Method for examining shooting direction of camera apparatus, device thereof and structure for installing sensor

• US 7,800,688 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Subaru Corp.
• Original Assignee: Fuji Heavy Industries Limited (Subaru Corp.)
• Inventors: Sogawa, Yoshiyuki, Murakami, Keiichi, Tozawa, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): SELBY, GEVELL V
• Application Number:
  US11/773,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20080036866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 348/116, 348/118, 348/148, 348/51, 348/53, 348/373, 348/42
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/00 Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations G01S5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0251 extracting 3D information from a plurality of images taken from different locations, e.g. stereo vision stereoscopic image analysis H04N13/00; depth recovery from images G06T7/593
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/246 Calibration of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0081 Depth or disparity estimation from stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0096 Synchronisation or controlling aspects

Abstract

In a test method in which an image photographed by a camera apparatus 1 attached to a body of a vehicle is displayed on a display device 17 and an examiner examines compliance or non-compliance of the shooting direction of the camera apparatus 1 by comparing the position of a reference pattern and the position of a judgment pattern on the displayed photographed image, the photographed image is obtained at first by photographing with the camera apparatus 1 a test chart which is placed at a predefined position ahead of the vehicle with the reference pattern drawn on the test chart. Next, the judgment pattern is set at a specific position on the photographed image. Then, the photographed image on which the judgment pattern has been set is displayed on the display device 17.

Claims

1. A structure for mounting an onboard sensor, comprising:

a sensor for monitoring traffic conditions ahead of a vehicle;

a sensor assembly for assembling said sensor; and

a mounting member formed independently of said sensor assembly,

wherein said sensor assembly is attached to a vehicle body via said mounting member, and a monitoring direction of said sensor is determined based on the shape of said mounting member and is adjusted by replacing said mounting member with another mounting member having a different shape.

2. The structure for mounting the onboard sensor according to claim 1, wherein said mounting member is a plate-like member and the monitoring direction of said sensor is determined by a state of the thickness of said mounting member.

3. The structure for mounting the onboard sensor according to claim 2, wherein said mounting member has a tapered shape in cross section along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the vertical component of the monitoring direction of said sensor is determined by said tapered shape.

4. The structure for mounting the onboard sensor according to claim 1, wherein a contact surface between said mounting member and said sensor assembly disagrees the horizontal plane under conditions where said sensor is attached to the vehicle body.

5. The structure for mounting the onboard sensor according to claim 1, wherein comprising:

a fixing member for fixing said sensor assembly to the vehicle body;

wherein said mounting member is independent of said sensor assembly when said fixing member is removed under conditions where said sensor assembly is fixed to the vehicle body.

6. The structure for mounting the onboard sensor according to claim 1, wherein said mounting member is replaced with another mounting member having a slightly different shape;

and

each mounting member is marked with an identification mark indicating features of shape of said mounting member.

7. The structure for mounting the onboard sensor according to claim 6, wherein a location of said identification mark is placed is an externally unascertainable location under conditions where said sensor is attached to the vehicle body.

8. The structure for mounting the onboard sensor according to claim 1, wherein said sensor assembly is a stereo camera assembly.

9. A structure for mounting an onboard sensor, comprising:

a mounting member;

a sensor assembly attached to a vehicle body via said mounting member; and

a sensor for monitoring traffic conditions ahead of the vehicle, said sensor being assembled into said sensor assembly,

wherein said mounting member is replaced by removing said sensor assembly, and a monitoring direction of said sensor is determined based on the shape of said mounting member and is adjusted by replacing said mounting member with another mounting member having a different shape.