reading each image point sensor in a period that is a multiple of the frame time, an effective integration time greater than the frame time is reached. The values that represent the Unread cells of the image point in a given frame period can be interpolated from the point cells of nearby images that are read. A third method uses a double integration architecture to provide two integration signals. A first signal is generated by means of the integration load over a relatively long period. This load is stored in an image point sensor cell. A second signal is generated by means of the integration load over a relatively short period. If a signal, which corresponds to the long integration period, is less than one magnitude, the long integration signal is used as the output signal. If the long integration signal is not less than one magnitude, the short integration signal is used. This provides an output signal with a higher resolution at low illumination levels while still covering a wide range of brightness. A fourth method uses point readings of individual images to extend the effective dynamic range. In this method, sensors Individuals or sensors in groups of image points can be readjusted during the integration time, thereby providing a shorter integration period. The image areas of scene 24 that are dimly lit receive longer integration periods than areas that are brilliantly illuminated. When using this technique, the headlamps that shine from a tow vehicle in scene 24 are detected, locally, at a much lower sensitivity so that the saturation in the corresponding part of the image is reduced or eliminated as it is still detected the rest of scene 24 with sufficient sensitivity. This allows us to observe the detail that until now has been obscured by the bright headlights. Because often only two headlights cause the majority of brightness in the visual field of scene 24, and because the image of each headlight projects a small dimensioned area, typically, it surprises most of a sensor area point-of-two-by-two images, the ability to place as few as two windows of reduced integration time of standard size, such as, for example, three-by-three image point sensors, can produce considerable benefits in brightness control in the scene 24 image. The four methods described above can be implemented in the same optical sensor. The control inputs determine which of the methods are in use, the integration times, and the readjustment times. To accommodate wide inter-scene variations in lighting conditions, a variable attenuation filter 52 can be used. The input attenuation filter 52 can be implemented with an electrochromic window. The window transition from a clear attenuation to a maximum attenuation is based on the attenuation filter signal 72. The constant attenuation state is a reasonably stable function as well as capable of reproducing the voltage so that, having the ratio determined experimentally between the voltage and light attenuation, a controller can be used to adjust the amount of attenuation. This allows the camera system 26 to employ a series of highly sensitive image sensors 60 without excessive saturation in the brightness of daylight. As highly sensitive sensors are desirable because of their sensitivity at low light levels, which focuses the sensitivity of night vision systems, it has been found that such sensors are significantly, and adversely affected by the brightness of the lights on the vehicle that are in close proximity to the camera's optical lenses, particularly at night. Such exterior lights include tail lights, brake lights, CHMSLs, support lights, and direction change signal lights. Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a mechanism by which the image subsystem can interact with the lighting system of the vehicle. The electronic imaging system described above is capable of capturing useful images in very dark conditions, such as those experienced on a moonless night. The light sources in the lights 180-182 are preferably series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs have a unique property of very fast on / off times, unlike incandescent lamps, which require a significant fraction of a second to reach a total brightness intensity. Therefore, it is possible that the LEDs emit pulses on and off, quickly, several times per second. The human eye is not able to detect flashes in ranges larger than about 60 times per second. Therefore, if the LEDs are emitting pulses on and off at frequencies of 60 Hz or larger, the human eye will perceive the LEDs as if they were continuously on. The same average effect of the human eye allows a discrete video of frame movement to appear as continuous movement. A frame rate of 30 frames per second allows video, which is accepted, generally, as continuous frame rates of 60 frames per second, to have a super quality. Interlacing at 60 fields per second (of 30 full frames per second) is standard on NTSC television broadcasts. If these two concepts are used, it is now possible to build an integrated assembly 200 that includes at least one light 180-182 and a camera 26a, wherein the camera does not experience retroaction brightness that comes from the integrated lights. This is done by capturing frames, alternately, with the imaging system and pressing the LEDs of the integrated lights on and off. The LEDs are pressed between the frame integration periods. For example, if a video of 60 frames per second is desired, camera 26a can be purchased with LEDs that turn off for 8.3 msec. This is followed by a period of 8.3 msec, where the camera 26a is not acquired and the LEDs are on. Such a system can be implemented by exciting the switches 151 and 152, so that the connected phase of the illuminators 180 and 182 are synchronized with the integration period of the series of image sensors 60 as indicated in Figure 3.

The ability of the camera 26a to capture useful images at low illumination levels depends directly on the integration time of the image sensor series 60. The larger integration time of the image sensor is able to integrate the illumination , the best camera is capable of producing images with good resolution details in low light conditions. As the 8.3 msec frame period mentioned above has to be convenient for capturing images in daylight, it is likely that a longer integration period will be required at night. As noted, the 8.3 mseg frame period refers to both the integration time period and the reading time period. The reading time is typically limited by the A / D conversion speed in the digital camera system or in the scan-scan speed in an analog system. This means that the current integration time could be much less than 8.3 msec. However, the CMOS active image point photo gate architecture that is used in the image subsystem described with Priority, allows the entire 8.3 mség to be used for integration and for the reading to occur during the period when the LEDs are on. This is achieved through the integration of 8.3 msec and the subsequent transfer of the load from the photosite to each flotation-diffusion of the image points. The load transfer can happen, simultaneously, for all the points of images or quickly from row to row. Finally, during the next 8.3 msec period, the signal is read out of the floating broadcast. If an additional integration time is required, a technique of adding tables can be used to combine two integration periods of 8.3 msec in a table. This is done by storing the load of a frame in the floating spread as the next frame is acquired. The loading of both tables is added together to give a larger signal. In the end, the pulse emission frequency of the LED / camera cycle can be reduced to give larger integration times. However, this results in the disadvantage of an increase in flicker or oscillations of the integrated lighting with a decrease in pulse emission frequency. The determination of the required integration times and the performance cycles can be done by means of the image processing unit 30, which evaluates the brightness average of each image. The image processing unit provides the signal to change the on or off LEDs and starts the image acquisition process. In addition to the light signals, supplementary white LED binary lighting can be provided for additional assistance to the driver in support or load lighting in a van. In this case, it is presumed that this light is not necessary for the subsystem of images for satisfactory images, although instead it is intended to provide lighting that helps the driver. As described further below, the driver assistance illuminators are advantageous, in particular, when the vehicle is equipped with private mirrors. To avoid the brightness of this light the white LEDs Complementary binaries can be pressed on and off in the same way as the signal LEDs. Although the above description discloses the use of a CMOS active image spot photo gate sensor for a plity of image sensors 60, other imaging technologies may be used. For example, a CCD frame transfer (connected charging device) would allow the integration of lights during a period where the LEDs are off, and would allow reading as the LEDs are on. Other CMOS image technologies include active photodiode point sensors, passive image point sensors, and point sensors for PIN photodiode images that could also be used. CIDs (charge injection devices), BCMDs (modulated mass load devices), and any other imaging technology can be used with varying degrees of performance. A second method to eliminate the brightness of the integrated light signals involves filtering the emitted light that comes from those lights. This method is appropriate for any type of technology of electronic images. Typically, LEDs have a relatively narrow spectral band in which they emit most of their light energy. The light emitted by an LED is distributed in an approximately normal distribution with a standard deviation of about 10 nm, approximately. As a result, a relatively narrow band notch interference filter can prevent most of the light coming from an LED from entering the camera's optical system, as it does not significantly reduce the total light reaching the camera. across the spectrum in the region where the camera is sensitive. In the preferred embodiment a narrow band reflection interference filter 385 (Fig. 9) is placed in the optical path of the chamber 26a. The filter is designed to have maximum reflection at the emission wavelength peak of the LEDs that are used in the integrated light signals. The filter is also designed to transmit light of shorter and longer wavelengths than those that are emitted, substantially, by the LED. Therefore, the camera is effectively blind to the specific wavelengths of light that the LED emits as it is able to represent the majority of the spectrum. The filter can be placed on the front of the lens, in one piece or integral with the lens, or behind the lens in front of the image sensor. The final mode that prevents illumination of the integrated light signals from interfering with the electronic image subsystem is to provide a shock means to block light from the outside of the desired field of view of the camera entering the imaging system. This can be achieved by placing a black cover or a shock means around the lens extending beyond the integrated lights in the manner described in more detail below with reference to Figures 8 and 9. For some imaging systems, it may be necessary to provide supplementary lighting during dark conditions to achieve satisfactory images. This is true, in particular, when the camera is placed behind the private mirror. In this case, a variety of illuminators LED can be used to provide such lighting. IR LEDs have the advantage of providing light, which is capable of being detected by means of silicon imaging technologies as it is not visible to the human eye. Therefore, if the supplementary illumination IR is used, the emitter IR 140 can be at any time on the camera 26a that is operating without distracting the other conductors. Preferred are the LEDs of peak wavelengths between 780 and 800 nm, because they are not visible to humans although they are close enough to the visible spectrum not to be severely aberrated by an optical system designed for visible wavelengths. Various visible illuminators can also be used, including complementary white light binary illumination. The alternating pulse system described above provides a mechanism to achieve a larger output signal from an illumination LED. It is known that LEDs can be operated at higher currents, substantially, if they were pressed more than if they were operated continually. Because the imaging system is only being integrated during pulsed cycles, it is advantageous to only operate the supplementary lighting LEDs when the camera is being integrated. This pressing operation allows higher currents to be used at higher output levels of the LEDs, thereby reducing the number of LEDs needed in the application. The disadvantage of providing supplementary lighting for the rear view system incorporated in the same assemblies as the camera assembly is the potential return of brightness to the camera lens as described for the integrated light signals. This is overcome by using a shock means similar to that shown in Figures 8 and 9 to prevent the light coming from the integrated signal lights. Alternatively, supplementary lighting could be provided in a position separate from the assembly of integrated signal / camera lights. Another possibility would place the lights and the supplementary illuminator in one package and the camera in a different position. In any case, all three devices are they control, preferably, from a central source, such as an image processing unit 30, which coordinates the timing of the light signals, the driver assistance illuminators, the supplementary image system illuminator, and the camera. The image processing unit 30 includes an image brightness detector 74 and a point luminance mapping control of display images 76 both receive the output signal from the camera system 68. The image brightness detector 74 can determine the Brilliance level of a complete image and can determine the brightness levels of the regions within the image. The display image point luminance mapping control 76 can compress the wide dynamic range of the output signal from the camera system 68 to an output signal that can be comfortably observed by the operator 22. The mapping control luminance point of display images 76 can also increase the visibility of scene 24 as it limits the highest levels of light, which are detrimental to night vision of the operator 22. The display luminance signal 78 is processed by means of the display interface 80 to produce the display signal 82 for the display device 32a. The control logic 84 is in communication with the image brightness detector 74 via the common link 86 the display image point luminance mapping control 76 through the common link 88, the display interface 80 through the common link 90, the image and control sensor interface 62 uses the image sensor control signal 92, the input attenuation control 70 uses the input attenuation control signal 94. The display device 32 includes an interface display 80 which feeds a display signal 82 to a display or display 100. The display beams 104 generated by the display or display 100, pass through an optional display variable attenuation filter 106 and emerge as filtered display beams. 108. The rays of filtered displays 108 representing the scene 24 are viewed by the operator 22. If an optional display attenuation filter 106 is used, the amount of attenuation is controlled by the display attenuation control 110 through the filter signal of display attenuation 112. The display or display 100 can be implemented with a number of different technologies, including cathode ray tubes (CRT), field emission screens, black liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, and front screens (HUD). ). Many displays or screens do not have the range of brightness needed to cover a good dynamic range within a frame, in addition to a very large total brightness range for use in ambient light conditions, such ranges range from dark to light. bright sun. To reduce the requirements on the display 100, a variable display attenuation filter 106 may be used. In the preferred embodiment, the attenuation filter 106 is implemented with an electrochromic window. The attenuation filter is controls by means of the image processing system 30 through the display attenuation control signal 114.

Physical Implications Having described, in a general manner, the present invention at a system level, the physical implementation of the system and of several components will now be described. Figure 4 shows a side view of a vehicle 300 having side and rear windows 302 that can be manufactured as a private mirror. Yes the mount 200 (Figure 1) is built as a CHMSL, the assembly 200 can be installed in any central position on the back of the vehicle where the CHMSLs are commonly mounted. For example, the assembly 200 can be installed in a central position 304 on the roof of the vehicle above the rear window. Alternatively, the assembly 200 can be installed behind the rear window as indicated by reference 306. For vehicles having a trunk, the assembly 200 is Can be installed in the removable boot lid (not shown). If the light integrated in the assembly 200 with the camera 26a was not a CHMSL but instead was a direction change light signal, an operating light, a support light or a braking light, the assembly 200 could be installed in one or both tail light assemblies 306. Additional chambers 26b and 26c can be installed in assemblies 200, which are located within the headlamp / directional light signal assemblies 310. Such additional chambers can be installed for Capture front images of the vehicle, perpendicular to the vehicle's travel direction to improve vision at blind intersections, or to the sides and rear of the vehicle. Side additional cameras 26b and 26c can also be installed, for example, behind the side window of the vehicle in position 312. As will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 15-20, one or more devices 32 display can be installed in various positions within the vision of the vehicle operator. For example, a display device 32 can be installed above the console 322 of the vehicle and / or can be installed to the support 324 on the instrument panel 320. Alternatively, or additionally, the display device 32 is can be provided in the interior rear view mirror 333 or in one or both of the exterior rear view mirrors 330. Figure 5 shows an elongated partial section of the vehicle 300 of Figure 4 in which the assembly 200 is installed on the interior surface of the window rear 332. As shown in Figure 6, the rear window 332 may include a frost remover 334 that defines a frost area of the rear window 332. The window 332 may also have a windshield wiper 336 that mounts to it or in proximity to the window for cleaning dirt, mud, snow, or other debris from a cleaner zone 338 on the exterior surface of the rear window 332. Also a bo Washing fluid keel 340 can be installed to windshield wiper 336 or to vehicle body 300 in proximity to the rear window 332 for dispensing the wash fluid in a wash zone on the exterior surface of the rear window 332. As shown in Figure 7, the assembly 200 is installed in a central position in the lower part of the window. rear window 332. Preferably, the assembly 200 is installed behind at least one of the washing area, the wiper zone 338, or the frost removal area, so that a chamber 26a that is installed in the assembly 200 will have as clear a view as possible through the rear window 332. If the rear window 332 includes a frit 350, which is a coating or an opaque or dark film forming a band around the periphery of the rear window 332, the assembly 200 can be installed, in a covered manner, behind an external concealed part 352 in the frit 350. The outer concealed part 352 is a transparent region, substantially, of the window 332 attached to the r means of the frit 350. The part of the rear window 332 which corresponds to the outer, hidden part 352 may be completely clear or colored regardless of whether the rest of the window 332 is clear or colored. Figures 8 and 9 show an exemplary construction of a mounting 200 that can be installed to the interior surface of the rear window 332. The assembly 200 includes a support structure 360 which together with a lens 370 constitutes a housing. To improve the aesthetic appearance of the assembly 200 as seen through the rear window 332, at least the interior surfaces of the support structure 360 are painted black or some other dark color. As shown in Figure 9, support structure 360 can be mounted within outer concealed region 352 on frit 350 using a dark colored adhesive and / or caulking 361 to prevent light from coming through any space formed between the support structure 360 and the interior surface of the rear window 332. As shown in Figure 8, the first light 180 includes a central array of first LEDs 362, and a second light 182 includes two series of second LEDs 364 each of which is placed on opposite sides of the first light 180. The camera 26a is mounted in the central part of the first LED array 362 forming the first light 180. To prevent the diffuse light of the lights 180 and 182 cause the retroaction brightness through the camera's optical lenses, baffles 380 are provided between the first and second series of LEDs 362 and 364 and between the camera 26a and the first series of LEDs 362. The baffles 380 are preferably formed of an opaque material and extend through and out of the lens 370. With reference again to Figure 9, the LEDs 362 (as well as the LEDs 364) are mounted to a circuit board printed 363, which in turn is mounted within the support structure 360. The camera 26a is also preferably mounted to the circuit board 363. Specifically, the array of image sensors 60 is mounted on the circuit board 363 with e The camera lens system 56 which is supported at a distance outside the plate 363 by means of the lens holders 382. With this construction, the baffles 380 have to be extended to the circuit board 363. The lens 370 is preferably formed with four separate zones corresponding to the two series of LEDs 364 of the second one. light 182, the series of LEDs 362 of the first light 180, and a camera 26a. The lens area 372 covers the chamber 26a and is, generally, a flat transparent structure, so as not to distort the image captured by the camera 26a. The lens area 374 covers the series of LEDs 362 of the first light 180 and preferably has a rough surface to diffuse the emitted light coming from the LEDs 362. For example, the lens area 374 could be configured as a cubic diffuser of corner. The lens area covering the two series of LEDs 364 of the second light 182 can be configured as a Fresnel lens or in any other way to project the illumination as completely as possible within the field of view of the camera 26a. For the reasons listed above, a bandpass notch filter can be applied 385 as a coating or a film to the surface of the lens 370 in the lens area 372 to filter the light output having wavelengths similar to those emitted from the LEDs 362 and / or LEDs 364. When manufacturing all the black components With the exception of the lens, the camera lens, and the LEDs, the assembly 200 may be concealed so as to be covered behind the rear window 332. Preferably, the part of the rear window 332 that corresponds to the external hidden part 352 of the frita 350 is the private mirror of color that also hides the assembly 200. In this way, nobody would be able to notice the presence of the camera and only the presence of the assembly would be noticed when one of the lights is illuminated. This offers a safety advantage, which is much less likely than the one that could cause bright sunlight or a CHMSL to appear erroneously as if it were so direct. In addition, the camera 26a could be used for security purposes as well as for later viewing.

The assembly can additionally be made to cover more if an interferential or metallic band pass filter is used to the rear window 332 or if an active element such as an electro chromic element is mounted to the window which can be made transparent when the camera or the lights are activated and can be obscured at all other times. For example, the electrochromic element could be maintained in a normally obscured state, and could be controlled to clear in response to the application of the vehicle's brakes and to return to the normally darkened state when the brakes are no longer applied. Because the electro chromic element does not clarify, instantaneously, the LEDs constituting the braking light can be controlled to initially emit a light at a greater intensity to compensate for the lack of immediate clarity of the electro chromic element. Once the electro chromic element has completely cleared, which only takes less than half a second, the intensity of the LEDs can be reduced accordingly. Examples of electrochromic elements that can be used for this purpose are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,108 published February 20, 1990, and in published PCT application WO 98/44384, published October 8, 1998. With assembly 200 installed in the position shown in Figure 7, first light 180 operates, preferably a CHMSL, and thus the LEDs 362 are preferably red or red-orange and are activated when the vehicle light system control 162 issues a braking signal. As described above, the braking signal that is applied to the LEDs 362 can be pulsed by the application of a signal to a corresponding switch 151 (Figure 1) by means of the image processing unit 30. The second light 182 It can function as any form of signal or lighting light. Preferably, the second light 182 functions as an IR emitter 140 to provide supplementary illumination for the camera 26a, in which case the LEDs 164 are LEDs emitting IR radiation in the range of 780 to 800 nm. As previously stated, any IR radiation emitted can be continuous, due to this would not hinder the vision of any of the other drivers. Alternatively, the IR LEDs can be pressed during those periods in which the camera 26a is being integrated in order to maximize the intensity of its emissions. The second light 182 could also function as an assistant illuminator of the rear driver whereby the latter could project white light, substantially backwards to assist the driver as the vehicle retraces. In this case, the LEDs 362 may be LEDs that emit white light or may include LEDs that emit light of complementary binary colors or complementary ternary colors. Binary complementary LEDs that, in combination, project a metameric white light are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,579 published September 8, 1998. When the white light illumination is to be projected from the second light 182, the activation signal that is used to turn on the support lights would also be used to activate the LEDs 362 when the vehicle is in reverse. Again, to maximize the illumination of the second light 182, the LEDs 362 can be pressed as the camera 26a is in integration. However, to minimize the brightness of the LEDs 362 from adversely impacting the image captured by the camera 26a, the LEDs 362 are preferably separated from the camera 26a and the baffles 380 are provided to block as much brightness as possible. It will be appreciated, however, that the assembly 200 can be constructed without the camera 26a in such a case, the LEDs 362 can be pulsed, although it is not necessary. By having the assembly 200 installed, directly, to the rear window 332 in the manner described above, a modular rear window structure 301 can be created, which can be shipped as a single OEM product to an assembly plant. By integrating the camera and the CHMSL in a single assembly and incorporating the assembly into a module structure that includes a rear window and any frost remover and / or cleaner, the wiring for the electrical components can be extended from a single position on the rear window module 301 therefore simplifies the installation of these components in the assembly plant. In addition, the inclusion of the camera in the modular rear window structure allows a rear window manufacturer to offer added value to the vehicle manufacturer. Figure 10 shows an alternative installation of a lightweight assembly 400 constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the assembly 400 is installed within the frame structure 410 that surrounds and supports a rear window 412. The assembly 400, the rear window 412, and the frame 410 can be preassembled into a unique modular structure 401 that is It can supply as an OEM product and can be installed in an assembly plant. The modular structure 401 differs from the modular structure 301 (Figure 6) in that the assembly 400 is not installed behind the rear window 412, but is installed adjacent to the rear window 412, so that the light emitted from that location is not projected through the window 412, which can be made of a private mirror. The modular structure 401 also offers the advantage that a camera installed in assembly 400 will not have its effective sensitivity reduced by the private mirror. As further explained below, assembly 400 may, although not necessary, include a camera. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, assembly 400 includes a support structure 420 and a lens structure 422, which together form a housing for first light 180 and second light 182. Preferably, the first light 180 includes a series of red or orange-red LEDs 428 that are activated in response to an activation signal that is received when the vehicle's brakes are applied to operate as a CHMSL. The second light 182 preferably includes two series of LEDs 430, which are provided on opposite sides of the series of LEDs 428. Preferably, the LEDs 430 include LEDs that are capable of causing white light to be Emitted from the lens 422. Most preferably, the LEDs 430 include binary complementary LEDs as described in US Pat. No. 5,803,579, cited above. The LEDs 430 can thus function as a charging light for a truck 402 (Figure 10) as light signals, and / or as driver assistance lighting lights. As can be seen quickly, driver assistance lighting lights are particularly useful when used in a vehicle such as a minivan, a sports utility vehicle, or a van with private mirrors that inherently limit visibility to behind. The lens 422 preferably includes three regions that cover each of the three series of LEDs. The central region 424, which covers the LEDs 428, may be clear or red and may function as a diffusion lens. The peripheral regions 426, which cover the two series of LEDs 430, are clear, preferably with suitable optical lenses integrated to function as a charging light or as a light signal. As mentioned above, a camera / lights assembly can be installed in the tail light assembly 308 of the vehicle. Figures 13 and 14 show the possible construction of an assembly 500. Preferably, the assembly 500 includes a support structure 502 and a lens 504, the which together provide a housing for the integrated lights and the camera system. A first light 180 is provided at the top of the assembly 500 which includes a series of red or red-orange LEDs 506 which are mounted to a circuit board 363. Preferably, the first light 180 is controlled in such a way to operate such as the brake lights, the directional light signals, and the operating lights of the vehicle. Preferably, the second light 182 includes a series of LEDs 508 that are mounted to the circuit board 363 adjacent to the LED array 506. Preferably, the LEDs 508 are capable of projecting white light from the lens 504. More preferably, the LEDs 508 are complementary binary LEDs. By projecting white light, the second light 182 can function as a support light. A camera 26a is also mounted to the circuit board 363. As discussed above, the camera 26a includes a series of image sensors 60 and a lens system 56 that is supported by the lens holders 382. preferable, the lens 504 includes three regions, which in turn include a first region 510 covering the LEDs of the first light 180, a second region 512 covering the LEDs of the second light 182, and a third region 514 covering the camera 26a. Preferably, the first region 510 is either red or clear and acts as a diffuser. The second and third regions 512 and 514 are clear, preferably. The third region 514 does not introduce optical effects as the second region 512 serves to direct the light emitted in a particular direction. To prevent diffuse light from lights 180 and 182 from interfering with the image by. the camera 26a, the baffles 380 are preferably provided between the two series of LEDs 506 and 508 and between the series of LEDs 508 and the camera 26a. The LEDs 508 may additionally include LEDs to emit IR radiation. As described above, IR radiation improves the ability of camera 26a to capture images at night.

If the cameras are installed in both the tail light assemblies 308 a stereoscopic image can be obtained and synthesized according to the teachings of the published International Application No. WO 96/38319, published on May 22, 1996, the additional cameras 26b and 26c are also installed in the front headlamp / direction change signal assemblies 310 (Figures 6), in the front side of the vehicle (as indicated by reference numeral 309 in Figure 6), or in the rear view mirror mounts 330, the two side images can be synthesized with the image captured by the back camera (s) 26a in a single display image. Alternatively, each captured image can be displayed on a separate display device 32a-32c. Some options for mounting the display devices 32 are described below with reference to Figures 15-20. Figures 15 and 16 illustrate two possible implementations to provide two screens within the driver's vision. Two screens would be used when two corresponding cameras are used and that both are mounted to the rear of the vehicle or on opposite sides of the vehicle. In Figure 15, a left screen 32 1 and a right screen 32r are incorporated into the instrument panel 602 on the opposite sides of the conventional indicators 600 (eg, the speedometer, the tachometer, the gas gauge, etc.) that They are normally provided in a vehicle instrument panel. In this manner, the cap 604 extending over and around the indicators 600 will prevent brightness by blocking direct sunlight from hitting the surfaces of the screens or displays 32. Figure 16 shows two alternative arrangements for Implement two screens in a vehicle. In both arrangements, the left screen 32 1 is mounted on the driver's side A post 606. In one arrangement, the right screen 32r is mounted on the instrument panel 602 on the right side of the display indicators 600. In the another arrangement, the right display 32r is mounted on the A-post on the passenger side 608. By mounting the left and right screens to the respective posts A, the driver can observe in the same general direction as the driver would normally observe to see the later images on the left and right through the conventional mirrors exterior mirrors. Thus, the second arrangement shown in Figure 16 offers the advantage that it would be more likely to receive consumer acceptance, because no significant change in driving habits is required. The arrangements shown in Figure 16 can also be combined to provide three screens 32 with the left and right screens 32 I and 32 r mounted to the respective left and right A posts 606 and 608, and a central screen 32 c mounted on the panel of instruments 602 in a central position. The configuration of three screens is particularly advantageous when the images are obtained from cameras mounted on both sides of the vehicle as well as from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle. Figure 17 shows an alternative arrangement for a three-screen configuration whereby all the left, middle and right screens are mounted on the instrument panel 602 in the region where the indicators are provided, in a normal manner. In this case, the indicators can be replaced with a digital alphanumeric display 610, which can be extended along the instrument panel in a position below the right, central, and left displays. Figure 18 shows an implementation that is similar in effect to that shown in Figure 17, except that instead of including three separate screens, a single screen 32 is provided in the instrument panel 602 to display a synthesized image obtained at combine the images of more than one camera. As in the arrangement shown in Figure 17, a digital alphanumeric display 610 is provided to extend along the instrument panel at a position below the display 32. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 19 a virtual or front display device 620 can be mounted above or inside the 602 instrument panel for projecting an image obtained from a single camera or a synthesized image obtained from multiple cameras. Figure 20 shows an interior rearview mirror assembly 333 having a viewing window 630 through which a mini-display can be mounted on the mirror 32. Such an arrangement is advantageous, in particular, when combined with the arrangement that is shown in Figure 16 whereby the images of the right and left cameras are displayed on the respective right and left screens, which are mounted on the right and left A poles and the image of a camera mounted on the back is fed to screen 32 in the rear view mirror assembly 333. In this way, all the images that come from the three separate cameras can be displayed, discreetly, in positions where a driver is used to seeing similar images as they would be seen through of the interior and exterior rear view mirrors. According to another aspect of the present invention, a CHMSL 700 can be constructed as shown in Figure 21. The CHMSL 700 includes a support structure 702 to which the circuit board 704 is mounted. The circuit board 704 has mounted a linear array of red or orange-red LEDs 706 therein. mounted on support structure 702 is a diffuser / collimator 708. Preferably, the diffuser / collimator is a light directing film, a light directing series, or the commercially available equivalent of Allied Signal, Inc. of Moorestown, New Jersey The diffuser / collimator 708 has a shape of a flat rectangle, generally. The circuit board 704 and the diffuser / collimator 708. are mounted or installed on the support structure 702, so that the emitted light coming from the LEDs 706 is projected towards a lower convex-edge surface 710 of the diffuser / collimator 708. As shown in Figure 22, the light projecting towards the edge 710 of the plurality of LEDs 706 is mixed, propagated, and collimated into beams of light projected from the flat surface facing rearward 712 of the diffuser / collimator 708 out through the rear window 332. When building the CHMSL 700 in the manner illustrated, with a very low configuration, a high intensity light signal is provided. The low configuration of the CHMSL 700 is advantageous, in particular, when the CHMSL is mounted inside the vehicle behind the rear window 332. It will be appreciated, however, that similar structures to those shown in Figures 21 and 22 they can be used to build other light signals or vehicle illuminators. For example, a convenient application, in particular, for a light source having the general structure shown in Figure 21 is to use the light source in an assembly of anti-glare mounting visor 800 as shown in Figures 23 and 24. As illustrated, the anti-glare visor mount 800 includes a visor body 802 having a vanity mirror 804 and two light sources 806 mounted on the rearwardly facing surface of the visor body 806. The light sources 806 include a plate transparent or lens 808 and an assembly 810 (Figure 24) that is similar to that shown in Figure 21, except that the mount 810 can be turned on its side and the diffuser / collimator is selected to have 90 degrees of deviation more than the 40 degrees of deviation that are preferred for the diffuser / collimator of the CHMSL 700. In addition, the LEDs 812 in the assembly 810 produce white light. Preferably, the LEDs 812 include binary complementary LEDs such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,579, cited above. Because the diffuser / collimator 814 of mount 810 thoroughly blends the light projected onto its edge of the LEDs 812 before projecting the mixed light outward, the projected light from the diffuser / collimator 814 will appear white to the observer looking directly into its projection surface even when different colored 812 LEDs are used to create white light. A second embodiment for an anti-glare visor assembly 900 is shown in Figures 25-27. As shown, the visor mount 900 includes a visor body 902 that has a 904 vanity mirror and 906 light sources mounted to the same surface that faces backwards. A visor mount 900 differs from the visor assembly 800 shown in Figures 23 and 24 in that the light sources 906 include an external optical plate 908 that functions as a diffuser / collimator blade. In addition, the LEDs 912 are mounted on a printed circuit board 910 to project light through a surface opposite the projection surface rather than through an edge. Again, the LEDs 912 are preferably complementary binary LEDs. Although various features and embodiments of the present invention have been described for use in particular combinations, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some of the described features may be implemented separately from one another or in combinations or sub-sets. combinations, which are not described, expressly. For example, certain characteristics of the system such as the pulsation of lights during periods of non-integration of the camera, can be implemented without Take into account the particular way in which the cameras or screens are physically mounted to the vehicle. Similarly, the aspects of the invention which relate to the physical assembly of the cameras and screens can be implemented separately without taking into account the functionality or the structure of the image system of which the cameras and screens are components. The above description is considered only of the preferred embodiments. The modifications of the invention will happen to those skilled in the art and making or using the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by means of the following claims that are construed in accordance to the principles of the Law of Patents, including The Doctrine of Equivalents.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

Claims The invention having been described as an antecedent, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A vehicle signal lamp assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a support structure for mounting the vehicle; a lens mounted to the support structure; a first set of LEDs mounted to the support structure behind the lens, the first set of LEDs is activated, selectively in response to a first activation signal, so that the radiation that is emitted comes from the lens; and a camera mounted to the support structure.
2. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first set of LEDs are activated white light is emitted, substantially,
3. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that it includes a second set of LEDs mounted to the support structure behind the lens, the second set of LEDs is activated in response to a second activation signal, so that colored lights are emitted from the lens.
4. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the lens includes a first and second lens regions.
The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the first and second lens regions are clear.
6. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the first lens region is red.
7. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first set of LEDs it includes a plurality of color LEDs that emit different colors.
8. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first set of LEDs includes LEDs that emit complementary binary colors.
9. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the second LEDs emit red light.
The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the second activation signal is a braking signal and the color signal is red.
11. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that it is adapted to be mounted on the rear of the vehicle and functions as a CHMSL.
12. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first LEDs function as support lights.
13. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first LEDs function as charging lights.
14. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the first LEDs function as a backlight.
15. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the second activation signal is a direction change signal.
16. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the colored light is red.
17. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the second activation signal is an operating light signal.
18. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the support structure is configured to be mounted on an interior surface of the rear window of the vehicle.
19. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear window is made of a private mirror.
20. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the support structure is configured to be integrally mounted within a window frame.
21. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera is mounted to capture images of a scene at the rear of the lamp assembly.
22. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the first LEDs emit infrared radiation.
23. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera captures images at periodic intervals and the LEDs are periodically activated to emit light during those intervals when the camera is not capturing images.
24. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the support structure is mounted to the rear of the vehicle, the activation signal is a braking signal, and the light emitted from the lens is It has a red tinge and is emitted in a backward direction of the vehicle to allow the light source to function as a stop or braking lamp.
25. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 24, characterized in that the support structure is mounted centrally on the rear of the vehicle in a lateral direction to allow the light source to function as a lamp Stop or braking that is mounted in the upper center.
26. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera is mounted behind the lens.
27. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera is mounted to the support structure to capture images at the rear of the vehicle to be viewed by the vehicle operator.
28. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera is in communication with a screen for displaying the images to the vehicle operator.
29. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 28, characterized in that the screen is mounted to the rear view mirror assembly of the vehicle.
30. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that it includes the means for reduce the light emitted by the LEDs, which can be captured by the camera.
31. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 30, characterized in that the means includes a baffle that extends between the camera and the LEDs to prevent the light of the LEDs from reaching the camera.
32. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 30, characterized in that the medium includes a narrow band filter that is placed on the front of the camera to block the light in a waveband corresponding to the light emitted from the light source.
33. A vehicle lamp assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a support structure for mounting to the rear of the vehicle; a lens mounted to the support structure; a plurality of LEDs mounted to the support structure behind the lens, the LEDs are activated, selectively, in response to an activation signal, so that the white light, in a substantial manner, it is emitted from the lens n direction towards the rear of the vehicle; and a camera mounted behind the lens.
34. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 33, characterized in that the support structure is configured to be mounted to an interior surface of the rear window of the vehicle.
35. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 34, characterized in that the rear window is made of a private mirror.
36. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 33, characterized in that the support structure is configured to be assembled, integrally, within the window frame.
37. The vehicle signal lamp assembly according to claim 33, characterized in that the camera is mounted to capture images of a scene at the rear of the lamp assembly.
38. A modular rear window assembly of integrated vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: a rear window; and a camera that is mounted to an interior surface of the rear window to capture an image on the rear of the vehicle through the rear window.
39. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 38, characterized in that the rear window is made of a private mirror.
40. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 38, further characterized in that it includes an opaque fruit that is placed on a peripheral region of the rear window, and the camera is mounted behind the transparent area that is formed in the fried.
41. The modular rear integrated vehicle window assembly according to claim 38, further characterized in that it includes a windscreen wiper mounted on the rear window, wherein the camera is mounted behind the rear window. Cleaner zone that is defined by sweeping the cleaner through the outer surface of the rear window.
42. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 38, further characterized in that it includes a window washer, wherein the chamber is mounted behind the washing area which is defined by the area in which the washer dispenses washing fluid.
43. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 38, further characterized in that it includes a frost remover that is placed in the rear window, where the camera is mounted behind the frost removal area that is defined by the area covered in the rear window by means of the frost remover.
44. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 38, further characterized in that it includes a radiation source that is mounted on the interior surface of the rear window to emit front radiation from the vehicle.
45. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 44, characterized in that the radiation source emits infrared radiation.
46. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 44, characterized in that the radiation source emits white light.
47. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 44, characterized in that the radiation source emits light to which the camera is sensitive.
48. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 38, characterized in that the camera captures images at periodic intervals and the radiation source is activated to emit radiation at the same periodic intervals.
49. The modular rear window installation of integrated vehicle in accordance with the claim 38, characterized in that the rear window is made of a private mirror having a transmitting capacity that is the highest in the spectral region corresponding to the spectral region of the highest sensitivity of the camera.
50. The modular rear integrated vehicle window assembly according to claim 38, further characterized in that it includes a light source mounted on the interior surface of the rear window.
51. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 50, characterized in that the camera captures images at periodic intervals and the light source is periodically activated to emit light during those intervals when the camera is not capturing images.
52. An integrated rear vehicle window modular assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a window frame structure for mounting to the rear of the vehicle; a rear window mounted on the window frame structure; Y A camera mounted window frame structure to capture an image on the back of the vehicle.
53. The modular rear window assembly of integrated vehicle according to claim 52, characterized in that the rear window is made of a private mirror.
54. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 52, further characterized in that it includes a radiation source that is mounted to the window frame structure to emit radiation towards the rear of the vehicle.
55. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 54, characterized in that the radiation source emits IR radiation.
56. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 54, characterized in that the radiation source emits white light.
57. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly in accordance with the claim 54, characterized in that the radiation source emits light to which the camera is sensitive.
58. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 52, characterized in that the camera captures images at periodic intervals and the source of radiation is activated to emit radiation at the same periodic intervals.
59. The modular rear integrated vehicle window assembly according to claim 52, further characterized in that it includes a light source that is mounted to the window frame structure.
60. The modular rear window integrated vehicle assembly according to claim 59, characterized in that the camera captures images at periodic intervals and the light source is periodically activated to emit light during those intervals when the camera is not capturing images.
61. An electronic image and lighting system for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: a light source that is mounted to the vehicle; a camera that is mounted to the vehicle to capture images for viewing to the vehicle operator; and a controller that is connected to the camera and the light source to read the images captured by the camera at periodic intervals and to periodically activate the light source during those intervals when the controller is not reading the images captured by the camera.
62. The electronic image and lighting system according to claim 61, characterized in that the light emitted from the light source is white light, substantially.
63. The electronic image and lighting system according to claim 61, characterized in that the light emitted from the light source is red light, substantially.
64. The electronic image and lighting system according to claim 61, characterized in that the light source includes a plurality of LEDs.
65. The electronic image and lighting system according to claim 64, characterized in that the plurality of LEDs functions as a braking light.
66. A vehicle imaging system, characterized in that it comprises: a camera for capturing an image; a source of radiation to emit radiation to which the camera is sensitive within the visual field of the camera; and a controller that is connected to the camera and the radiation source to read the images captured by the camera at periodic intervals and to periodically activate the radiation source during intervals in which the controller is reading the images of the camera.
67. A stopping or braking lights module mounted in the upper part to the center, characterized in that it comprises: a lens that mounts to the back of a vehicle; at least one light source which is placed behind the lens, the light source is activated selectively in response to the braking activation signal, so that the light which has, generally, a red tint is emitted from the light module stop in the backward direction of the vehicle; and a camera that is placed behind the lens to capture images in the back of the vehicle to visualize them to the operator of the vehicle.
68. The stoplight module mounted on top to center according to claim 67, further characterized in that it includes a radiation source which is placed behind the lens to emit IR radiation to which the camera is sensitive within the field visual of the camera.
69. The stoplight module mounted on top to center according to claim 68, characterized in that the camera captures images at periodic intervals and the source Radiation is activated during intervals in which the camera is capturing images.
70. The stop lamp module mounted in the upper part to the center in accordance with claim 67, characterized in that the lens is configured to be mounted to the interior surface of the rear window of the vehicle.
71. The stoplight module mounted on top of the center according to claim 70, characterized in that the rear window is made of a private mirror.
72. The stoplight module mounted on top to center according to claim 67, characterized in that the camera captures images at periodic intervals and the light source is periodically activated to emit light during those intervals when the camera is not capturing images .
73. The stoplight module mounted in the upper part to the center according to claim 67, characterized in that the light source includes a plurality of LEDs.
74. The electronic image system according to claim 67, further characterized in that it includes a screen in communication with the camera to display images to the vehicle operator.
75. The electronic image system according to claim 74, characterized in that the screen is installed in the rear view mirror assembly of the vehicle.
76. A stoplight module mounted in the upper part to the center, characterized in that it comprises: a support structure that is mounted in the rear part of a vehicle; at least one light source which is supported by means of the support structure, the light source is activated, selectively, in response to a braking activation signal, so that the light which has, generally, a dye red is emitted from the stop light module in the rearward direction of the vehicle; and a camera that is supported by means of the support structure to capture images in the Rear of the vehicle to visualize them to the operator of the vehicle.
77. The stoplight module mounted on top to center according to claim 76, further characterized in that it comprises a lens that is supported by means of the support structure, wherein at least one of the camera and the Luminous source is placed behind the lens.
78. The stoplight module mounted on top to center according to claim 76, further characterized in that it comprises a lens that is supported by means of the support structure, wherein both the camera and the light source They are placed behind the lens.
79. The stoplight module mounted on top to center according to claim 76, further characterized in that it comprises a baffle that is supported by means of the support structure and that extends between the chamber and the light source for prevent the light coming from the light source to reach the camera.
80. A vehicle light module that is mounted to the rear of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: at least one light source that is activated, selectively, in response to an activation signal so that radiation is emitted from the vehicle. light module; a camera to capture images that are displayed to the operator of the vehicle; and means for reducing the light emitted from the light source that can be captured by the camera.
81. The light module according to claim 80, characterized in that the means includes a baffle that extends between the chamber and the light source to prevent light coming from the light source reaching the chamber.
82. The light module according to claim 80, characterized in that the medium includes a narrow band filter that is placed in front of the camera to block the light in a wave band corresponding to the light emitted from the light source .
83. A vehicle imaging system, characterized in that it comprises: a camera for capturing an image, the camera is sensitive to infrared radiation; a source of infrared radiation to emit infrared radiation within the visual field of the camera; and a controller that connects to the camera and the radiation source to read the image captured by the camera and to activate the radiation source during intervals in which the controller is reading the camera image.
84. The vehicle imaging system according to claim 83, characterized in that the source of infrared radiation is mounted on a light module, which in turn is mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
85. The vehicle imaging system according to claim 83, characterized in that the camera is mounted to the light module, which in turn is mounted to the rear of the vehicle.
86. The vehicle imaging system according to claim 83, characterized in that both the camera and the infrared radiation source are mounted to the light module, which in turn is mounted on the rear of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention A vehicle system described includes a vehicle lamp assembly, which in turn includes a plurality of LEDs that emit white light to function as an illuminating light. The lamp assembly may also include a plurality of LEDs that emit colored light, such as red or orange-red, so as to function as a light signal (186). Alternatively, or additionally, the lamp assembly may serve as a stop or braking light which is mounted in the upper center portion (184) or as a tail light (188). The system also includes a controller (30) that rapidly pulses the LEDs on and off at a speed that is imperceptible to the human eye. The pulse intervals of the LEDs can be related to the reading intervals of the series of camera sensors. In this way, the LEDs can be turned on during camera reading to increase their intensity as the camera is capturing an image, or they can be pressed to off during camera reading to prevent that the retroaction brightness interferes with the image capture by means of a series of highly sensitive image sensors on the camera (26a).