Image change detection system

• US 4,779,095 A
• Filed: 10/28/1986
• Issued: 10/18/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bart G. Guerreri
• Original Assignee: J G Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Guerreri, Bart G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Jr., Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US06/923,905
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 358/105, 358/108, 382/34, 340/901, 340/903, 340/904, 340/52 H, 340/70, 340/62, 340/52 R, 340/53, 180/169, 180/271, 180/279, 250/578
• US Class Current: 340/904
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0067 Buses
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/34 Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians B60R19/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1965 the vehicle being an aircraft

Abstract

An image change detection system for observing an environment to be monitored, such as a region proximate a vehicle, by sensing energy from the region and generating a plurality of pixels which form an image of the region. The system stores a first image of the region and matches pixels of a subsequent image of the region with pixels of the first image to detect deviations between corresponding pixels. The system indicates when the pixel deviations exceed a preselected threshold to detect an abnormal condition in the region. Also a method of monitoring the environment about a vehicle by sensing a first image, sensing a subsequent image, matching the pixels of the subsequent image with the pixels of the first image to detect deviations between corresponding pixels, and indicating when pixel deviations exceed a preselected threshold.

Claims

1. An image change detection system for use with a vehicle to be monitored, comprising:

means for sensing energy from a region proximate the vehicle and for generating a plurality of pixels which form an image of said region, each pixel representative of the energy received from a portion of said region;

memory means for storing a first image of said region from said means for sensing;

comparison means for matching pixels of a subsequent image of said region with pixels of said first image to detect deviations between corresponding pixels in the two images;

means, responsive to said comparison means, for indicating when the pixel deviations exceed a preselected threshold to detect an abnormal condition in said region; and

switch means, responsive to operation of a door of the vehicle, for enabling said means for sensing when the door is opened or closed.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said means for sensing includes a plurality of sensors arranged to detect radiation from a region proximate at least one wheel of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 in which each said sensor defines a single pixel of said region.

4. The system of claim 2 in which the vehicle is a motor vehicle and said means for sensing further includes lens means for expanding the field of view of said sensors about the curb side of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4 in which said sensors include a photodiode array.

6. The system of claim 2 in which said sensors detect radiation selected from wavelengths between ultraviolet and infrared.

7. The system of claim 1 in which said means for indicating includes means for determining when a preselected number of adjacent corresponding pixels deviate to detect the abnormal condition.

8. The system of claim 1 in which said means for indicating includes alarm means.

9. The system of claim 1 in which said means for indicating includes means for disabling the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9 in which said means for disabling includes ignition cut-off means.

11. The system of claim 9 in which said means for disabling includes means for engaging the brakes of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1 further including means for emitting energy toward said region which is detectable by said means for sensing.

13. The system of claim 1 further including initiation means for enabling said means for sensing to produce said first image.

14. The system of claim 1 further including activation means for enabling said means for sensing to produce subsequent images after said first image is made.

15. The system of claim 14 in which said activation means includes tachometer means for enabling said means for sensing to produce a subsequent image when an increase in engine speed occurs in the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 14 in which said activation means includes clock means for periodically enabling said means for sensing.