Apparatus for detecting feature of driver's face
US8218832B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V40/19
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting a gaze direction of a driver is mounted on an automotive vehicle. An image of the driver's face on which infrared rays are incident is reflected on a windshield, and the reflected image is fed into a camera. An outside view entering through the windshield may be subtracted from the image of the driver's face taken into the camera to obtain a clearer image of the driver's face. A gaze direction of the driver is detected by a known method (refer to the Specification) based on the image taken by the camera. A mirror for further reflecting the image reflected on the windshield may be added to the apparatus to position the camera freely in the vehicle. A band-pass filter for allowing only the infrared rays to pass through may be disposed before the camera to suppress an image of outside view entering through the windshield. The gaze direction of the driver is correctly detected without placing the camera in a direct front of the driver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.