Illuminating apparatus, image capturing apparatus, and monitoring apparatus, for vehicle driver

• US 7,551,987 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2006
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Ota, Shunji
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US11/371,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20060212202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A driver illuminating apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle includes a light emitting element mounted within a rear field of vision of a driver of the vehicle through a rear-view mirror, for emitting infrared radiation toward the mirror. Alternatively, a driver illuminating apparatus includes a light emitting element mounted out of a rear field of vision of a driver through a rear-view mirror, for emitting infrared radiation to be reflected by a cold filter and delivered to the mirror. The cold filter is provided in part or whole of a portion of a rear window of the vehicle. The portion is located within the rear field of vision. Further alternatively, a driver illuminating apparatus adapted for use in a car includes a light emitting element mounted approximately at the center of a rear window of the car, for emitting infrared radiation toward an interior rear-view mirror.

Claims

1. A driver illuminating apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle provided with a rear-view mirror, the driver illuminating apparatus comprising:

a light emitting element mounted within a rear field of vision of a driver in a driver seat through the rear-view mirror, the light emitting element being adapted to emit infrared radiation toward the rear-view mirror.

2. The driver illuminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is mounted approximately at center of a rear window of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle driver image capturing apparatus adapted for use in a car provided with an interior rear-view mirror, the driver image capturing apparatus comprising:

the driver illuminating apparatus of claim 2; and

a camera mounted so as to be directed at a face of the driver.

4. A driver image capturing apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle provided with a rear-view mirror, the driver image capturing apparatus comprising:

the driver illuminating apparatus of claim 1; and

a camera mounted so as to be directed at a face of the driver.

5. The driver image capturing apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the camera is a CMOS camera with logarithmic response to light intensity.

6. The driver image capturing apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the camera is sensitive to near-infrared radiation and insensitive to visible light.

7. A driver monitoring apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle provided with a rear-view mirror, the driver monitoring apparatus comprising:

the driver image capturing apparatus of claim 4; and

an image processing device adapted to detect a face or eyes of the driver from an image captured by the driver image capturing apparatus and to determine condition of the driver based on the facial or eye image as detected.

8. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a warning section,

wherein the image processing device is adapted to detect an area that is illuminated by the light emitting element and, in the event that the eyes of the driver are positioned outside the illuminated area, to instruct the warning section to provide a warning to the driver.

9. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 8,

wherein the image processing device is adapted to detect, and notifies the warning section of, a first direction in which the illuminated area is misaligned from the eyes, and

wherein the warning section provides a warning to the driver to adjust the rear-view mirror in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

10. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a warning section,

wherein the image processing device is adapted to detect duration of eyelid closure based on the detected eye image and, upon detection that the detected duration is longer than a predetermined level, to instruct the warning section to provide a warning to the driver.

11. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 10,

wherein the warning section is adapted to output an audible alarm.

12. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 10,

wherein the warning section is adapted to shake a driver seat.

13. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a warning section,

wherein the image processing device is adapted to detect a direction of the eyes based on the detected eye image and, upon detection that the eyes are directed in a direction other than frontward for more than a predetermined period of time, to instruct the warning section to provide a warning to the driver.

14. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein the warning section is adapted to output an audible alarm.

15. The driver monitoring apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the warning section is adapted to shake a driver seat.

16. A driver illuminating apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle provided with a rear-view mirror, the driver illuminating apparatus comprising:

a light emitting element mounted out of a rear field of vision of a driver in a driver seat through the rear-view mirror, the light emitting element being adapted to emit infrared radiation to be reflected by a cold filter and delivered to the rear-view mirror, the cold filter being provided in part or whole of a portion of a rear window of the vehicle, the portion being located within the rear field of vision.

17. The driver illuminating apparatus according to claim 16,

wherein the light emitting element is mounted outside range of a rear window of the vehicle, and

wherein the cold filter being provided in a central area of the rear window.

18. A driver image capturing apparatus adapted for use in a car provided with an interior rear-view mirror, the driver image capturing apparatus comprising:

the driver illuminating apparatus of claim 17; and

a camera mounted so as to be directed at a face of the driver.

19. A driver image capturing apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle provided with a rear-view mirror, the driver image capturing apparatus comprising:

the driver illuminating apparatus of claim 16; and

a camera mounted so as to be directed at a face of the driver.