Multi-functional on-vehicle camera system and image display method for the same
First Claim
1. A multi-functional on-vehicle camera system comprising:
- a plurality of cameras mounted on a vehicle and a display unit for displaying at least one image from at least one of said cameras;
image processing means connected to said plurality of cameras for processing images taken by said plurality of cameras;
graphic superimposing means for superimposing a graphic pattern on said image processed by said image processing means, and system control means connected to said image processing means for selecting at least one image to be processed in said image processing means from the images taken by said plurality of cameras based on vehicle conditions, and for controlling a type of image processing performed in said image processing means, said system control means configured to control both a type and a position of said graphic pattern superimposed by said graphic superimposing means, wherein said image processing means produces a plan view image based on images from said plurality of cameras, so that said plan view image comprises an image of a vehicle seen from above.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-functional on-vehicle camera system comprises a plurality of cameras mounted on a vehicle and monitors each displaying a camera image. An image processing section is provided for processing images taken by the plurality of cameras. A system control means is provided for selecting a camera image to be processed from a plurality of images obtained from the plurality of cameras based on signals representing vehicle conditions, and for designating a type of image processing performed in the image processing section. The image for assisting the safety driving is displayed at an appropriate timing according to driving conditions in such a manner that the driver can easily grasp the circumferential conditions from the displayed image.
293 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A multi-functional on-vehicle camera system comprising:
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a plurality of cameras mounted on a vehicle and a display unit for displaying at least one image from at least one of said cameras;
image processing means connected to said plurality of cameras for processing images taken by said plurality of cameras;
graphic superimposing means for superimposing a graphic pattern on said image processed by said image processing means, and system control means connected to said image processing means for selecting at least one image to be processed in said image processing means from the images taken by said plurality of cameras based on vehicle conditions, and for controlling a type of image processing performed in said image processing means, said system control means configured to control both a type and a position of said graphic pattern superimposed by said graphic superimposing means, wherein said image processing means produces a plan view image based on images from said plurality of cameras, so that said plan view image comprises an image of a vehicle seen from above. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
wherein said system control means controls both a type and a position of said graphic pattern superimposed by said graphic superimposing means. -
3. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of cameras includes at least two cameras selected from the group consisting of a rear camera for taking a rear view seen from the vehicle, right and left pillar cameras for taking right and left rear side views seen from the vehicle, right and left door mirror cameras for taking right and left door mirror views seen from the vehicle via right and left door mirrors, right and left lateral cameras for taking front side views seen from the vehicle, and a front camera for taking a front view seen from the vehicle.
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4. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises a right monitor for displaying an image taken by a right door mirror camera, and a left monitor for displaying an image taken by a left door mirror camera.
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5. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image processing means produces a panorama image based on images taken by a plurality of cameras.
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6. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image processing means produces a joint image by combining images taken by a plurality of cameras.
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7. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image processing means is for producing a surrounding image representing a surrounding view seen from the vehicle by successively connecting images of all of said plurality of cameras mounted on the vehicle.
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8. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image processing means is for producing an image formed by part of image data obtained from said plurality of cameras.
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9. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image processing means is for producing an image including a moving object approaching or leaving with respect to the vehicle, said moving object emphasized by a predetermined color.
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10. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said system control means is for designating said camera image to be used in said image processing and is for designating a type of image processing performed in said image processing means based on at least one signal representing vehicle conditions selected from the group consisting of a steering angle signal, a vehicle speed signal, gear position information and winker information.
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11. The multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said graphic superimposing means is for superimposing a graphic pattern of a moving object approaching or leaving with respect to the vehicle.
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12. An image display method of a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system comprising:
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a plurality of cameras mounted on a vehicle and a display unit for displaying at least one image from at least one of said cameras, said image display method comprising;
processing at least one camera image selected from a plurality of images obtained from said plurality of cameras based on vehicle conditions, and displaying a processed camera image on said display unit, wherein said processed camera image comprises a plan view image including an image of the vehicle seen from above. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
said plurality of cameras include at least two cameras selected from the group consisting of a rear camera for taking a rear view seen from the vehicle, right and left pillar cameras for taking right and left rear side views seen from the vehicle, right and left door mirror cameras for taking right and left door mirror views seen from the vehicle via right and left door mirrors, right and left lateral cameras for taking said views seen from the vehicle, and a front camera for taking a front view seen from the vehicle, and images taken by said at least two cameras are processed in image processing means and displayed on said display unit. -
14. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
said plan view image is produced and displayed based on at least three images of said rear camera and said right and left pillar cameras when said vehicle moves backward. -
15. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 14, wherein
said plan view image is produced and displayed based on at least three images of said rear camera, said left pillar camera and said left door mirror camera when said vehicle moves backward for parking along a left side of a road. -
16. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
said plan view image is produced and displayed based on at least three images of said rear camera, said right pillar camera and said right door mirror camera when said vehicle moves backward for parking along a right side of a road. -
17. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
a panorama image is produced and displayed by combining at least two images of said left door camera and said left pillar camera when said vehicle turns left, thereby eliminating an accident occurring during a left turning or cornering operation. -
18. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
a panorama image is produced and displayed by combining at least two images of said right door camera and said right pillar camera when said vehicle turns right, thereby eliminating an accident occurring during a right turning operation. -
19. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
a panorama image is produced and displayed by combining at least two images of said left pillar camera and said rear camera when said vehicle performs lane changing to a left lane. -
20. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
a panorama image is produced and displayed by combining at least two images of said right pillar camera and said rear camera when said vehicle performs lane changing to a right lane. -
21. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said display unit includes a right monitor displaying an image taken by said right door mirror camera and a left monitor displaying an image taken by said left door mirror camera.
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22. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 21, wherein each of said right and left monitors displays a limited image seen within a view angle of a corresponding door mirror when said vehicle is traveling.
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23. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
a panorama image is produced and displayed by combining three images of said right and left pillar cameras and said rear camera when said vehicle is traveling ordinarily. -
24. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 13, wherein
a joint image is produced and displayed by combining two images of said right and left lateral cameras when said vehicle is traveling slowly or stopped for confirmation of forward or side obstacles. -
25. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 24, wherein
the image of said right lateral camera is enlarged when said vehicle turns right, and the image of said left lateral camera is enlarged when said vehicle turns left. -
26. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 12, wherein
the image displayed on said display unit comprises a moving object approaching or leaving with respect to the vehicle, said object emphasized by a predetermined color. -
27. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 12, wherein
a graphic pattern is superimposed on the displayed image, said graphic pattern representing a moving object approaching or leaving with respect to the vehicle. -
28. The image display method for a multi-functional on-vehicle camera system in accordance with claim 21, wherein
the image taken by said door mirror camera is continuously displayed when any passenger is in the vehicle.
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Specification