Apparatus, method and computer product for generating vehicle image

• US 20070285809A1
• Filed: 08/02/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Takahashi, Kunikazu
• Granted Patent: US 8,290,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/851
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence

Abstract

A recognition device includes a component identifying unit, an identification-region defining unit, a vehicle-image generating unit, and a data reduction-level setting unit. The component identifying unit identifies a component of a vehicle in an original image. The identification-region defining unit defines an identification region including an identification component for identifying the vehicle based on the component. The vehicle-image generating unit extracts the identification region and generates a vehicle image. The data reduction-level setting unit sets a data reduction level based on which a vehicle image is to be generated from an original image satisfying a predetermined condition.

Claims

1. A computer-readable recording medium that stores therein a computer program for generating a vehicle image for identifying a vehicle from an original image, the computer program causing a computer to execute:

identifying a component of the vehicle in the original image;

defining an identification region including an identification component for identifying the vehicle based on the component;

extracting the identification region from the original image; and

generating the vehicle image based on extracted identification region.

2. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1, wherein, when the original image is shot from front of the vehicle,

the identifying includes identifying at least one of a license plate, a front bumper, a headlight, a front grill, a side mirror, and a manufacturer mark in the original image as the component, and

the defining includes defining the identification region including whole or part of the component.

3. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1, wherein, when the original image is shot from behind the vehicle,

the identifying includes identifying at least one of a license plate, a rear bumper, a taillight, a brake light, and a manufacturer mark in the original image as the component, and

the defining includes defining the identification region including whole or part of the component.

4. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising setting a data reduction level based on which a vehicle image is to be generated from an original image that satisfies a predetermined condition.

5. A vehicle image generating apparatus that generates a vehicle image for identifying a vehicle from an original image, the vehicle image generating apparatus comprising:

an identifying unit that identifies a component of the vehicle in the original image;

a defining unit that defines an identification region including an identification component for identifying the vehicle based on the component; and

a generating unit that extracts the identification region from the original image, and generates the vehicle image based on extracted identification region.

6. The vehicle image generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the original image is shot from front of the vehicle,

the identifying unit identifies at least one of a license plate, a front bumper, a headlight, a front grill, a side mirror, and a manufacturer mark in the original image as the component, and

the defining units defines the identification region including whole or part of the component.

7. The vehicle image generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the original image is shot from behind the vehicle,

the identifying unit identifies at least one of a license plate, a rear bumper, a taillight, a brake light, and a manufacturer mark in the original image as the component, and

the defining units defines the identification region including whole or part of the component.

8. The vehicle image generating apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a level setting unit that sets a data reduction level based on which a vehicle image is to be generated from an original image that satisfies a predetermined condition.

9. A vehicle image generating method for generating a vehicle image for identifying a vehicle from an original image, the vehicle image generating method comprising:

identifying a component of the vehicle in the original image;

defining an identification region including an identification component for identifying the vehicle based on the component;

extracting the identification region from the original image; and

generating the vehicle image based on extracted identification region.

10. The vehicle image generating method according to claim 9, wherein, when the original image is shot from front of the vehicle,

the identifying includes identifying at least one of a license plate, a front bumper, a headlight, a front grill, a side mirror, and a manufacturer mark in the original image as the component, and

the defining includes defining the identification region including whole or part of the component.

11. The vehicle image generating method according to claim 9, wherein, when the original image is shot from behind the vehicle,

the identifying includes identifying at least one of a license plate, a rear bumper, a taillight, a brake light, and a manufacturer mark in the original image as the component, and

the defining includes defining the identification region including whole or part of the component.

12. The vehicle image generating method according to claim 9, further comprising setting a data reduction level based on which a vehicle image is to be generated from an original image that satisfies a predetermined condition.