Abstract: An ECU captures an image of an imaging region around an own vehicle, and acquires image data, the imaging region being configured by a plurality of imaging areas. The ECU determines whether the object is present in the imaging areas, on the basis of detection results of an object present around the own vehicle. The ECU selects a target area to be displayed in an easy-to-see state from among the plurality of imaging areas, on the basis of determination results. The ECU reduces and corrects the image data of each imaging area such that an image of the target area is displayed in the easy-to-see state compared to an image of each imaging area to generate display image data.

Abstract: An onboard image generator is provided. The onboard image generator includes a first camera capturing an image in front of or behind a vehicle, and a second camera and a third camera capturing images on right and left sides of the vehicle, respectively. Based on the images captured by the second and third cameras, a first viewpoint converter generates a set of symmetrical viewpoint conversion images shaped viewed toward the front or rear of the vehicle from a pair of parallel virtual viewpoints. Based on the image captured by the first camera, a center image generator generates a center image. A combined image generator generates a combined image by arranging the center image in a center of and arranging the set of viewpoint conversion images besides the center image.

Abstract: In an image display system, an image processing portion uses a function of a display image synthesis section to generate a display image to be displayed on a display portion from at least a part of a plurality of images. Further, the image processing portion uses a function of a record image synthesis section to generate a record image to be recorded from at least a part of the plurality of images. The record image is different from the display image. This enables to use the display image to provide parking assistance and record the record image with a drive recorder. The image display system can be used to not only provide parking assistance but also exercise a function of the drive recorder.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image input section inputting images taken by a vehicle camera, a calibration target specifying section specifying a calibration target included both in a first image and in a second image, a vehicle information input section inputting information indicating travel distance and orientation change of the vehicle, a calculation section, and a storing control section. The calculation section converts the first and the second images to the first and second bird's-eye view images, respectively, arranges the first and the second birds-eye view images on common coordinate system with consideration of corresponding image taking positions and image taking orientations, and calculates at least one orientation parameter of the camera which minimizes position difference and rotation angle difference between the two calibration targets included in the first and second birds-eye view images. The storing control section stores the orientation parameter in storage.

Abstract: A vehicle surrounding image display control device includes: a vehicle surrounding image acquisition device; a bird's-eye view image creating device; a division storage device storing A and B bird's-eye view images; a shadow determination device; a vehicle movement amount calculation device; a first history image configuration device updating a C bird's-eye view image with the B bird's-eye view image, and updating a B history bird's-eye view image with the A bird's-eye view image when the shadow is not present in the B bird's-eye view image; a second history image configuration device updating the C bird's-eye view image using the B history bird's-eye view image, and updating the B history bird's-eye view image using the A bird's-eye view image when the shadow is present in the B bird's-eye view image; and a display control device.

Abstract: A vehicle perimeter monitor includes: a shooting device mounted on a vehicle for shooting an image of an outside of the vehicle; a controller including a detector and a generator, wherein the detector sets a detection line in a shot image, and detects a change amount of brightness of a picture cell on the detection line so that the detector detects movement of a moving object along with the detection line, and wherein the generator generates information display according to a detection result of the moving object; and a display for displaying the shot image and the information display.

Abstract: A method for calibrating vehicle cameras is simplified by providing painted patterns on a road surface and by capturing those patterns by the cameras to be calibrated. According to a predefined positional relationship of the cameras with the painted patterns, captured images of the painted patterns are bird's-eye converted and matched with reference to calculate camera positions in a vehicle, thereby enabling an automatic calibration of camera directions and the like.

Abstract: A vehicle perimeter monitor includes: a shooting device mounted on a vehicle for shooting an image of an outside of the vehicle; a controller including a detector and a generator, wherein the detector sets a detection line in a shot image, and detects a change amount of brightness of a picture cell on the detection line so that the detector detects movement of a moving object along with the detection line, and wherein the generator generates information display according to a detection result of the moving object; and a display for displaying the shot image and the information display.

Abstract: A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold.

Abstract: A method for calibrating vehicle cameras is simplified by providing painted patterns on a road surface and by capturing those patterns by the cameras to be calibrated. According to a predefined positional relationship of the cameras with the painted patterns, captured images of the painted patterns are bird's-eye converted and matched with reference to calculate camera positions in a vehicle, thereby enabling an automatic calibration of camera directions and the like.

Abstract: A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle vicinity image-processing apparatus and a recording medium capable of deducing a scene having left the field of vision of a camera mounted on the rear of a vehicle and drawing an image of the area behind the vehicle which includes this deduced part. An image-processing unit 5 first coordinate-converts a picked-up image to create a bird's-eye view image. Two chronologically consecutive bird's-eye view images are created as the bird's-eye view image, and a matching area of the two images is extracted. On the basis of this matching area, a moved area which has left the present field of vision of the camera 1 is extracted. An image of the matching area and the moved area is then drawn on a monitor 3. By this means, it is possible to draw an image including a scene which has left the present field of vision of the camera 1.

Abstract: A vehicle parking assisting system detects an obstacle by sonar devices, and displays it as a present detection position and a past detection point on a display device in an overlapping manner with a combined birds-eye view image. The present detection point is displayed as a series of dots extending from a predetermined position in a fan-shaped detection area in an arcuate shape along a detection area of the sonar devices, and the past detection point is displayed as a single dot located at the predetermined position in the fan-shaped detection area.

Abstract: A vehicle parking assisting system detects an obstacle by sonar devices, and displays it as a present detection position and a past detection point on a display device in an overlapping manner with a combined birds-eye view image. The present detection point is displayed as a series of dots extending from a predetermined position in a fan-shaped detection area in an arcuate shape along a detection area of the sonar devices, and the past detection point is displayed as a single dot located at the predetermined position in the fan-shaped detection area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle vicinity image-processing apparatus and a recording medium capable of deducing a scene having left the field of vision of a camera mounted on the rear of a vehicle and drawing an image of the area behind the vehicle which includes this deduced part. An image-processing unit 5 first coordinate-converts a picked-up image to create a bird's-eye view image. Two chronologically consecutive bird's-eye view images are created as the bird's-eye view image, and a matching area of the two images is extracted. On the basis of this matching area, a moved area which has left the present field of vision of the camera 1 is extracted. An image of the matching area and the moved area is then drawn on a monitor 3. By this means, it is possible to draw an image including a scene which has left the present field of vision of the camera 1.