Trw Automotive U.S. LLC

Robert Boschgmbh

Yun Luo

Jon Kelly Wallace

Dieter Hoetzer

Farid Khairallah

Robert Dziadula

Russell Joseph Lynch

John D Prainito

Xavier Zhu

Chris St John

Systems and methods for detecting a vehicle. One system includes a controller. The controller is configured to receive images from a camera mounted on a first vehicle, identify a surface of a second vehicle located around the first vehicle based on the images, and generate a three-dimensional model associated with the second vehicle. The model includes a first plane and a second plane approximately perpendicular to the first plane. The first plane of the model is associated with the identified surface of the second vehicle. The controller is further configured to track a position of the second vehicle using the three-dimensional model after the identified surface falls at least partially outside of a field-of-view of the at least one camera.

Multi-surface model-based tracking

A system for longitudinal and lateral control of a vehicle. The system includes a camera generating a plurality of images representative of a field of view in front of the vehicle, and a controller receiving the plurality of images. The controller detects an object in the plurality of images, extracts a plurality of features from the plurality of images, generates a reference feature depiction based on the plurality of features from one or more of the plurality of images, generates a comparison feature depiction based on the plurality of features from one of the plurality of images, compares the reference feature depiction and the comparison feature depiction, and determines a longitudinal position of the vehicle relative to the object based on differences between the reference feature depiction and the comparison feature depiction.

Video based intelligent vehicle control system

A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera, a second camera, an electronic control unit, and a display. The electronic control unit receives a first image data set from the first camera and a second image data set from the second camera. The electronic control unit then produces a panoramic image based on the first image data set and the second image data set and displays the panoramic image on the display.

Rear-view multi-functional camera system with panoramic image display features

Apparatus for imaging a scene, comprising a focusing structure for focusing light emanating from a scene on an imaging subsystem, and an imaging subsystem. The imaging subsystem includes an imager, disposed within the optical path of the focusing structure, having an array of pixels sensitive to light at frequencies higher than far infrared frequencies, and a frequency shifter disposed between the lens element and the imager. The frequency shifter includes an array of frequency-shifting elements disposed over a subset of the array of pixels, the elements shifting the far infrared frequencies from the focused light to higher frequencies and transmitting the resulting signals to the subset of the array of pixels.

Multiple band imager and method

A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described that includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to identify a driving corridor in image data received from at least one camera. The driving corridor corresponds to a predicted path of motion of the vehicle travelling in reverse. When a moving object is detected in the image data, the electronic control unit predicts, based on the image data, whether the moving object will enter the driving corridor. If the moving object is predicted to enter the driving corridor, the electronic control unit calculates an estimated time when the object is predicted to enter the driving corridor.

Rear-view multi-functional camera system with driving corridor monitoring features

A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera and a second camera. The first and second cameras are positioned with partially overlapping fields of view. An electronic control unit is configured to receive image data from the cameras and generated three-dimensional data for the overlapping portion of the fields of view. The electronic control unit then analyzes the movement of vehicles within the overlapping field of view based on the three-dimensional data. Movement of vehicles in the non-overlapping fields of view is analyzed based on two-dimensional image data from either the first camera or the second camera.

Rear-view multi-functional camera system with three-dimensional data analysis features

A rear-view camera system for a vehicle. The rear-view camera system includes a first camera positioned on a rear side of the vehicle. The first camera produces a first data set that includes image data corresponding to a first field of view. A second camera is positioned on the rear side of the vehicle spaced a horizontal distance from the first camera. The second camera produces a second data set that includes image data corresponding to a second field of view. The first field of view and the second field of view cover a space adjacent the rear side of the vehicle. An electronic control unit receives the first data set and the second data set and processes the first data set and the second data set to determine the presence of an object in the space adjacent the rear side of the vehicle. The electronic control unit is configured to stitch the first data set and the second data set to produce a panoramic image that corresponds to the space adjacent the rear side of the vehicle. A human-machine interface includes a viewing screen positioned adjacent an operator of the vehicle, and the human-machine interface is configured to receive the panoramic image and display the panoramic image on the viewing screen.

Rear-view multi-functional camera system

A display system for a vehicle including a dual-sided display panel pivotably mounted to the interior ceiling of the vehicle. The dual-sided display panel displays an image from a media device to a rear-seat passenger of the vehicle and displays a different image to the driver on a second side of the display panel. The second side of the display panel is viewable by a driver of the vehicle through a rear-view mirror. A user-operated switch indicates what video source is displayed to the driver on the second side of the display panel. A first selectable video source is a camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle to capture rear-view images of the exterior behind the vehicle. A second selectable video source is a camera mounted in the rear passenger area of the vehicle to capture images of a rear-seat passenger.

Dual-sided display for vehicle rear-viewing system

A system for controlling an engine of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one monitoring device mounted on the vehicle, a controller in electronic communication with the at least one monitoring device, and a computer readable memory storing instructions executed by the controller. The instructions cause the controller to determine a current driving path of the vehicle based on data received from the at least one monitoring device, to detect a traffic congestion ahead of the vehicle in the current driving path based on data received from the at least one monitoring device, and to determine an alternative driving path of the vehicle based on data received from the at least one monitoring device. The instructions further cause the controller to calculate, using a first statistical model, a first probability that the traffic congestion will not move within a defined time period, and to stop the engine before the vehicle comes to a full stop when the first probability is greater than a first threshold.

System and method for controlling the engine of a vehicle

An image enhancing system for a vehicle comprises a display unit for displaying modified images and an imaging device for receiving captured images&#x2014;enhanced by the image enhancing system. The system further includes an image enhancing module in communication with the display unit and the imaging device&#x2014;such that pixels located in the captured images are enhanced by repositioning the pixels from a first position to a second position via a transfer operation.

Method and apparatus for distortion correction and image enhancing of a vehicle rear viewing system

Systems and methods are provided for controlling a plurality of vehicle systems. A forward looking sensor () is configured to obtain a two-dimensional image of a space in front of the vehicle. A region identification element () divides the two-dimensional image into a plurality of regions. Each region represents a portion of the space forward of the vehicle. An image transform () transforms the two-dimensional image to a three-dimensional coordinate system representing the space in front of the vehicle to calculate depth information for at least a portion of the image. Each of a plurality of expert systems (-) have at least one associated region and control a vehicle system (-) according to data from their respective at least one associated region and the calculated depth information.

Forward looking sensor system

A system for classifying image data includes a vision system () for continuously imaging an area () of interest and providing an image signals. A classifier () determines an image class corresponding to each image signal, determines a confidence level for each determined image class, determines a time period for the confidence level, and establishes an image classification in response thereto. Switching between image classifications is in response to the confidence level and time period of the confidence level. When used in a vehicle restraining system (), other monitor vehicle parameters () can be used to adjust the confidence levels and time periods needed to switch between image classifications.

Method and apparatus for controlling classification and classification switching in a vision system

A system () for generating training images for a pattern recognition classifier () from three-dimensional image data representing an output class comprises a model constructor () that constructs an image model in a standard coordinate domain from the three-dimensional image data. A model transformer () manipulates the image model in the standard coordinate domain to produce at least one manipulated image model. An image restorer () maps the at least one manipulated image model from the standard coordinate domain to a coordinate domain associated with an image source utilized during the run-time operation of the pattern recognition classifier.

Method and apparatus for producing classifier training images via construction and manipulation of a three-dimensional image model

Systems and methods are provided for generating training samples for a classification system associated with a vehicle occupant protection system. A three-dimensional virtual reality scene is generated () from a cockpit model having a set of at least two user configurable parameters () and an occupant model having a set of at least two user configurable parameters and a plurality of points of articulation (). A plurality of training samples are generated from the virtual model (). Each of the plurality of training samples has a first set of parameters associated with the cockpit model, a second set of parameters associated with the occupant model, and an occupant pose defined according to the points of articulation associated with the occupant model.

Virtual reality scene generator for generating training images for a pattern recognition classifier

Systems and methods are provided for producing a stereo disparity map representing an imaged subject. A plurality of sensors (and) are operative to produce a plurality of images. Each image has an associated exposure according to an exposure level of an associated sensor. A system control () determines exposure levels for the plurality of sensors according to an exposure selection algorithm. A disparity processing component () is operative to generate a stereo disparity map from a plurality of images. An image merger () is operative to merge a plurality of images to produce a composite image having an increased dynamic range.

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Yun Luo