Abstract: An on-vehicle camera calibration device is provided and a method of calibrating an on-vehicle camera easily is carried out by using a calibration indicator other than a three dimensional one. The calibration indicator makes it possible to set camera parameters to form an image on an arbitrary portion of a screen. The calibration indicator is in the form of a planar calibration indicator TB. A camera picked-up image including the calibration indicator TB is displayed on a screen on which a window is also displayed in superposed fashion. The position of the window is changed in a 2D image coordinate system. The position of the window is adjusted by manipulating an adjust button 7 so that the calibration indicator TB falls within the window. When the calibration indicator TB is placed in the window in coincident fashion, the resultant camera parameters (unknown roll &thgr; r, tilt angle &thgr; t, and pan angle &thgr; p) are set as camera parameters of the camera 17.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an image processing system, which includes an image sensor (DD) for introducing image information of an object to detect image data for indicating at least a density of the object. A scanning table memory (TM) is adapted to provide addresses in accordance with horizontal or vertical scanning lines, and provide a horizontal or vertical location information for each address. Also, the memory (TM) is adapted to provide a window on the basis of the location information and in accordance with the object, and store the window in a table memory. And, an image processor (DP) is adapted to provide a desired image on the basis of a logical product of the image data and the window. The memory (TM) is adapted to provide the window for the image which will be used at the next iteration step on the basis of the desired image formed by the image processor (DP).

Abstract: A vehicle condition detecting apparatus utilizes a camera mounted on the rear of a vehicle for providing an image including lines indicative of lane boundaries. The image is processed to determine the distances from the vehicle to each line. The distances are compared with predetermined distances by an image processor. A warning device provides a warning based on variations of observed distances with respect to the predetermined distances to warn the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of a line.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting a lane on a road, the latter of which includes an edge sensor (ED) for detecting edges indicative of boundaries of opposite sides of each lane, an edge memory (EM) for storing the edges to form a couple of continuous lines of edge groups indicative of the opposite boundaries of the lane, and an image processor (DP) for defining the opposite boundaries of the lane on a plane in a three-dimensional geometry. A center of curvature defining device (RC) defines a center of curvature to the opposite boundaries of the lane. An edge line extracting device (ES) divides the edge groups stored in the edge memory into a plurality of continuous regions each having a predetermined length along a concentric circle arc having the same center as the center of curvature, and extracts a pair of edge lines from each region.

Abstract: An onboard forward monitoring system is disclosed in which three television cameras, each supported by a steering mechanism, take picture of a road surface located forward of a vehicle at near distance, a medium distance and a far distance zone to detect white lines which partition a lane on the road surface, thus detecting a vehicle running ahead on the lane which is defined by the white lines. To enable a reliable detection and tracking of the vehicle running ahead in any zone of the road surface even when the road is curved, the individual television cameras are steered so that a vehicle running ahead is positioned at the center of the screen whenever such vehicle is present and so that a center across the width of the lane is positioned at the center of screen when a vehicle running ahead is not detected.

Abstract: An obstacle detecting system comprises an optical unit having a plurality of spaced laser diodes each of which emits a laser beam, a convex lens spaced from the optical unit in the frontward direction thereof and establishing a combined beam after each the laser beam passes through the convex lens, and a driving device for adjusting the relationship between each the laser beam and the convex lens. Such structure enabling the detection of the obstacle such as a vehicle in such manner that the obstacle is fallen within the width of the combined beam by adjusting the relationship between each the laser beam and the convex lens.

Abstract: A cruise control system for vehicles uses a video camera to follow a vehicle driving ahead at a constant distance and speed on a highway. The system detects the distance to a vehicle and a relative speed to set the upper and lower limitations for the distance and the speed. The system controls a speed of the vehicle in accordance with the comparisons of the detected distance and speed with the limitations.

Abstract: A vehicle cruising control device includes a detecting device for detecting the current speed of the vehicle, a constant speed control device for maintaining the speed of the vehicle at a selected speed, a measuring device for measuring the current inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and an advance vehicle and an inter-vehicle distance control device for maintaining the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the advance vehicle at a predetermined distance based on the degree of danger determined by the relationship of the current distance between vehicles and the relative speed between the vehicles. A switching device is provided for turning on either of the constant speed control device and the inter-vehicle distance control device.

Abstract: A video camera for an automobile is mounted on the arm which carries a rear view mirror. The camera is directed forwardly to take pictures through the front windshield of an automobile and a boot is connected between the camera and the windshield to isolate the camera lens from moisture and dust. An air duct may be connected between the boot and the air conditioner to provide a flow of air through the boot.

Abstract: A mobile range finder for use on a first vehicle detects a relative distance to a second vehicle at a position in a monitoring direction in front of the first vehicle. A vanishing point is determined by extracting, for example, the continuous or intermittently continuous white lines dividing traffic lanes on the road on the basis of spatial changes in the features of the scene ahead of the first vehicle, and the angle of elevation of the optical axis of an optical picture information generating device such as a TV camera is obtained on the basis of the determined vanishing point to thereby detect the distance to a designated position in which the second vehicle will appear. Accodingly, it is possible to effect accurate detection of a distance independently of the conditions of the first vehicle, such as pitching.

Abstract: A distance detection device mounted on a vehicle and the driver of the vehicle can recognize an obstacle in front of him through the device on the road on which he is driving. The device is electronic with a TV camera, memory and CRT. Those units enable the drive not only to recognize an obstacle on the road, but also to know the distance from his vehicle to an obstacle in front of him such as another vehicle.

Abstract: An electric motor driven power steering system is provided. The motor is prevented from operating at low torque command levels. After a first predetermined level of command torque is reached, the motor is controlled to generate torque at a predetermined rate less than the torque actually commanded by the vehicle driver. After a second predetermined level of commanded torque is reached, the motor is controlled to generate torque in accordance with the level of torque command. Thus, the phenomenon known as "hunting" and instability of the system at low torque levels are virtually eliminated. The system operates smoothly over its full range of operation and is not affected by rough road surface conditions.