US Patent 7380948 Image sensing system for a vehicle

An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements and a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle that preferably includes a windshield area that is swept by the windshield wipers. The image sensing system senses the presence of an object within the field of view of the imaging sensor the system controls, or supplements the control of, a collision avoidance system of the vehicle.