Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, vehicle drive assisting apparatus, and image processing method

• US 9,663,035 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2013
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Nakata, Takatoshi, Seto, Hideyuki, Okada, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Aghevli, Reza
• Application Number:
  US14/388,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20150062341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/304 using merged images, e.g. merging camera image with stored images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/308 by overlaying the real scene, e.g. through a head-up display on the windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0295 by overlaying a vehicle path based on present steering angle over an image without processing that image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/001 Texturing; Colouring; Generation of texture or colour inpainting G06T5/77
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/12 Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/14 Solving problems related to the presentation of information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/377 for mixing or overlaying two or more graphic patterns G09G5/02, G09G5/397 take precedence
• 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 processing apparatus includes: an image color determination unit configured to determine color of overlay image data to be superimposed on captured image data of successive frames generated by capturing surroundings of a vehicle such that a first color of overlay image data of a first frame differs from a second color of the overlay image data of a second frame following the first frame; and an image synthesizing unit configured to superimpose the overlay image data in the first color and the overlay image data in the second color respectively on predetermined positions in the captured image data of the first frame and the second frame, and output images corresponding to the captured image data of the successive frames one after another to a display. Thereby, an overlay image that is easily visible regardless of background color and driver'"'"'s color vision is superimposed on a captured image.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

an image processor configured to determine color of overlay image data to be superimposed on captured image data of successive frames generated by capturing surroundings of a vehicle such that a first color of overlay image data of a first frame differs from a second color of the overlay image data of a second frame following the first frame; and

an image synthesizer configured to superimpose the overlay image data in the first color and the overlay image data in the second color respectively on predetermined positions in the captured image data of the first frame and the second frame, and output images corresponding to the captured image data of the successive frames one after another to a display.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second colors are determined to have a difference in at least one of hue, brightness, and intensity.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and second colors are determined to be complementary to each other.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processor includes a plurality of selectable combinations of the first and second colors.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processor determines the first color based on color of a captured image.

6. An imaging apparatus comprising:

the image processing apparatus according to claim 1; and

an imager configured to capture surroundings of a vehicle and generating captured image data to be input to the image processing apparatus.

7. A vehicle drive assisting apparatus comprising:

the imaging apparatus according to claim 6; and

a display installed in a vehicle together with the imaging apparatus configured to display images corresponding to captured image data of successive frames output from the imaging apparatus.

8. An image processing method including steps of:

determining color of overlay image data to be superimposed on captured image data of successive frames generated by capturing surroundings of a vehicle such that a first color of overlay image data of a first frame differs from a second color of the overlay image data of a second frame following the first frame;

superimposing the overlay image data in the first color and the overlay image data in the second color respectively on predetermined positions in the captured image data of the first frame and the second frame; and

outputting images corresponding to the captured image data of the successive frames one after another to a display.