Vehicle imaging system, vehicle imaging method and device, program, and recording medium

• US 10,395,105 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2018
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Iizuka, Yosuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Cattungal, Rowina J
• Application Number:
  US16/217,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20190114476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 258 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/026 by measuring distance between sensor and object G01B11/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 for measuring contours or curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/08 for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S17/46; active triangulation systems G01S17/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/584 of vehicle lights or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 Recognising seat occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/597 Recognising the driver's state or behaviour, e.g. attention or drowsiness
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/103 Static body considered as a whole, e.g. static pedestrian or occupant recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0116 from roadside infrastructure, e.g. beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/015 with provision for distinguishing between two or more types of vehicles, e.g. between motor-cars and cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A system includes a laser displacement sensor which is provided on a shoulder of a roadway, emits a laser beam which scans a roadway space in a height direction thereof, receives a beam reflected by an object which is present in the roadway space, and measures a distance up to a reflection point on the object, at which the laser beam was reflected; and a vehicle window detection device that detects a window of the vehicle based on the distance measured by the laser displacement sensor. The vehicle window detection device detects the window of the vehicle based on a change in a distance in a horizontal direction from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point after the vehicle in the roadway space was detected.

Claims

1. A vehicle imaging device that detects a window of a vehicle utilizing a laser displacement sensor which emits a laser beam which scans a side of the vehicle in a height direction of the vehicle, receives a beam reflected by the vehicle, and measures a distance from the laser displacement sensor to a reflection point on the vehicle, at which the laser beam was reflected, wherein:

the vehicle imaging device is configured to;

detect a change in the distance from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle; and

when the change in the distance from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle being detected, send a trigger for imaging the vehicle from the side of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle imaging device in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the vehicle imaging device is configured to:

determine a side window of the vehicle is detected, when it is detected that a first distance measured by the laser displacement sensor has been changed to a second distance, wherein the first distance is from the laser displacement sensor to a first reflection point on the vehicle'"'"'s body, and the second distance is from the laser displacement sensor to a second reflection point inside of the vehicle, and

send a trigger for imaging an interior of the vehicle through the detected side window.

3. The vehicle imaging device in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the vehicle imaging device is configured to:

computing a third distance in a horizontal direction from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle, based on the distance measured by the laser displacement sensor, and

determining the side window of the vehicle is detected, when the third distance has changed to be longer.

4. A vehicle imaging method utilizing a laser displacement sensor which emits a laser beam which scans a roadway space in a height direction thereof, receives a beam reflected by an object which is present in the roadway space, and measures a distance up to a reflection point on the object, at which the laser beam was reflected,

the method comprising:

detecting a change in the distance from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle; and

when the change in the distance from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle being detected, sending a trigger for imaging the vehicle from the side of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle imaging method in accordance with claim 4, wherein

determining a side window of the vehicle is detected, when it is detected that a first distance measured by the laser displacement sensor has been changed to a second distance, wherein the first distance is from the laser displacement sensor to a first reflection point on the vehicle'"'"'s body, and the second distance is from the laser displacement sensor to a second reflection point inside of the vehicle, and

sending a trigger for imaging an interior of the vehicle through the detected side window.

6. The vehicle imaging method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the vehicle imaging method is further comprising:

computing a third distance in a horizontal direction from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle, based on the distance measured by the laser displacement sensor, and

determining the side window of the vehicle is detected, when the third distance has changed to be longer.

7. A non-statutory recording medium that stores a program which makes a computer execute functions of:

causing a laser displacement sensor to emit a laser beam which scans a side of the vehicle in a height direction of the vehicle, receive a beam reflected by the vehicle, and measure a distance from the laser displacement sensor to a reflection point on the vehicle, at which the laser beam was reflected;

detecting a change in the distance from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle; and

when the change in the distance from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle being detected, sending a trigger for imaging the vehicle from the side of the vehicle.

8. The non-statutory recording medium in accordance with claim 7, wherein

the program makes the computer to execute functions of:

determining a side window of the vehicle is detected, when it is detected that a first distance measured by the laser displacement sensor has been changed to a second distance, wherein the first distance is from the laser displacement sensor to a first reflection point on the vehicle'"'"'s body, and the second distance is from the laser displacement sensor to a second reflection point inside of the vehicle, and

sending a trigger for imaging an interior of the vehicle through the detected side window.

9. The non-statutory recording medium in accordance with claim 7, wherein

the program makes the computer to execute functions of:

computing a third distance in a horizontal direction from the laser displacement sensor to the reflection point on the vehicle, based on the distance measured by the laser displacement sensor, and

determining the side window of the vehicle is detected, when the third distance has changed to be longer.