Car-mounted imaging apparatus and driving assistance apparatus for car using the imaging apparatus

• US 7,030,738 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Ishii, Hirotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/688,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20040109060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426.15, 340/426.16, 340/435, 340/436, 340/901, 340/903, 340/995.1, 340/426.23, 340/905, 348/143, 348/148, 348/161, 348/207.1, 348/607, 348/708, 348/135, 348/571, 348/625
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/00 Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/44 by partially reading an SSIS array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/46 by combining or binning pixels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/7795 Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals

Abstract

The invention provides a car-mounted imaging apparatus that renders a frame rate variable and yet does not spoil image quality and does not either invite the drop of sensitivity and deterioration of an S/N ratio. The car-mounted imaging apparatus 1 has two-dimensional imaging means (pixel unit 3, vertical scanning unit 4, horizontal scanning unit 5, output unit 7) having a large number of pixels 2 arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and pixel information addition means (pixel switch control unit 8) for combining a plurality of pixels 2 and adding and extracting their pixel information. When the number of combination of the pixels 2 is changed, a frame rate becomes variable.

Claims

1. A system including an imaging means having pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, comprising:

pixel information addition means for combining pixel information for a number of said pixels and selectively extracting the combined pixel information,

wherein a frame rate of the imaging means is variable and dependent on the number of said pixels,

wherein the system is a car-mounted imaging apparatus, the system further comprising;

a car driving assistance apparatus for;

rendering an image in front of a car,

based on the image, determining an existence/absence of an obstacle in front of the car, and

executing control to selectively response to the obstacle,

wherein the image is acquired by the car-mounted imaging apparatus, and

wherein, if an obstacle is detected, the frame rate is increased.

2. A system including an imaging means having pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, comprising:

pixel information addition means for combining pixel information for a number of said pixels and selectively extracting the combined pixel information,

wherein a frame rate of the imaging means is variable and dependent on the number of said pixels,

wherein the system is a car-mounted imaging apparatus, the system further comprising;

a car driving assistance apparatus for;

imaging an image inside a cabin of a car,

based on the image, determining at least one of whether a driver is a registered driver, whether a person exists in a assistant driver'"'"'s seat, and whether a person exists in rear seats, and

based on the determining, executing control for at least one of burglarproofing of the car, inhibiting expansion of an air bag of the assistant driver'"'"'s seat, and an effective operation of an air conditioner,

wherein the image is acquired by the car-mounted imaging apparatus.

3. A system including an imaging means having pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, comprising:

pixel information addition means for combining pixel information for a number of said pixels and selectively extracting the combined pixel information,

wherein a frame rate of the imaging means is variable and dependent on the number of said pixels,

the system further comprising area designation means for designating at least one area in the imaging means, wherein the number of said pixels are located in the at least one area,

wherein the system is a car-mounted imaging apparatus, the system further comprising;

a car driving assistance apparatus for;

rendering an image in front of a car,

based on the image, determining an existence/absence of an obstacle in front of the car, and

executing control to selectively response to the obstacle,

wherein the image is acquired by the car-mounted imaging apparatus, and

wherein the area designation means designates the area in the imaging means associated with a speed of the car.

4. A system including an imaging means having pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, comprising:

pixel information addition means for combining pixel information for a number of said pixels and selectively extracting the combined pixel information,

wherein a frame rate of the imaging means is variable and dependent on the number of said pixels,

the system further comprising area designation means for designating at least one area in the imaging means, wherein the number of said pixels are located in the at least one area,

wherein the system is a car-mounted imaging apparatus, the system further comprising;

a car driving assistance apparatus for;

imaging an image inside a cabin of a car,

based on the image, determining at least one of whether a driver is a registered driver, whether a person exists in a assistant driver'"'"'s seat, and whether a person exists in rear seats, and

based on the determining, executing control for at least one of burglarproofing of the car, inhibiting expansion of an air bag of the assistant driver'"'"'s seat, and an effective operation of an air conditioner,

wherein the image is acquired by the car-mounted imaging apparatus.