IMAGING SYSTEM

• US 20100134622A1
• Filed: 03/26/2008
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Hasegawa, Hiroshi
• Application Number:
  US12/527,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20100134622A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• 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 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• 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 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/103 Static body considered as a whole, e.g. static pedestrian or occupant recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system which can appropriately detect an object to be detected by carrying out a detection process for the object according to a running state of a vehicle. The imaging system, which takes an image of surroundings of the vehicle with a camera and detects the object to be detected by pattern matching within the taken image, carries out pattern matching from a farther side within the image when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value than when not. This can rapidly detect far objects to be detected when the vehicle speed is increased, thereby appropriately detecting objects which are of higher necessity in the driving of the vehicle according to the vehicle speed.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

an imaging device for taking an image of surroundings of a vehicle; and

a detection unit for detecting an object to be detected within the image taken by the imaging device by pattern matching, the detection unit carrying out the pattern matching from a farther side within the image when a vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value than when not.

2. An imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit carries out the pattern matching by using a plurality of templates, the detection unit carrying out the pattern matching by using a far-side template for detecting a far side earlier when the vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined value than when not.

3. An imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the object to be detected by pattern-matching a nearer side when the vehicle runs a curve than when not.

4. An imaging system according to claim 1, used for a vision aid system for aiding the vision of the driver when the vehicle runs at night.