Stereo type vehicle monitoring apparatus with a fail-safe function
US6310546A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2013/0081
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A stereo type vehicle monitoring apparatus with a fail-safe function comprises a pair of cameras 1, 2, a stereo image producer 3, 4, 5, a calculator 12 and a fail decision unit 12. The pair of cameras 1, 2 take pictures of scenes outside of a vehicle. The stereo image producer 3, 4, 5 produces a first image and a second image respectively based on pictures; taken by the cameras 1, 2. The calculator 12 calculates a level of brightness of a first monitor area in the first image produced by the stereo image producer 3, 4, 5 and a level of brightness of a second monitor area in the second image produced by the stereo image producer 3, 4, 5. The fail decision unit 12 determines a failure of the vehicle monitoring apparatus when a difference between the brightness level of the first monitor area and the brightness level of the second monitor area exceeds a predetermined value. The second monitor area positionally corresponds to the first monitor area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.