Visual recognition apparatus, methods, and programs for vehicles

• US 8,130,269 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2006
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Mori, Toshihiro, Nakajima, Akihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): LAM, HUNG H
• Application Number:
  US11/369,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20060215020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,190 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/148, 348/299, 348/314, 348/449
• 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 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple 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 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/305 merging camera image with lines or icons
• 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 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8086 for vehicle path indication
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0295 by overlaying a vehicle path based on present steering angle over an image without processing that image
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

Around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus, methods, and programs acquire circumstances of a vehicle, including the vehicle'"'"'s location and cause a camera to take images around the vehicle. The apparatus, methods, and programs determine at least one first area around the vehicle that is more relevant to a driver based on the circumstances of the vehicle than another area around the vehicle and display an image of the at least one first area on a display.

Claims

1. An around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus, comprising:

a controller that;

identifies a type of road traveled by a vehicle;

causes a camera to take backside images of the vehicle; and

causes the backside images to be displayed on a display;

superimposes distance marks on the displayed backside images at an interval set depending on the identified road type, the distance marks serving as distance measures from a back of the vehicle.

2. The around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the road type includes at least one of:

a general road; and

a highway.

3. A navigation system comprising the around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus of claim 1.

10. The around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller also draws auxiliary lines for backward monitoring on the displayed backside images, the auxiliary lines being extension lines extending backward from both sides of the vehicle.

11. The around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller:

acquires a speed of the vehicle; and

sets the interval between the distance marks based on the acquired speed of the vehicle.

12. The around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller:

acquires a current position of the vehicle;

acquires road data; and

displays navigation images on the display with the backside images, the navigation images including a vehicle position mark indicating the acquired current position of the vehicle; and

road lines showing roads included in the acquired road data.

4. An around-vehicle visual recognition method, comprising:

identifying a type of road traveled by a vehicle;

causing a camera to take backside images of the vehicle;

displaying the backside images on a display; and

superimposing by a controller distance marks on the displayed backside images at an interval set depending on the identified road type, the distance marks serving as distance measures from a back of the vehicle.

5. The around-vehicle visual recognition method of claim 4, wherein the road type comprises at least one of:

a general road; and

a highway.

6. The around-vehicle visual recognition method of claim 4, further comprising drawing auxiliary lines for backward monitoring on the displayed backside images, the auxiliary lines being extension lines extending backward from both sides of the vehicle.

7. The around-vehicle visual recognition method of claim 4, further comprising:

acquiring a speed of the vehicle; and

setting the interval between the distance marks based on the acquired speed of the vehicle.

8. The around-vehicle visual recognition method of claim 4, further comprising:

acquiring a current position of the vehicle;

acquiring road data; and

displaying navigation images on the display with the backside images, the navigation images including a vehicle position mark indicating the acquired current position of the vehicle; and

road lines showing roads included in the acquired road data.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program usable to visually display an area around a vehicle, the program comprising:

instructions for identifying a type of road traveled by the vehicle;

instructions for causing a camera to take backside images of the vehicle;

instructions for displaying the backside images on a display; and

instructions for drawing distance marks on the displayed backside images at an interval set depending on the identified road type, the distance marks serving as distance measures from a back of the vehicle.