CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

• US 20180061007A1
• Filed: 08/10/2017
• Published: 03/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Imano, Toru
• Granted Patent: US 10,186,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: 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 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/306 using a re-scaling of images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/607 from a bird's eye viewpoint
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/32 working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/261 Surveying the work-site to be treated
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20192 Edge enhancement; Edge preservation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20221 Image fusion; Image merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30261 Obstacle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/053 Detail-in-context presentations fisheye or wide-angle transformations G06T3/047
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/4038 Image mosaicing, e.g. composing plane images from plane sub-images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 Region-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/13 Edge detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/174 involving the use of two or more images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

A construction machine is equipped with a plurality of monitor cameras that capture the area surrounding a body of the machine. An image processor generates a synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image by synthesizing the plural camera images captured by each monitor camera into one. The image processor divides the synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image using one or more section lines into plural areas A, B, C, D, and expands the image size for area D corresponding to a blind spot behind and to the right side of the machine. At the same time, the image processor reduces the image size of the remaining areas A, B, C by a corresponding amount, in order to thereby generate a conversion image 60 which is the same overall size as the synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image while maintaining a complete view of the area surrounding the machine from all of the cameras. A monitor selectively displays either the synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image or the conversion image to the operator.

Claims

1. A construction machine equipped with a plurality of monitor cameras that capture images of the area surrounding a machine body, comprising:

image processing means for synthesizing the camera images captured by each of the plurality of monitor cameras into a single synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image, then dividing the aforementioned synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image into the plural sections by one or more section lines, and expanding the image size of one said section while at the same time reducing the image size among other remaining said sections to generate a conversion images of the same overall size as said synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image; and

a monitor that selectively displays one of said synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image and said conversion image.

2. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein in the center part of said synthetic bird'"'"'s eye view image, said image processing means is configured to display a predefined plan figure of the machine body in said bird'"'"'s eye view image and said conversion image, and

said image processing means is configured to define a first said section line to extend in a back to front direction along one side of said plan figure and a second said section line to extend in a right and left direction along one end of said plan figure.

3. The construction machine according to claim 2, wherein in the left front part of the aforementioned machine body is positioned a cab, and the first section line extends along the front end of said plan figure, and the second section line extends along the left side of said plan figure of the machine body.