IMAGE DISPLAYING IN-VEHICLE SYSTEM, IMAGE DISPLAYING CONTROL IN-VEHICLE APPARATUS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM COMPRISING PROGRAM FOR THE SAME

• US 20100066516A1
• Filed: 09/14/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: MATSUKAWA, Norifumi
• Application Number:
  US12/558,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20100066516A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads

Abstract

An image displaying control in-vehicle apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to acquire obstacle information from the sensor for detecting an obstacle existing around the vehicle. The apparatus is further configured to cause a display device to display a first display image showing a first region of an outside of the vehicle based on a camera image captured by a camera when the sensor does not detect an obstacle existing around a vehicle. When the sensor detects an obstacle existing at a first direction away form the first region the apparatus is configured to cause the display device to display a second display image showing a second region covering a place that is away from the first region in the first direction.

Claims

1. An image displaying control in-vehicle apparatus for a vehicle equipped with (i) a sensor for detecting an obstacle existing around the vehicle, (ii) a camera for capturing a camera image of an outside of the vehicle, and (iii) a display device, the image displaying control in-vehicle apparatus comprising:

an acquisition section that is configured to acquire obstacle information from the sensor, the obstacle information including information on whether the sensor detects a presence of the obstacle, the obstacle information further including information on a location of the obstacle when the sensor detects the presence of the obstacle; and

a display control section that is configured to;

cause the display device to display a first display image showing a first region of the outside of the vehicle based on the camera image when the obstacle information indicates that the sensor detects an absence of the obstacle, the first region covering a center of a photographing range of the camera; and

causes the display device to display a second display image showing a second region of the outside of the vehicle based on the camera image when the obstacle information indicates that the sensor detects the presence of the obstacle and when the obstacle information further indicates that the location of the obstacle is away from the first region in a first direction, the second region being a part of the photographing range of the camera, the second region covering a place that is away from the first region in the first direction.

2. The image displaying control in-vehicle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

when the obstacle information indicates that the sensor detects the presence of the obstacle and when the obstacle information further indicates that the location of the obstacle is away from the first region in the first direction,

the display control section is configured to cause the display device to display the second display image based on the camera image in such manner that, as a distance to the obstacle is smaller, the second region has a smaller spatial range.

3. An image displaying in-vehicle system for a vehicle equipped with a sensor for detecting an obstacle existing around the vehicle, the image displaying in-vehicle system comprising:

a camera mounted to the vehicle and configured to capture a camera image of an outside of the vehicle;

a display device; and

an image displaying control in-vehicle apparatus coupled with the camera and the display device, the image displaying control in-vehicle apparatus including

an acquisition section that is configured to acquire obstacle information from the sensor, the obstacle information including information on whether the sensor detects a presence of the obstacle, the obstacle information further including information on a location of the obstacle when the sensor detects the presence of the obstacle; and

a display control section that is configured to;

cause the display device to display a first display image showing a first region of the outside of the vehicle based on the camera image when the obstacle information indicates that the sensor detects an absence of the obstacle, the first region covering a center of a photographing range of the camera; and

causes the display device to display a second display image showing a second region of the outside of the vehicle based on the camera image when the obstacle information indicates that the sensor detects the presence of the obstacle and when the obstacle information further indicates that the location of the obstacle is away from the first region in a first direction, the second region being a part of the photographing range of the camera, the second region covering a place that is away from the first region in the first direction.

4. A computer readable medium comprising instructions to cause an image displaying control in-vehicle apparatus, which is for use in a vehicle equipped with (i) a sensor for detecting an obstacle existing around the vehicle, (ii) a camera for capturing a camera image of an outside of the vehicle, and (iii) a display device, to execute steps of:

acquiring obstacle information from the sensor, the obstacle information including information on whether the sensor detects a presence of the obstacle, the obstacle information further including information on a location of the obstacle when the sensor detects the presence of the obstacle; and

causing the display device to display a first display image showing a first region of the outside of the vehicle based on the camera image when the obstacle information indicates that the sensor detects an absence of the obstacle, the first region covering a center of a photographing range of the camera; and

causing the display device to display a second display image showing a second region of the outside of the vehicle based on the camera image when the obstacle information indicates that the sensor detects the presence of the obstacle and when the obstacle information further indicates that the location of the obstacle is away from the first region in a first direction, the second region being a part of the photographing range of the camera, the second region covering a place that is away from the first region in the first direction.