Method and device for observing the environment of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring the area in front of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus, which comprises at least two imaging devices (110, 120), wherein at least one first, preferably precisely one first imaging device (110) covers a first imaging angle, and at least one second, preferably precisely one second imaging device (120) covers a second imaging angle, the second imaging angle being greater than the first imaging angle and wherein the at least one first imaging device (110) and the at least one second imaging device (120) are arranged spaced, in particular spaced laterally, from one another;
covering, with the at least one, preferably precisely one first imaging device (110), a first zone (111) of the area in front of the vehicle, particularly the area in close proximity to the front of the vehicle;
preferably simultaneously, covering, with the at least one, preferably precisely one second imaging device (120), a second zone (121) of the area in front of the vehicle, in particular the distant area in front of the vehicle, wherein the at least one first imaging device (110) and the at least one second imaging device (120) are arranged in relation to one another such that a central area (140), which is an area of overlap between the first zone and the second zone, is covered by both the at least one first and the at least one second imaging device (110, 120);
fusing data acquired by the imaging devices (110, 120) to generate a stereo image of the central area, using a fusion computer (202); and
generating a monoscopic image of those zones that are each covered by only a first or a second imaging device, using the fusion computer (202).
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to monitoring the area in front of a vehicle by means of an apparatus that comprises at least two imaging devices (110, 120). Provided are a first imaging device (110), which covers a first imaging angle, and a second imaging device (120), which covers a second, greater imaging angle. The first imaging device (110) covers a first zone (111) of the area in front of the vehicle, while at the same time, the second imaging device (120) covers a second zone (121) of the area in front of the vehicle. The two imaging devices (110, 120) are positioned spaced, in particular spaced laterally, from one another such that a central area (140) is covered by both the first and the second imaging devices (110, 120). By fusing the data acquired by the imaging devices (110, 120), a stereo image of the central area is generated, while monoscopic images are generated of those zones that are each covered by only a first or a second imaging device.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the area in front of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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providing an apparatus, which comprises at least two imaging devices (110, 120), wherein at least one first, preferably precisely one first imaging device (110) covers a first imaging angle, and at least one second, preferably precisely one second imaging device (120) covers a second imaging angle, the second imaging angle being greater than the first imaging angle and wherein the at least one first imaging device (110) and the at least one second imaging device (120) are arranged spaced, in particular spaced laterally, from one another; covering, with the at least one, preferably precisely one first imaging device (110), a first zone (111) of the area in front of the vehicle, particularly the area in close proximity to the front of the vehicle; preferably simultaneously, covering, with the at least one, preferably precisely one second imaging device (120), a second zone (121) of the area in front of the vehicle, in particular the distant area in front of the vehicle, wherein the at least one first imaging device (110) and the at least one second imaging device (120) are arranged in relation to one another such that a central area (140), which is an area of overlap between the first zone and the second zone, is covered by both the at least one first and the at least one second imaging device (110, 120); fusing data acquired by the imaging devices (110, 120) to generate a stereo image of the central area, using a fusion computer (202); and
generating a monoscopic image of those zones that are each covered by only a first or a second imaging device, using the fusion computer (202). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for monitoring the area in front of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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at least two imaging devices, wherein at least one first, preferably precisely one first imaging device has a first imaging angle which is such that a first zone of the area in front of the vehicle, in particular the area in close proximity to the front of the vehicle, can be covered by the at least one first imaging device, and wherein at least one second, preferably precisely one second imaging device has a second imaging angle which is such that, preferably simultaneously, a second zone of the area in front of the vehicle, in particular the distant area in front of the vehicle, can be covered by the at least one second imaging device, the second imaging angle being greater than the first imaging angle; and a fusion computer, wherein the at least one first imaging device and the at least one second imaging device are arranged spaced, in particular spaced laterally, from one another, wherein the at least one first imaging device and the at least one second imaging device are arranged in relation to one another such that a central area, which is an area of overlap between the first zone and the second zone, is covered by both the at least one first and the at least one second imaging device, wherein the fusion computer is configured to generate a stereo image of the central area by fusing data relating thereto, acquired by the imaging devices, and wherein the apparatus is configured to generate a monoscopic image of those areas that are each covered by only a first or a second imaging device, preferably by the fusion computer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification