Imaging device

• US 20060198626A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Tadashi, Yoshida, Kiyokazu, Terazawa, Hidehito
• Application Number:
  US11/362,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20060198626A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/234
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/008 allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8013 for child monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera

Abstract

An imaging device for use in a vehicle includes an imaging unit having a lens for imaging a state of affairs and an exposure control unit for controlling exposure of the imaging by the imaging unit. The imaging unit images substantially a whole perspective in the vehicle including at least portions of windows on lateral sides of the vehicle. The exposure control unit uses brightness of an area in a predetermined frame of an image taken by the imaging unit for determining the exposure of the imaging, and the area in the predetermined frame in the image is set to be positioned at a proximity of a target area of the imaging.

Claims

1. An imaging device for use in a vehicle comprising:

an imaging unit having a lens for imaging a state of affairs; and

an exposure control unit for controlling exposure of the imaging by the imaging unit,

wherein the imaging unit images substantially a whole perspective in the vehicle including at least portions of windows on lateral sides of the vehicle,

the exposure control unit uses brightness of an area in a predetermined frame of an image taken by the imaging unit for determining the exposure of the imaging, and

the area in the predetermined frame in the image is set to be positioned at a proximity of a target area of the imaging.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1,

wherein a portion of the target area of the imaging includes a position of an occupant in a front seat of the vehicle.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2,

wherein the imaging unit is positioned at a proximity of a front portion of a roof in the vehicle.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3,

wherein the area of the predetermined frame includes at least a proximity of a center portion of a rear seat of the vehicle.

5. The imaging device according to claim 3,

wherein the predetermined frame includes a portion of windows on lateral sides of the vehicle.

6. The imaging device according to claim 4,

wherein the exposure control unit controls exposure of the imaging by weighting areas in the image, and

weight for the area in the predetermined frame is set to be greater than weight for the area outside of the predetermined frame.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1,

wherein the lens of the imaging unit is positioned above a level of an upper end of the window disposed on a lateral side of the vehicle.