Vehicle peripheral observation device using cameras and an emphasized frame

• US 9,862,319 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2016
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Miyoshi, Hidehiko, Nagamine, Noboru, Miura, Kenji, Yamamoto, Kinji, Goto, Kenjiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUH, JOSEPH JINWOO
• Application Number:
  US15/066,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20160185294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• 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 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• 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 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/305 merging camera image with lines or icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/307 virtually distinguishing relevant parts of a scene from the background of the scene
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/602 with an adjustable viewpoint
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/607 from a bird's eye viewpoint
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/40 Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
• 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: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Provided is a device whereby the position of an obstacle can be perceived on a monitor without compromising the effectiveness of displaying an overhead image on the monitor. An overhead image generating unit generates an overhead image from images captured using plural cameras, and the overhead image is displayed in an auxiliary display area of a monitor. When an obstacle detection part detects an obstacle in proximity to a vehicle, a specified information output unit emphasizes the display of a frame in the outer side of a divided area of the overhead image that contains the obstacle. Touching the auxiliary display area with a finger or the like during this emphasized display causes the captured image of the obstacle to be enlarged and displayed in the auxiliary display area.

Claims

1. A vehicle peripheral observation device comprising:

a plurality of cameras for imaging an area including a road surface of a vehicle periphery, an image processor for displaying the images captured using the plurality of cameras on a monitor;

and obstacle-detecting unit for detecting an obstacle in the vehicle periphery, wherein

the image processor is configured to show a display area for the captured images to be displayed on the monitor and provide a plurality of frames dividing the display area into sections,

wherein the image processor is configured to emphasize at least one of the plurality of frames near an area where the obstacle that has been detected by the obstacle-detecting unit and included in the display area is present,

wherein the emphasized frame has at least two line segments in a right angle arrangement and each line segment is displayed in a part of an outer rim of the section in the display area, and

wherein the emphasized frame does not form an enclosed area.

2. The vehicle peripheral observation device according to claim 1, wherein the emphasized display increases the brightness of the frame or switches a hue of the frame to a different hue.

3. The vehicle peripheral observation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of frames is displayed in an outer periphery of the display area.