Three-dimensional object detection device, and three-dimensional object detection method
First Claim
1. A three-dimensional object detection device comprising:
- a camera provided with a lens for forming a video image of an area rearward of a vehicle;
a three-dimensional object detection unit programmed to detect a three-dimensional object rearward of the vehicle based on images captured by the camera;
a lens cleaning device arranged to spray cleaning fluid to clean the lens of the camera;
a lens state assessment unit programmed to assess whether the lens is in a predetermined wetness state during a lens cleaning process executed by the lens cleaning unit; and
a controller programmed to suspend detection of the three-dimensional object for a predetermined length of time upon the lens state assessment unit assessing that the lens is in the predetermined wetness state,during the suspension of detection of the three-dimensional object, the controller uses a detection result obtained by the three-dimensional object detection unit immediately before the lens was assessed to be in the predetermined wetness state.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A three-dimensional object detection device has a camera, a three-dimensional object detection unit, a lens cleaning device, a lens state assessment unit and a controller. The camera has a lens for forming an image of an area rearward of a vehicle. The three-dimensional object detection unit detects a three-dimensional object rearward of the vehicle based on the captured images. The lens cleaning device sprays cleaning fluid to clean the lens of the camera. The lens state assessment unit accesses whether the lens is in a predetermined state subject to control based on a timing at which cleaning fluid is sprayed on the lens. The controller suppresses detection of the three-dimensional object by retaining detection or assessment results for a predetermined length of time that were obtained immediately before the lens was assessed to be in the state subject to control, upon assessment that the lens state is subject to control.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A three-dimensional object detection device comprising:
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a camera provided with a lens for forming a video image of an area rearward of a vehicle; a three-dimensional object detection unit programmed to detect a three-dimensional object rearward of the vehicle based on images captured by the camera; a lens cleaning device arranged to spray cleaning fluid to clean the lens of the camera; a lens state assessment unit programmed to assess whether the lens is in a predetermined wetness state during a lens cleaning process executed by the lens cleaning unit; and a controller programmed to suspend detection of the three-dimensional object for a predetermined length of time upon the lens state assessment unit assessing that the lens is in the predetermined wetness state, during the suspension of detection of the three-dimensional object, the controller uses a detection result obtained by the three-dimensional object detection unit immediately before the lens was assessed to be in the predetermined wetness state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A three-dimensional object detection method in which a computing device of a three-dimensional object detection device executes:
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a step of detecting a three-dimensional object rearward of a vehicle based on images acquired by a camera that is installed in the vehicle and provided with a lens for forming a video image of an area rearward of the vehicle; a step of assessing whether the state of the lens is a predetermined wetness state based on a timing at which cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the lens during a lens cleaning step in which the lens of the camera is cleaned by spraying cleaning fluid, the lens cleaning being executed using a lens cleaning device; and a step of suspending, for a predetermined length of time, the step of detecting a three-dimensional object rearward of the vehicle upon assessing that the lens state is the predetermined wetness state, the suspension being accomplished by using a detection result obtained by the step of detecting a three-dimensional object rearward of the vehicle immediately before the lens was assessed to be in the predetermined wetness state.
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Specification