IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE AND OPERATION SUPPORT SYSTEM

• US 20160189420A1
• Filed: 03/07/2016
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Limited
• Inventors: KIYOTA, Yoshihisa
• Granted Patent: US 9,881,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/261 Surveying the work-site to be treated
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/20 Perspective computation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/12 Panospheric to cylindrical image transformations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/221 using the relative movement between cameras and objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/30 Image reproducers optical systems for producing stereoscopic or other three-dimensional effects G02B30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An image generation device generates an output image based on an image obtained by taking images by an image-taking part mounted to a body to be operated, which boy is capable of performing a turning operation. A coordinates correspondence part causes coordinates on a columnar space model, which is arranged to surround the body to be operated and has a center axis, to correspond to coordinates on an image plane on which the input image is positioned. An output image generation part generates the output image by causing values of the coordinates on the input image plane to correspond to values of the coordinates on an output image plane on which the output image is positioned through coordinates on the columnar space model. The columnar space model is arranged so that an optical axis of the image-taking part intersects with the center axis of said columnar space model.

Claims

1. An image generation device configured to generate an output image based on an input image of a surrounding area of a movable object, the input image being acquired with an image-taking device attached to a turnable body of the movable object, the image generation device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing a program that, when executed by the processor, causes the image generation device to

convert a rear-view image and a side-view image included in the input image into a planar image around an image of the movable object, the planar image being at least a part of the output image.

2. The image generation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar image is circularly trimmed around the movable object in the output image.

3. The image generation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the planar image is rotatably displayed in accordance with a turning operation of the turnable body.

4. The image generation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output image is generated so that a CG image of the movable object is arranged at a center of the output image.

5. The image generation device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the CG image is arranged so that a front of the movable object is oriented upward on a display.

6. The image generation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar image surrounds a CG image of the movable object in the output image.

7. The image generation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output image is displayed by combining an image of a vicinity of the movable object viewed from above and the planar image, the planar image being an image of a view from the movable object in a horizontal direction.